The Totality of Trouble and Complete Deliverance

Any time you start a new project designed to honor the Lord, you can expect resistance from the enemy of our souls. The Hosea Bible study has been no exception. 

When I began work on the proposed study, it went quickly at the start, but the resistance soon started. I take it as a good sign that the study will make a difference in the lives of those who participate. The resistance, however, is frustrating and difficult.

One problem after another, from computer difficulties and internet connection problems to untimely trouble with septic systems to unexpected expenses, have arisen. 

There are probably some people who are more perfect and serene at working through these issues than I am, but I freely admit that I struggle. When the first trouble arose, I reminded myself that "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) 

As time progressed, I remembered, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

On Friday, I had such a plethora of pressures that I spent the afternoon and evening recalling, "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) 

There hasn't been much time for trouble-taming because I've been eyebrow-deep in Hosea, but I've spent my bit of spare time this weekend casting cares on the Lord. I've reviewed the ways He's cared for me in the past and all the victories I've seen Him win. 

This morning, I read about David's troubles when Saul chased and tried to murder him. It was terrible, and I doubt I could've survived it, but David persevered and God helped him. 

Saul complained that David was very cunning (1 Samuel 23:22) and, when I read that, I laughed out loud. In a way, it was God who was "very cunning" because He's the One who protected David from Saul.

We serve a creative, sometimes cunning, able-to-deliver God, as David learned over and over again.

David wrote about his troubles with Saul. His words are so appropriate for my own troubles that I thought they might be an encouragement to you today, too.

"Behold, God is my helper;

The Lord is the sustainer of my soul...

For He has delivered me from all my trouble;

And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon all my enemies."

psalm 54:4,7 nasdb

 You won't be surprised that I went to the Hebrew to be sure about that lovely word "all". It turns out that the phrase "all my trouble" means that God delivered from the totality of trouble. 

Everything about David's trouble was resolved. He will do that for me, too. He'll do that for you.

After David's deliverance was accomplished, he looked back "with satisfaction" for what God had done. 

Fully delivered. Completely satisfied.

That's how our God works. 

When troubles arise and cares assail us, casting those troubles and cares on Him makes the most sense of all. We might not be able to handle all that comes our way, but Our God can. 

And He will.

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In case you missed one of the Sam stories, here are the links:

Hunger and the Importance of Having Enough

Education and Reading the Bible

The Importance of I Love You
Just Plain Sam
Abominations, The Bible, and Praying for Our Nation
The Importance of Your Word
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#SundayBlogShare #castyourcares #Heisable

Leaning to Listen

My neighbor and dear friend, Sam, is 6'4" tall. That means he's a full foot taller than I am. (That's when I'm standing up very straight and stretching a little.) Since I'm fairly soft-spoken, and since he usually wants to hear what I say, he frequently has to lean over to hear my words.

When I read Psalm 116 this morning, I instantly thought of Sam. On those occasions when he doesn't catch my words the first time, he taps his right ear, shakes his head, and leans in close to be sure he hears what I'm saying.

"I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. 

Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 

Psalm 116:1-2 nasb

These verses tell us that God never misses what we say when we pray because he "inclines His ear" to us. That means He stretches forward and leans over to get His ear close to our voice. He doesn't miss a single word we say.

We are heard by God. Every single word.

What's even better is that God not only leans forward to listen to the words we pray aloud. He also hears the words we don't say aloud. He hears our "voice" and our "supplications". That phrase is used repeatedly in Scripture and I believe it means God hears our spoken and unspoken requests and words.

He knows us by heart. He knows our hearts.

There've been a few times when my heart was so burdened that the only prayer I could utter aloud was, "Jesus, Jesus." Psalm 116 tells me that prayer is enough, for God knows all the utterances that are too deep and painful for words. He never misses a thing.

A young man whose mother is one of my Facebook friends is non-verbal. I thought about that young man when I read the words of the Psalm today. He doesn't say a single word aloud, and never has. That makes it difficult for those around him to understand what he needs, but it's no problem for God.

Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, knows when that young, non-verbal man, cries out without words, and Our Lord leans forward, gets His ear close, and hears him.

He has no words, but he is heard by the One who matters most.

I take great hope in that knowledge. If He can hear those without words, and He can, He can hear me when I'm too burdened for words.

He knows us. He loves us. He hears us.

Take heart today in the knowledge that we are so loved that the One who scattered the stars in the sky and holds them in place is listening to you. To me.

He hears us.

How wonderful is that? 

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If you want to read more, here's the link to a Maggie/Mamie story about God hearing (and answering) our prayers: Maggie, Mamie, and Answered Prayer

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Gideon and the Kindness of God

#SundayBlogShare #linesfromleanna #prayer #Godhears