Thoughts for Life: Not Abandoned

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Not Abandoned

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Marvin Williams shares with us: "As Karissa Smith was browsing in a local library with her babbling 4-month-old daughter, an older man rudely told her to quiet her baby or he would.

'I am sorry for whatever in your life caused you to be so disturbed by a happy baby, but I will not tell my baby to shut up, and I will not let you do so either.'

The man put his head sown and apologized, and told her the story of how his son died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome over 50 years ago. He had repressed his grief and anger all those years.

In Psalm 13:1 David expressed his grief. He addressed God with raw and honest language: “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from Me?"

These questions reflected fears of abandonment. David’s language of distress gave way to a plea for help and reaffirmation of his faith in God’s love for him (vv. 3-6).

Confidence and firm resolve came alongside the cry of distress.

We all go through dark nights of the soul when we wonder if God has abandoned us.

As with David, our aching can give way to joy when we approach God honestly, plead for help, and reaffirm our trust in a God whose love for us will never waver or change." —Martin Williams

"Christ is the answer to heartache,

Christ is the answer to pain;

Though by all others forsaken,

He at your side will remain. — Elwell

God will never leave us nor forsake us."

Our Daily Bread

11/20/12

Ps. 27:13, 14 "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage;and he shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"

[Father, may we remember that You are Faithful and true to Your Word. You will never forsake Your people!]

Today’s quote: We are surrounded by people who are desperately hungry for something, and they don’t even know what. Yet we have the answer to their need – and the responsibility to share it. Never be ashamed of the best news ever offered to mankind. It can change someone’s eternal destiny.” (From Monday’s devotion in the December In Touch magazine, pg 39) www.intouch.org

Mary Southerland: "Don’t doubt for a minute that God is jealous for you, friend. He is standing right beside you, wrapping His arms of love around your wounded heart. Listen closely as He declares that you are His child. You belong to Him, and He is not going anywhere!"

Our thought for today:

My daily bread is Your Word, Father.

Speak to me so I'll not be afraid.