Faith for the long haul

Something happened in our home yesterday, and it was only this morning, in my quiet time, that God showed me it was an answer to many many years of prayer. Sometimes throughout those years I had verbalised the prayer. Other times it had been a cry of my heart. God reminded me that He is faithful. 

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP

He reminded me to not give up on any of His promises.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 10:39-11:1 NIV

He reminded me that nothing is impossible for Him.

For with God nothing is every impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible fulfillment. Luke 1:37 AMP

He reminded me to be patient with other promises and desires He has put in my heart.

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him. Psalm 37:7a AMP

He reminded me to be thankful in the waiting time.

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 
1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP 

He reminded me that He is sovereign and things will always happen in His timing - not mine. 

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP

Question for today, are you struggling to have faith for the long haul in some area of your life? I know what it's like to be there. 

For me in those times one of the things that sustained me was doing a word study. For example about four years ago I desperately wanted to learn to live in peace despite the circumstances so I spent months reading all the scriptures that spoke about peace. Reading them, re-reading them, asking God to help me understand His peace at a heart level, and live out of His truth -

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled]. John 14:27 AMP

My God will meet me

O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower). My God in His mercy and steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look [triumphantly] on my enemies (those who lie in wait for me). Psalm 59:9-10

The day after my previous blog post we were presented with yet another opportunity to learn how to dance upon disappointment. A child with a broken arm, who for various reasons required a two night stay in hospital. Staying in hospital again was a bit surreal with nurses lovingly embracing our family, as they have done now for almost seven years. When I inquired how another child was feeling about being at the hospital again, they said something like, 'It's like home'. 

Hospital. Home. God. Thankfully God always meets us exactly where we are. 

My God in His mercy and steadfast love will meet me;

Psalm 59:9a

We don't need to be in a specific place, at a specific time to experience His mercy and steadfast love. He is always available, no matter where we are.

Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10 AMP

When we were completing the hospital admission papers, the administrator asked us if we wanted a visit from the chaplain. I said, 'yes'. She responded, 'You are the first one today to say yes.' Interesting. It was 5.30pm in the afternoon.

Our daughter was discharged two days later. We did not receive a visit from the chaplain. Thankfully we weren't reliant on the chaplain's visit to commune with and experience the presence of God (although it would have been great to have a visit). We didn't need to wait for a specific person to be a go-between between us and God. We have Jesus. He makes a way and understands.

For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP

Yes, our God will always meet us with mercy and steadfast love. We don't need a place or person, we just need to be still, humble ourselves and open our hearts and receive what He has for us. Hospital. Home. God is there.

Question for today, do you believe that God can and will meet you, right where you are? That He will meet you with mercy and steadfast love like you have never experienced before? If you aren't sure, stop, be still and ask Him and wait. My prayer is that you will be flooded with His mercy and love.

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress. Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17 AMP

Dancing when you feel like running away

There is a song we have sung at church a few times - Heroes by Amanda Cook, and it has one line that always speaks to my heart, even after listening to probably more than 100 times,

'You taught my feet to dance upon disappointment and I will worship.'

Yes, what a journey, learning to dance upon disappointment, and I know it is a journey that is not yet finished.

How difficult is it to go from a place of being bitterly disappointment, fearful, having little trust to a place of dancing and worshiping God?

One of my first opportunities to learn how to do this dance was when I had a miscarriage after Marshall was born. Everything had gone so smoothly with the pregnancy and birth of Marshall that we just assumed it would be the same next time. However that was not the case. After the miscarriage I remember many early morning walks along the shores of Botany Bay, crying out to God in grief, asking Him to help me trust that we would be able to have another child.

Two months later we fell pregnant again. Then came the disappointment of a second miscarriage. And more early morning walks, and a deeper crying out to God in grief. It was one of those times when I'd read Proverbs 3:5,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

and say to God, 'Help me to trust You, my heart is breaking. I want more children.'

Other than walking and crying out to God there were some other things I did during this time to help get to the place of dancing and worshipping again:

1. Kept the communication lines open with God. I told Him all my thoughts (even though He already knew them), including the disappointment and the anger.

2. I continued to read His word, gaining comfort especially from Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

3. Journalling, writing down my feelings, telling God via written prayer when I was all talked out, helped me process more.

4.We kept going to church, singing worship songs in faith to re-build our trust in God.

5. I kept communicating with Ken about how I was feeling - might have been a bit overwhelming for him at times, thankfully he can be a good listener.

6. Kept socialising with my friends from church and the local playgroup, even though that was emotionally difficult sometimes as some were having healthy pregnancies with their second child.

I kept believing that God would be the lifter of my head,

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 AMP

I kept trusting that even though because of Jesus, we were more than conquerors,

And we know that all these things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

I fell pregnant again, and today we have the beautiful Charlotte, so full of life, her presence is not easily missed. 

