Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Matthew 6:30-33 ESV
Romans 8:28 (God brought goodness from the losses)
Psalm 34:9-10 ESV
Choosing to seek the Lord has never been much of a struggle for me. Since the day the Spirit came upon me as a young teenager I have always had a deep longing for God.
My need for God is ever before me.
I long to hear God. The Koine Greek word “dunamis” means power, in particular miraculous power. I dunamis seek to be near God. I dunamis desire to hear God.
When my dad walked the earth I relied on his faith and his guidance as well. During that time period he was my Spiritual Guide. He died when I was 34 years old and after his death, I laid at the feet of Jesus. I grieved terribly for him, but eventually I grew up (spiritually).
Still today, there are times when I remember advice my dad gave me.
As my Spiritual Guide my dad always pointed me to God. He never professed to know the answer. He gently reminded me to go to God. Before his death he often quoted scripture to me. That set the groundwork for me to turn to scripture and rely on God’s WORD as being alive.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The Word of God is alive.
It is sharper than any sword because it pierces our very soul.
Through the Spirit, the Word of God discerns thoughts and knows the intentions of the heart.
Matthew 6:30-33 tells us to go to God, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Seek God.
Seek God with your heart and you will find God.
That’s what I was taught as a child.
After I turned fifty everything changed. I went through more than one life-changing events. Within a very short time period I suffered five major losses. It was more than I could effectively deal with…I didn’t even know how to ask God for help.
I was in counseling but God also led me to sit with a Professional Spiritual Director. The counseling sessions helped me to cope with my losses for a time but I found sitting with a Spiritual Director long term was more helpful. That’s because the model for direction taught me to open my heart and hands to ask God what He has for me.
I had been thinking it was my job to serve God. I thought God wanted me to be the driver.
I learned over the course of a ten year period of time that I am not the center of the universe. God is the center. God provides everything I need. God already knows what I need and I open my hands to receive.
Learning that was life-changing.
In Psalm 34:9-10 David wrote, “Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
God brought goodness to me (Romans 8:28) from all of my losses. God gave me and gives me peace…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
As we wrap up this Parallel series of Old and New Testament words from God, I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to study similar themes throughout scripture. As always the Spirit has guided and taught me new ways to see how God has worked and continues to work.
I am human and as I sit with God, I open my hands.
I listen for the voice of God.
I rely on God to direct me.
I wait.
I am thankful because God has NEVER failed me.
Spiritual Practice: Listen
Wait and watch for the Spirit of the living God to move your heart.
In God, Deborah
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