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December 12, 2012
*** Join us for Day 4 of The Festival of Lights journey
(see link below).
Day 37
His hand picks up my call
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Dear Praying Friend,
We've all been there before - desperately needing to talk with a friend, to have a shoulder to cry on, or an ear available to spill your concerns into, and the phone rings only to have it go to voice mail. It can be distressing and disheartening to have a conversation cut off even before it starts. What we need to remember is there is one phone line that is always open and available, and when our "friend"-ly phone calls fall short there is One constant and faithful Friend Who has been expecting our call all along.
As we meditate on Psalm 102:1-2, we find our distressed psalmist crying out to the Lord, requesting an immediate response to his desperate plea. We've heard this cry many times before in the past few weeks as we've been meditating on the penitential psalms - we may have even uttered it ourselves: "Lord, help me! Lord, hear my prayer! Lord, listen to my cry!" How wonderful it is when we can talk to a friendly voice that will respond, but how difficult it can be to wait upon the Lord and wonder if He truly heard. It is here that we find one of the wonderful blessings of the Word of God and why we spend so much time praying His Word; as soon as His Word rolls off our tongue it becomes an immediate salve to our helpless situation. These Words, written thousands of years ago were already heard by God and He had them recorded so we could "hear" that He heard the pleas and petitions and He responded. These words were not empty appeals that floated away, they were heard, recorded, and responded to by a faithful God, who will in turn hear and respond to us as faithfully as He had back then.
"Call to Me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know."
(Jeremiah 33:3)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always being available to take my call. You are anticipating our call long before we even make it. You know what is on our hearts and You prompt us to dial Your number. Sadly, we all too often forget we have that direct line and run elsewhere just because we want to hear a human voice, instead of that still small voice that beckons us. Forgive us, Father, You love the sound of our voice and we often refrain from lifting it to You. When we finally do, we sound like a spoiled child, wanting what we want, without considering Who it is we are talking to. You deserve so much better from us. Forgive us when we only come to You when we want or need something. We should just call on You because we want to listen to you. If we would just call to You more often you would show us so many wonderful things. We would also not feel so desperate, or out of control, or lost, or alone. We would realize immediately just how close You are to us and how much You love us. Lord, we know You are always there for us when we call on You for help. Help us to be more aware that You are there for us, to enjoy our company like a good friend who just wants to talk about our day and share all the wonderful things that have happened. If only we'd come to You more often we'd realize You will even tell us what You have prepared for us - You love to unveil those mysteries, You love to reveal Your truths, and You love to share the deepest parts of Your heart with us. Give us ears to hear Lord Jesus and a heart willing to respond. Thank You that Your door is always open and Your line is always free and clear. I look forward to our next conversation Lord, it is my joy to talk with You throughout the day. You are my best friend. I love You, Lord Jesus. I'll be calling back soon. I can't make it through a day without You! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Daniel 2:22, 28-29; Amos 4:13; Matthew 7:7-8; 11:25; John 10:3; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Revelation 3:20. |
