One thing I have desired of the LORD. A Christian blog | Bible studies | Inspiration & Encouragement | Jewish roots of Christianity | Discipleship | Intimacy with God
Praying over a long period of time without seeing an answer can be discouraging. We have all been there. Yet Jesus, again and again, tells us to always pray, and not give up. He was well aware how easily we get discouraged. This is why he warns us, not to give in to our flesh, but to continue praying. So, have we fallen into the trap of giving into our flesh and given up praying?
Many wonder what the corona crisis means in light of the end times. Is this the end of the world? Will Jesus come back now? Jesus told us: No. Not yet. In Matthew 24, Jesus says that crises just like the one that has gripped the world today will precede his Second Coming. Yet he warned, that we should not be alarmed when we hear about wars, or crises hit the earth. All these are just “the beginning of the birth pains”. So when will the end come?
Psalm 91 is frequently prayed in times of danger. But it opens with a very clear condition: “Whoever dwells in the secret place of the Most High”. Psalm 91:1 makes it perfectly clear that not everyone “will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Not every believer, but only those who dwell in God’s secret place.
A prayer for protection and deliverance. In times of crisis, when disaster strikes, when danger is all around us, when the governments of the world are at their wit’s end – there is one place we can always run to: the arms of our Heavenly Father! Where He is, no evil can be also. In His shadow, disaster cannot reach us.
In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus teaches us that prayer is not just a one-off matter. Although he encourages us that our heavenly Father will hear our prayer, he also leaves no doubt that we may need to pray repeatedly and persistently until we receive our answer. If you have been praying for someone or something and are still waiting for God to answer, this is for you. Do not lose heart, do not be discouraged! Persist just as the widow persisted!
One of the greatest discoveries a believer can make is the wonderful truth that God is our Father and we are his children. But we shouldn’t stop here. Understanding our identity as God’s children is no end in itself. It is the starting point of our relationship with the Father. And as every relationship works in two ways, this is the case also in our relationship with God. But what do we bring to that Father-child relationship? What does God, our Father, expect from us?
A deep understanding of God’s thoughts and character will form in us when we grow in our relationship with Him. As a result we develop a greater sense of security and purpose – we know we are secure in His hand and that He always wants the best for us.
We are so tuned to be active, get things done, work our to-do list, that we have become incapable to unwind and be calm. Yet in being calm in God's presence can be the source of the strength we need for our daily life.
Only if we are kind to those who treat us unjustly, with contempt, take advantage of us, betray us, gossip and spread lies about us, only then will we truly reflect our dear Father in Heaven.
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Is Jesus our First Love? How earnestly are we seeking him, how deep is our desire after him? Like the bride in the Song of Solomon, we need to pursue him and his presence relentlessly.
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