Out of the Pits and Back on Track

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 27. Here is what I learned.

That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. Psalm 27:3 (MSG)

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:3 (NIV)

There’s a old commercial.. “Calgon. Take me away!” The concept was a Mom who is overwhelmed by caring for her family, escapes all the chaos, by taking a bath with calgon soap. 

There are times when I’m overwhelmed, by what’s happening in our Nation, my pain, or just life in general—paying bills, taking care of the home, car, etc. I feel that chaos has taken control and I just want to escape. 

The best place to not just escape, but get a new perspective and be refreshed, is in the house, or presence of God. God first provides peace and calmness. Then once my spirit is calm and at peace, I can then make sense out of the chaos that had so overwhelmed me. 

I think of my 2 different experiences at Chicagoland Speedway, 2012 and 2013. My perspective in 2012 was from the pits. I saw only a small portion of the track, and my main focus was on just one team. Where as in 2013, I perspective was from a higher view point, and I was able to see the entire track and know what was happening, as a whole. Both perspectives offered a good time, and both were exciting. 

In life, so often I get focused on just one problem or one difficulty, I don’t see the bigger picture. I lose sight of what God is doing. I get so focused on the problem, that literally become “stuck in the pits” unable to get moving again. But, if I take the time to enter God presence and spend time with Him, He reminds me that there is still a long race ahead, and that if I just trust Him, He’ll make sense out of the chaos. He will get me out of the “pits and back racing again”. 

To create a positive day, I need to change my perspective and allow God to get me out of the pits and back on track.... moving forward to finish the race! 

Not Just on the Difficult Days

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 111. Here is what I learned.

He has declared and shown to His people the power of His works in giving them the heritage of the nations [of Canaan]. Psalm 111:6 (AMP)

He has ·shown [proclaimed to] his people ·his power [the power/strength of his deeds] when he gave them the ·lands [inheritance] of other nations [the conquest]. Psalm 111:6 (EXB)

"He hath shewed his people the power of his works." They have seen what he is able to do and what force he is prepared to put forth on their behalf. This power Israel saw in physical works, and we in spiritual wonders, for we behold the matchless energy of the Holy Ghost and feel it in our own souls. 

In times of dire distress the Lord has put forth such energy of grace that we have been astonished at his power; and this was part of his intent in bringing us into such conditions that he might reveal to us the arm of his strength. 

Could we ever have known it so well if we had not been in pressing need of his help? We may well turn this verse into a prayer and ask to see more and more the power of the Lord at work among us in these latter days. O Lord, let us now see how mightily thou canst work in the saving of sinners and in preserving and delivering thine own people. "That he may give them the heritage of the heathen." He put forth all his power to drive out the Canaanites and bring in his people. Even thus may it please his infinite wisdom to give to his church the heathen for her inheritance in the name of Jesus. Nothing but great power can effect this, but it will surely be accomplished in due season. The Treasury of David

It’s easy to ignore what God is really doing during the “good times”. When we are accomplishing things “on our own”. However, as soon as we hit a difficult spot, we quickly turn to God to rescue us. We turn God into our “bail bondsman”. We want God to rescues us from our trouble, and too often once we are “free” from our difficulties, we quickly forget what God did. 

Yes, God is there in times of distress, but God is also present during the great times. God shows His power and strength on a daily basis—am I noticing what God is doing? 

To create a positive day, I need to notice God’s power and His amazing works—each and every day, and not just on the difficult days.