“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” (Psalm 97:1-2)

It may seem for a time that things are not as they really are, but this creation belongs to the Lord. He is the One who reigns and in Him all hopes are made real that are in accord with His will. He is Sovereign and although this age continues in rebellion, it shall come to pass that all things have always been in the hands of the Lord. Come into His presence and know righteousness.

Lord, there are so many questions that many ask. Their questions are based upon their own understanding and not upon the truth You have revealed. Guide me, O Lord, to look to You, for You are the Creator of all things. Lead me in the goodness of Your mercy that I would humbly walk in Your presence knowing that You alone have the words of eternal life; for there is no other way.

Lord Jesus, You have come to shine light on the truth. You are the way and truth and only in You is there life. Help me now and always to seek the way You have established that I may walk humbly in the way of salvation. May I now and always be guided by the eternal principles You have given and be lifted up by Your grace. Lead me to be faithful in all that You have given me to do. Amen.

“But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes, my ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.” (Psalm 92:10-11)

Look to the Lord before you look out at those who would do you harm. Who is the One who has all power? Who can threaten you? Can the plans of a wicked man overcome the will of the One who made all things? You have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and given the power to become a child of the Heavenly Father. Come to Him and know His peace and goodness.

Lord, I forget to turn to You in all things. I become afraid of the terrors that are around me and do not see through them that all things have always been in Your hands. Lead me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You. Guide me according to Your will to look to You in every circumstance to know that You alone are God and there is no other. Comfort me in the truth of Your presence.

Holy Spirit, constantly remind me that You are here. You have given me comfort that in spite of the circumstances of this world God can never be overcome. Help me now and always to rest in the assurance of all that has been done that I may walk humbly in the Father’s presence and do what I should do as You direct. Keep me close to You now and always that I may learn obedience. Amen.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Devotion

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.  You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth.”  (Psalm 65:9-10)

All things move and have their being in the Lord.  Apart from Him is nothing, and in and with Him is everything.  Come then into the presence of the Lord and see life, its meaning and understand the One who causes all things to be.  It is the One and only LORD who blesses all things and brings about the times and the seasons.  Know the Lord and know life.  He will water you and flow both into and out of you.

Lord, Your presence is all around and often I go about my day as if it were nothing.  Guide me in the truth of reality which is You.  Lead me to see from my depths that You alone give meaning, purpose and being.  In You is everything and apart from You is nothing.  Guide me, O Lord, according to Your purposes now and always that I would see and know that You alone are God.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come that all who come by Your grace and the Father’s mercy would know life abundantly.  Guide me through the Holy Spirit to see in You the hope and glory that You have come to share through what You have accomplished on the cross that I may live wholly in the truth You have revealed.  Lead me now and always, my Savior, into the salvation You have prepared for those who come to You.  Amen.

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.  Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted, because of the voice of the enemy, because of the pressure of the wicked; for they bring down trouble upon me and in anger they bear a grudge against me.”  (Psalm 55:1-3)

I am distracted O Lord, but You alone know the real reason, for I do not even know it myself.  In this troubled world filled with sin, You have called to me to submit to You in the grace You give that You would lead me forth into Your eternal presence.  Bring me away from the trouble of my heart that I would look solely to You for all things.

Lord, through Your Word, You call time and again for us to lay down the arms of rebellion to seek Your mercy and grace.  The pressure of the wicked is all around me, but You offer grace as the answer.  Let me not be caught up in the grudges of this age, but seek Your will and Word in all things knowing that You are Master and Lord of all.  Lead me O that I may follow.

Lord Jesus, there You are offering Your hand of grace to all who will see.  Let me take Your hand that You would guide me wherever You see that I need to go.  You are the master of my faith, so help me step back so that You may take the lead.  Lead me away from the recompense my heart desires in every time of trouble to be satisfied with the mercy and grace You give from the cross.  Amen.

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.”  (Psalm 51:12-13)

Sustain.  We ebb and flow in this world, good days and bad.  In the Lord there is the promise of being consistent.  That consistency, shines like a lamp in a world of darkness.  To have the joy of the soul restored and a willing spirit to live for the Lord is the promise of salvation for all.  Take upon yourself the salvation of the Lord and come into His holy presence and walk in His salvation.

Lord I hear these words and I like them, but then I walk in the way of sinners and their darkness is my darkness.  Lord, lift me up and sustain me now and forever that I may join in shining the light of Your glory in a dark world.  Guide me in the way of truth that I may now and forever abide in You as You abide in me knowing that only in You is their life and light, hope and a future.

Lord Jesus, Light of the world.  You have come in this world of darkness to bring the grace we need to be lifted up into the Father’s eternal presence.  You are the hope of joy in a weary world of flashing darkness.  Open my eyes to see first the glimmer, then continue to open them that they may learn to receive full light.  Bring me along Your path Jesus that I may be fully restored.  Amen.