OUT OF THE DEPTHS - Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control. The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances. The God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him. - “Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. … I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning” - Have you ever been there? In the depths? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life and its circumstances that you felt as if you were in the deepest, darkest pit? The psalmist did. And he cried out to the Lord. This is actually an amazing statement by the psalmist, because when you find yourself in the depths, one of the hardest things to do is cry out to God. You may think that sounds strange. Perhaps you think that the natural cry should be to God. And it should. The problem, however, is that when we find ourselves in the depths, we stand on the edge of despair.

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Out of the Depths

Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control 

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The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. 

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When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances. The God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him.

BY CBN ISRAEL IN BLOG

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. … I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning” - (Psalm 130:1-2, 5-6 NKJV).

Have you ever been there?

In the depths?

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life and its circumstances that you felt as if you were in the deepest, darkest pit?

The psalmist did. And he cried out to the Lord. 

This is actually an amazing statement by the psalmist, because when you find yourself in the depths, one of the hardest things to do is cry out to God.

You may think that sounds strange. Perhaps you think that the natural cry should be to God. And it should.

The problem, however, is that when we find ourselves in the depths, we stand on the edge of despair. 

Circumstances overwhelm us like violent waves of the ocean. At first, we may find the strength to face the challenges and hardships, but eventually, even inside of us, we begin to faint, wear down, and despair. 

Faith is not just believing God in the good times or even the mildly bad times; faith is crying out to God from the deepest depths of despair, when everything outside of us and inside of us feels like things are hopeless.

When we can cry out to God in that moment, pleading with Him to hear our cry, that is the genuine test of our faith. 

Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control. 

The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. 

No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. 

The psalmist didn’t allow his circumstances to consume him, nor did he buy into the thought that his circumstances separated him from God’s being able to hear him.

From the depths, he called out to the Lord because the God of the Bible is near to the cry of His people. 

When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances.

That doesn’t mean that the hardship, difficulty, or pain will subside.

It does mean that the God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him.

PRAYER

Father, hear our cry. Give ear to our plea today. Amen.

CBN Israel exists to tell the true story of Israel and sustain a movement of Christians who will bless and stand with the Jewish people. Our vision is to change the global conversation about Israel and build bridges of hope and healing between Jews and Christians worldwide.

https://cbnisrael.org/2021/01/18/out-of-the-depths/

 

YOU MUST STUMBLE BEFORE YOU DANCE - You might be in pain and confusion - it’s so challenging in that place to believe that a good plan is unfolding. It’s so faith-stretching to open our eyes to see God more clearly. You must stumble in confusion before you dance with joy - you will tremble in agony as you live in a sinful, self-prioritizing world. You will learn to wait in emptiness and frustrated desire for G0d’s plan of love to reveal itself. With confidence and hope you will not only feel the pain of living in the valley but also see God’s glory from the mountaintop of faith. “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.” God says: Never ignore your struggle with how I do things. Ask every question that rises in your heart as you live in this world. But prepare yourself to struggle even more with My response. You must stumble in confusion before you dance with joy. Know this: those who live by faith will struggle in ways that those who live to make their lives work will never know. It is that struggle, to believe despite desperate pain and confusion that a good plan is unfolding, that will open your eyes to see Me more clearly. Is that what you want? Will you pay the price? The price is this: you will tremble in agony as you live in a sinful, self-prioritizing world. You will learn to wait in emptiness and frustrated desire for My plan of love to reveal itself.

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You Must Stumble Before You Dance

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You might be in pain and confusion - it’s so challenging in that place to believe that a good plan is unfolding. It’s so faith-stretching to open our eyes to see God more clearly. 

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You must stumble in confusion before you dance with joy - you will tremble in agony as you live in a sinful, self-prioritizing world. You will learn to wait in emptiness and frustrated desire for God’s plan of love to reveal itself.

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With confidence and hope you will not only feel the pain of living in the valley but also see God’s glory from the mountaintop of faith.

Larry Crabb

 

Editor’s Note: What if we viewed the Bible as God’s great love letter to His people? What would happen if we looked at His story, His Book, in a different way and saw His love more clearly and developed and even closer love relationship with Him? We hope you enjoy this devotional from God’s Love Letter to You by Larry Crabb.

