Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"
In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.
Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking with us.
There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!
So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!
JEREMIAH HELPS ME PRAY
If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses?
If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets?
Oh Lord, these questions stop me.
I ask myself – if I am exhausted by my relationships with the people around me, how am I going to fight against Satan?
If I am wearied by racing around in a human (and frail) body, how am I going to race against the spiritual forces that rise against me?
How often I get mired in the *daily rut* of living ordinary life. How often I get overwhelmed by the tedious things that life requires of me.
But, if I struggle when things are going well, what will I do when things get tough?
There is this saying – "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" – but I am stalled by difficult circumstances.
If my sinful nature plagues me when the way is smooth, what will I do in the thickets of temptation, discouragement, and suffering?
They have worn themselves out, but it has done them no good.
Yes, Lord. That is what has happened to me. I have worried, and fretted, and manipulated, and finagled, and tinkered, and attempted to influence everything in my life.
I am worn out.
Listen and pay attention!
Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.
I ask myself…
Lord, am I tired because of my pride?
By trying to run my own life have I just succeeded in running myself ragged?
This is how the LORD responds:
If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me.
The enemy, MY enemy will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
You will make my feet of clay firm and strong and immovable?
Yes.
He will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe.
I will rescue you from his cruel hands.
LORD, You are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble!
Oh LORD, if You heal me, I will be truly healed. If You save me, I will be truly saved.
My praises are for You alone!
You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.
The LORD says:
Now I will show you My power.
Now I will show you My might.
At last you will know and understand that I am the LORD.
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their confidence.
AMEN!
(From Jeremiah 12, 13, 16, and 17)
"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? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." (Psalm 27:1-3)
"'Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.'" (John 6:68)
How is God YOUR fortress today?
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"
Amen Sharon! The Lord is my strength and my shield!! And definitely my fortress. He continually amazes me with his strength and his protection and his provision on me and mine :)
ReplyDeleteI like this from Jeremiah: Jeremiah 9:23-24. This is what the Lord says "Let not the wise boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts, boast about this. That he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight" declares the Lord.
Definitely a life verse for me!
enjoy the weekend!
betty
That is one of my favorite hymns - The Lord is my strength and my shield!! And definitely my fortress. What would we do without him? sandie
ReplyDeleteWhat I especially love about you is how honest you are, but then you always go right back to what HE says we are to be, and how He enables us to be so much more than we ever can without Him. You are such a good teacher Sharon! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Psalm 27. Also, Psalm 91. Kind of similar.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful conversation! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSharon, you have no idea how many times I've taken this very stroll. I am convicted (and then condemn my own self) by the fact that I'm such a wimpy warrior in the easiest of battles, and I think or fear (of course) what will become of me when the going REALLY gets tough.
ReplyDeleteAnd every time I have this stroll, or every time the going does get tough (as it did just a few short months ago), I'm reminded that I am indeed every bit as weak as I feared myself to me.
But I'm also reminded that He is even stronger than I could have dreamed Him to be.
Wonderful choice for the stroll.
I am always so busy and distracted on the weekends, and that's why you have some of your best stuff!
Amen my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteSo important to trust in the Lord. Why do we try to do everything in our own strength, wait until we realize we can't do it and then ask the Lord for help? I know I do this all the time. It is a lifetime habit I need to break. I wonder if he doesn't smile a little at times when he realizes how easily he could fix things for us if we would but ask. Of course He doesn't fix every little thing. We need some of these problems to build character.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing each week on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte