Anecdote, Read further for Devotional thoughts:

I was spending the end of my weekend at convention at Greater Grace World outreach, and was just hit with a wave of fatigue,apathy, frustration, and anxiety. It was out the blue and completely ruining my day.  Even with the amazing 13 session/sermon conference delivered by amazing missionaries and surrendered lives, I was attacked and torn down. I felt so defeated the whole day and felt like I couldn’t receive a word from any sermon that day.  It was just a physical manifestation of Romans 7, with my body and spirit at war within. I don’t mean to drone on about it, but it is necessary to mention with this next development.  I READ MY BIBLE.  simple right? I was being preached to, being edified by others, and immersed in an atmosphere of all sorts of spirit filled believers and none of it mattered.  I needed to walk on my own, had to get into the love letter addressed to me, the instructions in time of trouble, my book of life, my Bible.  Amidst it all I needed a personal connect with my Savior, a word received through reading.  I started in psalms 40 and kept reading until I received something, even if it was just a verse. I needed life. I read up to 44, then went to Philippians, then Romans 8, then back to psalms. it was then that I found the word, the chapter written for the appointed time.  Psalms 46!

46:1  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Psa 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Psa 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Psa 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

What a treasure and what a wonder of writing and truth! The Lord is my refuge and strength, I was healed, I was rejuvenated, I was free from my burdens. How many days have you went without a word from God? With such an amazing week of sermons and constant immersion, my appetite for truth was voracious. I physically felt defeated without truth, but even more than just truth I needed a personal word with personal effort to seek. God’s word states seek and you will find, ask you may receive, knock and the door will be opened.

Devotional:

I find a truth, a desperate need all of us commonly overlook. It is that we need a personal touch, response, healing and initiation from God.  We are constantly called to be hearers of God’s spoken word. (Rev 2:7,11,17,29 3:6,13,22 James 3:22-23 [speaking of going beyond just hearing] and Proverbs 25:12)  Pause a moment to look at Proverbs 25:12. . .  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.  An obedient ear, how I long to have an obedient ear to hear truth and receive it!  Wisdom is needful every waking day, truth is required to combat the deceit of the day, a word in season is sweeter than a spring day. How many times do I find myself wandering into the dessert without the cloud of God, without the anointing over my head, and without the truth invested into my very bones.  I desire to have truth indwelling in me, fueling me, and driving me to the call no one will chase.  I want to claim Jer 20:9 in my despair, in my rebellion, in my desolation. to be in a place, even in my denial of God’s truth that I can’t escape truth as it is burning in my bones forever sealed.  Not only to hear but to step, not only to step but in faith to leap. Lord it is your word that I will keep.  How I need to hear His words everyday, it is off-putting to know that I willingly create seasons of drought in my soul.  Read today the love letter, the wisdom, the mystery, the everlasting story of God redeeming you!  The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want he leadeth me beside still waters, but in my deafness of sin the lion enslaves me in endless slaughter.  He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…Hear the voice of God today seek Him personally and He will find you.