Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name
Observation
I have learned that relying on God's faithfulness is the only way to stay faithful during seasons of affliction. When my relationship with Christ began I entered a season of affliction I have never felt since. I did not know of God's faithfulness and believed Him just to be a cruel God punishing me. One night I shook my fist at Him and traded in my faithfulness for immediate gratification and relief.
But God, in His faithfulness, stood close by, keeping me secluded and protected, even though I was trying desperately to destroy myself. One day the affliction ceased, the storm had passed by and I got up the nerve to take a look within myself. Going to the inward mirror of my soul, I half expected to see a 24 year old face weathered by the hail and fire of this terrible season, but what I saw was so different. The image was softer, not harder. The harsh winds and hail storm had stripped away the dead and I found new life growing from my soul. People that I worked with noticed the change. One day a person at work, that had been my arch enemy, asked me what had happened to me. He said that I didn't walk around angry anymore thinking everyone was out to get me. Although I hadn't noticed the transition like he had, he was right, I had changed.
The encounter of God's faithfulness in that season, has helped me to rely on God's faithfulness through many more. And through each season of affliction, I come out changed...better. I'm learning to embrace affliction and disappointment , so that like Paul I can boast, "I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)."
Application
Praise God for His past faithfulness. Journal His past faithfulness so that you can reflect on them when you feel your heart is becoming divided and your flesh wants to guide your steps into fear.
Prayer
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, Your righteousness is what clothes me. In Your presence I find myself being knit into a beautiful tapestry. You use disappointments to refine me and make me into a reflection of You. Teach me Your ways, O LORD, that I may rely on Your faithfulness and not my own works. Show me Your glory in all situations. Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground, that I would not be double-minded, but walk securely in the light of Your presence. Father, if there is any part of my heart that is not committed to You, I ask that Your healing hand fix it and give me an undivided heart that solely seeks Your face.
No comments:
Post a Comment