Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that no matter what concerns life throws our way, we can be content in knowing that God will never abandon us.
Hebrews
Mourning & Joy (Prayer Devotional for the week of January 10, 2016)
On our drive down to California over the winter break (while two boys flew to Texas to visit family for a few days), one of the younger ones commented out of the blue, “Mom, I bet you feel normal right now.” Confused, I asked what he meant. He said, “Well, you only have three kids instead of five!”
I guess he was kinda right; I suppose we did look a little more “normal” to outsiders than usual. The thing is, though – this chaotic, smelly, loud blend of testosterone, unbridled energy, and a grocery bill that would blow your mind – this is our “normal.” After my world turned upside-down, inside-out, and sideways in January 2009, I struggled for a long while to figure out what “normal” was supposed to look like. Well, this is it.
Mourning & joy are odd bedfellows, but they are a recurring theme in the Bible (check out Psalm 30:11, Isaiah 61:3, Jeremiah 31:13, John 16:20). God has a way of turning our darkest moments into opportunities for us to be a light of hope to others. Take this devotional, for example. Many of you have graciously commented to me over the years about different posts that have touched your heart in some way, and I cannot begin to tell you what that means to me. This devotional was born out of grief that was so painful, I had to write thoughts down to force myself to read my Bible consistently and to keep my sanity. My own healing process and spiritual growth have been poured out onto these pages, and you have walked alongside me through it. Thank you for that. To think that some of what I have experienced has also helped others with various trials in their lives is mind-blowing to me, and I’m grateful.
I’m not a fortune teller, and I don’t know what the new year holds for any of us. However, I can guarantee that there will be ups and downs along the way. Praise God; he is bigger than our problems! If you hold onto faith and trust in him, then he will light your way through the dark times. You’ll be able to look back days, months, or perhaps years later, and see that he never abandoned you. He even promised he wouldn’t (John 14:16, Hebrews 13:5)! He can help you find joy in the midst of mourning.
Prayer prompt for Monday, Nov. 23
The problem with many Christians’ spiritual health is that they’re still nursing a baby bottle instead of eating solid food (Hebrews 5:12).
Prayer prompt for Saturday, July 11
When things don’t go as planned, let us hold tight to our faith in hope for what is yet to come (Hebrews 11:39-40).
Prayer prompt for Friday, July 10
Let us be like Moses’ parents, who trusted God for a future they could not see (Hebrews 11:23).
Prayer prompt for Thursday, July 9
Let us remember the walls of Jericho that fell because of faith (Hebrews 11:30) and trust God with the obstacles in our own lives.
Prayer prompt for Wednesday, July 8
Let us be like Sarah, whose faith faltered but found its footing again (Hebrews 11:11).
Prayer prompt for Tuesday, July 7
Let us be like Noah, who did not wait to see what might happen but acted in faith upon what God instructed him to do (Hebrews 11:7).
Prayer prompt for Monday, July 6
Let us be like Abel, whose offering pleased God and whose faith still speaks through his life, long after his death (Hebrews 11:4).
Prayer prompt for Saturday, May 30
Hebrews 13:5-6 reminds us to not fear the things of this world; instead, we should focus our hearts & minds on the Lord’s provision for us.