Discovering the Power of God’s Promises: A 6-Day Devotional Plan for the New SeasonНамуна

DAY TWO – SEED

Trusting God after disappointment is a challenge we all must face to one degree or another throughout our lives. Disappointment can easily cause us to blame God and question his love for us. If he cared, why didn’t he stop what was causing such deep pain? Where was he when I needed him the most?

These questions left to germinate will poison the soil of our hearts. If we want freedom, then at some point we must address them and come to a place of trust within the unanswerable. Once we can do that, we have matured our faith to believe for the unbelievable.

When I am mentoring people, I encourage them to get very honest with God: tell him your greatest struggle, fears, disappointments or sin. Invite him in to the pain and then allow the Holy Spirit to show you a way out by the power of the Word and the purity of his presence. Shame has no place in freedom and only in the light can we break what tries to destroy us in the dark. It may happen overnight or it may be a journey you take with him for a season; either way, trust him to bring breakthrough because it is there that the foundation of trust can solidify into an immovable faith.

Throughout the Bible we see the safety of Jesus bringing freedom to many who were caught in sin or struggling with despair. He was the Rabbi who allowed a prostitute to kiss his feet and wash them with her tears; Jesus was unmoved by her sin but deeply moved by her love. He was also the one touched by the (unclean) woman with the issue of blood; again, he was unmoved by her sickness but deeply moved by her faith.

Knowing what moves, and what doesn’t move, the Lord is crucial to walking in freedom. One thing is for certain: he is moved by our faith, not by our fear.

Two other women who overcame their disappointment and fear are Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. Elizabeth waited years to hold her miracle and Mary waited years to understand her miracle. They also both carried pain and unanswered questions in their lives, but neither pain nor confusion kept them from obedience.

What do you need to bring to Jesus today?

Reflect: How has trusting God in the past strengthened your ability to trust him in the present? In this season would you relate more with Elizabeth or Mary? Why?