That made sense to me. They gave the example of David, who spoke to his soul "why are you down cast?" He knew his soul was downcast. To know that, you need to listen. I have been trying to listen, and I'm not sure. Are you in a confused state, O Soul? Or are you locked shut by a combination I have forgotten? Or are you quietly speaking, and my hearing has gone dull?
I do know about my thought-life-- and that I have been listening to my thoughts rather than speaking to them... Finding that (once again) listening leads to drifting...and unbelief....such a viscous cycle. So I will pray. I will pray honestly (I don't desire you God., as I should...I desire marriage and sex and esteem from friends and success at work and comfort much more than you right now). And I will ask for help (to know my soul, and most of all, to know and treasure Jesus much more.)
Some encouragements via blogs and email....
John Piper writes
"I use the acrostic I. O. U. S as I come to the Bible.
I. Incline my hear to your testimonies. Psalm 119:36 (Since my
heart is inclined to sleep and to work and to lots of things other than
the Bible.)
O. Open my eyes to see wonders in your word. Psalm 119:18 (Since my heart is so often dull and blind to the wonders of the word.)
U. Unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (Since my heart is often divided and distracted in many directions)
S. Satisfy me with your steadfast love. Psalm 90:14 (Since my heart is so tempted to be satisfied in other things."
Dan Porch writes
"Two very strong messages need to rest in our hearts and minds as we walk through this week. The one is the reality that lustful living leads to unbelief … so fight it! We read from Hebrews 3 around the breakfast table this morning and heard this reminder … you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The enemy of our soul is so very crafty. We begin to long for and lust after the offerings of this world without even realizing it. And before we know it, we are walking in unbelief. And an unbelieving heart leads us away from the living God. It is a spiral downwards. And so we need to encourage one another in the second strong message given to us on Sunday morning!
O. Open my eyes to see wonders in your word. Psalm 119:18 (Since my heart is so often dull and blind to the wonders of the word.)
U. Unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (Since my heart is often divided and distracted in many directions)
S. Satisfy me with your steadfast love. Psalm 90:14 (Since my heart is so tempted to be satisfied in other things."
Dan Porch writes
"Two very strong messages need to rest in our hearts and minds as we walk through this week. The one is the reality that lustful living leads to unbelief … so fight it! We read from Hebrews 3 around the breakfast table this morning and heard this reminder … you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The enemy of our soul is so very crafty. We begin to long for and lust after the offerings of this world without even realizing it. And before we know it, we are walking in unbelief. And an unbelieving heart leads us away from the living God. It is a spiral downwards. And so we need to encourage one another in the second strong message given to us on Sunday morning!
We fight lustful living in a delightful and amazing way. We fight unbelief with worship … not drudgery or duty … but delight! We remember Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church, and we enter into it … joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
We worship the Father and are strengthened in our belief … our faith …
our confidence that the greatest treasure is not found by sharing in
what this world offers, but our greatest treasure is found by sharing in
and walking with Christ in this life and the next."
May God grant me the combination to know my soul, for the purposes of knowing and honoring Him. To worship Him and joyfully fight. Oh Lord, have mercy.
