Our Own Way
IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008
Today I was reading a devotional contained in OUR DAILY BREAD written by Philip Yancey. In part he said: “…I found that the Bible includes detailed accounts of people sorely disappointed with God. Job and Moses had it out with God, as did Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and many of the unnamed psalmists.” Even if I did not know from the witness of the Holy Spirit and personal experience, I think the very fact that God allowed these ‘disappointments’ to be told on the pages of The Bible would cause me to think seriously that The Bible IS authored by God. Who else but God would give out such facts? Would not human authors ‘cover up’ such happenings for fear such knowledge would tarnish their image? But not our ABBA, He is fully TRUTH, fully TRUSTWORTHY and fully BELIEVABLE, if we will agree to believe. I am so glad I agreed to believe. And I am even more glad that He enabled me to believe!
Lets read Psalm 88 and see some disappointment.
1 O LORD, God of my salvation, This is a great start, acknowledging He is LORD and He is his salvation. But now he begins to describe his misery.
I have cried out day and night before You.
2 Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life draws near to the grave.
4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man who has no strength,
5 Adrift among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave, This poor soul cannot sleep; he is so weary he feels as though death is upon him and there is nothing he can do about it. He is overwhelmed, defeated and it seems to him that things just are not going to get any better. And if this were not bad enough look what he does next.
Whom You remember no more, He begins to accuse God of just not caring about him.
And who are cut off from Your hand. Surely God does not care or He would do something; if God cared he would not be in this situation.
6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, And it gets worse. Now he is accusing God of more than just not caring, He said God is the one who caused it.
In darkness, in the depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, But he does not stop there. He moves to confessing that God is angry with him.
And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah
8 You have put away my acquaintances far from me; And as he descends deeper into his despair, he accuses God of taking people (things) away from him.
You have made me an abomination to them; Here he is saying folks hate me God and it’s Your fault.
I am shut up, and I cannot get out; The poor soul felt so helpless. Here was big ole mean God and he was too small, too despised for God to care at all.
9 My eye wastes away because of affliction. He sees no way out for himself.
LORD, I have called daily upon You; Even though he has prayed day after day – nothing good is happening. I have stretched out my hands to You.
10 Will You work wonders for the dead? Now he begins to try to reason with God; to point out to God that treating him this way is not good for God’s image.
Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah Then he reminds God that God needs him; He needs him to testify for God and that he cannot do that unless he is alive – dead people don’t praise. On and on he goes blaming God for his miseries. On and on he continues to believe that God is mad at him. After all, why else would this be happening to him?
And who are cut off from Your hand. Surely God does not care or He would do something; if God cared he would not be in this situation.
6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, And it gets worse. Now he is accusing God of more than just not caring, He said God is the one who caused it.
In darkness, in the depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, But he does not stop there. He moves to confessing that God is angry with him.
And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah
8 You have put away my acquaintances far from me; And as he descends deeper into his despair, he accuses God of taking people (things) away from him.
You have made me an abomination to them; Here he is saying folks hate me God and it’s Your fault.
I am shut up, and I cannot get out; The poor soul felt so helpless. Here was big ole mean God and he was too small, too despised for God to care at all.
9 My eye wastes away because of affliction. He sees no way out for himself.
LORD, I have called daily upon You; Even though he has prayed day after day – nothing good is happening. I have stretched out my hands to You.
10 Will You work wonders for the dead? Now he begins to try to reason with God; to point out to God that treating him this way is not good for God’s image.
Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah Then he reminds God that God needs him; He needs him to testify for God and that he cannot do that unless he is alive – dead people don’t praise. On and on he goes blaming God for his miseries. On and on he continues to believe that God is mad at him. After all, why else would this be happening to him?
11 Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But to You I have cried out, O LORD, Still he refers to HIM as LORD. The Psalmist is NOT an unbeliever; he is a hurting soul who even in his despair somewhere within knows that God is God enough to allow him to bleed all over HIM.
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 LORD, why do You cast off my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth;
I suffer Your terrors;
I am distraught.
16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me;
Your terrors have cut me off.
17 They came around me all day long like water;
They engulfed me altogether.
18 Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness. He ends still accusing God of putting him away.
