Strength and Comfort |Guided Meditation

2018-01-13

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If you reached the point of exhaustion and can't sleep, you need today's show. We'll look closely at the old saying, "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Because if that's true, then how much do we need to rely on our own strength and how much should we turn over to God?

Life is busy, you love it that way and so do I! It keeps us on our toes. But sometimes things just get TOO busy. Sometimes the old brain just won't shut off, and sleep seems like it will never. Ever. Come. It's time to look outside of yourself for a source of strength. In 1 Chronicles we are told to "Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually." (1 Chronicles 16:11 King James Version (KJV)) But no matter how many times we tell ourselves that, we still think we have to do it all ourselves. Just like in that old saying "The Lord helps them who helps themselves"? I've heard that all my life, and even used it a few time myself in the past, but I won't be saying it anymore....

I assumed it was from the Bible; it sounds like something out of Proverbs, doesn't it? In fact, the Bible says just the opposite. Proverbs says, "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." (Proverbs 28:26, New International Version, NIV)

God wants us to trust in him, to rely on Him, and on His wisdom; He wants to carry all of our burdens, all we have to do is ask Him to come into our lives and give our troubles over to Him.

In Psalms 46 God tells us to listen to him in the stillness but it's easy to let our egos think that maybe this time God wants us to handle it on our own. That's like trying to replace the infinite peace of the universe on a starlit night with the white noise of a sound machine on your bedroom nightstand. With that white-noise machine there's no communication going either way: the noise just cancels out our thought. To listen to what God wants to say to us, we have to hear His words in the stillness, and that's when we know that

He is God; we are not.

So next time you hear that saying "God helps those who help themselves," you can remember that you know the truth: God helps those who cannot help themselves, and that includes all of us.

Scriptures of Comfort and Strength:

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Peter 5:6-7 King James Version, KJV)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (KJV)

And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:1-2 (KJV)

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 of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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. Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 9-10 (KJV)

From 2 Samuel we learn about the perfect strength and love and the ways of God...

As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 2 Samuel 22:31-33 New International Version (NIV)

Returning to Psalms we hear verses that give us strength and courage throughout whatever disaster or calamity that comes to our lives.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (KJV)

And comfort comes from the 23 Psalm...

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (KJV)

I'll close with these passages from the book of John, where Jesus gives us words that give encouragement, comfort, and peace...

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also...16 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:1-3, 16-18, 26-27 (KJV)

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All words, including words on graphic art (but excluding Bible verses,) are my own and may not be used in any part written or spoken without my permission.

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Scripture Used by Permission:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.

King James Version (KJV)

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