Every once in a while in life it seems like there are more questions than answers and more chaos than peace. Lately it seems like the questions and chaos are stronger than I have seen before, and not just in my own life, but in the lives of so many people around me.
In the past month, a friend of mine lost his brother to suicide, another friend is loosing their house to the poor economy, another loosing a business, and all loosing faith. Not only is their faith suffering, but because of the difficult times, their marriages are suffering, their children are suffering, their friendships are suffering, and even their hope has all but disappeared. And all of these people are Christians. All of these friends have at one point or another been on their face in front of God begging for answers.
I don’t begin to think that I have answers, and I am realizing that I have just as many questions, today as anyone else, but I am realizing that maybe we aren’t supposed to have answers. No one had answers on this day years ago after Christ was killed on Friday, and had yet to rise. What did they think the day between? The “Saturday”? Did those close to Jesus even have the ability to pray? And if so, who were they feel like they were praying to? Everything they had ever believed had been shaken to the ground and there were no answers. How many of us are experiencing “Saturday” today? How many of us are looking to the sky for answers and hearing nothing but the quiet?
The only thing we can do is keep that strand of hope that is “Sunday” and know that things have to change. Anyone else already experienced “Saturday” and made it through to “Sunday”? I know there are plenty of people reading this that need to hear what “Sunday” is like.
RSS
I don’t have the answers..but I have the same questions. We both asked the same questions today. I think verse 9 holds a clue…on my blog…
Camel Rider
Great thoughts Brody!
“Saturday” days are tough. Really tough. And I can relate, right now, to everyone of those situations you mentioned above. It feels crazy when you or the people around you are hurting. Lying on their faces screaming at a silent God for answers. Crazy. And unexplainable. I have had so many “Saturday” type days, weeks, and months in my life. Just last year I went through one of the darkest seasons I have ever experienced and it scared the hell out of me. And every now and then it can creep back in my head and try to present itself. But, I know that the “Sunday” will come. I don’t know how or when, but I do know for sure that one day it will. And probably not on my terms, but on Gods. On a mysterious Gods terms that I cannot figure out for the life of me.
Maybe we should, as a group, really devote ourselves to prayer, for the weeks to come. Pray for one another and those that are suffering around us. It gets dark sometimes. Every time it gets dark I think about one of my favorite sayings of Doctor King. “Maybe it’s not that the dark is to dark….but that the light is to dim.”
Powerful.
Dear Brody and fellow bloggers, I believe “Sunday” is already here AND God is not silent. At times we question Him for answers, but we must remember who is in charge–GOD. He is able to give us a yes, no and wait answer; resting in Him for our every care (yes, I know easier said than done) gives us His peace that passes all understanding. Indeed, we may not understand all, but one thing stems true, HE DOES. Therefore, even in the valley, may we praise Him because He is good and gracious.
By the way, I recently wrote a review about “When Answers Aren’t Enough” by Matt Rogers. Indeed Matt is human, but we can learn from one another…Thanks for this reminder and VERY crucial post Brody because I am certain a lot of us ask Him “why bad things happen to good people if He is so good…” Oh, I have lots to write, but I pray He will be the one to move my hands…I just encouraged my dad because he is currently in the “valley” with, “this too shall pass.” Every moment on earth matters—we can feel sorry for ourselves or blame God, but it is more meaningful to keep looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Folks, I do not love the hardships of life and would not ask that upon anyone, but it is so very rewarding and amazing because He is always with us and makes our faith ever stronger. I love the way God moves…please be encouraged and remember He forewarned us of this trying times because we are on earth where the enemy roams about seeking whom he may devour. HOWEVER, because He lives we can indeed face tomorrow. Victory is ours and YES God is good even in the darkest hours.
May we continue to stand on the solid Rock and not on sinking sand (Matthew 7:24)for He who has began a good work in each and every one of us will surely complete it (Philippians 1:6) it is a matter of having faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6) and never losing sight of Him (Matthew 6:33). He never sleeps (Psalm 121:3)!
He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent!! Unlike the devil and other forms of principalities, etc (Ephesians 6), He is everywhere and tackling ALL issues on our behalf.
