Today's
scripture: Psalm 30:4-5
We have so many reasons to praise our Lord. Grace. Mercy. Love. Forgiveness. Provision.
Protections ... and the list goes on.
So often, however, we get so caught up in our day-to-day struggles, we forget
just how blessed we are.
So, it is so very important to remember how much God loves us. I know (for
myself at least), I need to pause and meditate on all He is and all He has
done.
I remember that He is my shelter, my banner, my strong tower. He offers me
peace and comfort. He is my refuge in the storm.
He is holy and just. He desires a relationship with me—with me! He gives me strength to accomplish
what He has called me to do ... even if it's just one moment at a time.
Then I'm reminded that any storm I face is only temporary. As the psalmist
writes in today's scripture: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy
comes in the morning." This could be literal, but I also believe it is a
promise for the time when there truly will be no more death, crying, sorrow, or
pain (see Revelation 21:4).
Indeed, in this world, we will trials and tribulations. Jesus Himself promised
this. However, we who follow Him can be assured of one thing: He has already
won the war (see John 16:33).
Joy absolutely will come in the
morning!
Today's
scripture: Psalm 30:1-3
Those of us with chronic health issues sometimes read verses like Psalm 30:2,
and wonder ...
The psalmist writes, "O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed
me."
Healing is what most of us want just about more than anything else. Yet, for
many of us, healing hasn't happened. Then we read or hear of other's being
miraculously healed, and again we wonder ...
Why them? Why not me?
I'm not certain why God chooses to heal as He does. I do believe He often
miraculously heals. A tumor disappears. A damaged nerve regenerates. A grieving
family hears, "Against all odds, your son (or daughter or mother or
father) is going to be fine."
I also believe God uses gifted medical professionals to help in the healing
process.
I also believe, however, that some of us—for reasons known only to our
Lord—will experience healing only after this earthly life ends. Only in that
new heaven and new earth will we feel healthy and whole. Indeed, we can be
assured: "There shall be no more pain ..."
Yes, I'd certainly like to be healed of any one of the chronic health issues
with which I deal. I'd like to have just one moment with no pain. I'd like not
to feel this tremendous fatigue.
So, I do ask God for healing, and if not, then I pray for comfort, peace, and
strength ... Just for today.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 29:10-11
One day, we will stand before the throne of Almighty God. All people, whether
they committed their lives to Jesus, will one day kneel at His feet.
One day.
But until then, those of us who are children of the Most High God through faith
and belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can be
assured that God “will give strength to His people.”
I love promises like this. When I have no strength of my own, I’m confident
that He will give me strength. I’ve experienced this very strength the last few
weeks. It’s been an unusually hectic time with work and rehearsals and performances
for a play I was in. There were many days when I had little strength, but God
brought me through!
There’s a second promise in verse 11, though: God will “bless His people with
peace.”
I write a lot about peace. We who are God’s children can really have a peace
that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4:7). It’s true. Along with that strength
God gave me lately, He gave me peace that covered stress.
He’s a good God! Yes, one day we’ll stand before His throne, but we can enjoy
strength and peace while we linger here on earth.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 29:3-9
Our Lord God is powerful. After all, He created all there is.
At the sound of His voice, the earth formed. The stars filled the sky. The sun
was set in place.
At the sound of His voice, water flowed in its banks or beat against its
shores.
At the sound of His voice, birds flew. Animals walked.
At the sound of His voice, man breathed.
Our almighty God’s voice spoke then.
And He speaks now. He speaks in quiet whispers. He speaks through His word. He
speaks through the counsel of godly men and women.
The question is: Do we listen?
God’s voice can make mountains to stand, and it can soothe our souls.
Listen to His voice.
Today’s scripture: Psalm 29:1-2
How often do we really spend time in praise and worship, offering glory to the
Lord God Almighty?
He is Creator, Redeemer, Savior. Protector and Provider. Our strength. Our shield.
Our refuge.
He is in all, above all, around all.
He is everything. Everything.
