Monday, July 11, 2016

CHATTING WITH GOD


Friends, I am at a loss for words this week.

So, I am re-sharing something that I wrote over four years ago in a weekly feature called, "Saturday Stroll."  

It speaks to the trials that have entered my life as of late, and I hope that it has meaning for all who read it.  (I know that I needed to read it again...)


Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripturemaking it a conversational walk of faith.

God and I speaking...

So put on your walking shoes you know we can all use the exercise!



(Words and thoughts taken from Job 23, Zechariah 13, Psalm 139, and Job 42 - NASB and NLT translations)



A DIALOGUE FOR TIMES OF TESTING


I'm afraid my complaint is rebellion.  But it is still a bitter one.  Not that I'm bitter, Lord.  I'm not resentful (maybe a little) – but life is a bitter pill to swallow – difficult to accept, often unpleasant.

I try hard not to groan aloud.

But Your hand is heavy despite my groaning.

Why, Lord?

I just don't get it.  It is so hard to understand You when life is difficult – when I have turmoil – when loved ones are suffering – and circumstances are impossible.

Oh, if only I knew where to find You, where You might be.  If I knew that, I might come to Your seat!

Yes, I would go to Your court.

I would present my case before You, laying it all out.  

And I would fill my mouth with my arguments.

Then I would listen to Your reply.  I would learn the words that You would answer, and perceive and understand what You say to me.

Would You contend with me?

Would You use Your great power to argue with me?

No, surely You would pay attention to me.  Surely You would give me a fair hearing…

…wouldn't You?


So, I search for You.

I go forward, but You are not there.  I go east, You are not there.  I move backward, but I cannot perceive You.  I go west, but I cannot find You.

When You act on the left, I cannot behold You.  I do not see You in the north, for You are hidden.  When You turn on the right, I cannot see You.  I look to the south, but You are concealed.


Where are You, Lord?

Why are You silent when I need You?

Why are You hidden when I need You?

Why do I feel so alone…when I NEED You?


But I am consoled and comforted and strengthened by this one Truth.

You know the way I take.  You know where I am going.  And when You have tried me, tested me, I will come forth as goldpure and unblemished.

For I have stayed on Your paths.  

I have held fast and followed You.  

I have not turned aside.

I have not departed from the commands of Your lips.  I have treasured the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food.


But You are unique.

And You're a little (a lot) scary, Lord.

Once You've made a decision, who can change Your mind?  What Your soul desires, whatever You want to do, that is what You do.

I know that you will do to me whatever You have planned.  You will perform that which is appointed for me.

You control my destiny.

I guess my heart struggles with Your sovereignty, Lord.

And sometimes I am just so scared, and hurt, and despairing.

Darkness is all around me – thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.

Deep gloom covers me.


But I am not silenced by the darkness.

NOR AM I.

Lord, is that You?!

I will bring you through the fire and make you pure.  I will refine you like silver and purify you like gold.  When you call on Me, I will answer. 

I will say...

"This is My child."

Will you trust Me?


Oh Lord, I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my very own eyes.

You are the LORD, my God.


I AM.




Have you had a conversation with God lately?






Bent but not broken...

...still reaching for the Son. 




"You have been my God from the moment I was born.
Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.
My enemies surround me...
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me...
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat...
O LORD, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
Save me..."

(Psalm 22:10-17, 19-20, NLT)



"Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant –
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever."


(Psalm 73:21-26, NLT)




Linked with:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

29 comments:

  1. Such a powerful conversation with the Lord, Sharon. I could really hear Job crying out to God, and remembered the times I have been right there, wondering where God has gotten off to. We have to remember that even when we don't feel His presence, He is there!
    Blessings!

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  2. That is a good conversation with the Lord. A few weeks ago I had a one sided conversation with God (he was going all the talking for a change). It was in the middle of the night, but I definitely know it was Him talking and not just my thoughts for what he had said. Perhaps I need to be more quiet and let him do more talking.

    betty

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  3. I think many of us have been where you are right now, I know I certainly have. Whatever it is that has had you burdened these past weeks, please know I am send up prayers for my special friend, Sharon. Only wishing my arms were long enough to give you a hug :)

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  4. I always love your Sat. Strolls even on Mondays, Sharon.

    Praying for you and this week ahead to be filled with JOY!

