We’re in God’s purview, wherever we are and in whatever state of being we find ourselves. His range is absolute, which includes the scope of our hurts, cares, and failures. The LORD’s eyes are over the righteous, and His ears are opened unto their prayers (Psalm 34:15). He lifts His children when they fall; He’s there when they humbly seek His help.
Father, I stretch my hands to thee,
No other help I know;
If thou withdraw thyself from me,
Ah! whither shall I go?
-Charles Wesley
The other morning at about two o’clock, my sleep was interrupted by, you know who—the devil. It took me an hour to obey the Holy Spirit, who prompted me to get a pillow, get on my knees, and reach out to Him.
When I finally rolled out the bed, I started praying, did the ugly cry, and blew my nose profusely when I felt a release; something broke in the spiritual realm. I have no idea about the particulars of the matter; all I know is the heaviness I felt dissipated and was replaced with adulation.
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
However, waiting that hour before I obeyed the Spirit allowed the agony to continue and the joy and praise that comes when God reaches down—to be delayed. Oh, what needless pain we bear; lyrics taken from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph M. Scriven.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear—
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Aah, When God Reaches Down!
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (Psalm 145)
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