Month: January 2024

We never want to hear these words, “We’ve done all we can do.” ”The prognosis is grave.” ”Go home and put your affairs in order.” ”The next step is Hospice.” The cruel reality of it punches us in the gut, leaving us breathless and overwhelmed…with our mind racing as it tries to make sense of it. What can we hold on to when all hope is gone? When there’s nothing left and we’re at the end of ourselves…we can only hold fast to God and His great & precious promises.

Holding

On to God’s

Promises

Everyday

For it’s there we can find hope, comfort, and peace for, “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45) And His promises will not fail us either. 

We are all fallen & broken people. We even accept the maxim, “To err is human.” That’s because we want to assume that all people are inherently good. But if we compare mankind to the standard of God’s holy character, we’d have to admit we’re far from it. In other words, we have all fallen short…exchanging God’s glory for idolatry, rebellion, disobedience, pride and backsliding. But God is compassionate to restore our erring. (Psalm 145:14) And it’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be brought out of this state of brokenness and spiritual death and made alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Waiting on the Lord…whether it’s something concerning us or someone else…it’s a hard thing to do. But I read the following this morning that really got me thinking differently about waiting. ”What you become while waiting is more important than what you are waiting for.” My first thought went to Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” We will have Spiritual transformation that comes through this faithful waiting…infusing us with the Lord’s strength as we patiently persevere. And then there’s Psalm 37:34 that tells us to, “Wait for the Lord and keep His ways. He will exalt you to inherit the land.” So again as we wait we are blessed with hopeful expectation that God is good and only does what is good for His people. So in the end, my Spiritual growth and what I’ve become as I patiently wait on the Lord is far more important eternally than what I’m waiting for.

The Greek word here for love is Agape. It’s not a romantic love, nor a brotherly love, but instead, it’s a sacrificial love that costs someone when they offer it to another. It’s a sacred kind of love that willingly chooses to put its own needs aside for the good of others. Jesus was the epitome of Agape love and the total embodiment of self-sacrifice for others…and as His Followers we are to emulate His example. Agape love isn’t a warm fuzzy feel good love, but rather a determined, servant’s heart kind of love that serves the unlovely.

Jeremiah was a prophet that spoke for the Lord during the heartbreaking final days of the nation of Judah…and as her city of Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians. His message was primarily one of judgment upon Judah for its shameful and persistent sins…but the people refused to listen or repent. Throughout the Book,  Jeremiah warns the people that, “God has spoken and won’t relent…He has decided and won’t turn back.” (Jeremiah 4:28) And He ends this Scripture with a rather chilling revelation…”In the days to come you will understand.” In other words, the time is coming when you will see with your own eyes the wrath of God. Fast forward in time and this warning is as urgent today as it was back then. God’s plan, purpose and Divine Will can not be stopped… just as His wrath cannot be avoided. The time to turn & repent is now.

For many of us at the end of the day our emotional gas tank is empty or running on fumes only. That’s because we’ve had bits of ourself taken all day long as we take care of the needs of others. And this hollow feeling definitely needs to be filled by something good & worthy, not by food, alcohol, drugs, or apathy. Psalm 23:3 tells us that the Good Shepherd restores our soul. And just as sheep are physically renewed once they get needed food, water, & a safe place to rest…our soul is rejuvenated by God’s Word as it transforms our barren life…bringing it back fresh & strong again. Our emotional gas tank must then be filled on a regular basis by God’s Word in order that we can adequately & lovingly care for others.

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, which got me thinking about the word supplication…a type of prayer you don’t hear about often today. Supplication is an earnest and humble appeal, plea, or petition for compassion, mercy, and kindness from the Lord. When Paul wrote about putting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20 he added prayer as one more offensive weapon in the Believer’s arsenal. And while Jesus was here on earth He established a pattern of prayer in the lives of His disciples which they continued to follow closely. (Acts 1:14) We truly have no idea what the power of our prayers possess. And when we have no words… there is still heartfelt supplication before the Lord, who hears our despondent cries for mercy.   

God’s wisdom…His sound judgment & insight is so superior to ours that we’re unable to wrap our heads around it. That’s because God’s wisdom and way of reasoning is in accordance with things of the Spirit – thus confounding our worldly reasoning which is earthly & carnal. Job 28:23 tells us that only God understands the way to wisdom, and as Creator, He alone knows where true wisdom is to be found. There is nothing hidden from Him, nothing concealed from His scrutiny. Or as it says in this Scripture, God’s wisdom & insight is magnificent because, unlike us, He can see around the corner. Which is why all the more we need to be depending on His divine wisdom & not our own in overwhelming times of confusion, bewilderment, and chaos. 

Earlier in this Psalm the Writer, while in the midst of devastating trouble, pleads with God, “Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.” (Psalm 119:116) And this may be how you feel today. Anguish, pain, fear, and misery has pressed you into the dust of hopelessness. And though you may think you can’t move because of this crushing weight…there is still one thing you can do, and that is to worship. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving from the very depths of your suffering. Draw a ragged breath and express gratitude for His promises, faithfulness, and steadfast love. Now it may not change the situation or circumstances…but it will change you and your mindset… as you worship God in the dust.

If we look at the chaotic world today, you’d have to admit on the most part we’re quite powerless against the evil that is enveloping the earth. So when we come to the end of ourselves & our abilities, we can only look to God for deliverance. (II Chronicles 20:12)  There is no other that can give us everlasting salvation, redemption, and deliverance from trouble. ”But I Am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but Me, no Savior except Me.” (Hosea 13:4) There is no other that can save us.