Walk Don't Run

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

If we are not careful when trials come, we will fall into the trap the devil wants us to, and we'll turn tail and run!  When you run the victor is the devil.  My mind is drawn back to a song my friend Brother Roloff wrote and sang. “Run if you want to run if you will, but I came here to stay.  It’s a battle field brother not a recreation room, and I didn’t come here to play”.

It is especially important when it comes to our witness and our ministry for the LORD.  When we turn tail and run we are telling the world what we have isn’t much.  It isn’t strong enough to carry us through.  

JESUS takes away the pain! If this wasn’t true and I didn’t have His promises written on my heart I would run like the rest.  However I am constrained not only by His promises and kept in tack through His unfailing love, but He lives within my very soul and nothing can separate us, nothing!

When they come I will stay.

I will stay within Your care.

Fears dark hold can not take,

The comfort that we share.

My mind says run, my heart says stay.

I’ll lean upon Your Word.

To think of quitting at this point,

The thought is just absurd! 

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69

Mad Dogs

“Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.” Psalm 27:12

We may be our own worst enemy but to add to our troubles there are always others who do their best to discourage and convict.  They are mad dogs lurking from dark corners. “Deliver me not over unto the the will of mine enemies”.

I have enough trouble keeping myself right in the eyes of GOD because of my sinful flesh. I certainly don’t need any help from others. Yet there they are doing their best to help me out with their false tales.  “For false witnesses are risen up against me”.

It is hard to understand why some would do such a thing but the fact is they do.  There were times in my life, before my salvation when I did this very thing.  I am in good company when you consider the Apostle Paul also did before his conversion.  “Such breathe out cruelty.”

This injustice is a part of the life of all whom are living the CHRIST like life.  Get used to it, it has always been here and will always will be until JESUS comes for His Church.  Don’t fight it, trust the LORD to handle it!

They have said things, that were not true.

They have lied about my walk with You.

They have tried to make my way bleak. 

I bring my troubles to the SAVIORS feet.

Who cares about the things they say.

I’ll pray they’ll  be saved one day.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:18-20

Bad Turns on Bumpy Roads

“Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Psalm 27:11

I have wondered down the hard roads of life.  I have felt the agony of the bad paths.  The saddest part of making bad turns on bumpy roads is it’s so unnecessary.  All we have to do is ask!  “Teach me thy way, O LORD”.

It is far better to be on a road that is straight and level than on one with twists and turns.  When on the twisted road you never know what is around the next bend in it. “lead me in a plain path”.

We can be assured of a smooth, straight road if we take the one GOD leads us on, all we have to do is follow the signs He has provided.  The Bible is our map, The HOLY SPIRIT is our guide and CHRIST in Glory our destination.  No enemy can push us off GOD’s road.  “because of mine enemies.”

I have walked the hard road with twists and turns.

There were bumps and ruts around me.

I was wounded so on this beaten path,

By those that have walked beside me.

Then I saw an exit sign to a road smooth

That was straight and clear before me.

There was a Light that shined on the golden road.

JESUS went before me.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23

You Don't Have to be An Orphan

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Psalm 27:10

As unimaginable as it may seem we can be let down by those we love the most.  Those that we are close to such as a father or a mother, a husband or a wife, friends or even our children.  At times we misinterpret their response but the reality of the pain is still there.

Perhaps the one you have relied on has passed and you are left alone.  There is a void in your life and you can’t see through the sorrow.  A husband or a wife has left and the absence has left you seemingly helpless.

You don’t have to be an orphan!  When others let you down whether imaginary or in reality, GOD is there to pick you up.  Death can not separate you from Him.  He will always be faithful to you.  Even your imagination can’t separate you from the love of GOD.

I felt abandoned, I was left alone,

With a rocky road before me.

They were there, now they’re gone.

Oh LORD please, come and help me.

When He arrived, He picked me up.

He put me on His shoulder.

He held me tight and wouldn’t let go

And now my sorrow is over.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

Me Being Me

“Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.” Psalm 27:9

As I look at my own life I think I can understand what David meant by these words.  There is no greater joy than knowing we are in fellowship with GOD.   However the flesh is always present and sin prevails more than not.  “Hide not thy face from me”.

