Dear sister,
I have been thinking much about dependence upon the Lord lately. It could be due to some difficult circumstances which have come about in the life of my family as of late. I find it both curious and comforting in times like these how the Word of God speaks louder and clearer to me.
While consuming Psalm 23 this week my heart swelled with adoration for the majesty of God’s sovereignty in my life. For the beauty of His perfect care and purposeful will, whether it be times of refreshment or times of refinement. His tender loving kindnesses are always there and He leads me into and out of all of them for His name sake, not my own. Meditating on all of this informs my heart and gives me strength to endure whatever comes my way.
However, in asking myself the “so what” question I found great conviction overtake my heart. While praising God for all of this is good and right and of utmost importance, so is how or what I do with these Truths. That is when I noticed the other side of the coin, so -to -speak, with regards to Psalm 23.
Now that God has made me His own, like the sheep of our Good Shepherd, I no longer belong to myself. I belong to Him. I now am dependent upon Him. Just as He will never leave me or forsake me, I can do nothing apart from Him. This truth compels me to look deeper with the Spirit’s help and ask myself “Am I trusting (depending) upon the Lord, or have I somehow gotten really good at disguising my independence?”
Does my day begin with immediate attention to the list I authored in my head the night before or does it begin with, “This is the day the LORD has made, I will be glad in it.”(Psalm 118:24) or “Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name.” (Psalm 103:1) or “Search me O God, know my heart, try my anxious thoughts and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
These are not just nice sentiments, they are to be the reality of every believer. The emphasis is upon the LORD and my subjection to Him as the giver of the day and all that it entails. There is a purposeful leaning in to His sovereignty thus, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4b) as well as “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”(Ps. 23:6) While the world screams INDEPENDENCE the Spirit of God kindly whispers FOLLOW ME and even more so LEAN ON ME!
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)
I pray for you today dear sister that you will know to whom you belong, a Good and kind Shepherd whom you can depend to lead and guide you by His voice.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10: 27)
May you grow in deeper dependence followed by greater Peace as you trust in Him.
Your sister,
Susan