When the answer is no

How we need quiet moments with God. Uninterrupted, completely focused on Him. For me those moments are in the morning, when most of my world is still asleep enveloped in the darkness that happens before dawn. I want to listen better when God speaks, so the morning calm makes it easier to hear Him talk. This morning I was sitting in front of my big window looking at the stars up above and thinking about the many storms so many of us are facing this moment. There are so many problems, and I don't know if it is because I'm older or more aware of life in general, but often it seems like there is no relief from the storm. Days, months, and years go by without it calming down. And we ask God for help ,but truly what we want is for our problems to go away. That's exactly what I told God this morning. It would be very nice if all of a sudden everyone on my prayer list was happy, healthy, and wealthy with no problems to weigh us down. Then God led me to Psalm 86...

I'm not a Biblical expert, so I don't know when David wrote Psalm 86 or under what circumstances, but in verse 16 David asks God to save the son of a woman who served the Lord. I started then to think of David's life. When He called Bathsheba to his palace and then had her husband killed, Bathsheba became pregnant. That child God said would not live. David pleaded and begged for God to deliver that child from death. David truly agonized over the whole situation. He probably felt the weight of his guilt and felt responsible. But even though David prayed and fasted God still answered no. David then put his trust in God knowing that He knew best.

God says no many times, doesn't He? Or maybe He's simply saying not yet.

How are to respond when God says no? How often, and I speak from experience, do we get mad at God for not granting our requests? We kick and scream and whine. We feel as if God has abandoned us and doesn't care about us anymore. It's hard when things don't go our way. 

You know, children are a lot like that. They have their wills and get upset when things don't happen the way they want. Have you heard of temper tantrums? The child kicks, screams, and whines. But parents also say no a lot and often children don't understand why. Depending on the age of the child, there are many times when parents can't explain why not because the child would simply not understand. 

It's so easy to understand this rationale with children, but we get very uncomfortable when it applies to us. The truth is God knows best and depending on our walk with Him, not always can He explain why as we would simply not understand. Until we see the way He sees, we won't get it. 

So what are we to do when God says no? The Bible is filled with guidance for us. We are first to go to Him so we can find rest. (Matthew 11:28) We are to trust (Proverbs 3:5) and not worry (Matthew 6:34). We are to be still (Psalm 46:10) and find strength in Him (Psalm 18:2). We are to rely on His promises knowing without doubt that He is always with us (Isaiah 41:10), no matter what we are going through (Psalm 23:4).

Today put your trust in God. No matter how He answers your prayers, resolve to rest in His love, wisdom, and His plan for your life. His plans are never to harm you, but to fill you with hope. There is a bright future just around the corner. A future with no more pain, suffering, problems, with no more death. That's our goal. That's where we need to focus. A future free of sin is our reward for staying faithful till the end. Lean on Christ your Rock! It's not always easy, but He promised that with Him, you can do everything! (Philippians 4:13).

 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

Matthew 6:34 

"“Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

 "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."

Psalm 18:2

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me."
Psalm 23:4 

"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."
Isaiah 41:10

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Morning blessings

My home office has a large window that goes all the way from the ceiling to the floor. It lets in lots of natural light and is one my favorite spots in the house. I like to sit on the floor looking outside watching the day begin. I've had the most interesting conversations with God while sitting on the floor, in front of my big window. My neighborhood is quiet, with many trees, lots of busy little birds that crowd the feeders, and friendly neighbors. I haven't met all of my neighbors yet. In this day and age people seem to live more isolated from each other, busy with our daily activities.

There are two houses in front of mine that I believe belong to parents and their children. The house with the children receives the newspaper every day. The paper person doesn't deliver the newspaper right to the door, but throws it into the walkway or somewhere in the yard. Hmmm I wonder if the paper delivery person is a young boy riding a bike carrying a bag over his shoulder full of newspapers. Most likely not, but that's how I picture a paper delivery person. 

I noticed though that every morning before the sun comes up, the father comes out of his house, goes to his children's front yard, picks the paper up from the ground, and puts it right in front of their front door. He doesn't ring the doorbell nor does he talk with anyone. This morning he had two little cats playfully walking with him. 

I have seen this every day that I'm looking outside early in the morning by my big window, but today I saw something else. Today I saw love! By dad bringing the paper to the door, the young family can just retrieve it without having to walk all the way to the yard. It's a simple gesture, but dad is saying he loves his children.

After the older gentleman went back to his house I started thinking about the many unseen blessings my Heavenly Father bestows upon me every day. He's protected me every night of my life when I'm sleeping. He's waken me up and is still blessing me with the breath of life. He sends lots of little birds to my feeders because He knows I like it. Every morning I've been blessed by eating breakfast, my most favorite meal of the day. What a feast it often is. I have great friends all over the world. He gave me a loving family and I get to share my days with my husband and my son. These are just a few of the blessings my heavenly Father gives me every morning! Little gestures that mean the world to me.

