ODB: An Overcoming Faith

Eat, Our Daily Bread | January 3, 2011 12:03 am

January 3, 2011 


In prayer, it’s better to have a heart without words than words without heart.

 

READ: 1 Samuel 1:1-18 

I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. —Psalm 3:4 

Few things disable new workers on a job like criticism from veterans. Good hiring managers know to protect new employees by surrounding them with mentors willing to shield them from unnecessary barbs.

Hannah is a mentor to us in dealing with criticism and deep desires of the heart (1 Sam. 1:1-18). Surrounded by a husband who didn’t understand, a taunting peer, and an overly judgmental clergyman, Hannah found a way through the fog by confiding in God (v.10). While we now know God answered the prayer of Hannah’s heart by giving her a child, we don’t know for sure if Eli’s blessing was a wish or a promise from God (v.17). I think her no-longer-sad face came most of all because she gained peace from confiding in Him.

We were created to be in relationship with God; and when we take that relationship to an intimate level, it bonds us not only to His presence but also to His strength. Prayers that express our hurts and emotions are most assuredly welcomed by God because they demonstrate our trust in Him. We will often find perspective, and nearly always come away comforted, knowing we’ve entrusted the things that are troubling us—whether criticism or deep desires—to the One who is best able to sort through them.

— Randy Kilgore

Source: Our Daily Bread

Tags: ,

Leave a Comment

Related

ODJ: that special
0

ODJ: that special

April 4, 2010 Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (v.14).  READ: Luke 18:9-14 My mother is one of the most quotable people I 
 know. Her quips usually make us laugh while 
 poking us with a bit of truth. For example, when one of us spouts [...]

Published on April 4, 2010 12:02 am
ODJ: simple
0

ODJ: simple

July 1, 2010 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him (16:9).
  READ: 2 Chronicles 15:16-16:9 Life seems so much simpler in the Old Testament. 
 Obey God = get blessed. Don’t obey Him = expect 
 trouble. It’s a simple theology that [...]

Published on July 1, 2010 12:02 am
ODJ: sacred sickness
0

ODJ: sacred sickness

October 4, 2010 [God] Himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt (v.15).  READ: Isaiah 38:15-16 So here I sit in my sweatpants. Not exactly the 
 corporate casual attire we’re supposed to wear in 
 the office. That’s because—due to sickness—I’ve been out of [...]

Published on October 4, 2010 12:02 am
ODJ: feel
4

ODJ: feel

February 7, 2011 We don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (Romans 8:26).  READ: Proverbs 3:1-8 My friend has a habit of asking God for signs. In doing so, His prayers tend to seek confirmation of his feelings, as [...]

Published on February 7, 2011 12:02 am