In ten days I will be back in Africa. I am so ready.
As I sit here with the Lord, I hear Him whisper “spacious place.” He led me to Job 36:16, revealing that He is wooing me from the jaws of distress to a spacious place, free from restriction, to the comfort of His table, laden with the fullness of His blessings.
I love how Psalms follows Job. It’s like the Lord knew after the pain of Job we would need sung over. Psalm 18:19, “He brought me out to a spacious place; He delivered me, for in me He takes delight.” It reminds me of my recent memory verse from Zephaniah, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
I just love that He takes delight in us. It’s so sweet.
When I think of siting at the Lord’s table it reminds me of Psalm 23. That the Lord sets a table for us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints our heads with oil, and our cup overflows. Surely His goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What a promise.
Our enemies may be across the table from us, but the Lord is sitting next to us, on our side. If the Lord is for us, who can be against us?
Each week the enemies sitting across from my table changes. I need to remember to not go over and sit in their company, or even fix my gaze on them. What’s really tough is when I look across the table and see my reflection. Unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, fear, doubt- it’s so tempting to focus on self and others. The enemy will use these things to distract us from the healing, the provision and the purpose God has for us.
Once again, He is taking me away, to a spacious place, so I can be free from the distractions that so easily entangle me- so I can better hear Him. The words, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” repeats in the Bible. My prayer recently has been just that, to hear. But the Lord obviously knows I’m hearing impaired and He will go to great lengths to help us hear.
I know He is doing something new in me. It shall spring forth, shall I not know it? He will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Forget the former things.
This morning the Lord asked me, why are you hiding your light? It’s good to be salty. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Be the salt of the earth. Let your light shine before men so they see your good works and glorify Me.
Salty. Fruity. Bright.
Lord, I want to be Your light.
Be an example to the flock
Stand firmly on the rock
He is always doing something, working behind the scenes. He is so mysterious. I’m so curious what He’s up to.
This photo was taken my first day in South Africa. Looks a lot like Ohio doesn’t it?