Tag: rest

To be fruitful

Worship.

Wait.

Worship still.

Occupy, watch, wait some more, being nourished by daily water in His Word.

With continual Love from the Son, and grace sufficient for each day to abide, rejoice that He produces the fruit of joy in our soul.

Rejoice always. He alone is good.

He will do what He has said He would.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” John 15:5-9.

The Ninety and Nine, a hymn for today

Writing the words of an old hymn so we might speak aloud, or if desired, to sing. But there is so much comfort in reading words from over a hundred years back, and feeling as if they were penned today. Oh, how they shed new light on familiar themes:

There were nine-ty and nine that safe-ly lay In the shelter of the fold, But one was out on the hills a-way, Far off from the gates of gold,

A-way on the mountains wild and bare, A-way from the tender Shepherd’s care,
A-way from the tender Shepherd’s care.

Lord, Thou hast here Thy nine-ty and nine; Are they not enough for Thee? But the Shepherd made an-swer:

“This of mine has wan-dered a-way from Me, And al-though the road be rough and steep, I go to  the des-ert to find My sheep,

I go to the des-ert to find My sheep.”

But none of the ran-somed ev-er knew How deep were the wa-ters crossed; Nor how dark was the night That the Lord passed thro’

Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the des-ert he heard its cry Sick and help-less, and read-y to die, 

Sick and help-less, and read-y to die.

Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way,

That mark out the moun-tain’s track?

They were shed for one who had gone a-stray Ere the Shep-herd could bring Him back. Lord whence are Thy hands so rent and torn? They’re pierced to-night by many a thorn, 

They’re pierced to-night by man-y a thorn.

But all thro’ the mount-tains, thun-der riv’n, And up from the rock-y steep, There a-rose a glad cry to the gate of heav”n;

“Rejoice! I have found my sheep!”

And the an-gels echoed a-round the throne, Rejoice for the Lord brings back His own, 

Rejoice for the Lord brings back His own.

Elizabeth C. Clephane had written a poem that found it’s way in 1874 in a penny newspaper of those days. Ira D. Sankey, a song leader for Evangelist D.L. Moody, cut it out and put it in his music notebook.

At a meeting in which Moody gave a sermon on the Good Shepherd,  he asked Sankey, “Do you have an appropriate solo in which to close?”

It is told that Ira Sankey prayed a quick prayer and turned to the poem in his notebook, and, on-the-spot, wrote its melody!

Today, so many years later, melody known or not, the words comfort, touch, and move us to hope deeper and believe greater in our dear Good Shepherd’s love. We must read it aloud and rejoice in our hearts that our Good Shepherd never tires to seek and to save the lost.

The old hymns, they remind us that He loves most. 

And His good Word reminds us that His love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13).

God’s love is deep and wide. Human-kind can’t comprehend God. Perhaps we spend our lifetimes understanding His amazing grace. And then,

one day, we shall see Him, face to face.

Prayer and Encouragement: Be Still My Soul

“Be Still my soul  . . .” The  old hymn reminds. 

How do I “be still?”

This is the question as the clock continues to move time.

Fears flood in an instant.

Stresses press on our back.

Pain wears down the weary body. There are tears on the inside, like rain no one can see.

We’re in this marathon race. It’s not how we start, it’s how we finish.

We must finish. We must finish well. But “How?”

With unity. Not isolated and alone. That spells defeat and loneliness.

Reminding each other to remind ourselves:

Be Still my Soul. The Lord is on thy side . . .
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

We must remember God is King over everything.

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25.

Our prayer to Jesus: “There is so much change. But You, O LORD remain.

We draw near to You, and You draw near when we do.

O God, help us, today in such darkness, take hold of Your light and believe and rest . . .
in Your faithfulness.

“Be still, my soul: Our God doth undertake
To guide the future, as You have the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

We pray in a hymn, dear Lord.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
Your voice Who ruled them while You dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, And all is darkened in the vale of tears, 
Then shalt we  better know Your love, Your heart,
Who comes to soothe our sorrow and our fears.

