Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of Your Father. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of Your Father.
Matthew 10:29 (NIV)
We know God is present with us always. However, at times, it is hard to feel that. This devotion looks at accepting through faith the knowledge that God is with us – even if we don’t feel His presence.
The old hymn says, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” But we don’t always feel that way.
God, Where Are You?
Oh, I know You watch me, but it doesn’t feel like You are watching. My head knows it; my heart just isn’t feeling it. Or maybe it is the other way around.
I don’t feel Your presence. I don’t see evidence that You are in control of my life. I can’t even sense that You are in my life.
That’s what scares me. I can’t handle this without You. Things are too big and too bad. I admit I can’t control them.
Yes, that is a big admission on my part. But then again it is easy to admit that I can’t just speak and have things happen that way. Even if I work toward something, that doesn’t guarantee it isn’t going to change somewhere in the middle.
I need some help here. I’m scared, and I’m lonely. That isn’t so easy to admit.
Independent me doesn’t ask for help. Confident me doesn’t flinch. With-it me doesn’t depend on others.
But I am asking. So, where are You?
Taking Care of You
“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?” (Job 38: 41 NIV).
Okay, You take care of all the animals, but You takes care of people, too. Case in point, the wilderness wanderers. You gave them manna and quail (Ex. 16: 3-15).
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt. 6:26 NIV).
Weren’t we the only creation that You said was very good (Gen. 1: 10, 12, 18, 25 and 31). The Bible says that You takes care of the birds, and You’ll take care of me because I am more valuable.
Reading that it is one thing. Believing it, applying it in a situation, and seeing it is another.
You're Special
“Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me” (Ex 19: 5 NLT).
You know, that is probably most of the problem. I don’t feel more valuable. I don’t feel special.
I feel flawed and broken — even my most independent, confident, with-it self. Nothing is giving me the success and happiness I thought it would.
“Any coldness still between us is not because of any lack of love on my part but because your love is too small and does not reach out to me and draw me in” (II Cor. 6: 12 LB).
Okay, I get that. I am the problem.
All I have to do is reach out and grab hold of Your promises. I have to more than just believe in You.
I have to live for You. I have to trust You.
Maybe the problem is I am running on feelings. I need to run on faith.
Faith is putting my hope into things not seen (Heb. 11: 1). Feelings are more tangible to us.
No, we can’t see feelings either, but they are something more natural to us. Okay, I’ll say it — and I’m more in control of my feelings.
Faith seems against human nature. Maybe that is why it is so important.
I have to give You control. I have to depend on You. I have to trust You.
I will.
God. We need help. We are scared and lonely. We can’t control our situations. We need You. We need to wait on You and put everything securely in Your hands. That is so hard because it is against human nature. But we love You, Lord, and depend on You. We will wait. Amen.
What do you think? When was the last time you let feeling win over faith? What in the situation was sabotaging your faith? What do you need to work on for the next test?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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