Wednesday, November 9, 2016

For Prayers Answered, Mercy Given, and Hope

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. "
Psalm 126:3


"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end . . . they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness . . ."

My heart is so full this morning . . . full in the knowledge that God answers prayer, that He intervenes on behalf of His precious people, that He is merciful when we come to Him in humility and repentance, that He relents from doing harm. 

My morning glories are still blooming. Blooming in November, now. The day after the last debate, they opened up, gazing at the sky, their brilliant blue reflecting His handiwork and grace. They opened in October. When my heart was so, so heavy about the upcoming election. When my spirit was grieving over the response of many Christians and their attitudes towards it. My heart was broken as I thought about my two little children, sitting with me on that chair by the window as we had our Quiet Time. Thinking of what their future would be under a Clinton Presidency, and what that certainly would entail. My heart was broken. And then, He showed me the morning glories. Three beautiful morning glories and we read that morning the story of David and Goliath and of how the Lord silenced the threats of the enemy with a stone. I felt encouraged. 

And my heart was lifted up by the examples of other believers--some very close to me in my family who were praying earnestly and believed that the Lord would be gracious. Encouraged by the example of some Christian leaders like Franklin Graham, Eric Metaxas, and Wayne Grudem, among others. Encouraged by the witness of our friend William Levi and his family --who demonstrated a strong faith that the Lord would answer the prayers of His people and allow a Trump Presidency, even though it seemed like the odds were against him.

The Lord heard our prayers. The Lord heard the prayers of His people. My heart is filled with so much joy, it is difficult to contain it! I knew the Lord impressing upon my spirit that many--a remnant--were praying and fasting before the Lord about this election. I believed, (at times with a weak hope) that He would answer. He directed me through the time coming up to the election in His Word as I prayed about this to passages that directed me to hope that He would answer the prayers of His people and allow a Trump/Pence leadership. I felt strongly hopeful at times, and then I would see and read about what was going on in social media and become disheartened. But then, He would continue to strengthen my hope through His Word.

I was led by the Holy Spirit to encourage other Christians to vote for a Trump/Pence ticket. I felt nervous about doing so, as I knew that I would come under fire for such a position, but I obeyed the Lord anyway--only by His grace. I could not understand how believers whose concern was a "clean" candidate were casting their vote for a Mormon man (whose doctrines oppose everything that we believe as Christians) who was trying in some small way to sway the results of the election. I came under attack from other believers, I lost "likes" on my page, but I had decided in the beginning when I began my blog that I could not write to please men. If I did, it was not worth writing. That decision early on, has helped to strengthen me through the years to remain focused upon what I believe that the Lord is saying to me to write, no matter the disapproval from other Christians. He has been gracious to me. And this is why I obeyed the Spirit of the Lord regarding this issue and didn't stay silent. 

But I am grateful, so grateful for the other believers who have come up alongside me and encouraged me regarding this election. I am grateful for their prayers, their comments, their hope in our faithful God. 

So many believers across the nation, and possibly in other countries fasted and prayed in the days before the election. Our family joined them, and we experienced the blessing of the Lord answering our prayer in a truly miraculous way. 

The day before the election, the media was reporting a certain win for Hillary Clinton. I was weary and discouraged, trying to hold on to hope. 

And then there was a point yesterday, when I surrendered to God my anxiety over a Clinton Presidency. I accepted it if it were to happen. A strong peace flooded my heart, and I had hope in Him. 

I didn't listen to the news until later that night; at that point I was expecting to hear that Hillary Clinton was winning easily. 

But when we listened, she wasn't. 

And the rest is history.

The rest is a miracle.

The rest is God answering the prayers of His humbled people. 

I am so grateful to the Lord. I praise Him with all of my heart. 

He is truly a merciful Father who does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Because we deserved a Hillary Clinton Presidency.

And yet He gave grace.

Hallelujah. 

And so I pray that we will use this opportunity, this mercy to spread the Gospel while we still have time left. The darkness is surely coming.  

