Friday, July 26, 2013

He's Listening!


 
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but your do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

Have you ever sometimes felt forgotten, or felt that maybe God is too busy to answer your cry for help? I am pretty sure we have all been there; we may earnestly pursue help or an answer from Him, but in return only sense His silence…or so it seems. It can be defeating, discouraging, and lonely. Just like Habakkuk, we may complain vigorously to God about a situation or hardship, but I think that God’s answer to him would be the same answer he would give to us, “if it seems slow in coming, we have to wait patiently because it will surely take place!” It’s not easy to wait, especially when we think God is being silent, but as I am sure most of us have learned in the past, our impatience only gets in the way of what He plans to do with us. In the end, we know that God is in control, and we must wait patiently for Him to answer and to act.

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

We humans have a difficult time waiting; why wait…why not now? We want instant gratification, and we want it in this moment! We expect instant answers without the discipline of waiting for God’s timing. Even though God may seem silent in regards to a specific appeal or request, we must remember that He is always in a constant state of communication with us. It might not be time for God to reveal the answer or solution to our problem, but we have to trust God even in His silence, because His delays aren’t necessarily His denials. One thing I have certainly learned is that God does answer prayers and requests but not always immediately or in the way I think they should be answered; but I have also learned not to question or doubt His wisdom or timing. We do not fully understand why God makes us wait, and we don’t always see the sign of God’s power while we are waiting. But we do know that He has a purpose in our waiting, and we can be assured that He is going to show up when the solution or request seems hopeless, or even impossible!

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:18)


We have a choice as we go through troubles, painful circumstances, and even God’s apparent silence. It starts with trust and faith; if we trust Him and wait patiently, He will answer us. And just like Habakkuk, we must choose to wait patiently and trust in Him even in His silence. Even through the various troubles and events of the evil world, Habakkuk chose to be joyful and rejoice in the Lord. His heart was filled with joy, not with bitterness, anger, or resentment.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

 
Just because God seems silent, we should never doubt Him or stop praying. His silence is an invitation to press on and seek Him more persistently. He is in control, and hears our cries for help, and He waits for the perfect time to speak. We cannot see all that God is doing, or see all that He will do, but we can be assured that He will answer us when the time is right. And even though it’s not easy to wait when God is silent, experience tells us the wait is worth it. We can leave all of our doubts behind, because we know that our relationship with Him can give us inner energy and strength that can sustain us. Our true happiness lies in resting in His will, in His loving arms, and in His perfect timing.




Joining Wanda from: http://wateredsoul.com/
to share His love with this inspirational read from Chelle:
http://redeemedrenewedtransformed.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-edge.html

and linking up with these wonderful blogs this week:
 
 

USE this for BLOG
PROWESS AND PEARLS

 
 

30 comments:

  1. Can't tell you just how many times I've sang David's hymn of how long oh Lord. God must think I"m a broken record at times, lol. Even though He doesn't always respond when I like, I know His ears are ever open to my voice even amongst all the other voices. Thanks for linking up today for The Friday Five Fellowship Denise. May continue to shine brightly my friend.

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    1. Thanks Wanda; it was my pleasure! Yes; I can only imagine God's expression when I am (once again!) impatient and ask why wait, I want it now! Ha! Blessings girlfriend!

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  2. Dear Denise
    Oh, that little word "yet". How hard it is at times to rejoice in our Lord when the going gets tough and the tough seems to have no plans to get going. I think the secret lies in the abiding in our Lord Jesus, for He said that without Him we can do nothing; not even having a thankful heart!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Yes Mia; love what you shared. We can never give up or lose hope when we are waiting for an answer or solution! Blessings and love sweet sister!

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  3. A great post, Denise. Some of the best lessons I've learned in life have come during times of waiting on God or times when He is silent.

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    1. I continue to learn every day Peggy; thankfully I continue to mature and grasp His perfect timing! Blessings and hugs friend!

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  4. Beautiful word. Thanks for this reminder.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by; have a wonderful weekend full of joy and His amazing grace!

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  5. This is beautiful! So refreshing and true! Visiting from The Weekend Brew!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Karilee; it's always such a blessing to meet someone new! Have a blessed day! :)

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  6. God is listening, watching, speaking all in his time. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments.

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  7. Thank you for this blog. With this writing you zomes close to the lives of others. Because, we all struggle sometimes with a God Who does not speak (we think) And how hard is it to wait if the need is great. Thank you for this wonderful encouragement.

    In summer I blog here: http://sieraadvooras.blogspot.nl/

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    1. Thanks sweet sister; will over to read your other blog; had no idea you had another! :) Blessings!

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  8. I heard truth the other day, when Christ was on the Cross and said, "Father why have you forsaken me?" God never answered Him why. But, I am sure God was listening to His Son. Wo---

    Thanks Denise for sharing. Hugs.

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    1. I have no doubt my friend...blessings Grace!

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  9. That is very true to say that waiting is a discipline...and just like with any discipline, it must be learned and practiced in order to be called a discipline.

    Blessings and hugs~ Lisa

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  10. Praise God that He hears us, that He works all things together for our good, and that His timing is always perfect. Thanks for the beautiful post, and God bless you & your ministry.
    Laurie

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    1. Praise God indeed Laurie; we are blessed with His od bless your week! :)

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  11. Beautiful words. How many times do I feel like He is not listening to me when He is really trying to clean up the mess I often make! He does listen and He wants us to listen to Him! Nice post today and I appreciate your words.

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    1. Oh yes; He has cleaned up many of mine! Thanks for stopping by~blessings!

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  12. How true! I know God hears and answers my prayers. However, they are always in His timing and in His perfect way. The answers aren't always what I hoped but they are always the best.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. Yes; in the end they DO always turn out to be the best Debbie! :) Blessings sweet friend!

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  13. What a beautiful blog and important message here Denise!! So lovely to meet you! Stopping by from PYHO!

    I know my greatest test of faith is in the waiting... but oh how my history shows He is Faithful! Sometimes the waiting is the answer. Truly!

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    1. It is a test, and one I sometimes fail to respond to immediately! But the end results are always a blessing...glad to meet you too! :) Blessings!

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  14. Thank you for this, Denise! I love the line...His delays aren't necessarily his denials. Great reminder!

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    1. Thanks Susan; have a blessed and joyful weekend!

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  15. Denise - Not sure why..but your caption really struck me today! "Burn through me...refine me!" Oh how that is my heart prayer! How that is my heart cry that we wouldn't be left here, but be changes, molded, formed into His imagine. Still so often, that requires a burning away of the dross..doesn't it my friend! Thanks for a great post & for your part at UNITE! ~ Jen

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    1. Oh; my passion and desire for years Jen! I am glad it impacted you too! :)Blessings and love sweet friend!

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