The soul’s wounds can carve out a hollow and leave you lost and longing for a healing that seems so elusive to pain. Despair and deep sadness can come in and solace is desired, but none can be found…or so it seems.
In the act of this covenant, Jonathan stripped himself of his worldly protection and gave it to David. Isn’t that amazing — “Here David, I love you with my very soul and I want you to be protected in battle with my armor and my sword and my bow and my belt.” It was a demonstration of Jonathan’s love and affection for David. It was selfless and self-sacrificing. Jonathan could have reacted so differently, but he did not.
Several years ago, I was visiting a dear and lifetime friend in Virginia. She has been a friend and also a spiritual mother to me. As I sat on her couch that day, she could see some wounds on my arms — wounds that spoke of some deep pain that I was going through — a valley we had walked through together many times.
She excused herself to another room and she came back with an essential oil. She opened the bottle and poured out the oil into the palm of her hand and began caressing and massaging the oil into my right arm and then into my left. She took her time and gently applied it so that it would be absorbed deep into my soul — not just the essential oil — but the love and care and a sweet balm of friendship that is unequaled in this world.
We both sat quietly — no words were needed between us — the Lord was filling our hearts with Himself. He had given us to each other for those times when the battle had been hardest — what a good and precious gift!
Do not grow weary in the journey, beloved, cling to Jesus. And as God sends others on your journey with you and as you comfort one another, thank Him for such goodness to you. Our journeys here can be dark and difficult at times — but God has given us a soul that can withstand the difficulties when we put our trust in Him. We are being pefected in Christ Jesus.
Dark are the shadows invading my mind.
Relentless, foreboding – they capture and entwine.
Sleep so elusive and fears gripping cold.
Oh, Jesus, my light, please shine in my soul.
Your light is a lamp – Your mercy divine.
Grace, please enshrine me, Lord please abide.
Morning dawns brightly – my Help and my Stay.
Jesus so sweetly showed me the way.
Never forsaken, no never alone.
He is my refuge – He leads gently Home.
I have been quiet for a few days — praying about forward movement — how, where, when, and why? “Lord, what would you have me do in this world of instant thoughts, overcrowded worries, and delirium from overstimulation of social media?” Sometimes — or often times — it is hard to know where you belong or how you should exist, or rest, and be. I do! So that is where my heart has been for days now — pondering the next and praying for holy guidance on the how.
Sarah giving birth past her 90s, Ruth so loyal and steadfast to her mother-in-law — and while we are speaking of Naomi — losing her husband and both of her sons, in a foreign country, how she showed perseverance to move forward. How about Esther, who saved the Jewish race, and Abigail with all of her diplomacy, discernment, and wisdom? There are so many more, but I abruptly stopped at Deborah — a judge!
A few things caused me to pause on Deborah — her obedience and her leadership! I admire the way she judged and led the Israelites.
I have never been in a military battle — for that matter I’ve never even been in the military. Neither my country nor my God has called on me to defeat Sisera or Jericho or anything of that nature. Yet, here in two chapters of the Book of Judges, and the entire Bible, is a woman, sitting under a Palm Tree, giving out judgments, who then agrees to go into battle, why? That’s what a life in full surrender to God does! Chapters four and five do not mention Deborah lifting a sword — a woman named Jael put a tent-peg through the temple of Sisera and killed him. I’m as certain, as was Barak (I’m sure), that Deborah was going to subdue Sisera, but it was Jael, who killed him. God subdued Jabin the King of Canaan while the sons of Israel pushed harder and harder until they had destroyed Jabin the King of Canaan.
Whether sitting under a Palm Tree giving judgment or standing on the battlefield, Deborah understood full well Who should receive the praise and Who was worthy of it — that is the LORD! She and Barak blessed the LORD in song and praised HIM. You can read the Song of Deborah in Judges 5. If this were a modern-day story, Deborah’s song would most likely be a platinum-selling album, albeit a one-hit-wonder, as we never hear anything further of or about Deborah. And, so, how does Deborah’s example inspire us? How can her account in history parallel or even mirror what our lives are like right now?
