Strong Tower

Hear my cry, O God,

listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

(Psalm 61:1-3 ESV)

As a christian, I find it comes natural to quote verses like this in times of trial. We know our bibles, we know what we are suppose to say and how we are suppose to act....it is quite another thing to  put skin on the bone and to live this practically. When various trials enter into our lives,viscous words are spoken behind our backs, we lose friends or family members, etc...It is HARD to remember and live like God is our strength and refuge. When your flesh literally feels as though it is being torn apart and devoured or your heart feels as though it may fail you (I find God is usually silent in these times), the little weakest faith deep down inside of you can still utter...Blessed be the Lord!!! Because these words are Truth....We are told in Philippians

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

So what does it actually look like for the Lord to be our ROCK, strong tower, and refuge?

I imagine myself in a war. The enemy is in hot pursuit of me. I am worn down, battered, and beaten. I see my camp straight ahead of me, the tower standing strong, a symbol of safety and rest. This isn't so far fetched from the spiritual war we engage in everyday. Jesus is that strong tower. In him we find TRUE rest for our souls. He tells us to take heart for He has overcome this world. In times of pain, trial, and confusion...Run to Jesus...Feast on the words in the bible.

Strength is a funny thing. We had to lay down all self-reliance and strength when we came to the Lord. We need to be reminded often that He is our strength.....This is a lesson that takes a long time to learn and usually means you will be stripped like an onion, layer by layer.

I remember going to a women's retreat a few years ago to hear a missionary speak. She had been traveling globally, non-stop, and was diagnosed with exhaustion after the first night that she spoke. She was the main speaker of this retreat....I remember watching her weak feeble body make its way to the podium. I remember being moved by a strength that was not of her. She taught and fed us women, it was truly a FEAST. I sat humbled and amazed as I watched the strength of the Lord in her. The Holy Spirit ministered to my soul...in our weakness God is made STRONG!!!

So friend, Run to the Rock, let Him be your strong tower, let Him give you rest and strengthen you today!!!

What is the purpose?

This Christmas, while putting gifts into the back of our car, I was stilled. My soul was quieted inside. I thought of how short our time on earth is. But a handbreadth.....

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

(Psalm 39:5 ESV) 

The Lord has told us....

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

(Psalm 90:12 ESV)

“O LORD, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

(Psalm 39:4 ESV)

I find myself in the busyness of life forgetting that this is not my home. As the years roll by, my body is starting to age, my children are growing up, I've lost loved ones, and grow weary of all of the darkness of this world....I think to myself "What is the purpose?". God could have transported each one of us to heaven instantaneously once we were saved, but he chose to leave us here, and to fill us with His Spirit. He told us to be the salt and the light. He told us to shine brightly, like a beacon of hope. 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

(John 14:12 ESV)

My faith is little right now. My heart aches for the children and families that were affected by the Sandy-Hook shootings. It goes out to Pastor Britt Merrick, whose daughter Daisy has still not been healed and is in tremendous pain. It aches for Pastor Levi Lusko, who lost his daughter suddenly to an asthma attack. I pray for the people affected by the natural disasters that are happening globally, the people who are dying by the thousands from hunger and disease...the list goes on and on. My heart breaks. It seems like the darkness is pressing in. In my frailty and weakness I pray.... 

ABBA,

Strengthen and purify your bride. Prepare us for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Help us and equip us to spread your gospel to the unreached. Help us to number our days and redeem the time, for these days, are OH SO EVIL. Help us to measure our days. May we not be found living for self, fattened sheep in our comfortable pastures....Oh Lord, awaken and revive us...not just in our personal devotion and worship to you but our devoted service to YOU!! Help us to live like you did. Break our hearts for the lost. Remind us how fleeting we are...Make our lives shine and bear fruit for YOUR GLORY. WE were lost and now we are found. May you send us out to love the lost and to speak of your AMAZING GRACE. Open ears, Open doors, soften the hardest of hearts, and bring a revival once again to your people. Thank you for the Gospel...Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for giving us the hope of eternal life....apart from sin, death, evil, suffering, hunger, drought.....  May we never stop working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Your grace is TRULY sufficient Lord.