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by Lynda Bryan Davis
  
Words Of Inspiration | Lift Up Your Countenance

Drink From His Well

Psalm 42:5, 43:3-5 - Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

You should make a special point of asking God every morning to give you, before all else, that true spirit of meekness which He would have His children possess. You must also make a firm resolution to practise yourself in this virtue, especially in your intercourse with those persons to whom you chiefly owe it. You must make it your main object to conquer yourself in this matter; call it to mind a hundred times during the day, commending your efforts to God. It seems to me that no more than this is needed in order to subject your soul entirely to His will, and then you will become more gentle day by day, trusting wholly in His goodness. You will be very happy, my dearest child, if you can do this, for God will dwell in your heart; and where He reigns all is peace. But if you should fail, and commit some of your old faults, do not be disheartened, but rise up and go on again, as though you had not fallen.
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

Dear Friends - May these words of inspiration encourage you and bless you this day. Take time to drink from His well for scripture says in so doing you will never thirst again.

I've heard it said that to be able to write the truth is a gift. Truly I believe it is, for when one can write what God has laid upon the heart without fear and without reservation the words become rivers of life, flowing with help and healing to all who would take the time to read them. But just as important as being able to write the truth is being able to believe the truth. For what good are words that may be full of life and love if no one believes them. What good is the Word of God, His Love for us, His great redeeming power, and the gift of His Son if we don't believe it and receive it fully into our hearts and lives, to allow Him to heal our brokenness, heal the wounded spirit, be our help in time of need, our health in times of sickness. Isaiah 41:13 says For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. And so He does, indeed He does.

God's is ever standing at the door of your heart, knocking quietly, knocking persistently, bidding you to let Him in and give you a life-changing experience with Him. You'll not experience a love this pure, this true. Though you would search the world over, there is none like our God. He will send out His Light and lead you into all truths. The HELP of His countenance is the HEALTH of our countenance. For scripture tells us He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. He is able to deliver the soul that is trusting in Him. What a calming thought that should be for us. Isaiah 43:16 says the Lord makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters. Storms may be raging all around you, you may feel as if you will succumb to the violence of the waves, but God is a very present help in trouble. Call on Him and Jesus will arise and say to your storm, "Peace, be still!"

For the soul that is downcast, depressed and despairing, when you've tried every way and nothing affords you any relief or change, hope in God. We are being woven into a very beautiful tapestry and we don't see the end from the beginning but God does. He knows what we need. He knows our deepest desires and the hurts that so trouble us and keep us from experiencing the glorious life He has planned for us. Yes, a life lived for God will see trial and tribulation. But you will not have to face it alone. The life lived for Christ is a journey that requires faith and trust for every step. If we get frustrated and disgusted with our seeming little progress and quit, then we have lost all. If we get impatient and run ahead, we foil His best plan. But when we get weary in well doing and want to give up He understands the frailties of our human condition and sends His strength for our weaknesses if our faith and trust is in Him. Scripture says in Isaiah 35:10 - And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Jesus gave His live as a ransom for many, let Him ransom you today. Receive His joy and gladness and let your sorrow and sighing pass away.

So often in life we find ourselves waiting on God. Depression sets in in the silent times, the times when we think we're ready to move ahead and God is saying, "not now". But these are times that in God's reality, He is doing His greatest work in us. For all the inspiration and creativity in life are often gifts of long periods of waiting, pondering, fidgeting, looking for answers and none can be found. Yes, beloved, God wants it His way and in His time. God wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand the pain and the darkness. He never leaves us or forsakes us, and this is abundantly true and most assuredly so in our dark night of the soul.

Nothing can be more distracting in life than a hurting soul, a broken heart, a wounded spirit, and feelings of loneliness and sorrow. We hope God just shows up and vindicates us on the spot, or binds up every wound so it doesn't hurt anymore. We hope beyond hope that our loved ones will not leave us or disappoint us. But seldom is life without hard places and harsh circumstances. The pinnacle of faith is often met by the pitfalls of trials and temptations. We cannot grow in our relationship with God without the life experience encompassing the good, the bad, and the otherwise, but we can determine to trust Him every step of the way. We can learn to feel His presence in times of doubt, His Love in times of loss, and His great grace in times of failure. Remember these words in Isaiah 40:28-31 - Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. What promises to us from the Creator of this Universe! Have we not heard that He doesn't faint or fall out when the task becomes too difficult, He is not weary as is often our human condition. He understands us better than we understand ourselves, and yet He is at work always in our lives giving us power, renewing our strength. Truly this is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Rise up in your inner man and soar like the eagle today. Let God lift up your countenance. Remember, He is holding your right hand and saying to you, "Fear not; I will help thee". He can when we can't.

If you are hurting today, my friends, be encouraged that God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He will come and save you. You only need call on Him and He will take your life and give you beauty for ashes, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, the oil of joy for the spirit of mourning that you might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).

The Lord bless thee and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Num 6:24-26

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all.