Seed Thoughts October/November 2013

//Lynette Hagin

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be Like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
-Isaiah 58:11 (NIV 1984)

When I speak on prayer, many times I quote the last portion of Daniel 11:32: "But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." This scripture has become such a reality in my life that I refer to it consistently. I like how that verse reads in the Amplified: "But the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]."

God gave Daniel a vision of the last days—those dark days when the end of time is near. The vision talks of days when much sin and darkness will be upon the earth. It appears that we are in those days. But I am thankful for the promise that

God gave to us in that vision. If we take the time to really know God and develop a relationship with Him, we will remain strong and do great exploits.
How well do you know God? Many have accepted Christ as Savior, but that is the extent of their relationship with Him. God desires that we have a greater relationship with Him than merely accepting salvation. He desires that we draw close to Him—that we totally depend upon His provision.

God wants to be Jehovah Rapha, the Lord your Healer. He desires to be Jehovah Jireh, the Lord your Provider, and Jehovah Shalom, the Lord your Peace. And most of all He desires to be to you El Shaddai, the God Who is more than enough.

God can break the power of drugs and alcohol in your life. He can change your alternate lifestyle and your desire for pornography. He is big enough to solve all your problems and pick you up when you're down.

Sometimes it is hard for some people to relate to the Heavenly Father because they try to compare that relationship to the one they had with their earthly father. And some may not have had a good example of an earthly father. But whatever your earthly father has been like, no one compares to the Heavenly Father, Who is constantly waiting for us to commune with Him and ask of Him.

What are your needs? Whatever they are, God is there for you. Make Him your priority. He will get you out of the lion's den. He will deliver you from a fiery furnace. He will be your Healer and Provider. He is merciful. When you stumble, He will take you in His arms, brush you off, and extend His arm of mercy.

Mercy means that He will forgive you and wash you clean. You may be thinking, "I've messed up so badly that surely I've gone beyond the touch of God. I've lied and cheated too much and done too many bad things." Let me assure you that the mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting. He is saying to you, "Come home, My child. I've been waiting for you. My mercy will rewrite your life." When you ask for forgiveness, He eradicates your past and will not remember your sins.

Knowing your Heavenly Father requires trusting Him. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." When you develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father, a trust is formed. Friends on earth can disappoint you or betray you. But your Heavenly Father is always there. He will never disappoint or betray you. You can pour out your heart to Him.

I can express my feelings to my Heavenly Father and He is always there to give me advice or comfort. I tell Him when I've experienced disappointments, hurts, and challenges. I trust Him to help me in every circumstance. I rely on Him to give me wisdom in every situation and to see me through every difficulty that comes my way.

I love the words of this hymn: " 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word; just to rest upon His promise; just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord.' Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I've proved Him o'er and o'er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more."1

I encourage you to enter into that place of trust with God—to commit your life to His safekeeping. Commit your entire self to Him. Follow His path for you. Determine in your heart to know Him so well that whatever the enemy throws in your path, you can confidently say, "My God will deliver me out of every circumstance."

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1 " 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" / Words: Louisa M.R. Stead,
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1882. Public domain.