Have you ever felt like you have been "stripped" of everything that you are trying to hold onto? Maybe you have suffered a great loss of a loved one, or you have taken a big hit financially. Maybe your dream job was taken away, or your child has run away in rebellion. Maybe it's more spiritual and you feel as if you have been "stripped" of your ability to pray or focus on God's Word. Maybe your joy has vanished, and you have been living in sorrow or depression for some time. If this is you, our scripture today has some great news for you. The word "destitute" means "stripped", and God says that He will not despise your prayer. In our world today, people commonly drive by those on the side of the road who are in need of help. Because we are scared of being ripped off or lied to, we are very skeptical of those who approach us and tell us that they have fallen on bad times. Now I understand that some of this is natural because of the people who try to abuse the generosity of others by living on hand-outs, but for those who are sincerely in need of help I'm sure that it must feel horrible to be despised in the eyes of someone better off. That's why it's such great news for all of us that we can come to God who is never skeptical because He knows our condition before we ever approach Him. I encourage you today to stop letting shame and embarrassment keep you from coming to Him who can bring healing into your life for all of the things that have left you destitute.
God will listen to our prayers and He will not reject our plea. No matter what uncertain circumstances we face in this uncertain world we can be certain of one thing, God listens to our prayers and cares deeply about the things that have left us "destitute".
ReplyDeleteMany times in my early years before I turned twenty-six years old, I became destitute mostly because of my own bad choices. The viscious cycle of addiction stripped me and my family of more than I want to admit. But God saw me just like I was, naked, bleeding, orphaned, crying inside and out like an abandoned child. He picked me up, washed me and clothed me,healed my brokeness, took me as His own in adoption, and sealed my heart with assurance of His love to never be abandoned again. Did God hear my cry, YES HE DID! Tears still flow, but now they come from The River of Life! I once was lost but now I am found!
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