I've been having a tough week. Last night I was pretty down so I ended the day with a good prayer time with the Lord. But for whatever reason, this morning when I woke up I was still somewhat heavy hearted. I knew I needed some time alone with God in His Word. A lot of times when I'm struggling, I'll go to the Psalms and find a chapter or two that touch on what I'm experiencing or the particular circumstance I'm going through. But I didn't want to do that this morning. I've been reading the last week or so in 1 and 2 Samuel. Yesterday and today I read 2 Samuel chapters 15-20. This is where David's son, Absalom, overthrows David as king and then sets after him with an army to try and kill David. That doesn't happen, though. Absalom is killed, and David's kingship is restored.
This was the perfect scripture for me to be reading this week. What an awful circumstance for David to be in and go through. I can't imagine how terrible, not to mention hurtful, it must have been. Yet through it all, David's attitudes and responses spoke to me. He stayed in communication with God and relied on Him. David didn't focus on himself and have a pity party. When he's fleeing for his life and he sends his men out in defense against Absalom, he isn't spiteful or angry. Instead, his heart and love for his son--even though Absalom is so wrong and out of control--are evident. David tells his commanders "Be gentle with Absalom for my sake." And when David gets the news of Absalom's death, his immediate thoughts aren't about his kingdom and power. He's broken and grief stricken over the whole situation. Yet through it all, God provided for and sustained David.
All I can say is--wow. My struggles this week are trivial compared to David's. But God has been there for me just like He was for David. What a comfort and joy. So where do you go in the Bible when you're struggling? Do you have a special verse or chapter or book of the Bible that you draw on in tough times? Tami W.
Hi Tami,
Boy can I relate to what you shared today. Being in public ministry is hard at times and I would have to say given the circumstance I'm in, that really determines where I spend time in the holy bible.
Romans 12:1-2 are my life verses, and it is a constant reminder to me that being conformed to the world is not an option and that transformation really takes place in the mind. Since I write for The Voice of the Martyrs Persecution blog just about daily, I tend to remember the more dire circumstances that believers are having all over the world. I tend to also go back to Psalm 119 to refocus myself on the joy of the word of God and then of course, practice being thankful.
Isaiah 61 is also always a great reminder. We'll keep you in our prayers.
I am so encouraged by your candor and appreciate Back to the Bible as a whole. The Lord has really comforted me in miracalous ways through his word. I often find myself all over the Psalms from back to front. It never fails God leads me to just the thing I need.
Tami,
I'm brand new to the website...still feeling my way around, but it's wonderful so far! (I went and bought "Morning and Evening" by Spurgeon yesterday because I was so impressed.) When you mentioned 2 Samuel 15-20, I knew I could relate. We have so much to be grateful for, so when heartaches come our way, we have to remember that God SO loves us and that He is in control. We can do nothing more than trust, obey and pray....and isn't it remarkable and wonderful that He gives us the Word we NEED when we NEED it? I have experienced His building me up in the Word prior to what I was about to experience and then the comfort of His Word in the aftermath! We serve such an awesome God.
I am also pleased to see Stacy's comment. I recently moved to Tulsa and have just become aware of VOM. I'll visit that website also.
Bless you all in Jesus, our precious Lord and Savior.
Praise God, for His Word.
Thank you Tami. Yes I find it too, it is really heard sometimes to even Think of, what to do next, but for me, I usely go to Ephesians 6,10-20. Or, Hebrews 10,19-39. There I know right away what to do next, And in Hebrews, is my asurance That there is a richly reward for us, for those who do not give up. That makes me stronger in knowing what I really want. And my Hope for others as well.
By the Grace of God, we can walk by FAITH.
God Bless you all.
Hi, Tami,
I have problem with trying to concentrate and reading the Bible. Can you please give me some advice on how to do this. I know that this is very important for my family and me.
