The last few months have left me speechless. That’s why I haven’t posted a new blog post in a while—I haven’t known what to say or how to put my emotions into words. 2020 will definitely be a year we will remember, and not necessarily with fond memories. First came the “stay at home” season for several months due to the coronavirus. Just as we were beginning to open up the economy, we moved into a season of protests after the death of George Floyd. But peaceful protests then morphed into violence, looting, and more senseless murders. It’s hard to watch the news, and I find myself asking, “God, what is happening to us?”
Perhaps you’re feeling the same way with all that’s going on in our world today. From our perspective, it seems as if we’re spiraling in a downward trajectory to a place we don’t want to be. But God continues to remind me that He is still on the throne. He hasn’t forgotten about us. He hasn’t given up on us and turned His attention elsewhere. He’s right in the middle of this with us, still on the throne.
Lately I’ve been praying David’s words from Psalm 143:8:
“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul.”
Two things to ask of God each morning:
Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning. “Lord, let me see your lovingkindness in a tangible way today—either in my own life or as I look around me. Don’t let me miss or ignore your lovingkindness today.
Teach me the way in which I should walk. “Lord, show me how to respond to today’s circumstances in a way pleasing to you.”
Two things to commit to each morning:
I trust in You. “Lord, I don’t know what tomorrow holds for us, but I can trust You because You know what tomorrow holds, and You are working according to Your sovereign plan.”
I lift up my soul. “Lord, I lift my eyes to You and pour out all the emotions, fears, disappointments, and questions that are filling my mind today. I look to You for strength to take one day at a time.”
I know God is sovereign and working in ways we can’t see. He is using this time to slow me down and draw me into a deeper intimacy with Him.
How is God working in you during this season of turmoil and change and uncertainty? Is there a Scripture you’ve been praying through during this time? I’d love to hear from you!
Dearest Crickett, It’s wonderful to see your name in my email and to hear your heart during this time of concern for our country and world. I too, have felt like it’s been a whirlwind of ups and downs, sadness and concerns, but I too, hear God clearly saying do not despair, for He rules and reigns on high and in the hearts of those who love Him.
I’ve cried out saying forgive us, have mercy, draw the lost to Yourself Lord, help me to stand firm, to share Your gospel of salvation and love. We need You, come Lord Jesus, come.
Some of the scriptures that have flooded my mind, is from Exodus and that God is leading us and covers us us. We are to be faithful and keep our eyes on Him.
Also, I have found solace in the Psalms and learning to lament deeper and trust in The midst of so much disparity.
I want to thank you for the study of your book “On Bended Knee” from last summer. It has been a blessing in my life over and over again this past year. Learning about prayer in deepening ways.
God will never leave us or forsake us,
Tina Neihardt
Tina, it’s so good to hear from you! It sounds like we’re feeling the same things, and looking to our Father. And I have also prayed, Come, Lord Jesus, come! The Psalms have definitely comforted me during this season, and I’ve gone back through the prayers of On Bended Knee over and over. I actually wrote a part 2 looking at more prayers for my Women’s Ministry Bible study this fall while we were staying home those three months. It was just what I needed. Thank you for sharing! Love hearing from you!
Thank you Crickett for your uplifting words.
Thank you, Nora, for stopping by!
Tears filled my eyes as I read your email this morning. Yes, I am there, too. The first few months were so surreal. I felt God was speaking to the world, “Repent, lest something worse come upon you!” And then it did in the rioting. I have felt that our country is falling apart. Not long ago I read Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas et al. I reflected on the parallel, life goes on with most of us clueless about the extent of the evil that is brewing. I know God is sovereign, and that is a great comfort, as are the verses I memorize, along with prayer, and songs of praise.
Deborah, thanks for sharing! These are stressful times, and He is the One who will walk us through it. We keep our eyes on Him. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Crickett, your post resonates with me so much. Thank you for sharing! In a time when so many of us are “down,” it’s encouraging in the Word to be reminded to look up, to lift our eyes, our souls. One Scripture that I’ve been going back to is Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” In fact, those verses were a huge inspiration for the chorus of the song my friend and I wrote during this quarantined season!!
Erika, thank you for sharing! And I love Psalm 121:1–2. A great reminder of where to keep our focus. It’s hard to not get discouraged and lose heart when we feel like we’ve lost all sense of normalcy. Hey, and it was a year ago next week that we met at Speak Up! So thankful for you!
I always love seeing your name in my inbox. 🙂 I’m praying that I’ll stay alert to the Holy Spirit’s promptings on ways I can reach out to others with God’s love during a time when few want to be touched. God bless you, friend!
Cathy, you always make me smile! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The prayer at the end of this post is what I needed to pray today as we navigate through this time and I wish that I could meet the financial needs of my family but I on my own cannot but God who is over everything can and so I entrust it into his hands he knows what I need and thanks to your prayer at the end I am remindt to take it to him and ask him to show me what to do. Thank you for being His voice to me today.
Thank you for sharing! I just prayed for you and asking God to give you peace and strength during these days. He knows what we need. God bless!