This one's especially for me! I am going to say some things I need to hear. I am tempted to be discouraged this morning. I sought the Lord's direction about a matter. I felt like I had gotten over the hurdle of being guided by my own desires and emotions in this instance. I surrendered. I prayed for the Lord to help me to know His will. I felt like I got a clear enough answer to proceed. I bit the bullet and started on my course. Since then I have met one obstacle after another. I have persevered and thought I was going to get to complete my assignment this morning, then out of the blue I encountered something so bizarre that I feel it has to be satan trying to sabotage my efforts, or God stopping me, as he stayed the knife in Abraham's hand when Abraham had proven that he was willing to obey. I hate to use that comparison, because my assignment doesn't compare to what God asked of Abraham.
Wow! how's that for an opening paragraph? I feel frustrated. Ever been there? My heart's desire is to please the Father. I'll admit, sometimes I'm stumped. Oh I know, the bottom line is being led by love, but being a fallible human, it's hard to know sometimes how to best express that in everyday life. Even though I try to be faithful in spending time with God in prayer, and getting into the Word, sometimes I draw a blank. So...what to do? What to do? The Bible gives us some pointers, though they are what we want to do least when we're feeling down. While I'm wanting to have a pity party, I am reminded of David, who after he had lost almost everything made this choice: He "encouraged himself in the Lord." (1 Samuel 30:6). I hear the words of Job ringing in my ears: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (Job 13:15). I remember Paul and Silas's response to being beaten and jailed for the cause of Christ --- how they sang praises to Him. (Acts 16:25). I recall the words of Isaiah --- that I have been given a "...garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." (Isaiah 61:3).
I want to walk in obedience to my Lord. I'm not sure at this point how to proceed, but I know one thing, even in my uncertainty in my present course of action, I am to continue to walk in expressions of praise and thanksgiving. What if I make a mistake? What if, in my flawed humanity I miss God's will in this particular matter? I don't want that to happen, but as the old saying goes: "Two wrongs don't make a right." Thanksgiving and praise are always one right response.
And so, I affirm: God is good! His ways and thoughts are above mine. He is perfect in all of His ways. He is merciful and just. He will set everything right when He comes.
When is He worthy to receive honor and glory?
On the good days and on the bad,
When I'm happy or when I'm sad.
When I'm crazy out of my mind,
And I pray but He gives me no sign.
He is God and I am not.
*Enough said, put the dot.
Score in this round of discouragement:
Me satan
1 0
*The dot refers to the period signifying the end. When my first-born son was around four, when I tucked him into bed at night I journaled his thoughts. I would ask him a question like, "What did you do today?" He would talk until he got tired, and then he would sleepily say, "Put the dot."
Wow! how's that for an opening paragraph? I feel frustrated. Ever been there? My heart's desire is to please the Father. I'll admit, sometimes I'm stumped. Oh I know, the bottom line is being led by love, but being a fallible human, it's hard to know sometimes how to best express that in everyday life. Even though I try to be faithful in spending time with God in prayer, and getting into the Word, sometimes I draw a blank. So...what to do? What to do? The Bible gives us some pointers, though they are what we want to do least when we're feeling down. While I'm wanting to have a pity party, I am reminded of David, who after he had lost almost everything made this choice: He "encouraged himself in the Lord." (1 Samuel 30:6). I hear the words of Job ringing in my ears: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (Job 13:15). I remember Paul and Silas's response to being beaten and jailed for the cause of Christ --- how they sang praises to Him. (Acts 16:25). I recall the words of Isaiah --- that I have been given a "...garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." (Isaiah 61:3).
I want to walk in obedience to my Lord. I'm not sure at this point how to proceed, but I know one thing, even in my uncertainty in my present course of action, I am to continue to walk in expressions of praise and thanksgiving. What if I make a mistake? What if, in my flawed humanity I miss God's will in this particular matter? I don't want that to happen, but as the old saying goes: "Two wrongs don't make a right." Thanksgiving and praise are always one right response.
And so, I affirm: God is good! His ways and thoughts are above mine. He is perfect in all of His ways. He is merciful and just. He will set everything right when He comes.
When is He worthy to receive honor and glory?
On the good days and on the bad,
When I'm happy or when I'm sad.
When I'm crazy out of my mind,
And I pray but He gives me no sign.
He is God and I am not.
*Enough said, put the dot.
Score in this round of discouragement:
Me satan
1 0
*The dot refers to the period signifying the end. When my first-born son was around four, when I tucked him into bed at night I journaled his thoughts. I would ask him a question like, "What did you do today?" He would talk until he got tired, and then he would sleepily say, "Put the dot."
