The longing soul

For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:9 AMP

This week I have been reminded of how much God loves us, His children, and how He is willing and able to satisfy the longing soul. 

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30:18 AMP

There is a word of caution to us in the preceding verses. A reminder that we have a choice to make, we can flee or we can stay and stand.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me]  you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, 

And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! 

Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] one thousand of  you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill. Isaiah 30:15-17 AMP

Questions for today, are you one who flees or are you one who stands like a signal on a hill? Are you one who longs for the Lord, for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy and His matchless, unbroken companionship? He longs for you. He longs to be gracious to you, to show you mercy and loving-kindness. So today, let's make be expectant that He will indeed satisfy our longing souls.

Peace

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6 AMP

A few weeks ago a friend text me this scripture, with the emphasis on Prince of Peace. As I re-read it this morning I started to cry, as greater revelation came that nothing or no-one else can give the peace that Jesus gives. What a blessing to know His peace. So today I am going to share some other scriptures about His peace. I pray that as you read them you will get a greater revelation of His peace, available to both you and me.

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMP

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMP

Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. Romans 8:6 AMP

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP

May grace (God’s unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 1:2 AMP

May grace (God’s favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity,and freedom  from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal,precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 

2 Peter 1:2 AMP

Do you not remember?

But Jesus, aware of this, asked, Why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? O you [men, how little trust you have in Me, how] little faith! Do you not yet discern (perceive and understand)? Do you not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many [small hand] baskets you gathered? Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many [large provision] baskets you took up? Matthew 16:8-10 AMP

Today, let's start with the 'But Jesus, aware of this' portion of this scripture.  In the gospels we read about Jesus being aware of what was going on in people's thoughts, their intentions and purposes. Here is another example,

But He, [well] aware of their intent and purpose, said to them, Every kingdom split up against itself is doomed and brought to desolation, and so house falls upon house. [The disunited household will collapse.] Luke 11:17 AMP

Jesus is aware of what we struggle with in our thought lives. He knows that we sometimes lack faith and understanding. He knows that we fall short and that sometimes our flesh is weak.

All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 AMP

Sometimes there is a temptation to take the 'easy' route, to give up, instead of pressing on, watching and praying. We forget what God has done for us. We can lose perspective of what Jesus did for us on The Cross, because we are too busy looking at our circumstances. 

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.  Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.  Romans 5:8-9 AMP

So today, let's focus on Jesus, not our circumstances. Let's not get upset and angry with ourselves about where and when we fall short. Jesus is aware of what we are thinking, He knows we are not perfect. Yet He still died for us, so we could have the opportunity for a loving relationship with our heavenly father, and eternal life. Let's choose today to live in the freedom Jesus gives us.

If when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it is plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! Romans 5:10-11 The Message 

You remain the same

At the beginning You existed and laid the foundations of the earth; the heavens are the work of Your hands.

They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away.

But You remain the same, and Your years shall have no end. Psalm 102:25-27 AMP

Those words, You remain the same, are thought provoking. Can you think of anything in your life that 'remains the same'? Buildings are built and then get knocked down, or fall down. Most of our material possessions do not last forever. They get worn out from over use, or unintentionally broken. Few physical things get passed on from generation to generation. I have a bible that was owned by my great grandmother, but I am hesitant to open it due to its fragility.

And what about us, people! Well we can take people off the list straight away - we are born, we grow, we die and leave this earth. Aside from the physical change, there is the change that happens as we (hopefully) mature and draw closer to God, dying more and more to our own ways and living more and more of God's way. We certainly do not remain the same. But there is One who does.

And [further], You, Lord did lay the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment.

Like a mantle [thrown about one's self] You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. Hebrews 1:10-12 AMP

I don't know about you, but when I read, 'But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure', I get a sense of stability. So when we are wavering, He remains the same, providing the stability that we can rely on and trust in.

And I say, Perished is my strength and my expectation from the Lord. [O Lord] remember [earnestly] my affliction and my misery, my wandering and my outcast state, the wormwood and the gall. 

My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me. 

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation:

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. Lamentations 3:18-23 AMP

We are unreliable. God is stable and faithful.

Question for today, what or who are you putting your faith in? Is it something or someone that you can trust to be always stable and faithful? For me, there is only one I can truly always trust - 

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today [yes] and forever (to the ages). Hebrews 13:8 AMP

So today lets' choose to trust Him, and receive this prayer for our lives.

