"Don't tell the Lord how big your problem is; tell the
problem how great your Lord is!”
Aaron, a devoted Christian, lived
in a small Alabama town. His faith was undeniable – he went to church
every Sunday, read his Bible daily, and never denied help to anyone needing it.
The rains came earlier and heavier than expected this year. Dams, dikes, and flood control channels
filled quickly to capacity. With more
rain in the forecast, authorities called for the evacuation of Aaron’s town.
People started clearing the stores of food and water. Aaron watched from his sidewalk as neighbors
packed their cars, trucks, and RVs for higher ground. Aaron remained steadfast in his belief that "God
will take care of me!"
Torrential rain came as predicted; streets flooded as the
water had nowhere to go. Continuous
storms had weakened the concrete where he stood. Suddenly, the sidewalk collapsed and he fell
into a sink hole that formed under his feet. He was helplessly trapped!
Despite the fast rising water, Aaron calmly lifted his hands
towards heaven and prayed, "Dear Lord, I’m in serious trouble here. I trust You’ll get me out. Everything happens for Your glory."
A friend saw his predicament. "Give me your hand and I’ll pull you
out!" he urged. "NO!”Aaron shouted, “God has things under control,
He’ll rescue me in His time.” The friend,
fearing his own peril, decided not to argue and sprinted off.
Aaron prayed more anxiously now, “Use me, Lord, as an
example; an instrument of faith!"
A stranger in a boat came rowing by. "Give me your
hand, buddy, and I’ll pull you into my boat." Again Aaron declined. "NO! God will work His glory today." Shaking his head in disbelief, the stranger paddled
away.
Aaron prayed urgently now, the water nearing his jaw line. "Father, I trust You and know you will
get me out of this mess. Everything in
life happens for Your glory. Help me
please!"
A rescue helicopter hovered over head. Hanging
perilously from a rope ladder, a Rescue Team member yelled, "Give me your
hand, Sir, and I’ll help you to safety."
Predictably, Aaron replied, "NO! God will save me Himself today." The rescue crew chief, knowing there were many
more lives yet to be saved, ordered the chopper to fly off.
Soon Aaron drowned.
Angels took his soul before God’s almighty throne. After exchanging pleasantries, a confused
Aaron asked the obvious question: "Why
Lord? I prayed for help, I never doubted
You, yet you let me die. Where did I
fail?"
God shook His mighty head, "My child, I love you dearly
and would never leave you no matter what trials or hardships you encountered. BUT YOU FOOL! Three times I sent someone to help you – and
three times you foolishly refused!"
Trust
Me and commit your lives to Me! But always
remain open-minded to the ways I choose to help you, which almost always
requires some work on your part. ~ God
