The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1)
LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness. (Psalm 18:28)
Fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. Each of us has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another – fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. But we can conquer fear by using the bright liberating light of the Lord, who brings salvation. If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember with the psalmist that “the LORD is my light and my salvation.”
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” (Psalm 27:8)
Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the path of honesty, for my enemies are waiting for me to fall. (Psalm 27:11)
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)
Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that he isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting for. Lamentations 3:24-26 (“I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD”) calls us to hope in and wait for the Lord because often God uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. Make good use of your waiting time by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.
Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching. (Psalm 105:4)
If God seems far away, persist in your search for him. God rewards those who sincerely look for him “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus promised, “Everyone who seeks, finds” (Matthew 7:7). The psalmist suggested a valuable way to find God – become familiar with the way he has helped his people in the past. The Bible records the history of God’s people. In searching its pages we will discover a loving God who is waiting for us to find him.
Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and who me which way to turn. (Psalm 5:8)
Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:4-5)
How do we receive God’s guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God’s primary guidance system is in his Word, the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s Word. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God’s direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then we will receive his specific guidance.
So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the LORD! (Psalm 31:24)
No comments:
Post a Comment