Longing

"Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

Turn to me and have mercy on me,

as You always do to those who love Your Name.

Direct my footsteps according to Your Word;

let no sin rule over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of men,

that I may obey Your precepts.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant

and teach me Your decrees.

Streams of tears flow from my eyes,

for Your law is not obeyed."

(Psalm 119:129-136)

This Scripture spoke to my heart this morning in such a powerful way.  Have you heard Christians speak about how we grow the most in our faith when we have to rely on Him through difficult seasons and circumstances? It's interesting to me that when we find ourselves in a deep season of difficulty, we long for God to answer our prayers and come to our rescue ... Then, once that particular difficulty is over and we have moved out of that season, we are often left with a deeper sense of longing than ever.  

We are longing after the God to whom we clung so tightly during the difficulties.  We desire that same closeness with Him perhaps without having to walk through the fire of hardship.  

Is that possible? 

The author in Psalm 119 makes a remarkable discovery about this particular topic.  In verse 131, He says: 

"I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands." 

In 2005, God began revealing Himself to me through the Bible.  He and I began communicating with each other through the written, God-inspired, Word.  I personally did not begin truly growing in my knowledge of Truth until I became disciplined in my study of Scripture.  I am not talking about becoming a biblical scholar (Lord knows!), but just taking one verse or passage at a time and asking God to begin speaking to me through that text.  Through that disciplined time, my desire increased for Him.    

Because of specific seasons of life when I have had more time than others to devote to my study of Scripture, God has developed in me a very big appetite for His Word.  When I do not have the time to devote to this study, I crave it so intensely.  Psalm 34:8 says:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Here's the thing: No one else can taste for you.  Does that make sense?  We will only learn of the Lord's goodness by personal experience.  It is ours for the taking - We just have to commit to make the effort.  If we are honest, we will all admit we are longing after something.  Something that far surpasses this world.  For me, that longing was fulfilled when I began to learn who Jesus is through His Word.  And interestingly enough, that longing has never completely been satisfied ... It just continues to intensify.  I will admit to you that I looked for satisfaction in some wrong places before I tried investing in studying Scripture!  In seasons where I am overcome with life and busyness and my priorities are skewed, I am like a woman wandering in the desert.  The drought in my soul cannot be quenched with anything other than Him.  But why does it take me so long to realize this at times?  Oh, He is so patient with us as His children, isn't He?

I hope you are blessed as you meditate today on the wonderful Scripture passage above.  His Word contains absolutely precious promises for us to heed.  I am so thankful for His wisdom.  And I am so thankful that His well never runs dry. 

"The unfolding of Your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple."

(Psalm 119:130)

Thank You Jesus ... 

for giving understanding to the simple.

And that simple, being none other than me.

The bread of Idleness

"She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness."

(Proverbs 31:27)

I was on the phone with a friend this morning and we were discussing how we would like to commit to being more intentional in our planning during this new year.  We are holding each other accountable of being less last-minute and more prepared for special moments throughout the year.  It was her idea.  I kind of just jumped on the band wagon.  {One that I desperately need to jump on!} As I hung up the phone and came upstairs to my desk for a few short minutes with the Lord, I opened my Bible to Proverbs 31 and my eyes hit verse 27, listed above.

Idleness: lacking worth or basis.  

This reminded me of the conversation I had just had a few short minutes prior with my sweet friend.  How would our lives be different if we earnestly prayed for deliberate focus?  

I don't know about you, but my personality tends to be a go-go-go one.  I don't sit down and relax well.  Many would think this is a positive attribute as they assume I am super productive in my days.  Unfortunately, many days I lay down in bed and feel as though I have gotten nothing accomplished at all.  This is because I am not always {ahem} organized.  My husband would be shaking his head in agreement if he were looking over my shoulder right now.  In fact, he would begin telling you all about how before I met him I never emptied a purse after purchasing a new one -- just dumped the old one (contents and all) into my closet and started fresh.  This made him a very happy man when he was the one who decided to clean out all those old purses.  Needless to say, he found all sorts of treasures and goodies.  He was most excited about the monetary surprises, not the thousands of lip glosses.  

Alright, back on track!

When I think of idleness, I think of time wasted on worthless things.  I think about worthless conversations, which we are warned about in Scripture ... 

"But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:16, NASB)

Don't even get me started on how many opportunities we have on a daily ... ok, hourly basis to partake in worldly and empty chatter.  Instead, we are encouraged through Scripture to commit to a higher calling:

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  (Philippians 1:27)

When you and I eat the bread of idleness, we invite something else other than God to take the seat on the throne of our hearts.  The Bible warns us time and again that we are not to give our hearts to worthless idols.

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word." (Psalm 119:37)

Proverbs 31:27 can be applied to our lives both practically and spiritually.  The role model that is set for us in this particular Scripture is one of great discipline.  She is precise in her daily activities - whether it is serving her husband, taking care of her family, running her business, or spending time with her God.  Her life is not meant to be an unfathomable standard.  

So today, I made it a point to be intentional.  I do not say this to boast in myself, because the Lord alone knows I would be absolutely nothing without His guidance and grace.  I would be lost in a sea of old purses, completely a mess.  It went so well that I think I'll try it again tomorrow ... God-willing!

This is the point: Life is short.  We have an unbelievable opportunity to bring our God praise through how we decide to spend our time.  I am guilty so much of the time of dropping the ball in this area.  I want so desperately to be better.  Instead of succumbing to eating the bread of idleness, let's commit to intentional living.  I think we will be amazed at how different life can be when we are focused on bringing Him glory with our time and attention.  

Our lives are worth something.  

Let's live like it!   

Amen!?

Through His Word

"But know this first of all, 

that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, 

but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

(2 Peter 1:20-21)

I wrote last week about a Scripture that I felt inclined in my heart to pass along to a family member of mine.   

Do you know that the next day he called to tell me that same exact Scripture was the Scripture verse in His devotion that morning? 

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is living and active.  All Scripture is inspired by God, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  It is useful for guiding us through life, for warning us, for reminding us of God's promises, for rebuking the enemy, for equipping us to serve in the areas God has called us to ... 

God uses His Word to speak to us, ladies.  That's the bottom line.  You and I have an unbelievable opportunity to hear from God in our daily lives.  We know that as believers God works through the circumstances of our lives, but if we just rely on seeing Him through the circumstances, we will miss out on so much of what He has for us.  

I am praising God today that He used His Holy Spirit to speak into the lives of mere men and because of that, you and I today have the privilege of knowing God deeper ...

... through His Word.

Given Much

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life

through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."

(2 Peter 1:3)

Earlier today I felt a nudging on my heart to share this verse and a message of hope with a particular family member of mine.  I called him and let him know that the Lord had impressed this particular promise on my heart for him.  

Once in a while I think we all need to reminded that we are worth something.  That God has not forgotten us.  That we have been given much through His Son Jesus.  And for us who have inherited salvation through the blood of the Lamb ... that means absolutely everything.  

His divine power is enough for us.  Are you operating that way?  Completely confident in who you are through the blood of the Lamb?  I struggle with this daily.  Believing that the promises of God are actually for me.  If they are not for us as children of the Most High, then who are they for?  

Let us adopt them into our every day lives.  After all ... We have been given much.  It is up to us to realize the Truths of God and decide to walk in them.  

Blessings!