Psalm 121

 There comes seasons in our lives when we are forced to sit down and think of where we are, and how we got to where we are. It is in those moments of contemplation and inactivity, what I call plateau seasons, when we decide if we want to grow deeper in our commitments. 

These seasons are difficult.

These seasons of plateau are when we begin to question our involvements and commitments. Some occurrence has ceased our growth and blinded our sight in order to continue walking on our path. We begin to consider the decisions we have made, trying to discern if we made the right choices or not. 

These seasons are difficult.

 Growing up, we develop certain convictions about the world and our faith, which for the rest of our lives, the storms of life test. Situations in life rages against our convictions attempting to sway us from our confession and professions. Hardship causes bitterness and subtracts from us passion. Our plateau season is when we have been battered by the waves and winds of life and suddenly discover we have no strength to continue. That is when we are forced to sit in inactivity. We begin to consider if our convictions are worth it or not. 

These are difficult seasons. 

In those times, it seems the entire world is working against our convictions, working tirelessly to sway us away from faith and all the good things we said we would never let go. In those difficult times are when there is the biggest preparation for our next climb. When we sit down and begin to think about our commitments, we must remember truth. Truth rescues in momentarily struggles. The old saying is, the sun is always shining even when it rains. We must not be discouraged. There is a lifting coming soon. Help is coming from on high.

KD

Honest Prayer #2 - Battling Sin

While I am by this dried up well, battling against my disobedience, I hear the voice of the Shepherd and Guide and I remember he said “whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Within me I feel dry and thirsty. I see no water, no streams to flow from within me. There is only dry land around me so I yell again, hoping I knew if God heard me. I still think he cannot hear me. I am stuck by this dry well with the faint voice of my Savior who is also called the Living Water. I am weary of thirst and need refreshing from this drought that I am in.

While I am talking to myself, I have found someone who also has felt like I do at times.

In Psalm 42 and 43 I find encouragement from someone who has felt like I feel in my life. They are also gasping for living water for their souls. There is dryness in their life that only the living God can quench. They feel distant from God because of their sin and brokenness so much that they are experiencing drought in their relationship with God. Here I find comfort knowing that I am not alone. Many have come before me experiencing the same, and many also live now and walk with God feeling the same as me. But I still want living water from the living God. I know I had neglected him and dug up my own well that I am trapped by. I learn this well cannot hold water. I know I am struggling because I have depended on my own strength and turned my heart from my Savior. I have leaned on my own understanding and trusted in my flesh. I feel like I am trapped in a desert and cannot generate enough strength to know where I can meet with God. Instead of living waters, the only type of liquid I get is my tears which roll slowly from my eyes to the side of my mouth every morning and evening.

Worse than this struggle I am experiencing, people are mocking me! I hear the enemy who is louder than the whispers of my Shepherd. My enemy tells me that my God has forgotten me by this dry well. The enemy hangs around me, telling me every moment “your God is nowhere to be found.” So it causes me to remember those times when things were good; those times when I used to sing aloud to God and praise him with my heart and soul; those times when tears of joy flowed instead of tears of sorrow. I not only joined in praise but even led those who sang with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. I remember all those good times and wonder why I am in a period of dryness now.

So I begin speaking to my soul! “Why Soul!? Why are you so disturbed?" Why are you so discouraged?” I tell myself to hope in God! Then I remember the words of my Shepherd again when he said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. So I remember a place of waters and begin to be encouraged that God owns all the oceans below and the waters above. I hear clearer not only God’s voice but a song that is coming from his lips. I know God is near and begin to forget my brokenness and struggle. I used to worship with those who had joy in God, but I had come to be in the presence of those who didn't believe and oppressed me. Now I am beginning to have hope in God again. He has rescued me from being oppressed by the enemy. He has rescued me from the dominion of darkness. What is my prayer now? I know he is near, so close! So what do I do?  I reach out my hands and tell him that I trust in him. I tell God that my confidence is in him and no one else. God stirs my heart to desire him more; and as I desire him, he walks me beside still waters, the Spring of Living Water where I find nourishment and strength. 

There is progress, my condition is getting better but I need to be set on a path. I ask him to send his light and his truth to guide me. I remember that having fellowship with God means to walk in the light. I remember that Jesus is the truth and through him we have received from the fullness of God’s grace one blessing after another. Instead of sitting next to the dried-up well, I get up to go on a journey to the destination he has for those who love and fear him, the place where he dwells. Sorrow is gone now, and I see how he works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. I go to God, and find that I do not delight in sin but instead he has become my joy and delight. I have God who is my joy. I have God who is my delight. I have God who is my strength. I am still on this journey even now towards God’s holy mountain. I will not reach perfection in this life but I am certain God is making me perfect as I walk on this journey with him.

As I remember long ago, when I worshiped with others, now I am with other believers who are on this journey towards the same place; God’s holy mountain. It is a journey; I will not be perfect overnight, but over a lifetime leading to eternity. God will continue to work out something until that day when our Shepherd and Guide come to live with us. The times when I wander may come because I am prone to it. But I carry this with me, that God who began a good work in me will complete it until all things are made new. I serve a God who accomplishes what he starts. I serve a God who is faithful and keeps his promises. I serve the God who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. My soul! Trust in God! Love Him!

Isaiah 48:21