Encouragement for Today - Jan. 15, 2007

 

January 15, 2007

 

Old Faithful

by Susanne Scheppmann

 

Psalms 89:1-2, “I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” (NIV)

         

Devotion:

We waited and waited. Then finally, I stood in awe as the geyser, Old Faithful, spewed steaming water 150 feet into the air. The Yellowstone National Park ranger told us that it was myth that the geyser erupts every 96 minutes. He said it is faithful to spray the water, but not on man’s timetable. 

 

Doesn’t that sound like God? Scripture repeatedly states that God is faithful beyond our imagination. However, sometimes we doubt. The problem is that we want Him to act in faithfulness according to our requests, standards, and time allotment. We especially feel that way when problems rattle our lives. We ask, “Where is the faithfulness of God right now?” 

 

We want the Lord to react like a genie in a bottle. We call out our wishes and we demand that He bring about miraculous results. I recently witnessed this attitude in an unbelieving friend. She landed unexpectedly in the hospital with an undiagnosed problem. Frustrated she said, “I cried out to God last night and He didn’t help me! What kind of God is He?” Although, my friend never gave a thought about God until a crisis arose, she expected His immediate help when she called out. She demanded the Lord be faithful to her needs on her schedule. Her disappointment resulted in a defiant attitude of doubt.

 

In addition, I have discovered another intriguing similarity between the geyser, Old Faithful, and God’s faithfulness. The park guide explained after an earthquake, the time between eruptions lengthens. Earthquakes in 1959, 1983, and 1998 increased the average length between the geyser’s eruptions from 76 minutes to approximately 90 minutes. Just like Old Faithful, I have found that as God increases my faith, He sometimes increases the time between my “earthquake” and His rescue. By allowing a longer time span between crisis and aid, God brings me to believe in, rely on, and depend upon His yet unseen faithfulness. 

Although doubt of God’s faithfulness may raise its ugly head, He has never been unfaithful to me. He may not rescue me as quick as I would like. He might answer my cry in a way I do not expect. However, He will always aid me in the manner that will help me increase my faith. He wants to teach me to sing of His faithfulness regardless of my circumstances as the psalmist did.

 

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging . . .

    "Be still, and know that I am God;

        I will be exalted among the nations,

        I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:1-3, 10 (NIV).

 

Yes, just as I stood and waited in awe for Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, I will wait in anticipation for God to show Himself faithful in my life. I will “be still and know He is God.” Will you wait with me?

 

Dear Lord, help me to recognize Your faithfulness in my life. Aid me in understanding that You work according to Your faithfulness and not my desires. I pray that You increase my faith. Help me to relax and know that You are God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Related Resources:

 

Good to Me  by LaTonya Mason

 

Intimate Moments With God  by selected authors

 

Listen to Today's Radio Show

 

Application Steps: 

Jot down the Power Verses for today on index cards. Keep them in a handy place so that when you begin to falter in your belief of God’s faithfulness, you can remind yourself He is always faithful.

 

Reflections:       

In what areas of my life do I doubt God’s faithfulness?

 

Do I expect God to react to my demands?

 

Does my faith depend on my circumstances?

 

Power Verses:

Romans 3:3, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?” (NIV) 

 

Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (NIV) 

 

Psalm 89:8, “O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.“ (NIV) 

 

Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (NIV) 

 

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