While we understand GOD won’t fellowship with us while we live in sin we also understand the anger for our sin was taken care of on the cross.  It is the everyday verity of sin that plagues my heart, me being me.  My inconsistencies are a constant reminder of my need for GOD.  “put not thy servant away in anger:”

It is our way to do our best to outwardly show our love for CHRIST by acting out our Christianity, but we know in our heart what we really are, a sinner saved by grace.  “Thou has been my help”.

The greatest fear a believer can have is to be abandoned by GOD.  This fear was also taken care of on the cross.  JESUS promised He  “would never leave of forsake us”!  “leave me not, neither forsake me”.

My conclusion is this.  I will never be able to comprehend the true love and grace of CHRIST until I meet Him in Glory, when true love is revealed. “O God of my salvation.”

My heart is right, I love you LORD!

I’m committed to Your way.

Keep me in Your arms of love,

I want never to go astray.

When I slip, hide not Your face

Let Your compassion fall.

“O God of my salvation”

You are my all in all!

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1

The Face of GOD

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8

This is GODs invitation to David and for us as well, “Seek My Face”.  There is never an invitation that will take precedence over it.  Here The ALMIGHTY speaks specifically to us, you and me, all of us no matter who we are. The rich, the poor the lofty and the lowly. The good, the bad and the ugly!  He says to all, “Seek My Face”!

There is really only one acceptable answer to such a holy invitation, “Thy face, Lord will I seek”.  David felt in his heart the moving of GOD upon him.  He made a choice that changed his way of life forever!  Not just a happy life here and now, but forever and ever.

Only a fool would disregard such a invitation.  He would have to be without common sense to allow his pride to get in the way of his acceptance of having the opportunity to walk by the side of The ALMIGHTY.  Only the fool would want to keep what they have when GOD offers so much. 

It is the desire of GOD for the believer to constantly seek His Face for all things, big or small.  We are yoked with Him, we are tied together.  To leave GOD out of our lives is pride at its best and an insult to GOD, “Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”!

What a glorious invitation

The LORD has given all.

To the rich and to the poor, 

To the mighty and the small.

Man is ever yearning

For a peaceful way.

Listen to your heart,

And trust GOD today.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Ready To Listen

“Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” Psalm 27:7

Speaking to GOD from the heart is a wonderful thing.  We have the ability to stay in constant conversation with Him as we go through the day.  There are however times when in great distress we feel the need to cry aloud to Him.

It isn’t because we think our cry will get the LORD’s attention anymore than speaking from the heart.  GOD is always listing to us at all times.  Our cry isn’t to show GOD what we need, but the need we have for Him.

We are in trouble when we take GOD for granted and do not communicate with Him.  When we depend on ourselves rather than GOD we dishonor Him.

GOD wants to hears us, He wants to know how much we need Him.   

I know GOD listens as we stroll along.

Constantly present, we sing our song.

When there comes a time of great need.

I shout out to Him and He fills my need.

I never bother  GOD, He’s ready to hear.

He brings me peace, He cancels my fear.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1Peter 5:6-7

Weak is Better

“And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” Psalm 27:6

Better it is to be weak and trust CHRIST than to think yourself strong and fall.  Knowing your inability and His ability lifts you above your fears.  To understand you are able to overcome your enemy with the help of GOD and refuse makes you a fool.  “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God”.  Only JESUS

The greatest enemy any of us will face is ourselves.  We are born in sin and have no way of over powering this enemy on our own.  Our sacrifices are never enough to give the perfection we need to fulfill GOD’s law!  Only JESUS is able, He is the perfect sacrifice, He took our place.  While “we are weak He is strong”!  Only JESUS

Through JESUS we are lifted high in a way only those that have trusted can understand.  We shout with joy, we sing from our hearts with gladness.  We have won the victory, we are free and surrounded in His love.  Only JESUS

I lift my voice, I cry aloud

My victory is in JESUS.

I am weak, He is strong.

His love it never ceases.

I sing aloud, joy has come,

My song is full of praises.

