June 24 You are my Rescuer!

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.  I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way…In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.  Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”

Father, there are things in my life that are too difficult for me.  Things happening that I have no control over.  Some anger or frustrate me, but some break my heart and I can hardly bear it.  So I pour out my heart to You.

I tell You all my troubles because You care for me.  Because You can encourage and comfort me.  Because You can help me cope.  I know You can help me get a fresh perspective.  You show me how to take action when I need to.  And how to wait on Your deliverance when that is the case.

I turn to You because I am Yours; and You have resources I cannot even fathom or imagine.

When troops had come to capture Elisha, he was not anxious or worried.  You had already prepared deliverance for him and he was unafraid because You had opened his eyes to Your rescue.  With confidence, he answered his servant:  ”Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then he prayed for You to open his servant’s eyes to see the “hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around them.”

I have never seen horses or chariots of fire come to my aid; but there have been times when, without a doubt, You organized my rescue; my deliverance out of a situation where I saw no escape.

I remember times when I was so frightened at the possibility of tragedy, and You gave me a picture of peace that carried me through.  You showed me new ways to face what lay before me, and encouraged me to go on.

“You are my refuge…I will praise Your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.”  I will share what You have done for me – not only to give You the praise and honor You deserve, but also to encourage other believers.

What You do for me, You do for them.  We encourage each other when we acknowledge Your deeds and give You glory.  And You are glorious!  Amen

2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 142:1-7

Apr 5 Power in Your Word!

Heavenly Father, thank You for those times I literally cried out to You for You to hear me and come quickly; and You did.

Nights like the Psalmist experienced – when in distress over circumstances, I sought You.  One night I could not see a way out of or through my problems.

And though I had gone to bed, sleep was far from me.  My thoughts would not be still.  With each issue, another failure or complication seemed to pile on until I felt so overwhelmed I did not even know where or how to start to pray.

It was then that I remembered when in the past, You spoke to me, encouraged me, lifted my emotional distress.   There were literally times when You gave me songs to sing, new melodies and words, to let me know You were with me and things would be alright.

But this time, I did not feel that.  I felt far from You.  And wondered if this could be the end? Had I finally reached a point where You would not come and rescue me, but simply take me home to be with You in heaven?

That actually sounded like it would be the answer to all my troubles.  And while I believe You have shown me I have much to do before I die, there was a sense of relief in that thought.

That’s when it hit me – this thought was NOT from You.

It was from the evil one who would like nothing better than to sideline me – take me out of the game altogether!  If satan can get anyone to believe the lie that there is no hope, it immobilizes and freezes them.  Can even paralyze a Christian’s faith.

So I began praying – not about the circumstances that were overwhelming me – but any scripture I could remember:

The Lord’s prayer.
The 23rd Psalm.
“I will love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, and love my neighbor as myself.”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not die, but have everlasting life.”
“The Lord your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and give you victory!”
“Jesus wept.”

The more I quoted Your Word in prayer, the calmer I felt.  And soon fell asleep.

Thank You Lord, for sending Your calm, Your peace.  Thank You for sending sleep.

Thank You that in the morning, things didn’t look as bad as they had the night before!  Thank You that I could see resources and solutions I could not the night before.  In taking those steps towards You, I felt Your presence once again.

It was not You who had moved.  But in believing a lie, I had.

Father, show us all the way back to You.  Draw us closer into Your Presence and Your Deliverance with the power of Your Word.  When we don’t know what to pray, bring scripture to our minds. 

You are the God who performs miracles; You display your power among the peoples.  With Your mighty arm, You redeemed me!”  With the Power of Your Word, You saved me! Amen

Psalm 77:1-15; Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 10:27; John 3:16; John 11:35; Deuteronomy 20:4

June 24 You are my Rescuer

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.  I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way…In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.  Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”

Father, there are things in my life that are too difficult for me.  Things happening that I have no control over.  Some anger or frustrate me, but some break my heart and I can hardly bear it.  So I pour out my heart to You.

I tell You all my troubles because You care for me.  Because You can encourage and comfort me.  Because You can help me cope.  I know You can help me get a fresh perspective.  You show me how to take action when I need to.  And how to wait on Your deliverance when that is the case.

I turn to You because I am Yours; and You have resources I cannot even fathom or imagine.

