I Dwell, He Strengthens (Run to Him – Psalm 84)

March 16, 2012 by Kathy Howard 12 Comments

Do you ever have a deep, intense craving? I often find myself drooling over the cartons of Blue Bell Ice Cream at my local grocery store. (If you aren’t familiar with Blue Bell, it may be because this creamy, decadent indulgence is only available in 20 states. But it’s worth moving to Texas for!)

No other kind of frozen treat will do. No other brand of ice cream will suffice. It must be Blue Bell and it must be a lot of Blue Bell.

In Psalm 84, the psalmist expresses a yearning that can only be satisfied by the presence of God. Nothing and no one else will satiate the deep longing of his soul. He is so desperate to be with God, he would trade 1,000 days of being anywhere else for just one day of being with the LORD.

In his book “Reflections on the Psalms,” C.S. Lewis calls this an “appetite for God.” Do we have an appetite for God that can only be satisfied in His presence?

According to biblical scholars, this psalm may have been sung by pilgrims on their way to the temple. Any Jews that lived outside Jerusalem made pilgrimages to the temple three times a year – for Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, and Pentecost. The temple symbolized God’s presence. These pilgrimages into the presence of God were considered rare and special. During the journey they anticipated the blessing and joy of once again being close to Yahweh.

You and I don’t have to travel long distances or wait for months to enter His presence. As believers we can enjoy constant communion with our holy God. His presence is a place of safety and security. Like the sparrow who built a nest near the altar, the LORD Almighty welcomes and protects the lowly and weak.

As I studied this psalm, I was impacted by the transforming power of God’s presence. Just this one chapter alone shows us at least three ways His nearness satisfies our longings.

When we are vulnerable, He makes us safe and secure.
When we are weak, He fills us with His strength.
When we have need, He provides in abundance.

I particularly love verse 7:

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Our lives are a pilgrimage to heaven where we will finally see our Savior face-to-face. Meanwhile, He brings us “from strength to strength,” giving us what we need to take that next step of obedience, whetting our appetites for the full and glorious revelation of His presence.

What does your soul yearn for? Have you tasted the sweet presence of God? Do you long for more?

Where are you safest? {Run to Him – Psalm 27}

February 3, 2012 by Lisa Burgess 23 Comments

It’s been almost one year since tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods hauntingly close to mine. The weathermen had warned April 27 would be bad, but until my own trees and fence blew down, I didn’t believe them.

By the end of the day, it was a war zone. Wind versus everything else. On the outside, it appeared wind had won.

But on the inside—for those hidden in shelters—there was safety.

Who is the enemy?

David knew wars. Enemies surrounded him. Yet he had the audacity to ask, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

Um, I could make a list, David. A long list.

And not just for him, but for me, too. I’m leery of new situations, confrontational people, even hints of danger. And that’s not even counting “evildoers assailing me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes” (Psalm 27:2).

So what do we do in times of danger, or perceived danger? In Alabama, many are buying tornado shelters. Our instinct is to protect ourselves from vulnerability.

But what did David ask?

David did one main thing. He asked the Lord, “Can I stay in Your presence?” (Psalm 27:4). There was safety. There was shelter.

In God’s presence, he could sing with joy, he could cry for guidance, he could learn His ways.

Can we be that dependent? Can we be vulnerable enough to stop striving after stronger fortresses, and instead trust the One already built for us?

Can we let go of trying to be more—if I pray more, study more, mop my kitchen floors more—and instead let God be more?

He didn’t tell us to build a spiritual storm shelter. He said He would hide us in His.
He didn’t say to bring our own tents. His can cover us just fine.
He didn’t even point toward a big rock and say climb up. He lifts us up and places us on top.

So what do we do?

Let’s start by repenting. Instead of wasting resources building our own walls of protection, let’s ask His forgiveness for our attempts at self-sufficiency. And become dependent instead.

Then let’s stand firmer in our faith. Can we let down our guard in a relationship that needs more authenticity? Perhaps we can try a new ministry, trusting He will lead us. Or maybe “waste” more time with Him, simply delighting in His presence.

If we want more peace, more rest, more confidence—and God to receive more glory—let’s live and love out of the home base of His shelter.

