Daily Journal: 24 March

Do Not Be Deterred

I carry things deep within my heart that I’ve waited on God for, for years. Things that go beyond a renewing, to a rebuilding. Things that go beyond perceiving, to actuality.

Continually, I bring my reminders to God. Continually, I determine to be thankful that even though I haven’t seen what I trust God for, one day I will see His undeniable, miracle working power in my life.

It can be a battle to continue persevering in hope.

Proverbs 13:12 (AMP)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Others around me see their desire fulfilled, their lives changed, and I celebrate with them. Yet, still I wait. Of course, the question arises, is it just me? Have I perceived incorrectly? Am I doing something wrong? There’s a bitterness that is pounding on the door of my heart demanding to enter. Why not us, too?

As doubts arise, I bring them all to God again and lay them down. Again, I remember that God is good in every situation. He carries us through our obstacles. I have His heart and He has mine.

God is always my refuge. He is my strong tower. He is the light of my salvation. He has proven Himself again and again. What more do I need? The things of this world will pass away yet I know He is looking after us. He has never let us down. We walk through life shielded against evil and I am comforted against the attack of bitterness. So, I choose not to let the longings of my heart become more important than the longing for my Saviour.

Ezra 9:8-9 (TLB)

But now we have been given a moment of peace, for you have permitted a few of us to return to Jerusalem from our exile. You have given us a moment of joy and new life in our slavery. For we were slaves, but in your love and mercy you did not abandon us to slavery; instead, you caused the kings of Persia to be favourable to us. They have even given us their assistance in rebuilding the Temple of our God and in giving us Jerusalem as a walled city in Judah.

It seems strange to take comfort from an old testament passage about the Israelites years of slavery and God’s relief in providing them a way to return to their homeland and begin repairs on their city. Yet there it is. Even though I haven’t come into a new place, we have been given a moment of peace. We are given moments of joy and see God’s hand in our life despite remaining in the same situation for years on end. Wanting to move but being unable to. In God’s love and mercy He has not abandoned us to this place. He gives us favour in our situation and has Himself become our walled city. Extensive repairs have been done on our foundation and excavation has taken place, spiritually.

I may not have seen yet the things I perceive God has promised to me here and now, but I am establishing myself in Him and He covers our household with a faithfulness that I hide in. That is worth everything.

If you relate, praise God today. Establish yourself in Him with unwavering resolve. Do not be deterred as you follow after the dreams God has placed in your heart.

Psalm 119:114 (NIV)

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.