When troops had come to capture Elisha, he was not anxious or worried.  You had already prepared deliverance for him and he was unafraid because You had opened his eyes to Your rescue.  With confidence, he answered his servant:  ”Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then he prayed for You to open his servant’s eyes to see the “hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around them.”

I have never seen horses or chariots of fire come to my aid; but there have been times when, without a doubt, You organized my rescue; my deliverance out of a situation where I saw no escape.

I remember times when I was so frightened at the possibility of tragedy, and You gave me a picture of peace that carried me through.  You showed me new ways to face what lay before me, and encouraged me to go on.

“You are my refuge…I will praise Your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.”  I will share what You have done for me – not only to give You the praise and honor You deserve, but also to encourage other believers.

What You do for me, You do for them.  We encourage each other when we acknowledge Your deeds and give You glory.  And You are glorious!  Amen

2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 142:1-7

July 25 We make choices

Father, You give me choices, and in You I am free.   Strengthen me to make the right choices, godly choices.

Asa started out with such fervor for You.  He tore down the idolatrous worship places.  He led the people to seek You and worship You as they should.  He sought Your deliverance from military enemies.  And You gave him victory, and rest on every side.

Like Asa, I can trust in Your promise: “The Lord is with you when you are with Him.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you…But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Father, help me seek You in all the battles I face.  In truth, there have been so many times already, when You have come through for me.

You have saved me from close calls.  You have stopped calamity when it could have been much worse.  You have provided resources and solutions I never could have seen without You.

You have brought unique answers that I had never imagined to problems that seemed unsolvable.  You have acted in my life in ways that seem nothing short of miraculous!

Yet, like Asa, I am also guilty of forgetting to seek You, neglecting to ask for Your help.  When Asa was faced with another battle, he took silver and gold out of the Temple to bribe another ruler to withdraw support from the enemy.   It was a foolish thing.  And he paid for it by being at war the rest of his reign.

It reminds me of the words to a song You gave me:

     In other times I knew Your will

          and I became the vessel You would fill

     Why is it hard now, to take a stand

          when I have seen the power of Your hand?

    You give me choices, in You I’m free, O Lord, strengthen me

     Lead me, hold me, guide me, Lord enfold me

     Cover me with the blood of Calvary, and be with me, be with me

     Lord let me make Your strength my own

          Let me feel it flowing from Your precious throne

     Right by Your side, O let me be

          And let me feel Your power washing over me

     You give me choices, in Christ I’m free, O Lord, strengthen me

Father, strengthen me to seek You always.  Whatever the problem, whatever I face.  Let me never make the mistake of thinking I can “handle it” without You.  I know when I seek You earnestly, I will find You.  And the reward of Your peace will be mine.  Thank You!  Amen

2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14

June 25 Miracle Worker!

Lord God, You never cease to amaze me!  You are involved so intimately in the lives of Your people.  You genuinely care for them.  It gives me such hope!

You warned the man and woman who made a room for Elisha to leave the country to spare them from a seven-year famine.  And when they returned to beg for their house and land, You orchestrated that the king who could grant their plea, had just then heard about the miracle of Elisha raising their son from the dead!

The timing couldn’t have been better!  They received back what they had given up to obey You, and more!

When the rulership had gotten so bad; leading Your people into idolatry and doing only evil in Your eyes, You took action.  You had a just and godly ruler anointed over Israel.  Under Jehu, the line of Ahab was removed.  The people were able to return to worshiping You.

When Your servants Paul and Silas were imprisoned, beaten, and put under special guard, You orchestrated an earthquake to free them!  Even more, You allowed them to work in the lives of their enemy, sharing the Gospel with their jailer, and bringing salvation to him and his family!

How can I doubt

that You, who have done all this on behalf of Your people, will do the same for me?

How can I think

that my problems are beyond Your help?  You, who control earthquakes and famines, kings and jailers!

I am Your servant, Lord.  So I cry to You for mercy.  I rely on Your character of faithfulness and righteousness to defeat the enemy that pursues me and crushes me to the ground.

Even when circumstances discourage me, and cause my spirit to grow faint and my heart to be dismayed, I remember these and other works of deliverance.  I meditate on all You have done and consider the power in Your hands.

