YOUR MISERY IS SEEN

YOUR MISERY IS SEEN - Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. (Psalm 90:15) Hagar, the maid of Sarah, the wife of Abraham got an opportunity to become the wife of Abraham. However, she became proud and began to ignore her mistress. On account of her attitude, she was chased out of the house by Sarah and had to wander in wilderness. An angel of God met Hagar who was in a hopeless condition having been forsaken by men and comforted her saying, "You are now with a child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery." Having heard this good tidings Hagar's heart was filled with joy. She thought, "There is a God who sees me. Although people forsake me, He would never forsake me." She who thought that her life had come to an end was thrilled to hear about the divine blessings which were in store for her through the angel of God. She shed tears of joy. She rejoiced saying, "You are a God who sees me." Her agony came to an end that day (Genesis 16:1-16) A godly woman who was doing God's ministry shared her experience in the following manner. "I did not give first place to Jesus when I was young. I was just a nominal Christian. However, the Lord graciously intervened in my life and drew me towards Him. When I began to follow Him, this world branded me as 'insane'. All my relatives began to treat me like an enemy because they could not understand the greatness of God's love. I was left alone like an orphan. But at the same time the love of Jesus filled me with joy. Days passed by. The presence and the power of God filled me in an abundant measure. The Lord started using me mightily in the ministry. The same people who rejected me came seeking after me. Seeing the hand of God in my life everyone started honouring me. The Lord has also graciously enabled all of them to become His followers." Dear Friend! The Bible says, "the help of man is worthless" (Psalm 108:12, 60:11). So kindly do not place your trust on any man. Instead look to God always. When you place your trust upon a man, the Lord Himself would allow you to face agony and shame through the same man and through that He will make you understand the depth of His love for you. The Almighty and impartial God with whom nothing is impossible alone can wipe away your tears (Acts 10:34). He shall make you shed tears of joy. Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, When the problems of this world are unbearable for me, help me understand that I have an Almighty God who is greater than all my problems. Give me the grace to always confess and trust that Your eyes move to and fro looking upon those with a contrite spirit. In Your immense grace and mercy give me the wisdom not to trust in the strength and power of mortal men. On this wonderful day I believe that I have an incomparable God who sees my misery and walks with me through the valley of tears letting me know the divine blessings that are in store for me. I praise and thank You with all my heart for all the goodness You have bestowed upon me. Be with me a bless me. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.