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When You Don’t Feel Like It
We all struggle with spiritual discouragement and lethargy. Some days our circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, and we struggle just to pray. Many times we just don’t feel like doing the things we know we should. For one reason or another, God sometimes seems far off and unreachable.
David faced times like these in his life. The Psalms are filled with verses that express his despair and feeling of abandonment.
Yet the Psalms also give us the key to living victoriously during the dark periods of life. Let’s take a quick look at Psalm 119:89-95*.
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances…”
My circumstances or feelings have not changed God. He is the same God today as He was when He hung the stars in the sky, led the Israelites through the Red Sea , and fed the five thousand.
“For all things are Your servants…”
All things, even the things affecting me right now, are God’s servants. The circumstance, people, and events around me are all under God. They are His servants, designed to help and bless me spiritually.
“If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.”
Recalling God’s faithfulness and control over everything that touches us gives us strength to walk with God even when we feel like giving up in despair. After all, our feelings and circumstances have not changed God. He is perfectly capable of sustaining us if we will only let Him. We simply need to choose to delight in and diligently consider God’s precepts (His principles and character) despite how we feel. Choosing to delight in God might not be easy. It might even involve hard work. But only God can revive and save our soul from spiritual lethargy.
Next time you feel spiritually drained or inadequate, remember that you have a choice. You can wrap yourself up in excuses and self-pity, or you can choose to draw your strength from an unchanging God.
These short devotionals are based on those published in our free e-newsletters. It’s free to subscribe, plus you get a free e-book of short stories!
Continually Surrounded
“The LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD
and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Psalm 32:10,
11
God controls and allows
every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval.
Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can
choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly
ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him. For example,
we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere
on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting
in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice.
May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God’s
unfailing love to permeate our lives and chase away our complaints and fears.
These short devotionals are based on those published in our free e-newsletters. It’s free to subscribe, plus you get a free e-book of short stories!
Press On!
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Of all the Israelites, perhaps no one strove harder to please God than Saul of Tarsus.
Every area of his life conformed strictly to the Law. No one could accuse this respected
Pharisee of lacking zeal. He was a man with a mission-a mission to please and serve
God.
But on the road to Damascus, Saul’s life changed entirely. From now on, he would no
longer try to please God himself. Instead, he would press on with the goal of knowing
Christ. “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8 (NIV emphasis added). Saul (now called Paul)
had a new mission-a mission that remained constant amid ever-changing circumstances.
It didn’t matter whether he was preaching to a crowd or sitting in a damp prison.
Paul now had one goal before which everything in his life bowed. Paul wanted to know
his Lord.
How about you? Is knowing Christ–fellowshipping, trusting, and depending on Him-the
goal toward which you’re striving? Ask God to help you press on to know Him today.
Watering Again
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 NIV
Living in a house without an automatic sprinkler system has been an eye-opening experience
for me. It has made me realize just how often grass needs watered. And
it’s helped me learn the hard way that grass will simply die without a continual water
supply.
As I watched the sprinkler the other day, it occurred to me that, much like grass,
we continually need water. We need watered each and every
moment of our lives. We need to draw from God’s Living Water—His
life. Only as we continually draw from Christ His life and strength
will we be able to grow strong amid the scorching heat and searing winds of life.
Are you drawing from Christ, your Living Water, today? Or are you
trying to live on your own? God’s life and strength awaits you. Let
Him water your soul over and over again each day.
These short devotionals are based on those published in our free e-newsletters. It’s free to subscribe, plus you get a free e-book of short stories!
And Today?
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:15 NIV
Are we living in God’s presence today, this moment? Are we drawing from His strength?
Are we seeking to know Him and the power of His resurrection today?
Leave the past and the future with the Lord and resolve
to cling to Him and dwell in His presence today. He truly has the whole world in His
hands, and His strength is perfect—moment by moment.
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