What if That Distress Was God's Mercy?

 

What if That Distress Was God's Mercy?

What if that distress was the Lord's way of extending a hand of mercy? 

What if the enemy and adversary are a means for God to draw us closer to Him? 

The common question that floods most Gen Z is why do I need God in my life? "I've got everything figured out." But is this really true?

There are times the world refers to God as not merciful enough or maybe He doesn't really care about humanity, as it was said about Him, but this was God's response to the Israelites' plight in the Judges. 

Judges 2:19-22 AMP

20 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and He said, Because this people have transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers and have not listened to My voice,

21 I from now on will also not drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died,

22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.

The Lord had already given His word to the Israelites. He would drive away the occupants of Canaan land for His beloved people, but when His beloved people found comfort, they sought not the Lord who had delivered them. The Lord saw that whenever the people became comfortable and far from their adversary, He became an abandoned God.

God had ultimate provision in the plan. Protection wasn't neglected. Favor and whatsoever we desire, but God wants us first. He doesn't want to lose us to the gods of the world. He wants us to constantly converse with Him.

God meant it when He said He would give us rest, but there are times we become business people with God. We make Him a trader. We pray because there is a need; we seek Him because He would be "able to get us our wants and needs."

At first, when I began praying and fasting at the beginning of 2024, it was because I needed help, and I just felt God would be the only one to do that, so I kept on praying. When it took time, and the job wasn't coming through, I became bitter, and there were days I wouldn't pray or study His word.

When we pray, do we see it as a means to communicate with God, or just a way to get our needs met? 

Do we seek Him only when we're in trouble, or do we delight in His presence, asking Him, "How are you, Abba?"

And so, instead of asking the "why's, when, how," we just press in Him, to seek Him because He had said in Jeremiah 29:13, "You would find me if you seek me with all of your heart." 

What would happen if we pressed into seeking God, not just for our needs, but for who He is?

Let's ask Him, "How are you, Abba?" and see how our lives transform.

Stay Revived!