Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)

There is common false teaching regarding why Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt. It was not because she beheld the presence of God. Disobedience to God and the desire for her former life caused her to suffer the consequences of sin–the wages of sin is death.

Unfortunately, many believers desire their former life when experiencing severe trials, sorrows, and hardships. God has blessed us with free will. He is not intrusive and will accept our rejection of Him. Think about trying to force a child to eat broccoli. They do not care whether or not the vegetable is healthy for their bodies. The pungent taste and smell of the green crowns repel them from eating the veggie.

“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.”(Isaiah 43:18). How many have lost out on God’s perfect plans for their lives because of disdain for suffering and disobedience for following their desires? Satan presents their past as a light in a dark tunnel. Or he convinces humanity that God places too much on us. Because they do not have a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ and lack knowledge of the Scriptures and the power of God, they eagerly retreat into the darkness of yesteryear to escape trials and tribulations.

God Reveals the Only Exception for Looking Back

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me…” (Isaiah 46:9)

The Christian should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious deliverances that God has wrought for him, supporting him in trial, opening ways before him when all seemed dark and forbidding, refreshing him when ready to faint. He should recognize all of them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels. In view of these innumerable blessings he should often ask, with a subdued and grateful heart, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). E.G. White

Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for looking back and desiring certain aspects of our past sinful lives. We acknowledge that Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Please direct us and give us strength in our spiritual journey so we may completely trust You through the raging storms in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

You may live in a state with rainy seasons or wintry blizzards, but Texas and tornadoes are synonymous. Yes, the state is known for its annual tornado seasons. I have watched the powerful funnel snap and throw trees as if they were fresh green beans being snapped and thrown into a basket. The tornado lifted homes and demolished them like children’s building blocks falling down.

No, I am not a storm chaser. I traveled on a two-lane road that connected a rural town to the highway leading to Dallas. Once I entered the city of Alvarado with its flat desert-like terrain, the tornado’s funnel danced a passionate tango with strength and vengeance. The state troopers directed all drivers to perform a synchronized U-turn to retreat to safety.

The Winds of Strife–Saul Seeks to Kill David

The Situation: “So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest.” (1 Samuel 23:15)

God’s Divine Intervention: Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” (1 Samuel 23:16-17).

God’s Covenant Promise: So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house. (1 Samuel 23:18).

The Divine Outcome: Saul stated: “And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” (1 Samuel 24:20).

Neither Satan nor any individual can prevent our powerful Heavenly Father from shutting down the winds of strife. Prayer opens the door to receiving supernatural help and blessings from our Divine Intercessor–Jesus Christ. Becoming a treasure-seeker in the Word of God, living by its precepts, and diligently praying is the only way to withstand the winds of strife.

Bible Study: 1 Samuel 23-24

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for being our Savior and Heavenly Intercessor. We desperately need Your help to withstand the daily winds of strife, which attack us in many ways. We love You. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy name. Amen.

Years ago, I negotiated a higher salary for a temporary position that I obtained through a Hiring Agency. The assignment lasted for 16 weeks. For some unknown reason, I checked the paystub of my final check, and much to my surprise, there was a $2 per hour difference in the salary paid for the assignment.

I contacted the Human Resources liaison, who asked, “You never checked your payroll stub.” My answer was, “No, I had a written contract. Why was it necessary for me to check my stub?” I received a check for the deficit in an overnight express envelope the next day.

As I reflect on this story, I realize that as human beings we put too much trust in people, employers, investment companies, businesses, and banks. In fact, many individuals feel intimidated to obtain second opinions regarding their health or medical diagnosis.

Surprisingly in 2022, scams are still being orchestrated with the highest level of expertise. Many victims receive a phone call from a person representing an alleged governmental agency or bank who says they owe money or suspicious charges were charged to the debit or credit card. And trusting the confident voice, they readily give their confidential financial identifiers to a stranger.

Still, the greatest deception is a never-ending scheme perpetrated in the spiritual realm. Satan has convinced us to rely on ourselves. Yes, we trust our judgment based on prior experience or desires of the heart.

The irony is that we place too much trust in ourselves, other people, and institutions, but we have little to no faith in God. If you believe in God and did not pray for direction and God’s will to be done, or wait for His answer, unfortunately, your plans will not come to fruition the way you think.

I can recall a story from a former pastor who had his own investment business. He told the congregation that he prayed about making an investment and received the answer of “No” from God. But the financial returns were too great to pass on this opportunity. Within days he lost $250,000.

The unequally yoked relationship, the start of a business, financial investment, the relocation for a new job, or the purchase of a new vehicle or house, if God has not given His blessings upon our desires, we will place ourselves in a lose-lose predicament.

The consequences of Disobedience always place us in spiritual bankruptcy. Not trusting in God is guaranteed to end in failure. “Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.”(Proverbs 13:15).

The Solution: Always Pray and wait for God’s answer!

Prayer: God, we ask for your direction and blessings upon our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.