From my quiet time today:
You have enlarged me when I was in distress.
Psalm 4:1
"This is one of the greatest testimonies ever written regarding the effectiveness of God's work on our behalf during times of crisis. It is a statement of thanksgiving for having been set free not from suffering but rather through suffering. In stating, "You, God, have enlarged me when I was in distress," the psalmist is declaring that the sorrows of life have been the source of life's enlargement or growth."
I dont know if my friend remembers, but a while back I was having doubts about my calling and place in ministry, while at the same time doubting myself as a person and Christian. One day, this friend, Kirk, asked me how I was doing. I was completely honest. I told him that I was feeling pretty down and I was not feeling God's presence at all in my life. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Hmmmm...for me, I am closest to God when I am suffering and down..."
Back then I thought was the worst and stupidest answer I had ever heard.
However, especially this week, I understand. The past few weeks have been crazy for a lot of people that I have talked to. This week has been especially crazy for me. I have a friend that was introduced to suffering unexpectedly...completely unfair...
But God is close to us, right there with us through the suffering, saving us! Not from the suffering, but saving us all throughout the suffering.
So are you letting your suffering build you up? Are you letting God work in the chaos and confusion??
I shall end with this:
God is near to all who call, near to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18
Until Next Time....