Dear Lord, comfort the downcast with Your Spirit, we draw near.

“Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with You Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

Dear Father in heaven, we bow our heads together. The most important change that needs be, is inside of me—Increase my faith, that I might stand, and follow You, as You take hold of my hand.

“Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing,  You, O Lord on high; to
Acknowledge You in all our words and ways,
So shall You  view us with a well-pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Son of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.”

We bow our heads, we pray to You. We end our words  and whole heartedly say:  “Our soul is still, as we set our minds on the hill, where You laid down Your life, as a perfect sacrifice, forgiving my failures, Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You.“
(1) “Be Still My Soul” by Katherine von Schlegel. 

True Riches: Faith in God through Jesus His Son

Earthly riches we see and often desire. And once acquired, there is almost always, the let down: “Is that all there is?”

But Jesus, who came to be Savior, was also the unparalleled Teacher. He, Wisdom came down and spoke to ears that would hear:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21.

The heavenly treasure of faith in God through Jesus His Son is higher and deeper, richer and forever. “Blessed—happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable—is the man . . . whose delight and desire are . . .

What comes next? What’s this key to happiness? What makes a man “fortunate?”

What is possessed by the man or woman who is “prosperous and enviable?”
The possession of the glorious key to open the closed-door of Peace is faith in God through Jesus His Son.

Lasting. Forever. Promises enduring:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God,” Romans 5:1,2.

This sounds rich. This rings glorious, but can we understand what it all means?”
“Give us faith. Help us understand the glory of God!” We pray. And . . .
He does.
Having faith to call out to God and pray, the Bible says, is all pleasing:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” Hebrews 11:6.

Heavenly riches, heavenly rewards—this is what I desire. You and me alike?
Just as if I have never sinned, my Jesus sees me now. Faith in what He did for me on the cross is the beginning of riches and glory and hope for all eternity for me, and you, and anyone who believes.

The Bible says it. The Bible is truth.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him,” Proverbs 30:5.

Let us sing in our hearts, even in the midst of sorrow and loss, praises to God, because God will build in us a character that counts:

“Faith God, in Your Son who suffered and died. We stand at the foot of the cross and ask for help that we may at this time,

“glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.
 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:3-5.

To the One whose name is “Faithful and True,” (Revelation 19:11), no matter what happens, help us remember time and again, that the greatest of riches is faith and trust in You. Thank You for giving us the key of faith to unlock the door of Peace with each breath we take.

Amen, and Amen. Shall we continually say, “Let it be, and to Your glory. Let it be.

Blessed is the man whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity], Psalm 1, Amplified.”

Believing. In God. According to His Word, indeed reaps True riches. Lasting. Forever.

A Present Help During the Storm/God’s Hand



During times of a storm, great waves bring on fear and distress. Loss brings about heartbreak and pain brings about loss of breath. How do we ride above the waves? What does the Word of God have to say?

“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things,” Philippians 4:8.

What’s true? What’s noble? Where is the good report?

There is only One who stands and rises above this test. He is Jesus. He is the One who is lovely. He is valiant and noble. He is a giver of life.  He offers His Spirit to minister to us.

Call on His name. Weep in His arms. He is able to bring violent waves to a still and calm. How? I don’t know. But He is faithful. He has touched me in the past, and He is here right now.

I write so I can remember, even in times of darkness,  “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves you. Yes, Jesus loves. Yes, Jesus.”

My eyes and my ears, become flooded with worldly realities, and my thoughts repeat them back to myself. Stress and distress is only magnified, until I cry out His name, and wait.

He is here. He is there. By my side. He’s with us now. That is why I love Him so much. Yesterday, and today, and no matter what comes. He is present. He is all powerful. He knows everything.  His love is supernatural.

So, I look for words, and He reminds my restless heart, “Look at old hymns and Psalms.” I open the hymnal, with barely the desire, but I obey, because He is my Lord.

And He lifts me out of my dark thoughts, and He lifts me out of doors:
This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—
His hand the wonders wrought.

