Your Daily Crossroad
Patience with Perspective
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)
Are there ever times when you become tired of trying? From work to your family, the list of needs seem endless with all fingers pointing to you. You know the promises of God and know that He is absolutely working in your life, but the “flesh” part of you becomes worn out and on edge.
The other night, at dinner time, I was trying to cook…and help with homework…and talk to my mother who was visiting. In addition, the phone was ringing, the news was on and my youngest child was singing for everyone to hear. I could sense the tension rising within me. The noise seemed too loud and the night was becoming too long. Because I recognized these feelings and knew how poorly I have handled them before, with all the self control I could muster, I prayed to the Lord and said, “Please help me do all this with an attitude and with words that would please You.” Immediately I sensed the Lord say to me, “Enjoy it; find peace right now.” That thought was the furthest thing from my mind but those words pierced my heart.
It just doesn’t matter if everything gets done on time or in the right order. It just does not matter if there are grease stains on my daughter’s homework paper and there are dishes left in the sink when I go to bed. What does matter is that I honor the Lord by pouring out His love through me especially in the times that push and pull on my nerves. What matters is that I find the joy of the Lord in everyday challenges and appreciate every passing moment of the day. It is in these most challenging times, when you feel as if everyone is looking to you, that you can only endure by continuing to look to the Lord. God hears and answers the smallest of prayers when they are dripping with honesty. He knows us and understands us. Today, when the anxiety is increasing and your patience is decreasing, turn to the Lord so that you can soar above the circumstances while renewing your perspective and strength.
I can’t even begin to express how I and I’m certain many of you reading this, can relate. Four words resounded off the page at me as I read this, it just doesn’t matter. It’s so important that we find perspective in our daily lives and “Enjoy it; and find peace”. How simple and yet so difficult at times. The next time you start to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or just stretched to your max, stop, look up and say it just doesn’t matter, I’m going to enjoy this moment and find peace. What a reminder!! I know I needed this today and I’m going to challenge myself in those moments to stop, enjoy it and find peace. He is faithful. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 40:28-31
The “Why’s” of Life
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
Isn’t it wrong to ask God “why?” Isn’t it wrong to question God? One day I was reading this verse, and suddenly I realized that Jesus asked God “why?” While Jesus was on the cross, dying for the sins of the world, He asked God, “Why have You forsaken Me?” We all know that God did not forsake Jesus. We also know that Jesus never sinned, so asking God “why” does not have to be wrong. Just by including the Lord in our thoughts shows a step of faith. It shows faith because we are praying, acknowledging that He is listening, and God will reward our faith.
By being honest with the Lord, our hearts are softened to receive His wisdom involving the things of the past, while helping us to move forward in faith for future decisions. God tells us in James 1:5-8:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So the “why” questions are not the sin, but receiving an answer to those questions and then doubting the answer is the sin.
Today, start asking “why” about things you do not understand and ask the Lord to help you to go forward in faith. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in how to receive His answers to the “why” questions in your life. Pray for faith, as we know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. As our faith grows, we will move forward to make decisions as the Lord leads us and we will trust in His guidance and direction for all things. The goal is to get past the “why’s” and move on to the “what’s”–trust, obey and get going.
When I read this I couldn’t help but think, He desires for us to be so real with Him and to talk with Him and share our thought’s with Him, even the Why’s. He won’t become angry with us, He already knows our thoughts and He desires to have a real relationship with us. So go to God in prayer, in conversation and ask the Why’s, then be patient and wait for the answer and continue moving forward, knowing He’s got you, He’s faithful and He won’t fail you. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 2, Psalm 46
Conceived in Crisis
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psalm 57:1)
Marc recalls a moment from his childhood when his father called the family together. Their car had broken down, and the family would run out of money by the end of the month. Marc’s dad paused and prayed. Then he asked the family to expect God’s answer.
Today Marc recalls how God’s help arrived in surprising ways. A friend repaired their car; unexpected checks arrived; food showed up at the door. Praising God came easily. But the family’s gratitude had been forged in a crisis.
Psalm 57 has long provided rich inspiration for worship songs. When David declared, “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth” (v. 11), we might imagine him gazing up at a magnificent Middle Eastern night sky or perhaps singing in a tabernacle worship service. But in reality David, fearful for his life, was hiding in a cave.
“My soul is among lions” David said in the psalm, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (v. 4). David’s praise was conceived in crisis. Although he was cornered by enemies who wanted him dead, David could write these amazing words: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (v. 7).
Whatever crisis we face today, we can run to God for help. Then, we can praise Him as we wait expectantly, confident in His infinitely creative care for us.
This devotion uplifted me today. It caused me to reflect back on times past and even present when God has proven Himself faithful. Even in the darkest of times when all hope had seemed lost, I learned something valuable during those times, my hope is in Him. Greater is He that is within me than he that’s in this world. Remember, Your next crisis is your next opportunity to trust our unfailing God.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 57
How Long?
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! (Habakkuk 1:2)
When I married, I thought I would have children immediately. That did not happen, and the pain of infertility brought me to my knees. I often cried out to God, “How long?” I knew God could change my circumstance. Why wasn’t He?
Are you waiting on God? Are you asking, How long, Lord, before justice prevails in our world? Before there is a cure for cancer? Before I am no longer in debt?
The prophet Habakkuk was well acquainted with that feeling. In the seventh century bc, he cried out to the Lord: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention” (Hab. 1:2–3). He prayed for a long time, struggling to reconcile how a just and powerful God could allow wickedness, injustice, and corruption to continue in Judah. As far as Habakkuk was concerned, God should have already intervened. Why was God doing nothing?
There are days when we too feel as if God is doing nothing. Like Habakkuk, we have continuously asked God, “How long?”
Lord, thank You for bearing my burdens. I know that You hear my cries and will answer in accordance to Your perfect plan and purposes. Amen.
No matter what your facing and questioning today, never loose hope in The One who in His time will give an answer. As I read this the key point that stood out to me was when it said, His perfect plan and His purpose, not our own. Even when we don’t understand don’t get discouraged, the answer may not be no but not yet and if the answer is no just rest assured that God has something even greater in store for you. I’ve seen it time and again in my own life and I’ve looked back and been so grateful God said no at the time. How different my life would have been. Trust His timing, it truly is absolute perfection.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 1:2-11