Hope makes you see God’s guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness.
From Psalm 37:24-26: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
From Isaiah 41:1: “Listen to Me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.”
Waking to morning’s silence
Praying to Father above
Faithful headwaters of strength
Renewing hope, filled with love
Energizing day’s journey
Tapping into Father’s grace
Coastlines reassured of strength
Offering peace to embrace
Joining in togetherness
Reciting from Father’s Word
River’s swift transforming strength
Navigating from what’s heard
Waiting with patience of Job
Seeing now through Father’s love
Each tide arrives with His strength
Restoring joy from above
Leaving wilderness for good
Fulfilling Father’s delight
Hope’s thirst quenched from water’s strength
Rising Son harbors faith’s light
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
We love to be with the ones we love. So does God. How else do you explain what He did? Between Him and us there was a distance, and He could’t bear it. So He did something about it.
From Philippians 2:6-8: “Who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.”
From Isaiah 12:2: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”
Photo by Kehn Hermano on Pexels.com
To a world filling with harsh darkness
Our Heavenly Father wakens trust
God’s love conquers, crushing this starkness
Sending our Redeemer, always just
Jesus, the Messiah, walks the land
His Spirit deepens our mind and soul
We experience God, close at hand
Blood shed on a Cross, paying our toll
With every footprint Jesus makes
Walking forward, His bright light beckons
We follow with faith, make no mistake
Through our adversity, faith checks in
Enemy lurks, bringing temptation
Walking with Jesus, freed like a bird
In alignment with Him . . . Salvation!
Faithful “doers” of God’s Holy Word
Photo by Nigam Machchhar on Pexels.com
From Psalm 3:3-4: “But you, O Lord are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His Holy hill.”
Originally posted March, 2020.
Pay attention to the people God puts in your path if you want to discern what God is up to in your life.
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
“God is our Refuge”–nothing can come through that shelter.
From Psalm 31:3-4: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for Your name’s sake lead me and guide me; take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for You are my refuge.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
In midst of dark wilderness
Lost, yet seeking His cover
Praying for Father’s response
Forgiveness whitens sin’s color
Life’s journey shall remain hard
Moral compass guides each heart
Praising Father’s steadfast love
Shallow hope finds blessed restart
Ember of faith’s glowing light
Mercy shared from Heaven’s voice
Treasuring Father’s wisdom
Holy Spirit guides every choice
Righteousness conquers darkness
His answers more clearly seen
Walking in Father’s refuge
Grace, flowing with truth, intervenes
Rescued from evil’s shadow
Faith growing, no longer crushed
Breathing through Father’s spirit
His Son’s promised peace, never hushed
From Matthew 3:17: “And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'”
From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Our Father, our Creator
Sowing faithful seeds of grace
Bearing Spirit’s endless fruit
Upon every earthly place
Father’s love thaws frozen heart
Enriching trust with each gift
Bringing hope into darkness
Faith’s ship no longer adrift
Father’s divine plan transforms
Sending His Son in harm’s way
Knowing glory to be praised
Calvary’s cross won’t delay
Father’s peace walks with Jesus
Reconciling wayward hearts
Proclaiming new creation
Freshness of faith, grace restarts
Father’s breath shall never rest
Stirring color without gray
Planting righteousness from light
Salvation rises this day
From 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the One who for their sake died and was raised.”
From Isaiah 30:18: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
Hearing Father’s voice
Every mountain sings
With faithful echoes
Praising heaven’s King
Showering His grace
Every valley sings
With earnest promise
Sowing trust, faith brings
Sending His mercy
Every village sings
With truth in His Word
Soaring eagle’s wings
Scattering His seeds
Every landscape sings
With divine beauty
Welcoming each spring
Walking in His light
Every neighbor sings
With each beating heart
Pulling on love’s strings
Witnessing His Son
Every sinner sings
With His righteousness
Grasping heaven’s swing
From Isaiah 30:20-21: “Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
There is a place of quiet rest. There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God. (Taken from the hymn, “Near to the Heart of God.”)
From James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Cleland Boyd McAfee (1866-1944) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and hymn writer. One of his most renowned hymns is “Near to the Heart of God.” He penned the lyrics after the tragic deaths of his young nieces from diphtheria.
Big Sky Buckeye 