Pamela P.’s Journal

I'm so thankful that our God blesses the small. I see myself in that group. Not a key figure in the scheme of things. I'm learning valuable lessons lately from the old testament that God has blessed even some who lived in heathen nations and had no first hand knowledge of Him, but had heard of His greatness and acted on faith, forsaking the gods of their countrymen.

No matter how undependable and changing the justice system we live under - with basic standards changing with the times, and not for the better, our God's standards and righteous judgement never waivers. It is the one constant we can rely upon.

God gives us life, and only His provision can ransom life. His own payment (the life of His Son) is the only acceptable ransom.

"Be still and know" . . . faith in a nutshell. Though it would seem a simple thing to be still, it may be the single most difficult thing. Clearing our minds of all but God's presence is so illusive most of the time. For me it is a rare occasion when I succeed in allowing the Holy Spirit to do that work in me. May these times ever increase and become second nature (or rather, first nature) for me.

This is my plea. Lord, lead me to where You are. Increase my faith and let me know you more and thirst for an ever closer and ever more personal relationship with you. Help me take my eyes and thoughts off of people and events around me and my own obstacles so that I can see You and your will for me each day.

Being finite creatures, waiting is the hardest thing we do. For me it seems especially hard when I don't have control of my own sinful attitude. A day, or even an hour in this condition seems like an eternity. Even while confessing, sometimes I can't seem to shake my wrong attitude. Rebuking Satan in Christ's name is sometimes the beginning of restoring fellowship, since our enemy takes full advantage of our times of selfish and destructive attitudes. Waiting for that process to be completed is painful, but He is always faithful to bring us out of that darkness.

We make countless steps toward countless goals and plans during our lives. Only the steps that are taken with certainty that we are listening to His voice to lead us count for anything lasting. I am reminded of a recent hike I took with my daughter. When the trail got difficult, every step had to be considered with care to avoid disaster. Our way of avoiding disaster is finding His approval for every step . . . not just for the destination.

I love the certainty of God's protection! It's never a conditional thing. His mercy and His power are without limit.

To be honest, I so often feel like David's writings that reflect his faith and fears seems such a roller coaster of assurance one moment and despair and doubt the next. I know our existence here is truly filled with both, but I feel discouraged that a man of such great love for God appears to be constantly tossed between the two. Claiming this verse sums up David's and our own only way to victory. . . committing our spirit to Him for protection and deliverance.

Honestly, I don't understand the concept that God gets angry with us temporarily. I could only think that our sin brings consequences, and then we return to fellowship and are no longer suffering the effects of our sin. The weeping in the night (darkness) must be the isolation we experience while out of fellowship, and the joy that comes in the morning (the light) returns with reconciliation to our Father.