dailywordofdestiny

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2: 14-16)

Thou, O LORD
Many are they increased that troubled me
Many are they that rise up against me
Many there be which say of my soul
There is no help for him in God

~ chorus ~
BUT THOU, O LORD are a shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head
Thou, oh Lord are a shield for me
My glory and the lifter of my head

I cried unto the Lord with my voice
And He heard me out of His holy hill
I laid me down and slept and awaked
For the Lord sustained, for He sustained me

I am deeply impressed that many of you who are reading this are feeling that God has deserted you, or that you are unworthy of His love. You feel that people, situations, and LIFE are against you. You feel you are losing it. You fear you will not be able to go on another minute. In desperation, you have cried out to God and there is no response or sign that He has heard you. You feel defeated, rejected, and all alone. I am here today to tell you, God has heard you. Even before the words left your mouth, He was already working on your behalf (Jeremiah 29: 11-13; Romans 8: 26, 27).

Psalm 107 is a Psalm that was written to celebrate the Jews return from their exile in Babylon. The Psalm specifically speaks of four different types of people in distress: wanderers (vs. 4-9), prisoners (vs. 10-16), the sick (vs. 17-20), and the storm-tossed (vs. 23-30). Lost, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted typify anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. However, I feel that this Psalm is also about those who are discouraged and downhearted IN THEIR personal WALK with Christ. I encourage you to remember that God is mindful of all He has and is creating and He reaches across all boundaries of time and space to touch each of our lives with His love. He protects His own; He IS the Shield (defensive armor) about us and He IS the Lifter of our head (Psalm 3: 30).

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away. I see many who are “in church” but who are dry and thirsty. I recently heard a report that United States is a country that is starving for the truth of the Gospel. It is one of several countries who have easy access to God’s Word, but for some reason many have quit seeking the revelation of truth that only He can give. We have built our faith on man and man’s opinions and doctrines, to the neglect of studying God’s Word and actively seeking relationship with Him who can save the soul (Matthew 10: 28, 29; 1 Corinthians 3: 10-15). He is the Giver of Life (John 10: 7-10) and without Him our life ebbs away; there is no hope. Our faith in God and in His goodness is the safety rope that pulls us out of whatever pit in which we find ourselves. The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words. This is NOT your rest. Here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come (Revelation 7: 17; 1 Thessalonians 4: 17, 18; Micah 2: 10; Hebrews 13: 14; 11: 8-10).

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. What are you a prisoner to? What keeps you from experiencing the peace and joy that has been so freely given (John 8: 32; Romans 8: 16; 2 Corinthians 3: 17; Galatians 5: 1)? Darkness represents different things to different people. For some it is seen as a cover to hide their sin; for some it is fear (rejection, abandonment, isolation, separation, etc.), for some it’s a sense of failure, and for others it represents the unknown. I think that my greatest darkness was the sense of failure; that I wasn’t good enough, that I was unworthy of His love because of past sin. Many of us SAY that God has forgiven us, but we still live with our failures clouding our lives and casting shadows over our days. We really do not believe He’s forgiven us.

Since I turned my life over to Jesus as my LORD, I have come to realize that none of us are immune to failure; in fact, all of us face potential failure each day of our journey with Christ. 1 Corinthians 10: 12 speaks clearly to this, “So, if you THINK you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Remember Peter? He was so self-confident that his FAITH in Christ would not fail (Luke 21: 31-34), but his pride was brought low in Luke 22: 56- 62. BUT God is merciful and He has a plan to use our failures for our good and His glory. He already KNEW Peter would be tested but Jesus was more concerned that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22: 31, 32). I am grateful that Jesus said; “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” … “I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness” (John 12: 35, 36, 46).

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6: 7, 8). Jesus says to us, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” … “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never go thirsty” (John 6: 32-35).

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, His wonderful deeds in the deep. For He spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits end. Over the past years I have faced and gone through storms. I am certain there is not one of you who haven’t. It is true that all of us are able to pray for others and we often are able to give wonderful words of encouragement, right out of Scripture. BUT THEN, something comes up in our own life and we quickly get to our own “wits end”! Have you been there? I also see our daily spiritual walk reflected in this passage. We go along and God reveals His presence in a great and awesome way; we are jubilant in our ‘high mountain top experience’ and then we run into someone or something that sends us careening to the base of that mountain. We get up confused, wondering what has happened. Why has God deserted us, why is He punishing us? He isn’t; He’s teaching us to lean upon His grace. He is showing us that without Him we can do nothing (John 15: 5). Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have endured and matured under hardships. Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into His loving-kindness (James 1: 2-5). If you have experienced great trials, you have a greater potential for great praise! Hallelujah!

Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4: 15-18)!

I rejoice and give God praise! “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. MY heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in a song” (Psalm 28: 7; see Psalm 84: 11; 91: 4; 119: 114).

The LORD would say unto you…
“I call out to you to come out from among the world and be separate. Beloved, as a sojourner and pilgrim, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. You do not see yourself as I see you; be assured that when you see My Son, you will be like Him. You must purify yourself as He is pure. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you for I am the LORD your God, your Savior. Though you may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil; for I am with you; I am your rod and your staff upon which you may lean; I will comfort you and carry you as you have need. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Nothing will ever separate you from Me, My child. I am everywhere, all the time, and I have power and authority over all created things. What I have planned for you will come to pass; for nothing shall take you from My hand.”