He’s opened my eyes to see the wonder of His skies, and somehow my heart is intent to read on, and stop thinking of earthly things that prove to break me down:
This is my Father’s world:

The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:

He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

My Good Shepherd has presently “made me to lie down.” Not in terror and darkness but on a pasture of green. He is present. He is with me.

He warned us. He did. But did we have any idea that “tribulation” would look like this? In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

I read aloud the words that flow next:

This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

There is only One that is good, and that is God. Oh, how we need Him now. To flood our thoughts and help our hearts beat. He is the Lord. I can rejoice in Him.
Jesus said, in His love letter for us, knowing that we would face trouble and loss: 

 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25 and 26, are beyond our comprehension. But with every ounce of my being, I reply, “Yes, Lord. I believe this.”

And for that reason I can, right now, presently, in the midst of waves and darkness,”Rejoice in the Lord.”

Phil. 3:1 reminds me that, this “is a safeguard for you.”
“Speak in psalms and hymns,” God’s word says, so aloud I speak the greatest of all comfort songs:

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul;
He leads 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 You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

We might not be happy about the current affairs, but we can always find refuge in the presence of our Lord. I will quiet my restless heart and stop to rejoice, in the King of my heart, and the lover of my life.

Together in weakness we might be, but He will give us breath. He is our Victory. He brings day in our dark night.

This is My Father’s World, Maltbie Babcock.
Psalm 23. The Holy Bible.

I choose health over anxiety. Where's my hymnal?

Got health? Real wealth? Worthwhile things are worth the fight.
The struggle to balance. The work to think straight. The temptations surrounding. The need to put off, put away, to breathe, to wait.
I’ll let go of blame and fret. I’ll look up, not out. If it pleases God, that’s my final answer. His way, not mine, or the popular opinion of the time.
I choose to follow the direction that God leads. Even though He knows, I will fail Him over and over as He watches me.
So I take hold  of some old trust-worthy words, and recite them aloud like a song of a bird,
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Oh, there are ten thousand charms. Yes, riches, true riches are being near to God. Being full of peace and comfort, not fearing nor having alarm.
But alarm I have, and in fear I dive. But God is a help, and old hymns remind:

Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all

 
God is love. We are not. He is gracious in His being. He is compassionate.  His heart is gentle and kind. He doesn’t parade Himself. He is truthful, all of the time.
He knows our thoughts.
He is able to make a hard heart soft. He is powerful and willing. So often, we are not.
Are we are tired of being sick? Are willing to change our direction.
God the Father through Jesus His Son, and the power of His Spirit can bring change to our whole story.
He can give us wealth of health with freedom and forgiveness.
And He gives us victory to bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
No longer dwelling on the failures of the past. No longer projecting of a future unknown. Living in the present on this earth making my house a dwelling place for the Lord.
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

