You Meet Us Where We Are
Reading: Genesis 21
My Verse: "Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink" (21:19).
Here we have Hagar, again in the wilderness on her own. Only this time she is not running away. She did what You told her to do the first time and went back and was submissive. This time she is sent away. Sometimes it is so hard for us to understand the why of our situation. Even when we seem to be doing what You would have us to do we still are not in a good situation. Hagar was sure they would both die there in the desert, she and her son.
Then, You appear to her again. You provide her the water they need. You then tell her that they will live and her son would be the father of many. "Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation" (21:18).
How I need to take this lesson to heart. LORD God, You do and will provide our deepest needs. You meet us where we are if we but cry out to You. I was just visiting with a friend. We spoke of suffering, how it is only for a time. Though we do not and cannot see the end of it when we are in the midst of suffering it does come to an end. When we come out of it - if we have relied on You - we are stronger, richer, and blessed by You. Knowing this does not make it any easier. Hagar wept and knew she and her boy would die. And so we often come to that kind of despair.
I am reading Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. St. John was a Spanish monk in the 1500's. The book is his journey from the empty ritualism of Catholism to a real personal loving relationship with You, LORD God. Reading his story makes one realize how so much of the battle is indeed within ourselves - within our own minds - within our spirit. He speaks much of the need for You to purge our souls to enable us to receive Your love and for us to be able to truly love You. This purging is not an easy thing. But You do it because You love us.
Oh, LORD, help me to simply hold on during these times of purging. You know me and know what it is I need. You met Hagar where she was. You provided her not only the water she desparately needed but You also gave her a promise that she might have hope. And this You do for us today.
There are so many other examples of You meeting us where we are in the Bible. Thank You for them, for the encouragement they bring. Thank You for showing us Your tenderness and compassion through these stories of Your love. We simply need to hold onto that - Your love.
"Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings . . ." (Pslam 17:8).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Genesis 21
My Verse: "Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink" (21:19).
Here we have Hagar, again in the wilderness on her own. Only this time she is not running away. She did what You told her to do the first time and went back and was submissive. This time she is sent away. Sometimes it is so hard for us to understand the why of our situation. Even when we seem to be doing what You would have us to do we still are not in a good situation. Hagar was sure they would both die there in the desert, she and her son.
Then, You appear to her again. You provide her the water they need. You then tell her that they will live and her son would be the father of many. "Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation" (21:18).
How I need to take this lesson to heart. LORD God, You do and will provide our deepest needs. You meet us where we are if we but cry out to You. I was just visiting with a friend. We spoke of suffering, how it is only for a time. Though we do not and cannot see the end of it when we are in the midst of suffering it does come to an end. When we come out of it - if we have relied on You - we are stronger, richer, and blessed by You. Knowing this does not make it any easier. Hagar wept and knew she and her boy would die. And so we often come to that kind of despair.
I am reading Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. St. John was a Spanish monk in the 1500's. The book is his journey from the empty ritualism of Catholism to a real personal loving relationship with You, LORD God. Reading his story makes one realize how so much of the battle is indeed within ourselves - within our own minds - within our spirit. He speaks much of the need for You to purge our souls to enable us to receive Your love and for us to be able to truly love You. This purging is not an easy thing. But You do it because You love us.
Oh, LORD, help me to simply hold on during these times of purging. You know me and know what it is I need. You met Hagar where she was. You provided her not only the water she desparately needed but You also gave her a promise that she might have hope. And this You do for us today.
There are so many other examples of You meeting us where we are in the Bible. Thank You for them, for the encouragement they bring. Thank You for showing us Your tenderness and compassion through these stories of Your love. We simply need to hold onto that - Your love.
"Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings . . ." (Pslam 17:8).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
No comments:
Post a Comment