Charles Spurgeon
God is not distant. I hear it. I know it. But sometimes I just don’t feel it… His presence I mean. Can you relate?
For the past few days, I’ve been feeling, well I guess you could describe it as dry. It’s odd too because this is my favorite time of year! You know there is something about Christmas time that helps you feel closer to the Lord. There is a joy and gentleness that is not present at any other time of the year. But… lately the atmosphere feels so heavy and spiritually distracting. I’ve noticed at times when I pray that I feel swarmed by thoughts that drag my attention away from prayer and onto something different. At times I feel like I am actually battling to stay focused. And then I remember how important it is to take up the shield of faith and put on the Helmut of salvation. Why? To protect our mind from all the fiery darts the enemy shoots at you… including distracting and disturbing thoughts!
“…above all, taking the field of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication…”
Ephesians 6:16-18
So, this morning when I sat down and opened my Bible I asked the Lord to please wash over me with the Word. “Please Lord, allow me to feel Your presence and hear Your voice.” A simple prayer asking for what I believe is His will… for His sheep to hear His voice.
This morning part of my reading took me to Psalm 34. I kid you not, as I read thru the Psalm, I literally felt the Word just wash over me. The Psalm says, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me.” And in that moment, I felt HEARD! It was no accident that this is where I was today in my reading. He just wanted me to know He is with me. It was as if the Lord was saying to me,
“I heard your whispered prayer. I am just a breath away. I know your struggle. I have not moved. I am right here.“
I know sometimes we don’t get our answers right away, but I also know that God wants His sheep to hear His voice. I know He wants us to cling to Him more and more every day. I know the times are difficult. Frankly the spiritual battle over our thoughts is intensifying. But the answer is simple. Seek the Lord. Tell Him you are looking for Him. He is not going to run and hide. On the contrary! He is going to let us know He is there. He is so good. So sweet. So gentle. I know He wants us to know He is listening every day all day.
I want to share with you Psalm 34. I want to you to know today God hears you. He is not distant. He is just a whisper away. He is well aware of the battle over our thoughts. Let His word wash over you today as it did me. Be encouraged. Know you are loved.
Hugs to all of you – cj
#OccupyTillHeReturns
Psalm 34:1–22 (NKJV)
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
CJ Rapp 