As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. (Psalm 42:1-4 NIV).
Did you notice that I added two more verses to our reading from Psalm 42 as we continue the series of The Thirsty Deer? There are several things we may learn about the Psalmist here:
First, the Psalmist is enduring a trial of some kind. These are not tears of joy, these are tears of pain.
Second, the Psalmist has made the appeal to God before. This has been a recurring prayer request for the Psalmist.
Third, the activity of seeking the Lord and crying out to Him has been the primary activity of his life. His time has been occupied with seeking the Lord.
Finally, the Psalmist continues to cry out to God even when the world tells him he’s crazy to keep trying. The Psalmist doesn’t give up on God!
I’ve made a small reference to the challenges of this year for me. Some of them have been physical. I’ve had more testing this year than any other since they first discovered my hemachromatosis. All of those tests merely confirmed the fact that I do have the disease and yes, it is affecting some of the major organs, like my heart. I loved the last doctor I saw. He was very nice, but after all of the tests he merely said, “Actually your heart is in better shape than I thought it would be in given your disease.” That was very encouraging! Some of our challenges have been financial. Like so many people in our nation we were caught in the downturn and had it not been for the generosity of our family, we would have been in great trouble indeed. Of course, along with these kinds of challenges there is always the devil whispering in your ear, telling you how badly you have made past choices. Sometimes the only hope I have had in overcoming those past regrets has been my stubborn unwillingness to forget the marvelous way God has poured His grace out on me!
But, enough about me; let me ask you, what trial has been going on in your life? Maybe it’s been going for so long that you’ve almost resolved that it will never get any better. Is there something so very painful in your life and yet you just can’t seem to do anything about it? Does it almost seem strange at this point to be continuing to trust God to work out the situation for good? You may just be able to identify with the Psalmist. The Psalmist had been crying out a long time. If the psalmist were living today, I would encourage him to trust Him even more? Yes, trust Him even more! He IS trustworthy!
NOTE: Don’t miss tomorrow’s devotional… I’m going to share with you some of the heart of Grace Restoration Ministries and how that has been God’s answer for me this year. Perhaps it will be a part of your answer as you struggle through the challenges of your life!
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
"The Thirsty Deer" (Part 2)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2 NIV).
We are nearly moved! Another few days of loading the truck with boxes and we’ll be able to settle into out new address! We won’t be done by any means, but at least we can start to put everything away make it our home. That being said, I hope this devotional “catches us up.”
I do appreciate all the response to the first in this series. One struck me as particularly common to all of the rest. One follower of Morning Devotionals wrote:
Oh, Don, I am that thirsty deer this morning, every morning! And, sometimes, in I dart around without first asking for the guidance that is there with me. Each morning your obedience nourishes my soul, reminds me of my role in my life (an obedient vessel for the Lord) and puts me back on track!
Please know that I write as the Lord speaks to me. Usually it’s a common experience for many. I hope that these short thought are practical and inspiration as you navigate through all the challenges of your life. Perhaps you can tell that the last year has been a real challenge for me, as many previous years have been. I must be honest and say that there have been times when they seemed overwhelming. I’ll share more about that as we continue in the series, however, let me say that I have often found myself praying something like this: “Oh, God, I know you are here, but please just let me know what you want me to do!” You know, He has always answered that prayer clearly. In fact, one of those prayers has a great deal to with the establishment of Grace Restoration Ministries in a way that will be fuller than ever before. I can also tell you that this is the “scariest” thing I have done in a long time! However, my prayers have led me to desperation for more of God and the accomplishment of his call and will in my life.
Have you ever been desperate for God? Have you ever passionately desired an audience with the living God? Has there ever been a time when you didn’t want to hear anyone’s opinion except God? Perhaps you are going through a time right now when you feel your only hope is God! Great! You’re in the perfect spot to hear a clear word from Him. I’m convinced that in your quietness before God you will see and experience the activity of God. God is working, often behind the scenes, to bring about a plan far better than anything you or I could have ever imagined. God is Sovereign. He does care. God does watch over His children; and God truly does work all things for good!
Don’t quit yet! Let’s continue to thirst for the Living God!
We are nearly moved! Another few days of loading the truck with boxes and we’ll be able to settle into out new address! We won’t be done by any means, but at least we can start to put everything away make it our home. That being said, I hope this devotional “catches us up.”
I do appreciate all the response to the first in this series. One struck me as particularly common to all of the rest. One follower of Morning Devotionals wrote:
Oh, Don, I am that thirsty deer this morning, every morning! And, sometimes, in I dart around without first asking for the guidance that is there with me. Each morning your obedience nourishes my soul, reminds me of my role in my life (an obedient vessel for the Lord) and puts me back on track!
