Mar 26, 2026 – Desperate
One moment last night I had an inkling to sit down and salvage the blog that I hadn’t saved yesterday morning; but, apparently, I didn’t “have it in me to start over.” The umph and inspiration just weren’t there. I didn’t pray about it though. I did pray for Don later in the day as he was feeling burdened and short on time in preparing his lesson for his small group that would start within a couple of hours. (He usually prepares days ahead, but not this week, at least not fully.) If I had prayed over my situation in addition to Don’s, and if God wanted to share something through me, I believe He would have helped me get back to the computer to receive His direction, inspiration, and blessings.
That reminds me that at the end of yesterday’s short blog, I mentioned two devotions. In Streams, Cowman drew from S. Chadwick. She was telling about the “desperate faith” of the three young men who, before they were thrown into the fire, said in Daniel 3:17-18, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Chadwick writes, “I especially like the words, ‘But even if he does not!’” They resonated with me too as I thought about my “if God wanted to share something through me” thought. Sometimes He rescues and rebuilds, but sometimes He moves us on to something else.
Don had thought about canceling his group since he wasn’t prepared; and, it made sense, but I also suggested, before and after the prayer, to let God lead (it’s sometimes easier to offer solutions for others than for ourselves). This is something he knew in his spirit, but wasn’t necessarily leaning into it at that moment of desperation and increasing panic at not being ready. As time ticked by, he worked on the lesson and decided to not cancel. Sometimes it seems that God multiplies our time.
I checked with him after everyone left and he said the lesson went so well with God leading. Not that Don doesn’t pray and bring God in each week, but I realized that he and I both are sometimes possibly focusing too much on what we are putting together and delivering rather than trusting God with the preparation and outcome.
The other message that I alluded to at the end of yesterday’s blog was from Utmost. Chambers touched on putting the focus on God not ourselves, “A beautiful saint may be a hindrance if he does not present Jesus Christ but only what Christ has done for him; he will leave the impression – ‘What fine character that man is!’ – that is not being a true friend of the Bridegroom; I am increasing all the time, He is not…. When a crisis arises we have to find out what God’s will is, but the greater part of the life is not conscious obedience but the maintenance of this relationship – the friend of the Bridegroom.”
Earlier in the Streams entry, Chadwick explained, “Desperation is better than despair [I admit that I was leaning a little toward despair yesterday when I first saw the empty screen below the Mar 25 entry] ….Remember, our faith did not create our desperate days. Faith’s work is to sustain us through those days and to solve them. Yet the only alternative to desperate faith is despair. Faith holds on and prevails.” Don’s faith prevailed yesterday for the small group lesson. Mine did not for the blog. But I am here now.
In yesterday’s Power, Joyce speaks, yet again, to how important our thoughts and words are, “The Bible teaches us that our words have power and we get exactly what we speak. Along with that, our thoughts affect our moods and attitudes…. Your thoughts and my thoughts will determine the kind of lives we will have in the future. And you don’t have to think about and focus on whatever falls into your head…. Be determined to maintain good thoughts.”
Today, Joyce reminds us how important God’s thoughts and Words are, “The Word has tremendous treasures, powerful life-giving secrets that God wants to reveal to us. [See Mark 4:22.] They are manifested to those who ponder, study, think about, practice mentally, and meditate on the Word of God. There is no end to what God can show you out of one verse of Scripture…. Study the Word yourself, and allow the Holy Spirit to bless your life with truth.”
JA speaks to what Don experienced last night as he entrusted the lesson, and his delivery, to God. “Seek to ‘see’ Me in the midst of your circumstances…. Ask me also to train you in trusting Me more consistently…. The more challenging your journey, the more frequently you need to voice your confidence in Me.”
Psalm 16:11 NKJV – “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasure forevermore.”
