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Crickets And Bill Collectors

  • My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids. Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. Job 16:16 WEB.

    Bills piled up steadily at our house with no income to pay them. I'd just spent a couple of months intensely seeking the Lord, praying with my face to the carpet for two hours a day, and soaking in His presence like a warm blanket. Then suddenly, our business dried up.

    As the months passed by with no work, I began to feel abandoned and alone. When I tried to pray, I no longer got an answer. When I tried to worship, there was no presence. When we gave, we just had less. When we fasted, we were just hungry. I know that the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you, but I could only hear crickets and bill collectors.

    During that dark season, I learned this: While a school teacher is teaching the class, they will answer any questions you have. But when the test begins, there is silence in the classroom. The teacher won't give you the answers. You are supposed to use the knowledge that you've been taught to pass the test. The teacher is still there, but they won't speak until the exam is over.

    The book of Job is about a righteous man who went through a test. Job's life fell apart. All of his children and livestock were taken from him, he was covered in sores, and there was only silence from the Lord. Then God showed up at the end of the book and restored Job after he prayed for his friends.

    In my life, I have gone through tests. Once, after several months of no work and intense pressure, we were packing to move out of our home. Then it ended abruptly, and everything changed for us in twenty-four hours. The Lord put us into ministry. I became a pastor, and a friend stepped in and paid all of our bills for the month. The test was over. His presence returned, and like David and Job, we recovered all.

    If all you can hear are crickets and bill collectors, know that it's just a test. Keep the faith, don't give up today. Keep praying, and try to stay positive. It will eventually pass, and you'll be taken to a new level. As Job sat on the ground, having lost everything, he probably didn't see the blessings soon coming. Yet the Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life even more than the beginning (Job 42:12).

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to You and ask for mercy. Please bring the things that You have taught me back to my remembrance. Give me the grace to pass the tests that I face. Fulfill Your will in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: For those following the Creation Photography weekly challenges, group leader, Dianna Wyles: Psalm 126:2 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'" ~ Our next fun-inspired theme will be 'May There Always Be Laughter, May You Always Find Joy' and as always is open wide for your creative flare so have fun taking pictures of things that make you laugh or bring you joy. My photos this week are just that; things that make me laugh and help keep me in a place of joy even through uncertain times such as these. Hope you enjoy my photos as much as I appreciate scrolling through all of your wonderful posts. Have a terrific laughter-filled week and welcome to May ~ God Bless! Here is the link: Creation Photographers


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19 comments
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Debi Burton
Debi Burton Heavenly Father, I come to You and ask for mercy. Please bring the things that You have taught me back to my remembrance. Give me the grace to pass the tests that I face. Fulfill Your will in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
May 2
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord. 

May 2
  • 2
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

Amen!

May 2
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

May 2
  • 2
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

May 2
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen

May 2
  • 1
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Amen!

May 2
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

May 2
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

May 2
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

In Jesus Name Amen.

May 2
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Thank you Father for your faithfulness friendship and love, I have learned that you will never leave me or forsake me and that you already gave me the answer to the test. Thank you Father in Jesus'name I pray Amen.

May 2
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

This I pray, Amen!

May 2
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

 Yes Father of Heaven, thank You for Your words, love and mercy. In Jesus Name,  Amen 

May 2
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen yes. 

May 2
  • 1
Cristy Herzberg
Cristy Herzberg

Lord, please remember to bring back everything you have taught me during these times where I have some anxiety and depression going on and help me remember that pastors right to just focus on one day at a time. Amen. Love the devotional.

May 2
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

AMEN, our Lord and God, our Heaavenly Father is so good!! (h5)

May 2
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Lord Yeshua's name we pray this, Amen. 

May 2
  • 1
Sherry McCosh
Sherry McCosh

Thank you for this Devotion today! I really look forward to reading these Devotions. I know this feeling of trying to do what you are supposed to do but things are not working out as you planned. I know from experience and much prayer, that we have to pray and keep in God's word every day. God doesnt want us to just come to Him when we have problems. He wants to hear from us every day and see that we are reading His word. We all make mistakes and sin but as soon as we realize whatever we did was wrong then we go to God in prayer and ask for His forgiveness. God loves us so much and will always forgive us when we ask for His forgiveness. Seek God every day and pray continually throughout the day. Alway give God your very best, put Him first in your life and He will give you the desires of your heart and guide your path through life.

May 3
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

May 3