Flush The Anxiety

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

Memory verse: Psalm 90:14

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  

Today's reading: PSALM 10-12 ACTS 19:1-20

Flush The Anxiety

Let's look at a question from the Psalms.

Psalm 10:1 "Why, Adonai, do you stand at a distance?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

Why would God have this preserved for all times in His Holy Word? After being a follower of Christ for many years, I know why-at least in my own experience.

The answer follows in Psalm, chapter 10.

The very first line that follows is angry judgement from the feeling of being victimized.

What we hear is, "The wicked do their evil to the humble and poor and get away with it (and from verse 5)because God is so removed(high above).

Why do we feel that God is so distant during hard times? God does not move-He is always with us.

I believe God had this recorded in scripture for us to be reminded that the distance we feel is of our own choice and that our choice to be conscious of Him is constant.(God is distant during hard times because we grow distant from Him when times are good.)

The natural instinct is to judge. It is right there all the time. It is, again, sin living in us(Romans 7:17,20).

I can hear anxiety in the writer of Psalm 10. The Bible teaches us about anxiety and addresses it more than once.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(again in 1 Peter 5:6&7)

Anxiety is the opposite of the peace of God. Philippians 4:6 tells us that prayer is the way to flush the anxiety.

So, flush your anxiety-God is near-not far away.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

 Your presence is so precious, Holy and mighty God. I confess my mind is on me and the world and not You. I submit to You, Holy Spirit. Fill my mind with Your bread and forgiveness and Your wisdom to walk away from this sin.

Boundlessly awesome and gentle and happy God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen