Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 7, 2015
My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Psalm 6:3
“How long?” is a fair question to ask of the Lord. He does not expect us to suffer in silence. In fact, it’s okay and desirable to pour out our petitions to Him. We need heaven’s healing. When we verbalize our confusion to our loving heavenly Father, we feel relief. Just to know that the Lord listens to our heartfelt cries, no matter how petty or profound, is reassuring. Sometimes we can’t sleep well at night. We wake up in anguish, our mind racing. Our heart needs a touch of grace and peace from Jesus. A troubled heart has a hard time with sweet dreams because there is a dread or disappointment that destroys its quality of rest. However, deep sleep accompanies those who are able rest in Him. Rest is a result of resting in the Lord’s presence (Exodus 33:14).
The pain will linger until you see Jesus face to face. It is a touch from the Lord that will get you through this difficulty. Therefore, do not let this momentary affliction keep you from experiencing God. Adversity is meant to engage us with eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17). If everything were easy, we would be prone to forget our heavenly Father. So while on earth, it is okay to ask, “How long?” Questions keep us from being clueless with Christ by driving us to our knees in dependency on Him. How long before you can be married? How long before your parents will be more understanding? How long before your teenager will mature? How long before the doctors can diagnose your ailment? How long before you can change careers or get a promotion? How long before finances are not such big issues?
All of these are fair questions and need to be asked. It is wise, healing, and hopeful to lift our concerns to Christ. But once we go to God with our questions, then it is imperative that we listen to His answers. It is not enough just to question. We must be willing to listen to the Lord. His answer is simple yet profound. “As long as it takes,” is His compassionate reply. As long as it takes to accomplish His will; as long as it takes to mold us into the image of His son Jesus; as long as it takes for us to learn the lessons of faith, patience, love, and forgiveness; as long as it takes to break our stubborn pride and replace it with gracious humility; as long as it takes to die to ourselves; as long as it takes for God to glorify Himself through our lives.
Questions keep you coming back to Christ for His love and direction. His unfailing love is a warm blanket that comforts a cold heart. It is a cup of fresh, filtered water for a thirsty soul. His unfailing love embraces and sometimes physically heals, giving relief to your broken body. His unfailing love wipes the tears from your eyes and holds you close, where you are secure in Him. So above all else, in your state of questioning and confusion, receive God’s unfailing love. How long before the Lord can love you? Right now. His love will see you through, so invite Him to love on you as only the Lord can.
Post/Tweet this today: Rest is a result of resting in the Lord’s presence. #howlong #wisdomhunters
Taken from the December February 6th reading in Seeking Daily the Heart of God v.1
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The daily devotionals are words of encouragement, uplifting our hope in an Amazing God who always has our best interest in His sight. Praise be to Him. I often share your devotionals with men I fellowship with and it always comes with a heartfelt thank you.
The how long I struggle with is how long before I get married. I am a good steward of things given me by God, I am a devoted christian, and someone who only wants two things a wife, and children. The things that bring glory to God. I am looking but where I live the women all go to bars and to wineries to drink away their thoughts of there is something missing in their life. They use alcohol to diminish the pain of the aloneness, and they do not seek the real partnership with God. There are many women who do not want to be wives or mothers, because it would inconvenience them and their lifestyle. I know there is a woman who wants a blue collar guy who works hard and is commited to being a husband and a father as well as a family leader. There has to be a young woman searching for a christian guy like me. I do not think all of this world is lost. We win in the end, I have read the book.
Dear Mike~
Thank you for taking the time to let us know you are often blessed by the daily devotionals. We give all the Glory to God! And thank you, too, for sharing the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals with others.
We would love to hear from you again sometime and please know, we are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Blessings to you and yours.
Dear Michael~
Thank you so much for reaching out to us after reading “How Long?”. You comments were so sincere and heartfelt and I am thankful that your Heavenly Father is walking next to you as you wait and pray. As I read your post and then re-read “How Long” I thought of you when I got to this sentence in the devotional: “Questions keep us from being clueless with Christ by driving us to our knees in dependency on Him”. How true is that? For all of us with questions!
I find such hope in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,’declares the Lord,’plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Michael, I hope you will be in touch with us as you discover the Lords plans for you. I am so thankful the HE is in control and truly is the Author of our stories. Praise Him!
And I just have to say, I LOVED how your ended your post: “We win in the end, I have read the book”! May I borrow that? It says it all.
Thank you again, Michael, we will look forward to hearing from you again. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5