He does the same for you. Every new day there are countless blessings waiting for you when you open your eyes in the morning. It's very easy to focus on the negative around us, so it does take an effort to look at the wonderful blessings He gives. However, if you think about the good, you are going to see a loving Heavenly Father bestowing His love and care on you. You are His kid. 

Little birds just started coming to the feeders and are happily singing their morning songs. In fact I  just saw my first robin of the season. My heart and lips are smiling. I'm going to spend some time enjoying this blessing from God. He loves me! And He loves you too!

"The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." 

Lamentations 3:22, 23

"And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing."

Ezekiel 34:26

Strength in the past

The Bible is the best psychology book ever! What an amazing book that addresses so beautifully the struggles we face as human beings living in a sinful world. Have you ever felt abandoned by God when going through a difficult time? You may be going through that right now. The problems just keep pilling up with no relief in sight and you feel as if you are drowning. Where is God? This morning I was thinking about that and wondering if a friend I have who's going through difficult health problems was feeling that way. Then God, in His infinite wisdom and love, led me to read Psalm 77 and what an amazing answer to my question! When we feel like God is not listening to us anymore, we must remember how He's been there for us in the past. That will strengthen our faith and encourage us knowing that in His time, He'll provide the relief we need. He has done it so many times before, He will do it again. I need to remember this for me personally, but also it has given me direction in being a blessing to my friend and anyone God puts in my path who may be discouraged at the moment. I must point to the amazing blessings God has already given, certain that He will continue to give in His perfect time and wisdom.
How great is our God!

"I cry aloud to God,
    aloud to God, and he will hear me.
² In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
    in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
    my soul refuses to be comforted.
³ When I remember God, I moan;
    when I meditate, my spirit faints.

⁴ You hold my eyelids open;
    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
⁵ I consider the days of old,
    the years long ago.
⁶ I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
    let me meditate in my heart.”
    Then my spirit made a diligent search:
⁷ “Will the Lord spurn forever,
    and never again be favorable?
⁸ Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
    Are his promises at an end for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”

¹⁰ Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
¹² I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
¹³ Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
¹⁵ You with your arm redeemed your people,
    the children of Jacob and Joseph. 

¹⁶ When the waters saw you, O God,
    when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
    indeed, the deep trembled.
¹⁷ The clouds poured out water;
    the skies gave forth thunder;
    your arrows flashed on every side.
¹⁸ The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
    your lightnings lighted up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.
¹⁹ Your way was through the sea,
    your path through the great waters;
    yet your footprints were unseen.
²⁰ You led your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron."

Psalm 77

Rescue Plan

Overwhelming feelings of sadness took over me. "Lord, how I can take care of my patients and be cheerful for them when I feel so down myself?" I asked God. It was really difficult to keep going. I began to notice then, that every time I interacted with a patient I was able to be there fully for them, but as soon as I left I was reminded of the feelings of loss and misunderstanding I was dealing with. I looked out through one of the windows and stared at the winter landscape on the other side of the glass. There was still snow on the ground and the trees and the grass were brown and lifeless. The wind was blowing with force the naked tree branches. Outside looked cold and uninviting. I just stared out the window offering a silent cry for help to the God of the universe. He knew I needed Him, so He gently whispered in my mind the words of Psalm 34:18 - "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." With renewed strength I went back and finished my shift knowing that my God was especially close to me that day. 

When I got home there were two boys happy to see me at the end of a long day. My husband was excited to show me a large envelope the mail person had brought. When I saw where the envelope had come from I began to cry. It was from the university. I knew what it was inside. Another powerful demonstration of the amazing God I serve and who never leaves me alone. I quickly opened the envelope and removed from inside my diploma. My diploma! Truly God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. What an amazing gift was waiting for me at home at the end of an emotionally difficult day. My husband and I read the words written on the diploma. He pointed out to the words under the degree: Magna Cum Laude. Then he gave me a tight hug and said he had graduated "thank the Laude." He's my best friend, what you're gonna do about it?

If you ever feel alone and that God is far from you, remember He promised to never leave you, never forsake you. If you ever feel tempted to think that God has abandoned you, know that it is a lie from the devil. You are never alone. Never! And He has a plan to rescue you from whatever difficulty you are facing. The rescue plan He had for me at the end of that hard day was receiving my diploma and the loving embrace of my husband and son. After that, all I could think was how God had carried me and my family the two years I had gone back to school. My heart and mind were focused on the many blessings, and the things that had weighed me down earlier in the day had become lighter to carry. In fact, I believe God took them and carried them for me.

God has a rescue plan for those who are crushed in spirit. In His time, according to His wisdom and plan for your life, God will deliver you from whatever you are going through. Regardless of how you might feel His promises are sure. You are never alone. Never! Hold on to that assurance.

