Dear family in Christ

I was browsing a copy of the Vietnamese-English devotional by Our Daily Bread Ministries this week and came across this encouraging devotional written by Ms Marion Stroud.

I pray that the love, peace and grace of God will minister to your heart during such challenging times, even as some of you face struggles in some situations in your life and that of your family.

“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”    Psalm 33:20-22

Shalom
Pastor John

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Waiting is hard at any time; but when days, weeks, or even months pass and our prayers seem to go unanswered, it is easy to feel God has forgotten us. Perhaps we can struggle through the day with its distractions, but at night it is doubly difficult to deal with our anxious thoughts. Worries loom large, and the dark hours seem endless. Utter weariness makes it look impossible to face the new day.

The psalmist grew weary as he waited (Psalm 13:1). He felt abandoned — as if his enemies were gaining the upper hand (v2). When we are waiting for God to resolve a difficult situation or to answer often-repeated prayers, it’s easy to get discouraged.

Satan whispers that God has forgotten us, and that things will never change. We may be tempted to give in to despair. Why bother to read the Bible or to pray? Why make the effort to worship with fellow believers in Christ? But we need our spiritual lifelines most when we are waiting. They help to hold us steady in the flow of God’s love and to become sensitive to His Spirit.

The psalmist had a remedy (Psalm 13:5-6). He focused on all that he knew of God’s love, reminding himself of past blessings and deliberately praising God, who would not forget him. So can we.

For Reflection and Prayer:

Lover of my soul, who draws close in the darkest and longest night,
please keep me trusting You, talking to You, and leaning on Your promises.

God is worth waiting for; His time is always best.

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