Has not God been wonderful to us? Hasn’t he? He has sustained both you and me! Look at how you have been restored and revived after difficult times. Trouble has come, but he has delivered you. The struggle has become more than real to you, it's reality and more. But lift up your head! Sorrow has come, but soon it vanished and joy overtook you. Pain had its effects but could not linger forever, soon hope kindled in your life. There is a line in a favorite song of mine that says, "Have you not seen how your longings all have been granted by what he ordains?" Take a moment and think about this wonderful truth. Your body longs for water, and there is water that not only satisfies your thirst but provides nourishment for your health. You desire relationships? God provides other individuals to love and grow with. You long for food? God not only grants food, but he also grants them in variety of flavor, and assortment in color for our restless and curious minds. Have you not seen how our longings all have been granted by what he ordains? Take some time to thank God for how he has crafted you, and the world around to preserve us.
The following are reflections over some Psalms: A walk through David's troubled soul and how it can help us through our troubles. #2 will be following up.
I love reading through the Psalms, and one of the things I enjoy the most is how my emotions relate with the writers. The biblical writers are emotional and real as they come before God in honesty and integrity of heart. I love it. They do not shy away attempting to put on a show of how they feel about circumstances or about God. Let us take a psalm of Asaph for an example. Psalm 73. When the writer disagrees with how God is dealing with wickedness, she lets God know. She says from verse 21, "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you." This prayer was moved by seeing wickedness all around and witnessing God's inaction. This is serious, people. Run to God with all of your emotions and thoughts. He will not be surprised by them. Fear him, and be honest with him. David while in a cave, prays, "I cry aloud to the Lord, I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him, before him I tell my trouble." Psalm 142. Have you been moved with depression, confusion, or trouble so much that you are stirred to pour out your heart to God? Pour it all out before him. He listens. It is important that we do not neglect God in those times, but fasten ourselves to him in those moments. In our weaknesses is where he is waiting to catch us, and hold us dear to him. Learn this, and practice it.
In Psalm 142 David is crying. He is weeping..."No One Is Concerned For Me!" Must I remind you this is King David? The one through whom Jesus will come through. This man is terrified at times, yet he rejoices at times. He is quiet and other times he is loud and filled with praise. What is amazing about the depth of emotions David goes through is he presents them before God! May we learn to run to God whatever emotion we feel, and through whatever circumstance we are in! David's whole life is involved in his devotion and relationship with God; physically or spiritually, the two are merged and presented before the Father who loves to hear his children. Nothing is hidden from the Lord. David could not hide anything. His life was laid bare before God. We cannot hide anything from God either. Why not speak up in honest heart?
K.D.
In Psalm 142 David is crying. He is weeping..."No One Is Concerned For Me!" Must I remind you this is King David? The one through whom Jesus will come through. This man is terrified at times, yet he rejoices at times. He is quiet and other times he is loud and filled with praise. What is amazing about the depth of emotions David goes through is he presents them before God! May we learn to run to God whatever emotion we feel, and through whatever circumstance we are in! David's whole life is involved in his devotion and relationship with God; physically or spiritually, the two are merged and presented before the Father who loves to hear his children. Nothing is hidden from the Lord. David could not hide anything. His life was laid bare before God. We cannot hide anything from God either. Why not speak up in honest heart?
K.D.
