Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 2-5-24, Psalm 138:3 - "On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." There are statements in God's word that seem inaccurate. They seem wrong in our personal experience. "I called, You answered." That would seem to indicate the calling, praying, immediately leads to an answer. That is what it says; but is that our experience? Occasionally, yes, we immediately see answers. Other times, the wait time seems endless. The apparent wait may seem intolerable unless we really know God and His word. If we study God's word, we see that God answered those who prayed in faith. He was and is trustworthy to answer; but, the answers were different or delayed at times. Perhaps you prayed for wisdom, and God gave life experiences rather than a direct download. He may allow you to be in situations where you feel weak, but He makes you "bold with strength" in your soul. He may answer, but the answer is delayed by demonic activity, as we see in Daniel. He may answer, but we are distracted and fail to look for its coming. Does any of this make God's word untrue or untrustworthy? Not at all! Verses 1-2a shows a choice; "I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You...I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;..." Knowing God requires decisions. "I will" is a decision. Calling on God is a decision. Expecting and accepting God's answer is a decision. Waiting and believing is a decision. Isaiah 40:31 - "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."