Lord Answered

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. ~ Psalm 34:4-5

Radiant.  Never covered in shame.  When you stay in constant communion with our Father you want to live and be the righteous person He has called you to be.  You tend to stay on the right path and live the way He has asked of you.  Close communion equals less tendency to go astray and want to hide anything from Him.  When you keep yourself close to God, He stays close to you and instead of being covered with shame, you are covered with his brilliance. His light.  I desperately want to be a brilliantly shining face that glows Jesus’ love, joy and peace at all times.  God has and will continue to deliver His children when they earnestly seek Him.  We may not always get what we want, but if we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will always get what we need.  He never disappoints.  Growing up my dad used to tell my sister and I, “you need to get your wants and your needs separated.  What you are asking for is a want, not a need,” anytime we would beg for something over the top like a pair of designer jeans.  The truth of the matter is that is how a lot of the world lives today.  We want bigger, better, and shinier instead of being grateful for what we already have, or what the Lord has already provided.  But when you live with a grateful heart, seeking the Lord, you will see His goodness always come through.  We have what we need.  In times of great distress, fear, desperation and severe loss we should also seek the Lord and ask Him for deliverance knowing He will give us what we need.  He will give us the strength, and the peace even if the end result breaks our hearts.  For those who seek Him, He will calm our hearts even through tremendous trials and loss.  Sometimes God allows us to go through desperate and debilitating trials so we can learn to give him our fear and become a radiant light to others.  So that when nothing is left we have to call on Him.  It’s a cause to make us put Him first. Sometimes it’s to glorify God and for the benefit of others around us.  To see us walk through trials and wonder what we have that gives us strength.  To make them want it.  To witness to others so that their hearts would be turned to Him.  To grow His glory and kingdom.  To grow our faith and trust.  Do not fear.  Give it to God.  A deep, dark fear may swallow us up, but when you cry out to God for help, He will hear you and answer you; He will comfort and strengthen you.  He hears us when we seek Him.  He cares.  Let us not forget to run to God when we are paralyzed with fear and worry.  Let Him hear your cries and give you what you need.  Let Him comfort you and sustain you.  He will always give you what you need. ~ Amen