Wisely seek the LORD — Deborah sat under that Palm Tree for 39 years as a judge. For people to come to her, as they did, she had to have been discerning and wise in her counsel. We should always seek wise counsel from the Lord.
Obediently serve the LORD — Deborah went into battle, as Israel’s judge and leader. She didn’t sit back under her Palm Tree and await a military report. She was right there in the thick of it. Those of us who serve this same God should be quick in our obedience to the Lord.
Gladly sing praises to the LORD — Deborah wrote a beautiful song of praise and blessing to the LORD for raising up and equipping the Israelites for battle. She knew Who to praise and why. She understood that the Israelites would have tragically failed had God not gone before them in battle. We should always praise the Lord for His provision and faithfulness to us.
Some days I struggle with the next step! Some days it seems as dark in my life as it was for the Israelites during the years of the Judges. I currently don’t have any clear answers, or not any new ones, in seeking Him and His will over the past few days. I do know that as long as I seek God, obey God, serve God, and praise God —- I will be on the right track.
At times it feels that I am traveling in the low country, where it is dark and difficult and defeating. I long for the high hills — to travel them with the ease of a Gazelle — but for now, I am in the low country — while here I will keep drawing closer to my Father, learn what He is teaching me, and I will keep persevering. Our souls are stretched and sanctified by those hard trials — like running a marathon — your calves burn from the exertion — but you must keep pushing forward and forward even more. Pressing into the will of the Father.
When our journey is over on this ole’ earth, we will one day stand before the Throne of God singing, “Holy is the Lord” and “Bless His Holy Name.” See you on the mountain tops!
We have all done it! I have for sure and for certain! You know what I am talking about — don’t be coy! That time, or many times, while we are driving — especially when we are driving somewhere we have never been before — the radio is playing and we are doing our best to read the street names — admit it, you turn down the radio volume or you turn it off altogether. Ha! Pinned ya, didn’t I?
Why do you think we all do that when we are looking for a street? Does the volume of the radio heighten or diminish our ability to see where we are going? I know…maybe our brain works better when there isn’t much noise around us to interfere with what we need to be concentrating on at that time. Maybe it is both or maybe it is neither — I think it ought to be studied by great minds…or maybe not! In any event, I have a theory!
When we are out driving, a lot is going on around us…there is a lot of traffic…the radio is playing loudly…maybe the kids are in the backseat complaining that so and so is touching them…it has already been a hectic day, and now you cannot find the street you are seeking to turn on to. Yeah, turning the volume down on the radio can sure help sometimes — it helps to unclutter our brain and free us to look for the crazy street sign. It works…doesn’t it?
It can be true in our lives with many things. The New Year has brought with it long lists of things that need to be done. Many made resolutions to help them jump ahead of the New Year and be prepared for this year! Many of our government workers are clamoring to make the ends meet — mortgage payments, insurance payments, tuitions, oh — and that sustaining element called food. Maybe you are one of them and don’t see any end in sight and that coupled with all of the other items on your 2019 task list — well, it gets loud and chaotic. Oh, I do understand — how did a brand new year, with no mistakes in it yet, become so demanding and unrelenting so quickly?? Surely this was not supposed to happen!
Well, when we cannot change the circumstances of all that is buzzing around us — when we just cannot seem to find that next turn — God provided a way for us to turn down the volume! How, you ask? I’m glad you asked!
The still in Hebrew is raphah and it means to cease, leave, or stay. God gave us that out so that we could come and rest for a bit in Him from all the striving and running around. In fact, if you look at the New American Standard Bible, it says, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” He understands that life can become quite messy and loud and overwhelming and so He gave us permission to stop…cease…be still from the messiness and loudness.
However, God did not just give us permission — He gave us His example! In the beginning…you know the account…God created! Then when He had finished His Creation, He rested!
There it is — God turned down the volume — the Creator of all set aside a full day to rest from His work! What a wildly, all-knowing God who knew that we would need rest and therefore He set an entire day aside for us to find it!
Each day, set time aside to be in His Word — resting in His love — so that you can make the next turn. Set aside a day of Sabbath rest — it is a wonderful time to draw closer to God through Christ — after all, Christ became our Sabbath rest. Turn life’s volume down and cease your striving, dear one, and rest in Him!