Friday, October 4, 2019

LHM Daily Devotions - October 5, 2019 - When You're Alone

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20191005

"When You're Alone"

Oct. 5, 2019

For we walk by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

We've all got problems. For some of us the challenge is advancing age. For others it's health issues. Some of us know the struggles of the single life, and some of us feel shunned. Of course, we know we're not alone. There are others who have experienced these feelings, too.

Enter Job. Once he had been healthy, wealthy, and living the good life in the land of Uz. Then it all went south. The poor guy lost sons, daughters, servants, livestock, property, and more. How Job lamented and longed for the good old days (see Job 30:20-31).

Ah, yes, the good ole days! You know the feeling. The good ole days—where did they go? "God," Job complained, "why is this happening to me?" That's what you may be asking, too: "God, why is this happening to me?"

God often does not answer the why question. He didn't answer it for Job. Job complained about God's ways: "I cry to You for help and You do not answer me; I stand, and You only look at me" (Job 30:20). No, God did not answer Job's heartfelt question. Instead, He asks His own: "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding" (38:4).

God often does not answer the why question for us either. God wants us to "walk by faith, not by sight." If you and I were to have the answers to all the why questions—why your fortunes changed, why you're ill, why friends shunned you, why you feel so painfully alone—then we would be walking by sight. But our Heavenly Father wants us to walk by faith.

Living by sight does not exalt God; faith does. And so faith, humbly but confidently, says, "Oh, Jesus, I'm lost in the darkness. Please take hold of my hand." And He will. The One who was whipped and spat upon, the One who was abandoned by all His friends, the One who hung on the cross, this is the One who tells each of us, "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20b).

Remembering that Jesus is with us always helps when we feel our why prayers go unanswered. These are the times to hold steadfast in God's Word, letting the timeless truths of Scripture empower your faith with a firm resolve that no matter what your circumstances, God is with you and for you. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

The day is coming when faith will be replaced by sight, when your trust in the promises of God will be replaced by the reality of happiness in the presence of God in heaven. When you fret and worry, go to Him in prayer and Bible reading. There you will find a peace beyond understanding, a hope of glory beyond words. As the apostle Paul tells us, " For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it's so easy to fix our eyes on circumstances and neglect You and Your Word. By Your Spirit, draw us close and keep us safe. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Question:
  • Does life's curve balls sometimes/often catch you off guard? Do you do anything to prepare yourself for the stuff life throws at you?
  • Walking by faith and not by sight sounds difficult—especially when life gets us down. Have you managed to walk by faith during a period of great stress or uncertainty in your life?
  • Is there something to be said for rising in the morning to God's Word to help ward off the problems (either real or potential) that life can bring?

Adapted from "When You Feel So Painfully Alone," a sermon by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Does life's curve balls sometimes/often catch you off guard?

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