Day 122 Make Room

5/2/2025

 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,

 but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings 

which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts 

knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession

 for the saints according to the will of God."

Romans 8:26-27

 

In life there will always be "the day after." In America, yesterday was our National Day of Prayer, a time where we humbly approach the throne of God's mercy and grace as a nation, as a grateful people honoring our Father, Giver of life, and Creator of all earth, sky, and sea. It is a time where we repent for our sins individually and collectively as a nation, remembering: 

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
² For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

³ Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
⁵ He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
⁶ This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

Many people gather on this day at churches, at school flag poles, in homes, and more importantly at the nation's Capitol, the White House. Our President, his administration, leaders, clergy, and friends gathered in the Rose Garden to bring honor and glory for all God has done for this Nation, for this world. We must never forget the words of the psalmist, giving praise to Whom all praise is due. We must always remember it is He who has made us and not we ourselves. All praise to our King of kings and LORD of lords.

My heart has been somewhat conflicted this morning, and I am having difficulty quieting the noise within me to focus clearly. The day is crisp and breezy, and I breathe the breath of Your love, and I wait before my Father, listening, my heart open to every word He speaks. Ready to meet this day for His glory. Surrendered to His will alone.

I awakened early, and I fed on His word, and my heart was revived, yet I still could not calm the deep angst within my soul. Time passed quickly, so I tuned into our daily five minute time of prayer and reflection with Pastor Jack Hibbs. As he shared the scripture found in Romans 8:26-27 that I have printed above, he reminded us that when we cannot voice our feeling, when they are so deep within us, words we cannot utter, that we, as believers, have the incredible gift and presence of Holy Spirit dwelling within us, who lifts our prayers to Heaven in groans, words that cannot be uttered. Jesus hears and offers intercession from where He is seated in Heaven at the right hand of Father God. According to Revelation 8:4 our prayers arise as incense before Him, breathing in our prayers as a sweet smelling fragrance. Do you realize that Father God communes continuously with Jesus the Son and with Holy Spirit abiding on earth with us? It is too wonderful to imagine!

Many of the words written in the Psalms end with the word "Selah." This word means to pause and reflect on what has just been said, in reverence and deep contemplation. It was suggested that the instruments used may crescendo in praise to God. I wonder how many actually take that time to do so, reflect personally, deeply, breathing in His breath. We should never become too busy to sit and listen, making room for Him as the song by Kim Walker-Smith, "Make Room," relates. Here are a few words of the song:

"Here is where I lay it down
Every burden, every crown
This is my surrender
This is my surrender
Here is where I lay it down
Every lie and every doubt
This is my surrender

[Chorus]
And I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to
And I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to"

 

Oh that we would just take the time to sit quietly before Him, waiting expectantly, knowing He will meet us, hear our cries, our praise, our worship. The word says He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). I believe it. I know it is so. 

My prayer for today, the day after, is that the nation, the people who cover this earth, will know that it is He who has made us, it is He who has blessed this nation, it is He who has shown mercy to a nation, a world that has drifted so far from God's ways. My prayer is that all believers will kneel another day, each day, inviting God to use us for His glory, not our own.

May you give Him breathing room today. Selah.