The Wine of Astonishment

A few years ago I was having some sharp pains in my lower back. I have been blessed that rarely in my life have I suffered back pain, and this time was no different. I knew the pain wasn't in my back, but probably in one of the organs in my body. I went and saw my doctor, who referred me to another doctor, it was thought I might have a kidney stone and so a test was arranged.
As part of that process I was given two tubs of castor oil to drink the night before, in order to purge my system. The doctor may have used the term, "evacuate." All I can say is that when the purging began, everyone wanted to evacuate my house!
The next day I was injected with a dye, and the test came back negative. I never experienced that pain again, I think the purging, purged the cause of it. Which brings us to this text in Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. (KJV) The lesson is simple, when something inside you is wrong, God may give you castor oil to drink, to get rid of it. Take it from me, you don't want to be drinking any castor oil. Keep the garbage out, and keep your fire burning.

Dig Deep

     Digging Deep is what you have to do when people or circumstances have ripped you open, when all the surface strength you had has been evaporated by life's noon day sun. The most difficult and the most blessed day of your life will be when you reach for your energy reserves and realize that you are tapped out. Difficult because in that moment of time you have to face the awful truth, that you can't handle everything that life can throw at you.
     Blessed, because it will force you to look for other sources of strength. One of the Psalms I have prayed often in my life, is the opening verses of Psalm 61: Ps 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Ps 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.
     Where does life find you today? If you are in over you head, why don't you reach up, to the reaching down hand. From the words of an old song:

Reach out and touch the Lord
As He goes by
You will find He's not too busy
to hear your heart's cry.
He's passing by this moment
Your needs He will supply
Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.

Head to higher ground and keep your fire burning.