Throughout the last several weeks, these three words keep appearing in my readings, as I listen to songs and podcasts, and take in God’s creative landscape – Captivated. Wonder. Radiant.
As the Lord captivates our heart and mind with His wonder, He will make us radiant with His joy. Psalm 34:4-5 are the theme verses for our new iMOM Getaway conference: I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (NLT)
These verses from Psalm 34, first captivated me as I faced my left pneumonectomy (lung removal) due to Cushings Syndrome several years ago.
Was I fearful? Yes.
Did I doubt God’s plan? Yes.
Did I question my faith? Yes.
However, I did what I only knew to do – pray. And, I emerged differently from my alone time with God. I came out of that time of prayer with a renewed vigor to face what was in front of me.
To be radiant with His joy we must consider three things.
- Your prayer life
Other versions read Psalm 34:5: I sought (prayed) the Lord, and he answered me.
When we meet with God, pray and seek His face, guidance will follow if we truly listen to His still small voice.
To seek God requires action on our part. In the Hebrew, “seek”, has several action verbs to consider: seek (with demand), investigate, enquire, practice, study, follow and seek with care. These are active approaches to meeting with God.
After prayer, you will always appear different than when you started. You will be radiant with His joy. Although, at times, there will be feeling of distraught, He can carry you through and shine upon you.
Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NASB)
2. Accepted freedom
Receive His deliverance. He delivers you from all your fears, if you allow Him to. God will snatch you away, deliver, rescue and save you when you look to Him. You will have renewed vitality when you accept the love Jesus has for you through His forgiveness which frees you from the shackles that may hold you back. And, He will give you a tranquility and security that a child of God can possess when facing the unknown.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:14-15 (ESV)
3. Looking to Him
Behold Him! Keep Him at the forefront of your mind. Gaze upon His beauty. When you look to Him, you will arise from your time in His presence with a radiance that others will notice. The only way you will be able to explain the glow that shines upon you, is to walk in His love, sing His song, and point others back to Him.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:10 (NLT)
O Lord, break through our day and show yourself. Captivate our hearts with your wonder working power, so we will be radiant with joy no matter what the day unfolds. Give us just enough light for our next step.
Journeying with Him,
Jessie