One Verse: An Example of Journaling
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
My God —I remember when I said “my Dad”; he’s gone now but that was such a special relationship for me. He was mine, not in the sense that I owned him but in the sense he wanted me and willingly obligated himself to me and blessed me.
How I thank you that in a far more profound sense I can call you, who will always be with me, “my Father and my God”.
I’m so grateful that you didn’t leave me orphaned and alone in this world, and that you aren’t an absentee father, or a distant, unknowable God.
Jesus said come to me (Matthew 11:28), voicing your message that you want to be with me.
That means so much to me, because I don’t want show up only when I want you to do something for me. I want to be with you, to know you! And the fact that you aren’t too busy and want me to know you touches my heart.
With many dads, especially those not blessed with relational skills, years can go by without learning very much about who they are like inside. But you, my Father, are a revealing God! You disclose so much about yourself! So, yes, I want to learn more and more about you!
As I read what you wrote in this part of your love letter to me, I want to have this one-on-one time when I talk to you about what you wrote. This is personal with me, as it is with you.
These words I just read, “shall supply all your need” present a wonderful promise I want to consider in your presence.
I love the certainty conveyed and the security provided by that word ‘shall’. Not maybe, or if I can, or I’ll try my best. You are telling me it’s as good as done!
You reinforce that by adding the word ‘all’. Not some of my needs, or the most important needs for surviving in this world—every-single-need!
I’m aware a child couldn’t tell a father all he or she needs. Children don’t know enough about life to make such an accurate and comprehensive list.
But you, Father, unlike every other father, you know everything about everything and therefore can meet needs I didn’t even know I had.
And further, you’ll help me to know what, right now I don’t know, about a need that exists that requires my awareness and attention if I am to reorder my agenda and profit more from these times I am with you.
I do know myself well enough, Father, to know that I can be resistant, even stubborn, trusting my own thinking too much.
Why would I ever question you! Or approach you with the perception that I know more about my life than I really do! Makes no sense.
I want to take time, just now to confess and to repent of recent instances when I have done that …. (this is when you can elaborate).
Many fathers know little to nothing about the most important needs, spiritual needs, and yet here you are pledging to meet all these needs, too.
I want this! I need you to meet my spiritual needs, to teach me, to strengthen me, to grow me.
Focusing on that word ‘supply,’ gives me added hope. This word tells me that you’ll do more than contribute in one way or another; for your goal, your commitment, is to make sure that the need is met! Fully supplied!
Thank you, thank you, Father!
As I think about these words, according to his riches in glory, I am shocked! These words elevate your promise sky-high by suggesting you’ll meet my needs exactly … and in proportion to, the vastness of your resources.
Oh, my! Help me begin to visualize that! At least visualize it much better than I’ve done before so that picture flashes with neon brightness onto my mental screen. This vivid viewing, I know, will do much to eliminate erroneous thinking.
In this world there are fathers who will attempt to help, but their sources, materialistically and otherwise, are limited. So they can only do what they can do, and that may not be very much.
But here I am, coming before a Father whose resources are unlimited! … and who truly loves me! … and wants so much to bless me! —and I’ve been worried, fearful, scared? You told me not to be fearful, and I did it anyway?
I have been so foolish. Forgive me.
I also ask, while confessing this mistake—which is more than a mistake; it is really a sin—that I will never make it again. I may fall short in other ways, but never again in this way!
You told me not to lean on my own understanding, but I have hurt myself, needlessly, and grieved you, foolishly, by doing this very thing.
You’ve also told me that if I need wisdom, you’ll give it to me. But, oh, no, once again, I’ve trusted my own thoughts way too much.
What a fool I have been, trusting my little knot-hole perspective more than your panoramic view!
If I am understanding this right, Father, these words, by Christ Jesus, are saying that all this giving you’re promising me will involve your son, Jesus, in the distribution.
I know from that famous verse in Scripture that you so loved the world, that you so loved me, that you gave your son, Jesus. At such high cost to you, and to him, you gave me your very best!
That says so much about my worth in your eyes! Worth, I know, is often established by what someone is willing to pay. What you paid is so great it is immeasurable! How matchless your love! No one at no time has ever done so much for me!
How could I ever, ever feel unloved even one more day?
And having given me Jesus, will you not with him freely give me all things, just as Romans 8:32 said? This verse tells me, as Philippians 4:19 tells me, that you’re not going to withhold other things I need. Why would you? You’ve shown your heart, your willingness to bless! Yor are such a great father! My father!
I also know Jesus came—he said so himself—so I would have abundant life, life to the full!
Am I to understand, then, that Jesus, having secured these amazing benefits already, is now personally involved in distributing these to me?
That’s a wonderful thought.
I’ve been told by others that the word Christ means the anointed one and that the anointing can break the yoke (Isaiah 10:27).
As I think about this, it occurs to me that there may be more than one yoke, one bondage, in my life, that needs to be broken if I am going to receive what you are purposing to give.
This issue is so important to me that in these next moments I am going to be silent yet thoughtful before you as I try to understand, if I don’t know already, what this bondage is.
Reveal this to me, Father, in your time … in your way. I think it exists, and, if so, it needs to be identified.
But before undertaking this, please know in advance I won’t be fretful in learning more about this bondage. I will only be expectant that Jesus’ anointing will break what has been hurting me …. (be quiet and receptive before God).
How much I have enjoyed fellowshipping with you, Father, aided by this one verse from your Word!
I am blessed, truly blessed! I praise you! You are the best Father, my Father!
Be pleased with me as I seek to please you throughout this day.
