My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.
With God is my salvation and my honor. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:5-8 (WEB)
Yesterday was, on the surface, a really tough day for me. The voices of the world were definitely LOUD, CLANGING CYMBALS! I can take a fair amount of pressure but within an hour, I was in my office with the door closed, in tears. I went to my Lord and cried out to Him. I needed Him! Ten minutes later, I had the peace and the courage back to open the door and face the day.
Too often in the past, I have attempted to figure out the situation on my own. I have made lists. I have tossed and turned in my bed instead of sleeping. I have read books. Researched the internet. Now, all of these things are not bad ideas. I just didn’t go to God first! When I turn to God first, my mind and my spirit calm and become more clear to receive the plan that God has. He may speak through a book or internet or my quiet mind that allows His voice to be heard!!!
The psalmist shows me, once again, the importance of my relationship with God. With a daily walk with Jesus, I expect Him to have the answers; have the plan. That assurance comes when I know very well the One to whom I am relying. I have a ‘track record’ with Him. I have the testimony of a ‘cloud of witnesses’. (Many of you are in that crowd!) I trust Him.
Think of some of the many scenarios where you have seen people rise above their circumstance and walk with a quiet assurance. I have walked the halls of a cancer wing where children are connected to medications and parents are sitting beside their bed unable to take the pain or suffering from their child. Do they have questions like “Why?” Of course. I have seen so many extraordinary people after Hurricane Ivan came through my home town. The many that are still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Hurricane Ike in Galveston, TX. What is the factor that can be identified in those who keep going and reach out to others even in their own ‘poverty’? It is still in God. Do they have questions like “Why?” Of course. Having questions does not mean a lack of faith. It does not indicate a lack of trust. If Jesus can question the Father’s plan in Gethsemane and cry out His despair that the Father has left Him from the cross – I can too!
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love–
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
“Trust and Obey”
by John Sammis, 1887 (public domain)
July 12
Prayer Choices
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Philemon 1-7 (WEB)
I want to take today and really encourage us all to commit to prayer. Paul is a great example of what prayer is all about and what it can be in your life. Paul is so open and continuous about his prayers. Every letter has a prayer or two or three in it. There are prayers of blessings. There are prayers of encouragement. There are prayers of intense supplication. There are prayers of great joy and thanksgiving. Paul’s prayers often begin with an inner circle. He shares his own prayer for himself. Then people that he knows. The circle widens to the local church; then the whole Jewish community. The circle continues to widen.
Some may be able to do committed, focused prayer by just making up their mind to do so. I need visual aids. There are some wonderful options or ways to do personal prayer time. There are books written on the various ways that people do their prayer time. Recently I have been reading some of Philip Yancey’s works and he shared some ideas that he has come upon. Three days a week he prays for family and friends. On alternate three days he prays for ministries and countries or more global concerns. And on the seventh day, he focuses only on himself, specifically asking God to examine him and teach him. He is quick to say that God has interrupted his plan, saying, “Oh, no, Philip, we are going to discuss you today!” Mr. Yancey also shared about using note cards with prayer needs written on cards that he has used especially when his life has gone through very busy times. The cards helped him get quiet and focus. I have used a 3-ring binder to write requests and left space for the answers to the prayers!
Some people use music as a vehicle to center and focus. Some use ‘prayer chairs’ or ‘prayer rooms/closets’. Almost every person I have ever personally talked with about prayer has said that he/she came to that ‘breakthrough’ when they committed to a time with God and allowed very little to usurp that time.
Most ‘good habits’ do not come easily but instead come with a repetition of choice. Establishing a prayer habit builds prayer muscles. A quick scan on any given day to an online news service is enough to prove the need for prayer!
I am going to take time today to ask God to speak to my heart about His plan for my prayer life. I thank Him that He wants
