Faith is a plant that can grow in the shade, a grace that can find the way to heaven in a dark night.
From Psalm 17:3: “If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
William Gurnall (1616-1679) was an English author and member of the Anglican clergy.
From Psalm 94:1-2: “O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!”
Holy, perfect Father
Bringing justice for all
Earth’s one, ultimate Judge
Love covers, like rainfall
Truest God of vengeance
Providing blessed Grace
Living high in Heaven
Father’s firm hand, in place
Lives thirst for discipline
Teaching knowledge, His Word
Knowing our hollow thoughts
Empty breath, minds stand blurred
Over the roaring seas
On highest mountaintops
Across fertile valleys
Earth’s Judge shall never stop
Gracious to believers
God’s goodness and kindness
Through our faith, accept Grace
Love overcomes blindness
Judging with righteousness
God’s law rules over all
Vanquishing the wicked
Justice builds righteous walls
From Psalm 98:8-9: “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Searching for life’s certainty
Facing darkness without end
Seeking mercy’s treasured light
Father’s truth will never bend
Praying for darkness to leave
Believing in light above
Accepting His timely grace
Father’s gentle touch of love
Walking into valley’s light
Stepping toward Heaven’s gate
Watching darkness crawl away
Father’s certainty creates
Rising from Calvary’s death
Trusting Savior’s final words
Defeating darkness at last
Father’s light no longer blurred
Feeling certainty redeemed
Tearing apart chains of sin
Seeing Eternity’s light
Father’s benevolence wins
From 2 Timothy 2:8-10: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”
The grace you had yesterday will not do for today. Grace is the overflowing favor of God; you can always reckon it is there to draw upon. Pray now; draw on the grace of God in the moment of need.
From 2 Corinthians 6:1-2: “As we work together with Him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For He says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!”
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 Isaiah 40:10-11: “See, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.”
Father’s passionate plan
His mercy offers one way
Defeating darkness of sin
Sheep shall no longer stray
Father’s earthly descent
Love bears mankind’s salvation
Shepherd leads those lost to peace
Faith grows hope’s foundation
Father’s redeeming love
Unconditional with grace
Calvary bearing man’s debts
Resurrection’s birthplace
Father’s ultimate deed
Tomorrow offering light
Spirit leading as Christ’s guide
Transgressions colored white
Father’s forgiving breath
Savior’s search will never end
Wayward return to His voice
Disciples, He now sends
From Hebrews 13:20-21: “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, as He works among us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever.”
Following
Spirit’s truth
Preparing faith’s way
Lighted bridge to Father
Jesus
Jesus
Twin commandments
Love thy Father
Love thy fellow man
Grace
Grace
Sinner’s salvation
Paying every debt
Savior bears man’s cross
Forgiveness
From Mark 11:23: “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”
Life facing complex, hurting world
Rugged mountain peaks, blocking us
Never be in doubt, but believe
Accepting God’s grace, ride His bus
Immovable mountains stand tall
Remaining steadfast in prayer
Requiring faith in our Father
He watches over our welfare
Lacking faith, walking in darkness
Our Father sends His lasting grace
Prepared and willing to assist
His energy, ready to embrace
God seeks men and women of faith
Follow His Word, forever speaks
For our Lord’s glory and kingdom
Trusting Him, tackling mountain peaks
Believe totally in the Lord
Walking in faithfulness each day
Our faith moves our Father to act
Thanks be to God, He shows the way!
From the words of American pastor and author, E. M. Bounds: “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Lamentations 3:22-24: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”
Enemy only brings
Darkness upon thee
Emptiness clings
Again, lost at sea
Trapped in wilderness maze
No escape for thee
Sun’s missing rays
What does Spirit see?
God’s arrow finds its mark
Peace comes upon thee
Redemption’s ark
His Word’s faithful key
Salvation’s open gate
Savior’s love for thee
Mercy’s soulmate
Evil’s breath now flees
Bethlehem’s blessed light
Shineth upon thee
Hope taking flight
Praying on both knees
Freedom from heavy chains
Sins’ debts paid for thee
Christ shoulders pain
Grace forever free
From Lamentations 3:55-57: “I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea, ‘Do not close Your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!’ You came near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear!'”
From James 1:5-6: “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Journey faces trials
Faith tested by each
Producing endurance
God shall faithfully teach
Wisdom found in God’s Word
Daily lessons speak
Granting transforming grace
Never doubt what He tweaks
Gracious God offers hope
Truth’s new direction
Walking on mercy’s path
Filled with Christ’s perfection
Taste Heaven’s purity
Spirit bringing forth
Trusting in risen Christ
Compass setting, true north
Harvest of righteousness
Sown with seeds to cope
Rising from Calvary
Spirit filled with Christ’s hope
From James 3:13: “Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”
Rejoice and be glad in our God
His steadfast love endures forever
Giving thanks and praise to the Lord
His goodness shall reign forever
In our distress, God hears each cry
Without fear, we follow His way
His Peace driving away our fears
His Mercy filling up our hearts
His voice calls us to His refuge
Our confidence rests with the Lord
His Word comforting our sorrows
His Love healing our many wounds
From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
His Holy Son, our cornerstone
Salvation arrives at the Cross
His Grace delivering His love
His righteousness covering sins
God, the Father, blessing Spirit
Through His beloved Son, Jesus
His Wisdom showing us the way
His Manna feeding hungry souls
God’s infinite strength, our fixed Rock
All foes challenging us . . . vanquished!
Rejoice and be glad in our Lord
His steadfast love endures forever
From Psalm 118:29: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Originally published November, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 