Please know that I write as the Lord speaks to me. Usually it’s a common experience for many. I hope that these short thought are practical and inspiration as you navigate through all the challenges of your life. Perhaps you can tell that the last year has been a real challenge for me, as many previous years have been. I must be honest and say that there have been times when they seemed overwhelming. I’ll share more about that as we continue in the series, however, let me say that I have often found myself praying something like this: “Oh, God, I know you are here, but please just let me know what you want me to do!” You know, He has always answered that prayer clearly. In fact, one of those prayers has a great deal to with the establishment of Grace Restoration Ministries in a way that will be fuller than ever before. I can also tell you that this is the “scariest” thing I have done in a long time! However, my prayers have led me to desperation for more of God and the accomplishment of his call and will in my life.
Have you ever been desperate for God? Have you ever passionately desired an audience with the living God? Has there ever been a time when you didn’t want to hear anyone’s opinion except God? Perhaps you are going through a time right now when you feel your only hope is God! Great! You’re in the perfect spot to hear a clear word from Him. I’m convinced that in your quietness before God you will see and experience the activity of God. God is working, often behind the scenes, to bring about a plan far better than anything you or I could have ever imagined. God is Sovereign. He does care. God does watch over His children; and God truly does work all things for good!
Don’t quit yet! Let’s continue to thirst for the Living God!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"Fold Me Closer"
Jesus said, “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” (Matthew 25:23 NIV).
The title is not a typographical error. I really did mean to say, “fold” me closer. It comes from an old hymn that I ran across recently. It was written in 1900 by Leila N. Morris. The title of the hymn is Sweet Will of God. The song is a treasure trove of insight. I hope you will Google the lyrics and look at them. The chorus goes like this:
Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.
Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.
When I first read it, I thought the lyric must have been "still hold me closer". It would be one thought to be hidden in the hollow of God's hand, protected from the challenges and difficulties of this world. But the word is fold. And, this is a very different thought. It reminds me of Origami. If you've ever done or seen origami done, it is a very complex folding. A flat sheet of paper, in the hands of someone more skilled than I, is conformed to the shape of an elegant bird. There are places where the folds or the turning of the paper is not easy as though the paper would consciously fight against its reconfiguration. What Leila Morris is expressing is the desire to have God reshape her. Not her body, but the essence of who she is - her spirit. It is a complete reshaping as well… 'Till I am wholly lost in Thee. What an amazing expression of what is the ultimate goal of our faith, to be so completely conformed to God and His perfect will as to become invisible that we would perfectly reflect the Lord we serve.
It is not a simple journey, nor is it sporadic. It is a life long journey. There are awards given that mean more than others. Not to diminish any effort, but there are recognitions like the lifetime accomplishment awards that are given near the end of the Academy Awards. The people who are given these awards can only be considered after decades of work in the field of film making. This is an example of a very special moment in someone's life. To receive this kind of recognition must be both heartwarming and very humbling. If Jesus were to appear to us as we are today, I doubt any of us would be standing. We would be face down in the blinding light of His glory. But, with His patience and my slow surrender, my hope is to be conformed to His will. Even that will only be perfected when I shed this flesh and I see His face. And the life journey to understand the will of God will be complete. It is a journey of a thousand miles taken one step at a time. Our part is to keep walking toward home following the Shepherd's voice and trusting in His strength, grace and mercy. At the end of it all is not some golden statue. At the end of it all is the voice of the Master saying, “Well done!” Now that’s worth being folded!
The title is not a typographical error. I really did mean to say, “fold” me closer. It comes from an old hymn that I ran across recently. It was written in 1900 by Leila N. Morris. The title of the hymn is Sweet Will of God. The song is a treasure trove of insight. I hope you will Google the lyrics and look at them. The chorus goes like this:
Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.
Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.
When I first read it, I thought the lyric must have been "still hold me closer". It would be one thought to be hidden in the hollow of God's hand, protected from the challenges and difficulties of this world. But the word is fold. And, this is a very different thought. It reminds me of Origami. If you've ever done or seen origami done, it is a very complex folding. A flat sheet of paper, in the hands of someone more skilled than I, is conformed to the shape of an elegant bird. There are places where the folds or the turning of the paper is not easy as though the paper would consciously fight against its reconfiguration. What Leila Morris is expressing is the desire to have God reshape her. Not her body, but the essence of who she is - her spirit. It is a complete reshaping as well… 'Till I am wholly lost in Thee. What an amazing expression of what is the ultimate goal of our faith, to be so completely conformed to God and His perfect will as to become invisible that we would perfectly reflect the Lord we serve.
