December 9 Advent Devotional
Scripture: Romans 8:24-26
24 For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
A few years ago I suddenly developed a rash on my hands. They were almost like little blisters. These little blisters caused terrible itching, swelling and even pain. I tried oral steroids, creams, ice, whatever I could get my hands on or a physician would prescribe me. Nothing seemed to work. eventually found out the rash or little blisters was something called dyshidrotic eczema. For someone who is a manual therapist and uses their hands all day with patients, this became very problematic. I prayed for God to heal me constantly. When my hands were not improving, I became very frustrated and began to lose hope. However, at some point God intervened as he tends to do. Thanks to the Holy Spirit my prayers changed from selfish self involved “woo is me” prayers to asking God for strength to endure and even prayers of thanksgiving. Because of God’s good grace, I was able to become thankful for the “little” things like moments where my hands didn’t bother me so much. I recognize there are a lot of people who are going through much worse. However, this incident taught me to ALWAYS have hope when it comes God. He is truly amazing and can use any circumstance to bring us closer to him. Sometimes we just don’t know what to pray or how to pray, but the Spirit intervenes on our behalf I now recognize I am weak and require strength from God, and ultimately pray that God’s will be done even if I don’t know specifically what to pray for. I can now look back and be thankful for this condition because it taught me to always be hopeful, how to be patient, and reaffirmed my faith in God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the times you use to bring me closer to you. I am short sighted and weak but you alone can provide all the strength I need to endure whatever I encounter. I continue to pray for patience, hope and thy will be done.
Submitted by: Kevin Tyer
