He's Always There

Awakened in the middle of the night I began to talk to the Lord.  I begin to tell Him everything that was going on in my life...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  As I poured out my spirit unto the Lord with tears running down my face, I felt a warm sensation over my body.  It was the feeling of someone wrapping His arms around me calming my anxiety.  I then heard a still, small voice that said, "My child I am here.  I will never leave you nor forsake you."  I lie awake for another hour or so basking in the serenity of the Saviour.  I remember this night like it was yesterday.  Just the other night at Bible study I was reminded in an overview of the 23rd Psalm that  The Lord who is my Shepherd is always there! And that my friend is something to shout about.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5 

This very same concept is also expressed in Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5 and I Chronicles 28:20.  The message is still the same that God will not forsake His children.  The God I serve has proven Himself to be an 'On Time God'.  He won't leave you in the hands of your enemies or abandon you in the time of your distress.  He will not withhold any good thing from you and will supply your every need.  Knowing that God will never leave you nor forsake you should provide a confident assurance that sustains you during those difficult times that are sure to arise.  Friends and family members may leave you out there by yourself.  But I am a witness that God is a friend that sticks closer than any brother.  He knows what is going on in our lives any when you never say anything.  So why are you worrying?  Stress doesn't do anything but cause health issues.  It's about walking in confidence with God.  The best job, money in the bank, a clean bill of health can all change in the blink of an eye.  But knowing that you have God on your side and praising Him in the midst of your trial speaks volumes.  Satan isn't ready for that.  He wants you to be stressed, head hung down, worrying, depressed.  When you praise God in spite of what you are going through, you confuse the devil. Every time I find myself praising God while riding through the storm,  I like to picture Satan having flashbacks of that weekend thousands of years ago when he was sitting there gloating that he had killed Jesus. Seeing His disciples and followers sad and crying.  But what happened early Sunday morning changed his tune.  You see, those who walk in the confidence of God have the marks of contentment.  They are satisfied with what they have and they experience constant companionship with the Almighty God.  That's really all that matters. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Today I come to You thanking You for companionship.  I thank You because in my time of distress when I cried out to You, O Lord, you heard me.  Not only did You hear me but through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit You provided a peace that surpasses all understanding.  Thank You Lord.  When I am tempted to become discouraged, send me to Your Word and help me to remember that You have delivered me before and will deliver me again.  I will forever give You all the glory honor and the praise.  In Jesus Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

He Restores My Soul

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.  He maketh me lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. HE RESTORES MY SOUL! Psalm 23:1-2

Life can be hectic sometimes.  So many obligations that you barely have enough time for yourself.  Eventually you find yourself completely drained with nothing left to give.  It is times like these that I am thankful that I have a Shepherd.  Psalm 23 is a scripture that most of us learned as a child.  We may have had to repeat it before a meal or before bedtime but didn't really know the meaning of the words we spoke.  It wasn't until recently that I came to really know and appreciate a God who can supply all my needs.  I can rest and lie down in green pastures with calm contentment.  With the waves of life beating up against the rocks, I can still find still waters.  A place of peace and serenity.  Trouble all around but with God as your Shepherd you can find a calm, peaceful place in your mind where you can find rest.  With God your external circumstances don't have to change for your outlook to change.  You don't have to move from where you are in order to for things to change.  When you are 'beside the still waters' you can let the Lord work those things out for you. 

And not only that, He restores your soul.  During those times when you are mentally drained, He refreshes your spirit.  He gives you hope to run on a little while longer.  How does He do this? Just take a walk through the Word of God. It does wonders to restore the Christian's soul.  Verse after verse reminded us of His goodness.  His faithfulness.  How He gives us a generous portion of His grace and mercy.  He tell us to cast our cares on Him for He cares about us.  Give Him all of Your burdens because He can handle them and actually do something about them.  Then think about the people that He has placed in your life that encourage you daily.  When times are rough you know that you can go to this person and ask them to pray for you and you have no doubt in your mind that they will.  There are also those times when you don't ask and you may be having a bad day and all of a sudden you feel better.  That may be because someone whispered a prayer for you unaware.  They didn't know what you were going through but you popped into their mind and they felt a sudden urge to pray. So they did and your soul was restored. 

Life will knock you down sometimes but with God's help you can get back up again.  Refreshed and renewed.  Let God be your Shepherd.  Let Him be the first person you go to to meet your needs.  Ask Him.  He has everything that you need. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being my Shepherd.  Thank you for guiding me to greener pasture and still waters.  Thank You for access to Your Word that restores my soul.  Thank You for those You have placed in my life to encourage me and lift me up in prayer.  Even in the presence of my enemies you provide for me and I thank You.  Thank you for being faithful.  I will forever give your name the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.