HIS HAND
OF FAVOR 
"It was not by their sword
that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them
victory;
it was Your right hand,
Your arm, and
the light of Your face,
for You loved them."
(Psalm 44:2-3)
 

Trumpet & Torch Ministries

 Setting the World on Fire
for Christ -
One Heart at a Time!
 
77 DAYS OF PRAYER
"To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
(Psalm 77:10)

                                                                       November 23, 2012

 

Day 18

The Potter's Hands

_________________________ 

 

Dear Praying Friend, 

 

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful annual reminder of the daily posture believers should have all year round.  We should be living our lives in a constant spirit of praise and thanksgiving - in both times of blessing and times of difficulty.  Our Heavenly Father would rather lay His hand of blessing on His children, instead of picking up His rod to discipline them. Unfortunately, when we walk in disobedience, rebellion, and sin we place ourselves in the unfortunate position of receiving His admonition rather than His affirmation.   

 
As we meditate on Psalm 32:3-4 today, David speaks of the pain and suffering he has endured because he has tried to hide from his sin. By trying to conceal his sin, and even refusing to speak of it, he was ignoring his sin and pretending that it didn't exist; sadly his silence only brought him more pain.  "But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased" (Psalm 39:2). 
 
Our sin will surely find us out, no matter how well we think we've concealed it (reference Numbers 32:23).   Our Heavenly Father will not allow our sin to inhibit His plans for our life.  As the Master Potter, He may have to press a little harder to unleash that cry of confession.  However, it is much better to cry out to the Lord for relief, than to remain silent in our pain.  How thankful we should be that our Heavenly Father does not allow us to remain in the sin that is keeping us from experiencing that deep intimate relationship He desires to have with us.  May we surrender daily to the Master's Hands as He shapes and molds into a more useful vessel through which His message of forgiveness and salvation can be poured out upon the world.
 
"Yet, O LORD, You are our Father,
We are the clay, You are the potter;
we are all the work of Your hand.
Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD;
do not remember our sins forever.
Oh, look upon us, we  pray,
for we are Your people."
(Isaiah 64:8-9)
 
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your loving hands which never cease to mold us, shape us, and transform us into a worthy and useful vessel for Your holy purposes.  We desire Your blessings, not Your discipline. Forgive us for remaining silent in our sin, as it has hindered our open and honest communication with You.  Our self-inflicted pain is a result of the anguish we feel over the guilt and shame of our sin; it has prevented us from having an intimate relationship with You.  Lord, forgive us. We ask that You never release Your grip on us; keep pressing into us until we are fully surrendered to Your will.  We desire to be released from the weighty burden of our sin. Out of fear we have been carrying a load we were never meant to bear.  If  You deem it necessary, we accept Your rod of discipline,  understanding that it will lead us to confession and guide us  down the path of consecration. O, Lord, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but we surrender our lives willingly into Your hands - no matter how painful it may sometimes be. How grateful we are that you press us with your hand of discipline, setting us free from our sin so we can find rest and relief in the shelter of your wings.  May we daily sing Your praises, rather than remain silent in our sin. In Jesus' Name. Amen.   
 
Steadfast in prayer,
 
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References:  Job 9:34; 31:24; Psalm 32:3; 39:2; 89:32; Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; Isaiah 64:8; Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 10:31.

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