I am weak, He is strong

My spirit, JESUS raises.

ONLY JESUS

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

GOD's Inner Sanctum

“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

During times of trouble it appears as if there is no place to go to escape the agony of it all.  The fact is every person is capable of escaping through JESUS.  Sadly some choose to remain in their agony because of unbelief.

As for myself, I’ve put away pride and unbelief.  I’ve trusted CHRIST and His provision.  When I’m faced with troubles He hides me in His dwelling place.  He takes me into His inner most place where I can’t be harmed.  I’m secure, wrapped in care.  I’m in GOD’s own house!

I wandered long in this weary place

Where fears and troubles come.

No place to hide from anxieties way.

I’ve tried my best, to run from.

I’ve thought long in this weary place

Where fears and troubles come.

Where is the place where I can hide?

I found it in GOD’s Inner Sanctum!

“And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” Isaiah 4:6

Greatest Desire

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

Over the years I have asked the LORD for many things.  I have called upon Him during trials and in times of heartache.  I have asked Him to watch over my family, my church and the Pastor.  

While there is nothing wrong in asking GOD for all this and more I wondered if my heart was in the same place as David’s when he wrote the above words.  What if I only had one request and that was it?

Reading this verse helps us to understand if our one prayer is to be in a full and complete relationship with the LORD all our other requests will come.  This is a continuing process, we will “seek after” it.  

My one request to You, my LORD

That we might be of one accord.

I will seek you each and everyday

Allowing You to guide my way.

Along my side You'll always be.

Showing me all Your beauty.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

Let Go and Let GOD

“Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Psalm 27:3

Whether it be one or many that come against us we have the ability to confront anything we face, if we place our trust in CHRIST.  “CHRIST is the victory that overcomes the world”! 

If we make the mistake of trying to fight the battle on our own we are not guaranteed a victory and fear is always present.  We must believe what the LORD is capable of and leave it in His hands. Sometimes it may seem strange the way God does it, but in the end it works and we gain the confidence we need for the next battle.

The armies were everywhere. 

In the front and to the rear.

With weapons of destruction,

They tried to bring me fear. 

But, they never had the power

To make me run or hid.

GOD gave me the confidence.

In CHRIST I shall abide!

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.”  2 Chronicles  20:17

Glorious Victories

“When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.” Psalm 27:2

I have found this truth from the begging of my walk with the LORD.  If I but trust GOD, He will take care of me.  The sad fact is every failure I have had was caused by my not trusting in this truth.

The Word is full of examples of the victories GOD has given to those that will trust Him.  We teach our children all these wonderful stories of glorious victories to inspire them, but I’m worried we fail to show them in our own lives what GOD can do through us. 

If we don’t live the faith life we are defeated and our example is worthless to those around us. We miss the excitement of the impossible, becoming possible!  We miss seeing the evidence of faith becoming real in our lives.  This evidences must be real in our lives or no one will believe our report!

I didn’t lift my hand, but they began to fall.

Each and everyone, the mighty and the tall.

I stood and I watched, as GOD began to work.

I didn’t do a thing, and my foes went berserk. 

They fell to the ground, each and everyone.

They had lost the battle, before it had begun!

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4

Outer and Inner Light

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

I have thought how tragic it would be to be blind and also how great it is to have the benefit of sight.  I suppose we take things such as sight for granted.  I’m sure if we asked a blind person they would readily tell us how blessed we are.

There are two types of light, outer and inner.  Outer gives us the ability to walk through our day free from stumbling, our path is lite, are way is clear. Inner light is different in that you see with the heart and not the eye.  A good example of this is Fanny Crosby, blind in the eye but not in the heart.  In her song, Blessed Assurance she writes, “Visions of rapture now burst on my sight” and “Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

While I’m pleased I have outer light, I would readily give it up for the inner.  Outer fades and grows dim. Inner is forever and one day you have the hope of perfect vision.

I couldn’t see but I was shown

The Light, He made it clear.

Darkness left, salvation came.

I have nothing more to fear.

When I am weak, He is strong,

His power will never fade.

His strength He passes on to me,

And nothing can make me afraid.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:6-13