“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help.” Hosea 13:9
What struggles are you facing today? Is your marriage troubled? Is your child giving you grief? Perhaps in thinking it over you have come to realize that you are to blame for at least some of the difficulties. Is there no hope? Should you just give up? Many of us have wanted to give up — you aren’t the only one feeling that way. But let’s turn to the Word of God, our light in dark hours.
We know that the Lord wants to give us “days of heaven upon the earth,” and yet why do they often seem not very heavenly? Well, let’s first encourage our hearts that the Lord’s coming is imminent. Today could be the day when we will hear the shout. “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8).
Next, let us get before Him and ask Him to show us if there is something in our hearts or in our homes that may be hindering blessing — hindering prayers from being answered. Do I have an unforgiving spirit toward someone (Matt. 18:32-35)? Do I have a bad conscience about something (1 Tim. 1:19)? Am I taking my right place before my husband in obedience and subjection (Eph. 5:22,24)? Is my will at work in some matter (Prov. 7:11)? Do I have a selfish spirit, or am I really living out true J-O-Y: J-esus first, O-thers next, and Y-ourself last?
Then, confess your sins and count on the Lord’s mercies. “They are new every morning” (Lam. 3:23). He will never leave you, and He can “restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25).