Day 34 - Resting in the Lord

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) - “Hope in the Lord and keep his way.”

Journal Entry

I have been ill for over ten days. Monday was the worst, when I slipped in and out of sleep whilst resting in the armchair. I should have gone to bed, but I would drift off again before leaving the chair. Finally, I decided to return to bed after lunch, only to be told that tea was ready. Apparently, I had agreed to have tea during one of my lucid moments, but I could not recall.

What I do recall are my times of restful prayer, which I recorded the old-fashioned way using pen, paper, and ink. It’s fascinating to see how my desire to help others knitted together with my need to become closer to God. God also answered prayers about deeply personal matters and outlined my private pathway for the next six-months (at time of writing). Even on the darkest days, when I was exhausted, and my scrawled notes were almost illegible, God revealed a pathway through my jottings. This reminds me of the Holy Spirit’s intervention in Romans 8:26 (NIV),

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

I believe God laid me low because he needed to reveal a few home truths before I return to more elevated spiritual matters. This sounds like a cliche convention, but that is how I feel. My notebook reveals I have been wrestling with God and now I am ready to reposition my life and follow the narrow path. This will result in a difficult six-months, but I am on the right track because I am on God’s path and re-grounded in my hope of salvation. To this end I am reminded of Matthew 7:13-14,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Journal exit

Perhaps you would benefit from a period of prayerful reflection? I am not saying you need to be confined to a chair or that you need to spend over 10 days, but a shorter dedicated period might help. You know, just to get back on track and to feel confident in the hope of salvation.

Prayer

Father, thank you taking the time and patience to care for us and to guide us on the right path. Please help us to return to your precepts and core values when we drift off path. We have so much to thank you for. Amen

Michael Rolton