Encouragement from the Psalms

                           There is something about the Psalms...

The way the writers pour out their hearts to God in such sincerity is very encouraging to me. Whether its in complaint, fear, weariness, victory, praise... they were honest. They weren't afraid to be real with God, they didn't hide their frustration from him, they brought it to him. 


In my walk with God there have been times where I didn't allow myself to be open with God, even though I knew he knew everything about me and what I was going through. I was just to frustrated to bring it to him and allow myself to be completely honest with how I was feeling towards him or my situation. I would always try and sort it out on my own and by doing that it got worse and my mind and heart would grow even more with negativity and weariness. It was like a was putting a distance between God and myself. 


What I also love and learn about the Psalms is that when David is pouring out his complaint or fear, it always turns into a praise to God. It always ends with him exalting God and proclaiming who he is. He knew who his God was. Even though David was facing many adversities he knew his God was faithful and would deliver him out of it. Psalm 13 is one that portrays this so clearly:


       How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
(Psalm 13 ESV)


I don't know what you are going through; whether it be a time of victory and joy or a time of pain and struggle, what I do know is that God wants our honesty, he wants us to come to him with our hurt, anger, bitterness, doubt, triumph, praise, joy...whatever it may be go to him. Don't hide yourself from him.
      
       I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalm 18:1-3 ESV)

Changes

New year, new resolutions!

It never fails, every year the same question is asked, "what is your new years resolution?"

 Some may not make any because they don't want to be disappointed if they don't keep it, some do it for a challenge, others do it because they know SOMETHING needs to be different.

No matter what you're circumstance is, one area in your life needs a little readjusting or a boost!

This year is a little different for me as I have gone through the various areas in my life and thought through what needs to happen in each of them. I don't have an exhaustive list or beaten myself up over what I didn't do last year. But what I did do, is look back over the last year and assessed the areas in which I need to focus more attention on and work harder in. 

One thing we have to remember is that changes take time and perseverance. We can't expect it to happen within a week or even a month. And the changes we want to take place should be ones that are a lifestyle change. Making the decision is only the first step, choosing to do it and to follow through are the rest. It is going to be daily choice of the will to choose to change.

Whatever you have decided to work on, let it be for the glory of God and not the glory of ourselves.  Also know that no change can take place on your own no matter what it is, you will need to rely on God for the discipline, self-control, perseverance, patience, strength, courage, boldness...etc.

Learn to:

1. Find beauty in your weaknesses, that is where God likes to work, let his power be shown! 

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2. Get your supply from the supply giver!

3.Don't try and do it by yourself.

I pray each of you is reminded of the greatness and power of God this new year, to know nothing is to big for our Him, he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! He is still looking for the men and women who will stand and be bold for His name and I pray we are that! I pray this year that we would grow more and more in our faith and rely more on our Savior and less on ourselves.

May this be our main goal:

I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone. -Oswald Chambers