The Master of Unexpected Mercies

Image by tao cui from Pixabay 

I woke up at 3 am with desperate prayers on my lips. I prayed for Afghanistan, for persecuted Christians, for our country and our churches, and for the many victims of Covid-19. It has claimed and changed so many lives.

Jesus told us not to be anxious about anything, but it is hard not to be fearful for those in harm’s way, or not to feel deep sorrow over the loss of a loved one.

How to juggle all this with a loving God? I have no doubt He cares, yet I can’t seem to help being overwhelmed by all that’s going on.

Realizing my early morning wake up was the prompting of the Holy Spirit us to pray, I quite fretting over some lost sleep. Durning my prayers and devotions, another point came to mind.

God is the master of unexpected mercies. When it seems there is no way through a difficulty, He finds a way. We need to watch closely for His next miracle. It might even be today.

Those words reminded me again that being anxious serves no purpose except to keep me in a constant state of turmoil. 

Dear Lord, I pray for unexpected mercies for those in desperate need. Amen.

Not of This World

Photo by Karl Frey at Pixabay

My husband and I watched Bridge of Spies last night. Based on a true story which took place during the early cold war between the US and Russia, Mr. Donovan (Tom Hanks) agrees to defend a Russian spy during his trial. The press vilifies him. This led to hate crimes against him and his family.

Public opinion has swayed in different directions since then, but one thing has not changed. If you are on the wrong side of that opinion, you will be persecuted through the press, entertainment, and social media. Sometimes it escalates to protests and street violence.

As I contemplated this truth, I opened my devotions and scripture readings. John 15:18-20 gave me God’s opinion of all this unrest and polarization.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember my words that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.”

Jesus also comforts us when faced with these adversities. John 14: 27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”

Notice this is verse 27. Another in a long list of verses God has sent to comfort me during trying times. Psalm 27 and Luke 12:27 (Consider the lilies) to name a few. The number has popped up in strange places when I needed reminded of those promises the most. 

One example: when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing surgeries, my husband counted the trees on our property.

I asked him, “What compelled you to do that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

When he told me we had 27 trees, I understood.

I am unworthy of these divine favors, but I am so very thankful. 

I wish you peace too.  

Choices

It's been another tough week personally and professionally. Traffic during my commute was horrendous and drivers were rude, work was challenging and disappointing, and my personal life took a nosedive as well.

 I wanted to stand on the street corner and scream, "Why? Where is the peace you promised? Where is the justice?"

As expected, God answered.

First, I read a quote by J.C. Ryle: "Better to confess to Christ a thousand times now than be disowned by Christ before God on judgment day."

It seemed irrelevant to my situation. I wasn't a prophet or a martyr for my faith. I may not be the most popular co-worker or member of my family, but I did not feel persecuted. Yet, it was there.