When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
Psalm 142: 3 (KJV)
Scripture: Psalm 142
At times, it feels like, when we are overwhelmed, we feel the furthest from God. We really aren’t just talking to the ceiling. God hears our prayers. This devotion is a prayer to God during those times.
Lord, my whole life is in chaos. Everyone seems to be against me. I turn to one person, and I get anger. I look to another person, and I get indifference. My co-workers seem to have a bet going to find out who can come up with the highest number of faults I have and mistakes I’ve made. [Insert how others are against you.]
When I try to talk about my problems with my family, they don’t listen to what I say. They just breeze over my words to get to the gossip they have to tell me. Lord, it seems like the whole world is against me.
It even seems like you are against me, Father. “… Why have you forgotten me? …” (Ps. 42: 9 NIV). I turn to you, Lord, and it seems like You aren’t there. I feel like I’m talking to the light fixtures. I don’t feel Your presence in my heart. I don’t see Your Hand guiding my life.
I feel like I’m drifting along in a boat. The current is taking me where it will. I don’t know where I am headed or how I will get there. I feel like I’m going from one rocky shore to the other. [Insert how you feel.]
Each day seems like the last — filled with uncertainty and problems. Where am I going? What am I supposed to be doing? Am I doing something I shouldn’t be? Are my ideas about my future Your ideas for my future? Are all the problems preparing me for a major change in my life?
I have all these questions, Lord, but as yet, I have no answers. When are you going to come back and answer my prayers?
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Ps. 61: 1-4 NIV).
Lord, I know You hear my prayers. I know you never leave me (Deut. 31: 8). I know there is some reason for the silence You have been giving me.
You could just be telling me to wait a while. Father, I will wait for You. I know that You are “… my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Ps. 18: 2 NASB). I know I just have to wait out this storm, for You are watching over me and protecting me. You are preparing a haven for me to hide in.
Father, give me the strength to withstand these trials. Give me patience when I interact with other people. Help me to love them, even while they are yelling at me. Show me Your plan for my life. Please reveal to me how these events are all part of Your Will. Lord, thank You for preparing a haven for me.
Gracious Father. Thank You for allowing us to come to You with our fears and our doubts. We know that You are the one constant, true aspect in our lives. Events may be constantly changing, but Your love for us will always remain the same. Amen.
“But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer” (Ps. 66: 19 NASB).
What do you think? When we feel like we are talking to the light fixtures, what can we do to 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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