Betty: I think the Lord is teaching us something today. He is teaching us why we’re stuck. Now, take all this and chew it and put it into prayer. The image I’m getting is of the old cow chewing its cud, belching it up, chewing it again, belching it up and chewing it again. Why does the cow do that?  Because that particular cud is so resistant to melting into the position where the cow’s stomach can digest it. If it wasn’t so resistant, the old cow would not have to keep belching it up until it enters into a certain consistency where the stomach can digest it. 

You and I can get into an arrogant place, where a part of us wants to be one with God. We want to desire that which God desires for His glory. Yet, there’s a part of us that says, “No. I want to be one with you, but this particular person drives me nuts. So, I don’t have to accept her.” So, in those areas, where we have a “yes, but,” that’s where we have our resistance. And even God himself will not force us. God has a profound respect for our will. So, if we’re saying, “I want to be one with you, but no, I don’t…” The Lord will hear the “No, I don’t” until we yield it. Does that make sense? 

So, go back to to Psalm 130, “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope.”

It’s not going to be the psalmist doing the saving, just like it’s not gonna be us. Yet we’re hoping on the Lord. Always remember, “But for the grace of God, we wouldn’t be saved.” We can’t earn our salvation. If we are saved, it’s because God had mercy. So, then we have to look at it and say, “Then, that’s what God wants of us with regard to others. He wants mercy and acceptance.” “Lord, help us to hear what you’re trying to teach us today, and help us bring it into our lives, so that we get known by our mercy, not our perfection which is that arrogant part that feels it’s important. But in your sight, far greater is mercy than the absence of a blemish  The Perfectionistic wants to put the emphasis that these people you’re talking about are boring. If you’re really at onement with God, would you have thoughts like that? 

AM: No. 

Betty: Because God could say to every one of us without exception, I don’t care who we are, “You’re boring.” Just by our nature being a creature next to God, we’re a bore. Isn’t it marvelous what these people did for you? They opened you to a whole series of teachings by their problems. Now, in gratitude you really do need to pray for them. Because they became a means of grace for you. It wouldn’t be at all nice for you just to receive these graces and not give them back. 

Is there a part of you that wants to be one with God, yet you find your will resisting where God is calling you? Take time to yield and pray Psalm 130 from your heart.