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For Such a Time as This
By Jill Novak
One day when I was reading my Bible, the Lord led me to find the Hebrew word Revach, which means “to breath freely, to revive, to have ample room, to be extended, to be refreshed.” It also means “deliverance and liberation from distress.” Over the last eight years the Lord has shown me that this word speaks figuratively of the pages of our journals. We are refreshed and renewed as we slow down to record our life stories. We are revived as we remember the hand of the Lord in our lives. There is ample room to express what’s on our hearts to Him. Our journal pages become a testimony of deliverance and answered prayers. We have liberation from distress as we see how God faithfully uses our trials, past and present, to conform us to the image of Christ.
Often, we’re too busy trying
to cope with everyday struggles and minor irritations to see the connections
that God makes with us—the answers to our prayers. A spiritual journal is a
practical way of recording the good part of life; sitting at the feet of
Jesus and listening to His still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:7 (NASB) says:
“And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him
[Elijah], and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for
you…’ Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And
behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the
mountains and broke the rock in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not
in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the
fire; and after the fire, a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard
it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the
entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you
doing here, Elijah?’”
Do you ever wonder what you’re doing here? I know I do!
Sometimes the journey is too great. There are times of intense struggle when
we feel our hearts will break in two, and we have no strength to take
another step. It’s at times like these that nothing but the voice of God
will do. A prayer journal is a place to hear God’s voice as you record your
spiritual journey. Journaling gives you hindsight and vision, showing you
where you have been, what you are doing here, and where you are going. A
daily record of the Bible verses that you study, your struggles, your
prayers, and the answers to your prayers will all be a legacy to your
children of your relationship with the living God.
Father,
You are the
Living Word. Help us to draw near to you in the pages of our journals and
lead us to Revach.
This morning I made the last entry in the journal that I've
been keeping for over a year. It was a bitter sweet feeling to close those
pages, but I eagerly anticipate starting another journal. What dialog
will fill the new pages?
The tears flowed
freely this morning as I fought to quiet my heart, as I sought a connection
with my Father. Finally, the words came rushing from His heart to mine, and
from my heart to His. I am thankful for His faithfulness. He never turns a
deaf ear.
Upon the White - By Jill Novak
I thank you Lord for this new day
To write upon the white,
Words committed to the lines
Broken and contrite.
In the morning when all is still
My prayer shall rise to Thee,
Praises from a longing heart
Thy hidden face to see.
In the morning when all is still
My words shall then take flight,
Into Your presence – upward, rise
Expectant, giving sight.
I thank you Lord for words of life
To write upon the white,
Words committed to the lines
Broken and contrite.
Copyright 2005 By Jill Novak
Al rights reserved
Read more about leaving a
spiritual legacy for your children in
The Gift of Family Writing
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
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"I
remember how the meaning of the word Revach touched my heart after the birth and
death of our fourth child, Nicholas. A friend had given me a journal and
encouraged me to write about the loss of our son. Although I didn’t pick
that journal up right away, I eventually filled the pages with words about
