Dear friends,
I’m very sorry my posts have been somewhat depressing. I don’t mean for them to be. I just think a lot.
Anyways, I feel like God has been chasing me down with this message of holding on. Do you ever feel like every single message from every single sermon you listen to is about the same thing? Even if the preachers have no relation to one another, they all seem to preach the same things at the same times! It’s like God knows what we’re going through. Weird.
Last night, I was reading Isaiah 36. The entire thing is about the King of Assyria’s message against the Lord. He tells the people,
“Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, “The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.”"
Isaiah 36:7
Basically, the King is saying, “Why are you trusting in a God that has not come through for you? In matter of fact, we’re going to reign over you! Might as well give up this God of yours.” Geeezzzzz. I kinda feel like the devil says the same things to me, “Give up on the dreams God has laid in your heart, Faith. Nothing is happening with them. You’re never going to know freedom. You’re relying on someone’s strength who isn’t even there! You should just work in your own strength. Do what feels good to you. You don’t need anyone. You don’t need to pray to a God that doesn’t listen or care. He isn’t going to fulfill you anyways.”
What a stupid little prick!
That’s almost exactly what Sennacherib said to God’s people. He tried to convince them that all these bad things were happening to them so their God must not even exist! He would deliver them wouldn’t he? How many times do we pray and pray, believing God for miracles, for Him to keep His word, to be our fulfillment…yet we get discouraged because we don’t see anything. Not yet at least.
I’m constantly reminded of the story of Esther. God worked behind the scenes in her life. Throughout the entire book, we never hear from Him, yet He is still working. It’s the same with us. Even though God may not seem like He’s showing up, He’s working behind the scenes. He knows what’s going on. He hasn’t forgotten. He doesn’t give up on us even when we give up on ourselves.
Today, give up on giving up. Be strong in the Lord. He’s there. He’s listening. He loves you. He knows everything you’re going through. Trust in Him.
