Pause
During a recent storm, we were without electricity for nearly 48 hours which meant there was little to no access to the internet, the TV wasn’t on and all in all, the norms of busy life seemed to calm down to a certain extent. Yes, it was very crazy and stressful at times, even taking sleep from me, however, I wondered how God would use this storm in my life and how it would speak to my own heart.
God’s Word says to REMEMBER His Word, because it has caused me to hope (Psalm 119:49) - there is no situation on earth in which a believer has not cause to be hopeful in when they have the Greatest Captain to direct us through the storms of life. He is steering the ship of our body, soul and mind through trials, temptations and tears through what ever circumstance, situation, sickness, chapter of your life, whatever it may be. He is there to calm the storm and to guide us safely to the shore.
Psalm 119:81 says, "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.” We are instructed, commanded to put our hope in the Word of God, because that is where comfort is found. Ultimately, as a believer, comfort is found in the Almighty God, when we lean on Him in prayer and praise, It is the Word of God that the book of Psalm describes as eternal (Psalm 119:89), a lamp for my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105), to be hidden in our hearts for times of trials and temptation (Psalm 119:11).
Have you ever got fresh honey from a jar and thought it is so beautifully sweet and soothing? Well, the psalmists describe the Word of God as sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103), “sweet…to my taste”. God’s Word is precious, it is comforting and it is full of hope. It is perfect in EVERY way for it REVIVES our souls (Psalm 19:7-10).
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4). The scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as it was for those who were inspired by the holy Spirit to write them and for those who did read many of the books even before Christ came into the world. Our Divine Master invites us as students of the Word to study it, because that is where our hope will spring from. The Spirit comforts us through the God-given words on these pages and we should delight in it, meditate upon it day and night, but also ask God to open our eyes so that we can behold the wondrous things in His Word - that is what He wants.
Rest upon His Word today, study the scriptures as we’ve been instructed to do, even if you only have 10 minutes to do so. You will find your mind lifted and your soul revived because you have spent time with your Heavenly Father.
Praise
1
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Chorus:
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
2
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Chorus:
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
3
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
Chorus:
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Prayer
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
I come before you with a thankful heart that I not only possess a Bible freely, but many Bibles.
I thank you for your Word, for the comfort that it brings to my own heart and for the armour it has provided for my soul in times of distress.
Lord, I lay my desires before you and ask you to give me a hunger and a thirst after the things of God.
Give me that longing to be in Your presence more and more, and have a lesser desire to be in the world.
May you be magnified in me doing so and may I be an encouragement to others.
In Your Precious and Holy name, Amen
You can listen to this short devotional here.