Tuesday, May 19, 2009
That Which He Promises
The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (New American Standard Bible)
I came to Scripture this morning in need of assurances and promises. God knew that! Even when I cannot put into words what I am feeling, He knows. Even when I cannot trace the starting points of internal pain, turmoil, or sadness, He knows. He knows me so intimately that His answers are available even before I know what questions to ask.
In the quietness of these early hours, He promises me strength in the midst of my own weaknesses and failures. How desperately I need that reminder. So often my failures and mistakes stare me in the face and God wants me to know they can serve as reminders that His strength is there. Strength to get me on my feet again. Strength to resist temptation. Strength to face the conditions of my heart. Strength to come before Him with boldness and honesty. Strength to admit the truth to Him and to know it will not change His view of me or His love for me. Strength to turn my gaze off others and on to Him. Strength to rise after a fall. Strength to look at today with hope, passion, and anticipation. Strength to reject the perceptions of yesterday.
He promises to bless me with peace. His peace. The peace that Jesus said was unlike anything I would derive from this world or from people in this world. Peace in the midst of strife. Peace in the midst of uncertainty. Peace in the midst of turmoil. Peace in the midst of unmet needs, unrealized dreams, and unfulfilled desires. Peace in the midst of struggles and faltering steps.
Taking in His words this morning and embracing His promises to me help me to receive what He has pledged. His offer is always present if I would but reach out and accept what He graciously extends to me. How sad when I live as if neither His strength or His peace are upon me! When I take the mentality that I am on my own I forfeit the ability to live out of His strength and peace.
Today is a day whereby I need to bask in the light and warmth of what He is saying to me…what He is promising me. As I do, the effects will be felt. The results will be noticeable. The necessary shifts in me will begin.
Father, I choose once again to walk in the light of Your Word and Your presence. You have not left me or forsaken me. You have not thrown up Your hands in exasperation or disgust. You have not set me aside in disappointment. I take my first steps into a new day with my hand in Yours, knowing that all is well. Amen.
Your Are My Hiding Place - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zej__yFPeK0&feature=PlayList&p=C0C5F92CF1DA2486&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.