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who bought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it). 

Hebrews 13:20-21 AMP

We are His people

Know (perceive, recognise, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3 AMP

If you are wondering today how you fit in and where you belong, have another read of the verse above. We belong to the Lord God. This is how The Message bible puts it,

Know this: GOD is god, and God, GOD.

He made us; we didn't make him.

We're his people, his well-tendered sheep.

Psalm 100:3 The Message

He made us. What an incredible statement. The God of the universe, creator of the heavens and earth, made us. Us, that means you, me, our families, our friends, our neighbours, our work colleagues, our politicians, all people in our nation, all people living in this world, all people that have lived in this world and all people that are yet to live in this world. He made us.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 

I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking! 

Body and soul, I am marvelously made! 

I worship in adoration - what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculptured from nothing to something.

Psalm 139:13-15 The Message

He made us. We are His people. And here are just some of the things that He has promised His people.

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. 

Psalm 29:11 AMP

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) - but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.

Psalm 85:8 AMP

For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage.

Psalm 94:14 AMP

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear.

Psalm 111:9 AMP

He made us. We are His people. We belong to Him. 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things centre is and tend to consummate and to end in Him]. To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 11:36 AMP

So today, let's remember Whose people we are, and the promises He gives His people. Let's do all we can to live for His purposes in a world that so often ignores it's creator.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Don't shrink back

Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

I even wish that it would please God to crush me, that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!

Then would I still have consolation - yes, I would leap [for joy] amid unsparing pain [though I shrink from it] - that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!

What strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

Is it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven from me?

Job 6:8-13 AMP

Have you ever felt like Job, completely without the strength to continue to wait and hope? Completely unable to help yourself and lacking wisdom for your circumstance? What do you do? Do you shrink back, running from the pain of the circumstance, or do you chose to persevere, live in faith, and  live out of the salvation that has been freely given by Jesus?

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, 

"In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay." And, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back."

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. 

Hebrews 10:36-39 AMP

Who do you belong to - those who shrink back and are destroyed or to those who have faith and are saved? A friend gave me this scripture a few months ago, and it has stayed front of mind ever since. What a hope we have in Jesus. Let's not disgard it on the tough days, but rather let's embrace it. Let's immerse ourselves in His Word. Let's be full of praise and worship. Let's go there and let ourselves feel and express the unsparing pain inside, and be expectant of the good work God will do in us and through us. As I said in my previous post, let's get ready to sing a new song!

Question for today, is there something in your life which is causing you to shrink back from your real feelings? To shrink back from the hope that Jesus offers? If so I encourage you (and me) today to stand up, take a deep breath and declare:

I do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  Hebrews 10:36-39 AMP

And continue to declare it all day, all week, all month, all year if you have to. Ask God to help you to embrace the hope that is in Jesus. Be expectant that He will help you to stand firm, and not shrink back.

And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28 AMP

Sing to the Lord a new song

O SING to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 

Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.  

Psalm 96:1-2 AMP

Sing to the Lord a new song. To do something new there needs to be a change. The change may be one you have initiated or it could be one that is 'given' to you. Change can be difficult, especially if it is the type of change you do not want. What I am finding is that in that time of unwanted change, there is a real opportunity 'to sing a new song' to the Lord, if we continue to seek His face and open our hearts honesty and completely to let God work in them.

You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]. Psalm 27:8 AMP

A book I am reading, Emotionally healthy spirituality by Peter Scazzero, says this of Job's story,

This account is meant to encourage us to trust the living God with the many mini-deaths that we experience in our lives. The central message of Christ is that suffering and death bring resurrection and transformation. Jesus himself said, "I'll tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24). But remember, resurrection only comes out of death - real death. Our losses are real. And so is our God, the living God. (Pages 151 and 152)

Thankfully most of us don't experience the magnitude of 'change' that Job did. But we still experience changes, both wanted and unwanted. If we let God minister to us through the change, every change provides us with the opportunity to sing a new song to God. A song born out of a heart transformation.

Questions for today, if you are in the midst of change are you allowing God to do a heart transformation in you? What would be the new song that you would sing to God? What would be the theme of your song?

And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth! Revelation 5:9-10 AMP