Patient While Persistent

 

"What do you do when God is Silent?" Those were the words of Deacon Rubin Mathias as he began his sermon on sunday night. I started thinking to myself "what do I do when God is silent?" Sometimes I become afraid that He may not be with me because I've done something(s) wrong. I start to worry that me not picking up my bible or not praying may have caused Him to have his last straw with me. Even when I wait, I wait in agony; complaining and mourning over my struggles, telling God how big my problems are when I should be telling those problems how big my God is. What do you do when your troubles constantly attack you? Do you wait on God in prayer and in faith that He will deliver you out of your misery? Or do you persecute yourself and the God who oh so loves you? 

 

You're waiting to see what God is going to do meanwhile He is waiting to see what you're going to do. He already knows how your situation will turn out but He needs to first show you a little something about yourself. God is asking: Are you going to patiently wait on me? Are going to trust that I will protect you? Will you still claim that I am your father though you are struggling and I am still? Will you be persistent in your prayer until I speak or will you give up? When you go through enough struggles in this life you will start to notice the answers to these questions based on the way you act while you are suffering. God wants to reveal this to you so that you may want to change it and so that He may help you build your character. God can do anything but He can't save you if you don't want to be saved. He needs you to want it so that He may do it for you because He has given you that freedom of choice. I don't know about you but I don't have anyone in my life who is so powerful and yet so gentle.

 

This sermon reached me on so many levels but I didn't notice its impact until I came across some struggles that just would not leave me be. I went from having an amazing day to a terrible one. The only thing on my mind however was that "the day will not end this way." Throughout the whole day I was holding back tears, I was angry but hopeful, afraid but bold, ready to explode but chosing to be obedient. It was one of the first times in a long time that I actually controlled myself in an uncontrollable situation. Sure enough, I went to wednesday night service and I broke down! I tried to keep a smile on my face and pretend everything was okay but God was saying "My child I know; I understand your struggle, I feel your pain, I see your tears... I am here to wipe them away." I went from crying because I was hurt to crying because I was over joyed that my God was so good. When I tell you He is real, I mean that with every bone in my body because I would not be here if not for Him. I went home and praised Him some more. Before I knew it, that pain that manifested itself all over me that entire day was gone by that night. There's nothing like surrendering yourself to Him, like lifting your hands up and saying "God my life is in your hands and I know everything will be okay" even if you have to say it a couple of times before you actually believe it.

 

My dear brothers and sisters please wait on Him in obedience and in trust. I know it's easier said than done but it's worth the try. The devil will always attack you and he is patient enough to wait until you are at your peak and when you are your happiest to drag you down-- I know this because that's what he does to me all the time. Do not let him win, you are already on the winning team. The Lord guarantees us in Isaiah 49:23 that "those who hope in me will not be disappointed." He will not put us to shame but He will help us grow. When you are going through hard times that seem like they will never end, keep pressing, keep believing, keep praying, keep putting yourself in His presence. It's just like a relationship, if you love him or her enough you won't give up over a petty argument, you will push until you both figure it out. It is the same way with God, He needs us to relentlessly pursue Him, just like Job did in the Bible. Stand firm and let Him know you will keep pushing and you won't stop asking for your deliverance until He delivers you. Again it is hard but be patient and know that your Heavenly Father will never leave your side! It worked for me, it will work for you too. God bless!

                                                                                                                                                                    - Love Always ***Beauties***