Weekday Devotionals
Written by Brenda Nidiffer
"Waiting on Your Miracle"
This past Sunday as Pastor Pete preached on praying for healing, I was blessed to have a “back row” view of the moment he opened up the service for people to come forward to be prayed over. Normally, I’m not a big fan of being in the back as I get distracted easily, but on this particular Sunday, it was very touching to see so many make their way to the front of the auditorium to be prayed over by our elders. Some I knew of their story, some I did not, but the one constant I witnessed was how each and every individual exhibited courage and humility in that moment as they shared their story and need for healing in their life. I have no doubt God’s heart was moved during such a special expression of faith and trust in his ability to heal. Our Jehovah Rapha was present and working in ways only He is capable of.
I am expectantly waiting to hear the testimonies that will be shared as a result of this past Sunday. But what happens in the meantime? What happens in the waiting? For some, they may have experienced an immediate healing, for others it may take longer, and for some they may feel like their healing may never come. No one completely understands God’s timing or why some are healed here on earth and others not until they are at home in heaven. I have struggled with this reality myself at times. I can catch myself becoming weighed down and discouraged as I continue to pray and the answer doesn’t come.
So, what do we do as we wait? God has made us many promises on this.
First off, God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We may not know what the journey to healing may look or feel like, but the one thing we can rest assured in is the fact that we are not in the fight alone. Our Heavenly Father is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He is fighting on your behalf. Exodus 14:14 reads, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Wow! I don’t know about you, but when I am faced with any type of challenge, specifically a health challenge, the last thing I tend to want to do is be still. I want to fight it, figure out how to solve it, come up with a game plan of attack, but God tells us to simply be still in His presence, in His perfect peace, in His perfect strength and He will battle the storm for and with us.
Many in our church family and immediate families are in need of God’s healing. Whether the need for healing is physical, mental, relational, financial…the list goes on. God knows exactly what you are walking through. He knows your pain and sees every tear (Psalm 56:8). My heart has been heavy lately hearing the news of yet another cancer diagnosis, another marriage falling apart, the mental battles so many are fighting right now. As we all come together as a church family to fight in prayer for those so dear to us, the truth of God’s word is a constant source of comfort and peace as we wait on every miracle God has in store to unfold. There are so many promises, but just wanted to close with sharing a few of my favorites. My prayer is that God will use them to encourage and strengthen those walking through their very own journey to healing.
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalms 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Praying and Expectantly Waiting on Him!
Much Love,
Brenda
"Waiting on Your Miracle"
This past Sunday as Pastor Pete preached on praying for healing, I was blessed to have a “back row” view of the moment he opened up the service for people to come forward to be prayed over. Normally, I’m not a big fan of being in the back as I get distracted easily, but on this particular Sunday, it was very touching to see so many make their way to the front of the auditorium to be prayed over by our elders. Some I knew of their story, some I did not, but the one constant I witnessed was how each and every individual exhibited courage and humility in that moment as they shared their story and need for healing in their life. I have no doubt God’s heart was moved during such a special expression of faith and trust in his ability to heal. Our Jehovah Rapha was present and working in ways only He is capable of.
I am expectantly waiting to hear the testimonies that will be shared as a result of this past Sunday. But what happens in the meantime? What happens in the waiting? For some, they may have experienced an immediate healing, for others it may take longer, and for some they may feel like their healing may never come. No one completely understands God’s timing or why some are healed here on earth and others not until they are at home in heaven. I have struggled with this reality myself at times. I can catch myself becoming weighed down and discouraged as I continue to pray and the answer doesn’t come.
So, what do we do as we wait? God has made us many promises on this.
First off, God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We may not know what the journey to healing may look or feel like, but the one thing we can rest assured in is the fact that we are not in the fight alone. Our Heavenly Father is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He is fighting on your behalf. Exodus 14:14 reads, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Wow! I don’t know about you, but when I am faced with any type of challenge, specifically a health challenge, the last thing I tend to want to do is be still. I want to fight it, figure out how to solve it, come up with a game plan of attack, but God tells us to simply be still in His presence, in His perfect peace, in His perfect strength and He will battle the storm for and with us.
Many in our church family and immediate families are in need of God’s healing. Whether the need for healing is physical, mental, relational, financial…the list goes on. God knows exactly what you are walking through. He knows your pain and sees every tear (Psalm 56:8). My heart has been heavy lately hearing the news of yet another cancer diagnosis, another marriage falling apart, the mental battles so many are fighting right now. As we all come together as a church family to fight in prayer for those so dear to us, the truth of God’s word is a constant source of comfort and peace as we wait on every miracle God has in store to unfold. There are so many promises, but just wanted to close with sharing a few of my favorites. My prayer is that God will use them to encourage and strengthen those walking through their very own journey to healing.
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalms 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Praying and Expectantly Waiting on Him!
Much Love,
Brenda
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