August 10
Shameless Living
"To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul, O my God, in Thee I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me."
Have you ever scooped up the frailty of a soul and with all the strength of faith you had raise it up to Heaven as an offering unto God? Have you ever seen another do so? If you have, then it’s unforgettable; it’s with you for life. I’ve stood by the bedside of a dying saint, young and old, and I’ve listened to the wailing of a broken heart surrender them unto God because the pain of the moment was so deep. My knees have knelt upon tear stained floors next to a woman who has just lost her sons, daughter-n-law, and grandchildren in one tragic night’s storm. I’ve witnessed this godly sister lay hold of the very souls of their lives and raise them up to Heaven, above the pain, sorrow, and brokenness, as an offering of praise to God. I know of many who have had to make that heartbreaking decision to remove a precious loved one, child, spouse, sister and friend, from life support. The struggle to lift that soul that you love so immensely, the one that you don’t know how you will survive without; the life that gave you purpose for living and joy for the future; and let them go is life altering.
We struggle and wrestle with the will of God over many things but never so fierce as when it comes to letting go of another soul this side of Heaven. Our grip is our love for that life that has bound itself so deeply into ours that surely the sun would not rise if they were absent from our day. A life that has left upon us imprints of joy in living, can leave us with scars of unspeakable sorrow in death. The Psalmist was all too familiar with this sorrow. He knew what it meant to surrender a soul, long before it was time, into the hands of Heaven. A child, a friend so close that the bond was unbreakable and a beloved mentor, were all summoned to be laid upon the altar of King David’s heart. But this valiant king also knew the secret to overcoming the losses of life.
Read his words once more with me: "To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul, O my God, in Thee I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me." He knew that there was only one way he was going to make it through the impossible passages of grief and loss and that was to lift up his own soul to God. The resounding desire of his heart was to have no shame in the end and to have victory over the enemy at hand. Sometimes our greatest enemies are our own emotions, hurts, losses and tragedies that we cling so tightly too because we want answers in the here and now. But there is a way to make it through to the other side of even the deepest of sorrows and that’s to lay hold of your own soul and with hands clasped tightly raise it up to the God Who has loved you every day of your life; even on the days you wish you had never been born.
When we don’t have the answers we so desperately want to have, God beckons to our soul: "lift yourself up to me, trust me in all things." Trust surrenders the need to understand, the right to have an answer. It lays down every question, every doubt and fear. Trust knows that the soul that needs to be released is not the one we had to say goodbye to, but the one we say hello to everyday as we look in the mirror. Until we lift up the soul to the only One Who can lift us up, we will stay in the low lands of unbearable pain and unceasing grief. Gather up your soul, even if it’s been shattered beyond repair and raise it up to the throne of God and that most precious offering of you, ask Him to reign there. When you let go of you, all of you, God will free your heart from the enemies that have waged war against you for so long.
When the soul is lifted high the spirit takes flight.
Pearls of Grace is a book of devotions for the entire year, including a read through the Bible in a year calendar, broken down for every day. Beautifully written with encouraging words of hope and empowering words of joy and strength for every woman. Pam draws from the truth and richness of God's Word and gives real life examples in her down to earth style. A must have in your library, click here for more information.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
Listen to Pam Jenkins's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
Listen to Pam Jenkins's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
