God hears when we Seek Him

I sought the Lord and  He answered me; and delivered me from all my fears..This poor man called out, and the Lord heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."  (Psalm 34:4,6)

Numbers 16:48- And he [Aaron the priest] stood [with incense representing prayer in his hands] between the dead and the living; and so the plague was stopped.

Thoughts:   Last Sunday, May 3, was a day of prayer for the state of South Carolina declared by Governor Henry McMaster.   It seems that it may be working as the number of hospitalizations have gone down, the rate of new cases and deaths are going down, and the number of those recovered is going up.  While this virus is not disappearing, we are at least in the eye of the storm and can use this respite to shore up resources and be prepared for what may come.
        President Trump declared a day of prayer March 22, but the National Day of Prayer is this Thursday May 7.  In Chapin, SC we will have an online service, as will hundreds of sites this day.  The Humanist Society is trying to downplay prayer and the power of God by declaring on the same day a "National Day of Reason."  But reason is not stopping this pandemic. Why would someone only use reason when God has given us another tool- even help through prayer?   There is no vaccine, no cure.  God gave us our minds- which we appreciate.  But He also gave us our souls which cry out to our Maker in times of trouble- like now.
      In Numbers 16 it records another plague- of unknown viral origin.  Thousands died.  Aaron literally ran with incense in his hands through the people.  He was the dividing line because of His prayers symbolized by incense between the dead and the living.  We are called to pray for God to heal our land, and be merciful to us.

Prayer: Lord, we need you.  Help us to see that.  Help us to use our minds, but also recognize we need you.  We cannot do this on our own, we need your healing and help.

National Day of Prayer Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOP228tO8KBYwUeSn02YF5A

Listening in Suffering

1I will bless  the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

2I will glory in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34) 

Thoughts: Let the afflicted hear what and rejoice?  Let the afflicted hear that I am glorifying the Lord despite what might go wrong.  In good and bad times- all times- I can find meaning and bless the Lord.
In our day, the secular west provides little ways to find meaning in suffering.  Suffering is to be avoided like bad weather- and endured like bad weather.  We have been taught that our true meaning is the pursuit of happiness- this is translated often as wanting health, wealth, and wisdom.  If any of these is taken away by sickness, bankruptcy (or fire) or something like Alzheimer's we have lost our ability to find meaning.  Perhaps in the west we work so hard at living longer- exercise, diet, and the artificial looking of youth (botox, makeup, contact/lasik,, etc because this life is seen as all we have.  With the focus only on this life, then the primary solution to suffering (apart from God) is to try to make life better for someone else coming behind us.
     Instead- the Psalmist says "let the afflicted hear and rejoice."  Let them hear that there is meaning- even in suffering.  So Paul could say, "Give thanks in all things" and "rejoice in the Lord always!"  God is still God whether in good times or bad.  There is purpose and meaning in suffering each day.  

Prayer: Lored, be close to me, and help me to find meaning in you.  

Psalm 34 Deliverance

17The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19The righteous person may have many troubles,but the Lord delivers him from them all; (Psalm 34:17-19)

Thoughts: It is not that the righteous- and those who pursue righteousness- do not have trouble.  Their problems are real and are hurtful.  Verse 19 says they are many. The point here, rather, is that God delivers us from all our troubles, brokenheartedness, and afflictions.  The cross is the ultimate example.  It was not just brokenness in body that Jesus suffered.  It was also brokenheartedness that Jesus suffered.  Those He loved mocked Him, betrayed Him, deserted Him.  The rulers of His own people tried and mocked Him.  But the cross is not the end of the story- the resurrection is.  Our trials are not the end of the story either. God's deliverance from them is the end of the story. 

Prayer: Lord, help me remember you are the God of the end of the story.