A Faith Story: Supernatural Providence
I wanted to write a post of encouragement about God’s ability to supernaturally intervene in the circumstances of our lives. That in times where we feel alone, or where everything else has failed, God Himself can and does step in.
Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save Is.59:1.
I was in a situation recently where I had been struggling to follow through on something I knew God wanted me to break from. I finally did what God was leading me to do and almost immediately afterwards, it seemed like that saying, all hell broke loose.
As the day progressed I sunk deeper into a kind of despair, my faith wavered, my feelings raged, and I thought I was going to fall back.
That evening, I watched TV to try and distract myself, but that didn’t work, so I went off and just tried to sit in God’s presence for a while. I didn’t really feel Him. I began to sing songs to Him, and speak out passages from the psalms, but even as I was trying to bring my heart into alignment with His will, thoughts I shouldn’t have had plagued me – right in the middle of worship (how does that happen!!) – and I was so tempted to just give up. What’s the point God? Sin crouches at the door Gen.4:7, and even as I pray to You, it claws at me.
I thought of the spiritual battle that Paul spoke about (Eph.6:10-18) and then that I needed friends to pray for me, but it was late by then. Truth be told, I actually felt quite alone but was not really sure what to do then and there, so I asked God Himself for His preservation that night. He Himself is my rock and my fortress Ps.31:3, my strength Ps.31:4, my help and my shield Ps.33:20. I prayed this, blew out my candle, and went to bed.
The very next morning, I experienced God’s supernatural providence.
I switched on my phone and a text bleeped that had been received in the middle of the night.
It was from a friend of mine, a Godly and prophetically gifted woman. We had not spoken for months, but this is how the text began:
B, I am sorry I’m texting so late, just to share with you that 5 of us were praying for you tonight …
I phoned her immediately and she gave me the background. She said that God had laid me on her heart that whole week. She finally said to God, ‘Lord, what would you like me to do?’ and He said, ‘Pray for her. And these are the others I want to pray for her too.’
So this dear woman had rallied these people that God had directed, and at a time of my real spiritual need, where it was too much for me alone, God knew, and He Himself stepped in and supernaturally provided. He raised up intercessors by His Spirit so that I was not alone.
How awesome is our God! He is real and present and mighty to save Is.63:1.
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper Is.54:17 …
… I will never leave you, nor forsake you Heb.13:5.
Birgit, thanks for sharing this. We need more people knowing how to be led by the Spirit.
“…even as I was trying to bring my heart into alignment with His will, thoughts I shouldn’t have had plagued me – right in the middle of worship (how does that happen!!) – and I was so tempted to just give up. What’s the point God? Sin crouches at the door Gen.4:7, and even as I pray to You, it claws at me.”
Okay…I’m not alone here. THIS helps!
I will keep praying. I will persevere. He is listening.
Thanks!
Wow! What an encouragement!Thank God for those who obey Him! Like Job, sometimes we don’t see the purpose or meaning to our anguish and distress, until the time it is right for it to be revealed to us, yet we keep hanging on in there, by faith. You now know you are NEVER alone. I went to Cyprus with hubbie recently and we got caught in a some really fearsome waves in Pafos, in a glasss bottomed boat, so we could see the remains of a ship wreck beneath us – charming! Now I know what it feels like when the disciples said alarmingly to Jesus- ‘Don’t you care that we may drown??!!’He’s always there! God bless you for your openess.
xxx
Praising God for His goodness and kindness… And remembering how Jesus intercedes for us and makes our case before the Father.
Isn’t it amazing Tawny? It inspires me to listen for the prompting of God, and then to follow, love and blessings to you.
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It’s so good to know you can relate to this Michelle, and also I love what you said here about persevering. Sometimes I think so much of this beautiful and challenging walk with God is just that, keeping on :) Love you xo
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Oh wow, Laura, so you experienced a real storm on the sea firsthand! It really would give whole new insight to the passage from the Bible that you mention here ;) It sounds like an amazing holiday you both had in Cyprus.
I really like what you said here about the purpose of our suffering or hard times not always being known at the time, but to keep on trusting no matter what, confident in God that there is an ultimate purpose and it is good (Romans 8:28). Lots of love xo
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I love that thought Rain, that our beautiful Saviour Himself intercedes for us before God. His love and grace towards us is amazing. Thank you for this, lots of love xo
I find it so encouraging to hear these experiences. It reminds us how powerful we can be as intercessors when we are open to God to use us for this. You know you are on the right track if you are being disrupted like that Birgit!
Such a good point Ruth! It’s such an incentive to grow in being sensitive to God’s voice and prompting to intercede, when we see how incredibly He works through prayer. Lots of love xo
Birgit – Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Blessed assurance we have in Him. I am encouraged. Thank you.
Thanks for your vulnerability, and for sharing such a powerful moment with us. I’m reminded of Romans 8.26-27 – not only does Jesus intercede for us, but so does the Holy Spirit, “with groanings too deep for words”… interceding “for the saints according to the will of God.” How precious is that…
That’s so lovely @ngie – I am so in awe of God’s goodness and how He cares about us so intimately.
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Hi Kari, it’s lovely to hear from you, welcome. You’re right, it is so precious and so incredible that Jesus Himself intercedes for us before the Father, and that His Spirit prays through us, especially when we have no words. Our God is so good! :)
Thanks for your encouraging words.