July 23
You know how some seasons it feels like God is far away? And then other seasons it's like he's right next you in every moment? Both sides of the spectrum are part of what it means to have faith.
Three Thoughts
One thing I love about David in the Psalms is how straight forward he is with his feelings. He says, "My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." That's the prayer of someone who knows where to go when life gets dry.
PSALM 63:1
God says, "I am doing a new thing." In that moment, inside the dryness, he was doing something new, creating streams where there weren't any beforehand. He's always moving, making a way where there isn't one.
ISAIAH 43:19
Habakkuk makes note of all the things in life that can fail, but then he says, "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD." Our joy is meant to be anchored in Jesus. Even when everything around us fails or goes away, he doesn't.
HABAKKUK 3:17-18
Two Quotes
Author Brennan Manning on grace:
"Grace abounds and walks around the edges of our everyday experience."
Missionary and Minister Adoniram Judson on the future:
"The future is as bright as the promises of God."
Prayer
Dear God, if I'm being honest with you, I feel dry right now. My verses feel like they're hitting a wall. I have no desire to read Scripture. So I ask that you would meet me here in the in-between, in the place where I can't fake it anymore. Pour out your water on me once again. In Jesus' name, amen.
Question
When God feels distant, what does it look like for you to keep showing up anyway?
P.S. YOU GUYS! I just got an email from my publisher letting me know that we sold 100k copies of "The Bible, Simplified" in the first year!! One hundred thousand people are less overwhelmed with the Bible now. PRAISE GOD! I'm so honored. If you were one of them: THANK YOU. Seriously. From the bottom of my heart.