As I sat down to write, I looked at my notes and saw “hot spring soak”…when an idea for a devotional comes to me, I often jot down a quick note in my phone so I will remember…it’s funny, though because I don’t fully remember what my thought process was with this note…but as I type, I can feel the Holy Spirit surging through my fingers and I see this…
Now is a time to take a soak…to soak in the hot spring of truth. Time to allow Holy Spirit to relax your weary muscles and remind you Who He is and what His plans are.
Imagine yourself out for a walk in the woods. It’s a beautiful day and the sun is shining down on you. Birds chirp on distant branches and a scurrying in the leaves causes you to observe a squirrel darting back and forth. There is a calm in these woods…it makes you think of the Garden of Eden. What a wonderful place that must have been. I wish I could have seen it, you are thinking…when suddenly you find a natural hot spring. After taking in this beautiful site, you decide to go for a soak. Nobody is around, just you and God. As you ease each foot into the pool, you can feel the comfort of the hot water. You eagerly relax the rest of your body into this wonderful warmth. Leaning your back against the surrounding rocks, you exhale a deep breath and begin to feel the weight of the world melt away.
While sitting in this relaxing water, you feel the waters stir and suddenly you are aware that Holy Spirit is there. You close your eyes as you begin to soak in His Presence. Realizing your mind is a stir, you simply let it all out. Speak your mind to Him, He’s listening.
After you’ve released all of the pent-up thoughts of your heart, you long to hear Him speak. You ask, “Will You speak to me?” This invitation is quickly welcomed, He was already waiting to be heard. In fact, He’d led you straight to this rare place of rest and restoration. He prepares places of refuge for all of us along the way.
He speaks.
He speaks instruction. He speaks comfort. He speaks of the future.
His words bring direction, comfort, and encouragement…they bring hope.
This is a welcome respite, as the world has been heavy…and sometimes the future seems bleak. Yet, you hold the hope of the world in your heart…and you know it. The One Who laid the foundations of the earth and the boundaries of the sea, is the One caring for you now. How can you fear? How can hope be a fleeting thought?
In His Presence hope abounds.
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21
But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie- just as it has taught you, abide in Him. 1 John 2:27
365 Days in the Presence 