Devotional

Isaiah 12:1 – And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me (KJV)A couple of years ago, many were the times when I would comfortably scroll through the requests posted on the Daily PrayerLine and wonder at the trials people faced each day. Sickness, separation, failure, death, financial problems always plagued battered Christian hearts.

A few of these people had almost lost faith. Sometimes, in my ignorance, I would feel excessively sorry for these hearts, and almost question Christ, even His very promise: “If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19 NIV)

Never did I think that, months later, I too would be in such a situation, posting a request, more in desperation than in faith that anyone could help me. Often would I say, “Lord, Thou art angry with me,” for I too, like those of us who in our Christian childhood and unwillingness to be patient and trust our God, was quick to label Him as angry with us.

But, oh, how the Lord comforted me! I experienced His healing grace and love through the very same readers who today are my dearest agents of His eternal love for me, and truly faithful to the promise that stands above all posted requests. Jesus did for me in heaven more than I desired as He touched me. He comforted me, and that day when I could praise Him did come.

I bless our God today, for I look at all requests with a different view of God. I know that today’s prayer of desperation and time of need is tomorrow’s day of thanksgiving to a good God who sees us to the other side. Today’s cries are but the beginning of the process that ends with love, peace, hope, and rest through the entire experience, when we once felt that God was angry with us and had abandoned us.

Prayer: Dear and faithful God, thank You for this beautiful thought that with You our lives — in whatever state they be in today — are always destined to end with hope and life and healing grace that comes from a loving heart. Thank You for the angels You send in the form of your devoted children who stand with us and pray. Thank You most of all that time and time again You prove Your faithfulness as You keep Your promise never to leave us. May we too touch others who are hurting, so that they may know how real You are, as the gentlest Comforter who carries us through our pain. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

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