My Soul Waits for God Alone
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
– Psalm 62: 5-7 (ESV)
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For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
– 2 Corinthians 5:1–10 (ESV)
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Your rest is not to be found in figuring your life out,
but in trusting the One who has it all figured out for your good and His glory.
– January 2 - New Morning Mercies (Paul Tripp)
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Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. – Isaiah 45:22
God teaches his people every day, by sickness, by affliction, by depression of spirits, by the forsakings of God, by the loss of the Spirit for a season, by the lackings of the joys of his countenance, that he is God, and that beside him there is none else. And we must not forget that there are some special servants of God raised up to do good works, who in a peculiar manner have to learn this lesson.
– “Sovereignty And Salvation“ - The New Park Street Pulpit Vol 2 pg. 52 (C.H. Spurgeon)
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Continue steadfastly in prayer. – Colossians 4:2
It is interesting to consider how large a portion of the Bible is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “People began to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful.
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We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray.
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Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father’s face and live in your Father’s love. Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing to others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue…in prayer.”
– Morning and Evening: January 2 (Spurgeon)
O, beloved soul,
Myriads upon myriads of disturbances press their way into your consciousness - disappointments, fears, concerns, wants…
Some feelings, you cannot define - not successfully.
O, weary soul, call upon Christ Jesus to forbid entry. These distractions are not welcome here.
Quiet your heart. Be still, please. Hey now. There, there.
These feelings…do not lend your ear to them, beloved! Don’t let them take root. Deny them hospitality, even though you wish to pity them.
You are already occupied. His Spirit dwells within you! There’s no room for such annoyances. No, thank you.
Oh! You lack understanding? What is it to you? What could you possibly gain with such knowledge? You have already taken hold of the truth: you are God’s beloved child.
Beloved, we are God's children now. (1 John 3:2a)
Oh! You pity yourself? What is there to pity, beloved? You lack no good thing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10 NIV)
Oh! You doubt His goodness? O, beloved. He is good.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! (Psalm 31:19)
You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. (Psalm 119:68)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (Psalm 86:5)
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
…keep reading, beloved, God’s Word. There are SO many more examples, if you would have them.
Trust in Him. Lean upon Him. May He be your rock, your refuge, your fortress. There is no other. He is God.
Finally, pray. Pour your heart out to Him, beloved. Continually. Fervently. Passionately. You pray to a living God! He hears your every word. He knows your every thought. You are safe with Him, beloved. He desperately loves you. Now, love Him! Wait upon Him, patiently, gladly. When storms come, when disappointments and hurts make your heart ache, press all the more earnestly into His pierced hands. They held Him on the cross for you. His hands are gentle, strong, and loving. Some Day, you will feel His hands placed upon your skin with words of comfort and joy. Those hands, that held Him there…they haven’t forgotten you. Remember, beloved the words of Isaiah 54:7,8:
For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.
Go in peace.