Hearing His Voice #35

I am the LORD who heals you.

Exodus 15:26

FROM THE HEART OF GOD

“Sometimes when I speak to you, I tell you the side of My nature you will soon need to experience. I’m not trying to alarm you when I do this; there is an important spiritual truth at work. You need to know who I am going to be for you, so you can appeal to Me in faith when the need comes.

“Do you understand? I respond to you based on your prayers of faith. But you will not pray those prayers—or you will pray them in desperation rather than in confident faith—if I haven’t assured you of who I am. You may be surprised when I tell you I’m your Healer, Provider, Comforter, Deliverer, Promise-keeper, Guide, or anything else, especially if you hear those assurances in times when you aren’t in need of them. But a time will come when you will need to appeal to Me based on what you already know of My character. And you will need to know who I am on your behalf, and you will be glad for the words of promise.

“Don’t be afraid when I tell you that I’m your Healer. I am simply strengthening your faith before you need to exercise it in that area. Don’t be afraid when I tell you I’m your Provider, your Deliverer, or your Comforter. It doesn’t mean that lack, captivity, or grief are just around the corner. But you already know what life in this world is like. You know you will find yourself in times of deep need. And when you do, I don’t want you to call to Me tentatively or in hopeless desperation. I want you to anchor your hope and faith in who I am. That’s why I tell you who I am now. Embrace My nature and learn to depend on every side of Me that I choose to reveal to you.”

Lord, I do need You—often. I need to be able to call to You without wondering if You’ll come through for me. Please develop my confidence in Your nature. Fill me now with the certain knowledge of who You are.