"I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer." Song of Solomon 5:6 (KJV)

Have you ever experienced one of these moments of loneliness, when all comfort is gone and the Lord Himself seems to have withdrawn and there is no answer to your cry? If you are one of His beloved, I am well sure that you have...for thus is the way God deals with His dear children. Maybe you do not understand His ways, and often ask Him "Why?"...why suffer all this pain and heartache?

Well, today this child of the Most High found herself in such a state of abandonment and loneliness, and in her pain cried to the Father and once again asked the question 'Why? my Father'. (You will notice that Grace2u has not been on IRC tonight, neither has she sought comfort from anyone close...for she knows that God has 'called her aside' to loneliness with purpose today) This is what I want to share with you here, the purpose in the pain we suffer. I need to add here also, that the Lord was truly gracious and did not leave me knocking at His door without turning to open unto me sooner than I had expected...He called me 'aside' to teach me, and opened my understanding to some of His truly amazing ways.

As I was longing for comfort and a shoulder to cry on (but found none), I turned to my heavenly Father, who truly is the God of all comfort...and as I was weeping and wailing about my state, He quietly approached me and whispered into the ear of my spirit the following words...'My child, I will declare to you the purpose of my dealings with you...I have called you to this moment of loneliness for you to experience the pain of loneliness, which so many other people around you experience on a daily basis...for how can you possibly feel for them with compassion, if you are not aquainted with their pain. The pain is the pressure of my molding hands on your life...it is necessary, since I desire for you to be formed by the imprints of my fingers in your life, reflecting more and more my nature and image...that they will see that you are my workmanship, and they will glorify the Father.'

While the Lord was speaking to my spirit, among other things I felt a deep peace over me, and it was just like He was holding me in His arms and wiping the tears from my eyes (it was really sweet). And immediately afterwards, names started to flood my mind and He told me 'Make intercessory prayer for these lonely people' and I began praying with such a passion for these people as if I were in their stead/place. I believe this is what 'standing in the gap' means...it is like you are actually there yourself, suffering with the hurting.

This is the first time I have experienced such a 'quick transition' from a state of near depression to praise...the Lord usually takes His time to teach me...but this time He was there to teach me by example and understanding *NOW*! This whole thing was a matter of maybe 5 minutes (it was in the spirit, and it is not really possible to measure time)...but such a blessing...and although I still haven't been in a mood to dance all day, I was able to praise God from the midst of my 'ashes & sackcloth' state...because my spirit in me was experiencing the glory of God...and understood the purpose of the high calling of intercessory prayer.

\o/\o/\o/ Lord, if I had lips other than these to praise you with, I would give you praise with more pure lips...if there would be a place higher than your throne, I would lift you there...for YOU are worthy to be lifted higher and higher...let your name be exalted, O God! \o/

If you are in a state of pain today, I encourage you to take heart...for as the Lord has shown me, it is with purpose that you experience this...for how can you pray for people with such a passion, unless you know the pain they are feeling. God is calling us to the high calling of 'standing in the gap' for many people who suffer loneliness, abuse, rejection, physical abuse, emotional abuse, depression, physical ailments, oppression, etc. etc. - if you are presently experiencing any of these things...regard them as God's finger prints on your life...and be of good cheer, for it will be known that you are His workmanship, well fit for His purpose. God does all things well! Blessed be His name! \o/

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Precious Lord, I thank you for this painful day in my life, and for giving me understanding and purpose...I thank you also for your comfort and love...thank you for causing me to feel the pressure of your hands, and leaving your finger-prints all over my life. I thank you that you have allowed me to stand in the gap for all the lonely people you have brought to my mind...I thank you that you care so much for them and love them with such a deep love...for allowing me to "know" their pain and offer up the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for them...thank you for calling us to be a royal priesthood who will lift up holy hands on behalf of those who are not able. Father, I give you thanks and praise.

May the Lord Jesus Christ truly bless you through these words, and restore strength to the feeble hands and knees, and courage to disheartened hearts, and understanding to confused minds...In Jesus' name. Amen.
Your sister in Christ, Grace2u

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