"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Psalms 9:10
Oh I KNOW this....but how's the working out going? 😏
One of the biggest things I struggle with is trust. I trust completely, get burned....and it hurts......I'm a bit insecure to repeat.
Insecurity is defined as lacking confidence or trust, whether in ourselves or someone else.
Hmmmm......lacking confidence finding it hard to trust and being insecure....isn't that the triangle of death when professing to be a Christ follower? All three are diametrically opposed to one who calls Jesus Lord. Right?
For my lesson today....God used my puppy.....again 🥰
Enter Miss Penelope. Every time I attempt to make my bed with her IN the room she becomes a crazy dog, jumping and playing....at least when I had cats I could make them up in the bed and move on. 🙄 Not with Miss P! So I close the door for the less than two minutes it takes me to make the bed. She's on the other side scratching and whining and when I open the door she bounds in and cries like it's literally been HOURS! It's no different than if I am actually gone for hours. She's insecure. She lacks trust that I'm on the other side of the door. You might guess at this point where I'm going so I should just stop.....nah, I need it in writing for the next time ....as a reminder. 🤦🏻♀️
Jesus says, "I stand at the c and knock. If anyone would hear my voice and open the door I will come in and eat with them and them with me." (Revelation 3:20) Unlike Penelope, Jesus had the ability to open the door and walk right in.....or....not open the door and walk right in. 😳
I asked myself, every time I fret and worry, every time I'm scared or untrusting, every time I lack confidence do I respond by opening the door? Do I let him in? Do I think about him at all? He NEVER moves from the door nor will he ever enter univited.
This passage is referring to the unbeliever. Jesus was talking to the church in Laodicea. They were lukewarm. He truly wishes none to perish so he never leaves the door and is continually working through life's circumstances to show us who he is. A couple of quotes I read gave me pause for deep thought...
#1 - The key to opening the door is to first hear His voice. When we give attention to what Jesus says, then we can be rescued from our own lukewarmness and enter into a “zealous” relationship with Him. (EWC)
I am a Christ follower. But how often do I turn from seeking his voice? HEARING his voice? How often do I intentionally make my own choices? Seek my own comfort?
#2 - The occupant must open the door. That is, he must repent of his pride and self-sufficiency, his human wisdom, and his cowardly neutrality.” (H. Morris)
Yes, an unbeliever must do these things to be saved. But as a believer I am responsible to be repentant of my pride and self-sufficiency as well.
#3 - “Christ stands - waits long, at the door of the sinner’s heart; he knocks - uses judgments, mercies, reproofs, exhortations, to induce sinners to repent and turn to him; he lifts up his voice - calls loudly by his word, ministers, and Spirit.” (Clarke)
I think there is a belief that once you become a believer you become perfect.....sin no longer crouches at your door. Life is easy and nothing bad will happen. But, again, God will use life's circumstances to draw you to him and draw you back to him.
John Piper says this:
"The most penetrating and devastating definition of sin that I am aware of in Scripture is the last part of Romans 14:23: "Whatever is not from faith is sin." The reason it is penetrating is that it goes to the root of all sinful actions and attitudes, namely, THE FAILURE TO TRUST GOD."
OUCH!
I don't like feeling insecure......I want to trust and I desire greatly to have the confidence to eliminate the former and hold tightly to the latter.
Simple to write it here...so, SO much harder to do.
How many times must we be told? The word trust and variations of it appear nearly 200 times in God's Word...it's important! We are to DO it! But how?
Matthew 6:33 - Seek FIRST the kingdom of God
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Matthew 6:19 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth
John 3:30 - He must increase, but I must decrease.
Colossians 3:1- Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth
Proverbs 3:6 - Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
That's how you do it! Seeking God first, opening the door and inviting him in to your struggles, your fears, your worries, your hardships BEFORE trying to solve everything on your own. That is the key. Not the key of locking away the harsh realities of this world but the key to peace that passes all understanding IN the circumstances.
I ask myself this question this morning? How quick do I turn? How quick do I hear his voice? I'm not EVER going to learn it perfectly. Am I running to the door as passionately as Penelope came through it? I should be! The MOMENT I need counsel, in my mind's eye I should open the door, ask him in and sit at his feet. Jesus WANTS to enter because YOU invite him to come in.
If you don't know Jesus, OPEN THE DOOR and experience life changing grace. If you DO know Him, OPEN THE DOOR to comfort and wisdom and courage and strength and power and peace. Open the door to the One who will walk with you in the valley and stand with you on the mountain top.....The One who will never leave you. The One who keeps his promises.
Seeing him face to face? What a day that will be!!
Be blessed today.
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