And I know, without a doubt, that You will preserve me in Your righteousness.  And that I am Yours forever.  Amen

2 Kings 8:1-6; 9:1-13; Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 143:1-12

June 24 You are my Rescuer!

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.  I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way…In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.  Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”

Father, there are things in my life that are too difficult for me.  Things happening that I have no control over.  Some anger or frustrate me, but some break my heart and I can hardly bear it.  So I pour out my heart to You.

I tell You all my troubles because You care for me.  Because You can encourage and comfort me.  Because You can help me cope.  I know You can help me get a fresh perspective.  You show me how to take action when I need to.  And how to wait on Your deliverance when that is the case.

I turn to You because I am Yours; and You have resources I cannot even fathom or imagine.

When troops had come to capture Elisha, he was not anxious or worried.  You had already prepared deliverance for him and he was unafraid because You had opened his eyes to Your rescue.  With confidence, he answered his servant:  ”Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then he prayed for You to open his servant’s eyes to see the “hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around them.”

I have never seen horses or chariots of fire come to my aid; but there have been times when, without a doubt, You organized my rescue; my deliverance out of a situation where I saw no escape.

I remember times when I was so frightened at the possibility of tragedy, and You gave me a picture of peace that carried me through.  You showed me new ways to face what lay before me, and encouraged me to go on.

“You are my refuge…I will praise Your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.”  I will share what You have done for me – not only to give You the praise and honor You deserve, but also to encourage other believers.

What You do for me, You do for them.  We encourage each other when we acknowledge Your deeds and give You glory.  And You are glorious!  Amen

2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 142:1-7

June 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers.

You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out.  And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself.

With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan.  You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed him to anoint replacements.  Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people.  And Elisha would become the next prophet.  You heard the needs of Elijah and answered.

How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel who released Peter from prison, sparing his life.  This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

In my life I have seen answers to prayer.  Sometimes the answer is “Yes.”  Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait.”  Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.”  And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me with things I have never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems.  Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless!

Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for.  Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer.  Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

Apr 5 Power in Your Word

Heavenly Father, thank You for those times I literally cried out to You for You to hear me and come quickly, and You did.

There have been nights like the Psalmist experienced, when in distress over circumstances, I sought You.  I could not see a way out of or through my problems.

And though I had gone to bed, sleep was far from me.  My thoughts would not be still.  With each issue, another failure or complication seemed to pile on until I felt so overwhelmed I did not even know where to start to pray.

It was then that I remembered when in the past, You spoke to me, encouraged me, lifted my emotional distress.   There were literally times when You gave me songs to sing, new melodies and words, to let me know You were with me and things would be alright.

But this time, I did not feel that.  I felt far from You.  And wondered if this could be the end? Had I finally reached a point where You would not come and rescue me, but simply take me home to be with You in heaven?

That actually sounded like it would be the answer to all my troubles.  And while I believe You have shown me I have much to do before I die, there was a sense of relief in that thought.

That’s when it hit me – this thought was NOT from You.

It was from the evil one who would like nothing better than to sideline me – take me out of the game altogether!  If satan can get anyone to believe the lie that there is no hope, it immobilizes and freezes them.  Can even paralyze a Christian’s faith.

So I decided I to begin praying – not about the circumstances that were overwhelming me, but any scripture I could remember:

The Lord’s prayer.  

The 23^rd Psalm. 

“I will love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, and love my neighbor as myself.” 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not die, but have everlasting life.” 

“The Lord your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and give you victory!” 

“Jesus wept.” 

The more I quoted Your Word in prayer, the calmer I felt.  And soon fell asleep.

Thank You Lord, for sending Your calm, Your peace.  Thank You for sending sleep.

Thank You that in the morning, things didn’t look as bad as they had the night before!  Thank You that I could see resources and solutions I could not the night before.  In taking those steps back towards You, I felt Your presence once again.  It was not You who had moved.  But in believing a lie, I had.

“Your ways, O God, are holy.  What god is so great as our God?  You are the God who performs miracles; You display your power among the peoples.  With Your mighty arm, You redeemed me!”  Amen

Psalm 77:1-15; Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 10:27; John 3:16; John 11:35; Deuteronomy 20:4

Mar 25 Help me see

Lord thank You for these pictures in scripture about the ability to see truth for what it is and to understand the meaning behind being a follower of Christ.

