Leash Limits

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Not sure how many of you know this, but Nemo used to have a brother. When he was about 2 years old, I adopted a second Chihuahua named Joey. This little guy was awesome. He had such a great personality that, after some time, even Nemo began to warm up to him.

Yes, all was great in the Niccum household except for one small thing: Joey was the most undisciplined dog I have ever met! Housebreaking him was impossible, so much that he failed obedience school twice! Moreover, he wouldn’t even cooperate when a leash was involved. No matter how firmly I tugged, no matter how much training there was involved, Joey always pretended as if the leash was never there. He would run rampant and always appear completely shocked when his leash space ran out. In his little mind, personal power was never something that would actually be limited.

John 19:11
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” – NIV

One of the amazing ironies about the crucifixion of Jesus is that while it would appear that evil was winning the battle – rather handedly in fact – God is winning the war.

In our lives, we know the enemy well. He makes no secret of his presence, or, his intentions. Satan’s plain objectives reflect his evil nature clear as day, and yet, his vision will always be limited. Just like all things caged in, he doesn’t seem to realize that God hasn’t lost the grip on his leash.

Just looking around at our culture today, it would be easy for Satan to think that he has finally broken free of the Lord and been able to do some real damage. However, all the while…not only is the leash on his neck still firm, but he is actually accomplishing God’s greater purposes himself.

No matter what we are going through in life, we must always try to remember the calm of Jesus in the midst of His greatest storm. Regardless of the difficult place we find ourselves in, it has been allowed from above. It always is. And, trust, God is accomplishing His purposes through it.