This second week in Settle My Soul had us looking at God’s unconditional love, the storms of life and our response, and self-control.
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“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” (Psalm 33:22)
The focus of the one verse is God’s unfailing love. For you. For me.
But the focus of the entire psalm is the Lord, His Word, and joy. Interesting to me is the word “joy” which is mentioned 3X and if you count the word rejoice, then 4X.
God’s Word will bring joy to our hearts. His joy will fill us with hope. And hope will make us realize His unfailing love for us.
“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith increase it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” (Jerry Bridges)
Nothing we do can diminish His love nor increase it. This thought should bring a big sigh of relief.
Lord, how we thank you that the power of your love does not rest upon us. You alone love us with a love that is unconditional, will never change, and is eternal. Help us to know this, feel this, and rest in this truth today. Amen.
“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting. “Teacher, don’t you care the we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38, NLT)
Jesus and the disciples are on a boat in the middle of the waters when a storm hits. The disciples are panicked and Jesus is asleep! The disciples awaken Jesus, who rebukes the wind and sea, and calms the storm.
“Jesus did not stop with the calming of the elements, for the greatest danger was not the wind or the waves; it was the unbelief in the hearts of the disciples. Our greatest problems are within us, not around us. This explains why Jesus gently rebuked them and asked, “Do you still have no faith?” They had heard Him teach the Word and had even seen Him perform miracles, and yet they still had no faith. It was their unbelief that caused their fear, and their fear made them ask the question whether Jesus really cared.” (Wiersbe study Bible)
The storms in our lives will often stir up what is hidden in our hearts.
Lord, we praise You for always being with us in the storms of life. Today reveal to each of us any unbelief which may be in our hearts. Remind us of the storms You already have carried us safely through. Increase our faith so that we ride out the present storm on the waves of faith. Help us to trust You more and more. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
Take some time to think about how your storms reveal not only what you do believe but also what you don’t believe?
“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28, NKJV).
Rule over our own spirit = self-control.
This verse seeks to bring us wisdom. Wise people have self control and are not easily dominated, or taken over, by desires or the opinions of others.
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 6:22) so if we are going to possess self-control, it will be solely because God has given it to us.
“God not only wants to settle your soul but also wants to secure it.”
(from Settle My Soul, page 25)
Are there any walls in your life that are in need of repair? What is one way you can begin to experience and exercise greater self-control?
we can face any storm and
rebuild the walls in our lives.
Photo 1: by Mercedes Mehling on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Kaylin Arrington on Unsplash
Photo 3: by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements and Grace Full Tuesday and Purposeful Faith .
Lord, strengthen us with courage!
I so need His management of my walls.
Blessings to you, Joanne. (And is that a Maine lighthouse I see?)
Joanne, thanks for talking about joy. So very different from happiness which comes and goes like the wind.
Those fruit of the Spirit aren’t going anywhere no matter what happens. And I’m so grateful …
Joanne, you share so many goooood thoughts here! It seems like it’s in the trials of life where we learn the deeper truths about God and His nature. It was walking through one of my deepest disappointments when God showed me that He loves me completely, perfectly, and passionately. He can’t love me any more than He already does. That was such a revelation for my hurting heart.
And your words on how storms stir up what we do believe as well as what we don’t? So true. And sometimes when I realize what I don’t believe about God, I’m humbled as He shows me lies I’ve chosen to hold onto rather than His truths.
Such good insight here… we can learn much about how we need to grow by how we respond to our storms. Thank you for sharing this!
Nothing I do can diminish or increase God’s love for me – what a wonderful thought!
Thanks, Joanne! My soul has certainly needed settling lately. I love these reminders. Love the Jerry Bridges quote too. I really like how you use Scripture to build your post instead of building a post and adding some Scripture. That says a lot about your heart for God’s Word. Thank you!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
These are such good thoughts. I can relate to these words —The storms in our lives will often stir up what is hidden in our hearts. I have experienced this throughout my life. You have given me a lot to ponder today. Thank you!