This week, Prayer Ministry, with the design help of Rev. Ontonio, hung a new prayer banner on Wesley Hall with the words from Romans 12:12.  This scripture offers a reflection of perseverance as it brings hope through the trials and faithfulness in prayer.

As I reflect on this verse, I am reminded of the many challenges each of us are facing and how we might use this as a guidepost for living.  In this time of being committed in our faith, we still become weary when we can’t see the full plan of God.  We keep asking the question, “God, when are we going to be on the other side of this season?” Some have said if we could see everything it would be too much for us to bear.   But some of us would like a glimpse of the road map.  
 

Be Joyful in Hope

In Romans 5:3-5 scripture reminds us:  Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…

Hope brings new life when we trust beyond what we can see. Joy and hope come when we see God at work each day in our lives.  Joy reveals itself when the darkness of our pain and difficulty gives way to the warmth and brightness of the Spirit working in us. Joy comes as we give way to the hope we find in Scripture and realize we are never alone in our journey.

Christian hope is based on a promise. It comes from a God who has a plan - and who offers specific hope to any who will respond to his love.
 

Patient in Affliction 

Being patient is certainly a tall order in any circumstance, let alone, when we are traveling through our own wilderness. Many times we want to scream when people say, “God has a plan.”  That seems like such a platitude.  Some of us want to respond by saying, “I don’t care if God has a plan!  What about my plans?  What about my goals, my dreams?  Does God care about them?  Would God like to share this little plan of his, or is it just going to be a big surprise for later?”  These are real responses but God is hoping after we cry out we will recall how He has never left us before.   His shoulders are big enough to take anything we give Him.  Our challenge is to remain steadfast in our daily walk with Him.  Trusting and being obedient to our Heavenly Father is the key in making it through these times of affliction.

The Bible has countless stories of plans not looking like they are for good but ultimately God’s plan comes to fruition.   

Here are just a few examples:

• David was promised to become the next king of Israel, but before that happened he found himself on the run from a half-crazy Saul who wanted to kill him.
  1 Samuel 21-24
• Daniel and his friends became leaders and high officials, spreading God’s word to Babylon.  First they had to be kidnapped, renamed, and face death on multiple occasions. Daniel 1:2
• Abraham offering his son, Isaac as a sacrifice. Genesis 22:1-1
• Jesus’ disciples believed they had finally found the one true Messiah, and then had to watch the Son of God be executed like a common criminal. 
  John 11:25         

Do you think there were ever moments when each of them wondered, “Does God really have a plan?”  

The truth is God really does have a plan.  We never know what tomorrow may bring, and we never know how past events, even painful ones, might be used by God to create a brighter future. Life is tough, but that does not mean God doesn’t care.  He knows what He’s doing; He’s got a plan.  

Even if we don’t understand God’s plan, we need to respond to his direction and do exactly what He directs us to do.  God gives us free will to make choices before we know the specific details of His plan. That’s because part of his plan is to develop in us a trust – where we trust God’s character completely believing that His will is the best plan for our life and He will strengthen us to do all the things He asks.  He is looking for our commitment even before we know what we are supposed to do. God teaches us to walk in faith not by sight and just take the next step with Him.

Faithful in Prayer

Do you pray only when you need something, when you feel like it or have the time?  Faithfulness in prayer means praying regularly and often.  Our prayers should be saturated with praise and thanksgiving to the Father.  It is a time to commune with Him by both talking and listening.  God hears our prayers and He answers them.  Maybe it’s not in the way we want or desire but He does answer.  He can see the overall plan so everything He does, He does for our good.  The way to a heart change is through prayer.
 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your guidance in our daily walk.  Help us to trust in your ultimate plan for our lives.  In Christ’s Name, Amen

My love and prayers,
Ann