Devotional Thoughts - Lent 2013 - Day 9

God is being so faithful to address my concerns through these devotionals.  All that is necessary is that I would yield, listen to what He would say, obey and if not, repent.  Repeatedly.  Continuously.

My feelings had been hurt and I went to sleep desperately trying to “cast my care” upon the Lord.  I didn’t think the offense was intentional, so it seemed easy to forgive (on the surface, anyway).  But still the pain remained.  By morning only a dull ache was left, but it was enough such that I overslept - and when I did awaken, it was a struggle to find the energy or the will to get out of bed. 

Since I was now behind schedule, I had a choice:  forgo the morning devotionals and/or the blogging and continue with my planned morning activities, or cancel my plans and be faithful to still myself in the presence of the LORD, listen and respond to what He would say.  I chose the latter, declaring by my actions that He is my LORD and my God.  Even now I think of a verse I saw yesterday:

Luke 10:42

⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

The God Calling devotional (www.twolisteners.org) entry for today also seemed to confirm my choice, saying in part:

When you feel the absolute calm has been broken -- away alone with Me until your heart sings, and all is strong and calm.

These are the only times when evil can find an entrance. The forces of the evil surround the city of man-soul, and are keenly alert for one such unguarded spot, through which an arrow can pierce and do havoc.

Remember all that you have to do is to keep calm and happy. God does the rest. No evil force can hinder My Power -- only you yourself have power to do that.

(Thinking of the song, To Worship You I Live by Israel & New Breed – beginning words are:

Away, away from the noise

alone with You

away, away to hear Your voice

and meet with you

nothing else matters

 my one desire is

To worship You I live

 to worship You - I live, I live to worship You …)

 

Song of Solomon 2:10

¹⁰ My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

 

I was further comforted by the Scripture referenced in the Our Daily Bread devotional (www.odb.org):

2 Corinthians 4:7-15 (KJV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

¹³ We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

¹⁴ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

 

… and my journey with Him continues …