Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

• Hebrews 5:7-9

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

• Mark 14:36

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

• Hebrews 2:14-18

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

• Hebrews 3:1

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

• Proverbs 13:12

“Few things affect me more than being disappointed by those people who love me.
“But being disappointed by the fact that God doesn’t seem to be showing up during times of my greatest need?
“That wrecks my soul.
“It’s not that I expect God to fix everything about my situation. But I do expect Him to do something.
“I kept picturing Him standing beside my bed seeing my anguish, watching my body writhing in pain, hearing my cries but making the choice to do nothing. And I couldn’t reconcile that. It’s the same thing that happens when I hear of a baby being stillborn. Or a young mother dying of cancer. Or a teenager committing suicide. Or someone suffering in a refugee camp. Or people starving in a third-world country.
“Where are You, God?
“I mean, even humans with the slightest bit of compassion are compelled to do something to help another person in deep distress and pain.”

• Lysa TerKeurst, It’s Not Supposed to be this Way

Lysa TerKeurst sets the table in a chapter that is entitled “But How Do I Get Through the Next 86,400 Seconds?”  For those that math is not their best arrow in the quiver, 86,400 seconds is one day, 24 hours.  Even in our suffering and/or disappointments, we tend to make them seem more of a challenge than they are.  That does not belittle the challenge, but thinking of surviving until this time tomorrow seems to be something doable, maybe tough, maybe painful, but doable.  But surviving 86,400 seconds?!  Come on!  Maybe a few hundred.  Seconds are kinda small, but 86,400?!?!?!  No WAY!!

But that sets the table for what we should do.  What should our reaction be when we had something great planned and what we have in our hands, if anything at all, is dust.  A pile of dust in our hands, and the weather report is that it will be windy today.

We pray.

Does that mean we get an immediate answer in a big envelope, attached to a teddy bear, flowers, and a box of chocolates?

Ummm.  Did you read her quote?  We might already be in the mood of “God, where are you?” when this fallen world gives us a mighty blow.  And it may feel like God has already deserted us to be in this trial in the first place.

But we go to God in prayer because is there truly anywhere else to turn?  Other people have their own troubles.

When I have gone to God at such times, I start off the prayer with “Hey, God, this is not fair!”  Then, the prayer turns to “Oh, wait a minute.  I said the wrong thing to a friend yesterday.  …  I haven’t called this particular loved one in over a month.  …  I got really angry at that guy who cut me off in traffic, and I called him an idiot.  …  Oh, please, God, I am your child, but I make mistakes.  Please forgive me.”  And I end the prayer with “God, I know I deserve this test.  I am yours.  I screw up, but I know you have forgiven me.  Regardless of how long the pain will last, you are still my God, and you are the great healer, whether it is physical pain, financial pain, or trouble with my neighbors.  Guide me to the other side of this trial.  I cannot do it without you.”

Righteous indignation, as we face trials, might be a normal reaction at times, but trials, tribulations, troubles, and disappointments should make us look inwardly.  The best way to see in an inward direction is to open ourselves up before God.  Does God answer our prayer immediately?  Rarely. But He answers His prayer for us very quickly.  He humbles us, and He communicates with us to show us a more accurate picture of ourselves than we see in us at a glance.

Now, as we continue to pray, meek and lowly, we plead before God to bring about an answer to that prayer.

Now, we are in a better frame of mind to accept that answer.  Now we know that the answer cannot be with our strength, but through a sovereign God.

Lord, guide me. My wife was the loving person who kicked me in the shin when I said something I should not say.  Now, she is gone.  Did that verbal blunder cause the trouble I am now in?  Maybe not, but it did not improve the situation.  We have our troubles, some self-inflicted, many not so, but we live in a fallen world that has its own troubles.  We come to You, Lord, for You are our only source of strength, our only source of comfort and peace, and our only source of Truth.  You are Truth, the only source that can make sense out of the insanity of this world.  Only through You can we endure to the other side.  In Your name I pray.  Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.