Perfect Quiet Time

For some time now I have been convicted about the moment by moment surrender of my will to God's.  It's a reverberating theme.  I've glimpsed some victory, but more often than not, despaired in defeat.  I long for Christ to have full reign in my life and I am slowly learning about Him and His transformational process.

Last week held a lot of defeat, born out of lazy summer days.  I am easily discouraged, which is really just a sign of being self-absorbed. "Woe is me" is really just about me, right?  Not about Christ.

Anyway, in my quiet time today I began the next lesson in my study on the Tabernacle by Beth Moore. (BTW, amazing!)  The theme of the day was the complete perfection of the Word of God.  It was a positive reminder that all we need to know about God has been given to us in His precious book, the Bible.

After I was done with the lesson, I thought I should read something more so I turned to Psalm 20.  Honestly, I thought how lame that I wasn't reading through a specific book and just turned to a Psalm that corresponded to today's date. (Obviously, my thinking needs surrendered too.)  Of course, the passage was perfect for my circumstances and thinking.

My study Bible explained that this Psalm is a ceremonial song the Israelites would sing before going into battle.  This is exactly the encouragement I need as I try to bring my body, mind and heart into subjection to the Father.

The gist:
May the Lord answer you
defend you
help you
strengthen you
remember you
accept you
grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill your purpose
Some trust in the things of man (chariots, horses) (me: my own will & thinking)
But We will remember the name of the Lord our God.

I can't transform myself. It is Christ's work alone.

While having my quiet time, my husband interrupted for good-byes before leaving for work. That was enough distraction to give me the desire for a bathroom break.

While in the restroom, I unconsciously started humming a tune.  Music is an integral part of our life and often I find the Holy Spirit puts a tune on my heart when I need to hear something specific from Him.  When I begin to recognize that I am singing, I am always amazed at the truth He melodically reveals.

Today's song was the hymn, Higher Ground.  Two verses stood out:

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho' some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Tho' Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven's table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

With transparency, I admit that I had taken two daily devotional readers into the room with me, both Our Daily Bread and Streams In The Desert.  The themes of the recent readings spoke to me about going through the fire before you can be a light and the idea that combat precedes victory.

All together, it was quite astounding.

Perfect, really.

Lord, may your Word be a light unto our paths today. 
Meet us where we are and continue to transform us into your likeness.