That I May Dwell in the House of the Lord!
For weeks the Lord has been bringing me through what I'd call a "spiritual slump". Studying His Word has lately been something I've done out of obedience, while the overwhelming joy He typically gives me during study has been lacking. Seems odd since He just recently brought me through a week of back pain so excruciating that I was literally unable to lift my Bible. I remember the joy I felt the first day I could pick it up and read it on my own. How could I go from that joy to this present struggle to get through a chapter in Genesis, which is one of my favorite books. My prayers over the past weeks have sometimes consisted of nothing but, "Oh God, how desperately I need You!" over and over and over. Ever been there?
Praise His name, He is now slowly bringing me out from under this terrible oppression. I just want to share some of the comfort He has given me through His Word. He has shown His faithfulness and love for me through both the Scriptures and the saints who have faithfully lifted me to His throne.
"One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock." (Psalm 27:4-5)
My unfaithfulness and unbelief are hidden in the tabernacle of Christ. I'm lifted up on the Rock, which is Christ! God looks upon my struggling spirit and sees only the beauty of His own Son. Because of His faithfulness to keep His promises, I will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and see His beauty one day face to face! That glorious day will not come from any good that I have done. That is sure. It will be solely the goodness of my great God.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins." (Psalm 25:16-18)
Truly, it is always some sort of sin that makes me feel distanced from my God. He never changes, though I vascillate in and out of sin as my flesh fights against the Holy Spirit within me. Yes Lord, forgive all my sins!
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before him came into His ears." (Psalm 18:6)
I know that He always hears me. There will be times when He sees fit to leave me in a dark place but I can always be assured it is for my good and, more importantly, for His glory!
"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11)
Lord, may You direct my heart to always seek joy in Your presence alone. Make me to delight in the pleasures from Your right hand.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)
Thank You Lord for hearing my cry and for inclining Your holy ear to my pitiful plea. Surely if left to my own ways, I would bring destruction upon myself. But, in Your strength and power, my foot rests upon the Rock and my steps are firmly planted on the gift of Your salvation. May my lips ever sing praises to You that others will fear and trust!
Praise His name, He is now slowly bringing me out from under this terrible oppression. I just want to share some of the comfort He has given me through His Word. He has shown His faithfulness and love for me through both the Scriptures and the saints who have faithfully lifted me to His throne.
"One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock." (Psalm 27:4-5)
My unfaithfulness and unbelief are hidden in the tabernacle of Christ. I'm lifted up on the Rock, which is Christ! God looks upon my struggling spirit and sees only the beauty of His own Son. Because of His faithfulness to keep His promises, I will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and see His beauty one day face to face! That glorious day will not come from any good that I have done. That is sure. It will be solely the goodness of my great God.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins." (Psalm 25:16-18)
Truly, it is always some sort of sin that makes me feel distanced from my God. He never changes, though I vascillate in and out of sin as my flesh fights against the Holy Spirit within me. Yes Lord, forgive all my sins!
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before him came into His ears." (Psalm 18:6)
I know that He always hears me. There will be times when He sees fit to leave me in a dark place but I can always be assured it is for my good and, more importantly, for His glory!
"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11)
Lord, may You direct my heart to always seek joy in Your presence alone. Make me to delight in the pleasures from Your right hand.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)
Thank You Lord for hearing my cry and for inclining Your holy ear to my pitiful plea. Surely if left to my own ways, I would bring destruction upon myself. But, in Your strength and power, my foot rests upon the Rock and my steps are firmly planted on the gift of Your salvation. May my lips ever sing praises to You that others will fear and trust!
Yes, all battle with spiritual depression but the Lord is faithful to see us through!
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hi - thanks for this post - i just discovered it today - i pray that you continue to find peace and overcoming in this time - and that you do have the joy back :o) honest nad refreshing post. keep pressing in and dont give up! blessings, claire
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Hello blessed Claire! Thank you for visiting my blog and I am praising God that He has encouraged me today through your comments. He has granted much peace to me, especially of late. What an amazing God we serve! I thank Him that you were in some way edified through the writings He has laid upon my heart to share.
All in and for Christ!
Colleene
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hi colleene - hope things are going well for you! God is definately amaizng - an the same today, yesterday and tomorrow! blessings, claire
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