Sunday, December 11, 2011

You Are Our Hiding Place

If you live long enough, you will have those days where you wish you could just crawl back in bed and pull the covers over your head...and come out when the problem that chased you there in the first place...well, is gone. Yes, even as a Christian, (especially as a Christian, as this is not our real home!)...there will be days you will feel that way...we still live in a broken and scarred world resulting from the fall. There were times that David and Paul and many others felt overwhelmed with situations that came up in their lives. And yet, we know we have a hope to cling to...a hope that for all of us Christ-followers that enables us to pull back the covers from our head...even when the problem is still there. We know we can bow our head...to Him who is able to do all things well..and that He will do all things well. No matter what your situation: when He takes you to the Red Sea, He will deliver you; when those you trusted in toss you in a well, He will deliver you; when those that know Him not, seem like they're winning, He will deliver you. He will always deliver, although it may not be in your time or your way. His answers are from an eternal perspective; He is working out His plan for all eternity...for His greater glory and purposes.

Oh Lord, may we each learn to truly rest in Your greater glory and purposes that are being worked out in us, in everything You bring our way; may we always remember to keep our eye on the eternal view, and most of all, on You, our eternal Creator. Encourage our hearts to always trust You to see us through a day outside the covers. When we feel like pulling those covers over our head, remind us that:

You shall cover us with Your feathers, and under Your wings we shall take refuge (Psalm 91:4), for You, and you alone, are our hiding place. (Psalm 32:7; 119:114)

Friday, December 02, 2011

The One Who Holds All My Days

"Sovereign God, I praise You that You work all things for the good of those who love you. Each problem, each trial I face today fits into Your marvelous plan for my life. Forgive me when I complain about my struggles. I'm sorry that I often fail to remember that You are in control, that You hold in Your powerful hand all things in my life.
      I want to...trust You that the inconveniences and problems that I will encounter are by no means mistakes. Thank you for the assurance that You will work today's events into a life plan for my good and Your glory." (~excerpted from Diamonds in the Dust, devotional 12/2, by Joni Eareckson Tada)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28