Your first picture reminds me that although a blind person who cannot see can help another blind person, there are blocks they will both stumble over due to their lack of vision.

Yet, how many times have I relied on the advice and guidance of another person, who is “in the dark” as much as I am when it comes to seeing things from Your perspective?  Rather than coming to You, I seek help from another “blind” person who is in no better spiritual position than I am.

Interesting that Your next illustration has to do with vision too.  Contrasting when I go to another for help, this next one shows that when I try and “help” someone else by fixing a problem I see in their life.

There’s a good chance I have bigger problems in my own life that should be a priority for my attention.  Only after my own bigger problems are dealt with can I see well enough to be of help to anyone else, should they ask.

In both these examples, my own lack of vision blinds me to the truth.  I need to remember to look to You for guidance, answers and perspective on issues in my life.  And before I look too closely at a friend’s life and shortcomings, I need to examine myself.  And then, again, seek Your help in correcting the issues I find there.

Another example You give has to do with how I act on what You tell me when I turn to You for the “vision” I lack.  It’s not enough to simply call on You for guidance.  It’s also imperative that I listen for Your response and do what You say!

Otherwise, all I do is based on my own, unreliable, limited understanding and will fold in on me like a house built with no foundation.

Father, I desire to obey You so my efforts won’t be wasted; so what I do has a firm foundation, and will stand solid against any difficulty or challenge that comes.   And the challenges will come.  You are the solid foundation I can put my trust in and gain confidence from.

Open my eyes of understanding.  Do not let me turn to other blind people, but to the One who made my eyes and gives me sight.

And I will be glad and rejoice with You; happy and joyful!  Amen

Luke 6:39-49

Jan 23 What a ride! Here I am

O Lord, I think of all You allowed Jacob (renamed Israel) to go through, and I wonder how difficult his life must have been. He was a twin, compared from birth to a brother who was very different from him.

His father chose a favorite son, not him. His mother schemed for him to receive his father’s blessing, resulting in his exile from home to a place far away.

He worked happily for seven years to earn a bride, but was deceived on his wedding night with a different woman. He worked another seven years and still had nothing to call his own.

Then, things started coming together. He gains large flocks, gets away from his manipulative father-in-law, reconciles with his brother, returns to his father, has many children, including two sons by his beloved wife Rachel. But then she dies in childbirth. And later, her older son is taken from him, presumed dead. His life falls apart again. Talk about ups and downs!

My life has had its ups and downs. There have been times of delirious joy as well as disappointment and sorrow. I feel sometimes as if I am barely able to get up for a new day. And I have Your Holy Spirit in me from whom I can draw strength! I have scriptures I can read to be encouraged. I have praise music I can play or sit at the piano and sing.

How did Jacob do it? How did Israel get through one more day of grieving his beloved wife Rachel, missing his son Joseph; managing his large family with misbehaving sons Simeon, Reuben, Judah and Levi; all in a day and time of famine, with hunger and need all around him?

Yet when You called him in a time of famine, to relocate to a foreign land, he still didn’t give up. Whatever You had in store for him, he simply answered “Here I am”.

O God, help me be that resilient.

Help me get through dark times and be ready to say “Here I am” when You call. Help me hear Your voice above whatever else is going on in my life. Tune my ears so I will hear You and recognize Your call.

Lord, let me hear clearly, and be obedient to all You reveal to me. Open my ears to the message of Your words that bring personal meaning and conviction to my life.

Prune away any misunderstanding I have been living by. Cut away the dead and unproductive parts. Revive me and make me fruitful again. I long to honor and glorify You.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

How can I do any less?

Genesis 46:2 (and Jacob’s life); Psalm 19:1

Aug 12 Working together

Father, what a lesson from Nehemiah!

Two things stand out for me that apply to Your people today.

One: that sometimes there is opposition when we are doing Your work, such that we must work with one hand on the task and one hand on the sword.

And two: that we must not take advantage of or hinder our own people.

Father, whatever task, circumstance or relationship I’m involved with, help me see spiritual opposition. It may appear as overt resistance or an obstruction to what I’m trying to do. Or be an invisible undertone of grumbling, complaining, discouragement or division. Whatever the case, remind me that Your Word is my Sword – my weapon.