Hymn by Joseph Hart:
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

The prayer in the hymn. The answer within: "Just from Jesus, simply taking …

Deep inside, tired. Deep within, weary. Like a wilted plant longing for reviving water. We hold out our hands, and our spirits seek God. In our weakness of faith, we cry out to Him.
And He hears our silent voices. He sees our seeking hearts. He breathes upon our frame mysterious peace though nothing changes.
Personally, as for me, deep inside my heart, I write what the Living God, through His glorious Spirit does, as I long for so much, time and time again. My morning prayer is written – from an age old hymn.
Not the first part, nor the middle – but the last thought becomes my prayer: “… O for grace to trust Thee more … O for grace to trust You more.” Silent words repeated over and again, but with wholehearted meaning and truthfulness: “O for grace, to trust You more.”
The next thing I know is a resurrection takes place. My eyes lift up and my whole countenance has change. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.” This is the Spirit of God speaking: “Trust Me.”
“Trust, … Me.”
I know the old words. What a treasure store. The Spirit brings them to my mind to answer and restore:“Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.”
Simply take from Jesus: life and rest, and joy and peace?
Then the realization is brought to mind, in my weariness, I’m not taking from Jesus – anything. Like stagnant waters with no movement and sound. But to my rescue at my soundless call, the Spirit woos me to remember His Song.
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
The next thing I know, my heart responds. Being reminded of my Love who is mine, evermore. And the song, though silent, stirs in my heart and revives me and prays the words I longed for:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Then those words, almost hidden, they are. Words that could be so easily missed – become highlighted to me and repeated again …
“Just from Jesus simply taking, life and rest. Joy and peace.” 
“Take from Me. Take from Me.” I feel my Jesus answer.
“I offer life. I offer rest. I offer joy and peace.”
What do we say, to the old hymn’s reminder? What is our response this day, this hour?
Let’s respond with the old words that are written, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds once again. Let us rejoice in the Lord, always – no matter the mess we’re in.
Let us sing, even aloud with our voices today,
“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You. How I’ve proved You o’er and o’er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust You more!”
“O for grace to trust You more.”
So, today I will go, knowing I will fail Him often. Especially in my trust in Him along the way. But there will be a day, when He calls me to meet Him, and I will finally be able to truthfully say:
“I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend”
but today, I will believe with all my heart the hymn:
“And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.”
Let us sing with rejoicing and be ignited with praise:
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
 

In restlessness – He is peace.

Where is God in all this “restless-ness?” Wars going on outside and in. The struggles, the hardships, the anger, the hate. The words that go back and forth without restraint.
A prophet of old wrote in his letter: O LORD, “How long?” “How long, … must I call for help,” Habakkuk 1:1. This is how Habakkuk felt, yes, open it up – God’s word, and see for yourself.
“Why?” you might ask. Because, today, we “feel” the same way.
Habakkuk writes freely his complaints: “Oh LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, …” (emphasis added), “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, your cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? …”(1) Questions, questions – these are the same questions we daily ask ourselves.
We’re fighting for some peace, we’re yearning for a song.
And for me, in my house – (that is, in my heart and mind,) He came to rescue. He came to my help. He gave me His Song, Psalm 23:1.”The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
But in great need, and stress and fret, I spoke the full Psalm, from beginning to … “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever,” the end. And I thought, “forever” is a very long time.
Then the question, “Where am I dwelling, right now, in this moment? Am I dwelling in His house, or have I let “faith” walk out His Door?” “Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.”(3) Was this the lesson for Habakkuk as well?
He invited me in, to come into His house, that I am “forever to dwell.” But He knows, I go astray, each and every day. But He offers “peace” unlike the world, “His peace,” He so graciously gives, even though I mess up, and sin …
so very often.
A song, an old hymn came to my mind just then, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”(4) 
It can’t just be “God” and “heavenly thoughts.” I called and I cried to “Our Father in heaven,” and He drew near to me, and reminded me “hallowed be His name.”
He can’t be what my small brain makes Him, He must be Who He is. And “Holy is His name.” But more amazing still, His “grace is sufficient.”(5).
So, to conclude this whole matter of restlessness and stress, and my mind running in circles, (can anyone relate?) May I learn from God’s help that He “presently” sent. And remember as Habakkuk had learned as well) …
I put some breath on the strings, that He, Himself has given (to each of us, no less), and I made the choice to sing, …
to sing praise for His glory, as I was (and seem to be always), in a battle of wills to trust God, it seems.  I sang and I prayed, and a “present” peace I received. But “today”, and “tomorrow” (if God will’s be mine) may I remember to put sound on the strings He designed.
Let us humble ourselves and praise His name “forever.”
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21.
(1) Habakkuk 1:12,13.
(2) Psalm 100.
(3) Hebrews 11:6.
(4) Hymn: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
(5) 2 Corinthians 12:9.
 

