"The Lily Of The Valley"

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys".  Song of Solomon 2:1

This morning's devotional is going to be a little different.  I woke up with an old hymn repeating over and over in my thoughts.  As I sang it and listened to the words a little more intently, it really ministered to me.  I want to share the words of the song with you this morning.  As you read them, and perhaps hear them in your own thoughts and heart, I believe the Lord will use them to bless you as well.  The song is full of so many wonderful truths, hope, encouragement, peace and faith.

"The Lily Of The Valley"

1) I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

2) He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

3) He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

Refrain:
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

"Falling Off The Wagon"

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand".  Psalms 37:24

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Fall off the wagon"?  It is used to describe someone who resumes an addictive/compulsive behavior that they are trying to control.   Originally it referred only to drinking, but is now used in reference to all sorts of things including drugs, smoking, overeating, etc.  It is possible for Christians to "fall of the wagon", so to speak.  We can go back to an old habit or an old sin we were delivered from if we aren't careful.  How does this happen? 

It happens for several reasons.  We may "look" at something longer than we should.  Like David looked at Bathsheba on the roof top instead of turning away and going back into the house.  The lust of his eyes overcame him.  It can happen if we are thinking about that thing for too long.  Where the "mind goes", the "man follows".  We have to keep our mind renewed in God's Word and think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report. (Philippians 4:8) It can happen if we aren't mortifying our flesh and dying to it daily by submitting to the Lord instead of self.  It can also happen if we refuse to take the way of escape that God provides for us in every temptation.  God always opens a door for us to escape through.  If we don't go through it, we will fall.

Having established the fact that it is possible for a Christian to fall, how it can happen and what we have to do to avoid it, let's move on to what we can do if we do "fall".  The first thing we want to do is condemn ourselves and beat ourselves up about it-- the devil helps us out there too.  But I want you to know there is hope.  It is called mercy and grace.  If we fall, we can get up like the prodigal and go to Father God asking for forgiveness-- He will not turn us away.  We can confess our sins to Him-- He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We can look to our Good Shepherd and ask for forgiveness for not following Him but going our own way-- He will restore our souls. 

Is this where you are today?  Have you fallen?  Have you returned to some sin you were once delivered from?  Are you following your own sinful desires having left off following the Lord?  Get up from where you have fallen and go to Him.  You will find His grace and mercy is there waiting to pick you up and set you back "on the wagon".

Have a great day.  If we "fall off the wagon", the Lord will pick us up and put us back on it if we will go to Him. 
 

"Did You Ask?"

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:19

As soon as my eyes opened this morning, I begin to ask the Lord for help to get up, for Him to watch over my time, for Him to give me strength, for Him to give me a word for this devotional, etc.  I thought to myself-- people sure are "needy".  Our needs range from everything to help getting up on time in the morning to comforting us when we are in grief.  We have physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs.  Some of the needs we have are small.  Some are earth shaking.  Some are for ourselves.  Some are for others in our lives.  Some needs aren't really needs while others are most definitely a need of great importance.

I already know some of the needs I have today before the day even gets started.  I need God's help in every area of my life.  I need protection in travel.  I need wisdom and guidance.  I need His touch on the lives of those who have asked me to pray for them.  I need daily provisions-- food, clothing and shelter.  I need grace.  I need strength.  I need His presence.  And the list goes on.

We have a promise that He will meet and supply all our needs.  He didn't say He would always supply our wants or our fleshly desires.  Some needs He automatically supplies without us asking-- like air to breath.  But for the most part, He supplies our needs as we ask.  "Ye have not, because ye ask not". (James 4:2b)

Do you have a need this morning?  Is there something you need an answer to?  Have you asked God to supply it?  Have you talked about it to other people but not to Him?  Have you assumed He will automatically meet the need without you asking or petitioning Him for it?  He knows what you need-- even before you ask it; even before you know you have the need.  He desires to meet your need.  But often He is waiting until you ask.  So, ask that you might receive. 

Have a great day.  God will meet and supply all your need, but you should ask Him to do it. 

"Fight Another Battle"

"David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee".  1 Samuel 17:37

David fought against a bear, a lion, a giant and the enemies of Israel.  He was always fighting battles.  Just because he had fought against a bear and a lion and won did not mean that his "warring" was over.  Then there came a giant. 

Just because you have fought a spiritual battle or two doesn't mean that you can sit back and rest from battles.  Oh, there will be times of rest (thankfully) to catch our breath and regroup, but there will always be a giant to slay.  There will at some point come another bear or a lion.  Spiritual warfare is an unending part of the Christian life.  The enemy of our soul is always out to steal, kill and destroy us.  Our own flesh is always trying to defeat us.

Just because you fought a battle yesterday, and even won, doesn't mean you may not face another one today.  We can't rest from spiritual warfare.  We have to be ready for it when it comes-- and it will come.  We have to be ready to engage in it at a moment's notice.  We have to continually remember that, as David did, the Lord delivered me and will deliver me and give me the victory over the enemies that war against my soul.

Have a great day.  Just because you won a battle yesterday doesn't mean that you might not have to fight another one today.  Don't get too comfortable and forget about your enemy. 

 

"Go Back Again To The Word"

"Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached".  Luke 7:22

John the Baptist had heard the voice of Father God speak from heaven saying that Jesus was His Beloved Son.  He had the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah.  He proclaimed when asked if he himself was the Christ that he was not.  He is the one who bore witness that Jesus was the Lamb of God.  He baptized Jesus, saw the Spirit descend like a dove upon Him and humbled himself before Jesus as Lord. 

John knew exactly who Jesus was, but when he was cast into prison, when he was threatened, when he faced persecution and death, he questioned what he knew to be the truth.  As a result, he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask Him what he already knew.  How did Jesus answer?  Jesus answered him with the Word.  He reminded John of what the scriptures said. 

We can know the truth but find ourselves in a trying time, in a dark place, in an unpleasant situation, in a time of trial and as a result begin to question what we already know.  Is that where you are?  Has the Lord already spoken to you about a matter but the circumstances around you are "speaking" otherwise?  Is your faith being tested?  The answer for you is the same one Jesus gave John.  Go back to the Word.  Remind yourself of what God has already said to you.  Renew your mind with what you know already to be the truth.  Meditate on that Word and let it get into your heart, spirit and mind and drive away the doubt. 

Have a great day.  When what you already have heard from God is tested, and the enemy is trying to convince you otherwise, go back to God's Word and listen again to what He has said.