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NASB | Psalm 132:1 Remember, O LORD, on David's behalf, All his affliction; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 132:1 O LORD, remember on David's behalf All his hardship and affliction; |
Bible Question:
This is a long and complex question. Let me start by saying, I want to be with God intimatly. I have learnt a lot about God. About were He's been, what He's done, what He's like... but i want to 'MEET' Him. My spirit has been in a lot of termoil over this for quite some time now because, using the terminology of Tommy Tenney(author of a book called 'God Chasers'), i can't seem to 'Catch' Him. This Psalm 132 (and 130) i feel reflects my situation... i am so so so hungry for God. Yesterday i planned of fasting until God came to me (in a manifest presence), to show him the determination of my spirit to meet Him. But when talking about it to my Mum (who i assume is wiser than me, being older, and a Christian herself), i felt shot down. She explained that it wasnt a good idea because God doesnt really care if we fast or not. She filled my head with doubt as to whether He would come or not... and so on... Im not saying my Mum was wrong, but maybe i should be. I have done a course at my Church called 'Shape', (S is Spiritual Gifts, H is Heart, A is Abilities, P is Personality, E is Experience), and learnt that (as i always knew) i am a very naive and gullable person, much to my dissadvantage... i cant seem to make up my mind about where i stand. As you can imagine, this has added to my distress.... I need help. Does anyone have any advice or a Word for me...??? |
Bible Answer: Still, I wonder if I have addressed the concerns you have expressed. You still desire God to come to you like He did to Moses, or Elijah. You're wondering why He doesn't speak to us like that anymore. I think the fact is we have something better than they had. "For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more. (For they could not endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, 'I exceedingly fear and quake'). But you are come ... to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel" (Hebrews 12). We have it better. We have the privilege of entering into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10). Let us not be content with anything less. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. But also, I wonder why the talk about slipping. It does not seem to the idea of giving up the search. Is it the idea of giving up on the ways of organized religion? I take "All I care is that I know God" as a determined, undeniable desire. Perhaps it is the desire to be saved. You should look back on your life for a time when God filled your life with a sense of his presence. If there is no such memory, then I suggest you do the steps. Renounce sin. Trust in Christ. Then, accept his presence in your life. From my experience, and according to John 7:37, he will fill you to overflowing. One last thing before I close this second piece. Let God have his way. He will fill you when he sees fit, to enable you to his will. If you are not prepared to follow him into some field of service, you will find his presence not only overwhelming, but also quite uncomfortable. David prayed for the Spirit, and promised to "teach transgressors your ways" (Psalm 51). Isaiah said, "Send me". If you do not plan to serve the Lord, then there is not much point in seeking him. You may plan to simply enjoy his presence, but he has more than that in mind. You may want to experience God as Moses and Elijah did. But remember that God said to Moses, "Go" (Exodus 3), and to Elijah, "Go. Return." (1 Kings 19). Isaiah saw the Lord (chapter 6), but then the Lord asked, "Who will go for us?" It may be that your key to finding the Lord is your present willingness to do what he says. You do not know what he will say, or where he will send you. Some of it will be hard. It may be unpleasant, especially if he sends you to the multitude who said you should not have sought him in the first place. But do you think you will see the Lord and not want to talk about him? Do you imagine you will hear from him and not not want to speak for him? Count the cost, my friends. Then you can seek him and find him. |