When God Moves

Ever have a burden for someone so strong, so heavy, you couldn't help but cry to God continually for that person? Ever prayed so hard, so long, you were tempted to give up? Ever wonder why God doesn't work immediately or just make everything alright the instant you ask?

If you do, well, you are in the same boat with the rest of us.
However, all the tears, late nights, and long prayers are so so worth it when you see God move!
Keep praying! Maybe God is using this situation to teach a character quality to you or help you grow in some area. Always keep in mind that He is working on the big picture, even when you can't see it.

Recently, God answered a tremendous prayer request I had. I had been praying for someone for over a year, and the Lord answered exceedingly and abundantly more than I could have ever imagined! I am so thrilled and overjoyed to see the transforming power of my Lord. If it had been up to me, I would have tried to fix the problem immediately, and ruined the perfect plan God already had in store. God has already used this person to influence another person to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. HE is truly worthy of honor, glory and praise!  “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock!
Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!" (2 Samuel 22:47) 

But what about the times he says...."no"? I have also been praying for someone to get accepted for a certain job for a long time. I prayed hard. And the answer came this week. It was no. Why?? I have no way to understand or to know. 
But I can trust. And, I can still praise Him. Even when my human flesh screams for an answer to my questions. Even when I cannot even remotely understand. The Lord is faithful. He has a plan.  
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Praise Jesus that HE is in charge and knows what the future holds.

Psalm 146

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord, O my soul!
² While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

³ Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
⁴ His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.

⁵ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
⁶ Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

⁸ The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
⁹ The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

¹⁰ The Lord shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 34

I love Psalm 34! The Lord has used it to comfort me so many times. Especially on those nights I feel like my prayers aren't being heard. Then I turn to this chapter, and read the wonderful truths written there. The Lord does hear when the righteous cry out! He might not answer immediately, but He will always answer. Sometimes I think that maybe He doesn't answer immediately so I will continue to seek Him, and realize my desperation and hopelessness apart from Him. 

My favorite part of this chapter is verses 15-20, but I love the whole chapter.

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
¹⁰ The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.