Baby Step Nine - Trusting God for Deliverance

Baby Steps - March 12, 2016

Psalms 107 and 108

James Cameron, the writer and director of the 1997 “epic romantic disaster film “(Wikepedia) felt that the juxtaposition of a “love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster.” The musical score including the love song,  My Heart Will Go On, was composed by James Horner. Although it is the only song on the soundtrack that has lyrics, my favorite rendition is a piano solo by Mike Strickland.

I find the intensity of the music, originally written without lyrics, to convey my experiences of my emotional connectivity with our daughters, and the love and power of God to act in the midst of many troubles and calling upon His promise to bring his authority and victory to every situation.

In Psalms 107 and 108, (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009), we are called as a people of God regathered from exile to give our “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles” and to offer our “Praise and Prayer for Victory.”

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble.” (107:1-2 NRSV)

“but he raises up the needy out of distress . . .

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (107:41, 43 NRSV)

All God’s redeeming acts encourage and teach the faithful.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

     and let your glory be over all the earth.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,

     so that those whom you love may be rescued.” (108:5-6 NRSV)

“O grant us help against the foe

     for human help is worthless.” (108:12 NRSV)

“Give us help for the hard task.” (108:12 MSG, (Petersen, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002))

DELIVERANCE

“In a world of often dueling oppression we may overlook the fact that everyone encounters times of discomfort, danger and distress. The severity and duration of our experiences differ, but no comparison is necessary.” These Psalms assure us, whoever we are: no matter our “race, gender, age ethnicity or belief.” Let the redeemed, “whoever we are, wherever we live, whatever we are going through, let us ‘say so’ to recognize God’s power to help us overcome.” (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009, p. 734)

Somehow, someway, God has given me a special connection with my daughters. No matter how near or far, I somehow feel and own their emotional pain, distress, or danger. They don’t need to call, I just know. My heart responds intuitively. My body responds viscerally.  I would never ask for this pain, distress, and trouble be lifted from me, because somehow, someway God helps me carry their burdens and breathes life into my prayers.  I know we are the redeemed. I believe this connectivity between our girls, myself, and my God grants the opportunity to “say so” on behalf of those I love. We can, through God’s power, overcome the needs of the day, the season, even the extended exile because we know.

God Is My Strength and Salvation

Sat Dec 29

am: 18:1-20 pm: 18:21-50

Isa 12:1-6

Rev 1:1-8

John 7:37-52

Today, I feel physically and emotionally weak. I feel mentally and spiritually foggy. I didn't sleep much. The anxiety and panic has been draining, like a tornado trying to get out from the inside. I, the elephant matriarch, told my mother she shouldn't come visit.

Sinus infections, bronchitis, sore throats, and even pneumonia. Everyone is, was or will be sick before the first of the year. The Mayan Calendar did NOT predict that. Little sleep, lots of prayer.

I don't have to be strong because God is my ROCK - solid, steadfast protection against the vulnerability of pain, anxiety, fogginess and hard decisions.

Praise God, the storm on my insides is not nearly as strong as God's violent theophany. He, as a violent thunderstorm, leaves me in a place of stillness where I can be sure HE IS. Even when I am in turmoil, his grace is sufficient. He has loved me and freed me.

In my weakness and fear, my panic and anxiety Christ invites me to draw near. He invites me to drink Living Water. He invites me to cling to the Holy Spirit. He invites me to invite others to dip into the rush, the healing and the protection of River of blood. 

For Christ is the culmination of God's purposes and activities since before the beginning of time. Even our ability to HAVE faith is a result of God's grace - God's presence in our lives and hearts, enabling us to believe in the redemptive power of Christ's passion.

Dear God, thank you. I love you, O Lord, my strength. So, as David,  I pledge myself to you, for you have saved me from my enemies.  Thank you for reminders that you will treat me as I treat others. And so, like Isaiah I remain confident that that You are the  source of salvation that transcends you anger. So, like the prophet I can sing of trust in your salvation as a source of hope when my emotions, my body, my mind, and my spirit betray me. May my trust in you cause me to read or hear and obey your word. Thank you for your grace that allows me to believe. May your presence in my life and heart encourage me to believe in the redemptive power of the blood of Christ. Remind me of my commission to share your love and to reveal to others the convergence of texts revealing Jesus as the culmination of your purposes and activities. In the power of the Trinity:  Ancient of Days, King of Kings, and the Wind of the Word, may I encourage others to drink the Living Water. Amen.