Each and Every Time

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11 (New King James Version)

Several years ago I asked God to show me His heart in Scripture. My desire was lined up with His and He graciously answered the prayer I had voiced to Him. What followed was that each time I read the Bible there was always found a living message for me! At first, this was such a change for me that I wasn’t sure it would continue to happen each day. I would approach His word with a certain amount of hesitancy and wonder if He would do the same thing for me as He had done the day before. Eventually the timidity gave way to anticipation as I had learned that He would infact be faithful to “show up” and give me practical truths from His Word.

God recently brought this scenario to mind as I ventured into a new area with Him. In the past, I had been use to taking difficulties and heart aches to people. Any amount of sadness or discomfort was reason enough to send an email or make a phone call. While comfort was usually forthcoming, God let me know this was not His intent for me as His child. His desire was that I learn to bring the “mourning and sackcloth” to Him, without which I would not experience Him as my Comforter and Counselor.

Accepting His invitation required trust on my part. He revealed to me that there was a certain amount of distrust I had toward Him and an unbelief that He could do for me what people had been doing. As He tenderly removed that obstacle of doubt, I became willing to take some moments of sadness to Him. Within a short time I found myself experiencing today’s verse. Dancing and gladness replaced sorrow and sadness! To say I was ecstatic is an understatement. I could not get over the way it actually worked! And yet just as in the case of approaching His Word, I found myself wondering if it would work EVERY time. Would God bring about the change for me every time? Absolutely!

He is unchangeable and completely reliable. I see that now. I no longer have to wonder if there is a limit to His availability or capability. He will never withdraw His offer of “Come unto Me.” His supply of comfort and power to transform my internal world will never run out. The temptation to make the calls or send the emails has been greatly reduced and I dance with joy because of it! Therefore, I will give thanks unto Him for ever. (Psalm 30:12)

Father, how You have longed for me to finally see that You could be trusted! May I never get over the wonder of it all. Amen.