 

“I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.” — Habakkuk 2:1 NKJV

 

God says: Never ignore your struggle with how I do things. Ask every question that rises in your heart as you live in this world. But prepare yourself to struggle even more with My response.

You must stumble in confusion before you dance with joy.

Know this: ‘those who live by faith will struggle in ways that those who live to make their lives work will never know.

`It is that struggle, to believe despite desperate pain and confusion that a good plan is unfolding, that will open your eyes to see Me more clearly.

`Is that what you want? Will you pay the price?’

The price is this: you will tremble in agony as you live in a sinful, self-prioritizing world.

You will learn to wait in emptiness and frustrated desire for My plan of love to reveal itself.

With confidence in Me and hope in My plan, you will not only feel the pain of living in the valley but also see My glory from the mountaintop of faith. 

Only those who struggle in confusion and wait in hope will be strengthened to struggle well and to wait with confidence.

Struggle well!

Wait in hope!

Take a Moment to Reflect

Identify what your normal way of thinking is in response to unexplainable circumstances and hardships.

Do you plow ahead and try not to think much?

Do you try to fix it?

Do you try to find a Scripture passage to make sense of it?

What would it look like for you to embrace before God the struggle and all that you think and feel?

Based on the reading, what do you think it means to struggle well?

What might have to change in your thinking?

Pain in life often tempts us to believe we have done something wrong that, if corrected, would eliminate the pain.

How might you think differently about suffering, given today’s thoughts?

Take a Moment to Pray

Father God, I am not sure how to answer this question: “Am I willing to pay the price?”

I want my answer to be yes, but I am scared.

Strengthen my heart to believe something good is happening when pain and confusion overwhelm me.

I want to learn to struggle well.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Your Turn

Today, you might be in pain and confusion.

It’s so challenging in that place to believe that a good plan is unfolding.

It’s so faith-stretching to open our eyes to see God more clearly.

Are we willing to pay the price to know Him deeper and trust Him more?

Come share your thoughts with us on our blog.

We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily

Excerpted with permission from God’s Love Letters to You by Larry Crabb, copyright Larry Crabb.

Dr. Larry Crabb is a well-known psychologist, seminar speaker, Bible teacher, author, and founder/director of NewWay Ministries. He is also Scholar in Residence at Colorado Christian University, Professor for Richmont University in Georgia, and serves as Spiritual Director for the American Association of Christian Counselors.

https://www.faithgateway.com/habakkuk-must-stumble-dance/#.X7vJGXAzbZ4

 

THE GOD OF BROKEN HALLELUJAHS - “When the load is more than you can bear, and everything comes crashing down, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. When your memories are painful, when comfort cannot be found, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. I listen to your heart. The sounds of your broken praise always pierce My own heart, for I understand the trials, sufferings, and burdens of this earthly life. I know because I have walked before you. So, when there's nothing left to hold onto, when hope and courage fade, call out to Me and remember, I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.” This is from the heart of Jesus for some very precious people. The Lord says to you, "I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. I AM the God of YOUR broken hallelujahs. When the hardships of this life leave you weary, brokenhearted, and troubled, when the hurt weighs heavy inside, remember that I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. When the struggle is great, and you have no words to speak, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. When you feel you've failed at everything, when the darkness taunts and laughs, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. “A perfect hallelujah is not what I am after. No, it is what's in your heart, beloved; I listen to your heart. The sounds of your broken praise always pierce My own heart, for I understand the trials, sufferings, and burdens of this earthly life.”

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The God of Broken Hallelujahs

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“When the load is more than you can bear, and everything comes crashing down, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. When your memories are painful, when comfort cannot be found, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. A perfect hallelujah is not what I am after. I listen to your heart. The sounds of your broken praise always pierce My own heart, for I understand the trials, sufferings, and burdens of this earthly life. I know because I have walked before you. “So, when there's nothing left to hold onto, when hope and courage fade, call out to Me and remember, I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.”

by Michelle Holderman

 

This is from the heart of Jesus for some very precious people.

The Lord says to you, "I AM the God of broken hallelujahs. I AM the God of YOUR broken hallelujahs.

