“…..a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…..” ~ Isaiah 61:3

Brokenness….. there are many things that break our hearts. A dream not realized, a desire not fulfilled, a hurting comment, a recovery that is painful and slow, a relationship that is trying, a failure that is disappointing, a target not reached, an ideal not kept, an example not followed, the loss of something precious, the demise of a loved one, an unexpected crisis, being cheated, abused, insulted, humiliated, a mistake that is hard to undo, a consequence that is enduring, a toil that is arduous, a covenant that is defiled, a tragedy that wounds, a trust betrayed, a labor that does not yield good fruit, an unaccomplished goal, a discouraging defeat, demands that are exacting, reality that stings….

Brokenness makes us feel so shattered inside. We feel so devastated. We feel as though our life has come to an end… that we’ve been broken into so many pieces, it’s hard to pick them up and begin life all over again. We feel hopeless and give up.

But God is still there at the end of our brokenness. It’s comforting to know that God is there to help us move on ahead from just where we think we cannot go further. God understands how we feel. In Psalm 51:17 the Bible says, ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” That’s true. God will not despise us when we are broken. Instead when we trust Him and surrender our lives to His control, in loving care, God turns our brokenness into something beautiful.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I come to You. I offer my brokenness to you. I believe You can do something beautiful out of it. Mould me once again, I pray. Amen.”

God can make beauty out of brokenness

“…..a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…..” ~ Isaiah 61:3

Brokenness….. there are many things that break our hearts. A dream not realized, a desire not fulfilled, a hurting comment, a recovery that is painful and slow, a relationship that is trying, a failure that is disappointing, a target not reached, an ideal not kept, an example not followed, the loss of something precious, the demise of a loved one, an unexpected crisis, being cheated, abused, insulted, humiliated, a mistake that is hard to undo, a consequence that is enduring, a toil that is arduous, a covenant that is defiled, a tragedy that wounds, a trust betrayed, a labor that does not yield good fruit, an unaccomplished goal, a discouraging defeat, demands that are exacting, reality that stings….

Brokenness makes us feel so shattered inside. We feel so devastated. We feel as though our life has come to an end… that we’ve been broken into so many pieces, it’s hard to pick them up and begin life all over again. We feel hopeless and give up.

But God is still there at the end of our brokenness. It’s comforting to know that God is there to help us move on ahead from just where we think we cannot go further. God understands how we feel. In Psalm 51:17 the Bible says, ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” That’s true. God will not despise us when we are broken. Instead when we trust Him and surrender our lives to His control, in loving care, God turns our brokenness into something beautiful.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I come to You. I offer my brokenness to you. I believe You can do something beautiful out of it. Mould me once again, I pray. Amen.”

God can make beauty out of brokenness

‘For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer’ ~ Psalm 109:4

David was going through a rough patch. He was surrounded by false accusations, words of hatred, and curses. Those whom he trusted had let him down. They repaid him evil for good, and hatred for friendship. They spoke evil of him and attacked him with malicious intent. David was falsely accused in order to bring him down. It seemed as though he was set up.

We can identify with David. There have been times when we’ve been so kind and generous in helping others. We have gone the extra mile; we’ve gone out of our way to help someone in need. Sometimes we’ve done much sacrifice for the betterment of our own family members, our close friends or even our close business partners. We have trusted friends and shared personal issues and secrets. But after a while we’ve discovered that they have been cheating and deceiving us. It’s painful to the heart when such things happen, especially when friends turn their backs on us. It’s as though they pulled the carpet from under our feet.

The normal reaction is to take revenge. Tit for tat. To settle scores. But the Bible tells us in Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge….but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. David believed that in due time, those who accused him falsely would be paid back in full for their wickedness. He trusted God to do the needful. Instead of scheming how to get back at them, he gave himself to prayer; He sought God’s presence which comforted and strengthened him.

