Why won't you answer me, God?

Psalm 102:1-2 (MSG) God, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries. Don’t turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately. Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry—this can’t wait!

Habakkuk 1:1-4 (MSG) God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.

This morning while reading through Psalm 102, I was reminded of the first few verses of Habakkuk. In both instances the Psalmist and Habakkuk cry out to God in desperation. Although there's a difference in the plea, they both cry out because they know they can go directly to God, in times of joy and trouble, and He will hear them.

Have you ever poured out your soul to the Lord before? Perhaps you have chronic illness or pain, or you have doubts or fears about how a situation is going to turn out in your life. The only question you have is “Why God?” or “How long do I have to cry out to you before you help me?”

The Psalmist and Habakkuk weren't afraid to pose their questions and concerns to God. In Psalm 102, the Psalmist recognizes that God will be enthroned forever (102:12). In both chapters, we can see that God knew about the circumstances going on was then and will forever be in control. God is sovereign and His plan (short-term or long-range) will be fulfilled on His timetable.  

Even today, the same is true for us. We may not like our current

circumstances (an illness, pain, marital issues,  the direction of our nation, senseless killings, robberies, terrorist attacks, abortions, famine,etc.)  we have to realize that God is still in the driver’s seat. Nothing that happens in this world catches him by surprise…NOT one thing. God is working out His purposes in His own time, not ours and certainly not according to our comfort level.

The Psalmist's and Habakkuk’s example are ones of encouragement, especially when we fear God doesn't see our circumstances. I challenge you to read Psalm 102 and the 3 short chapters of Habakkuk today and consider the following:

Take your complaint/concern to God.
Wait for God to answer.
When God answers, Rejoice/Praise Him for the outcome.

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Are you imprisoned by fear?

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. So why should I fear anyone? The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid?”

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 American dictionary, the word fear is defined as:

A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.

I think Mr. Webster got it right. 

Fear is “a painful emotion” and can imprison us within ourselves. Once inside these dark walls, “fear” renders us completely helpless. You’ve been there at one time or another, right? 

Have you ever had the fear of being rejected or misunderstood? What about the fear of being overcome with a sickness that would not allow you to provide for your family? What about the fear of dying or the fear of losing your job in this down turned economy?

The list of “fears” we have is endless. The truth is...fear is not from God. It's a lie of the enemy. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

We need to believe the truth of God's word. If we are afraid we can be certain God isn't the one making us that way. It's Satan trying to keep us from all God has for us. Are you being held in a dark place by fear today? Dispel the darkness by calling on the LIGHT to save you!

“The Lord is my light and the one who saves me.”

Romans 8:15; Hebrews 13:5-6; Psalm 56:3-4

Finding "bread" in the valley

John 6:35 (NCV) Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
   
I've come to this place again where I have given FEAR a foothold and allowed it to dictate my actions.So frustrated with myself this morning, I cried out to God "Lord what is WRONG with me? I don't want to be this person... I so desire to be in your word and in fellowship with you.  Why am I struggling?"

In the quietness I heard his voice.. "You're not getting alone with me... your now allowing me to sustain you through this valley."

As much as I hate to admit it...  I haven't been having a good quiet time lately. I am going through a period of change in my life. For me change is difficult. I'm stepping out of corporate America to put my family first. I need the time to focus on getting myself and my entire family healthy. While I am looking forward to the opportunity to fully concentrate on my family, I worry about the finances.  I don't know why I'm worried. My husband is the one who handles the bills and he says we're fine. He told me "money should be the last thing you're worried about, just relax and take a break." 

Ok, there you have it. This is another opportunity for me to trust God with everything... my family, our finances, my next move...  Yet I worry.   When I worry or stress, I tend to shut down completely. I become too afraid to move. Reading through the gospel of John this morning, I was reminded of why I felt like this in the first place. It isn't because I'm worried; It's because I haven't been handing my worry over to Jesus and trusting Him to provide.

Jesus is the only one who can sustain us and provide for every need we have. In times like this, I shouldn't run and hide from the world around me. I should RUN to CHRIST and cling to him for every thirst, hunger and need. It shouldn't matter that I am not going to be working outside of the home after this month. I should be talking to Him about helping me through whatever is next. He already knows my heart and my circumstance, it's up to me to talk to Him about it....and lay it down at His feet.

He is the bread of life....and I can find nourishment and refreshment for my soul through Him. I don't have to waste away in the middle of this valley, I can feast at the table of the Lord because He not will only satisfy my physical needs...but my spiritual needs as well.

God is greater than any problem I have.  He will provide.