Who is the man that fears the Lord? —Psalm 25:12

Are you obsessed by something? You will probably say, “No, by nothing,” but all of us are obsessed by something— usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be obsessed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way, we are to “live and move and have our being” in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.

If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives— not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.

“He himself shall dwell in prosperity…” (Psalm 25:13). God will cause us to “dwell in prosperity,” keeping us at ease, even in the midst of tribulation, misunderstanding, and slander, if our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). We rob ourselves of the miraculous, revealed truth of this abiding companionship with God. “God is our refuge…” (Psalm 46:1). Nothing can break through His shelter of protection.

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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord.
Thank you that you can cause us to live in prosperity (Psalm 25:13) … in all circumstances. Seemingly good ones or bad ones. Like those in the war zones of Syria and Iraq, being martyred and persecuted. Staying in a prosperity mindset in the face of those circumstances is certainly different than most of our “challenges” that we face in our everyday lives. But the source of the power to live in victory and prosperity is the same…. connection with you and living “Hidden with Christ in God” How to do that more consistently is our question today. We’ve learned that starting the day with connection is part of the answer. And reserving some time for what we’re calling a visit to the “holy of holies” is another part. But there must be more…

It is good that you are seeking more. It is a lifetime quest and you will never be totally satisfied. You will be satisfied as a young child rests with his mother after eating. But he is soon hungry again. That is how you are to live, hungering for more of me and what I have for you. And you will never exhaust my storehouse.

How do I keep from stumbling back into self will, self promotion and self preservation … those all come so naturally?

I have provided the answer and demonstrated how to use it. It’s called the Cross. It’s an instrument of death. I used it myself. Remember I said, “nevertheless, your will, not mine, be done.” You can live that way too. Connect with me and discern my heart … and then bring to the cross everything that would hinder you walking in what I am showing you. This might be even harder for you super blessed Americans than for your brothers and sisters in difficult places, because you have so many options. You are overwhelmed with blessings to the extent that you forget to count them.

When you walk with me in the secret place there is peace and no stress and you don’t have to push. The only pushing you have to do is pushing back all the things that distract you away from me and hearing my voice.

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