Series:The Word
Romans 8:26 ESV
Psalm 46:1 ESV
I once asked my dad (who was my Spiritual Guide when I was growing up) why God doesn’t help me so I don’t “mess up” so much.
As I recall it seemed to me at that point in my life I felt like I messed up everything I touched.
When I asked him that question my dad gave me a shocking revelation.
He told me, “it’s because God loves you a lot.”
Riiiight.
And at that I walked off.
Most likely my dad shook his head and told himself…she WILL learn, and he prayed that at some point I would realize (learn) what he meant.
One day after my dad was gone from this earth, I realized what he meant.
Romans 8:26 says, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
When we are weak and we recognize our weakness, especially when we are desperate and we feel like we have no place to turn except to God, we really are weak. It feels like it’s an endless cycle.
We feel helpless.
We feel like we have no where to turn (at least on earth).
We are totally helpless and we are tired.
In that weakened state we quietly speak God’s name. Or we say, come Lord Jesus.
At that moment we do not know what to pray.
We surrender.
My dad knew…He KNEW when I will get to the point where I feel like I’ve done everything I can do and nothing seems to be going right and all hope seems like it’s gone and I let go and surrender to God that’s when God CAN help me in my weakness.
See, until I get to that point, I still really do think I have some measure of control.
Until I give up and let go, I’m still thinking I’m in charge.
Once I surrender and let go of my preconceived notions that I am capable of handling things by myself, God cannot take over.
In addition to that, God WILL NOT take over.
I wasn’t sure why that is until a wise Pastor once said, “God is a gentleman.” In other words, He will not forcefully take charge. God loves us so much that He carefully waits for us to turn to Him and rely on His strength.
Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
When we feel like we’ve done everything we can do and we are out of options we always have God.
Now please understand we do NOT have to get to that point before we turn to God. We can always turn to God, but for many of us, we keep trying to handle things as much as we can.
In my heart I realize it would be better for me if I surrendered to God as soon as I realize I’m struggling…in my head I keep trying to get it right.
Maybe that’s why many decades ago I memorized 1 Peter 5:6-10, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Even though I memorized it decades ago when my children were tiny babes hardly a week goes by that I don’t speak those words.
Now, my grandchildren are no longer tiny babes, but Peter’s words still comfort me and remind me to humble myself before God and cast all of my anxieties on Him.
The bottom line is that I pray.
I pray because my da prayed and taught me to pray.
I pray because I know my need for God is great.
I pray because my love for God makes me want to talk to my heavenly Papa.
I pray because my need for God is very great.
Spiritual Practice: Pray
Humble yourself before God and cast your anxieties on Him so He may exalt you.
In God, Deborah
Comments