The Daily + Midweek Updates + Friday Prayer
When we discover questions for God within ourselves, we’re not uncovering the absence of faith but the presence of it.
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:2)
What’s the significance of this ratio? Well, if you’ve walked with anyone through tremendous suffering, then you know the significance of this ratio. Suffering brings with it a set of questions—why questions; when questions; where questions; how questions; so many questions! And God welcomes them all.
In his commentary on the book of Job, Eric Ortlund, a magnificent Old Testament Professor at Oak Hill Seminary in London, grapples with the fact that when Job’s life falls to ruin, Job not only wishes to die but curses the day he was born. And Eric makes this brilliant observation, “Job would not curse so terribly if he did not value God so deeply.” Do you see the thread that Eric is pulling here? It’s the same thread that runs through our text. There are seven questions in just eleven verses, not because the psalmist doesn’t trust God. There are seven questions in just eleven verses because the Psalmist believes God so deeply! We don’t question a God we don’t believe in. What would be the point?
And that’s why God is not asking us to bottle up our questions. God is inviting our questions. More than that, God is giving us the questions to ask. Like this one, “When shall I come and appear before God?” In other words, “When will I finally get relief from the living water of your presence? Dear friends, when we discover in ourselves questions for God, we’re not discovering the absence of faith. We’re discovering the presence of faith!
MIDWEEK UPDATES
RESOURCES - Want to stay up to date on Immanuel’s teaching ministry? Whether you missed a Sunday or need a midweek word of encouragement, subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest!
PRAYER - As we continue our series on prayer, we want to invite you to join us every Friday at 6 am in the Cafe at 4301 Charlotte Ave. for prayer. This is a great opportunity to go to our heavenly Father with frontline prayers, asking that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let’s see what the Lord will do!
SUMMER WORK PROJECTS - This summer, we’re coming together for a series of projects to spruce up and care for our church home! We invite you to sign up for one (or more) of the project dates below:
Friday, July 18
Saturday, July 19
No matter your skill level, there’s a place for you on the team. Thank you for making Immanuel an even more welcoming place for all who enter!
MARRIAGE FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR - If you are considering marriage, engaged, or are young in your marriage, join us for our next Marriage Foundations Seminar. The seminar will take place on Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the café. Lunch will be provided. Register here.
Thankful!
Love this. What an encouraging thought, this really resonated with me today and was just what I needed to hear. Bless you!