Confession:

CONFESSION:

They say confession is good for the soul.  So, here goes.  Recently, I was whining to the Lord about some current difficulties. I was droning on and on about feeling like Job when the Lord, in His mercy, drew my attention to the Word.  In the passage below, Job is talking to God and he says:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.  Nothing and no one can upset your plans.  You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’ I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head.  You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.  Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’  I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!  I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!  I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”  – Job 42:1-6 MSG

Having lived on this Earth a long time, I know I don’t want to get a paddling on my hind quarters from the Lord.  I have seen God’s goodness first hand. It would be wise to receive Job’s counsel.

Today, I purpose to not complain to God about how He is running the universe, or whine about which tests and trials He allows to sift me.  He is eternal.  I am but a fleeting vapor.  Wisdom would have me looking for ways to honor and glorify Him in this season, rather than to waste even a single breath questioning Him. Lord, forgive me!  I choose wisdom!  How about you?

Pray with me?

Lord, we want to live lives that honor You, and enthrone YOU as God.  Help us to stop second-guessing YOU.  Your ways are so far above ours that we cannot comprehend them.  But we know that Your ways and actions toward us always come from love.  Will You be close to us in our difficulty? Your presence is our comfort and strength.

Lord, we want to be found faithful.  Strengthen us to glorify you in our struggle.  May the challenge and resistance of the trial serve to strengthen our spiritual muscles, that we will become strong.

Even our trials, You turn for our good (Rom 8:28).  You have taken them all into account.  And mysteriously, in and through them, we will ultimately be blessed.  So we choose to count it all joy (James 1:2-4) and we offer You thanks.

Lord, You are good.  You are patient in our tantrums and You are eager to respond to our confession and repentance with blessing.  Truly, what a wonder You are!  In good times and bad—forever and for always, You are worthy of our praise! In Jesus’ Name ❤️
https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more