Month: May 2022

Conversation with God

LynnLeave a comment

I cried to the LORD, “All of my companions have abandoned me.”

He replied, “My Precious Daughter, though everyone has forsaken you, I will receive you.[1] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.[2] I am a friend who sticks closer than a brother.[3] Be convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from My love that is in Christ Jesus your Lord.”[4]

I wept saying, “LORD, I am afraid.”

He replied, “My Daughter, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.[5] Cast all your anxiety on Me because I care for you.[6] Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, for I am with you; My rod and My staff, they will comfort you.[7] When you are afraid, trust in Me.[8] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”[9]  

I said to the LORD, “My heart is broken.”

He replied, “Dear Child, I am He who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.[10] I live forever and I am holy, I live in Heaven, in a holy place, but I will also live with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.[11] Do not forget, I am close to the brokenhearted and I save those who are crushed in spirit.[12] A broken and contrite heart, I will not despise.[13] For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.[14] At the end of time, I will wipe every tear from your eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away.”[15]

I said to the LORD, “I feel lost.”

He replied, “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.[16] I am the way and the truth and the life.[17] I came to seek and to save what was lost.[18] I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.[19] Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear My voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”[20]

I said to the LORD, “I am weary.”

He replied, “Daughter, do you not know? Have you not heard? I am the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. I will not grow tired or weary, and My understanding no one can fathom. I will strengthen the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but hope in Me and I will renew your strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; and you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint.[21] Come to Me, My Daughter, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”[22]

I said to the LORD, “If everyone has left me, does that mean I have no value?”

He replied, “My Daughter, can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.[23] I love you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.[24] So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.[25] I was despised and rejected by men, I am a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their face. I understand your pain.[26]

My Child, I have searched you and I know you. I know when you sit and when you rise; I perceive your thoughts from afar. I discern your going out and your lying down; I am familiar with all of your ways. Before a word is on your tongue I know it completely, my dear Child. I hem you in–behind and before; I have laid My hand upon you.[27]

I created your inmost being; I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made; My works are wonderful, you know that full well. Your frame was not hidden from me when I made you in the secret place. When you were woven together in the depths of the earth, My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days ordained for you were written in my book before one of them came to be.”[28]

I said to the LORD, “I am lonely. If others have left me, won’t You leave too?”

He replied, “My Child, I am a Father to the fatherless, a Defender of widows, I am God in My holy dwelling. I set the lonely in families, I lead forth prisoners with singing;[29] I will go before you and will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.[30] Where can you go from My Spirit? Where can you flee from My presence? If you go up to the heavens, I am there; if you make your bed in the depths, I am there. If you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you settle on the far side of the sea, even there My hand will guide you, My right hand will hold you fast.”[31]

I said to the LORD, “I am worried that I will not have the strength to walk alone while I live upon this earth.”

He replied, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.[32] Cast your cares on Me and I will sustain you; I will never let the righteous fall.[33] My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore boast all the more gladly about your weaknesses, so that My power may rest on you. For My sake, delight in your weaknesses, in the insults of others, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when you are weak, then you are strong.[34] You can do everything through My Son who gives you strength.[35] I am near to all who call on Me, to all who call on Me in truth. I fulfill the desires of those who fear Me; I hear their cry and save them.”[36]

I said to the LORD, “If no one else loves me, how can You?”

He replied, “My Dear One, as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.[37] You know that in all things I work for the good of those who love Me, who have been called according to My purpose.[38] I love you with an everlasting love; I am drawing you with loving-kindness.[39] How precious are My thoughts, my Child! How vast is the sum of them! Were you to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When you awake, you are still with Me.[40] I am righteous in all My ways and loving toward all I have made.[41] I am gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.[42] I am the Rock, My works are perfect, and all My ways are just. I am faithful who does no wrong, I am upright and just.”[43]

I asked the LORD, “Where do I go from here?”

He replied, “Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.[44] Come near to Me and I will come near to you.[45] I will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is unwavering, because he trusts in Me. Trust in Me forever, for I am, I am, the Rock eternal.[46] As for Me, My way is perfect; My word is flawless. I am a shield for all who take refuge in Me.”[47]

I said to the LORD, “What if I wander away from Your path?”

He replied, “Daughter, how can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to My word. Seek Me with all your heart; I will not let you stray from My commands.[48] My word is a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.[49] I will keep you from all harm–I will watch over your life; I will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.[50] Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.[51] My Child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.[52]

My Child, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”[53]

I said to the LORD, “I still feel afraid to walk alone, but I will put my trust in You. I will put my focus on You and all that You have promised. I love you, my LORD, my God.”

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.[54] I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.[55] Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.[56] For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts![57] Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.[58] My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.[59] Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.[60] I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.[61] Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.[62] How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.[63] The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.[64]

