Pearls of Great Value

Psalm 13, David asks God: “How long Lord? Will you forget me forever?” 

I read the heart cry of David and I can commiserate. When we walk through the valley and it seems that God is so far away, our heart cries out, wanting only a holy touch. Or have you ever prayed and it looks like God is coming through for everyone else except you? Or felt the deep longing to hear His voice and all you hear is the deafening silence of the desert? Or perhaps you feel stuck in a place and don’t know how to move or if to move forward. I can relate. I’m sure you can as well. We’ve all been there. At that spot, at that place, at that time, where nothing felt right and everything seemed to be against you. If this is you right now, I want you to know you’re not alone.

The Bible is full of people who wrestled with doubt, with painful questions and emotions, with, why Lord? David repeatedly runs to the Lord in the psalms asking the hardest questions: “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psa. 10:1) And always David is reminded at the end, that God IS near despite what man might feel or see: “O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.” (Psa. 10:17–18)

God sees you. You are not alone. You are never alone! God is with you wherever you go. Things are not always the way they appear or feel. Even when it seems that God is distant, trust that He is nearer than the air you breathe. Invite Him to continue to shape you in spite of the times. Often, even when we don’t see it, He is at work in our lives, turning things to good. It’s so tempting to give up and let go of His promises when we’re in the valley! Some days it’s hard to just hold on. He gets it. He understands. 

Have you ever noticed that even in the valley, in the darkest of times, He makes the sun shine? If you’ve ever been in the depths, you know how that one glimpse of dawn brings hope, and you realize that just as sure as the sun will rise the Lord will also dawn in your life. The light in today is because of Him. That smile you received is from Him. The kind gesture of your neighbor is from Him. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. He is with you and fighting for you! He is walking right beside you. Turn your face toward the Son, soak up His warmth and goodness! It’s a choice we have to make. Choose life! Hard as it sometimes is, do we turn our eyes upward to where our help comes from or do we continue to be downcast and let our soul be discouraged within us? God reminds us in His word to TAKE courage. To be strong. To fight the good fight. To encourage your heart. To nurture hope. 

I hear you. It is tough. It’s not easy. Psalm 121 comes to mind: “I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth.

He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me. He will never slumber nor sleep; he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel. Jehovah himself will watch over you; he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence. He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night. He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity as he continually watches over you. You will be guarded by God himself. You will be safe when you leave your home and safely you will return. He will protect you now, and he’ll protect you forevermore!”

We would love to rush through these seasons or better yet never experience them at all. Winter seasons. Painful seasons. Wilderness seasons. They are definitely not meant for the faint of heart. Some of them we were never meant to walk through. Some are of our own making and by our own stubbornness. Still others the enemy brought upon us and we suffer, often not knowing the weapons at our disposal to overcome. Some seasons, the Holy Spirit leads us into, to prepare and equip us for the next season. Whatever the reason may be that we are in the wilderness season, I’ve learned that God usually does some of His greatest works in us in these times. When God says he’s near to the broken hearted and weary, it isn’t just some figurative speech. Like the gardener is nearest to the tree when he’s pruning, or even after a storm to repair damage, our Heavenly Father is near to those who are walking through the fire. Would a goldsmith take his eyes off the gold that is being purified in the heat of the fire? No, he doesn’t. Your Heavenly Father cares much more for you! He even takes those times and situations that the enemy meant for evil and turns them for good, cultivating within us a deeper intimacy and trust. He builds perseverance and faith. He leads and guides, shaping and molding to create His image and likeness within us. Our God is mighty to save!

The hard road can be a holy road. The road of trial can be a road of trust. The darkest times make way for the light to shine brightest. Even the smallest light pierces the darkest night. We have to perceive it all through heavens lens so we can gain insight and wisdom to foster faith and hope. Don’t lose the capacity to see that tomorrow can be better than today! You can have hope for tomorrow because you have God today. 

One thing. Our circumstances change constantly. So when we anchor our hope on our circumstances we end up on a rollercoaster. The only constant in this life that we can anchor our hope on is Jesus. When we root ourselves in God and His character, we are placing our hope on a sure foundation, for He is faithful. Therefore even when it might not be well with our circumstances, it is still well with our soul. His mercies are new every morning! I will hope in Him, for He is good to those who wait for Him. I will remember that He is not done with me. He is not done with you. He is not done with this world. 

But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Mic. 7:7

God is still at work. He will not leave or forsake you. He will come through. He will work out all things for your good and for His glory. When our mind forgets this we must remember our Fathers steadfast love and character. These verses in Lamentations are fire to my soul: I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations‬ ‭3:19-26‬ ‭

Ask Him for grace and strength to cover you. Ask Him for the desire to love Him more and to see vividly the truth of this season. May deception be far from you. I pray for the eyes of your heart to be enlightened that you may know the hope of His calling for you. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. He who has begun a good work within you is faithful also to complete it. Yes, He is! God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Yes, He is! I pray for  you to receive glimpses of this throughout your day. You are blessed child of God! May it be unto you according to His Word. 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6, 8‬ ‭