My Hope is in my God

FaithWalkDaily October 2, 2008

~ Psalm 9:18
But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Recently we've been faced with climbing some very rough terrain in our lives and I know my only hope is in God. When the world fails us - and it does time and again, God NEVER does.

I am who I am and there's no getting around that. At this very moment I'm dealing with a screaming worn out hip joint that needs to be replaced (and lack of money or insurance to take care of it,) bad liver, weepy eye, sinus pain and inflammation, frequent headaches, and nerve pain in my feet. Today is a good day. Add to that problems with a rental property we've invested in, the US economy is in the pits, troubles with my adult son who's moved back home and acts like a demanding tantrum-throwing toddler - honestly, some days I really want to catch the next train for the furthest reaches of the universe and disappear forever.

I'm not afraid to tell God how I feel. The One who knows every hair on my head, already knows! I don't have to be afraid to share my pain and sorrow with God. He is my Father, my comforter, my strength, my shield, my deliverer - He is everything to me. My hope is in Him. If I don't pour out my heart to Him, in essence it's like saying I can handle this alone; I don't need God. I can't handle anything in life with out Him; I do need God.

The truly marvelous thing is, that while I refocus my attention on Him, I forget about my hip, my eye, my sinus headache, and all the stress life throws my way. For just that time, all is well. I can see only good in my scope when focused on Him. My hope is in Him.

Where's your hope today? Perhaps it would help to adjust your focus. Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You! Thank You for always being there for me to lean on when otherwise I would just fall over. Thank You for being the merciful and loving Father You are, to hold and comfort me as I go through all the trials of life on earth. Thank You for saving a special place in heaven just for me. I can't wait to get home! In the meantime, pour out your strength, courage and perseverance to keep plugging along for Your purposes, a day at a time. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Mustard Seed Faith

FaithWalkDaily 9/11/2008

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
~ Psalm 40:1 NLT

Yesterday started off headache free for the first time in days. After some prayer and meditation on K-Love's Encouraging Word http://www.klove.com/EncouragingWord/, I thought it was going to be a wonderful day.

Then the enemy crept in while I was all puffed up and shattered my world. In one fell blow, with my defenses down, he bowled me over in an instant. I found myself flattened, on the phone with my husband who gave me terrible news. After hanging up, I tried to pray but I felt nothing but anger, fear and complete loss of control. I sat sobbing, wondering what to do.

Beside myself and unable to move or pray, I started calling friends I know who are strong prayer warriors. No one answered their phones so I began screaming at God, "HELP! HELP ME GOD, Where are you when I need You? Why do You hear everyone else's prayers and not mine? Why do You bless everyone else and not us? What have we done that keeps You from hearing our prayers? I want to serve You, want to be obedient. So if I'm doing something wrong, show me Lord, Help me!!"

After a few unanswered calls, I got my church directory and opened it and the first name my eyes rested on is a woman of deep faith. I called and poured out my heart to her. She immediately prayed for us, for our situation and for the other person involved. Her specific prayer was for these two men to resolve the problem as good Christians, in peace. She also prayed something like, "Lord, You have said we can move mountains with just the faith of a mustard seed. As small as our faith is, we know You're in control and that You can make this situation right for everyone concerned."

Through my sobs, I told my friend that I didn't think I even had the faith of a mustard seed anymore. She responded to the effect that the very fact that I had called, that I had reached out to others for prayer in my time of need, proved my faith. A simple but profound statement - words straight from the heart of the Holy Spirit. God poured a healing salve into my wounded soul through her wisdom.

Before she was even finished praying, my husband called on my cell phone to tell me this man had apologized and they had resolved the issue to everyone's satisfaction.

I don't always wait patiently. Sometimes I'm flat out kinetic - pacing, ranting, raving, crying. Perhaps that's as patient as I can be. God created me this way. He knows my heart, my needs, my abilities. Despite my lack of serenity, and inability to sit still, He has abundant patience. He turns to me in my time of need and hears my cry.

O Holy God, thank You for Your patience when I have none, thank You for Your mercy when I am far from You, thank You for providing for my every need though my faith is so small. You are marvelous and majestic, all powerful and all knowing, yet You attend to me as a gentle Shepherd takes care of the lamb gone astray. You have far greater things to attend to, yet no prayer goes unheard. You draw me into Your presence and guide me according to Your perfect plans. Protect me from the enemy - ever lurking, ever patient - just waiting to devour me. You etch Your word upon my heart for times when I can't think clearly, and the Holy Spirit brings them to mind to thwart the devil's attacks, when he taunts me with his lies. Thank You Lord Jesus, that You have paid the price for my sins, that You have made a way for me to bring my petitions before the Father. Thank You my Savior, my Redeemer, my Rescuer. Guide us through this day, with constant reminders, that You are Soverein God. In Jesus' name, amen.