Come

Sunday, February 3, 2013
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Take My Life And Let It Be"1 (Lyrics)

When Eugene Peterson wrote about Psalm 89 in his book of daily devotions, Praying with the Psalms, he shared:

    The psalm as a whole is a study in proportions. The jagged intensity of the complaint (vv. 38-51) is set in an expansive witness to God's promise (vv. 1-37, 52). Thirteen verses of trouble are buttressed by thirty-nine verses of trust. Devotion offers both trust and trouble to God.

The psalm was written by a Levite priest during a time of abject misery for the whole nation of Israel. It foretells the coming Messiah — our hope and theirs — the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus' words as recorded in the gospels are God talking directly to us. This promise of His is for everyone:

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)

I have noticed that when we are troubled, burdened, or weary, we may not think clearly. We know that something is wrong, we feel overwhelmed, and our attention stays on the problem.

When I take a burden to the Lord in prayer, I have learned a series of things that I can say that help me to change focus and prepare to receive His already-provided solution/promise.

The conversation goes something like this:

    Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus.
    I have a concern about …
    It could mean …
    The worst thing about this is …
    The most upsetting part of it is …
    What is written in the Bible that can help me?

The whole of Hebrews chapter four spells out our rights as believers. We are permitted to come to Jesus, even though He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The concluding verse says:

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

Do we use a time of trouble as an opportunity to come to the Lord with childlike trust?

Prayer: Father in heaven, increase our confidence that You are kind and welcoming. Remind us constantly that, in Christ, all that brings fullness of life is abundant and readily available. May we use it for Your glory and kingdom. In the name of Jesus our Lord, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Pat Bell <llebpat@gmail.com>
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Wonderful reminder Pat.


    Excellent Devotion. What we need.


    Thank you Pat for sharing these practical words about how to pray when life hits us hard. Blessings.


    Thank you for today’s devotional Pat.
    May you enjoy the week ahead.


    Thank you for a good and timely word today.
    Be blessed.


    Wonderful thoughts Pat! I was very encouraged by your message today.
    Stay blessed.


    Dear Pat: Thank you for today’s message.
    Blessings in Christ.


    Pat, thank you for sharing with us today. I needed to get this as I’m having some family problems now and needed this reminder. Praise be to God. Again, thank you.


    Hello:
    Thank you once again for a thoughtful message.
    I find your devotions to be presented in a way that seems to explain what I have always felt.
    God Bless you and thanks again.


    Thanks Pat for a very useful devotional to print out and keep in a place where it can be accessed easily for those often times when we are burdened and distressed.
    I shall make sure that I have this devotional in the back of my very large diary.
    Blessings.


    Hi Pat,
    Dear pat I believe that every Christian should have a copy of this devotional to keep handy for those often times when they are in need of help. I myself will print it out and keep in my devotional kit.
    I add that the Matthew 11:28 is one of the greatest sources of comfort and succour one can find in the Bible…and yet how easily we try to sort things out for ourselves.
    Blessings.


    Good Morning Pat: What a beautiful message assuring us God is always there for us if we but come to Him in faith and trust knowing He will provide mercy and grace for our heavy hearts in our time of disappointments, heartaches and aloneness. Thank you for your many words of challenge and comfort. You are a true servant of the Living God and He will indeed honor your service to Him presented through your penmanship and the fine work of PCC over and over again. I love your messages and your wise words of counsel.

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