Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.”

Psalm 69:10

Devouring flame.

Desperation pours from David’s prayers, praying, and fasting; the king needs help. The shepherd boy from long ago knew precisely where to get assistance. Accused of mishandling church funds, he experienced ex-communication. David’s actions and zeal for serving the Lord didn’t make sense to the people. And so they made something up:

“What I did not steal must I now restore?” Psalm 69:4

Researching today’s verse, the commentary on David mishandling church funds shocked me. But people making up lies because they don’t understand someone’s actions for the Lord doesn’t. When God designed us, He gave us a desire to know. Eve bit into the apple because she wanted the Lord’s knowledge:

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Designed with a desire for knowledge, if people don’t know something, they will make it up. When I moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania, people didn’t understand why I did it. Rumors swirled around me, and I didn’t know it. When they started to come to light, it hurt me deeply. Words hurt more than people think they do.

In David’s desperation, he fasted and prayed to God for help. Trusting the Lord’s timing, David waited for deliverance from his enemies. The king’s faith didn’t waver, even under shunning and false accusations. David kept his eyes on God and used fasting and prayer to help him. 

“Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.” Psalm 69:16

God’s abundant mercy hears our prayers. I don’t know all the details of David’s false accusations, but I know that even if he had committed fraud and turned to the Lord in repentance, God would forgive him. David would face consequences for his actions, but the Lord still loved him.

And God loves each of us, no matter what sins lie in our past. The Lord’s abundant mercy knows no bounds when we place our faith in Him. Fasting and prayer help us discover God’s abundant grace. Seek a deeper relationship with your Creator, and you will find one.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How have you handled false accusations in the past?
• How can you apply fasting and prayer to your current situation?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for having abundant mercy and grace for us. Forgive us our sinful ways. Guide and direct us on the path of righteousness, one step at a time. When life presses in on us, please help us keep breathing, practicing calm in the storm. Bend Your ear to hear our prayers, encourage us through Your Spirit, and allow us to persevere through the trials of life. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

Brave petition.

Esther comes to a pivotal historical moment through extraordinary circumstances: will she risk her life for her people?

Born a young Jewish girl, King Xerxes chose her as his wife from a plethora of young women. Also known as King Ahasuerus, historians debate the truth of the tale. Biblical history records Esther as niece to Mordecai, Queen of Persia, and heroine to her country. When Haman, principal minister to the king, orders a decree to kill all the Jews, Mordecai begs Esther to intervene.

Esther had a problem. The king hadn’t called her to him in quite some time. You could only enter the king’s presence when he summoned. If you went to the king without an invitation, and he didn’t hold out his golden scepter, inviting you to speak, you would die at the hands of his soldiers. A woman of wisdom, Esther sought help from the Lord, fasting and praying, asking the people to do the same.

At the end of the three days, the queen approached the King, and he held out his scepter to her. When Xerxes asked Esther what she wanted, the queen invited him to dinner. The king has an interesting dream that leads to a life change for Mordecai. Eventually, Haman’s plan gets exposed. And Esther saves the Jewish nation. 

Esther shows us what to do when life gets tough: seek God.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

If Esther didn’t take this chance, she knew God would still save the Jews, but her family would perish. When the Lord calls, we must answer quickly. Wherever God takes You, He’ll provide the way. But if we don’t go, we can’t blame the Lord; He gives us free will. We have a choice of who to follow. Esther chose wisely, and so can we. Just follow the Lord; He’ll do the rest.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How has God put you in a unique position to serve Him?
• What door do you want God to open for you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Esther as an example of how to handle difficult situations. As we fast and pray, strengthen us for the divine task You have for us. Open the door for victory as we submit our lives to You.  Let us face our challenges like Esther, with You leading the way. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”

Daniel 10:3

God answers.

