Dealing With Doubt, Doubt, Love, Trust, Words of Endurance

Remembering God’s mighty works in the pages of the Bible – and in the pages of our lives –gives us hope in our distress and courage in our trials.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT BIBLE



Have you cried out to God in the middle of the night? I have cried out so many times that I could not possibly keep count. In fact, I think that God and I have a standing appointment at about 2:30 am every night because if I am not crying out to Him for myself, I am crying out to Him on another’s behalf. I find great comfort in knowing that I am not the only one spending sleepless nights in utter despair.



Read what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 77 …


I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
but my soul was not comforted.
PSALM 77:2



Have you asked these same questions – shared these same doubts? The Psalmist continues on in his despair…



Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever?
Have his promises permanently failed?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
PSALM 77:7-9



During times of trials and afflictions – when God seems so distant – it is easy to slip into despair and feel that God has forgotten us. BUT when we experience great despair and doubt the faithfulness of God – when we find ourselves in the same place as the Psalmist – then we need to do as he did – RECALL AND REMEMBER what God has done.



But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
PSALM 77:11-12



In that place of despair and doubt? Then RECALL AND REMEMBER … RECALL all that God has done for His people as is recorded in the Scriptures.
*Turn to the pages of the Bible and REMEMBER all the mighty works of God RECALL all the times that God has worked in your life and the ones you love.
*REMEMBER all the times that you know – without a shadow of a doubt – that God was present and active in your life. RECALL the promises of God for you.
*And REMEMBER when God was faithful to fulfill those promises to you.
*Then REMEMBER THE HOPE that we all have, as children of God, because of the Lord’s great love, compassion, and faithfulness.



I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:19-21 (Words of the Prophet Jeremiah)



On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky

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