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"Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today."

Exodus 14:13

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
Psalm 34:18

White as snow

Woke up this morning to a landscape decorated with a white blanket of snow. The dead of winter has been beautifully covered with fresh white snow. It looks so beautiful and peaceful. A gentle reminder of what God does in our lives. He says that although our sins are red as scarlet and ugly, He will cover us with Himself and make us white as snow. Then others will look at us and won't see our ugliness, but only the beauty of Christ. He is amazing!
Have a wonderful day :)

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:7

Keep praying!

I've been talking with God since early in the morning. A few months ago I read a book on prayer which encouraged me to start my own prayer list. As the days go by, the prayer list keeps growing. It's encouraging to see prayers that have been answered in ways that only God can do. Knowing of God's answers gives me the strength and motivation to continue on praying. But there are a few names on my list without visible answers, of people who are still going through difficult trials. Some because of health issues, some because of marital problems, or parenting issues, and yet others are struggling spiritually for all kinds of different reasons. I feel like I'm in the middle of a battle. I know who wins and I want everyone to be on the wining side, but I also know that it is very difficult to decide to follow God when He wants us to do something we don't want to do. 

This morning I read Psalm 73 where the writer struggles with the fact that the wicked seem to have such a great life where he's filled with troubles and grief. Then he realizes that the true reward is in the future, either for life eternal or eternal death, so he decides to take refuge in God.
Often in life our battles are not against flesh, but are battles between good and evil, between following God and following ourselves, and the results are eternal either for good or for bad. So even though some names on my prayer list are still there after all these months, they need my prayers more than ever. I can't quit just because I don't see immediate results. These are people of much value, whom Christ died for. I have to keep praying and interceding for them just like I too want and need others to pray for me.

I'm sure you can think of people who need your prayers right now. Don't give up praying for them. Pray without ceasing, until they decide to return to the wining side of the battle. It's a battle for eternal life!

 

" And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people"

Ephesians 6:18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Philippians 4:6 

It's surgery time!

Have you ever had a surgery or know someone who had? A friend of mine had surgery in which he did not have to receive general anesthesia, but only what it is called conscious sedation. He was somewhat awake, but nicely medicated that he can't remember his surgery. When he found out he wasn't going to have general anesthesia, always with a great sense of humor, my friend asked the surgeon if he could assist him with the surgery. In his wisdom the surgeon declined the offer and did the surgery himself without my friend's help. I laughed at this experience, but then started thinking. It's amazing the things we can learn from the daily experiences of our lives.

Imagine you have a large cancerous tumor. You know you need help so you go see a doctor who explains that the only way for you to live is to remove the tumor surgically. The doctor tells you what the tumor is doing to your body which you know well because you can already feel its effects on your health. You desperately want that tumor out! You know that's the only way for you to live, but you are afraid. What if scenarios start playing in your mind, but the weight of the tumor encourages you to trust the surgeon and you schedule the procedure. Naturally, unlike my always joking friend, you know that there's really nothing you can do to help the surgeon. In fact, you being awake during surgery trying to help will most certainly make the process a lot more difficult if not completely impossible. In order for the surgery to go well you need to receive general anesthesia.
The amazing thing about removing a cancerous tumor from your body is that truly there's nothing you can do but lay still and wait until the surgeon is done. Carefully the surgeon removes not only the tumor, but anything else that has been affected by the cancer until you are completely clean and cancer free. And what was your part to get the cancer removed? Completely trust the surgeon and sleep through the whole process. That's the only way the doctor can do the work that needs to be done.

What a great object lesson! We all have a cancerous tumor growing in us. It's called sin. We know it needs to be removed as we can feel its effects in our lives. It weighs us down! We know we can't really do much ourselves so we seek help from Christ who says the only way to get sin removed from us is to trust Him and to let him remove it. Yet how often do we offer to help God remove sin from us? We keep saying we don't need general anesthesia and try to assist God in removing the sin. If we know this is not efficient from a human perspective when going through surgery, why do we think we should help God when removing sin from us? It is the same thing. Helping Him only makes things more difficult if not completely impossible!

The only way for sin to be removed from your live is to completely trust God and allow Him to work in your life the way He knows best. Have you noticed how the Bible so often tells us to be still and to wait on the Lord? God knew we would try to get in the way of His work in our lives, trying to do things our way, the way we think it's best, so He had to remind us that what we truly need to do is to get out of the way. God says He is the Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). Just like the clay can do nothing but allow itself to the molded according to the potter's will, so we are to just rest that God's will for our lives is the best. Today learn to be still and to completely trust the work of God in your life. Rest in the assurance that He does a much better job than you and will completely remove sin from your life if you stop trying to help. All you have to do is to be still and know that He is God!

 

“Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

Psalm 27:14

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31