Regulate!

Regulate!

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:11 NIV

Such a pointed question, and a very relevant one, considering the times we are in now. The sons of Korah, who wrote these words, had their own moments of doubt too. They remembered the 'good, old days' when things were rosy. Going into God's house was a joy, because His presence was a daily reality and comfort to the heart. All of a sudden, maybe due to sin, things had changed, and now enemies has cause to question if God was indeed real. Just as it was then, so is it now. I must be very careful about my daily life, its pursuits and priorities, so that sin does not become a hindrance to what God wants to do in and through me.

Life may have dealt a hard one on me or things could currently be tough. I may have moved around a bit, not sure of what the next step in life would be. I may struggle to fully understand what to do, how to do it or when to do it, but there is a place for me to know who God is and what he has laid out for me. The writer knew he had problems, but one thing was clear: he also knew God. He was facing tough times, but he could turn his face towards God and access all that God had made available to him. I must be like this writer: aware of who God is. These must be my most important thoughts: that God is all I need, he has all I need and he is always ready to help me, no matter how hard things may get. 

That was the confidence of this writer, and I must have the same heart too. I speak to my soul today, in the face of the daunting challenges in front of me, and I ask my soul not to be disturbed. Yes, the reality may seek to push me in another direction, but when I know the power, might and wisdom of the One backing me up, I can rest in that knowledge, sure that it will always work out. My hope has to be rightly rooted for it to bear the right fruit. I cannot rely on my own abilities, and then wonder why God is not helping me. I cannot rely on my connections, contacts and circle of influence, and then wonder why things are not working out well. God is not one to share his glory with anyone or anything. 

I look forward to the amazing things that God has in stock for me. I look forward to the miraculous, even in the face of the regular and the ordinary. He is in the regular, the mundane and the ordinary, as well as in the supernatural and the amazing. I praise Him because I know who He is, and I know what he can do. Even when I do not yet see all I desire, waiting patiently for him to come through, I praise him. Yes, he may not give me what I ask for, but whatever it is He gives me is for my good, and I will turn out alright. I praise him, not as a bribe, but as a measure of gratitude for all He is. My soul, praise God. You are in safe hands. God's time of favour is here.