I used to have a Siamese cat named Princess. Although this cat had many special
qualities, what I found to be really special about her was her empathy.
If I arrived home in a good mood and didn't notice her greeting me, I could call
her to my heart's content, and it would be like I didn't even own a cat. I could
stand on my head and stick out my tongue, and she would never appear. If I
opened a can of cat food however, that was a different story! She would
miraculously materialize out of nowhere, purring loud enough for all of the
neighbors to hear. Yes, cats can be quite independent in their own, loving ways!
If I came home depressed it was a totally different story! As I would sack down
on my sofa to mull over my problems, it was guaranteed that she would appear out
of nowhere to jump up on my lap, to rub her head against my hands, purring to
her heart's content. She would do anything to cheer me up. Anything except
refuse her canned cat food, that is! What was interesting was that sometimes I
would become so involved in my problems or I would get so busy thinking up
potential solutions, that I wouldn't even notice her on my lap. It was like I
had totally blocked out her presence. Only when I stood up and heard the plop of
a heavy body landing on the floor would I realize that my feline friend had been
with me all of the time.
I wonder if this is why we are sometimes unaware of God's presence when we are
in the midst of trials. Do we become so preoccupied with our circumstances that
we fail to realize He is there? Are out thoughts so far away from God, that we
can't even hear His voice?
Have you noticed that Job couldn't hear God in the midst of his trials either?
"If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would
state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments." (Job 23:3-4 NIV)
However, God was with him all of the time! The reason why it doesn't seem like
God appears until the end of the book is because it is only then that Job began
to focus on God instead of on his discouraging friends and depressing
circumstances!
David had many dark periods to his life, yet he discovered that his Heavily
Father was always there for him, even in his darkest hours: "If I go up to the
heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise
on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there
your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely
the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the
darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for
darkness is as light to you." (Ps 139:8-12 NIV)
This is why God's Word encourages us to always wait for the Lord. In all reality
it is God patiently waiting for us to finally perceive His voice!
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land
of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the
LORD." (Ps 27:13-14 NIV)
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts
rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." (Ps 33:20-21 NIV)
"I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God." (Ps 38:15 NIV)
"I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I
will put my trust in him." (Isa 8:17 NIV)
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason
I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might
display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him
and receive eternal life." (1 Tim 1:15-17 NIV)
"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation." (2 Peter 3:15 NIV)
Do you ever feel alone, rejected and despised? Reach out to the Lord and wait
for Him. Turn your thoughts away from your immediate situation and concentrate
on the One whose love for you is unfailing. Try to perceive His voice. Ask for
His help, for His perspective on the situation. You are guaranteed to find rest!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
(Matt 11:28 NIV)
P. S. If you have a cat who never greets you at the door, consider stocking up
on canned gourmet dinners. Those will do wonders for changing his behavior!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.