Day Three
Where can I go and meet with Yah?
Branon Dempsey, the author of the original reading plan, tells us that for years, he and his wife have taken trips down to a retreat nestled just outside a tiny town called Leakey, in the hill country of Texas. They go to a place called Laity Lodge. A very dear friend, professor, and mentor of his, Mark D. Roberts, invites them often as he leads the retreats.
Many shallow, crystal blue rivers, creeks, and small lakes run between large caverns and rock formations with high elevations. Cedar trees and scented woods permeate the air. Seclusion can allow them to focus their hearing on the trickle of the cool spring waters. Open quietness can lead them into the awesome wonder of Yah.
Finding quiet is not always easy. It takes work, discipline, and perseverance. But the more uninterrupted time you can give to Yah daily, the more easily you will see His beauty within the journey that is your life. When you get to that meeting place with Yah, it is simply breath-taking.
David writes in Tehilliym 42:1-2:
“AS the deer pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O Elohiym. My soul thirsts for Elohiym, for the living El: when shall I come and appear before Elohiym?”
Gracious desires for Yah - those strong, fervent longings for Him - are in this silence. While there is a struggle between hope and fear, joy, and sorrow, we find Yah’s prevailing faithfulness that silences the conflict and gives aid to our souls. Where else can we find this kind of solace and comfort?
Faith holds up the heart. With hope, the day will dawn again. Our souls will be restored from our grievances, as Faith gets the last word. To Yah, we show Him our love when we make it a priority to spend time daily in fellowship with Him.
At the time, within scripture, David was banished to the land of Jordan, a great distance from the courts of Yah in Yerushalayim. It is there that he expresses his grief and thirst for Yah, longing to be back in Yah’s presence. Even though David does not find himself in a land of tranquility, he does encounter the springs of Yah's peace and comfort, and his soul returns to a sweet reunion.
When you are filled with Yah’s healing waters, you cannot help but overflow with joy. He refreshes you, much like the dawning of a new day, and He brings clear hope into view. Even in the day of trouble, 'your life is now hidden with Mashiach in Elohiym’ (See Qolasiym 3:3).
“But I will sing of Your power; yea, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning: for You have been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.” – Tehilliym 59:16.
Yah is praised for His power and mercy. With confidence, this should be the subject matter of David’s song. Power without mercy is to be dreaded; mercy without power is not much benefit to others. Yah’s mercy and power, however, are able and inclined to help us. He is to be praised many times as our defense because He is our refuge.
“You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” Tehilliym 71:21.
Our resolve and our comfort are held by the One who holds the cosmos. He who renews our faith desires us to give love back to Him in an act of worship.
The goodness of Yah is better than any place known to man. "How amiable are your Tabernacles, O Yahuah Tseva'oth! My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of Yahuah: my heart and my flesh cries out for the living El.” – Tehilliym 84:1-2. Since our hearts and flesh cry out for the living Elohiym: where can we go and meet with Yah?
Reflection:
How can you set time aside to go and meet with Yah? Where will you go? When you get there, take in what you see, hear, and experience. What does Yahusha bring to your heart and mind?
What is holding you back to honestly lay down your emotions to Yahusha? Can you ask Him to fix your heart and mind on Him? Let His thoughts and His words cause you to worship Him.
Prayer:
To you, O Adonai, I give thanks for this moment of serenity. It’s not often that I experience this kind of tranquillity, but I long for Your waters to carry me daily. Help me then to labour in Your rest. Help me to journey to Your refreshing brooks continually, as You guide me along paths of peace. Thank You for being my song, even when I don’t know how or what to sing. Thank You for giving me strength when I am weak.
Thank You, O Yahusha, for being my source of life when all may seem empty. I know I am not empty because You came to give life and to give it abundantly. I praise You, Adonai Yahuah, for who You are: my Salvation, my Forgiver, my Comforter, my Life, and my Future. In Yahusha’s Name, Amein.
Scripture quotes:
“AS the deer pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O Elohiym. My soul thirsts for Elohiym, for the living El: when shall I come and appear before Elohiym?” - Tehilliym 42:1-2 את CEPHER.
“God, I need you so much! I look for you, as a thirsty deer looks for streams of water. Deep down inside me, I am very thirsty! You are the God who lives, and I need life from you! When will I be able to come near to you and see you face to face?” - Psalms 42:1-2 EASY.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Mashiach in Elohiym.” - Qolasiym 3:3 את CEPHER.
“Remember that your old nature has died. God is keeping your new life safe with Christ.” - Colossians 3:3 EASY.
“But I will sing of your power; yea, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.” – Tehilliym 59:16 את CEPHER.
“But I will sing to praise you. I will sing about your strength ! In the morning, I will praise you for your special love. Because you are the strong place where I can hide. When I am in trouble, you keep me safe.” - Psalms 59:16 EASY.
“You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” – Tehilliym 71:21 את CEPHER.
“You will make me great again, so that people respect me. You will turn back to me, so that I feel strong.” - Psalms 71:21 EASY
“How amiable are your Tabernacles, O Yahuah Tseva'oth! My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of Yahuah: my heart and my flesh cries out for the living El.” – Tehilliym 84:1-2 את CEPHER.
“Lord Almighty, the temple where you live is beautiful! I want very much to go to the Lord 's temple . I very much want to be in the temple yards. With all that I am, and with great joy, I sing to you, the God who is alive!” - Psalms 84:1-2 EASY.
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