Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee O God.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s in a sour, morose sort of mood, and I don’t know why. So I’m asking; ‘Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?’ (Ps.42:5) Nothing’s wrong as such, and I was fine shortly before I came to write the Bit. I have two suppositions though: I remember about an hour ago, taking a quick inventory of all that I’m doing, or rather want to do, but seeing no real improvement, not even the two steps forward, one backward movement. Now I know there’s improvement, but simply not the kind I can plainly see or touch. Everything just seems to be in a state of hold, of suspended animation, of impending catharsis, pending change, but there are no outward signs of anything really happening. Yuh know, like a volcano gurgling and bubbling, just biding time before it erupts, or like a caterpillar whose skin is becoming uncomfortably tight, but it’s just not the right time to metamorphose into a beautiful butterfly. I guess I’m there too working like crazy behind the scenes, only like crazy won’t be the truth. I’m working, but certainly not like crazy. Could that be the problem? That I’m feeling guilty because I don’t think I’m doing enough of my God given tasks? I know some areas are definitely suffering, and I keep promising to get to them, but somehow never do. Now the next supposition is that it was the Lord’s doing; having me a bit down, so I can truly encourage myself in Him and write the Bit from a real personal, heartfelt experience, not just as a mental exercise. And Friends, I wouldn’t put it past Him, (smile) for He’s been known to do weird, stranger things. But whatever the reason, the purpose has been served, and truly, ‘As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee O God.’ Yeh people, it’s at times like these, times of uncertainty, where you don’t know whether you’re coming or going, like you’re simply marking time, that your spirit, if you’re a serious believer, just hungers, just gets an intense longing for the Lord. I don’t know if it’s so that he can clarify, explain or help us understand, but there’s this greater awareness of God in those moments of indecision and indecisiveness. And it’s not that you’re afraid, or even losing faith, your faith might even be getting stronger, for you sincerely believe, but your spirit’s simply in the doldrums, like a sailing ship becalmed on the wide open ocean, waiting for even a whisper of a breeze to spring up and move it ever so slowly towards its destination. Wow! Bruh Paul would be proud of that sentence. (smile) And it’s not a matter of wanting to die or anything morbid, but merely a case of seeking some answers and some reassurance. As the Psalmist sadly pleaded: ‘My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?’ (Ps.42:2) In at least two other psalms, the same basic sentiment is declared: ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water.’ (Ps.63:1) And again; ‘My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.’ (Ps.84:2) Oh my people, it’s a constant struggle to keep the faith in a land of evil. But note the common theme; it’s always a cry to a LIVING God! A God that lives and breathes and moves! Oh my people, that means our God is alive and kicking, watching like a sharp sentinel over each of us! He is capable of doing all the things of a living, breathing being; hugging, kissing, comforting, fixing, sowing, reaping, tending, etc. etc. He’s most certainly a God of life and movement. He’s also bigger and more powerful than anything in the universe. He made it, and He is the chief caretaker. That’s our God; the Most High God Jehovah. And it’s at times when our souls seem empty, or just not fulfilled, that we need to turn to Him in sincere faith and try to find some answers, or if we don’t get answers, just some reassurance that everything will be okay; it’s all on track. Now, since ‘we walk by faith and not by sight,’ (2 Cor.5:7) it’s not always easy or humanly possible to just accept that things will turn out right. But people, the Lord’s on the throne and has us in the palm of His hand, guiding and directing our every step. Oh Friends, it’s only human to feel bleh and blah sometimes, for no apparent reason. But the important thing to do then is run to God, not Lucifer, for that wily ole fox will only increase your despair with his lying, evil spirit. Instead Friends, we need to pant after God like the thirsty deer does after water. We need to pour out our hearts, our hurts, our fears, our failings and whatever that’s bothering us to Him. He will certainly listen and give us some kind of feedback. Now it might not be exactly what we want to hear, but it will surely appease the hunger in our souls. And most of all, whatever happens, good or bad, please remember to stand strong in the faith. Tell yourself and your disquieted soul; ‘Look here self and soul, ‘Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.’ (Ps.42:11) And that’s the gospel truth my people! Oh Friends, I’m still not sure whether I’m coming or going, but having gone to the oasis of God, and having drunk like a thirsty hart, my soul is satisfied, my faith renewed, even strengthened, and I can carry on to live again; by faith, not by sight. Much LOVE!…to beat blues and blahs…talk sincerely to God…
