How hard is it to understand the hand of God in my life? How many times to I misunderstand the elements of my life and miss the message that He has for me? Doubt is my enemy. I do not take the time to examine my own life as the source of my struggles and instead, begin to wonder if the Lord has changed His mind or I have misread His directions. I am no different than Joshua after his defeat at Ai.
Joshua said, “Ah, Lord God! Why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all, to hand us over to the Amorites so as to destroy us? Would that we had been content to settle beyond the Jordan! – Joshua 7:7 NRSV
I remember vividly the first time I heard Boney M sing By the Rivers of Babylon. I was sixteen, in Germany visiting my aunt and uncle, alone and missing my family. My life up until that moment was used to singing songs to God in the middle of the night and crocodile tears were part of my nights ritual. How many times I thought that God might have forgotten me.
By the rivers of Babylon – there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. Psalm 137:1 NRSV
This is why God’s Word is so powerful. God’s call to Jeremiah became my call to intimacy with Him.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5 NRSV
The Canaanite woman’s expression of faith became my model of perseverance and of hope.
“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” – Matthew 15:27 NRSV
Lord, I thank you for the power of Your Word in my life and for the hope that You give me in the midst of my own doubt as to Your presence in my life and to the purpose You have called me. Without You my life would be lost. Thank you for calling me every day to a new walk with You. Thank you for Your grace that calls me and renews me each day to serve You. May I offer to You today my life that You may use me to glorify Your name. Amen.
evanlaar
Sixty-six books in a year 