Saturday, May 11, 2013

Not Even A Small Piece On My Own


Today Sarah writes about being thankful to God during times of problem or difficulty, bringing those very things that are pressing on us to Him. Reading the psalms of David can give us great insight into how these troubles can be brought to God with thanksgiving. David shows us over and over again how when he was troubled he would come before God with those troubles, focus on the character and power of God, and then even find the ability to lie down and rest in the midst of it.

Below is one of those psalms, Psalm 57, which is of a time when David was fleeing from King Saul and hiding in a cave with his men. As we know elsewhere in Scripture (1 Samuel 24), David even had an opportunity in the cave to strike out to kill King Saul and possibly even end the pursuit. Yet he chose instead to cut off the edge of his robe, an act which he regretted even going that far on his own. Realizing that this act was out of line, David spoke up to his men, telling them it as not for them to raise their hand against the Lord’s anointed – the king which God had put in place as the first king of Israel. As we know, God later removed Saul and installed David in his place.

David illustrates for us through his life and his recorded words that no problem is too big for God, nor is there anything so pressing that we drop our reliance on Him and take things into our own hands. God did what he said He would do for David, and He will take care of us.

Psalm 57 (ESV) …David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/11)

Thank Me for your problems. As soon as your mind gets snagged on a difficulty, bring it to Me with thanksgiving. Then ask Me to show you My way to handle the situation. The very act of thanking Me releases your mind from its negative focus. As you turn your attention to Me, the problem fades in significance and loses its power to trip you up. Together we can deal with the situation, either facing it head-on or putting it aside for later consideration.

Most of the situations that entangle your mind are not today’s concerns; you have borrowed them from tomorrow. In this case, I lift the problem out of today and deposit it in the future, where it is veiled from your eyes. In its place I give you My Peace, which flows freely from My Presence.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

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