Quite possibly, I am my worst enemy. I wonder why I take things so personally? "You'll never amount to anything," rings too often in the ears of my heart. Wonder why I put up with it? It is hard to separate, sometimes, what is conscience and what is condemnation. This verse reads my heart like a balm from Gilead, a nepenthe ointment that induces forgetfulness. I am no longer from that old country. New country. New nature. The LORD, who formed me in someone's womb says:
Fear Not for I have redeemed you.
And my head is nodding with confidence.
I am called by name.
I am His.
When I pass through the waters, my God will be with me---He is.
The rivers will not overwhelm me.
The fire will not burn me.
The flames will not consume me.
Isaiah 43:1-2.
So, why am I overwhelmed? Consumed?
God makes a path in the mighty waters of my issues
while he brings forth chariots & horses adversarial.
They cannot rise!
Verse 18 of Isa 43:18 - Remember not the former things nor consider the old. I am doing a new thing. Now! Do you perceive it? I will make a way in your wilderness and rivers in your desert.
Verse 18 of Roman 8:18 - Consider THIS
Your sufferings this day are not worth comparing with the Glory that is to be revealed to you.
This is what the Lord says—
ReplyDeletehe who made a way...
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!"
“I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Review the past for me,
let us argue the matter together;
state the case for your innocence."
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
"No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
His Words need no further comment. They powerfully exist waiting for each of us to desperately grab hold.
Bev, I think we're all our worst enemy. Not to underestimate satan, but more importantly, I don't want to underestimate God's power over him. Even Paul struggled, so why wouldn't we? Our present sufferings--He didn't say if you suffer--we will, but His glory is so much bigger.
ReplyDeleteI have always found it to be a blessing to insert my name in some of the promises of God which really grip my heart. Such as this one...when Mary Lou passes through the waters I will be with her. When Mary Lou goes through the fire, I will be with her and they will not consume Mary Lou. I have done it on other verses too....these are some of my favorite that He gave me for one time and they have blessed me over and over and give such hope and comfort and reassurance.
ReplyDeleteAnnette is right, Bev,we are all our own worst enemy. We can be much harder on ourselves than others and we expect far more from ourselves than we can give. He loves us so and has done so much for us, that should keep our perspective right....we are daughters of the King and we are His inheritance so we should live as such with our heads held high because of Whose we are. We are nothing of our own accord...it's ALL because of Him. Know you know this....Blessings.....