But, how often do we just worship Him on Sundays during church. Or maybe during
a Bible study. Or maybe during our quiet time.
What do we do the other hours in the day? In the week?
He is worthy of all our worship, honor, and praise. We should wake up each
morning and praise Him. We should worship throughout the day.
We should, indeed, give Him the “glory due His name.”
All the time.
Today's scripture: Psalm 28:8-9
So many times, I have no strength of my own. Chronic illness saps my energy.
Poor sleep makes me even groggier than usual (which is pretty groggy ...).
Unknowns about the next steps of life's journey cause uncertainty.
Nope. No strength.
How blessed I am that I don't have to rely on my own strength because I serve
the all-powerful God of the universe! He is my strength. He is my "saving
refuge." I don't have to do this on my own!
I honestly don't know how those who aren't in relationship with God handle
life. Really. I don't.
Trying to rely on my own strength (which we've already determined is
nonexistent) is impossible. Having to rely on someone else? Well, first, that
puts a lot of pressure on that "someone else." Second, what happens
when he is out of strength? On whom
then can either of us rely?
No. I don't have to be strong on my own nor do I have to rely on another's
strength. I serve God, the all-powerful One. The one who gives me strength, who
walks alongside me every day ... and carries me when what little strength I
have gives out.
The Lord is my strength ... my saving refuge.
Praise Him!
Today's
scripture: Psalm 28:6-7
How often do you feel under attack? By so-called friends? By your boss? By
those unseen forces (Ephesians 6:12)?
How often do you feel weak? By illness? By stress?
You are not alone. Never. The God of the universe will cover you with His
strength. He will help you through each and every moment of difficulty. He will
walk alongside you ... and carry you when you can't take another step.
You can trust Him fully and completely. You can rejoice in His daily care. You
can praise and worship Him.
He loves you more than you can possibly imagine. He will shower you with peace
and joy, if only you seek Him.
Bless His holy name.
Today's scripture: Psalm 28:4-5
God has revealed Himself to seeking hearts and minds. Through His creation.
Through the testimony of men and women.
Yet, tragically many refuse to acknowledge Him as the one true God. They deny
His work. They scoff at His words. They choose to live just as they please.
One day, though, everyone will stand before the throne of God. Each and every
person will hear either, "Well done, good and faithful servant"
(Matthew 25:21, 23), or "I don't know you" (Luke 13:27). He will
reward those who have committed their lives to Him, and He will judge those who
refused Him.
This world is winding down, and I believe the day of Christ's return is close.
We who follow Christ need to be diligent about living for Him. We need to
surrender to Him each and every day. We need to seek His purpose and His ill.
Ever more, we need to share His truth with others. We need to look for moments
to share our stories. We need to help those who are seeking Him to find Him.
It's all that really matters.
Today's
scripture: Psalm 28:3
We hear a lot about hypocrites, both inside and outside of the church. You know
... those people who say one thing and do something else. Or they wear a godly
mask while underneath, they're harboring resentment or hatred for another.
It's hard dealing with those "who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil
is in their hearts." We can't read minds, so we can't always know
another's motive. We can only love even
our enemies.
When we come across those two-faced folks, we can still love them. We can show
them patience and mercy. We can offer grace even when they hurt us. We can be
hospitable. We can be Jesus to them.
Yes, it's not easy to interact with those who have evil intentions, but we can
trust our Maker and know that, one day, He will judge all men for their actions
on earth.
One day, those who have hurt us will stand before God's throne and give an
account of what we did for Him—and against others. God will judge fairly and
righteously. In the meantime, let's do our best to not be like those two-faced people. Instead, let's do our best to
be peacemakers.
Today's
scripture: Psalm 28:1-2
I know I've written about this before, but I love the fact that God listens to
me when I call. He hears my cries and revels in my praises.
There are times, though, when I feel His silence. He doesn't seem to be
answering ... perhaps He isn't even hearing me.
Whenever I have these thoughts, I shut them down right away (sometimes, it may
take a moment or two while I have a private pity party!). Why? It's because I have confidence that He hears my cries, just as He heard David's cry.
Every time David prayed, whether in joy or in anguish, He was certain his God
was listening. I can have that same certainty, and so can you.
Just because God seems silent doesn't mean that He is. He may be waiting
quietly for us to acknowledge His presence. He may be waiting for His timing.
He may be asking us to be patient and just trust Him.
No matter the reason, we need to always come to His throne with our cries and
praises.
He will answer ... in His time and according to His purpose.
Today's
scripture: Psalm 27:14
Waiting ... one of my least favorite things to do. I don't really like waiting
in traffic (which, praise God, I don't have to do much of these days 😊), waiting in line at the grocery store, or waiting for a doctor's
appointment. I'd much rather do than
wait.
However, quite often, God asks us to wait. Wait for answered prayer. Wait for
direction. Wait for a revelation of His will.
That's not easy for many of us ...
The thing I love most about today's verse is that through the waiting comes
growth. We become stronger in the wait. We learn to trust Him more. We learn to
stay calm in the storm. We learn to see how His plans are always better than
our own.
I've been praying for years for something near and dear to my heart. I believe
God continues to ask me to wait. As I've waited through the years, I've come to
rely more and more on God, trusting Him to work everything out according to His
plan and His purpose. And I know, because He's asked me to wait in the past, He
will answer my prayer one day.
I can wait, with confidence and courage, growing stronger in faith every day.
Today's
scripture: Psalm 27:11-13
I so often resonate with verse 13 of today's reading:
I would have lost heart,
unless I had believedThat I would see the goodness of the LordIn the land of the living.
So often, I despair of the deterioration of this world. I'm often overwhelmed
by the pain and suffering of those around me ... and sometimes by my own pain.
If it weren't for the confidence I have that my God has a purpose in all
things, that He has a plan for my life, that He is in loving control, I would
certainly "lose heart."
For every moment of despair, there is a splash of joy. A phone call from
friend. A long hug from my husband. An adoring look from my fur-baby. The song of a bird in my own backyard.
For every story of catastrophe, there is a reminder of good in many of us. A
father writes of his hopes for his children. A random act of kindness. A selfless
contribution to a cause.
God is still demonstrating His goodness throughout our world. There is still
beauty to behold, creation to admire, and people to love.
Yes, we could "lose heart," but if we serve the one true God, we can
see His "goodness in the land of the living."
Today's
scripture: Psalm 27:6-10
It's a mystery.
The Almighty God, creator of the universe, wants to reveal Himself to me. To
flawed, sinful, rebellious me ...
Just astounding.
I don't believe in living in regret. Once I recommitted myself to the Lord and
asked for His forgiveness for my willfulness and sin, He forgave me. He
cleansed me completely. So, I can't wallow in guilt.
There are still times, however, when I look back at what I was, how I
purposefully turned my back on God, believing He didn't really love me. I think
about the choices I made, the paths I chose.
It's during those times when I humbly come to God in complete gratitude for His
love and grace ... and then I marvel that I can
come to Him. I can call out to Him. I can lift my voice in praise. I can trust
in His protection and provision.
All because He loves me enough to allow me to seek His face.
The face of Almighty God.
Today's scripture: Psalm 27:4-5
On Friday, we talked about why we don't have to fear. I ended the devotional by
saying that even if man takes my life, I still don't need to fear because I'd
be in the arms of my Savior.
Today, the psalmist echoes a longing in my heart: to "dwell in the house
of the Lord ..." In context, he's writing about dwelling with Lord in
spirit while still on earth. But I imagine he's also thinking about dwelling
with the Lord for eternity.
That's what resonates with me.
I think that people who suffer from chronic health issues may imagine being
with Jesus even more than those who don't. Because I long to be pain-free (and
it doesn't seem like God's plan includes my being pain-free on earth), I so
look forward to heaven where one day there will be no more pain (Revelation 21:4).
I can hardly wait for the time when I can "behold the beauty of the Lord." I eagerly anticipate seeing
His face, being in His presence.
And, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).
Amen!