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s in a sour, morose sort of mood, and I don’t know why. So I’m asking; ‘Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?’ (Ps.42:5) Nothing’s wrong as such, and I was fine shortly before I came to write the Bit. I have two suppositions though: I remember about an hour ago, taking a quick inventory of all that I’m doing, or rather want to do, but seeing no real improvement, not even the two steps forward, one backward movement. Now I know there’s improvement, but simply not the kind I can plainly see or touch. Everything just seems to be in a state of hold, of suspended animation, of impending catharsis, pending change, but there are no outward signs of anything really happening. Yuh know, like a volcano gurgling and bubbling, just biding time before it erupts, or like a caterpillar whose skin is becoming uncomfortably tight, but it’s just not the right time to metamorphose into a beautiful butterfly. I guess I’m there too working like crazy behind the scenes, only like crazy won’t be the truth. I’m working, but certainly not like crazy. Could that be the problem? That I’m feeling guilty because I don’t think I’m doing enough of my God given tasks? I know some areas are definitely suffering, and I keep promising to get to them, but somehow never do. Now the next supposition is that it was the Lord’s doing; having me a bit down, so I can truly encourage myself in Him and write the Bit from a real personal, heartfelt experience, not just as a mental exercise. And Friends, I wouldn’t put it past Him, (smile) for He’s been known to do weird, stranger things. But whatever the reason, the purpose has been served, and truly, ‘As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee O God.’ Yeh people, it’s at times like these, times of uncertainty, where you don’t know whether you’re coming or going, like you’re simply marking time, that your spirit, if you’re a serious believer, just hungers, just gets an intense longing for the Lord. I don’t know if it’s so that he can clarify, explain or help us understand, but there’s this greater awareness of God in those moments of indecision and indecisiveness. And it’s not that you’re afraid, or even losing faith, your faith might even be getting stronger, for you sincerely believe, but your spirit’s simply in the doldrums, like a sailing ship becalmed on the wide open ocean, waiting for even a whisper of a breeze to spring up and move it ever so slowly towards its destination. Wow! Bruh Paul would be proud of that sentence. (smile) And it’s not a matter of wanting to die or anything morbid, but merely a case of seeking some answers and some reassurance. As the Psalmist sadly pleaded: ‘My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?’ (Ps.42:2) In at least two other psalms, the same basic sentiment is declared: ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water.’ (Ps.63:1) And again; ‘My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.’ (Ps.84:2) Oh my people, it’s a constant struggle to keep the faith in a land of evil. But note the common theme; it’s always a cry to a LIVING God! A God that lives and breathes and moves! Oh my people, that means our God is alive and kicking, watching like a sharp sentinel over each of us! He is capable of doing all the things of a living, breathing being; hugging, kissing, comforting, fixing, sowing, reaping, tending, etc. etc. He’s most certainly a God of life and movement. He’s also bigger and more powerful than anything in the universe. He made it, and He is the chief caretaker. That’s our God; the Most High God Jehovah. And it’s at times when our souls seem empty, or just not fulfilled, that we need to turn to Him in sincere faith and try to find some answers, or if we don’t get answers, just some reassurance that everything will be okay; it’s all on track. Now, since ‘we walk by faith and not by sight,’ (2 Cor.5:7) it’s not always easy or humanly possible to just accept that things will turn out right. But people, the Lord’s on the throne and has us in the palm of His hand, guiding and directing our every step. Oh Friends, it’s only human to feel bleh and blah sometimes, for no apparent reason. But the important thing to do then is run to God, not Lucifer, for that wily ole fox will only increase your despair with his lying, evil spirit. Instead Friends, we need to pant after God like the thirsty deer does after water. We need to pour out our hearts, our hurts, our fears, our failings and whatever that’s bothering us to Him. He will certainly listen and give us some kind of feedback. Now it might not be exactly what we want to hear, but it will surely appease the hunger in our souls. And most of all, whatever happens, good or bad, please remember to stand strong in the faith. Tell yourself and your disquieted soul; ‘Look here self and soul, ‘Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.’ (Ps.42:11) And that’s the gospel truth my people! Oh Friends, I’m still not sure whether I’m coming or going, but having gone to the oasis of God, and having drunk like a thirsty hart, my soul is satisfied, my faith renewed, even strengthened, and I can carry on to live again; by faith, not by sight. Much LOVE!…to beat blues and blahs…talk sincerely to God…
SCRIP-BITS 