Little did we know at the time, but that that kindergarten class of learning how to dance on disappointment with the miscarriages, was preparation for the degree course we would take a few years later with our next daughter Victoria.

And in that degree course, we have done exactly those same things I listed above, but much more purposefully, bringing greater intimacy with God, and with the wonderful family and friends that He has blessed us with, over not just 6 months but almost 7 years. Perhaps I should say it has been a double degree followed by a Masters degree. Or maybe it has been 7 years of repeating kindergarten! 

Whatever the class, in that time God has certainly taught us how to dance upon disappointment and worship. And not only has He taught Ken and I, He is teaching our children too. As they experience disappointments (some more than others), the worship music goes on, the journals come out, the drawing starts and their relationship with God grows.

You did it: you changed my wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. GOD, my God, I can't thank you enough. Psalm 30:11-12 The Message

Question for today, is there an area in your life that you need help learning to dance on the disappointment? Why not ask God to show you the first step? And then be brave and do it.

Unshakeable - keep being persuaded

Over the past few days I have felt this growing intensity, a sort of challenging in my mind. It is hard to explain. There have been questions like, 'Do you have what it takes to stand? Do you really believe you have the victory? Do you really believe that God will have the last say?'

Questions, that if left unanswered for too long, can cause problems. Doubt. Fear. Thankfully after years of experience I am getting quicker to recognise that voice. It is not the voice of God, rather it is the liar. And by the grace of God I am getting quicker at responding with truth - God's word.

In these times we need to be immersing ourselves in the word of God. As we read His truth, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us bringing peace and encouragement, so we are unshakeable.

Jesus answered them, 'Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it - saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting in me, you will be unshakeable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." John 16:31-33 The Message

Today, in this world, let's ask God to help us trust more in him, so that we will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. 

Following on from this verse we can read Jesus' prayer for His Followers. This is The Message version, it is more the essence of what Jesus prayed, than His actual words, but how comforting is it to know that the Lord of lords, King of kings prayed this for us....

Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience My joy completed in them. 

I gave them  your word, the godless hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. 

I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. 

Make them holy - consecrated - with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission. 

John 17:13-19 The Message 

His word is consecrating truth and it does not return void.

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 AMP

We may not understand, but we are called to trust.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plan your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

Jesus, please help us to find time in the busyness of the day to read Your word, and to get more of Your truth into our hearts so we can better stand unshakeable.  Thank you that Your word does not return void. Thank you that You are with us. Emmanuel. Thank you that when we do not understand, we can trust You. You are our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

As it is written:

"For your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, not things present not things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:33-39 NKJV

Note: interestingly in my NKJ Bible, in my early days as a Christian I have drawn a box around verse's 38 and 39 and written 'keep being persuaded'.

Seeing, hearing and trusting

This morning when I was asking God what I should write about, three things came to me - Eyes to see; Ears to hear; Trust in Me.

So I searched for some scriptures relating to these words... and look what I found ...

For this nation's heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.

But blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear. Matthew 13:15-16 AMP

Through Christ we have the blessing to see and hear things of God.

And He replied to them, to you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 13:11 AMP

What we see and hear from God requires a response. Maybe it is an act of forgiveness,

And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 AMP

Followed by repentance. 

From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 AMP

Maybe it is time to confess and pray with someone.

Confess to one another, therefore you faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mine and heart]. James 5:16a

Maybe it is more fervent prayer.

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working). James 5:16b AMP

But whatever the response is there is always a component of trusting God, maybe trusting Him more than you have ever had to before.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight and understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

Jesus, please help us today to be discerning with what You show us, and with what we hear from You. Help us to give an appropriate response, acting in love, always being a good ambassador for You. Help us to trust You more, knowing that Your ways are higher and that You have a plan. Thank you that you will direct and make our paths straight. Amen.

Despair Vs Hope

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the [east] side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:10-11 AMP

When we hear what our God has done our perspective changes. For the people of Jericho, a sense of hopelessness and despair came over them,

We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and GOD, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below. Joshua 2:11 The Message

For us, as believers in Jesus Christ, what happens when we hear about what our God has done? When we hear about the victories He has delivered for His people, individually and corporately. Does our faith rise and we say "Yes and Amen"?

For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His person and by His agency] to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 AMP

What happens when the circumstance looks too big, like a forgone conclusion? Where is our "Yes and Amen" then? Are we standing in faith? In these times we need to remember that God sees the full picture. We need to go back to His promises, His truth and stand.

And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take.  Joshua 1:8-9 The Message

Don't be timid. Don't get discouraged. Stay close to God. Align your thoughts with His truth. Pray. Trust. Wait. God always has the last word.

Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge - a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 The Message

Question for today, is there are a "Yes and Amen" you are struggling to declare in faith in response to one or some God's promises?  If yes, then why not ask God to forgive you for your unbelief and ask for His help to believe, to come to a place when you are fully aligned with His Yes. Hope restored.