Are you facing any trials today? Do you have any worries that seem to overwhelm your heart and mind? So often, we try to push them aside; because we really don’t want others to know. After all, what would people think if they knew we had doubts or fears! Wouldn’t they make fun of our lack of faith; because, don’t we call ourselves Christians? As though admitting the truth would be shameful, we smile and put on a happy face. If we try hard enough, we might even convince ourselves. Perhaps if I sing loud enough; God won’t even notice my distress. Yet, the truth is that God is listening for our cries of help. He never meant for us to go this alone. Never did He say it was going to be easy. In fact, the scripture teaches us to lean into Him and call out His name.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry… The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:15,17-19
A RIGHTEOUSNESS NOT MY OWN
Did you see that? His eyes are upon the righteous and His ears are open to their cries! Oh, but you might say, “therein lies the problem. You don’t know what I have done or that I have failed Him. Why would He listen to my prayers? All of my troubles are because of my own failures as a Christian and as a person!” But you see that is not true! Our righteousness is not a righteousness of our own making, “for there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10).
Our only hope of righteousness is that which was purchased by Jesus Christ. The gospel story is that! He took my filthy rags and clothed me with a cloak of righteousness, so that; I might boldly go before the throne of God.
ROMANS 3:24-26
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Therefore, our righteousness is a declared righteousness; not based on our own works. Still, we are not to become complacent concerning our failures. Love demands that we strive against sin; but, we can be assured that we can come before the throne of Grace to confess our sins. God will step by step transform our hearts to desire sin less; as we keep our eyes focused upon Him. The more we know about God; the greater becomes our devotion and love. As our love and devotion grows, we desire to please Him through obedience.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-18
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Certainly, I do not look like Jesus now; but, one day I will when I stand before Him. Until that day, my only mission is to keep my eyes focused upon Him through prayer and studying His Word. Instead of being drawn aside by all the lights of this world; I need to keep my eyes on the one true light.
AN EXAMPLE IN TRUSTING
Remember the story of Peter as told in Matthew 14. Peter walked on the water; despite the raging storm, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. He began to sink the moment he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the storms. The same is true of you and I today. The problem when we doubt, worry or try to hide our insecurities is our focus has shifted. When my eyes are focused on Jesus, I have no fear to tell Him my frailties, my concerns and my fears. After all, He knows anyway. I cannot hide from Him my lack of faith; but, I can ask Him to be my faith when mine is faltering.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:4,7
GOD IS LISTENING
God is listening for your cries for help! Won’t you lay aside your pride and cry out to Him? Turn yours eyes to Him who is the author and the finisher of your faith. The only one who can comfort your weary soul. Because He loves you enough to purchase your righteousness with the blood of His Only Begotten Son, He is always watching and listening for your cries.
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace–Alan Jackson
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]Whatever darkness you are facing cry out to God because God is listening[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”God never meant for you to face your trials alone, He is the strength you need” username=”effiedarlene”]
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
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