As believers, as sisters, as we walk together – it would be beautiful if our ascent and our growth toward the Lord was built by smiles and blessing alone. If we could get closer to Him through constantly being understood and experiencing harmony. Goodness, that would be preferable.
But if you’ve walked with Him, if you’ve spent any amount of time growing through His grace, you probably already know that much of our intimacy with the Lord is built on us being made like Him as we experience tiny shadows and whispers of pain and sacrifice like Jesus did. We’ll never know the full weight, the full burden of the pain that Jesus endured on the cross for our sins, but we know hurt and we know sacrifice.
Psalm 129 is such a beautiful reminder that life with the Lord isn’t an ever increasingly beautiful fairytale. The psalmist was greatly afflicted for years and years and he knew the rest of Israel could relate. You’re going to suffer and I’m going to suffer and none of us are immune to pain.
So how in the world does this help us? Does this push us closer to the Lord?
Insert Romans 12:1.
By the mercy of God, we can present ourselves as sacrifices, holy and acceptable, as worship. We can let the Lord grab up our hearts and shame and pain and hold them open to Him for His glory and the good of those who love Him. We can trust in the midst of trial and hold fast to the hope with which we were first presented when we placed our life in His hands.
Singing cheerful songs of blessing and glory and grace is an act that is good and right and often timely. But there is beautiful worship for all of us in recounting:
These are my afflictions. This is my God. He has the right to use my life how He deems and I will not respond as one who knows no hope. No matter the trial, I will not be prevailed upon. I will respond as a daughter who counts it an honor to identify with my Savior in suffering and sacrifice. When you pass by me, in any season, you can be certain that the blessing of the Lord is upon me.
As so many others have commented, the last paragraph of today's post was some kind of POWERFUL. I read it this morning, copied it to my prayer journal, and it has stayed with me all day at work. I, too, need it written on a sign to wear around my neck, with flashing neon arrows pointing to it so I won't forget it! What an incredible blessing SRT is. What gifted writers. God is here!! This reading plan has truly opened up my heart and mind. One comment to today's post, in particular, opened up my heart even more – this from Rici above: "He had a plan for me and suffering was indeed part of it. It had to be or I wouldn't be where I am today. Loving Him. Trusting Him." What a treasure God has given me, to grab this wisdom from you all! I just refreshed my reading plan in the app and saw that we only have a few more days left of this plan :( I already know it is one I will return to many times. This has been a truly beautiful Lenten season for me – in all its worry, pain, stress, and harsh pruning – it has still been beautiful and I can only thank God for bringing me here, to this place. I hope this season has been beautiful for you all, as well. Good night y'all!
I am sharing this prayer. I was inspired by the leader's original. I share it in faith. I share it in hope. As I make my own pilgramage with all of you that this will one day be true of me.
This is Jesus the one I love, who gave his life for me, who suffered. Since I have given him my life, he may use it however he wishes and I WILL NOT RESPOND AS ONE WHO KNOWS NO HOPE. i WILL RESPOND TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER AS HIS DAUGHTER WHO CONSIDERS IT A GREAT HONOR TO KNOW THE LORD THROUGH SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE SO THAT WHEN ANY MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RACE, WHEN THEY SEE ME AT ANY SEASON OF MY LIFE, BE IT WINTER, POURING RAIN, BITTER COLD, GUSHING WATERFALLS, VERDANT GREENS, DRY AND HOT, OR BASKING IN SUNLIGHT –THEY WILL ALL KNOW THAT THE BLESSING OF THE LORD IS UPON ME. THIS IS MY PRAYER, MY DESIRE, MY DECLARATION OF FAITH, MY DREAM.
Beautiful
When you pass by me, in any season, you can be certain that the blessing of the Lord is upon me.
~WOW! That is a powerful statement.
Today's lesson also reminds me of the verses in 2 Corinthians 12:10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (kjv)
Thank you ladies for the wonderful lesson and the encouragement it brings daily.