yes and amen!

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. " (Psalm 42:11)

This morning I awoke with such a heavy heart and I wasn't quite sure why...so, when I read this verse, I truly identified with the psalmist when he cried with frustration,  "why art thou cast down O my soul?" I understood what it meant to have a disquieted spirit within me. As I began to pray about why, I thought about how often I pray about something yet I really do not let it go.  I may wipe my tears and wash my face but I am still feeling just as defeated as when I uttered my first plea for help.

 I know that He can do anything, yet I am still  unsettled about receiving an answer from Him...I cry out the same prayer as David did and I am so broken and a little peeved at myself because I have no peace...whyyyyyy? Well, David knew the answer and it's right here at the end of this verse...because I am not hiding myself in Him, I don't leave my burden surrendered at the Cross. 

Oh that I would grab hold of these truths:  He is our hope, praise Him in the midst of your battle, praise Him even when the answer isn't coming as swiftly as you want it to, believe that He is your God and "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." (Ps 45:5) 

Know that He IS the health to our countenance, smiling as your tears stream down your face, because you have complete confidence in His promise,  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee." (Is. 26:3).

 He is our God, His promises are YES and AMEN! I may not know His exact plan for my life is, but oh to just trust in His perfect way, leaving my future up to Him for real is where peace lies...saying with all confidence and trust, "you WILL do abundantly more than I could ever think or ask ... It's a fact!" 

Boldness of a Lion

My lovely little lions...

Pray hard with bold confidence, believing all things are possible with God...

Hezekiah knew what is was to go boldly to The Lord and pray hard, pleading for Him to intervene...

 "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord , Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. I beseech thee, O Lord , remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

 (I Kings 20:1-2)

Hannah knew what it was like to long for something and to confidently place her hopes and dreams in the hands of the Father and be at peace about it...

"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord , and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad" (I Samuel 1:10-11,18)

 And they both knew what it was like for Him to do not only what they asked but for Him to go above and beyond their prayers...

Hezekiah..."Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord , the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee...And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake." (I Kings 5b, 6)

Hannah..." And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord , and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. ... Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying , Because I have asked him of the Lord ..For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before The Lord." (I Samuel 1:19-20, 2:21)

The goodness of The Lord is there for us every minute of every day...and just like I told the kids today, we can take anything to Him and He understands, pray hard and be ever trusting that He hears you and will answer in His time and in His will...we can be confident that His promise to bring good to us is a fact!! So, roar like a lion in the face of the enemy, for the God that lives inside of you is greater than anyone or anything and He is listening and waiting to give you more than you could possibly imagine...He is just that good!!

" And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Let us therefore come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  If ye shall ask ANY thing in my name, I will do it."  (John 14:13, Hebrew 4:16, John 14:14)