You pray for something, and it doesn’t happen. What do you do?
If God did everything the way you–not He–wanted, He wouldn’t be God. Bad behavior on your part isn’t going to wear Him down, change His mind or guilt Him into giving in.
People are starving in Venezuela. There’s help available, but those in power block this desperately needed aid. The Christian Post explains:
“The U.S. announced Saturday that USAID will be sending hundreds of tons of food, medicine and supplies . . . It could be days or weeks before USAID’s shipments are distributed to malnourished Venezuelans, but the Christian humanitarian aid group World Help is already providing assistance in the country through its partners, who know how to get food and supplies to families under the radar.”
“Under the radar.” God works well under the radar. Our prayers do too.
Lord, protect those who work behind the scenes and under the radar to get food and supplies to desperate Venezuelans. Close the eyes of those who would prevent it and open the doors to the greatest needs.
Lord, we pray for those whose hearts are inclined to evil, those who even now are plotting death and destruction. Transform their hearts of stone. Fill them with hope instead of despair. Turn their thoughts from death to life, in Jesus’ name.
Think twice before pointing your finger of blame.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
There are unseen powers of evil behind the visible acts of evil. Keep your eye on the real enemy.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Matthew 6:13
Deliver us from the evil one.
Look at the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer–two of the best-known Bible passages. They don’t say, “If God loved me, there’d be no evil.” They do say, “God protects me, so I’m not afraid.”
Mass shootings. Sexual predators. Racism. Contempt. Lies.
What say you? Are the forces of evil winning?
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
“Good.” In Greek, agathos: pleasant, joyful, excellent, honorable, acceptable to God.
God’s good way. Not an act of Congress, it’s an act of the will. Not a social media post, it’s a way of life. Live the good life.
A friend with autism has a new best friend, one who makes him feel safer and braver. Surely, when creating the first dog, God envisioned this future loyal service.
From Pawsitivity Service Dogs website:
“There are numerous tasks and therapeutic functions that a service dog may be trained to provide. Typically this training focuses on leveraging the dog’s natural senses to help the handler interpret the world around them . . . Relying on a service dog’s incredible hearing, smell, and other senses, the handler is reassured that the environment they are currently in is not dangerous.”
Thank you, Lord, for creating these dear animals to serve us as protector, encourager, sympathetic ear, watchman, timekeeper and best friend. They are your safe shelter on four legs.
Walter William’s columns are on my must-read list. His wisdom routinely touches my heart. This time, his words break my heart:
“In 2016, in 13 of Baltimore’s 39 high schools, not a single student scored proficient on the state’s mathematics exam. In six other high schools, only 1% tested proficient in math. In raw numbers, 3,804 Baltimore students took the state’s math test and 14 tested proficient.”
Lord God, forgive us for failing to educate our children.
“The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His death was not something that happened to Him— something that might have been prevented. His death was the very reason He came.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), “It Is Finished!”
My Utmost for His Highest, Nov. 21
