Settled and Secure

 

"There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people. " Psalm 68:10

The slightest wave in our life that is going smoothly and we run frantically to the comfort of our anxious thoughts and our "what if's?" We run to try to find as many solutions as we can to the problem that has cropped up as if the solution lies in our human hands. We go into a frenzied "survival" mode of anxiousness and what we view as action to "fix" our problems, when we need to run to God.

"What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?" Thomas a Kempis

"It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." Psalm 127:2 

We should all desire a settled and secure faith. One that is deeply developed and where God is leaned upon as our unwavering tower.

Surround yourself with the word of God, good reading of solid Christian men and women who are secure in the arms of God and build yourself up. Forsake other foolish pursuits and pour yourself into what is worthwhile and your soul will be filled. Spending time pursuing God, the only One who matters, will never be regretted.

"In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro.

(Everywhere I have sought peace and not found it, except in a corner with a book.)”Thomas Kempis

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_kempis.html#Tv7LHSkh1i1hFC7h.99

Many times the anxieties that circumstances with an unknown outcome produce are because of overwhelm. Yet we get overwhelmed because we are trying to fix it ourselves and relying on our own human power. We faint with fatigue because we do not rely on God's strength. His strength sustains us and guides us, it is HIS strength to lean upon. We will faint and grow weary relying on our human frailty.

Many desire a strong faith yet wonder why they always feel it is weak and faltering. What we desire to have in our faith we must put work into building up. If there is time to watch tv, surf the web, participate in possibly meaningless activities, there is time to pursue building a strong faith. The key word is time. We must put building our faith with diligence on our priority list. It can take priority over other activities, we just have to say no to them and be a wise steward with our time. If you wanted to be an Olympic athlete you would train rigorously. The same is done when we are working on a strong spiritual life.

“The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” -Thomas a Kempis

 Don't desire to build a strong faith and then walk out of church and turn on American Idol or read a romance novel. Building your faith doesn't happen like that. Word by word, lesson by lesson, diligence upon steadfastness and your foundation is built. A deep relationship with God will not happen while we are in "zone out" mode when it comes to spiritual things, but when we are focused on pursuing God.

“All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.”  Thomas a Kempis

"Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God." Thomas a Kempis

We can rest and settle in His promises. We can walk through our life with a sense of peace and security in who God is. He will never change. No matter how everything may seem to crash around us and fall away, God is the same. We have to hide this truth deep down in our souls. Wear it on our being and wrap it around ourselves. 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23

In death, life, disease, poverty and prosperity, God is faithful. We need to be His people who speak of His promises with confidence and faith and rest in Him ourselves. We can walk though life peaceful, settled and secure in God's truth. We don't build on the cliff of anxiety but on the mighty power of God's unchanging truth. The One who created the universe, numbers the hairs on our head and knows every star in the sky. He is he One to be always trusted. Our circumstances may seem bigger than us, but God is bigger than any circumstance.

"But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

Take the time to really listen to the promises of God and absorb them into your heart. Not in a fast and passing way but in a quiet, still, and lasting way that will produce growth and depth. Hide God's promises in your heart and draw from them daily. Hide them like a never ending river of living water in your being.

 "He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39