Daniel, a servant of the Lord, entirely devoted to his heavenly Father, has a vision about a “great war” that would harm God’s people. So distressed by the revelation, Daniel immediately begins to fast and pray for his people, not eating anything but fruits and vegetables. Intense supplication and prayer brought forth an immediate answer from God, but Daniel didn’t receive it until three weeks later.

Standing by the Tigris River with his companions, an angel appeared to Daniel. Dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist, Daniel’s friends couldn’t see the angel but sensed his presence, fleeing in terror. Daniel swooned when he heard the angel’s message, but one touch from the heavenly being restored him. Assuring Daniel of God’s love and concern for his people. Although hard to understand, the angel’s message eventually proved amazingly accurate.

“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”  Daniel 10:12-14

Check out what happened when Daniel began to pray, humbling himself before the Lord.  God sent an immediate answer, but the Devil fought the delivery. For twenty-one days, the angel battled and only won when the archangel Michael came to help. Spiritual battles rage around us. Satan doesn’t want us receiving the answers to our prayers and will do anything to stop them, but he always loses.

God answers our prayers; sometimes, the Devil delays the response. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, submitting our will to His, God listens. Bending down to us, with love in His eyes, our Creator cares about us. Often, we lose heart because we don’t think our heavenly Father hears our prayers, but Daniel’s experience reminds us about the spiritual battle.

Whatever prayer you pray, wait expectantly for the answer. In due time, you’ll receive a response. God hears, and He always answers.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What answer seems delayed to you?
• How do you envision spiritual warfare?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for answering our prayers. As we wait for Your response, let us do so well. Please give us the tools we need to persevere in the waiting. Strengthen our hearts and minds as we place our faith in You.  As we pursue You wholeheartedly, let others see Your light shining through us, encouraging them on their journey. In all things, we give You the glory. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, Discipline: The Glad Surrender

Find rest as we enter another Sabbath day. Praise God for the work He gave you this past week, and enjoy rest. Elisabeth Elliot wisely points out that if we didn’t have work, we couldn’t enjoy rest. We enjoy life’s experiences because we have opposites. Without bad days, we wouldn’t appreciate good ones. Without struggles, we wouldn’t appreciate peace. Without work, we wouldn’t appreciate rest.

Lavish in rest today. Spend time with your Maker and allow Him to re-energize your soul. Attend a local church service where you can interact with other believers and let them encourage you on the journey. Spend time reading scripture, asking God to open your eyes to its meaning and tell you how to apply it to your life. Rest in the Lord’s sovereignty and place your problems at the foot of the Cross. Trust God’s plan as you relinquish control to Him, finding rest.

Two-minute read.

“Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?”

Joel 2:14

Gracious provision.

Continuing from yesterday’s verses, Joel continues his plea for repentance, sharing God’s concern for his people. The prophet highlights the Lord’s mercy, reminding the people of His compassion for their needs and the redemptive grace He offers. None of us can meet the Lord’s standards because of our imperfections. Repenting gives us access to God’s gracious provision not to receive His judgment. If we don’t acknowledge the Lord, we can’t receive what He has to offer.

Joel points out that no one knows what God will do if we repent. When I finally gave that part of my heart to God that desired marriage, I gained His peace in that area of my life. No matter what happened to me, I knew the Lord would provide. In my soul, God transformed me, creating a new response to a chronic issue for me. “God’s the best husband I can have,” I told people. John’s words took on new meaning for me:

“For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b

Giving my desire for marriage to the Lord gave me access to His gracious provision like never before. From within my soul, I knew He would care for me, husband, or no husband. And for the first time, I felt good about my singleness. Then I met and married Ron, God’s gift from above that I cherish daily.

We don’t know what the Lord will do when we turn back to Him, confessing our sins and giving Him our hearts. After a lifetime of following Jesus, I can say this: God will amaze you when you sincerely repent and return to Him. Each day, I do it again. Every day, I sin, and every day I repent. The closer to the Lord I grow, the more sensitive my spirit comes to my sin. Errant thoughts constantly keep me busy repenting and returning. Emotional reactions give me a reason to confess. Human nature comes with sin, a fact we all share. But thankfully, we have a gracious provider! 

Repent, turn back towards your Creator. Tell Him your flaws, reveal to Him your desires, and draw closer to the One who loves you more than any other.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What part of your heart do you need to give to God today?
• How has God graciously provided for you?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father and Gracious Provider, thank you for your unconditional love, never-ending mercy, and continuing grace. Thank You for giving us a way to pick ourselves back up and try again.    Please help us keep soft hearts, not allowing the pains of this world to harden them. Please give us the courage to move forward, doing the work necessary to become healthy and whole. Help us become unstuck. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

Joel 2:12-13

Repent and return.

Joel, a prophet, calls a fast for the nation of Judah. The land lies in turmoil. Locusts plague the nation, and Joel fears if the people don’t repent and seek forgiveness, a greater judgment will come upon them. The plague warned of God’s pending judgment. Already, they had no food supply and couldn’t have feasts or gladness offerings, affecting their worship of the Lord. Grains lay withered on the ground, barns stood empty, and the cattle had no food. Yet, the people didn’t see the signs or the need to repent.

If we return to the Lord, He will receive us with open arms. When the people turned back to God, He restored them.

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” Joel 2:25-26

Returning to the Lord, repenting, and giving our hearts to God will bring restoration. But only if done with sincerity. Aligning our lives with the Creator’s will means we submit our desires to His. Obeying Jesus’s commandment to love God and others requires a humble heart and a “Me last” attitude. Life doesn’t revolve around our needs but God’s will. When we center our hearts on the Lord, He restores the years that the locust ate.

Joel 2:25 contains a promise of restoration. This verse came to light by giving my singleness to the Lord and submitting my will to His. Receiving God’s promise, I think of it often in my married life, especially on Sunday mornings. Sitting beside my husband, I thank God for fulfilling the desires of my heart. Remembering the lonely Sundays I sat in church, praying for a mate to sit beside me, I praise God for restoring the years stolen by the locusts every week when I feel Ron’s arm around my shoulders.

My heart harbored bitterness and resentment that life didn’t turn out as I expected. Turning back to the Lord, repenting of my poor attitude, and submitting my will to His meant letting go of my desires and aligning them with His. God became the perfect husband for me, and I found in Him all I needed. Ron became the icing on the cake to an overflowing heart.

Repent and return to the Lord; let Him restore the years the locusts stole.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What area of my life do I need to repent and return to the Lord?
• How can I align my heart with God’s today?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for turning away from You.  As we repent and return, let us learn the lessons You have for us. Restore the years the locusts stole, replenish our hearts, and allow us to find all we need in You.  God, help our nation turn back to You.  Unite us under one God whom we can trust. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”

2 Samuel 1:12

Sincere mourning.

When David heard the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death, he grieved the loss for Israel, understanding the weight of losing a king. Instead of celebrating the demise of his most violent enemy, David and his army fasted until evening. The nation lost a king, and David lost his best friend, Jonathan, like a brother to him. The bearer of the sad news, an Amalekite, confessed to killing Saul, so David had him executed.

Written about 1000 B.C., David’s poetic lament to the fallen king and his son never mentions God’s name or Israel’s faith. For nine verses, the soon-to-be king laments the nation’s loss, calling Jonathan his brother:

“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.”  2 Sam. 1:26

In one moment, David lost his bitter enemy and best friend, two extremes united in death. Seeking God’s comfort through fasting and prayer helped the warrior process the unimaginable emotions. During times of grief, people look for comfort in different ways. Keeping our eyes on Jesus through fasting and prayer brings the most relief. Nothing can replace the grace we find in the Lord when we suffer deep sorrow.

