Discovery Journal

Guest Blogger Lisa N. - March 16, 2011

Scripture:

Psalm 40:11-12 "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have over taken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me."

Observation:

At first when I read the second of these two verses I thought, "how depressing" and I chose to use a different verse that was easy to talk about. But I kept being called back to this one. I realized while, yes it is depressing, we have all been there. We have been at that place where life feels desolate. Where we would rather stay under covers in bed than see the sun shining through our window. Whatever the sin that caused us to feel that way, the Lord was there reaching in for us, just as the sun beams were skirting around our curtains. And even if we are not wrapped up in sin, it still surrounds us. It is a battle that we face every day, especially as being Christians. The devil wants to attack us and tear us down. The Lord is and will always be there. His love and his truth will protect us. You hear that? It says His TRUTH will protect us! How easy is that? We know what that is, we know where to find it. And being a family within the Lord, we have others who know where to find it, too. We never have to be "clouded" with our sin if we realize our resources. Our amazing congregation, along with prayer and reaching to the Lord, will pull us out of any desolate place we find ourselves. The devil will not win.

Application:

I don't need to feel alone. EVER. Even when I am physically alone, I can pray. And if I am so wrapped in my sorrows, I can reach out. I have a family at Father's House, a family that will not scoff at my sins, will not turn me away or allow me to feel as the devil wants me to feel: horribly alone. I have three weapons as power against the devil: my prayers, my bible, and my church family. We can overcome any sin, any whispered demon, and any desolate feeling with the TRUTH of God. Thank GOD!!!

Prayer:

I need You, Lord. I always need You. I thank You, Lord. For giving me more of You through my family of Christ and through Your Word. I forget sometimes the true power You have armed me with. You are protecting me. Your mercy brought me to this place where not only do I have the resources to fight these battles, but I recognize what they are. You are always ten steps ahead. Thank You for Your TRUTH, Lord. Amen.