Kathi Pelton
inscribeministries.com
During a past season of refinement that I was going through, I had began praying prayers that were not familiar to my ears. They were prayers that resembled begging— they sounded like the voice of an orphan not a daughter. Since some of my needs during that time stemmed from my own mistakes, unbelief and “taking matters into my own hands”, I felt deserving of the burdens that I was carrying. I found myself apologizing to God constantly and agonizing over the fact that I’d made some choices that brought about personal hardships. My prayers went from “Thank you Father…” to “Please help God…”
One night while I was struggling with guilt, worry and regrets over my predicament I began apologizing once again and praying (begging) this way, “Please help me God…” Immediately the Lord interrupted me. He said, “Daughter, why are you praying like an orphan when you are a loved daughter?”
I replied, “Because I acted out of doubt and unbelief and now I’m paying the price. I knew better!”
With such love and compassion He spoke again, “When one of your children make a bad choice, even when they knew better, do you withhold love or help when they truly apologize and need your help out of their troubles?”
I answered, “No, I run to their aid and comfort their hurting hearts. I restore them to peace, to sonship and purity. I don’t think twice about it!”
He said, “Do you not know that I am far more patient with you? Do you know that My love for you far exceeds your love for your children? And do you not understand that it is My delight to help you?”
That night my prayer changed! It went from begging God for help to thanking Him that He takes delight in helping me. My heart released the heavy burden of the responsibility for my failure. When I repented I was released from the burden and Jesus took it upon Himself. I allowed the rain of His love to wash away the guilt, the shame, the regret and the orphan spirit that had taken hold of my heart. He baptized me anew in His mercy, grace and love. He restored my place as His daughter.
Whether what you are facing is by the fault of your own choices or even merely by circumstances beyond your control— know this: He takes delight in both helping you and comforting you! You are His beloved child and His greatest longing is to be near to you, comfort you and help you. He does not want you to suffer under burdens that you were not meant to carry. Just as a natural parent would carry something too heavy for their child to bear or pick them up to carry them when they are too tired to walk on, so will your Heavenly Father. He far exceeds any human love or compassion— even that of a father or mother.
I awoke this morning feeling the depths of His love and compassion for those who feel separated from Him because of the grief of their own failings or choices. He longs to take from you all that you cannot bear. He takes delight in helping you and setting you free. Turn your words from the words of a beggar back to the words of one who knows they are a loved son or daughter.
When my kids come to me feeling broken and burdened, I drop everything to do everything I can to both comfort and help them. God is doing that for you right now. The amazing thing is that He has no limits in His ability to help and He knows exactly what to do to comfort you. As a parent I am limited in my abilities— He is not! He dispatched angels on your behalf , He opens the doors of Heaven’s storehouse, He comes as Comforter, Redeemer, Deliverer and holds nothing back.
Thank Him! Thank Him that He delights in helping you! Thank Him that He loves you and has taken you as His own child! Don’t beg but go to Him knowing that He takes great delight in you.
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
