Claiming a Victory

Tonight I am claiming a promise from God. I have been unable to claim promises from the Word for some time, because in the past I have over-used that ability and I "claimed" things that God did not promise, only what I IMAGINED God was saying. That led to a whole mess of trouble in my spiritual life, one of the results being I have found myself to find anything to "claim" because I've been so afraid that it would prove to be false, and I would be "let down by God". But I have felt a deep, pulling guidance from the Lord the past few days, a special call from Him, calling me deeper into the vast depths of His person, into the very heart of Christ. Tonight I broke down - weeping, hurting, longing - in answer to His call. I cried out to God for help. And He answered me from His holy temple. This is what He gave me, and that which I claim:

"Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promised them...Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say 'it is a waste without man or beast,' in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate...there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! For I will restore the fortunes of the last as at first, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 32:42, 33:10-11)

My relationship with God once was deep, intimate, overwhelming. I have looked back jealously on my own past, before trial set in, and longed for that time back. But I have not been able to get there, whether by the Enemy's schemes or my own resistance. Either way, it's elluded me. As I wept tonight because I felt the Lord calling me back, but I felt like I didn't know how to get there, I read this passage. And He says "I will restore the fortunes of the Land as at first." Jesus is going to restore me. He's going to restore me back to that lifting fellowship with Him. HE'S going to do it. He's promised to restore me. The voice of mirth will resound in this land - in ME! - this land that has been desolate for so long. The voice fo the bridegroom will trumpet loudly through my heart, and the fellowship of sweet tears will be mine again. I long for it. I thirst for it. I feel my resistance breaking, even as I claim this promise. I feel it's a step away from the bondage of my own sins.

Thus says the Lord. And there is power in the name of the Lord. I love you, Jesus.