Ice Shelf on Lake Michigan - Devotional on 2 Chronicles 20:17

 

When I was in college I traveled to Europe.  I saw and did some amazing things.  One memorable event was to see “Carmen” performed. Don’t be jealous.  I watched it from the nose-bleed section of the Vienna Opera House in the standing-only section.

Have you ever stood in one small spot to watch an entire opera?  Let’s just say it was extremely difficult.  I wanted to sit down.  It was painfully tiring to say the least.  There I was, watching this incredible opera after spending a day of sightseeing, shifting from leg to leg.  I remember the standing to see “Carmen” much more than anything from the performance.

Standing still is not something we like to do for long periods of time.

If given a choice, and let’s be honest, we’d rather sit down.  Especially to see an opera.

 

A brief devotional mediation on 2 Chronicles 20:17.  Please join me on the blog for the discussion.

 

Nearly three years ago, we received some very unexpected news.  It’s been life-changing, to say the least.

At that time I very specifically “heard” God tell me that we were to “stand still and watch.”

Keep in mind that when we “hear” from God He always uses His Word to speak to us….

…stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you…
Do not be afraid or discouraged…for the Lord is with you!

2 Chronicles 20:17

Through a previous set of circumstances, we learned that God was and is trustworthy.

But… this trust walk we were on took a new twist.

God told us to stand still.  [Groan]  And watch.

 

Ice frozen Lake Michigan shore - Devotional Mediation to Stand Still and Watch what God will do

 

I came face-to-face with my weakness.  I could barely stand.  I wanted to sit down.  Yet, it was clear to me that if I sat down I wouldn’t get to watch God work.  And believe me.  I wanted to see Him work.  I wanted to see a show of His greatness and His glory.  I wanted to see His power and His might.  I wanted to see His love and mercy and grace.

Since that time, God has continued to teach me that when I am weak I am strong.

The Apostle Paul wrote…

So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

It’s through my weakness that I have been blessed to see God work in amazing ways….for His glory…and my good.

 

Icy beach at Grand Haven - Devotional Mediation from Scripture... 2 Chronicles 20:17

 

How about you?  

  • Are you in a spot where you’re discovering your weakness?
  • What is God doing right now to get your attention?
  • Could He be nudging you to stand still and watch?

 

Icy Lake Michigan Shoreline - It's JoyDay!

It’s Joy Day!

 

Today is the day we stop and look back over the past week and count ‘seven.’  Seven things…the good and the not good…and choose to thank God for it all.  When we do.  Joy will come.

Do you need joy?  Join me in the count.  I’ll start:

I thank you God for…

  1. my weakness
  2. blessing me in amazing ways while I’m trying to stay obedient to stand
  3. this mean cold virus that knocked me down
  4. being our Hope
  5. an amazing sunset that you painted and sang your glories
  6. being trustworthy
  7. my husband who takes care of me

Now…it’s your turn!

Scroll down to the “Share Your Thoughts” section below and tap in your ‘seven.’  It will change you.  I dare you!!

 

Prayer Requests….

  • Debbi, one of my dear friends through the blog, will have surgery on Tuesday where the surgeon will open her skull and clamp off a forming aneurysm.
  • Weston, my niece’s son who just had his first birthday has been in the hospital for a nasty virus for more than a week.  We’re grateful he’s now off the vent, but there is still a lot of healing that needs to happen before he and his mom can fly across the country to go home again.  They had come to say their final good-byes to her mother when he got sick.
  • Tim and I have an unspoken personal request.

Thanks so much for joining us in prayer.  If there’s something we can bring before the Father on your behalf… please let me know below or send me an email.

 

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

May your week overflow with unimaginable Joy! Signature - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    Thank you for your beautiful message today Diane. I needed to hear this. I will keep you and your friends in my prayers for healing and wonderful outcomes. God bless you…

    • Debbi Saunders says

      Thank you Debbie for your prayers !!! I know how powerful prayers are!

    • Thanks Debbie… it’s all God… I have a horrendous cold and don’t feel like my brain is fully functioning.
      And thanks for your prayers.
      Praying blessing and peace over you this week! [hugs]

      • Debbie says

        I hope you feel better soon! (hugs)

        • You are so sweet Debbie! Actually today I had a dramatic change for the better. Thank you Jesus!!!

  2. Lea says

    I really like what you wrote about today. The past few years have had many major changes in our life. I was brought down to a new low. The good Lord came closer, stayed by my (our) side and moved mountains to help me (us.) He works in mysterious ways.

    • Praise God!! Thank you Lea for taking the time to share how God has been at work on your behalf through all your changes. He really does work in mysterious ways.
      May your week be filled with God’s love and joy!

