One morning, my mother entered my room and asked, “Can we pray together?” And so we did. We still don’t speak of the heaviest need on our hearts, the one propelling us to prayer constantly, but in our whispers to God, it is there. The tears flow and after, we hold each other tight. We are bound by this situation. The thing is, my father is far from God, and it has affected every area of his life. His life has become a dark tragedy. The situation is desperate and out of hand. And so we plead with God, clinging to hope. It is all we have.
Many of us understand the long years of praying for a loved one to turn to Christ. Sometimes, it seems impossible that it will ever happen. The human heart, not having yet found solace in the Lord, is bitter, selfish, empty, and demanding. The tears of longing, the pain of being patient with both the loved one and God, and the desperate clinging to hope are all draining and difficult.
Abiding Grace
Yet a deep, abiding grace can be discovered. One thing I have learned in the face of such tragic circumstances is that they are not for nothing. God uses the hard times, when we seek Him, plead with Him, walk out our days in His strength. For when we have the courage to take God at His word, we will experience His goodness and might so powerfully, that every tear is worth it.
As I read the Word, the Lord brings immense comfort to my weary heart. He shows me that Scripture provides many examples of hardened hearts being used by God. God told Moses,
“But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 7:3 NLT
Another example from Scripture was when Israel was near to entering the Promised Land, and a kingdom was in their way. Sihon, the ruler of that place, was stubborn also! He refused to let the Israelites pass through in peace.
“But King Sihon of Heshbon refused to allow us to pass through, because the Lord your God made Sihon stubborn and defiant so he could help you defeat him, as he has now done.” Deuteronomy 2:30 NLT
Both Pharaoh and Sihon represent overwhelming situations where you and I may be quick to despair. Just as God showed wondrous salvation to His people, He WILL show it to our loved ones. We need only surrender and have faith. We have to hold onto the promises as our hope and light. And most of all keep waiting and praying for that miracle.
God of Miracles
Impossible circumstances are simply preperation for a miracle! The God we serve today is the same as the one that let the Israelites squirm as they waited and waited to be delivered from Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart was hard; he would not relent. Yet the Lord let Israel wait so that all could see that God alone does impossible, powerful things. They had to grasp the promise, holding on with all their might and TRUST. Our God is the same delivering, powerful God who is mighty to humble and save, yesterday and today and forever!
“Why should I dread to descend the shaft of affliction, if it leads me to the gold mine of spiritual experience? Why should I cry out if the sun of my prosperity goes down, if in the darkness of my adversity I shall be the better able to count the starry promises with which my faithful God has been pleased to gem the sky?” – Charles Spurgeon
