talk to God – Be Still…

1 Chronicles 17:16-27 – David Responds in Prayer

Read 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

After receiving the promise from God in our last reading, what was David’s response? Prayer. David was moved and spoke to God in this humble prayer of thanks.

David begins with such humility. “Who am I, O Lord God?” Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps God has revealed to you a plan for your life, and you don’t feel anywhere close to being worthy of such a mission. There is no greater honor, I can tell you, than to be used by God! But how often do we ever feel “ready?”

Habakkuk 1:1-4 – Complaining to God

Read Habakkuk 1:1-4

Do you ever feel like God isn’t listening to you? It seems the prophet Habakkuk was experiencing that as we read his lament. I couldn’t help but think as I read Habakkuk’s words that I could be saying the same thing about what I see taking place in our time. Isn’t it something how the Bible is as relevant today as it ever was.

We don’t know much about the prophet Habakkuk, but we’ll see in his short book how concerned he was for his community. We’ll see how he handles his doubts and struggles, always remembering the sovereignty of God.

James 5:13-18 – The Power of Prayer

Read James 5:13-18

What happens when we pray, and no healing takes place? I’m sure you’ve had that happen in your life. Wrestling with God in those moments is difficult. We can feel like God has left us behind or turned a deaf ear to our cries!

Some of us blame God and even turn away. That’s never the answer. God has his reasons for answering prayer the way he does. Not healing is God saying no to our request. I learned a long time ago it doesn’t do any good to get mad at God or demand my way. I may never understand why God allowed someone else to be healed but not the person I prayed about. I trust God knows best, even when I cannot see.

Jeremiah 20:7-18 – Jeremiah Snaps!

Read Jeremiah 20:7-18

man with his hands holding his face with expression of apparent desperation

All along I have been amazed at Jeremiah’s fortitude in staying strong. God has been giving him extremely difficult messages to share as well as employing teachable moments to warn the people. Jeremiah continues to be dutiful in his mission despite any exhaustion or frustration. But in today’s reading, it seems he’s had enough!

Jeremiah’s brutal honesty is striking as he cries out to God. We can only begin to imagine the emotions coursing through his veins. He’s desperate, feeling he’s on display. Jeremiah believes he’s been overtaken and even misled by God. Have you ever felt such anguish in your faith journey? Have you ever questioned God’s intentions or whether he was even listening?

Jeremiah 15:1-21 – What a Conversation!

Read Jeremiah 15:1-21

woman talking on the phone with a planner and coffee cup in front of her

Can you imagine having such a conversation with God? How wonderful for us that Jeremiah’s scribe has memorialized this for us. There is a wealth of wisdom packed into these verses. What spoke to your heart most?

God is clearly speaking to Jeremiah about the inevitable doom that is about to befall God’s children. Jeremiah’s honesty about what he’s feeling is refreshing. He’s worried about his own future, and he lays it out there before God.