Our friend and devotional writer, Sally McClung, had a major cancer surgery last Friday. We want to remember her in prayer daily, so we will be posting one of her writings each day this week to remind us and to celebrate all she has taught us and the life she has shared with us. She wrote these earlier this year, long before she knew what she would be facing in November. Please lift her before the Lord for healing and peace for both her and her husband, Floyd.
“Nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
Limiting God
I’ve learned on this journey that there’s an area where I need to be careful. God has met us time and time again. We’ve seen Him answer prayer, perform miracles, and be so faithful to us. And yet, when we face a new trial or testing, if I’m not cautious, I can easily respond with unbelief. I may even find myself thinking maybe this is too hard for God. It’s really “too big” this time—or I’m asking “too much.”
Someone sent me a video of a dear elderly lady sharing her walk of prayer with the Lord. She referred to this verse: “How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert. Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:40,41).
She said God used this verse to tell her to never limit Him! I love that. God is limitless—but we can limit Him in our hearts through our mumblings and grumblings and unbelief like the children of Israel. I don’t want to be like them! They wandered in the desert for 40 years because of their responses! Their complaining didn’t help one little bit. All it did was bring discouragement.
When something seems “too big”—when it feels daunting—the only thing I know to do is to go to the Word and start reading all of God’s promises once again. I’ve read them before. I’ve seen Him fulfill them over and over again. But when facing new challenges, I go back to them like I’ve never read them. I let the truth of His Word wash over my soul. I pray the promises out loud. I sing them in songs. I thank Him for how He’s fulfilled them in the past. And I step out in fresh faith in believing Him to meet me in the new challenge.
Holding onto God’s promises helps me deal with any doubt that is lurking in my heart. It strengthens my faith. It gets things in their proper perspective. It keeps my eyes on God, not on the needs and problems. It lifts my spirits as I’m reminded of how awesome God is.
I don’t want to “limit the Holy One of Israel.” I want to have an open heart to trust Him, and to believe for new, fresh miracles.
All too frequently I seem to be facing “impossible” situations—for myself, for Floyd, for our family, for the All Nations ministry. I MUST keep my focus on God—on His goodness, faithfulness, and promises. He is totally sufficient for every need.
Lord, Sally’s current situation must feel too big for her, but we know it isn’t too big for You. We lift Sally before You for fresh faith, for bold courage, and for remembered promises. Your ways are always right and good. Amen.