This morning shouldn’t have taken me by surprise considering what today’s topic was. We serve a God that loves to give us gifts wrapped up in perfection!! He knows what we need and when we need it!!I recently switched my email address and so I haven’t re-subscribed to some of the daily devotionals that I have automatically delivered. At this time I only have one that makes it to my in box. SO today when I was feeling discouraged about our relocating to another state, was feeling alone, frustrated and angry that things haven’t gone according to plan and just wanted to curl up in a blanket and let the day pass by … God broke through!!
The devotional started with a prayer. The parentheses were my thoughts. “Dear God, Thank you for new beginnings. (Okay God you are not funny) Change is not always easy. (Amen to that) I am so glad that you offer us opportunities to change for the better. (I can agree with changing for the better but why this) I trust you because you know the future and you want what is best for us. (Alright God I will check my attitude… I will trust that this is what is best) May we always do your will and walk in your way. I know you will bless us and you will be glorified when we do. (I am listening) In Jesus' name I offer my thanksgiving and praise to you. Amen. (Amen)
Once I had surrendered my attitude to God I was able to be fed by what followed and it completely lifted me from the quagmire of my pity party. The verse of the day was "...Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah ..." (1 Samuel 22:5).
“David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam. He was fleeing Saul. Many of life's down-and-out had come and joined David's army. David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. Then, God's prophet came to David and told him that he must leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah. Judah means ‘praise’."
There are times in our lives that can be dark. We find our selves held up in a cave of discouragement. We can become content in staying in our stronghold … it becomes our place of safety. But God wants us to get out of our cave. He wants us to go into the “land of Praise” for there are people waiting for us.
There are times in our lives that can be dark. We find our selves held up in a cave of discouragement. We can become content in staying in our stronghold … it becomes our place of safety. But God wants us to get out of our cave. He wants us to go into the “land of Praise” for there are people waiting for us.
“God is preparing each of us to be the vessel He wants to use in the life of another person, but we will never be that vessel if we give up and hide in our cave of discouragement. Not only must we keep moving we must move into a new realm. Our attitude must move from discouragement to praise.”
I don’t want to miss ANYTHING that God has for me!! IF … "He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” IF … “He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come and that he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.” I want to be faithful and be planted like a strong and graceful oak for his glory. (Isa 61:1-3).
Now I know that if you have followed my blogs you know that I have shared before about giving God praise when we are in our low places and he will lift us out. This is one of those truths that I need to revisit from time to time. I am thankful for a patient God!!
Now I know that if you have followed my blogs you know that I have shared before about giving God praise when we are in our low places and he will lift us out. This is one of those truths that I need to revisit from time to time. I am thankful for a patient God!! Has today been perfect? NO. Has it been without its share of stress? NO. But I can hold on to the fact that God knows where I am at! He knows where to find me! He knows what I need! Today he proved himself faithful again!
Thanks, sis, for sharing this! I preach this to myself over and over and I'll embrace it for awhile, then I slip back into the pit of despair. God has really been speaking to me in your blogs - keep goin', gal! You are loved!