We don’t have to design it.
We don’t have to manufacture it.
We don’t even have to pay for it.

We just worship in it with joy. God is our shelter. Nowhere else can be safer.

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

Is it easy or hard for you to abandon self-sufficiency? In what areas do you most realize your dependency on the Lord?

Please share something that helped you this week from Psalm 27.

He Hears with One Condition {Run to Him-Psalm 4}

January 27, 2012 by Heather 38 Comments

This week I had the unexpected opportunity to discuss my faith with a Somalian refugee who is Muslim. Our conversation began with him assuming our faiths were the same. By the end, the differences became clear.

He shared with me how he must be fully clean and dressed in proper clothing when he comes to the mosque to talk to God. When he spoke of this moment between God and himself, he crossed his hands over his heart. He revered this time, often an hour or more, in which he poured out his concerns to his all-powerful God.

photo credit

He encouraged me to wake up at 4 am, to take a good shower, to get dressed in clean, modest clothes and to spend time pouring my heart out to God. He emphasized, “The things you share with God are not things you would tell a friend or husband, only things for God to hear. It’s a moment between you and God.”

Despite our vast theological and religious differences, this man who was displaced from his homeland, helped me understand the theme of Psalm 4.

I can talk to God. He hears me.

photo credit

Unlike my Muslim friend, I don’t need to go through cleansing rituals, wear the right clothes, be in the right place. There is only one condition I need to meet for God to hear me…I need to cry out.

“the LORD hears when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3 (ESV)

The verse does not say, “The Lord hears:

When I am showered
When I am in church
When am full of joy
When my house is calm and quiet

Only one condition: ”The Lord hears… WHEN I CALL.”

I need to call or cry out, but it is important to discuss to whom do I make my pleas?

“To you, O LORD, I call…” Psalm 28:1 (ESV)

“…when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” Psalm 28:2 (ESV)

When I am having a hard day or my children are in a difficult developmental stage or my heart is heavy, I typically cry out to a friend or my husband with my concerns. It feels good to have the immediate feedback from them…”it will be alright”, “this too shall pass”, or “it’s only a season”.

God gave us community to lift our spirits. Yet the only One with the true power to “answer when we call” is:

our Strength and our Shield (Psalm 28:7)
our Shepherd (Psalm 28:9)
the One who is faithful and righteous (Psalm 143:1)
the One whose love is steadfast (Psalm 143:8,12)

To be more specific…

The one condition for God to hear me, is to cry out to Him who is able.

It doesn’t matter where I am, what I look like, or even what I say.

“Answer me quickly, O LORD!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the pit.” Psalm 143:7

David is bold in his prayers…demanding a quick answer. David admitted that his spirit is failing. He desperately cried for help & relief from his enemies. We have the same freedom to be vulnerable in our cries and not be concerned with saying everything perfectly.

Let us meet the one condition for God to hear us…cry out to Him!

What does crying out to God look like for you? Do you journal? Take a drive or walk and audibly call on His name? Quietly petition him in the difficult moments? Share with us, in the comments!

What did you learn in your time in the Psalms this week?

Have you written about what you are learning through the Run to Him study? Link it up below! Be sure to read and comment on (at least) the link before yours! Be sure to grab and use the Do Not Depart button, or the Run to Him logo, so others can find us!

The Danger of Compromise {Run To Him – Psalm 1}

January 20, 2012 by Lara 42 Comments

Compromise slowly progresses to full on rebellion. We see it in Psalm 1.

First we walk in the counsel of the world, turning one ear to society and pondering its perception of love, marriage, sex, or money. Like when I decide to watch some TV show that completely slanders my God. And I wince at the blasphemy. Until I linger. Until I watch it again.

Then our feet stop. We stand for a while, both ears listening to the world’s definition of truth. And what used to be preposterous now holds our attention. It boosts our self-ego and pets our pride, encouraging us to take a seat.

flickr photo credit: wonderlane

And if we continue to run from His arms of mercy, then we sit. We point and belittle what we once held dear. We turn our face from the One who designed us. And in the end we look like the scoffers hurling insults at that One being nailed to a wooden beam. And it can began with a single compromise.

I desire to be like that tree that bears fruit even in the midst of drought. I want my kids and husband to see His reflection in me. But unless my mind stays fixed on His Word and His ways I will become like the chaff that the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:4) Unless I delight in His Word, I will rebel. We will rebel.

So how do you remain diligent to delight in God’s Word?
What “rewards” have you seen in your own life as you choose to meditate on true things?
For those who participate in the “Run To Him” study, what did you glean from the text this week?

Barely Scraping By {Run to Him}

January 13, 2012 by Katie Orr 38 Comments

Buried deep as you can dig inside yourself
And covered with a perfect shell
Such a charming, beautiful exterior
Laced with brilliant smiles and shining eyes
Perfect posture, but you’re barely scraping by
But you’re barely scraping by

Buried deep as you can dig inside yourself
And hidden in the public eye
Such a stellar monument to loneliness
Laced with brilliant smiles and shining eyes
Perfect make-up, but you’re barely scraping by
But you’re barely scraping by…

The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most —Dashboard Confessional

These lyrics have resonated with me for years. I often try to put on this perfect shell—the appearance that all is great.

Don’t we all long to look a certain way, even if our emotions don’t match the way we perceive?

Even if we’re barely scraping by?

I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
(Psalm 6:6 ESV)

For my soul is full of troubles… (Psalm 88:3 ESV)

My heart is struck down like grass and has withered… (Psalm 102:4 ESV)

Weary from weeping.

Forsaken.

Full of troubles.

Struck down.

Photo Credit

The Psalms are full of raw, honest—sometimes scary—emotion.

What is it about us that we like to hide our true feelings? Wear the spiritual makeup; put on a pretty front.

What are we afraid of?

What am I afraid of?

Through the example of the psalmists, we are given quite a different model to follow, when it comes to how we handle our emotions, especially in how we approach God.

Well this is one time, well this is one time
That you can’t fake it hard enough to please everyone
Or anyone at all…or anyone at all
And the grave that you refuse to leave
The refuge that you’ve built to flee,
The places that you’ve come to fear the most,
Is the place that you have come to fear the most.

The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most —Dashboard Confessional

When we bury our emotions, we deny who we are, and the need we have for a Savior.

Why do we bury our feelings when we are already known?

He knows the deepest secrets and the darkest emotions—and He loves anyway.

So, instead of burying, ignoring, and faking it, let us open up, fess up, and run; crying out to the One who longs to soothe, heal, and forgive.

Let’s run to Him.

I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live

(Psalm 116:1-2 ESV)

Are you barely scraping by? Do you have spiritual makeup on? What (or who) are you hiding your emotions from? What keeps you from running to Him?

Let’s chat in the comments…

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We start up the Run to Him study on Monday. We’ll be studying a collection of Psalms over the next 13 weeks. We would love for you to join us! Click here to download the free printable Bible Study of the Psalms, and join us back here each Friday afternoon for a commentary on the Psalm we have studied all week.

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Run to Him Study Guide

January 8, 2012 by Katie Orr 34 Comments

The Study Guide is here!

This study guide includes a 5-day weekly quiet time plan, studying one Psalm a week, with options to add on scripture memory and 2 additional days of study. There is also a printable bookmark for easy access to the study schedule.

Anyone is welcome to join us in this study of the Psalms. We will be posting a supplemental Bible study on each Psalm on Friday afternoons. The study guide plan starts Monday, January 16th.

Click here to download the free Bible study printable.

Praying He uses this study to help us run to Him.

Announcing…Run to Him

January 2, 2012 by Katie Orr 16 Comments

Run to Him, our winter Bible study, will start up Friday, January 13. We will be diving into a selection of Psalms; searching for how to relate our emotions, fears and challenges to the God who knows; digging for promises we can cling to when our soul cries out.

Maximize Your Mornings

Once again, we will be hosting this Bible study in partnership with Inspired To Action’s Maximize Your Mornings challenge. If you are looking for encouragement and accountability toward getting up early to meet with the Lord, this is the challenge for you! Check out the details here, but go quickly, as registration ends January 3rd!

Anyone is welcome to participate in the study, regardless of whether you are a part of the HelloMornings challenge. Be sure to stay tuned for a Run to Him study guide and more details about the study!