O Bless Our God

“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66:8-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is hard to be refined as silver! Going through the fire, again and again is painful, but completely necessary to have all impurities removed; ending only when the Mastersmith can see His reflection! And then of course comes the moulding and beating for the shaping into His designed creation! Yes, oh it hurts! But it is so worth it!

Some times, like me, the metal is obstinate and takes more than multiple efforts to remove the dross! 

Last night, I was reminded by The LORD what all it took to break my will; to bring me into submission for His use! Over the years pressure would be put on me to change, and I would dig my heels in harder, determined to have my way! I knew, "I knew better!" And God would give me more rope, shaking His head! 

When I ran out of rope; He was there!  

Molestation as a child, rebellion, failed marriage(s), loss of a child, abuse (sexual, mental and physical), drug addiction, rape, relocation, loss of father(s), witnessing pet run over/killed, loss of home, loss of property in fire, near fatal car accident of mother and daughter, closing down of business, care of disabled elderly parent, loss of mother, depression and ill health; those are just the big things!  And it took every one of them to put me where, I would say, 'Okay, God, if You will help me, I'm yours!' It took all of that, and the realization that, nothing else that man had offered had worked, so what had I to lose! All of my efforts had failed; medicine had failed; religion had failed! 

The ANSWER I had been looking for all my life, I found in 

repentance and obedience to The Word of God! 

When I chose to humble myself (laying down my pride) in repentance and confessed my sins (before my brother and sister in The LORD as James 5:14 says we must); seeking forgiveness for the unforgiveness (Matthew 6:15) and judgments (Matthew 7:1-2) I had held onto for all those years,  God THEN had the material with which He could work!

At the point where it didn't matter any longer to me, if I lived or died, He gave me life! Now I live for Him in "rich fulfillment!"

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.” Psalms‬ ‭66:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even though I had been in church most of my life, I was His enemy! Now, I'm His beloved! Now, I'm His servant and I sing praises to His name!!!!

No matter what you are going through right now; "just life" or "near death", He IS your only answer! 

And THE only way to find Him is through submission and repentance!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 2/26/15