Tuesday, December 31, 2024

He is wants to interact

 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. ~ Psalms 97:11

 For years, I misunderstood the depth of God’s closeness. Though I had received Jesus into my heart, I carried the assumption that God was distant only residing in heaven, watching but not directly involved in the details of my life. I prayed, and I saw answers, but it was like corresponding with a faraway king rather than an intimate Father.

As I matured in my faith, however, my understanding shifted. I started to recognize the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit in reminders of scripture, moments of clarity, and even warnings that led me toward God’s presence. These weren’t random thoughts, but divine interactions meant to draw me closer to Him.

When I began asking God for confirmation through His Word and waited for His response, it was as if a door to intimacy opened. I realized He isn’t a passive observer; He is actively involved, sowing light into our lives, planting seeds of hope, wisdom, and joy.

Psalm 97 reminds us that God’s reign isn’t just a theological truth, it’s personal and transformational. He interacts with His creation, weaving His presence into every moment, every decision, and every circumstance. The psalm paints a vivid picture of His rule over nature and His faithfulness to His people, encouraging us to lean into His guidance and live with the confidence that He is near.

You can experience this intimacy to by following some practical steps below:

Learn to recognize His prompts. Start paying attention to the thoughts and scriptures that come to your heart throughout the day. When an idea stirs your spirit, ask God for confirmation through His Word. This practice helps discern His voice and lines your heart up with His plans.

Create space for connection with Him by setting aside intentional time daily to pray and listen. Use a journal to record your prayers and the thoughts or scriptures that come to mind during this time. This habit will help you grow in intimacy with God and recognize His active presence.

Take steps of faith based on what He has spoken to your heart. When you sense God leading you to take a specific action, whether it’s forgiving someone, reaching out to help, or making a bold decision, trust Him and move forward. Often, stepping into obedience reveals even more of His guidance.

Meditate on His Word and promises of light and guidance. Reflect on Psalm 97:11 and consider what it means for light to be sown for the righteous. Think about how God has already brought light and joy into your life, and thank Him for those moments.

What you should do next is begin to study scripture on a daily basis, if you don’t already. Spend time meditating on Psalm 97 this week. Break it into sections and journal about how each verse speaks to God’s interaction with His creation and your life.

Practice listening in prayer. Find a quiet place to pray. After sharing your heart with God, sit in silence and listen. Write down any scriptures, thoughts, or impressions you receive, and ask God for confirmation if needed.

Give thanks intentionally at the end of each day and reflect on where you saw God at work. Did you experience His light? His gladness? Even in small ways, noticing these interactions will deepen your awareness of His presence.

Then share your journey. As you grow in recognizing God’s interaction in your life, share your experiences with others. It might encourage someone else to seek the same closeness with God.

Today I want to encourage you to realize that God is actively sowing light and joy into your life and allow it to transform the way you live. It’s no longer about surviving the day-to-day but embracing the adventure of walking with Him. Let Psalm 97 remind you that He is near, He is speaking, and He is always leading you toward fullness of life. Take time today to stop, listen, and follow His loving voice in your heart.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 97

1 The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!

2 Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

3 A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about.

4 His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.

7 Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods.

8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord.

9 For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Published by L. Lyden

Lynette is an author who uses her gifts and influence to encourage and promote aspiring writers. Her Daily Dose blog has been an outlet for her to encourage readers to walk closer to God each day. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves spending time and going on special outings with her family.

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