Clinging to God

We tend to cling to God more during trials than when things are running smoothly. God uses the negative aspects of life to strengthen our soul, to increase our spiritual vision and to give us His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

As we take the focus of life off our self and place it on Christ in us, we are much less earthly minded and much more spiritually minded. God's influence increases in us as we decrease and get out of His way (John 3:30).

God replaces the negative character traits of our personality with the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We are no longer self-reliant, but we depend on the Holy Spirit to direct our steps.

We learn to depend on God instead of our human understanding and reasoning. People will fail us, but God never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He never changes and He is always reliable (Hebrews 13:8).

Pursuing peace, which the world gives, is elusive and fleeting. Only peace found in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ is deep and dependable (John 14:27).

There is no requirement in order to form this personal relationship. We simply sit at His feet (Luke 10:42). We abide, motionless and clearing our mind and heart of clutter.

We give Him praise and glory for all He does for us each day. We pour out our gratitude to Him for His benevolence, grace and love.

Prayer:

Father God, let us follow the example of the psalmist and sing of Your excellent love and impartiality (Psalm 89:1), Your power (Psalm 59:16) and Your goodness (Psalm 100:5). As we give You a more intimate place in our heart and life, we gain more intimacy with You.

Remind us to have fun as Your child and to enjoy spending time with You. Our soul thirsts for You, our Living God (Psalm 42:2). Our flesh cries out for You and we attentively seek You (Psalm 63:1). You are so real to us that we can almost taste and see that You are good (Psalm 34:8). We love you with our whole heart.

Thought for the Day:

We can chat with God throughout our day even about the mundane issues we are facing or the most boring of chores or responsibilities; we ask His advice about hurdles we encounter, the best way to perform a task and for wisdom about issues with our personal relationships.

Strength for the Weary

There is no need to fear life, because God protects His faithful children. He strengthens us when we get discouraged and helps us when we are stressed. He lifts us up when we are weary, holding our hand and reminding us not to be afraid, because He will help us (Isaiah 41:10,13). We trust God, because He fashioned, created and established the heavens and the earth. There is no one like Him. He inhabits the earth and calls us all to come to Him (Isaiah 45:18; Revelation 22:17).

Those who are rich, strong, wise, and attractive cannot really boast about who they are or what they have done, because it is the Lord who decides who will rise and fall (Psalm 75:7). We can boast, however, in the fact that we know God, who is the Lord of heaven and earth. We exercise compassion, impartiality and holiness on the earth, because these are the attributes in which the Lord truly delights (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

When we rely on our human attributes, young and old alike grow tired in this world of sin and sorrow. However, as we wait on the Lord’s love and His Spirit’s direction, He renews our strength and allows us to rise up with wings like eagles. Then we can face the trials and temptations of life with renewed energy, because God gives potency to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Every word God spoke will come to pass. Upon His return, every knee, whether they are in heaven, on the earth or under the earth, will bow to King Jesus (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:9-11). God wants His best for us in this life and in the next. He teaches us how to profit both materially and spiritually. He leads us each moment of the day, so that we only follow His way in which we should go (Isaiah 48:17). Do yourself a favor and trust your life to His care.

Prayer:

Father God, you are so awesome, ruling and providing from Your sanctuary. You give power and strength to Your Saints (Psalm 68:35). You loved us enough to die for our sins, and by Your grace you encourage us with Your hope. You strengthen us in our every word and deed, as You work in and through us (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I thank You for considering us trustworthy and appointing us to Your service (1 Timothy 1:12). As we hope in You, You renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31).

Thought for the day:

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. - Ephesians 6:10