Sunday, October 27, 2013

Don't Count Him Out


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.  Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3)

The Biblical writer – Moses, in this case – gave us an account of creation that does far more than document the formation of the heavens and the earth. He gives us reason to hope, especially in the midst of our own formless void and darkness.

Perhaps you have been there when life spins out of control, your prayers remain unanswered – even after decades of asking, seeking and knocking. And all around you the firm foundation of God’s promises seem as amorphous, void and shapeless as planet earth in the beginning.

Moses reminds us, don’t count God out. Even if our lot is to pray as some of the heroes of faith prayed, who died “without receiving the promises” but yet saw through the eyes of faith the fulfillment of their prayers “from a distance”* then we must do and continue to do what God has given us: Pray.

Pray – looking if necessary through eyes of faith to the God who spoke to a dark and formless universe, “Let there be light,” and light shattered darkness.

Pray. And in prayer, grow in confidence. He will yet speak to our darkness, doubt, and disappointments.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout . . . so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:8-11)

Christian, persevere. Persevere in hope. Persevere in prayer. Persevere in faith despite the doubts. The night is almost gone. The day is at hand.

Don’t count God out. Whether we see it in this life or the next, His word will not return to Him void. It will accomplish what He sent it out to accomplish. It will do that – because He is God.

*See Hebrews 11:13

 

 

4 comments:

Melanie Jean Juneau said...

:) :) :)

Rich Maffeo said...

Hi, Melanie. I guess that means you liked it ;)

But I need to follow it up next time I write this blog that it is easy to say "persevere" -- but it is only by God's grace that we can persevere. I should have added that . . . but didn't cross my mind until my wife and I were talking about the subject. As it says in Scripture, "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord" (Zech 4:6)

rich

Joann / lioness said...

“Let there be light,” and light shattered darkness.

God created the universe with a Word and that Word is still going forth and creation is still unfolding before our eyes. The wonder of it all will not disappoint us, the heavens are but a reminder of the Word that shatters the Darkness. As scripture says, "In Your Light, we see Light.
Thank you for your encouragement and the reminder we all need at times.

Rich Maffeo said...

Amen, Joann. Amen.