If I told you the sun was about to shine again in your life, depending upon how dark the storm clouds hovering over you were, you might not believe me. Get real you might say inwardly, as you dismiss my words as baseless "optimistic talk" designed to make you feel good, without being rooted in reality. But I don't throw words around frivolously. I don't aim to make you happy. I'm here to relay a promise from the Lord that things are about to change in your life.
What I'm writing to you now was sparked by something that happened earlier. I went downstairs in the kitchen this morning and noticed a brand new, uncut watermelon sitting on the counter top. That means my husband Kenya made a grocery run to stock up on a bit of fruit. I got excited about it.
I’m a fruit lover.
I find pomegranates, grapefruit, pineapples, oranges, apples and grapes pleasing to the palate. But I especially love melons. Honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon are among my absolute favorites.
As I examined the new watermelon today, I noticed a big, buttery yellow spot on it. That’s a good sign.
Now, I know a lot of people think they should look for the greenest melon, but that’s not true. That creamy spot is where it sat on the ground and ripened. So make sure you find one like that. Also, seek out a melon that’s heavy for its size. When you knock on it, you don’t want a dead thud. It should be firm and have a little bounce to it.
I didn’t mean to turn this devotional into a watermelon-picking tutorial. But I thought I’d throw a few helpful tips out there for any fellow watermelon-lovers who may not know them.
Well, although the watermelon we haven’t yet cut may possibly turn out to be a very sweet one, there are no guarantees. I remember one time, Kenya and I hastily selected and bought a watermelon. We saw one with the buttery spot I just talked about and grabbed it.
I was eager to sink my teeth into the juicy, sweet treat. As soon as Kenya cut it open, I noticed his head shaking and not in a good way.
“Uh-oh,” he muttered.
“What?” I asked. “You don’t think it’s sweet?”
He shook his head no.
I walked over, still hoping for the best. I grabbed a spoon, dug right into the center of it and popped a piece in my mouth. It was juicy, but had no sweetness…at all. And I do mean, not at all—literally.
I have tasted many watermelons that haven’t been as sweet as I would have liked them to be. But never, at least before that time, had I sampled one with no sweetness. That was a first for me. If I had to compare it to anything, it would be like a fountain drink that runs out of flavor. Have you ever had a cup of soda that tasted like carbonated water and afterward learned that the machine needed a refill? If so, then you have an idea of what chomping on an unsweetened piece of watermelon is like.
Gross.
I was so confused, I doubted my own taste buds and invited our two sons Kaleb and Kedar to do their own taste-testing. That way, I could confirm whether or not it was just me. Well, it wasn’t. Their frowns said it all.
I considered how life can be a lot like watermelon picking, you know. No matter how carefully you choose your steps, or how you wish things would be, every moment won’t be a sweet one. Every day will not be easy. The road can get pretty rocky quickly. In fact, you’ll have some disappointing days and rough nights. You will weep at times, just as Hannah did in 1 Samuel 1:10, which says, “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”
Every disappointment you faced will pale in comparison to the blessings on the way for you. Your shift is here!
Why was her soul in such torment? Why did she weep sorely and bitterly before the Lord? It’s because Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, whose story begins in 1 Samuel 1, was unable to have children—something that was considered a curse in her day.
It didn’t help that Hannah’s husband had another wife, Peninnah, who was able to have children, but was extremely jealous of Hannah. So Peninnah would taunt her perceived rival about being barren. How heartless!
Imagine how hard it would be to be up close and personal with a mean-spirited bully, with whom you just so happened to share the same husband. Think about how devastating it would be to be mercilessly made fun of for failing in the area you most wanted to succeed. Finally, take into account how agonizing it would be to be hated and teased by someone who possessed exactly what you desired most, but could not attain.
That’s the story of Hannah and Peninnah in a nutshell. And although the Bible says Elkanah treated Hannah well, loved her, and favored her, she was yet bitter and heartbroken over her situation.
Friend, you can be favored and bitter. Life can treat you so harshly that you can no longer clearly see or appreciate the good things. The heartaches, let-downs, losses, and disappointments can be so severe, that your very soul aches.
Hannah was like that: favored and bitter. But instead of being resigned to her fate, she made her way to the house of God, fell down at the altar, and cried out to the Lord.
Her breaking point was also her turning point.
God opened Hannah’s womb in response to that anguished prayer, and blessed her with a son named Samuel, which means “Heard of God.”
Just as God heard Hannah’s cry, He also hears yours. Right now, it might not feel or seem like God hears, but He does. You might feel like you’re about to break down completely, but you won’t. 2 Corinthians 4:8 says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
In your lowest valley is where God finds you and lifts you up. Your breaking point is your turning point, as long as you can do what Hannah did in her brokenness and pour out your soul to the Lord. I’m a witness that He will move on your behalf.
For someone reading this, at this moment, right here and now, you’re at your turning point. God has seen your tears and heard your cries. He is healing the broken places, watering the dry places, and causing the barren places in your life to be made fruitful.
I know this may not be a “sweet” season in your life. You might be crying bitter, anguished tears and are feel like you’re on the verge of giving up hope of a better future. But God sent me to tell you, this is not the end. He has more for you. Life is not over. This temporary season of struggle and heartache is about to a new season where obstacles will be removed. Joy will be overflowing and peace will abound.
Your breaking point, which is the midnight of your life, is your turning point. Morning time is around the corner. To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring the latter portion of the very popular Psalm into your cup of inspiration: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
As you drink down the contents of your cup, if you feel weary of soul, faint of heart and down in spirit because of the fierce battles you’ve been fighting in your life, be encouraged. Hold on. The victory is already won, even though it hasn’t manifested yet. God has something great in store for you. Despite how bad it looks and how heartbroken, disappointed, or tired you may be, press your way to God. When you get there, even with tears streaming down your cheeks, thank Him for your turning point.
Decree and declare that things are changing, as you boldly and confidently enter into the presence of the Lord. Hebrews 4:16 KJV says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
God is right there where you are. He’s already moving on your behalf. While you await the fullness of your breakthrough into a “sweeter” season, speak over yourself. Prophesy over that situation. Believe it as you say, “This is my turning point.”
Don’t give up. In due season, you’ll reap if you don’t faint (Galatians 6:9).
Now let’s pray.
God, I know You have good things in store for my future. But the hurts, disappointments and tough times keep clouding my faith. Today, I am rebuking bitterness, worry, anxiety, stress, and disillusionment, and I am crying out to You in faith, just as Hannah did in the sanctuary. I believe You are moving in my circumstances. I declare by faith, this is my turning point. When I step into my new season I will be ever careful to honor You, praise You, glorify You, and let everyone know, it was You who has performed this marvelous work in me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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