Let’s look to God at such times and entrust all matters to Him knowing that God will settle the scores. Let’s give ourselves to prayer seeking God’s presence that truly comforts and strengthens us.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I thank You for being there when I’ve been let down. I trust that You will see me through such times. Lord, I look to You and seek You for You are the strength of my life. Amen”

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy

An Open Hand

“You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing” ~ Psalm 145:16

It was so heart warming to watch how this Scripture was being lived out. Recently we visited my hometown and got to spend some time with my grandmother. She’s a very kind-hearted and benevolent woman who’s always doing something for the poor. The hawkers who passed by her house would stop over to refresh themselves with a glass of cool buttermilk. The sweepers would gather in her verandah to have their breakfast and she would generously hand over a big jug of water. This time I noticed one old lady who would frequent her place about lunch time. My grandmother would give her some small errands to do like peeling garlic or gleaning the greens and would serve her lunch everyday. That’s a costly commitment. That too for a widow who’s living on a meager income.

Watching her made me realize that it’s not good enough just to have a generous heart. One must show that generosity in actions. The Bible says in James 2: 15-16, ‘Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing and you say, “Well, goodbye – and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?’ True generosity is lived out by its actions; it is brought to life; it is made flesh.

Peter, James and John, pillars of the early church emphasized this and Paul encouraged others to ‘remember the poor’ (Galatians 2:9,10). If we are willing to reach out to help the poor, we can be God’s hands.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, You have been kind and generous to me. Thank you Lord. Help me pass it on to others. You use me as Your hands. Amen”

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”~ Habakkuk 2:3

Time varies in its length and importance to us according to the circumstances or situation that we may be in. A person who is waiting for years for something precious to come by will count every second precious while another standing in line to buy a ticket is not that frantic knowing that as the line progresses he will get his ticket.

When we feel despair in any given situation we forget that God doesn’t operate according to the situation or signs that are visible to us. He has His own schedule that works according to His own principles and norms. We often push ourselves to the limit and cry when the fulfillment doesn’t happen at the time when we feel we need it most.

The appointed time is God’s time, not ours. The God who runs the universe and sees that the sun shines right on time, the earth rotates and revolves in perfect order knows best about the time for fulfillment of His word to you. God works out every detail before bringing it to fulfillment, He doesn’t do a haphazard job. He does everything and sees that it is ‘good’. When we see His handiwork we know that what He does is perfect and the ‘best’.

When we learn to trust God’s timing we too will learn that He does everything for our best. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Trust Him. His promises are sure. He will not delay.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for doubting Your faithfulness and promises. Help me to hold on so I can see Your Word fulfilled in my life and give glory to Your name, Amen.”

An Inheritance

“You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.” Leviticus 20:24

A people troubled and vexed by various trials were given hope by the promise God gave them. He didn’t just paint a good picture, He gave them a sure word. His word was a beacon of light to the lost and wandering people of Israel. Though they had to trudge through wilderness, they finally did see the Promised Land that God had promised them.

When life is laden with sorrows and heartbreaks we have with us the Word of God, the promises and the hope that God alone can give us. We may have to trudge with pain some more than we would like to but God doesn’t let that pain overcome us. He knows just how much we can take. He knows how that suffering will strengthen us and cause us to become a blessing to others in need.

God’s blessing cannot be compared to anything in the world. It is one of a kind and separate and superior compared to everything the world can offer. The land He promised us is a place of joy and peace and happiness. In the shelter of God’s love is a life of abundance and goodness.

When we decide to stand up with and for God, we may have to pay a price. Whatever be the price it is nothing compared to the inheritance we have in God. The wealth of the world is nothing compared to the wealth of God’s riches in glory. What would you choose – an inheritance of property that will pass away or an inheritance that will last through eternity?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I thank You for setting me apart from the world and giving me an inheritance that is forever, Amen.”

An Inheritance

“You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.” Leviticus 20:24

A people troubled and vexed by various trials were given hope by the promise God gave them. He didn’t just paint a good picture, He gave them a sure word. His word was a beacon of light to the lost and wandering people of Israel. Though they had to trudge through wilderness, they finally did see the Promised Land that God had promised them.

When life is laden with sorrows and heartbreaks we have with us the Word of God, the promises and the hope that God alone can give us. We may have to trudge with pain some more than we would like to but God doesn’t let that pain overcome us. He knows just how much we can take. He knows how that suffering will strengthen us and cause us to become a blessing to others in need.

