Sometimes it feels as though we are a people crying to the LORD:
"This is my lot? This is my lot???"
It's as though we are so tired and consumed by the continual battle that we forget "what" and "who" our lot really is, along with where our hope should be, because it has become so "deferred."
We are heartsick.
The Israelites in the wilderness were also heartsick. They were tired; thirsty; hungry. And as a result, they complained "continually" and contended with Moses; and they tempted the LORD by saying:
"Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7.)
Does that sound like ostentatious rebellion or what?
Not all hope deferred leads to complaining and contending, but during these times of "hope deferred," we must resist what is easy to do and "fall into," lest we find ourselves tested and our waters bitter; our own poor attitudes and rebellious hearts limiting the very God whose power we desire to be at work in our lives (Psalm 78:41.) We must also remember the extra pressure our continual despair and absence of praise places on those in leadership. Our own attitudes can adversely affect our leaders causing them to miss the new ways in which the LORD is trying to move.
The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
Proverbs 18:14 NKJV
And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock;
and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?”
Numbers 20:10 NKJV
It's interesting that after the people complained about the bitter water (Exodus 15:26,) the LORD promised not to put diseases upon them if they heeded His words. So He tested them there, but in the midst of it all, He also revealed Himself as Yahweh-Ropheka, I am the LORD who heals you.
Why?
Perhaps because He wants us to know He is our "every" answer. Perhaps because He loves us and wanted us to know Him for who He really is....our healer. Maybe because being healed is one of the blessings we can enjoy when we're in right relationship with Him. Sometimes it feels like God is saying what He says similarly in Micah: I've shown you what is good...now walk in it!
Perhaps our prayer should be:
With your very own hands you formed me;
now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.
When they see me waiting, expecting your Word,
those who fear you will take heart and be glad.
I can see now, God, that your decisions are right;
your testing has taught me what's true and right.
Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight!
just the way you promised.
Now comfort me so I can live, really live;
your revelation is the tune I dance to.
Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds;
they tried to sell me a bill of goods,
but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.
Let those who fear you turn to me
for evidence of your wise guidance.
And let me live whole and holy, soul and body,
so I can always walk with my head held high.
Psalm 119:73-80 The MSG
We must choose to trust Him. We must find solace and our strength in Him and the promises contained in His Word.
In Psalm 16, "The Hope of the Faithful and the Messiah's Victory," we see that though we sometimes despair, when our eyes are fixed on the LORD, He is always healing our cry.
The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup;
You hold and maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage.
Psalm 16:5-6 NKJV
May you be blessed with the truths and treasures hidden - yet just waiting to be found - in His glorious Word.
Gina Higgins
