Cause -> Effect

The ability to correctly determine the cause for displayed symptoms is essential to resolving those issues. Administering the incorrect treatment could make the problem worse. The repair of vehicles has changed dramatically since I was a child. The inclusion of electronics throughout the various parts has made it possible to just hook into a computer and locate the cause of an issue fairly quickly. Even with this information, though, it is possible to waste time and money on unnecessary repairs. To just start replacing parts where error codes are showing on the computer may only increase the effects of a single issue that is actually causing all those other malfunctions. An experienced and knowledgeable technician will understand the root cause and ensure that the resolution is expedited without ongoing problems.

As life presents its unending issues and circumstances, there is no lack of perspectives on what the solutions may be. Access to information is unprecedented as it is possible to just plug our computers into the data centers and come up with an answer to what ails. Forums and social media make it possible to get opinions and insight from many sources professing to be expert and reliable. However, depending on the nature of the problem, there is a very real probability of only making matters worse if you start trying what seems right from just any perspective. There are also those who have capitalized on real and created social and health issues to manipulate many with solutions that only exacerbate the true causes.

Gratefully, we don’t have to rely upon what seems to be right from the perspectives of men that seem to evolve and shift from one thing to another, never really solving the true cause. When it seems like surely an undesired effect is coming from a stated cause, we can go to the only truly reliable Resource, our Creator. What He has said regarding our circumstances can bring peace and strength to press towards what will correct the true issue producing all the other error codes. It’s in Him that we live, move and have our being.

Our solution to the misplaced cause – run to, rather than away from, the Source of truth and His promises.

Romans 3:3-4 (NIV) 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

Exodus 5:22-23 (NIV) 22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

Exodus 6:1-8 (NIV) 1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” 2 God also said to Moses, "I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.'”

His ways are higher than our ways

Isaiah 55:6-13 (NIV) 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

From man’s misdiagnosis - God’s purpose fulfilled

Genesis 50:20 (NIV) 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

John 9:1-3 (NIV) 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

In running to God – become fixed on His promises

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Philippians 2:13 (NLT) 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Overview:

• In order to get resolution and freedom, must correctly determine the cause.
• Must run to the answer in spite of how things appear – God’s ways are higher than ours.
• Discover what His will from His Word regarding the circumstance at hand.
• Displace man’s diagnosis with God’s.

Prayer:

“I am coming to You now to resolve the true cause of these circumstances in my life. Your ways are so much higher than mine. I yield now to receive and respond to the wisdom that comes from You. My heart is open to what You have spoken and I desire the revelation that is coming by Your Spirit. Let Your will be done in and through me.”

Action:

1. List the symptoms and what would seem to be their cause.
2. Discover God’s perspective on their cause and His related promises.
3. From an atmosphere of honoring His thoughts be open to revelation specific to the issue at hand.
4. Declare by faith:

“I do not lean on my own understanding. I have no confidence in the flesh or the limited perspectives of man. I choose to rely completely on the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit on determining the cause and solution for life issues that concern me. I will walk in freedom from those symptoms as in all my ways I yield to the understanding that only comes from Him.”