21 Days of Prayer for the World: Day 6

When my kids were growing up we put a swing set in the back yard that served as a jungle gym as well. It had the swing, slide, and the ladder that took you to the monkey bars. I think you get the picture.

Sophia was fearless at the time, and tremendously strong. We would stand at the back window and laugh as she would fly across it, swinging one arm to the next with flawless ease. True champ!

Bella was old enough to climb up the ladder and grab the first bar, but she was not quite strong enough to do it on her own. So, I would go down and help her get across, all the while explaining to her she needed to let me help her for a while.

She didn’t trust in my word!

One day I heard Laura yell from the kitchen and when I looked out the window little B was midway through the bars and hanging on for dear life!

Whose words are you trusting in these days?

Who are trusting in?

Better yet…

Do you trust God?

We are living in crazy times, and I don’t believe we will wake up tomorrow and crazy will be over.

So, do you trust God, and take Him at His word? I hope so.

Here are some thoughts from one of my mentors:

God’s care is sure, but will you run to him in your time of need or look elsewhere for hope and comfort? By his promises, God invites us to run to him.

“[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29–31).

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

These are just a small representation of God’s words of invitation and welcome.

He really is the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He can do for you what no one else can do. He has power that no one else possesses. He is able and willing to meet you in your moments of need, even when that need is self-inflicted. He will never mock you in your weakness. He will not stand idly by and sarcastically say, “I told you so.”

He finds no joy in your suffering. He is full of compassion. He abounds in mercy. He will never walk away disgusted. He will never use your weakness against you. He has no favorites and shows no partiality. He never grows tired. He never becomes impatient. He will never quit because he’s had enough. He will never refuse to give you what he’s promised because you’ve messed up so badly. He is just as faithful to all of his promises on your very worst day as he is on your very best day. He doesn’t ask you to earn his compassion or to do things to gain his mercy. He knows how weak and fickle your heart is, yet he continues to move toward you with unrelenting and empowering grace. He delights in meeting your needs. He finds joy in bringing peace to your heart. He really is everything that you need. Why would you run anywhere else in your time of weakness or trouble?

Let those words sink in today, and let this simple prayer guide you today.