Throughout his life, David often fasted and prayed. As a man after God’s heart, the shepherd boy became a warrior and king. Pursuing and trusting the Lord gave David a place in history like everyone else. Jesus’s royalty comes from the new king’s bloodline, God fulfilling His promise to David and Abraham. 

Learning from the giant killer, we should turn to God first when loss occurs. Fasting and prayer usher in a deeper connection with the Lord. Placing our sorrow at the foot of the Cross begins the healing process. Trusting God amid pain helps us keep moving forward. Although getting stuck at the moment offers the least path of resistance, it doesn’t mean we should take it. Processing grief hurts; we must sit in our suffering to move through it. Leaning into God’s promise to use all things for the good of those who trust and believe in Him helps us release our pain.

Grief, the price of love. Mourning, a natural human reaction to loss, grows us closer to the Lord when we choose to do it with Him.  Fasting and praying brings comfort we can find no other way.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What grief have I avoided dealing with in life?
• How can fasting and praying help me find God’s comfort?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for comforting us in our times of loss. Help us not get stuck in our mourning but move through it as we pursue You.  Heal the broken pieces, and make us whole again as we trust You.  Let us love others well, enjoy every moment You give us with them, and know that nothing lasts forever. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

1 Cor. 7:5

Designated time.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addressed marriage and singleness. Today’s verse refers to a husband and wife who choose to separate themselves from each other, practicing celibacy for a period to pray. Clarifying that the practice doesn’t come from the Lord but rather a decision the couple makes together and agrees to do. The apostle wants people to understand that God supports marriage and uses it in His creation plan, but not everyone should marry. In Paul’s estimation, singleness allows one to serve the Lord fully, without the distraction of marriage but concedes that God gives different desires to everyone.

Having lived single for most of my life, I understand Paul’s comments. During my single years, I only thought of myself and didn’t have to consider anyone else’s feelings when making decisions, which meant I had more time to serve the Lord. Now married, I must consider my husband before making any decisions, including Ron. Gratefully, he doesn’t hinder me from volunteering and serving God but supports me on the journey.

When making major decisions, Ron and I take time apart to pray and seek God, then come back together and discuss how we feel the Lord leading us. By working together, we make better decisions that consider more perspectives. Alone, I made decisions based on limited knowledge, but with Ron, I consider a broader perspective, making wiser choices.

“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:2

Prayer and fasting in marriage strengthen the bond between man, wife, and God. Making the Lord the center of our marriage gives Ron and me a threefold cord. We believe in the objective truth of God’s reality, committing our lives to live for Him and obey His commands. Therefore, when we have any decision to make, we do so through scripture. Taking time apart to seek the Lord individually helps us maintain the trifecta, keeping the cord intact. Often, when we come back together and discuss the topic, we find ourselves already in agreement because God’s word stands the test of time and gives us a solid foundation on which to build our faith.

Set a designated time to fast and pray, seeking God’s guidance. Wait expectantly for an answer. Let a short separation develop a more robust connection in marriage. Make the Lord the third cord in all your relationships.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How can I use fasting and prayer to strengthen my relationships?
• What decision do I need to take to the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for creating a threefold chord in our relationships. Forgive us for ignoring You and not considering Your word when making decisions. As we meet the challenges of the day ahead, let us turn to You before anyone else. Please help us make wise choices by applying scripture to our circumstances. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear You, today and always. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.”

Nehemiah 1:8-9

Return to me.

With arms stretched wide, God waits for us to return to Him.  Repeatedly throughout scripture, we see the Lord’s grace given to those who return to Him. The exile and return to Jerusalem exemplify God’s fulfillment of His promise to Moses. A deeper meaning exists; the Lord will gather everyone into His kingdom one day. Return to Me, the Lord says, and I will gather you to the place I have chosen and where My name dwells forever.

Unfaithfulness to the Lord happens. Life’s pressures cause us to forget God as we try to solve problems in our humanness. Often, we don’t turn back to the Lord until we’ve exhausted every possibility. Nehemiah started with God, acknowledging and confessing, then reminding the Lord of His words to Moses. Did God forget His words? No, in reminding the Lord, Nehemiah also reminded himself of what the Jewish nation needed to do: return to God.

