"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry." (Psalm 34:15)
This verse spoke volumes to me this morning. This is something I had not been remembering.
The Lord hears. He hears me! He hears my cry.
I had forgotten that, because I had gotten caught up with the circumstances of life that have been before me. I have been focusing too much on myself and my problems instead of focusing fully on Jesus, as He has called me to do. I forgot that whatever He gives me is good, because He has loved me! This gift of love is far, far greater than anything I could ever face here on earth, but I forgot.
I have no easy fix for heart issues like this, but I do know that the Lord put His finger right on that spot in my heart that was forgetting, mostly during the church service last night.
I have not been loving Him as I ought. (This has been the thing He has convicted me of the most these past few years.) I have not been loving others as I ought. And the reason the I can love Him and others, is because of this great love He has had for me!
It is so lovely when I stop to think about it! (Or maybe I should say, when the Lord stops me and teaches me!)
I have not been walking the most recent leg of this journey alone. (I knew I was not, in my mind, but I think that since my focus shifted some back to self instead of Christ, I forgot.) The Lord has heard. He does hear. He knows. He is right here.
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." (verse 17)
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all... The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate." (verses 18, 19, and 22)
It is worth repeating that the Lord is not promising us to take away every difficult thing in our life. He is not saying, "Cry unto Me, and it will be gone." These verses remind us of much better than that. The Lord has redeemed the soul of his servants! He has purchased, for us, life eternal with Himself! He has given us His love. Ultimately, He promises that we will be delivered from every evil, every trial, every struggle. This is better than simple deliverance from whatever current earthly trial we are facing!
Verse 19 states, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." It is not a strange thing to have so many struggles in life. The Lord is using them to teach me, and he has promised deliverance. If I only see that deliverance in the life to come, I can still hope in Him today.
When my eyes are fixed on Jesus (as they should always be - Hebrews 12:2), and I magnify Him in my heart (as I should always be doing!), these problems become very small.
I am glad that He spoke to my heart and taught me more about Himself. I am sorry that I was forgetting to love Him as I ought, and I am glad, so very glad, that he loves me, and will deliver!
Thank You, Lord, for your great love and care. Forgive me for always going astray, and thank You for bringing me back time and time again. Continue to teach me what is good in your eyes, and please keep my eyes always fixed on You!
