Spiritual thoughts and other writings.
Category: Verse of the Day
Simply this:
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
There’s been a fair amount of stress in my life recently. I am so thankful that I can trust in and hope in a God that pours his love out on me everyday–even when I am unaware.
Sometimes, I am blown away at how powerful a good reminder can be. I read this a few minutes ago and was just awed by it.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
Later on in Romans 5 it says that because of Jesus dying for us, we are now “friends of God.” These things are amazing to me and I am so thankful that my God is so incredibly good.
Over the past couple months, I’ve kind of had to come face-to-face with some of my own weaknesses. It’s a really hard thing for me. I pretty much hate seeing where I fall short; it makes me feel sort of angry and defeated. My natural reaction, I’ve found, has been to try to figure out a way to make myself right—to find a way to fix myself.
I know from experience, though, that all my efforts to make myself better always fall short. Sometimes there are small improvements, but never the deep, transformational change that I really desire.
I read this verse this morning and it gave me some good perspective on stuff. In context, the Apostle Paul is talking about his own weakness:
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
My thought is just this: instead of trying to run from weakness, why don’t I embrace it as an instance where God can come in and provide for me? I think that instead of hating my weaknesses, I ought to love them because at the places where I fall short, it provides an opportunity for God to prove Himself faithful and sufficient. As He does, then I will know him more and He will be more glorified in me.
Here’s my verse of the day, ya’ll.
14Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.
All I have to say is I am really amazed that this is what God says to us. He is persistently waiting for us to turn to Him, call on Him, and trust in His provision. He doesn’t put weighty requirements on us, but rather just desires to be our God, to love us, and provide for our needs.
I’m thankful for this today.