To be satisfied in times of plenty, why, any fool can be that! But to be satisfied in days of drought, this is the Christian’s privilege, for he can say,
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
This is just the mark of difference between the Christian and the worldling. The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well. O Christian, if your heart is right, you will understand this spiritual satisfaction, and your soul will be satisfied in times of drought.
And some encouraging words from Radical Womanhood:
Maybe you are in a season of life where you feel passed over or put on a shelf. If you are not giving yourself to false idols or gods, I believe this thought is from the father of lies, your spiritual adversary. It certainly is not from Scripture. David gives us a prescription for doing battle against these lies...bowing down in worship, giving thanks for God's steadfast love and faithfulness, exalting His name and His word, and calling out to God for help. When our focus is on the magnificent character of our God and His steadfast love, we don't have as much time or space to think about ourselves. And it makes it easier to trust Him for the reasons He created us and gave us life in the first place. He alone is steadfast. His love alone endures forever. Therefore, we can trust Him not to forsake the work of His hands.
And some encouraging words from Radical Womanhood:
Maybe you are in a season of life where you feel passed over or put on a shelf. If you are not giving yourself to false idols or gods, I believe this thought is from the father of lies, your spiritual adversary. It certainly is not from Scripture. David gives us a prescription for doing battle against these lies...bowing down in worship, giving thanks for God's steadfast love and faithfulness, exalting His name and His word, and calling out to God for help. When our focus is on the magnificent character of our God and His steadfast love, we don't have as much time or space to think about ourselves. And it makes it easier to trust Him for the reasons He created us and gave us life in the first place. He alone is steadfast. His love alone endures forever. Therefore, we can trust Him not to forsake the work of His hands.
2 comments:
"When our focus is on the magnificent character of our God and His steadfast love, we don't have as much time or space to think about ourselves."
That's almost the same words I spoke in front of my little church two weeks ago before reading Matthew chapter 11. What I said was a little different, because although we focus on the magnificence of God, our minds quickly return to self-centeredness. But the more we refocus our minds by reading and meditating on Scripture with prayer, the more we are drawn away from ourselves, I believe. We need that grace from the Holy Spirit to keep refocusing us on God in the Bible.
You're right - we are quick to turn again to self-centeredness...I'm thankful for the power of the Holy Spirit, working through God's word to change us!
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