GOD’S SURROUNDING LOVE

Psalm 32:10  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.”

 

A personal testimony:

It was Saturday morning and I got up early to spend some quiet time with the Lord.  As I sat and had my coffee and focused on the wonderful Words of life, I realized that God was speaking a personal word into my heart. I reflected further on the passage at hand and was reminded of the stabbing words which were spoken to me the previous week. It was the second offending statement that I had endured from two different people in around four weeks time. From the Scripture, I saw how that I must not allow any offense to develop in my heart and that I must come out from it and be pure forgiving those who hurt me. 

All of a sudden I felt such an overpowering sense of God’s love and presence totally surrounding me.  It seemed that I could feel the power of His love wash over me. Actually, it was more like an outpouring or possibly a “gully washer,” because when I began to cry, I could not stop. I realized that somehow God must be healing my wounds, cleansing my soul and purifying my thoughts. 

The song, “The Power of Your Love” (above) came to mind just as plain as if I had heard it that day.  I couldn’t even remember the last time I had heard the song and not all of the words came to mind, but I sang what I could to the Lord through the tears: “Hold me close, let your love surround me. Bring me near; draw me to Your side. . . .”  As I sang, I realized more than ever that God’s presence was indeed surrounding me. His love was changing and renewing me all because of His grace.  All of my weaknesses were stripped away, because of the power of His love.  I was so glad that God’s great love and His presence hovered over me and surrounded me that morning because it was the most wonderful and soothing thing that I have encountered in a long time.  I wanted to sink deep into His arms even further and never leave. The astounding thought came to me once again that God truly loves me and has compassion for me.  He even knew my heartache that I had felt when the hurtful words were hurled at me.  Isaiah 43:18 says: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”  So I must move on from it!  Does that mean that I will not remember the painful words? Of course, I will remember them, but I chose to forgive and let those things go.  I can’t do it alone, though, but I must allow God to help me. 

I’m reminded of a time some years ago when our son was a baby. It was mealtime and my husband and I were sitting at the table while our young son sat in his highchair.  As we sat there having our meal, I couldn’t take my eyes off of our baby.  Every movement he made, I was amazed.  Every bite he took in, I lovingly watched in total awe of him. I watched as pudgy little fingers picked up tidbits of food and little cupid lips opened to engulf whatever was offered to them. I was captivated by that little darling!  It has come to my mind that God is lovingly watching me in just the same way.  The Father is captivated by me, and adores me.  Is it because of anything that I have done?  Is it because I am some special someone out of the ordinary? Oh my no! It is just because God is a God of love.  He is ALL love and love is what He does best.  And He loves YOU in just the same adoring way as He loves me! 

A few days later, I was drawn to a Scripture and it lifted my heart even further:

Isa. 52:13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 

I then looked at Isa. 52:10 and was again overwhelmed:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Can I just tell you Beloved that I am in such awe of my Father!  The Father who made me and also made heaven and earth, saw fit to come and help me in my deepest time of need and surround me with a presence that cannot be compared to any other.  A presence that came and wrapped loving arms around me.  It’s difficult to even express on paper what I feel.  Sometimes tears come to my eyes just at the thought of what the Father means to me!

A portion of the chorus of “The Power of Your Love” is one that has been ringing in my spirit for the last several days. I have been singing: “Your Spirit leads me . . .” Romans 8:14 says:   “. . . those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” The Spirit is “leading” me in the direction I am to go and this is verification to me that I am God’s child.  Hallelujah . . . I am God’s child!!!  He loves me!!!  I am HIS!!! I don’t have to play the game I used to when I was a child  pulling petals from a flower, saying, “He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not.” It’s no guessing game with the Father because HE LOVES ME and He loves YOU! 

Another Scripture that seemed to leap off the page was from Romans 8:5 which reads:  “. . . those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”  I have my mind made up and I will do as the Holy Spirit desires!  I am Your servant Father!  Your Handmaiden!

Isa. 40:31  . . . those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. 

Prayer:
Father, I want to thank You for what You have shown me through this lesson and I pray that the words I have written will be of encouragement to others. I pray that we will be ever conscious of Your unending love for us, for Your patience, tenderness and mercy and realizing that You will come to help us in our times of need and will surround us with Your presence. I cannot thank You enough for how You help us and understand our hurts. I pray for every hurting heart this day.  I pray that we will all set our minds on what the Holy Spirit desires for us. I pray that each of us will walk in the Spirit daily desiring the things that You desire for us through all eternity.  We look forward to seeing You face to face.  I pray all of these things in Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

JESUS IS COMING SOON!  BE READY -- BECAUSE IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE HE WILL RETURN! (I Cor. 15:52)