I like to pray on my way to work. It’s a quiet moment I have before my day gets busy. This morning when I was driving to work, I was praying like I usually do. One of the things I prayed about was my benefits covering my dental work, as I’ve had a few visits to the dentist, and will have a few more in the next little while.
I wasn’t sure why I prayed about it, but I felt like I should, as it was something I’d been worrying about as I wasn’t sure how much my benefits would cover.
I had the second part of my root canal done today, which went rather well, though it was rather long. I let my thoughts wander as I lay there in the dentist chair, idly wondering once or twice if my benefits would cover my dental work, or if I’d have to add the cost to my visa card and pray I’d be able to pay it off quickly. At one point the receptionist popped her head into the room to say she was headed home, and then added that all my dental work was covered by my benefits, before she left. It dawned on me then that I hadn’t even talked to her about benefits at all this visit, and that her coming into the room while I was still being worked on is unusual, as being a receptionist, benefits would be something she’d talk to you about after your appointment if there needed to be a discussion. Talk about a prayer being answered right away!
I was just listening to some music just now, and a song came on and I was just reminded of the fullness of God’s goodness, and how that my prayers are answered before I even speak them. I was also reminded of a verse I’ve had posted in my bathroom for ages:
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never seen again. The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be STILL” (Exodus 14:13).
To give you some context for that verse, the Israelites have just been let go by Pharaoh. They’ve been slaves for as long as they can remember, and have just been saved by Moses and Ten Plagues that God works through to help Pharaoh let the Israelites free. They leave Egypt with Moses, but they’re not alone,
“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left it’s place in front of the people” (Exodus 13: 21-22)
They think they’re on the homestretch to freedom when they realize Pharaoh and his army are pursuing them. So what do the Israelites do? They panic, naturally.
Now, if you’re like me and you’ve read Exodus, I’m sure at some point you’ve thought, “Good grief Israelites! How many times does God have to prove you that He’s got things in control?! God is there WITH you, in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of freaking fire at night, and you’re panicking! I would never do such a thing or need reminding constantly”.
I am most definitely guilty of that. 100% guilty. But I get scared when I can’t see the end or the answer to the things I’ve been praying. So instead of handing my worries and fears over to God, I hold on tight to them and deal with them on my own. Sometimes I feel like the things I pray for are insignificant in the grand scheme of life. I don’t feel like what I have to ask for is…well, worthy of being asked for to the God of creation. Surely He’s busy with more important things, I tell myself. Or, this problem is too small to bring to His feet. So, I convince myself that I should handle it on my own, and we all know that such a thing doesn’t work too well. I stress, I lose sleep, and I lose sight of where my focus should be. The stubborn girl inside me puts on her superhero cape and tries to do things all on her own.
Like the Israelites who had been just saved from Egypt and were now trapped against the sea by the approaching Egyptian army, I need reminding from time to time that God has everything in control despite the fact that I know and believe that He’s with me always.
I need to BE STILL and take rest in the knowledge that anything that I may face, God has already seen and there are no surprises to Him.
Do not be afraid.
Stand firm.
See the deliverance the Lord will bring to you.
The Lord will fight for you.
Be still.
The Northern Heart 