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Believe

Photo by Kent Pilcher
Over the past few months, I have been battling my way through some of those "fiery trials" the Bible speaks of...the past 6 years, really, but there have been seasons of reprieve. Lately, the battle has been to test my faith. Things I never wanted to happen, did happen. Things I prayed would never be an issue, were suddenly an issue. Things I thought I had surely overcome by now were rearing their ugly heads, and things I never knew were in my heart spewed out of my mouth! God, where are You?

In a world fraught with lies and dishonesty, a man's word has lost its value. A handshake is merely a means to solidify a deception. We have become a nation that has to see to believe. Show me; only then will I believe you. Unfortunately, our reliance on God has been tainted by our inability to trust mankind. We compare Him to a once godly society that has gone awry. In John 20:29, Jesus told Thomas (aka doubting Thomas), "...because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." One might say, "Yes, well, this scripture is in reference to seeing God in the flesh." That may be true, but I challenge you to go deeper...

We can all be full of faith when we see our prayers being answered, but what about those hopeless situations where you feel God is nowhere to be found? You cannot see His hand at work in your very desperate circumstances. The times when you feel your prayers never leave your bedroom much less reach the Throne of Grace are the times when it is imperative to exercise your faith. This is when we must believe regardless of how we feel or how grim the state of our affairs.

There were weeks of praying prayers of "God, I need You. Show me what I need to see. Tell me what I need to do differently. Forgive me for any iniquity that may be hidden in my heart that would separate me from You. I cannot take another step lest You help me. Lord, where are You?" Of course, the prayers were not as eloquent as the written word, but probably sounded more like the wailing of a spoiled child on the brink of an all-out temper tantrum.

This morning, I opened my Bible to Psalm 67. I had at some point highlighted a passage in the opposite column. I began reading verse 10 of the 66th chapter: (Amplified)
"For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified...We went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air.]"
At this point, my heart swells and tears threaten to fall...then, I read further.
"But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not rejected my prayer nor removed his mercy and loving-kindness from being [as it always is] with me."
I could not stop the flow of tears as I became enveloped in the love of the living God. My Father swept up this spoiled child into His ever-loving arms and comforted me.

So, no matter the situation, no matter what it looks like, BELIEVE that He is working all things together for your good. He has a good plan for your life. Ephesians 2:20 tell us that we are "God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." All we must do is walk it out. How? Trust and believe in Him and He will direct your path. Your path means ANY matter in which you need direction whether it is in finances, relationships, jobs, hopes, dreams, everything. Of this, I am living proof.

"Come and hear, all who reverently and worshipfully fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me!" Psalm 66:16
 
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