I Remember

[Susan Adair-Shankle]

May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble. May the God of Jacob keep you safe. May he send you help from the sacred tent. May He give you aid from Zion. May He remember all of your sacrifices. May He accept your burnt offerings. May He give you what your heart longs for. May He make all of your plans succeed (Psalm 20:1-4).  Many times and seasons have passed in your life. Many hopes and dreams have come and gone. Some you have accomplished, while some have been left by the wayside in deference to another’s hopes and dreams. The enemy of your soul tried to destroy many things before you accomplished them, yet you prevailed. There were times you fought a fierce battle to overcome, persevering with tenacity to a fruitful end.  However; there are just as many battles fought in the spirit realm you are not aware of. In these battles, I simply contended with those who contended with you as a right of heritage, a right given to My children (Psalm 35:1-3). All the times you forsook your hopes and dreams for those of another, I was contending with the enemy on your behalf.  I am in the day of trouble. I take the day and turn it into blessing (Romans 8:28). After all, I am Creator, therefore; I create. My creative powers did not cease on the seventh day; they simply paused to observe, to reflect, to rest and say, “It is good.”  At this very moment, I am observing, reflecting, but not resting. I am reflecting on all your burnt offerings, all your sacrifices. Burnt sacrifices can be those times when you give up your own desires in favor of another’s, producing a heady scent I can not ignore. The pleasant aroma wafting from your sacrifice has filled My nostrils like perfume and filled My heart with overwhelming love to be poured out. Out of the midst of My remembering, I am flowing over your life today with a refreshing, building a high and lofty bridge of great strength for you to walk upon. I am defending you while lifting you on high.  You see, I remember things you have done for others, things you have long forgotten. All these have accumulated on your behalf and a time of reaping has come. Your account is full, rewards are plentiful.  Therefore, arise child of Zion, for I have remembered, and it gives Me great pleasure to grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all the plans I have placed in you to do (Psalm 20:1-9). I am Creator; nothing is impossible with Me (Luke 1:37). May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble and remember all your offerings and burnt sacrifice; I say yes.  Prayer Thank You so much heavenly Father for remembering my sacrifices. In spite of the ungratefulness of people, I have continued, and You have blessed me abundantly. I receive the pouring out of Your goodness and mercy over my life, my dreams, and all my plans. All the desires I have to serve you originated with You in the first place. My heart relaxes in the presence of Your reflective gaze, absorbing the pouring out of Your presence. You are my wellspring, my beginning, and my end. My hopes and dreams are all in You. I continue to lay down my life for others as You laid down Your life for me. I love and thank You with all my heart. Amen.  Reflect and Journal How do you feel when you think of all the times God has moved on your behalf? Are there any specific times you are aware of and what do you want to say to Him in reference to His kind attentions? In what areas would you like to reap for what you have sewn? In what areas can you improve in ways of sacrificial love? As His eyes, His gaze rest on you at this moment reflect on all He as done for you even to the laying down of His life. Journal your thoughts.