Rejoice Not Against Me

Hi!

I wanted to sit down and share this morning before my day gets busy. I’m so grateful God has blessed us each with another new day to walk with Him. That is a blessing and privilege!

I realize my last post was somewhat of a shock to some…as it was to me when I realized my perspective was so out of whack. I am in no way proud that I let life distract me, the enemy take advantage of me, and that I allowed my soul to get in the shape it was. That’s why I turned it all over to the Lord. I was carrying weight I shouldn’t have been and wasn’t taking God at His Word. I know better!

Anyhow, Micah 7:8 is my battle cry, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”

Thank the Lord that when we’re alone in the darkness, God doesn’t snatch His presence or promises away from us. Those momentary seasons do not cancel out His purpose for us. Psalm 23:5 says, “Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Oil, in this verse, is a symbol of refreshing, honoring and setting apart for God’s service. That’s exactly what my soul needed, and maybe what yours needs too — and exactly what God provided for me during this season. I am not cast down or destroyed, I am gently drawn closer to Him to whom I belong. Hopelessness is a lie from the enemy and presses in to make us feel like we’ve blown it beyond redemption, way beyond the repair of our Redeemer. Not truth! Not possible!

That verse goes on to say that in the valley, our cup can overflow with the blessings of the Lord. We have to keep going back and drinking from that cup however. It’s dangerous when we get too far away, become too exhausted and get so discouraged by life that an “overflowing” cup seems like only a mirage.

In those times, we don’t think we can make it back to sip from that cup which offers us all the things we need most. Hopelessness is a lie and a trap! God longs to provide all we need to make it; but we must continue to drink from His cup and not another.

Leaving the valley is one of God’s promises we can bank on. He never abandoned the children of Israel in all the times they were murmuring and unfaithful. Yes, He chastened them and they had to suffer the consequences of their choices, but He was always looking down waiting for them to come to their senses and repent of their ways. He was always faithful to hear their cries! He is like that still today too. How long will we continue to try it on our own though? That is the real question.

That’s one question God called me to answer in this season. He is a gentleman and won’t budge His way in; He longs to be our choice. The only choice!

Allow me to encourage you today. The Lord longs to bless us beyond our wildest imagination, He has purpose for us to fulfill, and He patiently waits for us to quit making a mess of our lives and choose His way instead. Meanwhile, the enemy is hoping we’ll continue to choose His counterfeit plan and downward path for our lives. It’s our choice! Wherever you find yourself today, in the darkness of a valley or high on the mountain top - remember, God sees and longs to walk us through our every day. Choosing Him brings abundant life.

You might currently feel “down”, but you don’t have to be out.

Let God lift you up! Turn to Him, take on a humble posture on your knees in repentance, and allow Him to make the adjustments to help you be better in every area of life. He is loving and faithful to pick up the pieces and make you whole. Take His outstretched hand and walk with Him and see the blessings begin to flow once again simply because you choose to trust the One who can make a difference. You too can say, “Rejoice not against me!” I’m coming back to where I belong. It’s that simple. Easy? No, but simple. As in the world of the Nike slogan, JUST DO IT! You won’t be sorry. God will always meet us right where we surrender all.

God bless you today!