“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9b

Every morning, God has new mercies waiting for you. No matter what the day before held, we needn’t fear telling the Lord. Filled with grace and compassion, God won’t turn His face from us because of our sins. Like the prodigal son returning home after squandering all he had, God waits patiently for our return, welcoming us warmly.

Nehemiah and his people returned to the Lord. Embracing God’s commandments, they experienced His grace and compassion. Guiding and directing His flock, the Lord protected the nation as they rebuilt Jerusalem and its wall. Upon completion, the priest, Ezra, read from the Law of Moses. The people responded by worshiping and bowing their heads to the ground, honoring their Redeemer.

Humbling ourselves before God, returning and worshipping Him will give us a fresh start. Repeatedly, when we fall, the Lord waits to pick us up. As His children, God doesn’t want any to perish. Accepting our imperfections, seeking the Lord’s guidance, and remaining faithful to His commands will give us life to the fullest. No longer will we carry the world’s worries on our shoulders; instead, we will experience God’s unconditional love and mercy as we return to Him again and again.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How have you strayed from God lately?
• What do you experience when you return to the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for straying from You.  Thank You for always taking us back. Please help us stay on the straight, narrow path as we tune into the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Protect us from temptation, deliver us from evil. In all we do, let us honor and serve You.  Guide and direct us, letting Your favor reign in our lives as we faithfully follow You.  IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.” 

Nehemiah 1:5-6

Acknowledge and confess.

Nehemiah begins his prayer by acknowledging God’s sovereignty and confessing his and the nation’s sins. Before the cupbearer makes any requests, he submits to the Lord, recognizing his limited perspective. Acquiring a true sense of the Makers’ awesomeness reveals the depths of human sinfulness. Despite how some people may appear, no one knows everything nor controls the world around them. Only the Creator has the whole picture, knowing the beginning, end, and everything in between.

As we learned yesterday, Nehemiah spent four months fasting and praying before going to the king with his request. During that time, God’s servant didn’t let on the distress of his heart, keeping it between him and the Lord. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we find similar instructions:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

Nehemiah maintained a peaceful heart because he gave his anxiety to God. Acknowledging and confessing his sin began his conversation with the Lord. Connecting with our Maker gives us the strength to persevere as we put into practice His commands. The Lord doesn’t want us living with anxiety-filled hearts; He wants to give us His peace that surpasses all understanding. We can’t access God’s power without acknowledging His presence and confessing our shortcomings.

Exemplifying wisdom, Nehemiah knew where to go and how to start the conversation. In desperation, the cupbearer didn’t act rashly but instead took his anxiety to God, knowing He had the answer. Everyone experiences distress in life; situations happen that we have no control over. But thankfully, we know the One who does. Instead of letting our thoughts and emotions take us down a rabbit trail of anxiety, we can turn to God and find His peace.

If you have time to worry, you have time to pray. Don’t let anxiety engulf you; instead, give it to God. Begin with a simple prayer, “Lord, I need help.” Humbling ourselves before the Creator puts the control in His hands, freeing us from life’s pressures. The Lord promises to take care of us; He’s not surprised by the trials of life. Instead, God wants to lead us through our struggles, giving us peaceful hearts as He gently guides us. Like Nehemiah, we can live with the peace that surpasses all understanding when we acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and confess our need for Him.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What do you need to confess to the Lord?
• What anxiety do you need to give to God today?

Prayer:

Lord, we acknowledge Your sovereignty in our lives. Forgive us and our nation’s sins as we turn to You.  Lead us on the path of righteousness as we submit our lives to Your will. Help us fulfill Your purpose for our lives as we seek You.  Give us clear direction, and show us how we can serve You and others well. IJNIP. Amen