“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.”  (Psalm 66:8-9)

Have you ever thought of the purpose of all the difficulties you have experienced in life?  Not  tests, nor punishments, but they do serve a purpose in helping shape who you are.  All things work together for good and the Lord is purposeful with life.  Look to the Lord who is much smarter than we often even begin to think He is and know that the author of life looks out for you.

Lord, guide me to see a little more clearly that You are not some infantile imagining but the Sovereign of all things.  Help me know that nothing happens that You are not aware of and that You care for Your creation more than we can begin to imagine.  Help me now and always to simply look to You, and give thanks for Your goodness and guidance in all things.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You allowed some of the worst things that could happen to anyone to happen to You.  Through them You accomplished what You desired for us all.  Through Your salvation, guide me to see more clearly the truth of the ages, knowing that of course all things are in Your hands and You have it all under control.  Lead me to be thankful for all that You do.  Amen.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.  Deliver me from those who do iniquity and save me from men of bloodshed.”  (Psalm 59:1-2)

Sometimes this world is troublesome.  There are difficulties each day.  But the Lord, who knows all things, has us in His hands.  He knows the plans He has for us.  Yes, we have our difficulties, but to Him we should turn in every time of trouble.  It may seem dark at times, but He is mighty to save and will watch over us all.  The Deliverer has come and in Him all who trust will be rescued.

Lord, I hear these words, but in times of trouble I am often overwhelmed in the moment.  Teach my heart to trust.  Teach me to learn from You that I may walk through every moment in trust and confidence in the faith You have given me.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may be led by Your mighty hand to become what you have in mind.  Lead me through every valley of the shadow of death.

Lord Jesus, You know adversity and the plotting of evil doers.  Guide me in the way I need to go each day.  Teach me to lean on You through Your Word and by prayer that I may forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed for the ages.  Lead me, my Savior, today that I may walk humbly with You and know the goodness You have in store for those who walk by faith.  Amen.

Thursday, November 23, 2017 Devotion

“Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods?  Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?  No, in heart you work unrighteousness; on earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.”  (Psalm 58:1-2)

All of the things we imagine are in our heads.  They are our creations.  They have no life other than what we give them in our minds.  But the Lord is forever.  What can we do that will outshine the Lord?  What can we create but things that are manipulations of what the Lord has already created?  Look to the Lord, the Maker of all things and see that He alone is God.

Lord, we think ourselves clever and manipulate Your creation.  You know all things and have put everything into its order.  Guide the meditation of my heart to see in You the hope of eternity and the marvel of all ages.  Guide my lips to speak Your praise knowing that You alone are worthy of all honor and praise.  By Your guidance, take my heart from where it is to where it needs to be.

Lord Jesus, You know the difficulties of this world.  You also know the marvels of the creation.  You have come to lead the way for as many as would follow You into truth.  Lead me this day to walk humbly with You through all that is around me.  Lead my heart so that it looks to You for all things.  Guide me, my Savior, in the way of Your salvation that I would become like You.  Amen.