One second, two second, three… oops, there goes my wandering thoughts again. Sorry, Lord, once more I bring my thoughts back to focus on you. Lord, I don’t want my thoughts to wander, I want to think about you, to ponder your marvelous ways, to tune my ears to the sound of heaven, to hear your voice, help me in this area of my life. Once more I dwell you; one second, two second, three… How often do we, with good intentions, start to meditate on the Lord, earnestly desiring to enter into His presence, to hear His voice, then – only a few moments later find our thoughts filled with other things? I for one must admit it’s all too often for my liking. Taking every thought captive is not as easy as it might sound, we can take a clue from the 2 Corinthians 10:5 verse indicating it’s not going to be easy, the word “Captive”. To take something captive insinuates a battle in which something or someone is captured and bound so it no longer has freedom. The victory over our lawless thoughts is won with each scrimmage, with each wondering thought brought back onto topic. We are bombarded continuously from all angles with information demanding to be processed and problems dealt with, making it difficult for us to be still. Yet Psalm 46:10 tells us to be still and know that He is God. It too is a battle, we have an enemy who doesn’t want us to be still, for if he can keep us busy or distracted, even with doing good, we won’t be tuning into the sound of heaven, have time to clearly hear the Lord’s voice, or be His presence. If we are not still, refreshed or hearing the battle strategy, we are unable to fight effectively and decisively.
As we recognize our thoughts have wandered we must fight the desire to follow them. We need to stop – then intentionally turn our thoughts back to the Lord. We should not get discouraged, feel ashamed, or let the enemy beat us up in this battle; but rejoice in each victorious scrimmage where we stopped and refocused. A key in any battle is to submit to God, tell him our struggles and ask for his help; in this case to help us focus and take every thought captive. In some situations we may even need to ask to him to help us want to take our thoughts captive. As we surrender to God and resist the enemy, not focusing on distractive thoughts, eventually he will flee. It doesn’t say he will flee instantly, he doesn’t want to give up where he has had free reign, but greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Victory is ours with God on our side.
One second, two second, three second, four – I dwell on you, Lord.
I am there in the storm, in the middle of the night, at noon day so bright. You may not know or sense Me but I am there, just a whisper away. You can call on Me at any time and be assured I hear you. In my sovereignty I may not answer when and how you want, just hold on, keep your faith and hope, my ways and plans are perfect. You may not understand here and now why I did not seem to answer, yet one day you will see how my hand was in it, and the bigger plan. Faith, Hope and Love – never let them depart from you.
In the day of trouble I am your refuge, your shield. Strengthen yourself in Me, my words are as honey, let them refresh you. Meditate upon them and let them be life to you. Faint not, I am for you, though you face adversities I am with you in the midst, focus on Me – not the storm. Know and understand that in Me, you are an overcomer, a victor.
I love you with an everlasting love, you are Mine. I called you to myself and rejoiced the day you came. I take such delight in you, from your very first step at conversion, to the learning to walk, then running after My heart. I have seen the mountains and valleys you have gone through to know who I am and understand My ways. You desire to be like my Son, to walk in My ways, surrendering all, forsaking all, for the greater prize. It is my heart’s pleasure to give you what you desire, for you desire the good thing.
A mournful cry broke the silence of the night. A cry of desperation longing to be heard, a plea saying I am here – hear me, open the door that I might come in out of the cold night to take refuge until the mornings’ light.
Temptation Free! What a nice thought. The question is how to get there. Alas I must say there isn’t, pardon my language here but – bummer. According to 1 Corinthian 10:13 TLB “But remember this – the wrong desires [temptations] that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you.”
I am the God of the universe; I am sovereign in all my ways. I can be trusted and depended on. I’m true to my word. I have not and will not fail you or leave you. My Son gave his all for you; I allowed this because of my great love for you. If I allowed Him to go through what he did, surely I would not abandon you now. There is nowhere you can go that I am not, no action I will not forgive for those who come with an open repentant heart and yielded spirit. My desire is to be with you now and in eternity, to pour out my love on you, show you my good plans and have a personal intimate relationship with you.
My Child, I hear your voice filled with praise. Come closer, let me look upon you, you are the delight of My heart. I enjoy these times together when you are not rushing off into your day, but take time to talk with Me. Pause now and hear My voice, I love you, I desired and planned for you from the very beginning. I have special plans for you, you are my special child, unique in your ways, you are one of a kind. You touch and impact lives in ways others cannot. The world, your family, your church and your community need your unique set of gifts, calling and equipping, just as you need theirs. You were meant to need each other, to be as one family, one church, one body. In this you more fully reflect My multiple facets to the world. You were also meant to live life with Me, not apart, so I am thrilled when you are still and turn your thoughts, desires and affection towards Me, longing to know My ways, My thoughts, My desires, My heart. There is a lifetime of knowing, growing and learning open to you, there is no final degrees, no BA, Masters or PHD. What you gain does not end at your last breath, it’s good for eternity. Come, be still, sit a while with Me and know Me.
Lord, you nourish my dry and weary soul as I come to you in the still of the night. As a melody fills the air You lift my spirit up, my cares melt away. Striving ceases as my focus turns to you, as I put the burden of the “to do list” in your hands. The truth of scripture comes to reality, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Is. 40:31). You sustain me, oh my Lord, you breathe a fresh breath of life over me, I am refreshed with living water.
Beyond the Silver Coin 