God’s blessing cannot be compared to anything in the world. It is one of a kind and separate and superior compared to everything the world can offer. The land He promised us is a place of joy and peace and happiness. In the shelter of God’s love is a life of abundance and goodness.

When we decide to stand up with and for God, we may have to pay a price. Whatever be the price it is nothing compared to the inheritance we have in God. The wealth of the world is nothing compared to the wealth of God’s riches in glory. What would you choose – an inheritance of property that will pass away or an inheritance that will last through eternity?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I thank You for setting me apart from the world and giving me an inheritance that is forever, Amen.”

An Ever-Present Help

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1

When it rains, we open our umbrella or run for shelter. When there is a storm we prefer to get into a building and wait it out until the storm is over. We find refuge in the place that keeps us safe from the storm outside. Similarly when a stranger attacks us we run to our loved ones for help, comfort and understanding. They team up with us and fight back for our sake.

Children run to the parents when they are hurt or feel they are danger. They know that their parents will do something about the problem they face. However we face many situations in our lives when there is no one beside us. Just like when you are new to a hostel and everyone is a stranger to you.

David saw many situations when his life was in danger and he was pursued by enemies. Yet he assures himself as he sings, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble..’ David knew God had saved his life from the lion, the bear and Goliath. He loved God and was sure that God would keep him safe no matter what came up against him.

David calls God’s help ‘ever-present’. Our family and friends may not be with us always, but God is always present with us. God doesn’t watch over us like the local watchman… Psalm 121:4 says, ‘He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.’ So great is the love of God for each of us that He doesn’t even close His eyes. Yes He watches over you, you can trust Him with everything, just anything and everything in your life.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, thank You for keeping me safe in every situation of my life. I am indebted to Your great love for me, help me to stay close to You always, Amen.”

An Appointed Time

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”~ Habakkuk 2:3

Time varies in its length and importance to us according to the circumstances or situation that we may be in. A person who is waiting for years for something precious to come by will count every second precious while another standing in line to buy a ticket is not that frantic knowing that as the line progresses he will get his ticket.

When we feel despair in any given situation we forget that God doesn’t operate according to the situation or signs that are visible to us. He has His own schedule that works according to His own principles and norms. We often push ourselves to the limit and cry when the fulfillment doesn’t happen at the time when we feel we need it most.

The appointed time is God’s time, not ours. The God who runs the universe and sees that the sun shines right on time, the earth rotates and revolves in perfect order knows best about the time for fulfillment of His word to you. God works out every detail before bringing it to fulfillment, He doesn’t do a haphazard job. He does everything and sees that it is ‘good’. When we see His handiwork we know that what He does is perfect and the ‘best’.

When we learn to trust God’s timing we too will learn that He does everything for our best. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Trust Him. His promises are sure. He will not delay.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for doubting Your faithfulness and promises. Help me to hold on so I can see Your Word fulfilled in my life and give glory to Your name, Amen.”

Altogether for Good

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

Things were not working out well for Joseph. It wasn’t easy going for him. The situation was getting from bad to worse. It all began when his brothers misunderstood him and sold him as a slave to the Ishmaelites. And then a string of bad incidences followed. He was falsely accused of misbehaving with Potiphar’s wife. This landed him in prison for no crime at all. Then he was forgotten to be mentioned to the Pharaoh by the baker and butler whom he had helped. So he lingered in prison for two full years. But at the end of two full years, the breakthrough finally came. He stood before Pharaoh and interpreted the dream. So he was promoted as governor over Egypt and put in charge of the new project. He had the responsibility of preserving water and food grain as a preparation against the soon approaching famine.

Now the tables had turned. Things were in favor of Joseph…but not so for his brothers. They were trying to make it through the famine. The search for food had brought them now to Egypt and there they stood right in the presence of Joseph. They were shocked to find out that the one who sat on a throne next to Pharaoh was none other than their own brother – Joseph. They were afraid that he would take revenge for all their wrongdoing. So they asked for forgiveness. And this is what Joseph replied, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’

God had worked out all things for good. God can do this for you too.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I believe that You work out all things for good. I trust You to do so in my life too. Amen.”

Hold on and keep trusting.