  3. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You Lord God for…
    My Dear and Faithful friend and Prayer Partner Diane! and for those whom she has asked to pray for me on Tuesday!
    For the challenges I have faced and that you have held my hand and protected me through them…
    For all the wonderful friends and family that have been keeping me in prayer, giving me hope and encouragements!
    For Dr. Brian Hoh, the Neurologist who’s skills you used to restore me after the Ruptured anuerysm in June and that will be preforming this procedure on Tuesday…
    for going before and making straight the crooked places in my work situation!
    for a Dear couple that have taken me to all My appointments in Gainesville, 2 hours away!
    That this 2nd surgery will be covered by my insurance as well!!

    I will be praying for Weston’s complete healing! and for your’s and Tim’s unspoken personal request ,that it will be answered!

    • God is so good, Debbi! We will stand still and watch HIM work on your behalf this week… praising Him all the way. {{hugs}}

  4. Amy Kennedy says

    Amen and Thank you!!!

    • Thank YOU Amy for stopping by with your encouraging words.
      May you be overwhelmed with God’s joy in the week ahead.

  5. Thank you for your words Diane. I too, have a hard time standing still and waiting. Praying that God continues to strengthen you on this journey my friend.
    This week I am thankful for:
    1. A new Bible study on prayer that I started attending yesterday.
    2. Loving sisters in Christ.
    3. God’s direction.
    4. My two adult daughters.
    5. An online class I am being allowed the opportunity to teach to other ladies.
    6. My husband’s hard work and his allowing me to stay home and do this writing thing I do.
    7. Open doors given by God.
    Lifting your prayer requests to the Lord Diane.
    Love & hugs,
    Patti

    • Patti… we are doers aren’t we?
      I’m honored that you will pray for me and these requests. You are such a lovely blessing in my blogging life.
      I rejoice with you at God’s goodness expressed in your life. May your week overflow with God’s love and grace. [[hugs]]

  6. Gwen says

    I’m late. But I will be better able to pray for Debi. A teen that through a high school program worked in my classroom a year and then my accident and problems came. She and I kept in touch but she had what Debi had. And yes, she had to have the surgery again. For the aneurism began to leak. She just had another two day hospital check and is given the thumbs up. I’m praying Debi that you’ll be like Laura. Successful in your second surgery. That your neurologist will push for this to be covered ( they usually work miracles in getting it covered). I’m praying as its night now that you are peacefully asleep. That when you awaken there’s a matter of fact no worry in your heart. Just joy from the Lord.
    I pray too for this little baby who contracted a terrible virus while his Mom was saying a final goodbye to her Mom. I pray for her. Worried for her infant. And parent. What trying times. Heal Lotd. Comfort. And in this most trying of times give all peace that passes all understanding. What a heavy heart Diane feels for her family. Comfort her too. Thank you for al you’ve done. Joy.
    Diane and her husband have been on a journey for sooo long it seems unreal. To me it seemed Diane was to share her love of you plus her gift of hosting and redecorating and making home pretty. Lord in Jesus name and by the power of the blood of Christ you say to come boldly to your throne to let our requests be made known unto you. Lord for Diane and her husband they need full time ministry work with benefits and a job for Diane as well that allows time for the blog. If they have any debt restore funds ten fold what they need so they are able to give you a tithe and have a firm foundation for starting anew. Keep them diligent in applying for jobs. And now this unspoken request I pray a quick solution and answer because you are God. You Jesus prayed. So we pray. And thank you from my rambling letter that Diane totally through the Holy Spirit understood these battles.
    1. Joy in celebrating with Mom for her 98th! All so pretty and nice
    2. Safe travels and the downpours came in the night after our travels so the little boys could play at the park and have fun
    3. After rest I was more normal again
    4. My sweet neighbor had a gift for me on my front doorstep just because!
    5. Our study in Ruth has been sooo good on focusing on Ruth in the midst of life’s hardest moments when we are sad
    6. Curt has doctors now that work as teams. There is concern regarding his shoulder and more CT scan today
    7. I watched I Love Lucy and laughed. I stayed off social media. I need a break
    God is good

    • Gwen… I “Amen” your prayers. God is so good to hear our pleas and now I praise Him with great expectation for He has and will accomplish in each of these areas.
      I praise God that your mom had a lovely party and you are feeling more normal again. We continue to pray for healing for Curt and praise God that he has a “team” of doctors. God is good. Let’s look forward with joyful expectation this week. {{hugs}}

  7. Kim says

    Diane, I rarely write Sunday posts two weeks in advance, but I did that last week. This Sunday, my post will have the same theme as yours. When inspiration strikes (or the Holy Spirit), I try to get His message written quickly before I forget. 😉 Thanks for sharing your wonderful post!

    • With my horrible terrible so bad cold I haven’t done much online unless necessary… although there may have been a little mindless scrolling on FB. 😉 I’ll be over to read your post, Kim. Thanks so much for popping by. You made my day! {hugs}

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