Day Twenty Two
Confident - Hopeful
For Starr...from Sister
Proverbs 31:25...Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]...
In the past year (2003), my sister's husband, who does not have a personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ, experienced a massive heart attack. They were on a camping trip in the mountains, but were able to contact the sheriff and ambulance, which took him to the nearest hospital. I was able to reach Debbie (my sister) later that evening and she told me what happened. She said she was literally watching her husband die before her eyes, and the prayer that rose up within her was, "Dear God have mercy on him because he's not ready to meet You." And God's hand of mercy was quick to respond. The doctor told Debbie, "Your husband is a lucky man", which was what the paramedic had also stated. After being stabilized, her husband was transported to the hospital in their hometown, where he was scheduled for tests in the following days. Debbie sounded tired when we spoke, and had had a very emotional day, but through the entire ordeal, her focus was confidence and hope in God; that He is true to His Word.
A few days later when the test results came in, the doctor told them, "I do not have words to say how minimal the damage is by the heart attack." Can you imagine...a massive heart attack with minimal damage?
We face many things in our lives, some through trials and testing, some through unwise choices, sometimes through the course of dealing with issues and hurts of our past, and even some by specific attacks of the enemy. However, if we wholly put our hope and confidence in the Father, He will hear us and He will respond...For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (1 Peter 3:12a).
"How do I do this? You say I should put my hope in You, but how?"
Child...Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord...Jeremiah 29:12-14a.
Child...But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]...Hebrews 11:6.
"Do You understand what has gone on in my life? I've never known love, let alone understand it. My heart has been wounded in this life and I am afraid to trust, even You."
Child...Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you...Jeremiah 31:3b.
Child...for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!...Hebrews 13:5b
"I have so many questions; things I don't understand."
Child...Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...I am Your servant; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension), that I may know (discern and be familiar with the character of) Your testimonies...Psalm 199:105,125.
Child...If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him...James 1:5.
"There are days when I feel like everything I do is wrong...my emotions...my attitude...and sometimes, I just want to give in."
Child...For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relive) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]...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 favor 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 2:18; 4:15-16.
"Have you seen what is going on down here on earth? They are talking every day about chemical warfare, gas masks, getting prepared and weapons of mass destruction. Prices keep going up, companies keep shutting down and this is a scary place to be!"
Child...Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice...For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!...Isaiah 41:10,13.
Child...For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self control...2 Timothy 1:7.
Child...Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love and kindness - trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never]. He shall call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation...Psalm 91:14-16.
"Things are really pressing in around us...finances...unmet bills...sickness...trouble within the family...job layoffs...I don't see a way out of this...what are we going to do?"
Child...When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you...Isaiah 40:31.
Child...Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)...Psalm 55:22.
Child...But those who wait upon the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired...Isaiah 40:31.
"It hurt when they said those things, and none of it was true. I feel isolated and rejected and I hurt inside...it is hard to serve You sometimes."
Child...But no weapon that is formed against You shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall show to be in the wrong...Isaiah 54:17a.
Child...The Lord is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]...Habakuk 3:19.
Proverbs 14:26...In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall find a place of refuge.
Proverbs 3:26...For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].
A hearts' cry...Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loves us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word...2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.