Friday, December 16, 2011

We just gotta come to Him!

Proverbs 30:5
    "5 Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection."


The words of the writer of this Proverb held me captive this morning. How true! Every word of God DOES prove true, and He IS a shield to all who come to Him for protection! I want to focus on the shield portion of this verse today. I know that I've been struggling with fear lately, and homesickness as well; so I figure that I'm not the only one out there having these feelings. The words I read today gave me a peace, and comfort that He is my shield, He will protect me in all things!

How often do we try to "go it alone"? I know for me, it seems to be a pretty common thing, but we don't have to do that; we don't HAVE to be alone. God will shield us and protect us! All we have to do is come to Him. Then why do I find myself constantly thinking I can do this on my own, and constantly failing at it? I think that, for me anyways, it's just too easy. All I have to do is come to Him and hid in His arms? Really? That's it? I mean, I'm pretty much a mess here God, are You sure You don't need me to clean up somehow? But He doesn't, all He requires is that we come to Him.

This isn't the only time He says this in the Bible either, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 "28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." It seems to be a theme here, God WANTS to give us rest if we will just come to Him. It seems so simple to read, but so hard to actually DO. How can we move from reading something to actually doing that same thing? I've been trying to figure that one out for years! I know that the Lord is working in me though, I've read these words many, many times and never stopped to think about them before. I never stopped to act upon them after having read them. I do have to say, that I have done this before...just come to Him, but it always seems to be in times of desperation. I spent a lot of times begging Him to just hold me when we were trying to have a baby; and now that I'm pregnant, I've spent time begging Him to hold both me and the child and protect us both. I wonder just how much my life would change if that was my attitude every single day. If I woke in the morning and said, "good morning Lord, I'm ready to be held some more!". If I took the time to seek His arms when I'm perfectly happy and enjoying life instead of waiting until it's all falling in around me?

I can only imagine what good has in store for us, what wonderful things He has just WAITING for us to come to Him for. But I tend to stand on the outside and look in at the grand party, instead of seeking out His arms to be included in it. I think that my plan of action for the next week, is to actively seek the Lord's protection, shield and arms when I DON'T need them most. I plan to seek Him at all times, not just the rough times. Thank you Jesus, for being that shield and protection I need, and not just when I ask for it either; but all of the time! I love you Jesus!

Friday, December 9, 2011

He knows, He sees

Revelation 2:2
     "2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance."

Some days are just harder then others. Have you ever noticed that? I have days that I struggle to be happy; let alone to be a "Christian example" to the world. But Revelation is here to tell us, that God knows. He sees everything we are going through, and He sees how we are patiently enduring through the rough times. This verse spoke to me this morning, because of the message of seeing in it. I know that on some of those rough days I feel so very far from God; like He's not even in the same universe as me, let alone walking (or carrying me!) beside me. It is nice to be reminded that He's seeing me struggle, He's seeing me get through.

I think that sometimes, just getting through; or patiently enduring as this verse words it, is a victory in it's self. How often do we hear about those who were not able to make it through? Sadly, pretty often; and I wonder how anyone can survive without the Hope that I hold near. I have had several friends that will willingly admit that they struggle with things like depression on a regular basis. I can tell you for these friends, and the few times I've struggled with depression as well, that making it to the other side of the darkness is one of the most amazing feelings. You have survived again; it's now easier to make it through the day. What might seem like a strange thing to celebrate to a person who's never suffered these things, is a celebration in a persons day who HAS struggled with this. The verse in Revaluation is a comfort to me, to know that He's there, He's seeing and He'll be there when I make it through to the other side as well.

I am sure that a lot of people have noticed there isn't a promise in this verse of hope, but to me; I see a promise. I see the promise of Him. I see the promise that He's there; at all times. The promise, to me, is that He will be there to celebrate with me when WE make it through, He'll be there to wrap His arms around me when I'm in that darkness; and He'll be there to help through the next time too. In short, HE WILL BE THERE FOR ME. God is awesome that way huh?