When I woke up a few mornings ago it was storming, rain tapping hard on the windows at times, and wind whistling. I lay there for awhile, turning my thoughts to the Lord. Between the noise of the storm and the “to do” list on my mind, it wasn’t easy.
As I quieted my mind, Holy Spirit led me to consider these things while what feels like a life-sized storm:
First, even when it seems like I can’t hear Him, I can. The word of God is always true. It says that he is my shepherd, he is the good shepherd, and that his sheep (of which I am) know his voice. Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, 14 & 27.
- Hearing his voice requires me to listen for him to speak, both through his Word and through an inner witness from the Holy Spirit.
- I must always discern what I hear through the lens of scripture (the inner witness must never conflict the scripture).
- And I must remember that God (who is Love) will convict me, teach me, train me — while satan, who is the accuser, will attempt to condemn me.
Second, that finding joy may sometimes seem difficult. But that is when I must be obedient to believe and act on the truth that the joy of the Lord is my strength (regardless of how I feel). As He told the people in Nehemiah 8:10, not to sorrow, worry, be depressed or grieve, but to believe that His joy is our strength, our defense, our rock, our fortified place.
It’s in knowing his word, the promises of God found there, and developing my relationship with him that I am able to have greater faith in him, to trust him more, to rest in his care even when a storm is raging.
And now, I am meditating on the unchanging truths of these scriptures and more once again:
“GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:1-2, 7, 10 AMPC
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 TPT
“I LOVE the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications. Gracious is the Lord, and [rigidly] righteous; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He helped and saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. [Matt. 11:29.] For You have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”
Psalm 116:1, 5-9 AMPC
“Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”
Hebrews 4:14-16 AMPC
Dear ones, think on this: you are so loved by God that he willingly gave the life of his precious son Jesus to pay the price to save you.
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.”
John 3:16-17 AMPC
I pray you will accept the gift of salvation that he freely offers to you. Come home to the Father through faith in Jesus. Oh how He loves you!
A Grateful Grace-full Life 