“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” (Psa. 139:1-4 NIV).
It’s humbling to know that before I wrote the first word of this blog or named it “God’s Potting Bench,” God knew what I would write. He not only knew the words before they came off my tongue (or my thoughts onto a keypad), but He is also familiar with all my ways — my going out and my lying down, when I sit and when I rise. He has already searched me and knows me.
Why can’t I remember these words written by the Psalmist when I am discouraged, downtrodden, or distressed? I get so wrapped up in my own issues, mistakes, or responsibilities that I forget that God is familiar with all my ways. And all means all. My good ways, bad ways, happy ways, discouraged ways, fearful ways, and my content ways.
I often ask myself why I can’t remember the promises that are in the Bible.
Why can’t I take hold of the promises that are written for me?
How about you? Do you find yourself asking them same questions?
After some soul-searching I began to answer myself. Why . . . because I don’t take the time to read, re-read, and meditate on God’s Words. The Bible is full of truths and promises waiting to become part of my everyday life. But I can’t expect the Holy Spirit to sear these truths on my heart if I don’t allow Him the time to do it.
Time. That word. Time, something we all seem to say we don’t have enough of. But I need to find time.
So . . . I started setting aside a time and place I’ve named, God’s Potting Bench (Of course it would be a gardening theme. I’m a gardener) — a place where I can allow God’s Word to till my heart the same as when I run my hands through potting soil before planting. A place I know I can trust God’s Word to be the light, water, and food I need to grow, just like a plant. I want to go deeper in His Word so I can have a strong foundation, like the strong roots of a healthy plant. The results of my time at God’s Potting Bench? Encouragement, peace, deep roots, and good fruit.
I would love for you to join me and we can cultivate faith by finding encouragement in God’s Word. Together we can grow steady and be rooted in every season. Sign up today to receive my blogs. We can spend time at God’s Potting Bench together.
