Life Is Hard!

Because he bends down to listen, 

I will pray as long as I have breath!

Psalm 116:2

Life is hard!  Really, really hard sometimes!  I am going through some terribly hard life right now! I’d love to pour out all the details, however in this moment the details involve people I love very much, and I am not sure they are ready for the details to be spilled.  In these seasons, I am so very thankful for a God who is faithful to listen.  I can pour it all out to Him, all the deep, scary, ugly emotions, and He never runs away.  In fact, His Word says, “he bends His ear to listen when I pray”.  How amazing is that?!?!  The creator of the universe bends His ear to listen when I pray.  I am completely overwhelmed!  

As I poured out my heart this morning I asked the Father to show me who He is.  Often when I pray I think of Jesus, but this morning I wanted to concentrate on the Father.  I asked for a picture of His character, and He reminded of all that I already knew in my heart.

I believe even when we know a thing deep in our heart, we still need to be reminded from time to time.  So with that, let me remind you.

Psalm 86:5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalms 145:8-9 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalms 103:8-12 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect.  The Lord’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 16:5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

Micah 7:18-19: Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?

You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Father, today I thank you for all these promises. I thank you for being a faithful God and friend.  I love you with all of my heart, and pray that every person who reads these verses will know deep in their heart that you are madly and deeply in love with them.  In the sweet name of your son Jesus I pray, amen.