Some men trust in horses,

Some men trust in wheels of war,

Some men trust in riches,

But I will trust in You my Lord

It is better to take refuge in You.

As I sang these lyrics in my living room on Thursday night I felt my soul nodding in agreement as I grasped the implications of these words. This week has been a battle, but I have chosen to fight with God as my strength and might. I have trusted in Him. It leaves such a sweet taste in my month knowing I have the victory with Him. As I trust in God I find the partnership I get to have and experience with Him to have no comparison. God created humanity to delight in His garden, to tend the plants. And so we push through, asking for His grace and mercy and strength, and we get to delight in Him as He delights in us. I get to partner with Jesus as I pray or intercede for what is pressing upon God’s heart and racing in His mind. I get to be a part of His wonderful, beautiful, worthy story. And so clinging to Him this week as my circumstances and situations proved to be shaky I look back with an even more grateful heart in knowing He was with me the whole time. Extending His loving kindness the whole way through.

It is better to take REFUGE in You.

a short insert from my journal.

actually to add a little more to my story… a sort of transition… a couple weeks ago a woman gave me this verse.

 Song of Solomon 2:14.

“O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”

the woman highlighted this season as a time of going away with God… a time of intimacy. an added element to the story is this verse written above was written in my journal (which i am making significant process in filling up right now.) when i was in mexico (at the beginning of 2009) i vividly remembered writing a song of solomon verse down, so i flipped to the front of my journal and lo and behold this same verse was written. over two years later this verse is specifically and significantly speaking to me. for He does say my voice is sweet and my face is lovely. how I love what God highlights in certain seasons and how there are reoccurring patterns throughout one’s life.

“Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains.” Song of Solomon 2:17.

out of fear, not feeling prepared, thinking she doesn’t have the strength to fully obey she tells Him to turn. i don’t want to tell Him to turn because of fear and unwillingness to obey. may my will be conformed to Yours. may my Yes be Your Yes. for He tells me my face is lovely and my voice is sweet . He says arise. may i respond and go away with Him.

“And he arose and came to his father, But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

This verse stuck out starkly in my mind today as our teacher went in deeper analyzing the 5 fold expression of the Father’s love for us in this verse. He made a solid point when saying, “This story (the prodigal son) applies to all areas of our lives where we are living far from His embrace… in land and open space of wastefulness.”  

The five parts of the expression are…

He SAW.

He felt COMPASSION.

He RAN.

He EMBRACED.

He KISSED him.

To see implies He was looking. God always has His gaze upon us. The mountains don’t move Him and yet a glance from us overwhelms Him. How deeply He longs for His children to look and behold His beauty. It is such a compliment… to know the Creator of the universe cannot take His eyes off of us and He is romanced and melts when He sees us staring back.

Compassion. This word has been speaking truth and echoing with agreement in my heart. This past Saturday I was encouraged by a woman who said, “I can see the compassion of God all over you.” Even reading through a verse today I was moved by the compassion, the mercy of our Lord. It says in Psalm 68:9-10, “Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.” He restored His inheritance so His flock… His people… His congregation would be reassured of their Father’s love and be able to rest. I am expectant God will stir my heart more and more when reading passages about compassion in the Bible. I am praying the verses will empower me, equip me, and launch me into a time of my life where I will be working with mercy ministries.

God running. How beautiful that is. I love the picture I get, what I envision in my mind. I see Him running in a completely undignified state. Running in a sloppy manner as fast as possible… heart racing when thinking about His child choosing to come back. This is unfailing love.

Embraced. I think of the mountains in Norway that I was enveloped by on New Year’s Eve. How majestic, breathtaking, humbling, glorious was the sight. How sobering for the reality of my smallness to sink in. And yet I still felt Him embracing me. How gentle and compassionate.  

Kissed. My favorite part of the story. A promise of intimacy always and forever.  I am His treasure and He is investing His love in me giving me my worth. He will never compromise His love for us. This is the promise we can cling to. How gracious and kind He is.

I hope His love will strike a chord in your heart today… that you will choose and be drawn towards the Father who will show you His mercy, grace, and LOVE.

she peered through the ivy.
in her pocket the key.
she paced around the gate.
in a bewildered state.
a vibration of love.
vibrant eyes of a dove.
His presence enthralling.
shelter under His wing.
she completely let go
opened the gate to know.
drawn to sit at His feet.
silence, to wait, so sweet
she breathed in His beauty.
He whispered you are lovely.
a soft kiss on the cheek.
Lord it is You i seek.
oh you Beloved are mine.
Your love is better than wine.

inspired by songs of solomon 1:2.

"The cross sanctifies persons for Christ. They exude the fragrance of love for Jesus. They long for Him more than the prestige of their platform. They follow in the path of Jesus who made Himself of no reputation. They consider the honor and delight of loving Him and knowing Him to be above all earthly honors and joys. They labor only to bring Him back to the earth, for it would be better if He were there."

Yes. This is what I want to want. I want to exude the fragrance! I desire to love and know Him above all else... for that to be my honor and joy. I have been asking and He has been so faithfully answering.

The prayer room feels like home. If I had the option I would sleep in here. Watch if you ever have a free minute. ihop.org... the free web stream of the prayer room. I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed me!!