A place of expectation

For you, God, tested us;you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prisons and laid burdens on our backs.12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water,but you brought us to a place of abundance.~Psalm 66:10-12

“But you brought us to a place of abundance.”   These words, His Word, places like expectation in my heart.  An expectation that my suffering is not in vain. That at the end of it all I will be brought to a place of abundance.  A place of abundant faith, abundant joy, abundant peace, and abundant love.  I will be brought to a place of greater maturity in Christ , a place of abundance in understanding that I am crucified with Christ and that it isn’t me who is living by Christ in me, my hope of glory. I will be brought into a place of abundance because I will finally truly understand what it means to live this life by His grace. ( Galatians 3:20).

I want to be in that place of abundance, but i must first go through the process of refining.  I have to be sifted, so that the chaff of sin is removed.  My God is holy and He wants me to be holy.  There is a testing, but He has given me His Word so that I am able to give an apt reply.  He has given me His Armor to stand my ground when the enemy attacks.  The prisons and burdens of disease will be broken by my praise.  Praise to my Father who takes me to a spacious place; who wants me to have an abundant life.  

Father, this season of my life is hard, but I thank You.  Thank You for being with me every step of the way.  Thank You for the expectation of a place of abundance.  Father, open my eyes to see beyond myself and my immediate circumstances.  Lord, multiply my broken pieces to feed the multitudes.  Father, be lifted high and glorified.  Draw the world to You.  Let the nations rejoice at the sound of your name.  Jesus, I know that this is so m ch bigger than me.  Help me to endure.  Remove the doubt and fear.  Let me walk by your grace and faith in You.  In my flesh I can’t.  Crucify me Lord so that only You live in me.  In Jesus name. Ame

What my soul hears....

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand

Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.~Psalm 138:7-8

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.  What does my soul hear when I read these words and say these words?  My soul hears rest and confidence in God, my Father.  It hears that yes, life is really tough for you right now, but you can trust in His grace.  It hears that you can trust that all of the plans the He has ordained just for me will come to pass and that this period of suffering just may be a part of that process of perfection.  

It hears “don’t worry or be dismayed”.  He knows that you so desperately want to get it right, to stand firm, and not shrink back.  He sees all of the battles that take place in your mind, the constant straightening of thoughts as you seek to tighten the belt of truth so that you can keep pressing forward.  He sees the weariness of your soul and He is whispering to you, “I’ve got you sweet girl.  I made you and I am not going to forsake you. You are a part of my creative work and I love you. I promise you, My grace is sufficient.  You don’t see what I see, but know that it is good.”

I am walking through the midst of trouble.  I have been in this place before.  Honestly, did not think I would be back here, but the frailty of my humanity keeps me humble.  Battles with the mind and body can be so weary and I want to just fall back.  I want to just stop because everything feels like it takes so much effort and energy.  Energy that I don’t have, but my God has an endless supply of strength.   

And it is in this these moments of distress that I must hear the truth and speak the truth.  My God will perfect everything that concerns me.  The devil, my enemy, is hitting me hard.  He has devised a full on attack, but his weapons will not prosper against me ( Isaiah 54:17) 

My Father, because of His mercy and love, stretches forth His righteous hand against him.  His right hand saves me.  My Father holds me securely in His hand (John 10:29).

Father, thank You so, so much for your grace.  Thank You for your tender mercies. Thank You for the evidence of answered prayers in time past.  It is You who builds my confidence.  You Lord are my strength.  Thank You for your peace and kindness.  Thank You for this time right here.  Thank You for drawing me unto You and keeping close.  Thank You for being my shelter in the midst of this storm.  God, You are so good and I love You.  Father, please bless my brothers and sisters who might be in a similar place.  May we feel your hope.  Put a new song in our mouths.  Help us to endure until our morning comes.  The way of escape is always You, so keep our hearts in tune with Yours.  Forgive us for waywardness and for those times that we sin and fall short.  We rely on your grace Lord.  Perfect that which concerns us for your namesake.  In Jesus name. Amen