Hold My Hand More Tightly ... (Psalm 17:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:4-5

We all have them ... those mornings when we just want to burrow under the covers and hibernate for the day. You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?

When I face those morning—knowing full well I can't just stay in bed—I often plead, "Lord Jesus, would You please hold my hand more tightly this morning?" Then I read words like verse 5 of today's scripture: "Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip."

Our Savior, our Shepherd, walks alongside us every day. Every moment. He never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5). We're never alone. Not only will the Lord "uphold [our] steps," but He will also carry us when we can't even take a step: "Care for [us]; carry [us] like a good shepherd" (MSG, Psalm 28:9).

I don't know about you, but these words bring me hope. If it weren't for the promise of the Lord's constant presence, I wouldn't want to get up each morning. If it weren't for the promise of His carrying me, I wouldn't be able to get up each morning.

You're not alone. When you can't seem to pull yourself out of bed, when you can't take a step, call out to your Lord and Savior. Cry out to Him and ask Him to hold your hand more tightly ... today and every day.

God of Mercy (Psalm 59:16-17)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 59:16-17

I’ve memorized several verses that speak to God’s being my refuge, my strength, my burden-bearer. These are my “go-to” verses when everything around me is chaos. I’ve sought these verses frequently in the last few weeks.

Psalm 46:1 reminds me that He is my refuge and help in times of trouble.

Jesus promises to help carry my burden when I’m weary in Matthew 11:28-30.

Paul writes how God’s strength comes through my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

And today’s verses again remind me that God “has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.”

He indeed is my “God of mercy.”

And I’m so very blessed that I can go to His word and seek His promises.

For strength. For refuge. For rest when I’m weary.

Amazing, Abounding Grace (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.
Was blind, but now I see.”

I love that old hymn. Perhaps, you do too.

Grace is such an amazing gift … that our God would give us what we don’t deserve … amazing.

And grace continues to abound throughout the life of a Christ-follower. When a person surrenders her life to God and accepts the gift of salvation, she will be used by Him to do “good work.”

Each follower of Christ is given at least one spiritual gift. Teaching or hospitality. Giving or mercy.

I’m blessed with the gifts of encouragement and teaching. I love seeing others grow in faith and learn more about the Lord God Almighty. It brings me such joy.

Because of the weakness of my body, however, I don’t always feel “sufficient” to do what God’s called me to do. But, praise Him, I don’t have to be sufficient … He is sufficient, and, through His abundance grace, I’m able to do those “good works.”

Amazing grace, indeed!

Continue in Faith (Acts 14:21-22)

Today’s scripture: Acts 14:21-22

This world is a very hard place … a very hard place.

We see so much pain and suffering, tragedy and catastrophe. Sometimes, it’s difficult just putting one foot in front of the other … It’s enough to shake the faith of even the strongest believer.

The early church certainly had its share of “tribulations.” The martyrdom of Stephen. The persecution initiated by Saul. Yet during the darkest moments, faith “continued.” It grew. And the church flourished.

Our faith can continue as well. It can grow. It can flourish.

Even through the pain, the suffering … the tribulations.

If your faith is shaken, lay it all at the feet of Jesus. Seek the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and “continue” your faith.

Peace and Strength (Psalm 29:11)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 29:11

Often, I feel very, very weak—emotionally, mentally, spiritually. The world seems to be closing in, and I can’t seem to dodge the boulders being tossed at me, right and left.

Often, I try to take on the world and its challenges on my own, and I feel the weight crushing me, pushing me down until I lie prostrate on the ground.

I can’t do this, I think.

And I’m right. I can’t do this—on my own, that is.

We humans are fleshly, fallen, frail creatures, and we don’t have the strength to combat what this world throws at us. We truly are incapable.

But we do have Someone who can give us all the strength we need: our heavenly Father. He promises strength to us. In fact, as the apostle Paul wrote, we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” us (Philippians 4:13). 

And along with that strength, He promises peace. He will bless us with peace.

Yes, we may be incapable, but He is more than capable. We can trust in His strength; we can trust in His peace.

When was the last time you tried to handle the world’s challenges on your own? How did it go? Maybe you’re trying to dodge those boulders right now. Ask God to give you His strength to help you through.

Great Promises! (2 Timothy 4:17-19)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 4:17-19

Three promises … Two for today. One for tomorrow.

