Below rock bottom

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Below rock bottom

The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; (Deuteronomy33:27 (NKJV) Have you ever been so low you felt you could not go any lower? The expression for that is: "I've hit rock botttom!" That place in your life feels like no one in the world could have it any worse, for it's a place where you feel you are all alone, below everything in all creation. When we think we are in such a position, we feel like their is no hope and we just want to do anything to get out of there, or, we just "give up" and sit there. Some of you are in such dire straits right now and some of you may arrive there in the near future. I want to make 3 points for your benefit, and for those who are not suffering this, to give you another reason to praise our God. (#1) Deuteronomy 33:27 tells us, as those who have joined God's family through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus, that the eternal God is our refuge. The word translated as God is Elohim, the "im" being the designator that the word means plural. We have here, not an assortment of Gods, but God as a triunity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All the God-head is our refuge. It is also the Name that represents the creator and governor of all creation, therefore reminding us that there is nothing beyond His power and control and able to get to us in that refuge. Think of the idea of what we call "wildlife refuges", places where the law, and the govenment that law represents, protects all the wildlife living there. Now, take away any chance of violators entering that refuge, plus the ability of any of the wildlife being able to harm others, and you begin to see what it means for God to say HE is our refuge. Add in the fact that this verse describes Him as eternal, and you realize HE's always there to protect us. (#2) Our Scripture tells us there is always something below what we consider to be "rock bottom," for the word underneath is comprised of 2 words, both meaning "below". It literally means "below below" are the everlasting arms to hold us up. When God tells you something twice, HE is emphasizing its truth, therefore HE is telling us "below below" what we consider to be "rock bottom", His arms are open wide to hold, sustain, and protect His children! (#3) Those sustaining, upholding, and protecting arms are everlasting. Unlike our bodies, cars, homes, and everything of this life, they don't gow old and fail. They are everlasting, perpetual, forever present, able, and functioning perfectly. You need never worry that God is going to drop or miss you as you fall, it is impossible for that to happen! I've heard a phrase from some preachers and teachers that is just not true. It goes something like this, "when you reach the end of your rope, just tie a knot in it and hang on!" Now that might tickle the ears of some, but I believe it displeases and dishonors our God. I believe, based on His Word, that instead of "tying a knot and hanging on", God would have us "let go and let God!" We are not able to "hang on" in our strength, but God is not able to fail in His strength! Believer, remember that you are never alone, nor are you ever below God's reach. HE is ever-lasting, ever-present, ever-sufficient, ever-seeing, ever-knowing, ever-able, and ever-caring. No matter how bad things seem to get or be in your life, God is below rock bottom!

Ben