Why Are You So Far Away, Lord?

By Gail Purath (read her blog here)

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“Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” *

Psalms often begin like the one above. This tells us:

We can honestly share our feelings with God.

Even the best of God’s children have doubts and confusion.

The Psalms are good to read when we're troubled because the Psalmist always moves from doubts and confusion to faith and hope.

"Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.” *

Psalm-like prayers will:

change our perspective

remind us of God’s past faithfulness

assure us of God’s present and future faithfulness

Are you feeling discouraged? Tell God about it honestly, then change your perspective by reminding yourself of God’s past, present and future faithfulness in your life.

*Psalm 10:1,14

(There is only one of the 150 Psalms that does not end with hope: Psalm 88.)

About Gail:

Gail Purath has been married to her best friend for 41 years, has two married children and seven grandchildren. Her blog Bible Love Notes (http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com) features one-minute devotions each weekday.

When Nothing Comforts

Image by Amanda - withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com

By Gail Purath (read her blog here)

"I cried out to the Lord but nothing would comfort me. I remembered how much better things used to be and felt abandoned by God."

This is how the psalmist begins Psalm 77.

But the psalmist doesn’t stop there. He remembers God’s past faithfulness, reminds himself of God’s character, and remembers that God’s methods are not always visible.

So next time we feel abandoned and nothing helps, we can follow the psalmist’s lead:
     ~Write down ways God has helped and guided us in the past.
     ~Ponder God’s character: faithful, loving, holy, good, just, caring, all knowing, perfect.
     ~Reread the Red Sea account (Exodus 14) and realize how hopeless things looked up to the point where God revealed His “footprints.”
     ~And whether we’re discouraged or not, it’s a good thing to memorize this line:

“Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” Psalm 77:19

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About Gail:

Gail Purath has been married to her best friend for 41 years, has two married children and seven grandchildren. Her blog Bible Love Notes (http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com) features one-minute devotions each weekday.

Everything We Do

“Abraham expressed his faith by packing his bags and moving. David administered a kingdom. Jesus pounded nails on a carpenter’s bench. Paul made friends, sewed tents, planned journeys, and raised funds for the poor in Jerusalem. Through such ordinary deeds the kingdom of God advanced. What they did mattered less than why and for whom. In creation, in incarnation, in all acts on earth, God hallows the ordinary.”     Philip Yancey *

Every day we make choices:

     to work diligently or lazily

     to be considerate or rude

     to neglect or nourish our relationship with the Lord

     to excuse or repent of our sins

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You might have influence over hundreds of employees or two toddlers. You may decide how your company spends $2,000,000 or how your family spends $20.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” because God cares about the ordinary and extraordinary duties of our lives. (Colossians 3:23). 

* Rumours of Another World, Philip Yancey, Zondarvan, copyright 2003, Page 231

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About Gail

Gail Purath has been married to her best friend for 41 years, has two married children and seven grandchildren. Her blog Bible Love Notes(http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com) features one-minute devotions each weekday.