Day 12 - The Promise Received

 This morning and yesterday was solemn day of contemplation. Partially because I was in the bad mood for the majority of the day.I have learned to allow myself to be where ever I am and still get things done. I sense a great deal of fatigue when it comes to my work situation and have been praying to God about how to improve it. The answer has been the same to me.

Do what I told you to do.

When I have settled in my heart to do what he has commanded he has been answering with extra income. I am getting closer to this thing he has been saying to me.

I want your progress to be explosive. I want to excel you so much and so fast its going to tempt you to take back, but thats not what I want. I want you to take up. Because you made up in your mind to do what other wouldn't, to go lengths other wont.

Psalms 91:14-16 

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

I'm not lucky I am loved. 

TACTICS FOR THE THIRSTY SOUL

Psalm 42:1–11

Recommended Reading: Psalm 63:1–11; Luke 22:39–46

Isn’t it amazing how the Bible talks about the soul? Scripture not only portrays what the successful, victorious and satisfied life feels like, but God’s Word also offers many examples of people who battle for their faith and grow weary.

In this psalm the songwriter longs deeply for God. Taunted by his enemies, his soul knows deep despair and turmoil. But rather than caving in to the flood of adversity, the desperate follower cries out to God. How does he wage this battle?

First, the songwriter honestly expresses his feelings to God. Rather than denying his pain, he pours out his soul (see Psalm 42:4) and brings his frustration and sense of abandonment to God (see verse 9). Second, he engages his own memory. The songwriter recalls blessed times of worship with the people of God (see verse 4), and—more significantly—he remembers God himself (see verse 6). Third, the songwriter talks to himself. Or, perhaps more accurately, he addresses his own soul. He repeats the refrain: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11). Although his adversaries taunt him and continually tell him lies, the psalmist aggressively counters their negative slurs with his own message of hope in God.

Finally, note that the songwriter wrote about his struggles. The fact that his words still exist today indicates that he battled for his soul by giving expression to his grief and hope.

If you’re engaged in a battle to make your faith real and are growing tired of the conflict, don’t give up the fight. Long for God. Thirst for him. If you feel comfortable doing so, record your struggles on paper or in a file on your computer. When you pursue God, Scripture promises that you’ll find him. Pray for God to flood your soul with relief. And don’t forget to challenge yourself in the same manner of the psalmist in Psalm 42:6 11.

TO TAKE AWAY

• Do you ever long for God so much that you feel yourself dying of thirst to experience his presence and refreshment?
• It seems when I cry out for him the more I am in that place and in that moment of longing. Its pure deep desiring for purity and peace and purpose. I have in no uncertain terms come to the resolution that I wont live if I cannot live with Him. 
• Have you ever “preached” to your own soul? If you were to do so now, what would you say to yourself?
• Actually no. Its funny because I am preacher and I never thought that I had the freedom to turn my gift on my self. I guess that its the nature of God's gift....The scripture even says we must be first partakers...How could I have missed the biblical consistency there! Now the light is shone on me...I see what you were trying to do all along Jesus.... Teach me to taste and experience you word consistent with your promise to me. That I would live what I preach.
• Hope in God. You are at the place of temptation just like Adam and you tempted to follow in the path of self reliance which you have done report. Allow me the grace to tell you that you know where that path ends. You dont get to live like the world. You will not able to trust the wealth you gain apart from God. You have come to far in God to live any less and the remain step you must take are left in trusting him. Remember He has always made a way. Remember he has always provided...Now its time to turn from yourself, deny your to yourself and turn to Him. AIM HIGH...AIM HIGH. SHOOT HIGH and MISS BUT REACH FOR THE STARS. Don't just bet on you...bet on HIM in you.
• When have you sensed relief from your thirst for God? How can you repeat that experience?