One day a hunter looking for game came upon the apostle John sitting along the Sea of Galilee fishing. He thought that such a mighty man of God must be catching fish to feed the needs of others. Passing by the next day, he saw that John was still sitting in the same spot fishing. Feeling a bit indignant he went to the great Apostle and asked why he was wasting his time when there was so much that needed to be done. John noted that the hunter’s bow was not strung and asked, “Why are you not prepared to hunt when the game makes itself available? Should you not keep your bow tightly strung and at the ready?” The hunter replied, “If I were to keep my bow strung it would lose its tension and would be useless for hunting.” John smiled and said, “So to God’s bows must be allowed to rest.”
So how do you relieve the tension? How do you unbend the bow by untying the knots and loosening up? I found the answer in the Proverbs, specifically chapter three verses five and six.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
There are three important points not to be overlooked within this passage and four actions to be taken. First trust, then do not lean, acknowledge, and make straight. The first three verbs are commands that represent our responsibility, and the last is a promise declaring God’s part in this transaction.
You might note that there is one word used four times, “your.” This emphasizes the personal nature of this truth. God is telling us that we must enter individually. No one can apply trust for us. It’s your heart, your understanding, your ways, and your paths that will be made straight. How you respond to the tension this world brings is your choice.
The first phrase is linked to the last. It’s the main idea. Trust God to straighten things out. The two middle phrases amplify the main idea, don’t lean, but acknowledge. To truly trust God two simple decisions must be made, one negative, and one positive. The negative is that you are not to trust what you understand, and the positive is that you must recognize God in every aspect of your life.
The root Hebrew term used for trust implies total surrender. It denotes throwing yourself at the feet of another, placing all hopes for the present and future in their hands. It’s a surrender of your whole heart, the “inner person,” The very center of your intellect, emotion, and will.
Jesus made us a promise if we loosen our bow, relieve the tension, and trust Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The world is filled with tension and stress so take a few moments and find a quiet place, where there is no distractions and do what Jesus said to do, simply go to Him, and let Him give you rest. And when you have a moment, stop by my website at BFRandall.com. Check out the books, videos, blogs, and God’s Route 66, and while you’re there, get the first chapter of Between the Lightning and the Thunder for free.
See you next time… Ben