It is not a simple journey, nor is it sporadic. It is a life long journey. There are awards given that mean more than others. Not to diminish any effort, but there are recognitions like the lifetime accomplishment awards that are given near the end of the Academy Awards. The people who are given these awards can only be considered after decades of work in the field of film making. This is an example of a very special moment in someone's life. To receive this kind of recognition must be both heartwarming and very humbling. If Jesus were to appear to us as we are today, I doubt any of us would be standing. We would be face down in the blinding light of His glory. But, with His patience and my slow surrender, my hope is to be conformed to His will. Even that will only be perfected when I shed this flesh and I see His face. And the life journey to understand the will of God will be complete. It is a journey of a thousand miles taken one step at a time. Our part is to keep walking toward home following the Shepherd's voice and trusting in His strength, grace and mercy. At the end of it all is not some golden statue. At the end of it all is the voice of the Master saying, “Well done!” Now that’s worth being folded!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Just the Right Heat
I must confess that I am about to “bite off more than I can chew” in today’s devotional. However, I have been pondering an age-old question more than usual for the past few months and wanted to share some of the conclusions I have reached. First, I must be very clear that I do not have an answer. I still don’t have an adequate response to the “why,” although I may have some insight into the “what” of the level of suffering God allows His children to endure.
By now I’m sure you’ve guessed that the question does indeed deal with why God allows some folks to suffer more than others. Entire bookshelves have been devoted to texts attempting to answer this question. I know in this brief text I can never give adequate space to a full explanation, however, perhaps I can give you one insight that has given me some comfort in dealing with it. It centers on a truth that the Apostle Paul reveals in the following verses:
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV).
I am aware that this text references “temptation” and not “trials.” However, the principle is that God is faithful. That faithfulness results in His personal oversight to disallow anything that we are strong enough to deal with. He provides “a way out.” With that in mind, shift to trials. Why do some folks go through more pain and suffering than others? And, in asking this question, I am not talking about those who have made bad choices and are suffering under the consequences of those choices. I’m talking about the suffering that just happens, often blind-siding us. Why does God allow that to happen more to some than others? For example, why does God allow one person to be healed and not another from a devastating illness?
Well, a part of the answer may be in the kind of “pot” he is creating as the ultimate Potter. Do you know that the final temperature of the firing of the pottery is critical? Each pot needs to get enough heat to make the glaze the correct color. I am told that a variance of just 20 to 40 degrees in 2300 degrees Fahrenheit can make all the difference. If the kiln is too cool the glaze will not be pretty and if too hot it may run. Further, firing your pottery with a temperature that is too low can result in a pottery piece that is too soft and can end up getting damaged. If you fire the bisque at too high of a temperature you can end up getting a piece that is cracked or even have your piece explode. It needs just the right heat! So, let me say two things in closing. First, God is not responsible for disease and death. They are caused by the sin in the world. We live in an imperfect world that he will change someday, but has yet to be perfected. We get sick and die because of the evil brought into the world by man’s fall. Second, while God doesn’t cause it, He can use it. He uses it to make something altogether beautiful and lovely with our lives. And, He knows just the right amount of heat to allow us to endure. That knowledge makes it a little easier for me to trust him with the thermostat! I pray it does you as well!
By now I’m sure you’ve guessed that the question does indeed deal with why God allows some folks to suffer more than others. Entire bookshelves have been devoted to texts attempting to answer this question. I know in this brief text I can never give adequate space to a full explanation, however, perhaps I can give you one insight that has given me some comfort in dealing with it. It centers on a truth that the Apostle Paul reveals in the following verses:
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV).
I am aware that this text references “temptation” and not “trials.” However, the principle is that God is faithful. That faithfulness results in His personal oversight to disallow anything that we are strong enough to deal with. He provides “a way out.” With that in mind, shift to trials. Why do some folks go through more pain and suffering than others? And, in asking this question, I am not talking about those who have made bad choices and are suffering under the consequences of those choices. I’m talking about the suffering that just happens, often blind-siding us. Why does God allow that to happen more to some than others? For example, why does God allow one person to be healed and not another from a devastating illness?
Well, a part of the answer may be in the kind of “pot” he is creating as the ultimate Potter. Do you know that the final temperature of the firing of the pottery is critical? Each pot needs to get enough heat to make the glaze the correct color. I am told that a variance of just 20 to 40 degrees in 2300 degrees Fahrenheit can make all the difference. If the kiln is too cool the glaze will not be pretty and if too hot it may run. Further, firing your pottery with a temperature that is too low can result in a pottery piece that is too soft and can end up getting damaged. If you fire the bisque at too high of a temperature you can end up getting a piece that is cracked or even have your piece explode. It needs just the right heat! So, let me say two things in closing. First, God is not responsible for disease and death. They are caused by the sin in the world. We live in an imperfect world that he will change someday, but has yet to be perfected. We get sick and die because of the evil brought into the world by man’s fall. Second, while God doesn’t cause it, He can use it. He uses it to make something altogether beautiful and lovely with our lives. And, He knows just the right amount of heat to allow us to endure. That knowledge makes it a little easier for me to trust him with the thermostat! I pray it does you as well!
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