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Isaiah 53:6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him [Jesus] the sins of us all. (NLT)
All of us have strayed. All of us have left God’s path to go our own way. All of us have sinned. All of us. Me, too. And yet, God still sent His one and only Son to bear the penalty of my sin. Even though He knew I would stray. Even though He knows I still will leave His path to try my own way, even though I know it won’t work. Even though. Even though.
Lord, forgive my arrogance at being hesitant to forgive someone who has wronged me. Forgive my pride at being offended that they should “know better.” Look what You have done for me. God, I release all the hurt, all the woundedness to You. It is so small compared to the hurt that I have caused. You have forgiven me so much. Rescue me from the pride that says that it’s hard to forgive. When I think of what You have done, it’s not so hard. And even if it is, it’s necessary. It’s for my good. And Lord, You will do it through me. You are bigger than any wound or offense. I love You so much. You have done so much for me.
Psalm 37: 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. (NLT)
Dear Father, it’s hard for me to even fathom that You, the Creator of everything, delight in every detail of my life. Amazing! Because You delight in every detail, I can trust You to direct my steps. Sometimes I will stumble; but I will never fall so hard that I can’t get up. You, Father, hold me by my hand. I am awestuck at Your love and care for me.
Psalm 62:5-7 “I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge; a rock where no enemy can reach me.”
Will I wait quietly, and trust in God alone? Or will I run in a frenzy, and try to “fix” things?
Will I trust God with my “honor,” my reputation? Will I leave that with Him, and commit to walk in integrity?
Oh, God, You alone are my refuge. Help me not to try to find refuge in what I can do, or what I can say, or even in who I can get to “like me.” I can trust You. I can run to You. You will take care of me. No one can snatch me out of Your hand. I am completely safe with You. What a Savior You are!
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Even though I’ve earned death, God gives me life because Jesus suffered the penalty of the wrath of a just God on all my sins.
What a merciful God! What a generous Savior! Lord, how could I not give You my life, when You have given so much to me?!
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Not blessed is the man who has trials — blessed or looked upon with favor am I when I persevere under trial. When I just keep faithfully going even when the going is tough, even when there is no end in sight to the desert.
Look what is at the end. Standing the test — I will see that God was faithful; He brought me through; He didn’t forsake me. Lord, I love you — not because of the gifts you give me, but because You are there. You don’t leave when it gets tough. You don’t put me in trials just to see me suffer. You show me that I can trust You; You will be there. I can keep going because I”m not alone. And You will be there at the end, with open arms, saying, “come to me, my beloved child. Enter into my rest.”