References

[1] Psalm 27:10

[2] Isaiah 46:4

[3] Proverbs 18:24b

[4] Romans 8:38-39

[5] Isaiah 41:10

[6] 1 Peter 5:7

[7] Psalm 23:4

[8] Psalm 56:3

[9] Joshua 1:9

[10] Psalm 147:3

[11] Isaiah 57:15

[12] Psalm 34:18

[13] Psalm 51:17

[14] Jeremiah 29:11

[15] Revelation 21:4

[16] Ezekiel 34:16a

[17] John 14:6a

[18] Luke 19:10

[19] Isaiah 48:17

[20] Isaiah 30:21

[21] Isaiah 40:28c-31

[22] Matthew 11:28-30

[23] Isaiah 49:15-16a

[24] Jeremiah 31:3

[25] Matthew 10:31

[26] Isaiah 53:3

[27] Psalm 139:1-5

[28] Psalm 139:13-16

[29] Psalm 68:5-6a

[30] Deuteronomy 31:8

[31] Psalm 139:7-10

[32] John 14:27

[33] Psalm 55:22

[34] 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

[35] Philippians 4:13

[36] Psalm 145:17c-19

[37] John 15:9

[38] Romans 8:28

[39] Jeremiah 31:3

[40] Psalm 139:17-18

[41] Psalm 145:17

[42] Psalm 145:8

[43] Deuteronomy 32:4

[44] Proverbs 3:5-6

[45] James 4:8a

[46] Isaiah 26:3-4

[47] Psalm 18:30

[48] Psalm 119:9-10

[49] Psalm 119:105

[50] Psalm 121:7-8

[51] Proverbs 3:5-6

[52] Proverbs 3:1-3

[53] Proverbs 4:20-23

[54] Psalm 119:50

[55] Psalm 119:162

[56] Psalm 119:141

[57] Psalm 92:4-5

[58] Psalm 119:18

[59] Psalm 119:20

[60] Psalm 119:27

[61] Psalm 119:32

[62] Psalm 119:33-34

[63] Psalm 119:103

[64] Psalm 119:130

Perfect Peace

LynnLeave a comment

3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 | NIV84

As I drove home in the massive downpour, orange and white cones littered the highway. Even with the windshield wiper blades going at full blast, the lines on the road were blurry. The big city is under a major overhaul of its road system and is in the process of building multiple new overpasses. The highway didn’t look familiar with portions of it closed off, the redirected traffic lanes and construction equipment. Concrete barriers lined both sides of the 2 lane highway I was traveling in. It was nearly impossible to see the road I had once been familiar with through the downpour and the construction work. So, I sat up straight, gripped the wheel with two hands, and kept my eyes steady, focusing directly in front of me. There were cars all around and the driver directly behind me wasn’t happy. I could tell because he was traveling way too close and even tried switching lanes to navigate around me, but there wasn’t anywhere I could go. I slightly let off the gas as to give him passage, but the car beside me slowed down as well and then another car came up from behind me. I didn’t take my eyes off the road and neither did I put my primary focus on the cars around me. I kept steadfast, focusing forward to where I could see a break in clouds up ahead. Passing through tight corners, trekking across old highway boundaries and following the designated lane, my focus remained on the light colored sky up ahead. All I wanted to do was get out of the rain, get past the construction and continue the trip home. I wasn’t nervous, just very focused, unwavering in the goal I had set out to accomplish – to get my family, who was sleeping in the truck, home safe.

As soon as I reached the break in the clouds, the rain suddenly disappeared much like how it does in the South. It started and ended suddenly. I noticed by the time I had left the construction zone that most of the cars that were traveling right alongside me had started to disperse. I eased my foot off the gas to give them passage, and to give myself some breathing room, when suddenly, all of the cars in front and beside me slammed on their brakes. I had put enough distance between them and myself so that I didn’t have to brake harshly, just gently, but then unexpectedly, I found myself braking harder and swerving out of the way. A truck towing a trailer had a sudden blowout and pieces of the tire burst out onto the road causing everyone to swerve out of the way. As I passed the truck with the trailer, I glanced to my left, and he looked okay, so I continued traveling thankful for God’s protection over my family and I. Not once did I feel nervous or anxious, I just remained completely focused.

I have been putting the above Scripture to memory, mulling over every word and trying to understand it deep within my heart. I looked up the definition of what steadfast means because for some reason, for many years, I have misunderstood this Scripture. I had always thought that God would keep me steadfast and then give me peace, but that’s not what it says. Read it again, and carefully this time.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 | NIV84

Did you catch it? “…him whose mind is steadfast…”. Google defines the word steadfast as resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. The meaning of the word steadfast in simple terms is unwavering. Now, to better understand what the Scripture is saying, I substituted the word steadfast with unwavering. Now, read it again.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is unwavering, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 | NIV84 (underlines mine)

I have been asking Jesus to explain to me what it means to be unwavering. I wanted to understand it in my heart, for it’s meaning to dissolve deep down within me. I looked up several other Scriptures about the mind and discovered that obtaining peace from the Lord takes some effort on our behalf. Yes, God does help us, but we need to be trusting, willing and focused.

Think about when I was driving home how focused and determined I was. I had no control over what was going on around me, the rain, the construction or the blow out. The only thing I had control over was my focus. God took care of the rest and gave me peace throughout the whole process. Our minds tend to wander thus creating anxiety, fear, doubt, worldly thinking and all kinds of other things that can misdirect us. Sometimes, it has to be a moment-by-moment thing where we have to force ourselves to refocus on God and all of the wonderful things He has said within His Word. Keep your focus and put your trust in Him, even if you do not fully understand. He will bring about the understanding you need in due time.

I like how verse 3 talks about experiencing perfect peace by staying focused and trusting in the Lord and then how verse 4 boldly declares to trust in the LORD forever, confirming this is a very important thing and a key to unlocking peace (and many other most wonderful blessings).

4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 | NIV84

Rock is capitalized in my Bible and I think that’s very appropriate. God is the only consistent, unmovable part of our lives. He is the only One who will consistently stand by you and who will never leave you. He never changes and His love is unwavering… keep your mind consistently focused on Him and Him only. Sometimes, it can be hard to remain focused on the Lord when things around you are unstable, but remain unwavering and trust Him. God will help you and He will keep you in perfect peace through the giving of Himself.