Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Not so very long ago I was driving an eighteen wheeler for a living. Early one morning as I was driving up I55 from Memphis to Chicago, I got a call that a dear family member had passed away. Right away I notified my company that I needed to be in Taylorsville, Kentucky on Friday because of the death in my family. I delivered my load and had to spend the night in the Chicago area. That was on Wednesday. I got a call for a load headed to Columbus, Ohio so I said I would take it. Within an hour that load was canceled and they were trying to give me a load headed for the East coast. That load I refused because of my situation. Within an hour I was put back on the first load. Now I had to get to Taylorsville on Friday. There were no other options for me. I got to Columbus on Thursday night and slept for a few hours. On Friday morning my company called and was trying to force me to take another load headed for a destination far from Taylorsville, I was between a rock and a hard place. If I had to guess I would say that lots of folks are between a rock and a hard place right about now. What about you?

I am not the first to be between a rock and a hard place and if you are there right now, you are not alone. In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat found himself between a rock and a hard place. Several armies were marching against him to destroy him and his country. What would you do in this situation?


Here is what Jehoshaphat did.

• First of all he ran to God for help and begged for guidance
• Then he fasted and ordered everyone to fast.
• Next he stood before his people and prayed to the God of Heaven.
• In his prayer he worshiped God and praised Him.
• He reminded God of His mighty deeds
• He reminded God of His promises to his country.
• Jehoshaphat declared his faith in God's deliverance.
• Jehoshaphat reminded God of how weak he really was and how powerless he was to deliver himself.

God honored Jehoshaphat's response and sent deliverance.  This is the beginning of a new year and it would be good to respond to our problems the same way Jehoshaphat did. Fasting still gets God's attention. There are several ways to fast. There is a complete fast and a Daniel fast where we give up certain foods. There is a one day fast, a three day fast, a 21 day fast, and a 40 day fast.

Chances are our problems did not come up overnight, but fasting gets God's attention. There are other men of God who had great burdens and problems. Nehemiah had problems and here is what he did.

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!
(Nehemiah 1:4-6 NLT)

Now when we get a bad doctor's report, a phone call, or a troubling letter we can choose to stick our head in the sand, be fearful, or we can fall on our knees before the God of Heaven who can do more to take our burden than we can ever do.

When my brother in law passed away I sought the Lord as what I should do. I asked God to get me back to Columbus, Ohio if He wanted me to quit this job so I could attend the funeral. God got me back to Columbus, Ohio the place where I got the truck. I was on the lot where I first entered the truck, there I would leave it. I would not be written up for abandoning the truck if I left it there. The company did try to force me to take another load and they did write me up for "quitting under a load." Who cares about that. I did get back to Taylorsville very late on Friday afternoon. I was able to be there for my sister. She was counting on me. God got me through this. I later got another driving job that proved to be the best driving job I ever had.

So tonight what has you fearful and troubled? Remember what Jehoshaphat and Nehemiah did.

1Co 10:11  These things happened to them as examples for us.

Isa 41:10  Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.

Jas 1:2  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Now what more can I say? 1Pe 5:7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Good night dear friends.
bob