Are You Bitter? - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) January 31, 2025
Have you ever seen the videos of couples where the wife reveals that her husband took too long to marry her? Have you ever noticed the bitter undertone in her voice?
Some Christians, male and female, have that same bitterness toward the Lord. King Asa's story is a cautionary tale. That and Job 22:21 - Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you (ESV).
There are many reasons why this attitude may arise. One is because you've walked with God for years and have long waited for something you feel you prayed for or were promised by Him. You might be a faithful church goer who even fellowships with the brethren outside of Sunday services. From all appearances, you may seem to be a serious Christian. However, at your core, you're bitter toward God and feel let down. You've decided to 'stay' but you've become spiteful toward Him. The things of the Lord no longer bring you joy and have become routine. The other blessings He provides don't quite matter because He is yet to do what you value the most.
This message is not for everyone but if you suspect you are bitter or becoming bitter, the solution is to desire a change of heart and attitude toward God (Psalm 51:10). Why is the onus on you to make a change and not on Him? Simple. He is God and thus perfect in all His ways (Psalm 18:30). He loves all those He created but that doesn't change the reality that everything about Him is higher than you (Isaiah 55:8-9). Ergo, the one who needs changing is you.
Put bluntly, please humble yourself before Him (Micah 6:8). While the Bible tells God's children to approach His throne boldly, it doesn't tell anyone to come to Him in pride (Hebrews 4:16). Indeed, pride is a precursor to shame and is not appreciated by the Almighty (Proverbs 11:2).
The devil whispers lies that plant bitter seeds in people's hearts so don't give in. Where you have, it is best to repent for succumbing to such attitudes and fast and pray for grace to change. Ask Him to remove from you what does not resemble Him (Psalm 139:23). Pray for a new heart and spirit. Plead that things be the way they were when you first fell in love with Him (Psalm 51:12). Identify then fight every thought and attitude that fosters bitterness and heed the warning in Isaiah 45:9 - “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker..." Remember, He uses waiting to deepen the relationship with His children and strengthen their faith.
Although He is patient, nothing good can come from fighting the Lord. May we always know our place and seek to be in right standing with Him. May every root of bitterness be uprooted that we may know peace, IJMN Amen. Please, brother and sister, do not be bitter toward the Lord. Let our God finish what He is doing in and for you, that you may become a well-fashioned tool for His glory.
Fellowship starts at Noon EST and I pray you will join us today. God bless you.
To learn more, please click the hyperlinks included in the message and read:
ALTAR CALL (long but please read)
God wants intimacy with each of us. This might not make sense to everyone immediately. After all, you might not think He has time for mortals. However, God is very interested in every aspect of our lives. He wants to be closer to us than our best friends are.
Those in a relationship with God - His children - experience signs and wonders. They even become the vessels of such miracles and get to testify to the power of God at work in them and for them.
Intimacy with God brings peace. It quiets the voices that want us to believe we aren't worth anything or won't amount to anything. God quiets the lying…