In the Old Testament there are a number of times when God commanded His people to set up remembrance stones - these are to be reminders of God's mercy to His people for future generations to know and remember.
I have been pondering on my own remembrance stones and the "aha" moments when God has spoken to me and given me a deep and clear revelation of Himself. Was He preparing me for such a time as this? We know that His time line is not ours and that He knows the beginning from the end. As I look back now I see that He was definitely speaking to me.
It was the summer of 2006 and I was going through a desert time in my own life - really burdened and parched for His Spirit. I remember waking up one morning and coming down and telling Julius who had just finished his quiet time. He told me that he had received great comfort from Psalm 78 and so I decided to read it to. Psalm 78 is in itself an account of God's mercy to His people and their rebellious and sinful response to Him.
Right in the middle of it I saw a verse that popped out to me:
They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. Psalm 78:18
I realised that my desert wanderings were born out of dissatisfaction of my then situation.
The psalmist was recounting how much God was providing for His people - He gave them a testimony in Jacob, appointed a law even for the benefit of the coming generations, He divided the sea and let them pass through it, He led them with a cloud at day and fire by night, never forsaking them, he split rocks so they could have water to drink, He rained down manna and quail and yet they sinned and caused Him to anger. when they saw His anger they repented but not really - it was just with heir mouths, their hearts were not steadfast towards Him. He had mercy on them again and they sinned again, and on and on it goes.
I was compelled to look at my own life and count the many blessings from Him.
Was any thing lacking? Why then was I so dissatisfied and parched - it was because I was craving food that I wanted. Not trusting Him for His provision, I was throwing a tantrum and wanting what I wanted.
Loved one are you heavy in your prayer life today? Are you feeling dissatisfied with yourself, your situation? Are you playing the "If only" game in your head? I would be satisfied if I had a better job, if my husband had the dream job, if my child had the perfect spouse, if I had a ministry, if I had a good bank balance, if I had children, if my children were saved, if I had not lost my loved one? If only...?
A preacher friend once told me to do this exercise - take some time by your self and write down 5 things that you are grateful for - 5 blessings from God. Walk away from the exercise for a few minutes and get back to writing 5 more and keep repeating this till you get to 20 blessings. You are guaranteed to find your joy in Christ after the first 10 and you will not run out of your list. Remember that every breath you take is from Him to you. Try it today!
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Phil 4:4-7
I have been pondering on my own remembrance stones and the "aha" moments when God has spoken to me and given me a deep and clear revelation of Himself. Was He preparing me for such a time as this? We know that His time line is not ours and that He knows the beginning from the end. As I look back now I see that He was definitely speaking to me.
It was the summer of 2006 and I was going through a desert time in my own life - really burdened and parched for His Spirit. I remember waking up one morning and coming down and telling Julius who had just finished his quiet time. He told me that he had received great comfort from Psalm 78 and so I decided to read it to. Psalm 78 is in itself an account of God's mercy to His people and their rebellious and sinful response to Him.
Right in the middle of it I saw a verse that popped out to me:
They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. Psalm 78:18
I realised that my desert wanderings were born out of dissatisfaction of my then situation.
The psalmist was recounting how much God was providing for His people - He gave them a testimony in Jacob, appointed a law even for the benefit of the coming generations, He divided the sea and let them pass through it, He led them with a cloud at day and fire by night, never forsaking them, he split rocks so they could have water to drink, He rained down manna and quail and yet they sinned and caused Him to anger. when they saw His anger they repented but not really - it was just with heir mouths, their hearts were not steadfast towards Him. He had mercy on them again and they sinned again, and on and on it goes.
I was compelled to look at my own life and count the many blessings from Him.
Was any thing lacking? Why then was I so dissatisfied and parched - it was because I was craving food that I wanted. Not trusting Him for His provision, I was throwing a tantrum and wanting what I wanted.
Loved one are you heavy in your prayer life today? Are you feeling dissatisfied with yourself, your situation? Are you playing the "If only" game in your head? I would be satisfied if I had a better job, if my husband had the dream job, if my child had the perfect spouse, if I had a ministry, if I had a good bank balance, if I had children, if my children were saved, if I had not lost my loved one? If only...?
A preacher friend once told me to do this exercise - take some time by your self and write down 5 things that you are grateful for - 5 blessings from God. Walk away from the exercise for a few minutes and get back to writing 5 more and keep repeating this till you get to 20 blessings. You are guaranteed to find your joy in Christ after the first 10 and you will not run out of your list. Remember that every breath you take is from Him to you. Try it today!
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Phil 4:4-7
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