God, Are You Really Here?

29 Jan 2010 4 Comments

by Rest Ministries in Devotionals2 Tags: christian encouragement, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, Kingdom of God, meditation, rest ministries

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer. . . ” (Romans 11:26)

God had promised, though the prophets, to send a deliverer many, many years before Jesus actually came. Can you just imagine how some of the people felt when John the Baptist was preaching so fervently, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”?

I can just hear some of the comments . . . “Yea, yea, we have been hearing this for years now, and God has done nothing!”

There are many times, I’m sure when you have felt this way. I know I have. When I am struck down with intense pain and fatigue on a day when I have so much to do, or someplace important to go, I tend to think that if I ask, God will “instantly” make a way for me to carry out those plans.

Not always the case. Sometimes I have to call and cancel my plans, and take to my bed. How discouraging!

“God, why today? Where are You when I have prayed . . . believing?”

God made many promises to us, but He never, ever said he would fulfill them instantly. He has a reason for His timing, and also for the method in which He chooses to answer our prayers. And, His ways are perfect, even when we would prefer to have our own way.

Countless times in God’s word I read of those who have been in terrible situations for years, praying every minute, I’m sure, for God to deliver them, but they end up having to wait, and wait, then wait some more. Sometimes, years later, they get an answer. (Think of Joseph; Genesis 41 as just one example)

Dear friend, when you feel God isn’t listening to your cries for help, don’t give up, ever! He hears our prayers even before we have finished speaking them, and He answers every one of them in His way for He knows best!

In the meantime, while we are in the midst of a terrible storm of pain, or whatever we are having to live through, He is right here with us, giving us strength to go through the situation, one step at a time. He even carries us through the worst part, for we are not able to do it in our own strength.

Take heart, friends. Our Deliverer has truly come! And, He knows and fulfills our needs—always!

About the Author:
Alice Ervin lives daily with several chronic illnesses, but chooses to rely on the strength of her Savoir, Jesus Christ. He has never once let her down, and she knows, even though she doesn’t always get her own way, what He does for her each day will be for His glory.

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