Rest your 'tent' on My Solid Foundation. love, God

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee…” Sometimes, we just want to hide ourselves. We seek rest. We’re tired. We want to rest our tired ‘tents’ somewhere safe, somewhere solid. Sometimes,nothing makes sense. Sometimes, we just want to hide ourselves and hear God speak audibly. We just want to hear Him.
The stories are written,and we know that even John the Baptist had doubts. John the Baptist, who even saw the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descend like a dove and remain on the head of Jesus,and even proclaimed with his own lips, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29). But, it is recorded for all of us to read,
“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?”(Matthew 11:2,3).John the Baptist had doubts! Even John the Baptist!
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you heard and see.” (Matthew 11:4). “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
But there are times, in this sojourn, our tents have been set in the wilderness, and we just ‘don’t know!’ We just need to hear it straight from God! What are the things which have been told? “Remind us Lord, what are the blessings promised? Hide us Lord, and speak, Your servants are listening…”
“My dear child, you are growing, yes, you are growing in the ‘grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ my Son.’ (2 Peter 3:18). Growing is painful.But you are growing in the knowledge of Him when you seek the blessings promised. You see, ultimately, He is the blessing promised. Jesus doesn’t give you peace, He is peace. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”(John 14:27).

Jesus doesn’t give you strength, He is strength; “I will love You, O LORD, my strength, the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer…”(Ps. 18:1).
 Is your health poor? “I will restore health to you…” (Jer. 30:17). Do you have wounds, my child? “I will heal your wounds says the Lord…” (Jer. 30:17).
 Are you an outcast? Have you been ‘cast-out’? Do you feel no-one cares, that no one seeks after you?
Haven’t you heard the promises? “Thus says the Lord: Behold I will release from captivity the tents of Jacob, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be rebuilt on its own old mound-like site, and the palace shall be dwelt in after its former fashion.” (Jer. 30:18). “Out of them [city and palace] shall come songs of thanksgiving and the voices of those who make merry.” (Jer. 30:19). These promises are for Israel past and present, dear child, but they are for you as well…
“But the firm foundation [laid by] God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are are His, and let every one who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.” (2 Tim. 2:19).

Don’t just look from the distance on the Solid Foundation of God – build your life on it- invite Him to invade your tent! God’s voice is speaking! “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah…” (Is. 26:1). (But remember, your tent resting on My Solid Foundation, to Me is also the ‘land of Judah…’ My word is for you, my child, and my chosen nation, Israel).
Rest your ‘tent’ on My Solid Foundation. “In that day…” the day each and every day, each and every moment that you choose to rest your tent on Me, “shall this song be sung in the land…”We have a strong city; the Lord sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates…” (Is. 26:2), (Open the opportunities – our disappointments are God’s appointments,) “Open the gates, that the [uncompromisingly] righteous nation which keeps faith and her troth with God may enter in…” (Is. 26:2)
“WAIT A MINUTE!” (You might say), “I’m not ‘uncompromisingly righteous’, I don’t ‘keep faith in perfections!’ In this you are right, “There are none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10), “But now, may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing…”(Romans 15:13), believing in the promise of the One who came to Save! “But now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).
Jesus doesn’t give you hope, He is hope!
Rest your ‘tent’ on the Solid Foundation of God! “Yes, ‘I will guard you and keep you in perfect peace whose mind… is stayed on me.”(Is. 26:3). “Commit yourself to Me, lean on Me, and hope confidently on Me.” (Is. 26:3). Rest your tent on My Solid Foundation and ‘trust in the Lord – commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently on Him – for ever;
for I AM an everlasting Rock – the Rock of Ages.” (Is. 26:4, Amplified).
Can you hear Me? He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Lord says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God, believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.” (John 14:1). Rest your ‘tent’ on this Solid Foundation, “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes)(not tents!) If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.
The blessing of Promise, is Jesus. “Think over these things I am saying – understand them and grasp their application…”(2 Timothy 2:7).”constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, [as] risen from the dead…” (2 Timothy 2:8. (!).In that day shall this song be sung:
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved…”(Ps. 16:7,8).
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body, (my tent) shall rest and confidently rest in safety.” (Ps. 16:9)…”You will show me the paths of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy…”(Ps. 16:11).
Our Prayer? “Lord, help me ‘rest my tent’ on Your Solid Foundation!”

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