Share the post "Affirmation of God: I stretch out my hands to God and my soul thirsts for Him."
I love David’s realness and need for God to his very core. We all need deliverance at some point. Today’s church somehow makes it seem you get delivered once and if you still need to cry out you must be doing something wrong. Really? This is David, the young shepherd boy who defeated Goliath the great King David crying out for deliverance in Psalm 143.
Do you need deliverance? Go to Psalm 143. It is only 12 verses long that show David in one of those times where he was at the end of his rope and needed help. Can you feel his heart? This affirmation was taken from 143:6: I stretch out my hands to you in prayer. Like parched land, my soul thirsts for you. Selah (God’s Word Translation)
Some scholars believe this Selah word at the end just means to pause and reflect on what was just said. Let’s pause and think when we stretch out our hands to God; what is our soul is thirsting for? Meditate on God and who He is. Just pause for a moment.
Psalm 143 is referred to as the Psalm of deliverance and guidance by the New American Standard Bible. David is crying out for deliverance from God and seeking His guidance.
David is desperate. Ever been there? In 143:7 he says to God: Hurry with your answer, God! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. (The message) The New Living Translation says: Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
So, have you been thinking you are the only person who feels like you may just die from your desperation? Remember this is David, he has been there and he turned to God. This was a Great plan that worked well for David and will work well for you and me. In 143:8 David says that God will show him the way to go. Can you trust that?
God show me where to go today. Show me your way!
What do you think about when you read Psalm 143?
Selah
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Tom, my husband and I are partnering with my son, Matthew, and his wife, Alyson to plant a church in the ghetto of East Nashville. This plant is different from most plants in that there has not been a church to follow the call to go into the ghetto and sit and walk with them. We feel called to go there. We did last Sunday and had 37 at our worship service under the big oak trees. We are desperate for God to give us some relief and resources. East Nashville Community Church (eastnashville.cc ). Please put us on your prayer list. My husband and I are leaving next week to go there and join my son to plant this church. Our needs are great for the people there will not be able to fund the ministry, (they make less than $5,000. a year) please watch the video clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWYT6PrNnuc We know we are called there, but we cannot do it alone. God is faithful and we trust He will provide as He chooses.
Certainly praying! I also work for a company based in Nashville I will pray and try to spread the word with folks I know. I was thinking about you this week. I have been so crazy lately I have been trying to keep my blog up but have been stressed for time to just go and visit other sites. You have a quote on there about hiding Jesus in your heart of something. I am going to get it and print it and frame it for my daughter who is leaving for college next weekend!! I am praying for your ministry and will follow it. I will pray that you receive the funding and the blessings to honor this call! I look forward to watching God work through you all.
In Christ,
Tom
The God who created heaven and earth cares for me…that’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of who God is…and I’m always blown away.
I love David more than any other person in the Bible (besides Jesus Himself). His life, his honesty, and his beautiful heart towards God shows me that it’s okay to be at the end of my rope over and over again…God doesn’t expect me to be “delivered” in an instant…this life, it’s a process.
Praying for you Tom in your busy time at work…praying for peace and focus in the middle of it all…(and praying for you and Ronda as you send your daughter off to college…that was tough on this mama!)
Patsy…also praying for the church you are planting….xo