Turn To God

"Everyone" (whoever everyone is) seems to have a favorite psalm. I've never really paid that much attention to them. The psalms haven't drawn me in as they have others. But a phrase came to mind early this morning and it caught my attention and caused me to search in the scriptures for the phrase, "Turn to God."

Psalms 80 will help me preface my thoughts. There is a verse repeated 3 times...the only difference being the title God is given in each. It reads: Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80 is my first favorite psalm. Here it is.

For the past 15 years (almost to the day), I have experienced a constant, reoccurring theme of turning to God and turning away from God. I'm learning what it means to endure; I'm learning what it means to strive.

Fortunately, one side hasn't given up.

Unfortunately, the other side hasn't given up either.

I'm tired of the battle. But I think I'm hearing something whisper to me that through the Atonement of Christ, I can turn my heart to God and rest...at least for a little. When the burden becomes too heavy, the Captain of my soul is willing to take the lead and fight a few battles while I rest. There's a story in the Old Testament that teaches this concept.

King Hezekiah had some trends to reverse in ancient Israel. The children of Israel had turned away from Jehovah during the reign of their last king. And Hezekiah was determined to restore their faith. He sent a proclamation among the people, commanding them to "turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel." He counseled them to be humble. And if they were humble, God's wrath would turn away from them.

2 Chronicles 30:9 then reads, "For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him."

A good portion of the people heeded the king's counsel. The result was "great joy in Jerusalem."

But there were always enemies nearby. Battles were constant in ancient Israel--just as they are constant in our personal, spiritual lives. Guess what happened during Israel's next battle? It's really quite fascinating...

King Hezekiah prepared his people for war. But they did not have to fight it.

Hezekiah comforted the people by saying (don't peruse this...read it slowly and deliberately): Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Then King Hezekiah, with the great prophet Isaiah, prayed. They prayed.

And an angel destroyed the opposing army.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland counseled in his last conference address to "pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you."

The Spirit directed my thoughts and my fingers as I typed. He has taught me and I want that truth recorded here in my journal/blog. What an incredible spiritual experience this has been. I believe the "distance" between heaven and earth is being reduced in our day. And I'm praying for an angel to fight my battles right now while I figure out how to turn my heart to God.