Your Word has power. It can overcome discouragement and repair disunity.   It can change my focus, reveal truth and tear down the lies of the opposition; even change the hearts of those against me. Ready my mind, Lord, to prepare me to fight the battle however it presents itself.

As the Jews were hindering their brothers, I see that sometimes I work against myself and may not realize that what I am doing is preventing someone else from doing their job. Show me from Your perspective if I am in any way, hindering a brother or sister. Show me how to encourage them and free them up to do what You have called them to do. As we work alongside each other for Your purpose, free us all to do our best.

I trust that You have prepared me for whatever comes against me, and for whatever task You have purposed for me to do.   Open my eyes to see it all clearly. Strengthen my arm to do the work. Sharpen my mind to know Your Word.   Embolden my Spirit to go forward. “Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; counsel me and watch over me.” And “I will rejoice in You and be glad. And “Shout for joy!” Amen

Nehemiah 3:15 – 5:13; Psalm 32:8, 11

June 13 You still and quiet my soul

Father, how often do I come before You in prayer feeling so overwhelmed by life? There are some times when I feel like things are going well. I feel in the center of Your will and I have no concerns. I feel blessed in the sense of peace all around me.

There are times when I have small issues that are so easy for You to show me solutions. They may take time and action, but are easily handled with Your help. And then there are times when I am so anxious over circumstances that I lay my heart open for You to see and heal. I prepare for battle with Your armor and You send me out with marching orders against the enemy.

But there are still times, when I see the overwhelming personal issues: illness, death; and larger ones that ravage the world, my country, Your people: suffering, hunger, corruption, oppression, terrorism, to name a few. And I am overcome by how small I am and how helpless I feel.

These are the times I come to You and lay my head on Your shoulder. I wrap my arms around You, bury my face in Your robes and nuzzle in, breathing in Your power, and Your peace.

I am calmed, because I know that You are in control. I understand that this is not a battle You have called me to, but that You have it completely in hand. And I need not worry about it.

These verses describe what I feel:

“My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul like weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

I know there are things You deal with that are too big for me to even be a part of. And like a child who no longer breastfeeds, when that child goes to its mother, there is no physical hunger to be satisfied –only a peace and calm derived from the safety and security the mother offers.

That’s what I feel in You. I know that the world is in Your capable hands, and I can rest contented. Thank You for this lovely picture.   And for being the One I can trust and rest in. Amen

Psalm 131:1-3

Jan 19 Make my life a stage

Dear Lord, I want to be just like Joseph. Only without all the hardship. I don’t want to lose my freedom and be sold into slavery. And I definitely don’t want to be imprisoned. I don’t want a family that is jealous of me and treats me with murderous hate. But in two very significant ways, I do want to be just like him.

First, that You were with Joseph, and second, that others saw that You were.

Genesis tells me “the Lord was with Joseph…and his master saw that the Lord was with him.” Your presence in Joseph’s life must be what enabled him to endure such hardships as enslavement and imprisonment. And it was not only an internal sense that Joseph had personally, but it was evident to others around him that You were with him, that Your blessing was on him, and that You were at work in and touching his life

I already know that You are with me always, because I have the Holy Spirit living in me; given as a seal of my salvation. There has been a merging: You are in me and I am in You through Jesus Christ. But I also know that I can feel far from You when I am walking in disobedience or sin. So help me see through whatever lie, deception or distraction might cause me to miss where a temptation would lead, so I can turn away from it before I am enticed into sin. Show me the way of escape so I can avoid the sin trap. That way I can be fully in Your presence and will be able to bear up under whatever the circumstances are, like Joseph did.

And Lord, like Joseph, I desire that my life would be a stage upon which You act out Your purpose and Your will, so others will see You. Jesus told a parable about seed that fell on different kinds of soil. I want to be the good soil that produces a crop yielding thirty or sixty or a hundred times what was sown. That way people will see what is produced and give You glory.

I may never have a prophetic dream, or give the interpretation of one, or save my entire family from famine like Joseph did. But I ask that whatever You have planted in me, You would bring to fruition so others would see You, through me. I ask in Your name. Amen

Genesis 39:1-23; Matthew 13:1-23; I Corinthians 10:13