You know what I treasure in this Psalm? I see ABBA is SO GOD that He loves us even when we are drowning in doubts and ill-guided self-pity or pitching temper tantrums and trying every thing we can to get Him to give us what He knows would destroy us – our own way.
Romans 8: 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nor any other creature – not even ourselves. But I dare not end this without a word of caution. Remember the Prodigal Son? Coming back from the pig pen is long, hard and grueling. It is best to avoid the pen pig at all costs.
I Corinthians 3: 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Abba, this is a lot to digest and I look forward to reading it again for myself to gather more of what You are saying in this to us. Thank You for speaking to us again. We are AWESOME and we love You. Thank You that Your are so gracious to forgive us; to love us through doubts, self-pity, fear, temper tantrums and everything else we do trying to get You to do things our way. Thank You that You are SO GOD that we cannot twist Your Arm. Thank You Lord. Thank You. I pray for each IDOK and each Reader, teach us and empower us to trust You especially when we are disappointed. I am convinced the Psalmist did and we want to too. We are trusting You to love on these and give them everything they need at just the right time. We are trusting You to continue to take care of our IDOK Troops and bring them home at the appointed time. And I again ask You to have mercy on America, to give space and grace to repent. And Lord I have tip toed around this in these public prayers, forgive me. Abba, please don’t allow Obama to be president. I pray we as Your children will arise and see America preserved. Protect Israel and bring Her to the Peace You desire for Her. Thank You for loving us and thank You that no matter what happens You are God and we trust You. Amen and amen. Davison and Mosley Families. Danni A. Tye B. Joann. Sheri, Tyler, Hannah. Edie. Ann J. Bernie. Malpas Family. Darlene. Rachel. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. Lisa W. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy. Lee. Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil:
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Hospitalized outside USA:
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
As I post this it is 82°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 6:43 AM AST – on August 6 , 2008
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But to You I have cried out, O LORD, Still he refers to HIM as LORD. The Psalmist is NOT an unbeliever; he is a hurting soul who even in his despair somewhere within knows that God is God enough to allow him to bleed all over HIM.
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 LORD, why do You cast off my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?
15 I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth;
I suffer Your terrors;
I am distraught.
16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me;
Your terrors have cut me off.
17 They came around me all day long like water;
They engulfed me altogether.
18 Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness. He ends still accusing God of putting him away.
You know what I treasure in this Psalm? I see ABBA is SO GOD that He loves us even when we are drowning in doubts and ill-guided self-pity or pitching temper tantrums and trying every thing we can to get Him to give us what He knows would destroy us – our own way.
Romans 8: 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nor any other creature – not even ourselves. But I dare not end this without a word of caution. Remember the Prodigal Son? Coming back from the pig pen is long, hard and grueling. It is best to avoid the pen pig at all costs.
I Corinthians 3: 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Abba, this is a lot to digest and I look forward to reading it again for myself to gather more of what You are saying in this to us. Thank You for speaking to us again. We are AWESOME and we love You. Thank You that Your are so gracious to forgive us; to love us through doubts, self-pity, fear, temper tantrums and everything else we do trying to get You to do things our way. Thank You that You are SO GOD that we cannot twist Your Arm. Thank You Lord. Thank You. I pray for each IDOK and each Reader, teach us and empower us to trust You especially when we are disappointed. I am convinced the Psalmist did and we want to too. We are trusting You to love on these and give them everything they need at just the right time. We are trusting You to continue to take care of our IDOK Troops and bring them home at the appointed time. And I again ask You to have mercy on America, to give space and grace to repent. And Lord I have tip toed around this in these public prayers, forgive me. Abba, please don’t allow Obama to be president. I pray we as Your children will arise and see America preserved. Protect Israel and bring Her to the Peace You desire for Her. Thank You for loving us and thank You that no matter what happens You are God and we trust You. Amen and amen. Davison and Mosley Families. Danni A. Tye B. Joann. Sheri, Tyler, Hannah. Edie. Ann J. Bernie. Malpas Family. Darlene. Rachel. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. Lisa W. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy. Lee. Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil:
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Hospitalized outside USA:
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
As I post this it is 82°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 6:43 AM AST – on August 6 , 2008
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