Last night, while sitting in the living room getting ready to read Psalms, I felt like I should just go to my room and read. My husband had a movie on (I’m usually pretty good at tuning things out), the kids were still up, and I was desiring alone time with God.
I had a pretty rough week – on a number of levels. Struggling with issues with my kids at church that I really just want God to take care of, trying to focus on the unity of the Spirit. You know how the enemy loves to run rampant when we give him room in these areas! The baby had been sick all week, so I missed both Wed and Sun church. Feeling the weight of the burdens of everyday life – raising our teenage nephew, kids, home, work, church commitments, ministry work. I was having a hard time staying prayed up and motivated to “dig deeper” each day. If you’ve ever had an oppressive spirit come against you, you know what I mean. To top it off, I was letting distractions keep me in that place – house cleaning, movies, people, shopping, etc. Anything to keep me busy. Too busy for God is what it came down to. In one week I had become spiritually weak and tired of fighting the battles.
With all this consuming me, my heart was longing for alone time with Jesus—His calling unto me, I’m sure. Yet, there I sat, on the couch in the living room next to my husband. I opened my Bible to Psalm 4 and this is what I read:
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” v 1-4
Commune…upon your bed…and be still.
Thank you Lord! That was the push I needed. Off I went with my Bible in hand, to lock myself in my room, sit upon my bed, be still, and commune with my Jesus.
What a glorious communion it was! To cry out to Him, to repent of where I’d been rebellious, to seek His strength, and feel His loving arms wrapped around me, telling me: You are not enduring alone. I will never leave you or forsake you. Lay your burdens at My feet. Cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you.
Not only my Rock and my Salvation, but my Strength and my Shield. After who knows how long and some tear-soaked tissues later, the heaviness was lifted and I found myself back in the joy of His presence.
When was the last time you locked yourself away to simply commune with Jesus? To give yourself the OK to cry to Him and be weak before Him?
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Ps 51:17
If it’s been a while, I encourage you to set aside the cares of this world and follow the gentle leading of His Spirit. Allow Him to fill you with all the love and peace and joy and strength that He is. ♥
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