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January 5, 2013
EPIPHANY - Day 11 - Click HERE!
Day 61
Hiding Behind His Hands
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Dear Praying Friend,
The Lord has always faithful, "He has watched over your journey....the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything" (Deuteronomy 2:7), and desires His children to live a life of whole-hearted devotion towards Him, "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD you God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD you God has forbidden. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). Unfortunately, however, the Scriptures unveil a history of unfaithfulness towards the Lord Who has been nothing but faithful. "I will hide my face from them...and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful" (Deuteronomy 32:20). As we pray for the times we are living in, let us be faithful to pray for God's children to respond to the Lord's promptings and turn to Him in humble repentance and full devotion so He will shine His face of pleasure upon us, instead of His hand of discipline.
As we meditate on Psalm 27:9-10 today, David reminds the Lord that He has always been His helper, and even if those closest to him turn their backs on him the Lord will always be there to receive him. David had just responded to the Lord's prompting to turn to Him and seek His face and His face is what David longs to see. If the Lord were to hide His face, then disaster and destruction would be upon them, because He would have removed His favor and blessing. When God's people to turn their backs on Him, He turns His face and favor from them. "....your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2).
" 'For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,'
says the LORD your Redeemer."
(Isaiah 54:7-8)
Dear Heavenly Father, hear the cries of Your people. Lord, there is none righteous, no not one. You are the only one righteous and faithful and just. Forgive us for turning our backs on You. You are our husband and we have abandoned You for the pleasures of the world - which will never satisfy. You are all that we need and yet we continue to search and strive instead of relying on You. Help us to surrender to You and experience the blessings of basking in the glow of Your light and love. There is nothing we desire on this earth but to be in Your presence and gaze upon Your face. Look upon us with pleasure, Father. We repent of our sinful desires and our wicked heart; we ask forgiveness for living our lives outside Your will and not spending time with You. Give us strength to resist the temptation of this temporal world we are living with. Our hearts are set on eternity and we long to be with You. Let us see the pleasure of Your face as we walk each day in the light of Your love. We love You and cannot bear to be separated from You for even a moment. Draw us back to You with loving kindness and let us respond with whole-hearted devotion. You are our heart's desire. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Numbers 6:25; Psalm 4:6; 11:7; 51:11-12; 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14; 31:3; Hosea 6:2; Romans 3:10; 2 Corinthians 11:2. | 
