Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I
know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in
the Lord, whose word I
praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can
man do to me? Psalm 56:9-11
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I know there have been
times in my own life when my prayers didn’t exactly seem to "avail
much." I wonder if you have had moments in life when all seem
dark. For about four years I prayed and expected God to restore my mother’s
health. I don’t think I ever desired anything more my whole life. I can clearly recall the weeks that followed
my mother’s death when she was still in her thirties. I remember the sense that I was loved, protected,
and perfectly safe was gone and replaced with a devastating emptiness, deep
loneliness, and a feeling that nothing will ever be the same again. Up to that
point I had faith in God and I trusted Him to protect me but my mother’s death was
a game changer. It was the first major loss in my life. I started to see things
differently. I questioned whether or not God really loves me. I woke up one day
and I realize that I no longer trusted God. I was on a dangerous path of
self-destruction. For example, I can remember shaking my head in disbelief when
hearing or reading, "Whatever you ask in prayer you will receive"? Or
"Ask and it will be given to
you"? And “ if you remain in me and my words remain
in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted”
Fourteen
years into the journey, I was ready to throw in the towel. I find it comforting that the prophet
Jeremiah experienced such despair as well. Read Lamentations and you understand
what I mean. I don’t know what your journey with God has been until today but I
am sure you have experienced your own bumpy ride. I want to assure you dear
friend that the loneliness due to my mother’s passing was nothing compared to
the level of hopelessness I experienced in the months when I no longer trusted
God. If there is one thing I love the
most about God it has to be the fact that He is immutable. He is not shaken by
our unbelief. He does not panic or act unreasonably as we often do. He remains
eternally faithful. He never gives up on
us. When we reject Him, He still pursues
us patiently and lovingly. In the midst of his torment the prophet Jeremiah
remembers God’s faithfulness. Even though God seems to be silent in answer to
his prayers, Jeremiah realized through God’s dealings with others in the past
that He is never absent though silent at and misunderstood at times.
My dear
friend, our loving Father revealed Himself abundantly clear in our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Listen, our heavenly Father can be trusted through
adversity and pain even though He is unseen.
Like Jeremiah, I remembered God faithfulness and was able to run back to
His loving arms before it was too late. He has always taken great care of
me. I have learned to patiently hope in
Him even when I don’t understand His plan to the fullest. A loving relationship
requires trust and I have learned to trust God. You too can trust Him. Do not let illness, pain, and financial hardship
keep you from trusting God. Listen; what we have in Him is far greater than
what this world can ever offer us. Listen; even if we were to lose our health
and wealth, we would still win. There is no losing with God. Have God. Have it all.
Praise
the Lord!
