Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Struggling Leads to Seeking - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 25:15

"My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."

As David proclaims his trust in the Lord, verse 1, and seeks his help in relief from his troubles, verse 17, David declares his focus, his view is upon the Lord. In acknowledging it would only be the Lord that would release his feet "from the snare", the Lord had David's full attention.

Throughout the book of Psalms we see David is incredibly blessed by the Lord and enjoyed a rich and meaningful relationship with him while in this life. Perhaps the focus David had on the Lord was due to the many difficulties and frustrations the Lord brought into his life.

We know the Lord engages us in ways we do not often anticipate. In his letter to the church in Laodicea, Jesus said, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19. This sounds a lot like what we read in Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

David had his struggles that we read about in Psalms and some of the history of Israel. He had a tremendous faith in the Lord, and I am convinced that a part of David's confidence and focus on the Lord was due to those struggles. Those kept David's attention on the Lord.

We likewise are to keep our focus., our attention on the Lord. Paul writes about focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord in his letter to the believers in Colossae. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2.

The next time someone tells you that since God loves you he doesn't want you to have troubles, tell them you would rather find yourself in the company of David, who did have struggles. After all, Jesus said those he loves he brings troubles into their lives (rebuke and discipline). If we are honest with ourselves, it is during those seasons we struggle the most that we seek the Lord the most.

A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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