Stirring the Golden Prayer Pot

Our Father, it’s hard not to resent the intruders called Trials along with their cohorts, Temptations. I’m still working on being happy that they’ve arrived for the purpose of digging into my heart to see if there is any hurtful way in me. But I would really like it if there was some short cut to character maturation that didn’t involve sometimes painful tests similar to when a farmer separates wheat from the husks.

When You do permit the tempter to test me with calamities, lead me out of my brokenness into the season of Your favor where my time of mourning and depression will become my time of victory and gladness. 

Yes! Loose the bands on the neck of all Your captive daughters and set us upon the Rock to assume our position as leader as it was in our former Garden glory!

Enlarge my heart as I listen to Your Word and make it my way of life. You direct Your specially chosen in everlasting covenantal truth. 

For in the time of trouble You will hide me in the secret place of Your Prayer Covering. You will set me upon a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies all around me.

I will rejoice in my double portion and all who see me will acknowledge that it is You that has blessed me when everything comes about so suddenly!

Double Dippin’

You children of Zion, rejoice exuberantly! Rejoice in the LORD your God! 

For He has given you the Teacher of acts of loving kindness and 

1 the Teacher will cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain as at the first. (Double Blessing) 

[Surely goodness and loving kindness will pursue me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever.]

2 And the floors will be full of wheat and the vats will overflow with wine and oil. (Abundance) 

[My cup is running over.]

3 And I shall restore to you the years that the locust, the canker worm, the caterpillar, and the palmer worm have eaten, (Restoration)

[He will restore my soul.] 

My great army which I sent among you. 

4 And you will eat in plenty and be satisfied, (Never a Lack) 

[The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He will cause me to lie down in green pastures: 

He will lead me beside the still waters. He will guide 

{This means more than just guide, it is also “in a path of blessing.”}]

and praise the name of the LORD your God, 

5 Who has dealt wondrously with you, (Miracles)

[You have anointed my head with oil.] and 

6 My people will never be ashamed. (Respect) 

[…righteousness for His name’s sake.]

And you will know that 

7 I AM in the midst of Israel, (Divine Presence) 

[I will dwell in the House of the LORD. {Dwelling where He dwells.}] 

and I AM the LORD your God, and no one else is, and My people will never be ashamed. 

(Joel 2:23-27; [Psalm 23])