WHEN YOU FEEL THAT GOD IS DRAGGING HIS FEET
David was a young shepherd-turned soldier. His military exploits plus the people’s extravagant praise made Saul the Israelite king envious to the point that he wanted to kill him. For thirteen years, David, his family and followers were fugitives, living in caves and in the desert . All this while, God had anointed David king in place of Saul through the prophet, Samuel. Yet, he couldn’t live a settled life or sleep in a decent bed. Later, out of frustration, he sent his parents to live in Moab and moved with his company to live as refugees in the land of the Philistines.
During this time, David often cried out to God in desperation, wondering when He will deal with Saul and fulfil His promises of lifting him to the throne.
Psalm 13:1-4 (KJV)
[How long wilt thou forget me, O ] Lord[? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?] 2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4[Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; ] and[ those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.]
Psalm 42:9-10 (KJV)
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10As[ with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where ] is[ thy God?]
Many of us feel just like David. We seem mired in negative situations, even though we have God’s promises to the contrary and have prayed earnestly to see a change. Whether it is a personal or corporate matter, such as a problem at work or in your country; whether it is a health, financial or relationship matter; in fact, whatever it is, do not give up.
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(Related: Hold On To Your Faith)
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The pleas of David cited above are only half the story. We have a lot to learn from what he said after the statements above.
Psalm 13:5-6 (KJV)
5[But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.] 6[I will sing unto the ] Lord[, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.]
Psalm 42:11 (KJV)
11[Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, ] who is[ the health of my countenance, and my God.]
Psalm 27:13-14 (KJV)
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14[Wait on the ] Lord[: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the ] Lord[.]
No matter how things look at the moment, do not feel that God does not care or He will arrive too late to make a difference. That is what informed David’s conclusion after each prayer of complaint or lamentation. He ended with an expression of his confidence in God and belief that His power and faithfulness will still shine through.
Many incidents in the Bible show us that although God does not always intervene at the early stages of a problem or as speedily as we wish, He is perfectly in control and ultimately works everything out for our good.
Goliath had paraded for forty days, taunting and defying the armies and God of Israel before David took him up on his challenge and killed him (1 Samuel 17) and Lazarus had been four days in the tomb before the Lord Jesus arrived and raised him up (John 11).
Even in situations that are horrific, like we see in the persecution and killing of Christians in countries like China, India and Nigeria, God uses these tragedies to strengthen and exponentially grow the Church. Persecuted Christians are among the fiercest, most loyal-to-Christ Christians there are. While others in easier circumstances toy with their faith, these ones cling to the Lord and continue to share their faith, even at the pain of death.
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(Related: El Roi, I Know That You See Me)
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What it all comes down to is this:
???We should never lose sight of the fact that God is omniscient. He knows all things- past, present and future. Our panic and anger often arises from thinking that God is oblivious of what we are going through and further dangers afoot. On the contrary, we know so little and should trust in His infinite wisdom.
???We should be comforted by the fact that all power belongs to God, now and forever. No evil is greater than God, nor can ever be. Anything that is happening will cease once He forbids it. There is no one else we can run to who can do more for us than God can.
???Most importantly, God loves us more than we even love ourselves. He wants the very best for us but that does not mean He will shield us from every trouble. What matters is that we are His own and He can use the bad and the good to work out His good pleasure for our lives and for the world.
Amen in Jesus’ name.
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(Related: Noah And The Flood- A Lesson in Patience)
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Thank you so much for this Ma! When we find ourselves stuck in the miry clay, we should always remember that God is the Almighty and He is working out things for our good. We should also ask Him for wisdom so that we will know what to do in such circumstances.
Great advice, Stephanie! Thank you for dropping by.
Well said ma!
Just as we know that the foolishness of God is the wisdom of men, so even though God delays is all for a reason and every of God action and inaction is all for our good so we should never give up or loose hope because he knows the beginning from the end and ever faithful.
The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, the Bible says. You are blessed!
All power belongs to God and he will intervene at the best time because he loves us more than we do love ourselves
God is all knowing, He knows the best time to give us our deserved blessing. According to the human calendar, it may be too long and painful to wait, but at the end He comes through for us
He’s indeed the God that holds times and seasons in His hands. and he makes everything beautiful in His own time.
We humans, desire speedy answers when we ask God for anything. When these answers are not coming, it’s as though he is silent or taking his time. A priest once told a story that ended with the lesson that “even in his silence, God is arranging something for us.’ I hope I never lose sight of this.