So my dear siblings in Christ, I pray we would breathe every breath truly expecting Him to move like never before. We are as children expecting out Father to give us the very best and even in the darkest hour, may we not lose hope; rather may we praise Him and thank Him for He is good.
Psalm 25
[15] My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
[20] Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
[21] Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.
Psalm 62
[5] My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
[6] He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
[7] In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
[8] Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
[9] Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter vapor.
[10] Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
[11] God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.
[12] Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.
Give Him your EVERYTHING for He is not slack concerning ALL His promises (2 Peter 3:9). Now, if this were to be your last breath (and this is not to scare you, but it is reality), where do you see yourself–with Him or without. My point is He is good even when we are not. He took our place on the cross—thus I pray we find Him as our confidence and again, remain encouraged for He never tires of hearing our prayers and when we are weak, He is strong; when we lack, He never fails to provides; when we think we know and stumble, He still welcomes us (Luke 15).
It is finished sibs in Christ, as He cried out!!! It is finished and this world is not our home…all that His beloved children go through are temporary…I pray we would remain in Him always (John 15) for His love and demonstration on the cross of Calvary breaks me up and places urgency in my heart, to continue pressing on in being a Jesus freak–because He is the one element molding us into men and women after His heart not us. I pray that He will remain with us just as He was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego… (Daniel 3) for He delivers like no one.
Daniel 6:27
He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Come what may, our hope lies in Him:
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
May we always bring Him praise because He has won our hearts…
What gets me through Saturdays is the knowledge of GOD’s grace and mercy. Realizing that this world is broken but in all of that he still loves me and cares for me.
Knowing that he still loves me, and coming to a place where I can honestly say I love him back despite the circumstances I am in. For some reason, that helps me get through my Saturdays.
Please pray for my brothers. They’re going through some Saturdays right now as well, and the way they’re handling it doesn’t seem very beneficial to them.
Brody - Experiencing “Saturday,” what a wonderful title. The Lord gave you this post and I really appreciate your obedience and heart in putting it up for so many to be blessed. As several have mentioned prayer needs in response, I am praying for those specifically.
Most certainly all of us will “experience Saturdays” in our lives on this Earth. I too have, do, and am gifted with many “Saturday” experiences. True that when Sunday comes how sweet it is. New life given, hope restored. However, on my journey Jesus is patiently teaching me that my “Saturdays” (my valleys) are of far richer value than my Sundays (my mountaintops) ever will be. It is in my “Saturdays” that God cleanses my spirit, strengthens my faith, equips me for service, and conforms me to my Savior’s likeness. He lovingly reminds me time and time again that no adversity I face need be without purpose. My Father calls to me, “Beloved child… I see your pain. I hear your cries. I have not left you. In these times, cling tight to Me and cherish your relationship with Me. Don’t turn from Me nor blame Me. Lean into Me. Steep yourself in My Word. Fall on Me. I love you, I died for you.”
God is so gracious to us and never tires of reaffirming that He ultimately knows how much we can bear in with Him. Pslams 103: 13, 14 tells us “The Lord is like a Father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust.” Admittedly, some “Saturdays” I read that and weep before the Lord. My heart is broken God. I am so weak I can’t go on. Others, frustration hollers out to come on already, bring on the compassion and tenderness asap. Yet, He hears me and mercifully calls my name. He promises He will fulfill His purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to save me, rescuing me…My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 58:2,3)
Yes, Sundays are blessed. Glorious joy and precious rest abound in them. We dance in Jesus’ majesty. But, on “Saturday” do not forget, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, 19) He has not abandoned us. “Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14) There is purpose in our pain. Be encouraged, “Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:35, 36)
As we experience Saturdays let us remember something… our ETERNAL SUNDAY is coming!!! Praise God
P.S.
I would be humbled and grateful to join in lifting up prayer requests from others to God as I know so many have done and continue to do for me throughout my life. I would invite anyone who feels led, to on the prayer request/praise report page at http://melodythefuneralofmyindependence.wordpress.com
In Christ - Melody Milbrandt