Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 1:2)

 Psalm 1:2 Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night. 

In verse 1, we read blessed it the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked. Here, we see that person finds joy in the law of the Lord instead. What brings you joy? My children, my husband, my family all bring me joy. But they also bring heartache sometimes. So it is not always joy. And it leaves me empty sometimes. The Lord will always only bring us joy when we follow his law, and his law can fill us completely. 

That same blessed person prays on God's law day and night. So this person thinks on it all the time. We get to fill our minds with God's word and let it fill our hearts. This person thinks on God's law before they pick up a cell phone or get on social media. They think on God's law before they watch the news. They think on God's law before they prepare for the day, and before they put their heads to bed. 

A way to meditate on God's word from the Bible is to read it, read it again, then close your eyes and see yourself there are you think on it again. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? These questions can bring you closer to the words in a more intimate way. See yourself lying in the green pastures. Hear the water nearby. See yourself walking away from the wicked. 

Instead of trying to find joy in earthly things, we need to find joy in God's word. Light a candle, play soft music, whatever you need to truly release yourself from the world before you begin to read the Bible. Then let God's word consume you. 

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 1:1)

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. 

It should be encouraging that this verse starts off with "Blessed is the man." Not blessed is the king, blessed is the rich man, etc. So, blessed is the man could be any of us. We don't have to in the spotlight. This is written for those who think they are forgotten. Those who are in the shadows. Those who do the work of Jesus behind the scenes. Blessed are they who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked. 

We need to be careful in life whom we seek advice from. Or who we take advice from. Is their advice godly? Does their words point back to God in the way that is truth? We must be aware that the devil likes to hide in sheeps clothing and will work to slowly pull us away from God by hiding half-truths in advice from others. Before we confide in someone, we must really work to know if they are someone we should walk with or not. 

Who in my life do I trust most for advice? Do I always ask God for help first? When I give advice, do I turn to God first, asking him for his words to come forth? 

Lord, I thank you for the godly people you have placed in my life. I pray for those who seek your truth but still haven't found it, and those who have been pulled from your truth by the wicked. Thank you for your blessing, Lord. 

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 23:6)

 Psalm 23:6 Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

Our salvation depends on God. We can not obtain our own salvation. It is not just through praying, or just through works. It takes our faith, depending on God, fully entrusting in God to strengthen our hearts and soul. So why should we spend our life struggling, trying to be better on our own? We need to rely on God and find rest in him. He will guide us down the right path. He is our shepherd, and will bring us to green grass and safe waters. If we can allow ourselves to become dependent on God, as this verse says, goodness and love will find us. 

We need to let ourselves delight in our Lord. We need to let ourselves draw near to him. We need to open ourselves to his true desires for us. We need to let ourselves rest in him. We need to understand that he is truly in control. As this crazy year draws to an end, we should look back and see how we tried to use these last few weeks to become closer to God as a message. Did I put down the phone? Did I turn off the TV? Did I allow peace into my home? If you can’t answer yes, there is still hope! What comes next? Advent! As we begin to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth, I challenge you to download a prayer app. And move it on your front screen, rearrange your icons for it to be where FaceBook was. That way, when you are trying to check your FB updates, you will hit the prayer app instead. Or you will have to willingly avoid the prayer app to purposefully open FB (or whatever other social media site). Give it a try. Open your heart to hearing more of God’s word throughout the day. Dwell in the house of the Lord. 

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 23:5)

Psalm 23:5 You set a table before me in front of my enemies…

David makes an image of a table in front of his enemies. He is imagining God preparing a banquet in David’s honor and God is doing this while the enemies watch. So the enemy knows that David is chosen by God and God will protect him even if the enemies surround him. 

We are God‘s chosen to. Even as we walk in our struggles, God is setting our success before us. He will provide a banquet for us amid the evil. We need to keep faith that he is always with us. Even among the changes in our lives, when we feel alone and abandoned, God is with us. 

Even though I felt lost and alone when I moved here, God did not leave me empty. He has surrounded me with a beautiful church and people who have reached out to help me. He had prepared my banquet table before I even got to this new place. My enemy, fear, anxiety, doubt, they still surround me, but I know I am protected from them. God‘s goodness overcomes my fears. His provisions calm my anxiety. His love casts light in my darkness of doubt. I will enjoy this banquet. What does your table look like?

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 23:4)

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you or at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.

We will all have darkness at one time or another in our lives. The verse says “when I walk through.” Meaning that is not our ending.  We are never alone. He never intended for us to be alone. Those dark days can be anything from lots of friends as a child, failing a test in college, losing a job as an adult, having a loved one die, your safety net moving away, finding out something has been kept a secret from you, or any evil that the devil has let loose in our path.  These dark periods occur in what are called valleys of our life. There are hills where the sun shines bright, and we feel joy and happiness. And then there are valleys where the sun doesn’t quite reach, as it is blocked by the hills that seems so high up and unattainable. The good news is that God is the God of both the hills and the valleys. Our faith helps us to know that even in those periods of directness, God is always with us. 

Lord, I thank you for bringing us out of the darkness time and time again. I praise your name for calling me. You are my shepherd, Lord, and I know you will continue to guide me. You will hold my hand. You will comfort me. 

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalm 23:3)

 Psalm 23:3 you restore my strength. You guide me alone the right path for the sake of your name.

This past year has definitely tried my strength. We knew we would be moving to Hattiesburg, MS, in the summer 2021 for over a year. But January 2021 is when it really started to kick into high gear. I worked diligently to get the house ready for the market. I continued to push forward when we had to get things fixed. And this was at the same time we were looking for a house to buy. Then the packing began. And realizing we had WAY too many things. I kept praying that if this was the path God wanted us to follow, to lead me through open doors. There were a few hiccups along the way, but I feel those were trials of faith. And they did not shake me. He kept me strong, physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

For his sake, he guided me on this path. Not for mine. The right path is the path of righteousness. Not just for my good, but for my holiness did He set this path out for me. To help me in my continued spiritual growth, he has given me new friends in Hattiesburg. It took me out of my comfort zone, but I followed where he lead me. 

Lord, thank you for the path you have chosen for us. Though I did doubt at first, I trusted in you and you continue to provide for me. You guided me for your sake, and I will praise your name. 

Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth (Psalms 23:1-2)

We are doing a study this month, called Making Your Home A Haven. The theme this year is Slowing Down for Spiritual Growth. If you have never done one of these, I highly encourage it. Here is the link:

https://womenlivingwell.org/2021/10/slowing-down-for-spiritual-growth-bible-study-resources/

This week we are slowing down with silence and gratitude. 

“Silence and solitude open the door to communion with God.  If we want to grow spiritually we have to love a life of prayer and reading God’s Word. We have to go in deeper with God and commune with him.

Challenge for the Week: Start a daily gratitude list AND go buy an extra-large candle and light a candle everyday in your home.  Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, stop, pray and give thanks.”

S: Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

O: God is our shepherd, he will guide his flock to the safe places. We had nothing to fear when we let him lead us.

A: This chapter has such beautiful imagery. Imagine walking with God in green pastures, besides still waters. It’s like I can hear the breeze going through the grass. It is very comforting feeling. He has so much love and concern for us, that he will always try to find us. We NEED a shepherd, someone to bring us back in when we stray too far. I know I do not lack anything because of God. I will not desire to want anything above what he gives me. He has put me in the pasture I belong, and he will make that place benefit me as long as I continue to trust in him.

God is always leading me. I should fear no evil. I should not hesitate with him near me. 

K: Lord, thank you for guiding me daily through the trials on earth. You have provided me with blessings beyond measure, and I am so grateful. I will follow you. Amen.