Help Us Remember

My daughter and I read and reread the devotions from my book, 100 Days to Freedom: Release From the Self-Condemnation of Overweight. We reached day 99 today, and these hopeful words seemed spot on for our current world situation: "When easier days arrive, Lord, let us not forget you!"   

May we seek the Lord just as much when easier times come as we are now, when we are all feeling so challenged.

"Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away" Isaiah 51:11.

Prayer for Trust

Fear affects us all differently, and tempers are shorter now with the stress of the pandemic weighing on us all. Last night I prayed the following prayer, which seems a little harsh I suppose, in its use of the word "obstinance," but understand that by my use of that harsh word I mean human sin, human error, and our human tendency to cling our own status quos long past the time it is wise to do so:

Dear Lord, please cover us and keep us safe. Protect us from heartache due to the obstinance of others. Help us to trust You and to be kind; I see that I can't be kind unless I trust You. And yes, protect others from MY obstinance, fearfulness, and unhelpful advice. Have mercy on us Lord, and heal our land. In Jesus’ Name I pray.

Unprecedented Times

In the midst of precautions and fears against COVID-19 and reports of terrible suffering of those who are in places where medical supplies are in shortage, my husband and I have been able to shelter in place.  Daily we offer prayers for family members who must continue to be out and about.

I have felt strongly that the Lord's instruction to us is to stay under His canopy of protection.  This will mean something different for each individual; for us oldsters it means we need to stay out of the way, stay sheltered in place, and don't burden an already stressed medical system further because we couldn't do without creamer for our coffee or some such thing, so that we go out unnecessarily. There are good lessons to be learned during this time for people like me, who have never known rationing or want.

For others, like my son, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, this means being much in prayer as they go out into the world to do jobs that must be done.  "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go..."  (Joshua 1:9).

All of us need to be aware that the Lord is with us in this unprecedented time, and that He is drawing our attention to Himself through it.  In my daily Bible reading plan I just happened to come to Numbers 16 this morning, and read these words:  "The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered incense and made atonement for them.  He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. But 14,700 people died from the plague..." (Numbers 16:47).

I consulted Matthew Henry's concise commentary on these verses:

"There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He enters the defiled and dying camp. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of Aaron: shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled the Saviour’s heart, when he placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life? Greatly indeed hath God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8" (Matthew Henry Concise, on Numbers 16).  

Each of us needs to turn to the Lord during this time, with hearts open to His correction and love, looking to Jesus, claiming the precious Blood,  pleading with Him to intercede for us, confessing as is needed, and praying earnestly for those who are suffering.  Lord let this time draw us closer to You.  We look to You.  Please shorten the duration of this pandemic, and turn our hearts to You.

He Is With Us

A Blessing for God's People

From Numbers, chapter 6, here is the blessing the priests were to pronounce over the Israelites.  We are God's people, and through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Father God, this blessing holds for us. 

Keep Trying

The photo above shows my grandson, Logan, age 7.  Logan is a determined little guy.  On the day this photo was taken, he had decided to leap the ten foot span between two big bales of hay. 

He didn't make it.  He tried several times, and utilized different methods, but crashed just short of his goal each time.  Winded, he circled the bale pile and then said, "I've figured out I can't do it with these mud boots on.  I can't get traction.  I'll come back when I have my sneakers." 

I admire Logan.  He kept trying, ascertained he wasn't going to make it on this particular day, and developed a plan for renewed efforts another time.  I have no doubt that he will achieve his goal; that's the kind of guy he is. 

No matter where we find ourselves in a caregiving journey, discouragement is a pitfall, and there were certainly times during my 16 year long assignment of caring for my Alzheimer's mom that I wanted to quit trying.  The struggles haven't stopped for me even though Mom has gone home to Jesus; depression threatens and motivation to take tentative steps in a new direction is lacking, but I am trying.  Every morning I pray, "Just show me the next thing to do, Lord."  And He does.  Sometimes I don't want to do what He asks, and sometimes I'd rather not try, and fail, and have to try again. 

Praise God that His mercies are new every morning. Maybe I just need a new pair of sneakers! 

Lord please renew and strengthen us as we move forward on the path You've provided.  Grant us the will and courage to keep on trying! 

~~~

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared...

Ephesians 6:15 NLT

God With Us

A few months ago I researched the Scripture passages that inspired the lyrics to the wonderful hymn How Firm a Foundation (Words: John Rippon, 1787; Music: Joseph funk, 1832; hymn information from The Cyberhymnal, hymntime.com).  Here are those verses and Scriptures again, for encouragement in every season of life:  

Scripture references for the hymn How Firm a Foundation: 

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14

                                                                         

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:11-13

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Isaiah 41:10

The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze,
    and your strength will equal your days.

Deuteronomy 33:25

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7

This third I will put into the fire;
    I will refine them like silver
    and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
    and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:2

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

... I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:20