THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 17
“When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)
These remind me of the words of Job, when he was in a tough place.
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes — I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27)
Both Job and David couldn’t see God, but they held on to the hope of seeing God.
Job was facing horrible loss and disease; David was facing terrible injustice and abuse.
Both of them were desperate, this was no ‘walk in the park’ ‘be happy’ faith.
They were hanging on for dear life, crying out for mercy and deliverance.
Both of them claimed innocence, that they did not deserve what they were getting.
I cannot relate to their specific struggles, but in my own version of struggle, I am encouraged.
The thought of seeing God and Jesus at the finish line one day does inspire me.
We do not deny need to the problems, or act as if they weren’t real.
But neither do we have to give them the last word, or surrender to them in defeat.
Till our dying breath, we can refuse to let go, we can cling to this hope.
Jesus has guaranteed it for us; He was forsaken by God so that we would not be.
And He saw the face of God after it all; He now sits next to God in authority.
Hang in there, keep looking up, you will get through this, you will see God and Jesus at the finish line!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, my struggle is different from others, but my struggle is still real. When I am tired, when I want to quit, when the Enemy heaps discouragement and defeat on me, may this hope keep me looking up!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Love this post.
I’m a day behind 😉
So I hope you don’t mind my random posting on blogs because I try to make it short but then ya know…anywho!
This is probably why I find I can relate my struggles with Job and David as well because they have been through it, they get it! Jesus even more so gets it! Now obviously in comparison to what Job and David went through that’s nothing compared to me. They have dealt with such extremities and hardships. But like them in the process of the loss, pain, betrayal, hurt, seeing the face of God is hard – but like them I hold onto hope as if it’s the last thing that is sustainable here on earth.
When someone asks, how do you still believe in God with what you have been through and are going through? But how do I not? What other hope do I have? I cling to hope like it’s my lifeline and that hope is only found in Him. I long for Jesus to one day wrap His arms around me and to tell me the truth against all the lies I grew up and still tend to believe, to tell me He loves me and that I am His precious daughter because I will never hear that from a father on earth.
– He will deliver me…
I choose to hope and believe in that He will show me mercy, and grace.
I choose to re-announce the three biggest lies that the world doesn’t need me, that I’ll never experience Christ’s freedom on earth and that I’m in this situation right now just because of who I am.
I don’t struggle so much with temptations, it’s the lies that the jerk puts into my head.
Where do I go with my joys?
Where do I go with my sorrows?
My steps, my pilgrim’s progress need always be in His way – following the Light shining on the path following the voice – this is the way. Walk in it.
As Jesus accepted the little children, so too does He accept us and protects us in the shadow of His wings. He will see me through my troubles. The journey continues with my hand in His knowing that the final destination is yet to come – seeing Him. In the meantime He strengthens His people as the walk in His Light.
1. God gives His people strength.
If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay
All those who bear the burden of the day
God gives His people strength.
2. God gives His people hope
If we but trust in His word, our prayers are always heard
He warmly welcomes anyone who’s erred.
God gives His people hope.
3. God gives His people love
If we but open wide our hearts, He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start.
God gives His people love.
4. God gives His people peace.
When sorrow fills us to the brim, and courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.