Be exalted, O Lord , in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. Psalms 21:13 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your wonderous works. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Lord, thank You for Your Sovereignty. It is only in You that we find peace and understanding. Lord, it is only in You that we find truth and righteousness. Lord Jesus, please let Your light shine before all men. Let the works of wickedness be repulsive. Lord Jesus, please raise up integrity, truth, and honor. Let Your Word be known and understood. Lord, we look to You and we praise Your holy name. Nothing is as worthy of praise. No one has done the things You have. For You created us and then saved us from our sins. Your mercy is incredible. Thank You, Jesus for all Your love and kindness. Lord, we lift up the hurting, the sick, the innocent, the prodigal, and the lost. Please lead, guide, and provide for each one. Thank You, Jesus. Your ways are amazing! I love You. Amen.
I’ve been seeking the Lord for direction and guidance for our family.
My prayer: “Lord let us know what Your will is.”
The answer came yesterday.
But it didn’t look like what I expected.
It wasn’t a comfortable circumstance.
Yet, our direction was clear.
As I went to bed, I thanked God for His direction, although was still a little emotionally prickled by the form.
I hadn’t realized it until this morning.
Without really thinking about the words my emotions were asking God, “Why did the answer have to come that way?”
With my first thoughts this morning He answered.
You wanted direction and I gave it.
I chose that tool to make it very clear to you and your husband.
And my response had been to be focused on my own discomfort, rather than praising God for answering.
I had to wonder.
Would my husband and I have accepted His guidance if He’d used a different circumstance?
I can say, my perspective changed in that moment.
I began to praise God for His direction and guidance.
My heart thanked Him for His Sovereignty.
I looked at my life and began to see a long series of circumstances which were uncomfortable, some very painful, and I could look back at how God’s hand of direction was in each.
Although I didn’t enjoy walking through those things, I am praising God for them.
He has used trials, pain, and all manner of life’s struggles to direct, guide, and hone me.
As difficult as those things were, I am praising God for them.
As uncomfortable as some things are, I’m praising God for them.
I don’t want to live without Him, and He said to take up my cross and follow Him.
He wasn’t walking to a picnic when He carried His cross.
I shouldn’t expect one either.
Following Christ, carrying His cross, brings so much reward.
His path broke the chains of sin and death forever!
Then He rose, and He walked a little longer with mankind on the Earth.
And now He is preparing a place for all who believe in His name, what He did, and who He is, God’s Son.
Part of that preparation is a wedding feast, the marriage of the Lamb.
Yes, I want to carry my cross and follow Him.
For the days of struggle, trials, and pain are few compared to the joy which eternity holds.
I praise God for His path for me.
And I’ll take a wedding feast over a picnic any day!
Psalm 16:11 NKJV — You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
patientlyhopeful 