Call to me and I will answer you

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

How many of us are guilty of not following the instructions? I'm
talking about the instructions we get when we read God's Word.
The instructions on how to live our lives and how to love
unconditionally and how to turn the other cheek. Some of us
don't even read the instructions. We think we know what we're
doing and can do it on our own. But one thing I have learned in
this stand is that I cannot do it on my own. On my own, I am
weak. On my own, I am confused. On my own I do and say things I
shouldn't. But in God's strength, I can do all things.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through
him who loved us." Romans 8:37

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13

Walking in God's strength we can do this thing called standing.
Jesus is always there with us, whether we acknowledge it or not.
With Him by our side we can put one foot in front of the other
and know we will not stumble. We can find our way in the dark by
the light of His love. We can make it through this deep valley
and face the mountains ahead. We can climb the steepest hill and
traverse the rockiest road because He walks beside us. We can
hope and believe and trust even when things look impossible. We
can know that when we are too weak or too weary to walk on our
own, He will carry us.

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness
into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with
my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the
word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take
refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is
the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a
deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands
for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your
shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop
down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so
that my ankles do not turn." Psalm 18:28-36

The Bible is our instruction manual for life. Spending time in
His Word each day gives us guidance and instruction as we walk
this narrow road. God will often illuminate a piece of scripture
that we have read countless times before and somehow we know it
is His instruction or comfort or strength. Go to God's Word
with all your questions and concerns. Not just the big ones like
how do I stand for my marriage and what do I pray for. But go to
Him with the little problems, too. The questions about finances
or your children or a job change or what to do about this or
about that. God loves to hear from His children. And He loves
to answer them.

"All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in
counsel and magnificent in wisdom." Isaiah 28:29

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and
good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17

It's not enough just to read and hear God's instructions. We
have to follow them, too. We need to be doers of the Word, not
just readers. Many of us, myself included, are guilty of
selective reading and selective listening. Sometimes we hear
what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. We like those
things that "tickle our ears" but don't want to hear those things
that call us to account.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into
the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this,
not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be
blessed in what he does." James 1:22-25

Some of us are ready to quit on our stands. We're confused and perplexed
and just plain tired of all the work. But how do we know what is
happening on the other side of our mountain? How do we know how
close our prodigals may be to our door? How do we know that
heart of stone isn't starting to soften? How will we know unless
we read to the end? Our miracle may be just outside the door.
Our promise fulfilled may be just one prayer away. Our answer
may be even now on its way. But we won't know that unless we
persevere to the end.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9