How Long, O Lord? (Psalm 13:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 13:1-2

I almost hate to read or listen to the news these days. In so many places, the enemy seems to be winning. Persecution. Ridicule. Suffering.

So many Christ-followers throughout the world are facing pain and sorrow and devastation of all kinds. There are times when even the strongest Christian wonders if God has forgotten her ... Many of us cry the same words of the psalmist:

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?How long will You hide Your face from me?

I have faced moments when everything seems dark, when I feel so lonely, when I feel so much pain ... and I wonder if God has forgotten me. My cries sometimes have seemed to go nowhere, just echoing back time and time again.

I've lived through seasons where the enemy takes a foothold and whispers lies: God has forgotten you. He doesn't care. In fact, no one cares.

Maybe you've lived through similar seasons. Maybe you're living in one now.

I'd like to assure you of two things: God hasn't forgotten you, and the enemy will never win the war.

The God of the universe, the God of the Bible, loves each and every one of His children. He is, indeed, love itself (1 John 4:8). And because He loves us so very much, He promises to never leave or forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). He also promises to take everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and use it for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

No, God never forgets His children.

And even though it really does seem like the enemy is winning a battle or two—or three or four—we know that our Lord Jesus Christ has already won the war (John 16:33).

It's okay to cry out to our Lord. The psalms make that very clear. We just need to remember God's promises throughout His word to us.

He'll answer our cries and assure of His presence—and His victory.

A Plea (Psalm 10:12-15)

Today's scripture: Psalm 10:12-15

Have you ever felt forgotten? Have you ever suffered through a season and felt alone? The last few devotionals have focused on the wicked’s pride and arrogance, and how they seem to be winning. They say God has forgotten.

Today is where hope begins. I said on Wednesday that our God never forgets us, and I believe that with all my heart. Even when I “forgot” Him, He never forgot me. He never forgets you.

All we have to do is cry out to Him.

I’ve always found real comfort reading the psalms—that's mainly why I decided to focus again on the psalms in 2018. So often the writers cry out to God for intervention, for protection, for salvation. And they did so with the assurance that God listened. Always.

We too can cry out to God. We can plea that He not forget the humble. We can ask for His help, knowing He will help us.

He really will.  In His time. According to His plan.

Always.

Hope for the Afflicted (Psalm 9:18)

Today's scripture: Psalm 9:18

I’m not needy in the sense I have little or no material possessions. I’m blessed with shelter and food and clothing—those things the Lord promises to provide for His children. I’m not afflicted in the sense that enemies are on my doorstep day and night. I’m equally blessed to live in a nation where I can worship freely and live in freedom.

But I am needy. I need grace. I need strength. I need God to hold me up and sometimes even carry me.

And I am afflicted. I’ve often written about some chronic health problems I deal with. There are days when I honestly struggle to get out of bed. Just lately, I’ve had more of those days than not.

Yet, I have hope. I know I’m not forgotten. I know my Abba wraps His arms of love around me. I know He has a purpose even for my pain.

What do you need today? How are you afflicted? Do you feel forgotten? Are you without hope?

If you’re a child of God, if you’ve accepted the free gift of salvation through His Son, you are not forgotten. You are not without hope. Lay all your burdens at the foot of God’s throne. Trust that He really will work all things out for good. And one day, when you stand before that throne, you can be confident you’ll never need, never hurt, never cry—ever again.

Forgotten? (Psalm 13:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 13:1-2

I almost hate to read or listen to the news these days. In so many places, the enemy seems to be winning. Persecution. Ridicule. Suffering.

So many Christ-followers throughout the world are facing pain and sorrow and devastation of all kinds. There are times when even the strongest Christian wonders if God has forgotten her ... Many of us cry the same words of the psalmist:

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

I have faced moments when everything seems dark, when I feel so lonely, when I feel so much pain ... and I wonder if God has forgotten me. My cries sometimes have seemed to go nowhere, just echoing back time and time again.

I've lived through seasons where the enemy takes a foothold and whispers lies: God has forgotten you. He doesn't care. In fact, no one cares.

Maybe you've lived through similar seasons. Maybe you're living in one now.

I'd like to assure you of two things: God hasn't forgotten you, and the enemy will never win the war.

The God of the universe, the God of the Bible, loves each and every one of His children. He is, indeed, love itself (1 John 4:8). And because He loves us so very much, He promises to never leave or forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). He also promises to take everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and use it for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

No, God never forgets His children.

And even though it really does seem like the enemy is winning a battle or two—or three or four—we know that our Lord Jesus Christ has already won the war (John16:33).

It's okay to cry out to our Lord. The psalms make that very clear. We just need to remember God's promises throughout His word to us.

He'll answer our cries and assure of His presence—and His victory.

Never Forgotten (Psalm 42:9-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 42:9-10

Many times in my life, I have felt forgotten ... When my dad left our family. When I was abused. When I couldn't get pregnant.

While I never doubted God's existence, I doubted if He really loved me or maybe He'd forgotten me. So, I went on my meandering, twenty-year journey, trying to find my own way. And even if my enemies didn't ask, I often did: "Where is my God?"

It wasn't until I faced a fork in the road that I realized that God never forgot me even as I turned my back to Him—over and over again. It was a brisk September evening over twenty years ago that I realized if I didn't head down the road of surrendering everything to Him, I would head down the road of self-destruction.

Since that September evening, my life has been far from the world's definition of perfect.

I still dealt with infertility, which culminated in my not having children of my own ... but the Lord hadn't forgotten me. He has blessed me with "children of my heart" who bless me so very much.  

I currently deal with chronic pain and fatigue ... but the Lord hasn't forgotten me. He blesses me every day with strength to accomplish what He has planned for me.

I have not been forgotten even when the road seems dark. I know He'll shine His light and guide me.

Dwelling in God's House (Psalm 84:3-4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 84:3-4

When I started writing this devotional early this morning, I just couldn’t seem to find the words.

But then I read the verses again … And I landed on the word “house.” God’s house. And not what we often call the local church or His throne in heaven.

God’s house is anywhere He is. His house is this world He created. And His house is the universe—far beyond what we can see. And because He is everywhere, I can never be outside of His presence. I’m never alone.

There are days when I feel so very lonely. Often my days are spent alone, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone around. When I need prayer or to talk with someone, sometimes I don’t even know whom to call.

Then I remember: My God is with me. He never leaves me, never deserts me (Hebrews 13:5). He will always listen to me and hear my cries.

And I’m very blessed.

A Plea for Intervention (Psalm 10:12-15)

Today's scripture: Psalm 10:12-15

Have you ever felt forgotten? Have you ever suffered through a season and felt alone? The last few days have focused on the pride and arrogance of the wicked, and how they seem to be winning. They say God has forgotten.

Today is where hope begins. I said yesterday our God never forgets us, and I believe that with all my heart. Even when I “forgot” Him, He never forgot me. He never forgets you.

All we have to do is cry out to Him.

I’ve always found real comfort reading the psalms—that's mainly why I decided to focus on the psalms in 2014. So often the writers cry out to God for intervention, for protection, for salvation. And they did so with the assurance that God listened. Always.

We too can cry out to God. We can plea that He not forget the humble. We can ask for His help, knowing He will help us.

He really will.  In His time. According to His plan.

Always.