Reveration Blog
5/18/2018 0 Comments Between a Rock and a Hard PlaceHave you ever been in a situation where no matter what action you took nothing good was likely to happen? We call this “stuck between a rock and a hard place.” In 1917 a lack of funding caused by an earlier banking crisis led to a dispute between copper mining companies and mineworkers in Bisbee, Arizona. The workers, some of whom had organized in labor unions, gave their company management a list of demands for better pay and conditions. Management refused their request and many workers at the Bisbee mines were forcibly deported to New Mexico. “Given that the mineworkers were faced with a choice between harsh and underpaid work at the rock-face on the one hand and unemployment and poverty on the other” this is probably the source of the phrase.[1] Meditation
Jeremiah 38:15--Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, you will kill me, won’t you? Besides, if I give you advice, you won’t listen to me anyway.” King Zedekiah, facing a huge threat by the Babylonian army, sent for the prophet Jeremiah and said to him, “I am going to ask you something; don’t hide anything from me” (vs. 14). But Jeremiah did not trust the king and uttered the response in the verse of meditation above. He was right. Despite the king’s promise not to put him to death, Zedekiah rejected God’s warning to him as relayed through the Jeremiah. He refused the prophet’sadvice. Consequently, his sons were murdered before his eyes and then King Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and had him led in chains back to Babylon. The king who disdained God’s Word ended his life disgraced. Sometimes God allows us to be placed in “no-win” positions. Jeremiah told the truth. He gave Judah’s ruler words he did not want to hear let alone accept. In like manner when placed in a difficult situation, we must do what is morally right—even if it costs us our lives. Yes we may die but, if Jesus is our Lord and Savior, this is not a defeat for we will live with Him for eternity. Are you stuck in a quandary? Fear not. Pray! Trust God and choose the harder right and in glorifying Him you will be rewarded. Remember you are not really between a rock and a hard place you are with the Rock in a hard place. He will see you through. Something to think about . . . in reveration! Inspiration Three Principles for Resolving Dilemmas 1. “Do what’s best for the greatest number of people” [ends-based thinking] 2. “Follow your highest sense of principle” [rule-based thinking] 3. “Do what you want others to do to you” [care-based thinking]—Rushworth M. Kidder in How Good People Make Tough Choices ©2018 Daniel York ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause. If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth. (Holman CSB) [1]https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place.html
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