“When the hardships of this life leave you weary, brokenhearted, and troubled, when the hurt weighs heavy inside, remember that I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

“When the struggle is great, and you have no words to speak, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

“When you feel you've failed at everything, when the darkness taunts and laughs, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

When the load is more than you can bear, and everything comes crashing down, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

“When your memories are painful, when comfort cannot be found, remember I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

“A perfect hallelujah is not what I am after. No, it is what's in your heart, beloved; I listen to your heart. The sounds of your broken praise always pierce My own heart, for I understand the trials, sufferings, and burdens of this earthly life. I know because I have walked before you.

“So when there's nothing left to hold onto, when hope and courage fade, call out to Me and remember, I AM the God of broken hallelujahs.

“You will always find Me here."

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not reject. Psalm 51:17

Michelle Holderman

www.theragamuffinsaint.com

Identity Network is a prophetic resource website that reaches thousands of people around the globe and has a subscriber base of well over 170,000 people. Identity Network distributes books, teaching CDs, articles, manuals and music on the prophetic/apostolic move of God. It is founded by Dr. Jeremy Lopez.

www.identitynetwork.net

http://65583.stablerack.com/Articles-?blogid=2093&view=post&articleid=231814&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

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For Those Tears I Died

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/05/for-those-tears-i-died-marsha-stevens.html

OPEN THE STOREHOUSE - If only we would recognize every hardship as something God has chosen to prove His love to us, then each trial can usher us into a place of His shelter, divine rest, and sustaining power - “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?” - Job 38:22-23 - We often view our disappointments and trials as obstacles we just have to plow through in order to get back to “normal” — whatever that is. But it isn’t so. Our trials have been purposed and intended by our wise God. If only we would recognize every hardship as something God has chosen to prove His love to us, then each trial can usher us into a place of His shelter, divine rest, and sustaining power. In today’s Scripture, God says, “Have you entered the storehouses… which I reserve for times of trouble?” Job, of course, refers to weather storehouses stocked with rain and snow. But God also has vast storehouses of grace and hope, peace and mercy, reserved for you. Have you entered those storehouses? He doesn’t give you the key until the moment of your need. Open the storehouse prepared and reserved for you before the world began.

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Open the Storehouse

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If only we would recognize every hardship as something God has chosen to prove His love to us, then each trial can usher us into a place of His shelter, divine rest, and sustaining power

Joni and Friends

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?” - Job 38:22-23

We often view our disappointments and trials as obstacles we just have to plow through in order to get back to “normal” — whatever that is.

But it isn’t so.

Our trials have been purposed and intended by our wise God.

If only we would recognize every hardship as something God has chosen to prove His love to us, then each trial can usher us into a place of His shelter, divine rest, and sustaining power.

In today’s Scripture, God says, “Have you entered the storehouses… which I reserve for times of trouble?”

Job, of course, refers to weather storehouses stocked with rain and snow.

But God also has vast storehouses of grace and hope, peace and mercy, reserved for you.

Have you entered those storehouses?

He doesn’t give you the key until the moment of your need.

Open the storehouse prepared and reserved for you before the world began.

Lord, I think I have rolled right past many, many storehouses of Your grace in my life.

I have suffered alone in my pain and perplexity instead of entering what You have reserved for me in my moment of need. Open the doors for me today, Father.

I want all that You have for me right now.

Advancing Disability Ministry for Over 40 Years

Joni and Friends is built on Biblical truth and the foundation of Jesus Christ. Since 1979, we've been advancing disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world. The Joni and Friends International Disability Center (IDC) serves as the administrative center for ministry programs and locations across the United States which provide outreach to thousands of families impacted by disability around the globe.

We present the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all of our programs around the world. We train, disciple, and mentor people affected by disability to exercise their gifts of leadership and service in their churches and communities. We energize the church to move from lack of awareness of people impacted by disability to including everyone into the fabric of worship, fellowship, and outreach.

https://www.joniandfriends.org/open-the-storehouse/

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Grace to Keep Going

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https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/11/grace-to-keep-going-difficulties-in.html

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Were It Not 
For Grace

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

http://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/06/were-it-not-for-grace-larnelle-harris.html