Psalms 22:17-18 - Releasing Lots
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, I am not feeling well and caught a pretty nasty cold. As I barely made my way out of bed into the living room to watch church online with my husband (since I am too sick to attend in person), I was reminded of a twenty-one-day fast that starts at sundown today for multiple churches around the United States.
Funny how when we commit to things, like a fast or my 30-day blog challenge with God, sometimes it can be tough to push through when we don't feel like it. And friends, let me tell you, today is challenging for me since I am sick as a dog.
Praise God that I was able to step outside for a moment before starting my prayer practice, to praise God for healing in advance and feel the warmth of the vitamin-rich sun soak into my skin, giving me the energy to keep my commitment and receive a word from God to write about today.
This is the verse he gently placed on my heart.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
Psalms 22:17-18 - All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out in this order:
My Bones
On Display
Divide
And Cast Lots
Step 3: Re-Write
Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:
Jennifer, my bones on display, divide and cast lots.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes, I picture Jesus hanging on the cross. I realize the scripture is from the Psalmist David crying out in his anguish, but all I see is Jesus and the crucifixion
I see his face in exhaustion as he is completely emaciated and dying, with his ribs protruding out of his skin from starvation. How could someone so abused and starved continue to give and give? Yet battered, broken, and bruised, he did.
Now I shift the focus of my vision down to the soldiers casting lots or throwing rocks right below him while Jesus hangs there in agony, betting on who will get his clothes or any possessions he has once he dies. This unbridled bad behavior is beyond insensitive, it is downright disrespectful and degrading.
It amazes me that no matter what you do or achieve in this world, we will all be called home one day to a place held for us in the Kingdom of Heaven despite the disgraceful nature of this scene, as long as these soldiers proclaim Jesus is LORD.
I love the verse in John 14:2-4 where Jesus tells us - In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go and prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that were I am, there you will be also, and where I go you know, and the way you know.
Jesus knew he had to endure the journey to get home to the place already prepared for us. If we knew this without a doubt, we would not worry anymore about what our days will bring. Rather, we would operate from a perspective of the excitement of what we could bring to our King when we meet Jesus and can thank him personally for his sacrifice and perseverance.
As I continue to meditate on the sentence the Holy Spirit gave me, it is very clear he wants me to put some things on display, divide them, and cast lots to give away. I am to give everything away.
This prompts a question for the Holy Spirit.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The main question(s) that came to mind were:
Holy Spirit, what bones should I display and cast lots to give away?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Holy Spirit, what bones should I display and cast lots to give away?
"You need to expose the Spirit of Lack in your life. You lack nothing. You are rich in my Kingdom if you carry out my statutes without regard to wealth, power, or other status. Give freely to those in need. The manna will rain down from Heaven, and you will always have a place to catch the drops with your hands in the proper prayer posture. You will receive all he has in store for you to run over and onto anyone you encounter. Live out Psalms 119:36-37 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." The things of this world are the bones for sale, so give them to those who cast lots. Think of your Father and his love as he has prepared a place for you. He is not leaving this up to chance; he is not gambling with your life. He is secure and a rock for you to stand on."
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Thanks be to God for the reminder that he has already gone before me to provide a firm foundation to stand on. And that foundation is Jesus.
I will remind my two witnesses to continue to pray and remind me that God has given me more than enough to continue to allow the Holy Spirit to flow me in order to constantly be filled back up and give more than I ever expected to God, which in turn can provide for others in my life.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone!
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.
Don't forget to Spread Hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!
Conclusion:
If you are feeling any lack today or going to start a fast soon, just be obedient to whatever God is asking you to release in this life. Your Father already has everything you need waiting for you to receive in Heaven. The fact that you are here and even entertaining the thought of improving your prayer practice and getting closer to God means that you are genuinely glorifying the sacrifice Jesus made and honoring him more than you think.
Don't forget to share where the Holy Spirit took you with this scripture!
Please be kind to each other out there, and remember His statutes wherever you go!
Psalm 119:2 - "Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart."
