When you're a Christian long enough, you will often find scriptures you've read over and over eventually "come to life" with your life circumstances. The amazing thing about the bible is that it applied to life 2000 years ago and very much applies to life right now, today.
Time and again I have both been a witness to as well as experienced God guiding me and others through the most difficult times. It's always stressful and sometimes we feel unheard and forsaken by God in our greatest time of need. But as you continue to hang on for His response to your desperate petitions, He really does strengthen your faith, "stretch" you and grow you up in the meantime.
Adversity is actually beneficial to those of us with faith. How else does our faith grow but through times when we have to lean on God the most? After all, Olympians don't get into the best shape of their lives by sitting on the couch, watching TV and eating M&Ms night after night.
I've often heard God described as "The Eleventh Hour God". I didn't know what that meant until I experienced it myself, and have since then, watched others have to experience it themselves.
The "Eleventh Hour God" is when you are at the end of your rope, all your options seem to have run out, you're hanging on by a single fingernail, and just when you are about to let go and give up, God does an amazing thing. And the thing is .. He has never left me or my friends destitute, homeless, hungry. He has always come through. Our job is to hang onto Him and painstakingly wait.
So dear brothers and sisters - hang on. He WILL come through. Just hang on and know .. the "eleventh hour" is coming. "Do not fear .. do not be dismayed ... I will strengthen you and help you." This is God's promise to us. I've seen it happen myself.
Prayer: Lord, to those who are waiting for the eleventh hour, waiting to hear Your voice, for Your answer to their prayers, strengthen them, help them to hold on, give them hope for the future which you hold in Your mighty hands. Increase their faith, give them confidence that you will respond to their pleas. Amen
Prayer request: Help us each to hang onto the promise that you will never leave us or forsake us, as is stated in Your Word.
1 comment:
Jen, I know all about that 11th hour God! My dad's doctors warned us to expect the worst, and he came through his surgery with flying colors. I have no doubt it was because of the faith of the "great cloud of witnesses" who stormed heaven on his behalf. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
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