The King Has One More Move

I recently came across a 3 minute video clip called “Checkmate” that has ministered to my heart and given me fresh faith.  I attach the link at the bottom of this post.  Sometimes things in our lives seem hopeless, but "the King has one more move."  God is at work in ways we can't see.  He is setting things up to do the impossible, to answer our prayers.  He is listening to every cry of our hearts.  He hears every prayer we utter.  He wants to lift every burden we bear.  He longs to meet our needs.  He is faithful!

On the screen in the background of this video clip is a message that says "Never confuse God's silence as inactivity!"  I love that.  Sometimes we pray and all we hear is silence.  But that doesn't mean that God isn't at work.  "In the kingdom of God nothing just 'happens.' "  God is always actively working behind the scenes to help us,  meet us, and answer prayer.

Sometimes when we're in the midst of something, we don't even see what God is doing.  We're so focused on the situation that we can lose perspective.  It's only later that we look back and see "oh yeah, God was working there."  I had that happen a number of times on our unexpected journey. 

I have new prayer requests I'm lifting to the Lord.  Some of them seem pretty huge, pretty impossible, but I remind myself that "the King has one more move."  He's still at work.  He's not finished.  Thank you Lord!

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer."  1 Peter 3:12 

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."  1 John 5:14

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:12,13

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:27

I remind myself daily that I need to keep faith and hope alive in my heart.  I am not alone.  I serve a God of the impossible.  And I must be careful to not give up too quickly!  It's the Almighty God, the King of the universe that I am bringing my requests to.  He is able, and He is faithful!

During the 5+ years of our unexpected journey, it was so intense and stretching.  After Floyd passed away, I took a deep breath and thought maybe I'd have a season of peace and rest.  But I've found that the Lord keeps stretching my faith.  I've come to understand that it's out of His heart of love for me.  He wants me to keep becoming more like Him so He gives me fresh opportunities to grow.  I don't always like them, but I see them as for my good.  A phrase that is on my mind a lot is "I don't know how Lord, but my eyes are on you."  I truly don't know how I can be stretched any more, but the Lord helps me daily to learn and grow.  I'm so grateful for His grace and strength.

When we first moved to Amsterdam in 1973, we were told that we weren't wanted or needed in the city.  The spiritual atmosphere in the city was bleak - drugs were rampant, the red light district was a thriving industry, only a handful of churches preached the Gospel, and there was a lack of unity among believers.  Our workers loved the city, prayed for it, and poured their lives into serving in whatever way they could.  There were some hard years, but there were also many good, encouraging things happening. Those who came after us continued loving and praying for the city.  Many have faithfully served there. 

A friend who had been with us in those years recently visited Amsterdam.  He said the contrast was like day and night.  It's a different city!  It's been a radical transformation - physically and spiritually.  I couldn't help but think of all the "stretching" years.....but as we kept our eyes on the Lord, He has done wonderful things.  Those prayers have been answered.  

As you and I are stretched in our individual situations, we can be sure that God is with us - helping us, strengthening us, encouraging us, and working to answer our prayers.....even if we can't see it yet. 

"Truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer."  Psalm 66:19

"I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy."  Psalm 116:1

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:1

I sometimes get impatient wanting to see answers to my prayers.  But, even when I can't see anything happening, I can rest assured that God is faithfully at work!  I thank Him today for all the answered prayers for Amsterdam.

I trust that all you dear mothers will have a blessed Mother's Day on Sunday.  Thank you for your love and care for your families.  Happy Mother's Day!