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. I tried, but could not get my thoughts to be still. With each issue, another failure or complication seemed to pile on top, until I felt so overwhelmed I did not even know where to start to pray.
It was then that I remembered times in the past, when 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 there and things would be alright.
But this time, I did not feel that. I felt far from You. And I wondered if this could be the end? Could it be that this would be the time of my undoing? 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 still feel 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 or 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 the. Can even paralyze a Christian’s faith.
So I decided I would begin 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.” “Jesus wept.” “The Lord your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and give you victory!”
The more I quoted Your Word in prayer, the more calm I felt. Soon I fell asleep.
Thank You Lord, for sending Your calm. Thank You for sending 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 in the morning I could see resources and solutions I could not the night before. In taking those steps back towards You, I can feel I am at Your side 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; Psalm 23; Luke 10:27; John 3:16; John 11:35; Deuteronomy 20:4
Daily Bible Prayer 