Help!

(Rise Up, O God!)

The following is a devotion (though it reads more like a desperate prayer) written almost two decades ago. The ache is palatable. The desperation evident. The emotion raw. The faith, shaky but resolute.

Much has happened over the weeks and months and years since the devo was originally penned. The Lord did indeed arise mightily on my behalf, not to remove my challenges, but to walk me through them. And I know He will do the same for you. For the person you’re praying for. For that hopeless situation you’re facing. Whatever your circumstance, whatever trial may be staring you in the face, rest under the shadow of the Almighty. He will not fail you.

Let me encourage you today, no matter what you’re facing, He sees you, He is aware. He has not dropped the ball. In the mean time, as you wait, lean hard into Him. A great place to start is reading/rereading and meditating on Psalm 91.

Rise Up O, God!

I am exceedingly afflicted… PSALM 119: 107a

Your God has commanded your strength; Show Thyself strong, O God, who has acted on my behalf.   PSALM 69:28 NASB

For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,

Thou dost surround him with favor as with a shield.

 PSALM 5:12 NASB

“Oh, no! Here she comes again.” That’s what I hoped the assistant pastor was not thinking as I approached him, yet again, for prayer this past Sunday morning. Apologetically, I whispered, “I’m sorry to come up so often…” Before I could finish the thought the pastor waved his hand and assured me it was fine. He graciously listened as I shared my story in all its’ no-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel monotonous torture. After listening to me unburden my heart, rather than offering me his human solution to my problem, he wisely laid it all at the Savior’s feet through prayer. Honest, “This really stinks but You have the answer, God “ kind of praying.

Later that evening, I tried to recall the words spoken over me in prayer along with the message given during the worship service. An overwhelming desperation for God to show Himself – to move on my behalf stirred in my soul. I grabbed my prayer journal and poured out my heart to God with the following written prayer:

Father, Help! I call on You, Almighty God, Sovereign Ruler of all, King of the universe. You Who are enthroned on high. I know You are full of compassion and abound in mercy. Your judgments are righteous and true, Your ways are beyond my comprehension. I call on You to remember Your Word to Your servant, Becky (insert your name here).

You said You would perfect that which concerns me. You would deliver the one for whom I intercede, You told me to remember that this was not my battle to fight, but Yours O God. Yours. You said for me to call on You in my times of trouble and You would answer, promising to deliver me from the oppressor. You said that no weapon formed against me would prosper. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord – and I am Your servant.

O God, my Father, You Who cannot lie, please intervene on my behalf. Deliver me, deliver my children, deliver my family. Rise up, O God! Rise up! Come to my aid! Rescue me by Your strong arm. Be Thou a shield unto me, O Lord. May Your favor be my shield of protection. I praise You, Lord! For my deliverance is as sure as the setting sun. You are worthy of praise, O God, my Father. Worthy of my praise!

In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen and amen.

The sovereignty of God is the pillow on which I lay my head.  – C.H. Spurgeon

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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