— I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 NKJV
(My child, do you trust Me?)
Yes Sir, I do trust You.
(My child, I want you to give up your “sugar-free” popsicles for a time. You could say that you will “fast” from these.)
Oh Lord, not these? Why would You want me to give up my popsicles? I don’t understand!
(My child, how many did you eat last night after supper?)
Uh, I think, maybe four.
(Okay, how many did you eat during the day?)
Uh . . . Maybe two, maybe three? I’m not sure, who counts?
(I count. My child, don’t you know that every detail of your life concerns Me? I even count the hairs on your head! I say that it is excessive to eat seven popsicles in one day! You, My child, have become dependent on this “pleasure” to get you through the day. Now the first reason to give these popsicles up is that I don’t want you dependent on them just to make it through your day. I want you dependent on Me instead. The second reason is that I want to increase your strength. What if, for some reason you were unable to get those popsicles? I do not want you to fall apart because you are reliant on these “pleasures” just to get thorough the day.
I want to increase your strength! I want you to stand in total victory without depending on anything to get you through, except for Me. I want you to know that I am your closest ally, your best friend! Any outside substance that you depend on interferes with your ability to increase in strength. I want you to rise up with the eagles and be able to run, not walk in defeat!)
— He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV
Lord, how long will I have to give up my popsicles?
(Give these popsicles up until your desire for them is broken.)
Well Lord, I do want to follow You! I do want the fullness of Your Presence! I do want You to lead me! Okay Lord, I will lay these popsicles down because I don’t want anything to interfere with our relationship. Also, in this victory walk I don’t want anything to get the credit for this victory, except You My Lord.
I am asking for Your help though, for I am weak but I do want to be strong in You. Thank you Lord for taking the time to talk to me about this minor detail.
(No, My child, it is not a minor detail! Anything, any outside source that you are dependent on just to make it through your day is a “big” detail! I don’t want you dependent on any outside substance! Instead, I want you dependent on Me!)
Okay Lord, help me to resist this temptation. But what do I get for those times that I need a little something?
(Water, My child. You are eating these popsicles because you are thirsty and they are sweet. You have become addicted to their sweet taste. The water will cleanse your body and I will be your “sweet taste”!)
Yes Sir!
(My child, I am making you into My strong soldier! I will increase your strength during this time! I am teaching you about strength ! Lean on Me, My child. Popsicles will not make you strong, but I will!)
Yes Sir!
(My child, know that I love you and this is for your good. I will increase your strength.)
Yes Sir. Thank you Sir, for I know that You do indeed know what is best for me and I will obey Your directions. I will submit myself to Your orders.
(My child, this is just the beginning of your journey with me. There is more to come, more pleasures, and more hardships, but you will be strong in My Presence. Therefore, it will be good for I work all things out for the good of those that love Me.)
— And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
Yes Sir. Thank you for choosing me. It humbles me that you would take the time to talk to me about a minuet thing like “sugar-free popsicles” with all that is going on in the world now. I know You are pretty busy and it amazes me that You would take the time to talk to me about these popsicles. Lord, I do submit myself to thee, do with me as You wish.
— You will keep him is perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV