Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Refuge

The past two weeks I have faced some very big challenges. Ones I would prefer to not have to go through if I could. My emotions have been on a roller-coaster of anxiety to despair to fear. Just last week along I had three things go very wrong in three days. I was beginning to wonder what would come next. Contemplating if I could even get out of bed by Friday. And quite frankly, I just didn't want to. I was done. That was enough. I'm tired of fighting.

But then God spoke to me.
Twice.
Once through a friend I was talking to who, after listening to me pour out my desperation for probably 30 minutes or an hour, said, "Well, do you believe the Bible or NOT?"
Oh.
Well... yes. I guess so. Well... YES. I do.
And then it HIT ME.
Really? In my time of desparation was I ACTING like I believed the Bible?
Do I believe God's Word is the Truth?
Well then how about all those promises in there that He makes to me?
Ps 29:11, "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."
Ps 34:17, "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
Ps 37:4-5, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Ps 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Ps 50:15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Matt 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
I could go on and on here...are you getting the picture? The Bible is FULL of God's promises.
Did I believe them or not? But then I wondered, but WHY am I going through this awful time? Hasn't this Spring been hard enough, with deaths in the family and illness and everyting else? Aren't we done yet? Why more?
And on Sunday morning during Worship time at church, I heard HIM. I heard God tell me that He is doing all this to draw me closer to Him in wanting ONLY His will for my life. (No more of that "Well sure God, I want your will. Absolutely. But what I also really want is....) And even more wonderful to hear from Him, I also heard :"And you're doing it." (Great! I am actually DOING what God wants me to do when He wants me to do it!! Its a miracle!)
So even though these hard times are still going on, and I'm still in the same situaion I was last week..
I am not, really.
Because I have taken refuge. In the shadow of His wings, I remember: I believe Him.
I will get through this hard time by standing on His promises.

Psalm 57
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.



P.S. Everyone who reads this, please pray for me. I need God to help me find just the right job for me, as I'm searching for a new place to work. I am seeking His will, and asking for Him to guide my actions, give me discernment and guidance as I fill out many, many job applications. Thank you!!



2 comments:

Belle said...

This is a wonderful post. I have been through some very tough times myself and have wondered why. I've learned it is to trust His will as you said. It does make my life happier to just accept what life throws at me, knowing God is allowing it for some good reason.
I have prayed for you.

Michelle's Day said...

it's GREAT that you're leaning on God through all this!!! there were many times in the past few years (according to your posts) that hard times threw you down and kept you down. now you're getting back up quickly in the strength of the Holy Spirit and being an inspiration to others. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! praise God!