Stand and See!

Feb 27 2015 Stand and See!

“Now therefore stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.” 

1 Samuel 12:16

This verse, written on an orange note card, recently dropped out of a messy pile.

It is one of my favorites, and it was a perfect day to see it again as I was having a rough patch with one of my teenage sons.

It is a verse of hope.

I have often claimed this scripture while praying for my four boys.

My sons are great people, but they are sinful (like their mother), male human beings. I pray they grow into men whose hearts are all in for God. Yet some days, amid arguments, sarcasm, dirty socks, and CHAOS, I see little evidence of that happening in their futures.

I landed on Planet Boy twenty-plus years ago, called to civilize a wild and testosterone-filled tribe.

Keeping them fed, clothed, and housed is a considerable responsibility. However, my most daunting mission is influencing and guiding their character spiritually.

God’s word is where I get my marching orders and daily doses of hope.

The twelfth chapter of First Samuel inspires me. In verse sixteen, we read that God demonstrated “…a great thing” before the eyes of His people. Samuel, the judge and prophet, brought these words to fruition as he delivered his “Farewell Address” to his countrymen.

These citizens of Palestine desired a king, not a judge. Samuel addressed them with warnings, explaining what life would be like under a king’s rule. Yet he also desired that they see God’s power released before their eyes.

In this scene, the Almighty brings thunder and rain in June. It comes on a day of crystal blue skies in a never rained season.

Samuel proclaimed the crowd would “stand and see” a great thing. And indeed they did!

I, too, want to stand and see the Lord do GREAT things, don’t you?

I often claim Samuel’s words of hope over my sons. Believing they will do GREAT things with their lives. I pray with hope that I will get to witness these great things with my own eyes. I assert these words even when my skies look blue in June.

What GREAT THINGS do you want to trust God with? Is there dry land in your life that needs a storm?

Is there a loved one or trying situation in your life that seems hopeless?

Get out your orange (or white or blue) notecards and write out this verse. Memorize it. Pray these words with hopeful confidence over loved ones and trials. Then STAND in hope, trusting and believing in the God who does GREAT things.

My friend, I pray we will see His power with our very own eyes. Until then, abide and abound in HOPE, no matter what planet you live on.

“…ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.”  John 16:24

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