Nougat 23

Hello

Today’s Holy Nougat is one of those that may make us go hmmm ; but I pray that the reflection will move us from hmmm to hallelujah.

“Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey,” Numbers‬ ‭21:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I so get that. For although I don’t always see it as a journey; when I make a request to God for something, the child in me sometimes creeps out.

“Lord, have You answered yet?” “Please. Please.” or, “Lord, if You answer I’ll do/be …” along those lines

Does that resonate with you? These days I might not articulate it so loudly or in those words; but a delay (in my mind it’s a delay or denial) in the expected response to prayer does set me on edge. Especially since I got my most painful ‘No.’

For even while we strive to ensure that we don’t take God for granted, our understanding of God as Jehovah Jireh does NOT usually include the pre-story. That is – Abraham going ALL the way UP Mt Moriah knowing that he would sacrifice Isaac; seeing and hearing NOTHING to substantiate his hope-faith that Isaac would live (again) after the act of sacrifice! Most of us only hear the happily ever after Jehovah Jireh title.

We do have the benefit of hindsight tho. For we know that Jesus offered a solution for us when the weight of the Wait becomes too arduous for our spirits. He says:

‘Keep praying; just like the Persistent Widow I used as an illustration.’

And through Paul, He says,

‘In EVERYTHING, by prayer and supplication WITH thanksgiving, tell me your heart’s desire, UNTIL you get that divine peace which assures you that I heard you.’

He also says, ‘Allow me to be your JOY; even in the ‘are we there yet’ moments. I’m telling y’all ‘keep praising!’ For I’m STILL God, still Your Sovereign, Who gives good gifts to my children and Who supplies ALL your needs. I got you. And I’ve got this. Just trust me.”

Any other response outside of a variation of ‘Yes, I will’ could be dangerous. So, let’s get rid of our pouts and our whining and start praising. Any hallelujahs anyone?

In Christ’s love and grace . . .