Another chair by the window…

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

With the intensity of the circumstances down a few notches, I find myself staring out the window again. This time though, my mind is racing through the many thoughts that presented themselves over the past year… such things as Jeremiah’s promise that God’s plans are for good and not harm; or Jesus’ invitation to find rest in Him, and Paul’s words to the Philippians Believers that ‘God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 4:7). There are others, but the one that seems to push to the front this morning is this… “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalms 119:105). There have been many dark moments where fears, doubts, and anxiety crept in with the intent of blinding us to reality of God’s love. Were it not for the intensity of the light of God’s Word and His promise that Joy comes in the morning, like the rising of the ‘Day Star’, I don’t know where we would be. By His lamp glowing brightly in the darkness of our circumstances, I have learned anew the power of prayer and its capacity to crush doubt under it’s heal.

If prayer was just about changing God’s mind and getting him to take away our pain, what would we really get? Wouldn’t it just be more of the same since we are self interested and limited in our perspectives? But if in prayer we pursue His perfect will and ask for what is consistent with His name and perfect nature, wouldn’t we receive what is best and exalting to His name..? Isn’t it cool though, that God is patient with us, intently listening to the cries and fears of our hearts. In His lovingkindness, God waits as we work though what is of fear and doubt, allowing our eyes to adjust from the darkness to the light… as the Lamp of His Word shines into our lives. And as the warmth of its truth envelopes our souls, hope takes hold of our thoughts and confidence in His faithfulness consumes our minds. Then as others join in, as we have experienced these past weeks, a choir is formed and we find ourselves worshiping together; worshiping our Heavenly Father who is worthy of praise! Prayer is so much more than a shopping list of wants; it is an opportunity to participate in God’s perfect and unchanging will to redeem all men unto Himself. As the lamp of His Word shines on our circumstances, we begin to see them as ways He can reveal His love and power. As we trust His light to guide our steps, we will find ourselves moving into His presence and away from the confusion and chaos of this world. We may not understand what’s happening in the darkness that surrounds us, but we will find rest in the light that we walk in, assured that what God has promised, He will do.

I am sure there will be many more ‘chairs by the window’ in life, but what I have gained from this time is invaluable for dealing with what yet lays ahead. From this chair, I am certain that ‘prayer wins the day!’

Choose wisely…

“I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” (Psalm 119:107-112)

Praying 4 U!

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5