But the morning, for us now, is at hand. Our citizenship is in Heaven; and yet, He has placed us here surely for a reason--for this time. So may we spread the great news of His salvation to the nations with joy. 

And remember that He has been good to us. 


You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking ThursdaySoul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog HopTGI Saturdays Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Sharing His Beauty Blog LinkupCoffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUpYou're the Star Blog HopHomesteader HopFresh Market Friday

29 comments:

  1. I read this in my inbox this morning and now you're my neighbour at Women With Intentions.

    I live in NZ but I have prayed a lot over the last few weeks, and my heart was very happy with the outcome. I am so grateful to God for being so merciful and staying the hand of more evil. Trump isn't the best option but he picked up on the voices that have been drowning under the ocean of liberal media/politics/western culture, and they answered. I pray God will use him in his weaknesses and faults.

    I read this article the other day and it made me pray even more urgently that there would be no Hilary presidency: http://johnpilger.com/articles/a-world-war-has-begun-break-the-silence-

    PS: God is staying the hand of extreme liberalism. Here in NZ, He stopped our Anglican Church passing the bill allowing ministers to bless same-sex marriage. It was a miracle and there were people praying here, and overseas, as fervently nd earnestly as Americans recently.

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    1. Sarah--yes!! I agree so strongly-- "Trump isn't the best option but he picked up on the voices that have been drowning under the ocean of liberal media/politics/western culture, and they answered. I pray God will use him in his weaknesses and faults." That is what I have been sensing as well.

      I believe so strongly that the Lord worked through His people crying out to Him with prayer and fasting--I think that you are right--that the Lord is stopping the extreme liberal agenda from going forward for a time. We have an opportunity as believers to spread the Gospel freely--I am praying that we (I) will . . .

      Sarah, thank you for sharing about the Lord's answering prayer in NZ! That is incredible. It seems like the Lord is touching believer's hearts to intercede before Him in these very perilous times. That is truly a great answer to prayer.

      Blessings and grace upon you and your family, Sarah; I always appreciate your godly and gracious perspective.

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  2. Blessed to be your neighbor at Coffee for your Heart this week.

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    1. I'm glad that you stopped by! The Lord bless you, Tara.

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  3. Bekki, You articulate beautifully my own feelings leading up to the election.

    There was a point during the evening where I felt at peace and the thought came to me that God would give a Trump victory to show that ALL THINGS are possible with God, even when it seemed impossible to us which made this election win that much sweeter.

    I praise God for protecting the remnant, for protecting our children and our grandchildren.

    Thank you for always speaking the Truth in love. You are so precious. I miss you so much!

    Blessings,

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    1. Yes! Truly, "all things are possible with Him!" This was such a beautiful answer to the prayers of His people. I praise Him, too!

      I love you and miss you so, so much--

      Bekki <3

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  4. Praise God for His answers to prayer!
    Stay true, sister, to what God calls you to do. Joshua 1:9
    By the way, I love the quote by Lilias Trotter that you have on your blog photo. It has a way of pulling me back into focus.

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement, Ruth; it is such a blessing. Yes! Praise Him for His mercy and for answered prayer!

      Have a very blessed week!

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  5. Nice!! Prayed here to and I'm thrilled with the idea of restoration and it's always refreshing to read the positive view of others. Thanks for sharing!!

    Carole @ Garden Up Green

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    1. You're welcome, Carole! I'm so thankful!

      Love and grace to you.

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  6. Amen! Our citizenship is in Heaven. Blessings to you!

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    1. Blessings to you, also Stacey. :-) He is truly merciful.

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  7. Thanks for your grace and courage, Bekki. God has given us a voice, and the freedom to share the Truth according to our convictions and His leading. Visiting today from #GraceandTruth.

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    1. Oh, thank you for that encouragement. He is truly a merciful Father!

      Have a very blessed week!

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  8. I was blessed to ready your gracious words this morning. Thank you for modeling an obedience to God's instruction, even when it felt scary. We were bracing for a Clinton presidency as well, and God had given peace that whoever He put in office was who would further His plan to bring us closer to Christ's return and His perfect Kingdom. Until then...blessings to you, sister.

