Saturday

When God is Gone

When was the last time you sobbed?  I mean heartbroken, gut-wrenching sobs - the kind that erupt from a crushed and broken heart.

Maybe someone close to you drove a knife into your heart and then walked away.

Perhaps you had been betrayed.

Or abandoned.

Or forsaken.

Or lied to.

Maybe someone you loved had died, and all your dreams died with them.

You were left hopeless.

Alone.

Afraid.

Mary felt that way. As she walked to the tomb early that Sunday morning, her heart ached for what might have been. All the dreams. All the promises. All the hopes. Gone.

How could things have gone so wrong?

By the time she reached her destination, grief and sorrow overwhelmed her, and she sobbed. Gut-wrenching, heartbroken sobs. 

The kindly gardener's words did little to soothe her grief, "Woman, why are you weeping?" 

Forming an answer required her to acknowledge the reason.

"God is gone, and I don't know where to find Him."

Has sorrow ever made you feel this way?

When the resurrected Christ encountered a heartbroken Mary outside the tomb that first Easter morning, he spoke one word that changed Mary's life forever. It righted her world. It brought comfort and hope. It eased her sorrow and soothed her pain.

"Mary."

If you, like Mary, are heartbroken, close your eyes and open your heart.  Picture the Savior stepping into your grief and your pain and calling you by name.  He knows you.  He loves you.  He IS alive in your life.

Allow the hope of that first Resurrection Day to push everything else out of your heart.

REJOICE!

"He is not here!  He is risen, just as He said!"

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." (Ps 30:11)

"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty."  (1 Cor. 15:14)






You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Like a spiritual power bar, Hungry for God … Starving for Time is packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Wherever you are—in break rooms, carpool lines, or wherever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection—Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women is for you.



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8 comments:

  1. PRAISE is stirring up on the inside of me after reading this. I am so thankful to the Lamb of God who died so that I could live!! This is such an encouraging reminder that I serve a LIVING God!! HALLELUJAH! So glad I found your blog. Such a blessing! Kiah

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous3:12 AM

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  3. Anonymous3:12 AM

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  4. Jean Wilund2:26 PM

    How beautifully timely. I was just now sitting at my computer and when one of my very best friends contacted me that her father had suddenly died. I sat there stunned and sad. After reaching out to her, I stared at my screen. Reaching out to my keyboard, I touched a button and up popped this devotion. Beautiful words of encouragement for my friend (and me!) I immediately sent it to her and I know when she reads it, she will feel Jesus call her name. I know He will do a special work of grace in her during this hard time, and I feel confident God will use your devotion to comfort her. Thank you Lori!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:56 PM

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  6. lorihatcher10:40 PM

    Jean,

    Thank you so much for your comment. Believe it or not, I scheduled this devotion to post on Easter morning, but the Lord, in his sovereign wisdom, allowed it to post today. I know now that God knew you and your best friend needed it now, not in 3 weeks. Isn’t he good? He orchestrated a “mistake” just for y’all. May God wrap his loving arms around you both as he meets you in your times of grief and trust.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Replies
    1. Dawn,
      I've been where you are. In fact, I've written about my journey in several posts. I've copied the links here in the hope that they will encourage you. I'm stopping to pray for you right now, sister, that God will fill your heart with hope again.

      Here's a video message, from my heart to yours:
      http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com/2013/02/when-all-you-see-is-death-and-loss.html

      http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-your-soul-is-drowning.html

      http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com/2013/12/its-not-about-me-why-bad-things-happen.html

      Delete

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