Tethered to Christ by Jamie Daggett
Oh hey, short on time? No worries! I'd love to join you on your commute or daily walk/run, or shoot, even while you take care of that to-do list. We can't let these things get in the way of this friendship. It's just starting to get good! Click below to listen to the blogcast.
Ever feel like you're swimming, maybe more like drowning, in the rapids?
The current is strong and you're trying to keep your head above water?
I'm excited to re-introduce you to my friend, Jamie Daggett. She's a longtime friend of our's here at The Good Day. If you've been with us for awhile, you'll remember when she helped us drown out the what-if's with faith.
For those who do not know Jamie, let me tell you a little bit about her. She currently lives in Waco, TX, where she serves as a speaker, author, wife, mom, and founder and director of United Women's Bible Study.
Jamie is currently attending Pillary Seminary in order to obtain her Master of Divinity. Her mission is to create a united environment where God's Word is obtainable and accessible for all women.
Today, Jamie is using Psalm 71 to teach us how we can endure these strong currents and rapid-paced, overwhelming circumstances. Turns out, it's a lot like tubing down the river... we need a cord.
Summer time in the Daggett household means finding creative ways to beat the central Texas heat. One of our favorite family pastimes is to get up early and head to the river for a day of floating. The cool water in addition to the peaceful flow of the river seem to be the perfect formula for a day full of fun and relaxation for the whole family.
The location we float most often is a spring-fed river which flows for about two and a half miles through the town of New Braunfels, TX. For the most part, this river flows peacefully and consistently along the path laid out for it. Occasionally, though, along the route, there are a few, very small rapids or whirlpools.
These spots in the river are never anything dangerous, however, even for the strongest swimmer, these spots can be difficult to avoid and can quickly suck you in.
That is, unless you are tethered to someone who is familiar with the river’s path.
Thus, in order to avoid being scattered across the width of river or losing one another along the route, we all use cords that attach each of our floats to another’s and we adventure serenely down the river as one long chain of rubber floats.
Tethered to Christ
In Psalm 71 we are blessed to see the flow of David’s life.
David, an old man now, is asking God once again for deliverance from his enemies. David’s plea isn’t one of begging and pleading with God or a prayer questioning whether or not God would actually come through. Instead, David draws on his experience with God throughout his life. He recalls all the times in which God had proven himself faithful and had been his rock and refuge.
David took what he knew about God’s character and ability and projected that forward into a heart of praise and worship, being confident that God would once again be his deliverer.
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. - Psalm 71:5-8 NLT
The Hebrew word that David uses in verse 5 for hope is ‘tiqvah’. In addition to meaning something longed for or expected, tiqvah also means a cord or attachment.
Although David experienced many ups and downs throughout his life, his constant was God. David had firmly attached his life, his desires, and his expectations to God.
Thus, by doing so, even when the current of life became rough or felt out of control, David could trust his path knowing that he was tethered to The One who could get him through the rapids.
Now, It's Your Turn!
Before opening God's Word, take a moment to pray and ask God to meet you there. Then...
Read Psalm 71 a couple times. Highlight what stands out to you.
Circle verbs or specific wording you notice.
Then, write down a bullet point takeaway based on this. "I-statements" help make this personal. Think of this as a challenge statement.
By placing my hope in God - tethering my life, desires, and expectations to Him - I can live confidently even when the flow of life seems rough or out of control.
Then, jot down a question or two to think about today. You don't have to have the answer to this question now. And yield to the Holy Spirit - prayerfully ask God to search your heart and lead you to more truth and grow your faith through the Holy Spirit.
To whom or what am I tethered to? When the storms of life arise where do I turn first - to God, to a friend, to my spouse, to a bad habit?
Again, we don't have to be Bible scholars and talk only in the thou's and art's of King James version to read this book ...because when we pray before we read, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding and teaching us.
Praise God for this!
And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.
Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
I love hearing from you, so go ahead. Leave a comment. Be brave. Maybe your comment will speak life into someone else!
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