This morning as I was praying for different people, I began to feel really down about the frustrations of circumstances we find ourselves in. I found myself apologizing for my ridiculous swings in moods, and wondering why I can't just find myself staying in one state for very long periods of time.
And the passage I found myself in was this:
I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that fear mortal men, that you forget the Lord your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar-the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of my hand. I who sat the heavens in place and laid the foundations of the earth, and who says to Zion "You are my people". -Isaiah 51:12-16.
This passage fascinated me, and I began looking up commentary for this passage. What I came upon was this:
One of the many tricks satan uses on believers is to get them to focus on their circumstances instead of their identity. How does it happen? By forgetting who God is and who we are. Our circumstances change constantly. Today all is well and we are joyful. Tomorrow all goes wrong from the moment we get out of bed and we are miserable. But nothing changes in who God is and who we are. It is a matter of keeping focus on the unchanging. Are you ill? He is still your lover and healer. Are you unemployed? He is still your lover and provider. Has someone hurt you? He is still your lover who gives you the power to return good for evil. -Harry Hoffner.
Do you wonder if God hears and answers prayer? James 1: 5-6- If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
In the Chip Ingram book, God as He Longs for You to See Him , he says that God is faithful 100% of the time. He always gives us wisdom about issues when we ask. However, we can't ask him for answers as if they are simply options to choose from, that is where we are doubleminded doubters. We must ask with the intention of following what he says.
