Dave’s Monday Blast – June 25, 2018

I just returned from an annual trip to Northern Nevada where my son and I connect with other guys around the Word and an appreciation of the 2nd amendment . We congregate in a huge canyon in the Black Rock Dessert next to a reliable spring. It is a very remote, and at times an unpredictable environment; it was however, predictably hot, windy, dirty and an absolute blast.

A friend of mine allowed me to use his night vision scope (Thermal Optic). What an amazing tool! The ability to see “clearly” in the dark reminded me of the advantage of living by faith. When we can not clearly see the path before us, it can create a sense of insecurity and uncertainty. If unchecked, it can lead to anxiety, depression and fear. The solution is found in relationship with our Heavenly Father.

If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord “hoping” He will hear us and answer our requests, but we’re just not sure He will. With this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him.

Charles Stanley comments, “One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf…arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts, and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.”

Another cause for uncertainty is ignorance. If we don’t know God’s ways, we will be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.

To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. This INTENTIONAL process is a bit like using that Thermal Optic; it allows you to see circumstances through anther set of eyes…God’s eyes. When we use His eyes we begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in our lives and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspective, faith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers.