Summer of Faith::..

It's now early afternoon and I have a cup of coffee sitting next to me.. What does that tell us? This is my last weekend, for a while to have to think about school. Next weekend I will be home free. Only one last exam on Monday night. An open note, open book biology exam! That makes me incredibly excited. This semester has been quite a ride. But in some sick way it feels like it all just started last week.

What on earth will I do with myself when I am not studying Monday afternoons for biology quizzes? Or not baking cakes and making frosting Wednesdays? What will take the place of two and a half hour lectures?

Naps, reading (I plan to get through all of the Jane Austen collection and maybe some more), working on the yard, preparing bible studies, spending long over due time with friends, writing projects, one count it ONE camp (Which I am greatly looking forward to), spending time with my family, going to the water park in Phoenix. etc. etc. etc. But what is all of this without drawing near to God in the process?

Summer like all the other seasons come with it's own trials and tribulations.
I really like the Psalms. When I was reading through the Bible, I really dreaded having to read through all of Psalms. But I really, really enjoyed it. David knew what it was like to be distant from God. He also knew what pure, passionate intimacy with his Lord was like. And he understood when he crossed the line that divides to two extremities.

Psalm 9:1-20 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.

For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.

The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.

He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.

For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,

that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.

The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
Higgaion. Selah

The wicked return to the grave,
all the nations that forget God.

But the needy will not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.

Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
Selah

So much of David's story I can relate to. No, I have not been chased by army's set out to kill me. No, my children have not tried to blot me out of this world. No, I have not cheated on my spouse. No, I have not reined over a nation.

But I do know what it is like to be distant from God. I do know how it is to feel abandon by the people around me. And I do know what it is like to only have one real friend that has been with me since the near beginning.

But on the other hand I also know first hand of the victories and triumph that only occur by God's provision. I have seen what a loving, compassionate God I serve; who will not leave me to fend for myself. I have felt what it is like to have peace, joy and contentment in God's plan and purpose for my life. God never changes in his character. It is I who push God away. But what a feeling it is to draw near to him! He hears my prayers, my cries and praises to Him. In different ways He speaks to me. Showing me that I am not forgotten. His word shows me what He has done so far and what He is more than willing to do in my life. All I have to do is trust Him!

This school year I have seen God's hand in so many areas in my life. Unlike last school year, I still hold onto a peace and joy only from God. Don't take it that I am saying that I don't have days that I struggle. But I'm not in the mess I was at the beginning of last summer.

So what is this summer other than another opportunity to trust in my Lord's plan?