I’m reading the book of Exodus this morning. It’s almost comical how the children of Israel vacillated between two opinions: “God is good” and “Why did you bring us out here to die?”
The children of Israel had a victim mentality.
It’s easy to read Exodus and judge the Children of Israel. They had seen the plaques, the parting of the sea, the cloud and fire guiding them, the water from a rock, daily manna and yet still questioned the goodness of God and the power of God to lead them into the promise land.
But we are not that different from the Children of Israel. We have read about God’s miraculous acts. We have experienced first hand his miraculous provision, healing, and salvation. Yet when things are difficult, we can resort to the same question, “Why did you bring us here to die?” (Okay, maybe we are not that dramatic.)
In 2020, I want to shed any alliances I have with victimhood. I no longer want to vacillate between two opinions. This is my prayer:
“Father, You are good and I am loved by you. Allow this truth to be the filter which I judge my circumstances. When trials come my way, let me not see them as an indication of lack on my part or yours. Let me see them as another opportunity to see your faithfulness, your love, and your majesty in my life.
Give me faith to see what you are doing in God times and bad.
Give me wisdom to know how to pray from a standpoint of victory.
Open my eyes to see the cloud and the fire leading me to victory.
Give me a prophetic word when anxiousness and worry are knocking at the door.
Give me clarity in confusion.
Give me a dance when I walk through the wilderness.
Give me strength not to run when things get hard.
Give me faith not to complain when I can’t see the outcome.
Give me fortitude not to give up or give in when others abandon.
Give me a song of praise when the spirit of heaviness tries to come upon me.
Give me a shout of victory when it seems as if I’m losing the battle.
Lord in those times that seems the darkest, give me wisdom not to accuse you, not to wonder if you have abandoned me but grant me greater intimacy with you. Let me experience a deeper depth with you in the trial.
Like Paul prayed, I pray. “I want to know know you and the power of your resurrection.”
In 2020, I will no longer want to vacillate between two opinions. No matter what comes my way, I will stand on the truth: God is good and I am loved. Amen.”
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4 NIVThank