Last week I shared with you about finding silver linings in rather dark clouds. God has continued to give me exact instructions on a daily basis, what to do and what not to do. The gold nuggets continue to show up. I have realized in a fresh way that to dwell under his shelter is the only thing that will bring true security and rest at a time like this. In addition, to dwell in Him, really settling down and making Him our heart’s home, enables us to not only dispel fear but also clears the way to hear His voice. When we are able to shut out the other voices and hear His voice and obey we move into a different atmosphere, one of expectation and joy.

In Psalm 91:1

He who ^[a]dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].

This week I had to make some room in order to settle down in His shelter. My house was full of other things. What God asked of me He may not ask of you… I had to take the news apps off my phone. I am not hiding my head in the sand, Dave keeps me abreast of any important news but I found that in order to hear the voice of God I really needed to quiet other voices.

Psalm 1:

^[a]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of ^[b]scoffers (ridiculers).
² 
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually]meditates day and night.
³ 
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

So I limited the external voices as I turned up the volume on God’s.

This week the Word of God took on a new priority for me as I am sure it has for many.  It has become my delight as I listen and read it first thing in the morning. At night I am back at it before going to sleep. It seems really important to bookend my days like this, meditating on what He is saying to me personally, gaining hope and faith in His promises. . What I have experienced is available to each and every one of us as we turn to Him we will hear His voice more clearly.

The Lord brought 2 Chronicles to mind this week a number of times.

2 Chronicles 7:14 

and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

God is cleaning house in my life. I have been convicted of things I didn’t even pay attention to before. Small things, a quick critical thought about someone else, how much I want my own way, how I let fear in through the back door etc, etc…

I believe that is happening all over the nation because believers are in a new position of intercession. We are to humble ourselves and turn from anything that displeases the Father. Then this scripture promises that He will hear us when we pray and He will not only forgive us but heal our land.

As I camped out in Pslam 91 last week I have spent considerable time this week in Psalm 34.

Psalm 34 7-15

The ^[b]angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience],
And He rescues [each of] them.

⁸ 
O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good;
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.
⁹ 
O [reverently] fear the Lord, you His saints (believers, holy ones);
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
¹⁰ 
The young lions lack [food] and grow hungry,
But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
¹¹ 
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
¹² 
Who is the man who desires life
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ 
Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ 
Turn away from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ 
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous [those with moral courage and spiritual integrity] And His ears are open to their cry.

As we worship, study and pray God encamps around us! He rescues us from fear and lack.

God is asking us to taste of His goodness, watching what He will do on our behalf. When He speaks and we obey even in the smallest things golden nuggets will begin to pile up.

This week has been amazing. There has been repentance and a new discipline to my days. There has also been fruitI was not expecting. . God has had me make phone calls I would never make on my own, pray with people I didn’t think were all that open to prayer and serve in ways I haven’t for some time. My heart is full at what He is doing. If He is able to make these things happen in my little circle He will do it in all of ours.

We simply need to trust and obey, wasn’t that a song from Sunday school days, still so true today!

To be Happy in Jesus we must trust and obey.