This little devotional came just at the right time - check it out
June 29, 2007
This isn't something I've written, but something I receive daily called "Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional." It blessed me (especially in light of what's going on with me right now) and I hope it does you too.
Welcome to Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com,
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June 29, 2007 Honest Prayer
By Rachel Olsen
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever shaken your fist at God over His answer to your prayers, or lack of answers?
Have you grown angry with Him over the injustices in your life?
If so, you’ll be able to relate to the prophet Habakkuk, living roughly 600 years before Christ. His book of the Bible begins with this complaint: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save me. Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” (Hab.1:2-3, NIV). God answered Habakkuk by telling him to be patient and to watch, that He will do amazing things and usher in justice, but only in His timing.
Passionate, honest, gut-level, even angry prayers have been recorded through out the Bible. Habakkuk wasn’t the only one to complain. Moses, Gideon, and Elijah all questioned God. Job questioned his reason for existence, and cursed the day God made him. Job said, “I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, Do not condemn me, but tell me what charges you have against me. Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands...?” (Job 10:1-3, NIV).
In his anguish Job accused God of
afflicting people for no reason (Job 9:17), overwhelming people with
misery (Job 9:18), not caring about injustice (Job 9:22, 24), and
laughing at the pain of the innocent (Job 9: 22). Of course these accusations are not accurate, but it is true that is how we often feel in times of severe suffering or testing. God knows our deepest thoughts and feelings, so it’s futile to think we can hide them from Him. Better
to come clean with how we really feel, get it off our chest in prayer,
and clear the way to hear and receive God’s answer or comfort.
I’ve complained to God for allowing my loved ones to die or fall deep into sin, for allowing valuable things to be stolen from me, for allowing my reputation to be unfairly tarnished, for allowing physical suffering in my body, or for not allowing what I feel I deserve. I have found the best thing I can do is honestly take those feelings to God where they can be traded for His perspective and His comforting assurance. Though God may not always change my circumstances the way I want Him to, He can and does change my perspective on those circumstances and enable me to endure them.
God listens when we complain about injustice. He hates seeing the unrighteous prosper as much as we do, particularly when it’s at the hands of the innocent. He understands when we feel shortchanged or opposed. Read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and you’ll be reminded just how much Jesus can relate!
I urge you to be honest before God in prayer today. While maintaining a degree of holy respect for Him and thanksgiving for your life, pour out the good, the bad and the ugly of your feelings. As Habakkuk, Job and others discovered, God can handle your intense emotions and questions. Though He rarely explains Himself fully to us – perhaps because we can’t fully understand this side of eternity – He does flood us with His power, love and peace when we come humbly and honestly before Him and pour out our heart.
Dear Lord, it’s hard for me to understand Your ways. It’s hard for me to overlook offenses. It’s hard for me to deal graciously with the difficult situations or people in my life. Sometimes I grow angry with You for allowing them into my life. But I don’t want to be a bitter, miserable person. Help me to see through Your eyes, and to endure all that You allow into my life with Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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