Thank you,
God Bless
Judith Carrillo
I am currently at a "fork in the road" place in my life and am seeking God for guidance as to what path I am to be travelling. I was really encouraged by Exodus 3. I was encouraged by the way God answered Moses'questions. Not only did God tell Moses WHAT: (go to Pharoah and bring my people out of Eygpt)He also told him WHY: ("I have surely seen the affliction of My people...and have heard their cry...I know their sorrows and sufferings and trials...and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them...to a land good and large...flowing with milk and honey"). God also told Moses WHERE ("...to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite") and even HOW ("...the king of Egypt will not let you go...so I will stretch out My hand and smite Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in it; and after that he will let you go.")
WOW ! God wasn't playing mind games or guessing games, he gave Moses lot's of details and very specific answers!
How encouraging.
Melissa
Hi,
I often go to Romans 8:38-39. I love being reassured that NOTHING can seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Hi Judith,
Thanks for writing. You are so right that reading your Bible is important.
I don't know how you're approaching your Bible reading, but here are a few things that I have found helpful when I'm reading to help me concentrate and keep me focused. First off, where you're trying to read is so critical to having a good reading time. You need to find a quiet place and preferably somewhere where you won't be interrupted or distracted. For quite a while, my plan for reading was to read sometime at night kind of wherever and whenever. I can tell you, that was not optimal for me. I usually ended up reading in the living room while my husband was watching television. What a difficult environment to read in, not to mention connect with God. So I had to make some changes. Now, I read in the morning immediately after breakfast. My husband is upstairs getting ready for work, and I turn the television off and read quietly at my kitchen table. I can't tell you how much easier it is to concentrate and how much more I feel connected with God and His Word.
Another critical thing is to pick a specific time to meet with God and keep it--no matter what. Until I really made this commitment, my reading was not as meaningful. It also wasn't as consistent. I'm not a morning person, but that's exactly when I need to read my Bible. My days are typically crazy busy and if I don't carve out that time right up front, chances are it will get pushed aside and sometimes not done at all. That disappoints me, and it's surely a disappointment to God. Switching my reading routine to mornings was difficult at first. But I'm telling you, it's exactly what I needed to do. I wouldn't change it for anything now.
I'm sure there other things I could suggest to you, but take a look at these two areas first. I'm guessing that if you get in the right place at the right time consistently, you'll be able to concentrate much better and get much more out of you're reading. The Bible is God communicating directly to us. We need to be in His Word to grow and make the most of our walk with Him. So hang in there--and keep reading! :) Tami W.
I find that it is easier to concentrate when I read out loud (if necessary) and then write what I see in the passage. Sometimes I write prayers to God, repeating back what the passage is saying. In this way, I am 'agreeing with God' that His Will be done. I find that time passes so fast that before you know, it is time to start the business of my day! I seem to learn and grow so quickly when I use this method of Bible Study! I do not do my Bible Study this way all of the time, but I use this method when I feel that I need a serious "jump start" in my relationship with Him.
I find encouragement from Isaiah 43: 1 - 3 God has not promised to remove all the problems in the road. God does not cause our problems, they happen as a natural course of life, but what He has promised to do, is to walk with us through the problems in life. Then I remember Romans 8:28 - God will take our problems as well as our blessings and make them for His honor and our good, if we allow Him to do His work in us on a daily basis.
It helps so much to remember that I am not alone, God knows all about this situation and He will work it out in His way and in His time!
I too have had a kind of tough week. Some confrontational issues at work made things somewhat difficult. Also some discussions about finances made me feel kind of down. I read and reflected on the scripture reading for today, and I realize how God took care of the Hebrew people when He brought them out from Egypt. I was just thinking and reminding myself that God will also take care of my every need - financially, spiritually, relationally, physically etc.
When I am having a hard time I get back to memorizing and reviewing daily God's Word. I use the New Topical Memory System from Navpress.com, it has helped to memorize the Scriptures. It emphasizes the importance of memorizing and meditating on the word. I find strength from His word daily. After I read His word which will vary in time of day I will try to take a thirty minute walk and review memorized verses and pray and let God speak to me as I walk.