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    1. Yes; I know what you mean, Susan! It was only that peace that sustained me through the past few months as I struggled in prayer to trust Him. I am so thankful for how He worked. Blessings to you as well!--it is such an encouragement to my heart to know that so many others were lifting this up before the Lord in fervent prayer.

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  9. Thank the Lord he won!!! Many of my friends and small groups began to canvass for Trump and the republican ticket in Pa. after his Gettysburg speech. When he finally looked like he was getting serious about policy and putting the rhetoric aside, we then felt more confidant about knocking on doors in his behalf. We were definitely going to vote straight republican anyway, but his change of demeanor made us feel better about voting for him and Pence personally. A lot of doors slammed in our face, but now it was all worth it, especially since Pa. is what put him over the top.

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    1. Oh, Patrick! I was wondering how you stood on this issue--I always respect your Godly discernment and wisdom. Your comment actually lightened my heart. I believed strongly, through prayer, that the Lord was raising up His people to pray and to act --but at times, I felt so discouraged as so many believers seemed to be taking a different direction (even to the extent of promoting Hillary Clinton, which I could not reconcile). But then I saw other Christians rising up, and I was encouraged. I know that Trump was not the "ideal" candidate, but I believed that the Lord was able to use him (as He used Cyrus) as an instrument in His hand at this time.

      At any rate, I am so grateful for how the Lord worked--and I am grateful for believers like you, Patrick, who stand strong and unflinching and whose spirit the Lord has truly touched.

      Blessings to you, dear brother, and I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Praise the Lord for His mercies! :-)

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  10. Rebekah, God truly has been gracious to us! And now we need to continue praying that God will use President Elect Trump as we know He can. I thank God that He has placed a godly man like Mike Pence and others alongside him. Thanks for speaking the truth!

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    1. Yes! I agree, Donna! So much! You expressed it so perfectly. I am so grateful to the Lord for His mercy.

      Blessings and grace to you--have a very blessed Thanksgiving!!

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  11. I didn’t vote for Trump, so I’m trying to listen closer to those who did so I can better understand why. Thanks for sharing your heart. May the Lord lead us all to be kinder, more compassionate people as we heal through this hard time.

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    1. Lisa, this post explains in better detail why I voted for Trump . . . http://www.readytobeoffered.com/2016/09/why-im-voting-for-donald-trump.html. I'm so glad that you stopped by; I pray that you have a very blessed week! :-)

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  12. Amen! God had it all worked out!
    Julie

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    1. Yes! He has been so merciful to us!

      Blessings to you and your family, Julie! :-)

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  13. Oh, how beautifully you express my own heart on this!!! I too have felt the way you have during this election... and what a miracle our Father has done for us! I feel the same about how deeply this shows us God hears and answers our prayers!! I have tried to encourage others to vote God in this election, something I usually don't do on my blog but felt truly led to do. And it is disheartening that many seem even afraid to make a comment on those posts! Let us keep this nation in prayer of Ps 91 over them, especially over those who are still in the streets in fear over this. Blessings to you for your beautiful heart of prayer and sharing in this too! Pam, apples of gold, http://wordglow.wordpress.com

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    1. Yes, Pam!! I agree with what you wrote so completely! Your words were so refreshing and full of hope and truth. And I understand what you mean in what you wrote below, as well. I think that Trump truly does love this country and wants the best for it. Now we need to continue to pray! Perhaps the Lord will draw him to Himself--he is definitely close to a very godly man in Mike Pence.

      I am so thankful for your words and for your beautiful heart of faith--I pray that the Lord continues to bless you and use you and your words for His glory.

      Much love in Christ,
      Rebekah

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  14. P.S. I have felt that he may not be the "best" but as I watch his dedication to this country and how he is starting out even now, I am truly believing he just may be a great president in ways we've not imagined. Testimony to how God uses our weakness to bring strength! So let us declare that word over him and no longer say he may not have been the best etc... Pam, apples of gold

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