Marian
Scriptures: John 10 Psalm 30:5 Philippians 4:6
Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice and I know them. They follow me.” (John 10:27)
Many times throughout Scripture, from the Garden of Eden to John the Apostle recording the Revelation of things to come, we learn that God spoke directly to His people. It gives me great encouragement to know that the echo of the Torah and the prophets in the Old Testament runs right through Scripture to the writings of the Apostles, assuring us that the God of Israel will one day defeat evil, restore the world and redeem Israel and the nations. There may be weeping in the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
Scripture reveals that God has always spoken to His people in various ways since He created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This truth increases my hunger to hear Him speak in my own prayer times. Silence is golden when we stand before our dear Lord and wait, expecting Him to speak. When I reflect over the years of my life I realise that all too often my prayers have been filled with my own words to God, giving little or no space for Him to speak to me. Some of that time will be in worship, praise and thankfulness to Him, but if I am honest, most often my time is spent in bringing a shopping list of requests for healing, peace and help in times of trial. The list can be endless and, whilst I know that our Lord invites us to make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6), it is all too easy to forget that His greatest desire is to have a two way conversation with His precious children. This is most likely to happen when we give time to silent expectation during our prayer times, although our Lord can sometimes surprise us by a clear word as we go about our daily business, or lie in wakefulness on a restless night when sleep seems far from us.
As I prayed that God would guide me in writing this devotional, I remembered a very precious moment when He spoke clearly during a time of many trials. I recorded it in my prayer diary and feel it apt to share it today in the hope that it may encourage others to listen expectantly for His voice – the only voice that has the power to restore the peace that I found that day. Here are the words I recorded in my prayer diary on Monday 8th September 1986.
“I am feeling heavily burdened for my family and friends who are experiencing sad and desperate circumstances. Grief has overwhelmed me. I no longer feel able to pray because I’m not seeing the answers I had hoped for. Nothing ever seems to change and I find the foundations of my faith being shaken violently as the enemy of my soul seeks to convince me that God either doesn’t exist, or doesn’t care about the pain we are all experiencing.”
Later I was able to add these precious words: “In my despair I drove out to a beautiful place in the countryside not far from my home. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and the birds were soaring high, building up strength in readiness for their long flight to sunnier climes where they could escape the harsh British winter. I looked out over the fields, taking in the majesty of God’s handiwork all around me, and I breathed deeply, enjoying the fresh warm air, and the gentle breeze. In the distance I could see a church tower standing majestically above the trees. It seemed to be a reminder of God and His Love and I began to cry out to Him Why Lord? Why are so many people facing such dreadful worries, problems, sicknesses and bereavement when Your plan was for good? Why does evil oppress us so? Why are we entangled within our own problems? Why does so much sickness afflict good people? Why are we not free as You planned us to be? Why can we not see beyond the problems and pointlessness of now? Surely this was not Your plan Lord – all this suffering, sickness, pain, loneliness, worry, and despair. Surely this was not Your plan.”
For a moment I was silent and suddenly words began to flow as though I was hearing His his whispered reply:-
“I haven’t promised a life free from the storms, but I have promised to be with you in the storms, to still the waves, to keep you from sinking, to give you Peace within the storm if you will look to Me and put your trust in Me. I’ve given you the rainbow – the promise of things to come. I’ve promised that all who come to Me will receive forgiveness and cleansing from their sins so that they can enter into My everlasting Kingdom where sickness, sorrow and pain are no more. I’ve promised that nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate My people from My Love. I’ve promised the gift of Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen and bless all who come to Me. Remember, I was willing to come down to earth where I experienced persecution, rejection, temptation, loneliness, pain, suffering, and fear. I do understand what you and your loved ones are going through. I AM WITH YOU. I’ve promised that I will never leave you nor forsake you. Therefore put your trust in Me, even when you don’t understand. Turn to Me at all times. I am always with you, and in My love you will find peace - the peace that passes all understanding. My love is everlasting love, and My promises are true. Even though I am high above you, I was willing to humble myself and come down to earth in order that I might lift you up to be with Me for ever. I warned you that in this world you will have tribulation, but be strong, remembering that I have overcome the world. I am with you always.”
Many times over the years those promises have sustained me whenever my faith has been shaken violently, and I know I am not alone in this experience. When one part of the body of Christ suffers, we all share that suffering because we are all linked together by our dear Lord and Saviour to whom we belong. The words Jesus so clearly spoke to me that day may not change our circumstances, but they do have the power to strengthen and sustain us when we take hold of His hand and walk on into an unknown future with our dear precious Lord and Saviour.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You for watching over us constantly and guiding our footsteps into Your paths of righteousness. We are grateful for Your presence in all circumstances and it is our joy to take time to listen for Your voice guiding and reassuring us constantly. In Your presence is fullness of joy, even when we pass through raging storms. You are our merciful and gracious God and in your love we find love and peace. Amen.
I am grateful to Rev’d Graham Owen for drawing our attention to the words of this beautiful old hymn during Night Prayer a couple of weeks ago. Be blessed as you listen and maybe sing along:-
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