    Love, hugs and many blessings, Peggy {you're really never at a loss of words, so this is serious, but always a delight when we can look back and find a "treasure" in previously written BLOGs that seem to relate to the current as well as they did when originally written} ... looking forward to "grateful thoughts" whenever you share ... and more to be grateful about rather than Job, let's see some JOY. Love you Sharon, God bless.

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  5. With so much recent happenings it's easy to have a loss of words these days Sharon. It's good to have a stockpile of words we can revisit and find comfort and strength through. Have a great week.

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  6. It's good to ponder in humility... that's where we find our Father... every time. May we confess our sins as a nation so that He will heal our land.

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  7. Sharon - this is so good and it was good 4 years ago too when you wrote it. I think it is so important that we all have real conversations with God - all the time.. especially at times when we are searching for answers or not sure where to turn or where to go. Thanks so much - we are neighbors at several places #TestimonyTuesday and #Unite

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  8. Oh wow! You made the passage from Job come alive in new ways! What a marvelous post! I think we all can identify with Job. By the way, have you read Charles Swindoll's marvelous book entitled "Job"? There is also a Bible study to accompany it. I highly recommend it!! Thank you for linking with us at The Loft!

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  9. Sharon, our hearts must be in the same place this week -- I also re-posted something from the past, and it was also from a Psalm. I also really appreciated your thoughts from Job. We do need to be bringing our sadness and our shock into His presence just as we bring our joy.

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  10. I am so sorry you are experiencing a difficult journey. I wrote on a similar subject this week -- I'd love you to read it if you need encouragement. You have written eloquently and your words are powerful. Visiting you from Holley's link up. xo www.Laura-Acuna.com

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  11. Such a beautiful, honest conversation with God. It's something we all need to do on a regular basis. Thanks for the vulnerability required in sharing this, Sharon. We all can relate!

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  12. Love this conversation with God. It's one we all need to have with him...

    "Yet I still belong to you." Praise God!

    Thanks for joining the conversation at The Loft!

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  13. I sure have had these conversations with God. Lately, I'm a little overwhelmed with what seems like huge prayer requests...for me...not for God! Saying a prayer for you today. Hugs!

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  14. Thank you for posting. I stopped what I was doing and had my own conversation with God and His Son. Brenda

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  15. I love to do something similar with scripture as well and turn the words (especially of Psalms) into my own words and prayers for God. When you add your own situations and emotions to the words of scripture, they come alive in brand new ways. Thank you for sharing this and I pray God will meet you and make Himself real in unmistakable ways.

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  16. Blessings, Sharon. I used all my words on my rant. So many others can make the points I made with much better words than I can. Been turning my words to the Lord of late. Best place for them. Mostly speechless as I witness this dark time in history. But--as I catch up on your posts, you are hitting the nail on the head. Standing, therefore, and resisting in the battle. Where my words become His Word and the Lord of Hosts fights. I am praying that the territory that's been lost over the years can be reclaimed, but I honestly don't know how God's sovereignty will allow things to go. Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His might on your warring fronts, dear lady. God be with you--God be with us all.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  17. I have had many a conversations this week with God. Much like this one.

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  18. He is the Righteous Judge but there are times He does change His mind. Moses pled with God not to destroy the rebellious Children of Israel, and God said, for you I won't do it. Our relationship with our God is so personal that we can converse with Him and He with us. May God work all things together for good on your behalf and pull the rabbit out of the hat for you (smile) :-) Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  19. So many questions without revealed answers, but we can trust.

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  20. Beautiful post! I love how you weave Scriptures so wonderfully through your post. Praying the Scriptures seems so natural. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup

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  21. I love the honesty in this, Sharon. I've been in that position before and it is scary, thankfully the Lord never left my side. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.

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  22. It has been a very difficult time filled with such a deep sadness. Praying with you! Thank you for sharing at #MomentsofHope!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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  23. Beautiful, Sharon. I wonder if we could just get quiet and stop trying to analyze our disobedience if we could hear earlier in our diatribe. I do the same thing. Instead of just coming to Him, we ramble on...so grateful that He gently interrupts and speaks to us--just what we need to hear. Thanks for sharing, Sharon Sharing God.

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  24. I don't know what you've been going through, but I understand how the wind sways us off course from time to time. I am praying for you friend. Thank you for sharing!

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  25. Beautiful and inspirational. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.

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  26. I am so sorry to know that you are going through so much. I am always here if you need me, dear friend. Sending you big hugs and much love.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)