“The Lord [stands] with me and strengthen[s] me” each and every day. To be honest, this is the promise that keeps me going. If it weren’t for the confidence I have that God is with me every day, right by my side, I don’t know how I’d make it.

If you’ve been a regular follower of these daily devotionals, you know I suffer from several chronic health issues. I feel constant pain and weariness, and my energy level is usually quite low. I desperately need the strength of my heavenly Father to get me through each day. And that’s not an exaggeration. Too many mornings I wake up, and it’s all I can do to get out of bed. And yet, each evening, I crawl back into bed, knowing I accomplished much through God-given strength.

“The Lord rescue[s] me from every evil deed.” We’ve talked a lot about battles, and I find great comfort in knowing the Lord “has my back.” No matter what the enemy throws at me, God will rescue me. He’ll protect me as I continue this earthly journey.

And the promise for tomorrow?

One day, He “will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” One day, all my weariness and pain will end. One day, I will no longer have to battle against the enemy of my soul. One day, I’ll be in the very presence of my God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

How blessed I am to know that God never leaves me nor forsakes me here on earth (Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 27:9; Heb. 13:5). And how even more blessed I am that one day I’ll shed this earthly skin and spend eternity with the Lord.

What great promises!

My Prayer for You (Ephesians 3:13-19)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 3:13-19

This is my prayer for my family and friends today.

I pray, as Paul did, that each of you might be “strengthened with power through His spirit.” We live in difficult, turbulent times. So many of those I love are struggling with health issues. They’re valiantly searching for jobs, wondering how they’ll pay next month’s bills. They’re grieving over the loss of loved ones. And so I pray for a supernatural strength that comes only from our Lord.

I pray that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Faith is the foundation of our relationships with God—Father, Son, and Spirit. It is the “handle on what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith comes from having complete trust in God, knowing He is working all things for His glory and our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

I pray that you will truly, deeply know God’s love, the love that “surpasses knowledge.” A love that is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). A love that will never forsake (Hebrews 13:5). A love that was willing to sacrifice God’s only Son for us (John 3:16).

Those of us who know God are blessed, just by being His children. And yet He gives us so much more. No matter what is happening in this world and in our lives, God is in loving control. He will strengthen us with a love that is beyond comprehension.

Amen and amen.

Mighty in You (2 Corinthians 13:1-4)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-4

“Christ … is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.”

Our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is all powerful and almighty (Genesis 17:1; Revelation 1:8). He is our stronghold (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 9:9; 62:2). And Jesus Christ, God the Son, is in each of us who has accepted the gift of salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection. He is indeed “mighty” in each of us.

And because He provides strength in us, although we are “weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward” each of us.

These are amazing, affirming, encouraging, and humbling words.

I certainly feel weak … most of the time. The many health issues with which I deal often make even getting out of bed a challenge. Yet, I still have to take care of the major priorities on my “to do” list. So I pray for extra strength … a lot. And my Lord God provides just what I need to do what needs to be done.

And so I “… sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress (Psalm 59:6).

For He is indeed power in me.

Strength in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So much has been questioned about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” Was it poor eyesight? Was it circumstances? Was it some other physical ailment? I don’t think it really matters exactly what Paul’s thorn was.

The important thing is that Paul had something that tormented him, something that he asked God to remove. Something that caused him so much pain—physical or emotional—that he implored God to take it away.

Implored means “to call upon in supplication or beseech; to call or pray for earnestly or entreat.” Paul wasn’t making a casual request. He earnestly pleaded for this thorn to be removed.

Sometimes I wonder if Paul’s “three times” really meant three “seasons.” I know I’ve gone through especially rough seasons with my health when I’ve certainly implored God to heal me. Yet other times, I just manage the pain with God’s strength. In any case, God had a different plan for Paul’s life … and for mine as well.

I’ve found my pain to be a blessing. Yes, a blessing. First, my pain—my weakness—truly is my strength because I’m so aware of God’s grace. More times than I can count, I’ve needed God’s strength just to get me out of bed. Second, God uses my pain to comfort others. Because I can sincerely relate to those who suffer from chronic health issues, I can encourage them by sharing how God has worked in and through my pain.

I would rather live in pain and be able to boast about Christ’s power in me than live pain-free because it truly in my weakness than I am strong.