Psalm 84
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are a lot of things that excite me. For example, baseball season begins again in 5 short months. I love a good dessert. A nice run on a beautiful fall day is hard to beat.
I have to confess, though, that I often don't get excited about God's presence in my life. I get so wrapped up in myself that I forget to pay attention to God's nearness and his love for me. I don't think I pay attention to my soul's deepest longing for God. I'm too busy with so many other things, I forget to pay tribute to my creator and thank him for saving grace and eternal mercy and love.
When I stop to think about it, I realize how foolish I am. The problem is that I often don't stop to think about it. I just keep plowing forward.
I don't know the answer to this one. It's a tough dilemma, trying to make time to slow down in a fast-paced world. But it's worth the struggle, to let the soul's deepest longing lead us into a place of deep communion with the Almighty God.
May you find God's peace today
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Psalm 83:9-18
Psalm 83:9-18
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's tough to read passages like this. I want everything and everyone to have a happy, warm and fuzzy ending. Destruction isn't a fun thing to entertain.
But if God is pure love, that means that the hatred and enmity that oppose that love must be destroyed if we want there to be nothing but love one day. If we believe that there is no evil in heaven, then evil must vanish from the face of the earth. I believe that God wants people not to cling to that evil, so that the evil could vanish without people who cling to it, but there are people who refuse to let go of evil.
For them, Jesus says, we should pray. Even for those who seek to do us evil. It is no easy thing, but true love is not easy. It asks much of us, but promises to give much more in return.
May you know pure love today
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's tough to read passages like this. I want everything and everyone to have a happy, warm and fuzzy ending. Destruction isn't a fun thing to entertain.
But if God is pure love, that means that the hatred and enmity that oppose that love must be destroyed if we want there to be nothing but love one day. If we believe that there is no evil in heaven, then evil must vanish from the face of the earth. I believe that God wants people not to cling to that evil, so that the evil could vanish without people who cling to it, but there are people who refuse to let go of evil.
For them, Jesus says, we should pray. Even for those who seek to do us evil. It is no easy thing, but true love is not easy. It asks much of us, but promises to give much more in return.
May you know pure love today
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Psalm 83:1-8
Psalm 83:1-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
The things opposing you in the world?
They are not in your imagination. I believe the forces that are tearing at humanity, the evil that is present in the world, is not just some imaginary power. I believe it is real, and it has agency in the world.
That said, let us not make too much of it. The Devil opposes us, but the Devil shall not win. May we not doubt this truth even for a moment. God wins. He is victorious and shall reign forever. The Devil has his day, but it will not last.
May we invest our lives with the triumphant side
English Standard Version (ESV)
The things opposing you in the world?
They are not in your imagination. I believe the forces that are tearing at humanity, the evil that is present in the world, is not just some imaginary power. I believe it is real, and it has agency in the world.
That said, let us not make too much of it. The Devil opposes us, but the Devil shall not win. May we not doubt this truth even for a moment. God wins. He is victorious and shall reign forever. The Devil has his day, but it will not last.
May we invest our lives with the triumphant side
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Psalm 82
Psalm 82
English Standard Version (ESV)
Darkness.
I sometimes wander into the kitchen late at night, and I rarely turn on the lights. Instead, I count on my memory of the living room to navigate my way. What I don't count on, however, is the presence of toys left behind randomly on the floor. My foot almost always finds one, no matter how slowly I walk or how confidant I am.
We do this in other areas of life. Sometimes it is on accident, or in moments of pride or when we forget that we are fallible.
Some people spend their entire lives this way, refusing to believe they are in darkness, convincing themselves (and perhaps others) that they can see just fine, thank you very much.
God alone is the source of our light. Without him, we remain in darkness, stubbornly holding on to the lie that we are not in the darkness. God can and will and wants to save us, to illumine us to the true state of our condition and the depths of his grace and willingness to forgive.
We just have to open our hearts and lives to the reality of our condition, and let God draw us into the light.
May you be in awe of God's desire to forgive
English Standard Version (ESV)
Darkness.
I sometimes wander into the kitchen late at night, and I rarely turn on the lights. Instead, I count on my memory of the living room to navigate my way. What I don't count on, however, is the presence of toys left behind randomly on the floor. My foot almost always finds one, no matter how slowly I walk or how confidant I am.
We do this in other areas of life. Sometimes it is on accident, or in moments of pride or when we forget that we are fallible.
Some people spend their entire lives this way, refusing to believe they are in darkness, convincing themselves (and perhaps others) that they can see just fine, thank you very much.
God alone is the source of our light. Without him, we remain in darkness, stubbornly holding on to the lie that we are not in the darkness. God can and will and wants to save us, to illumine us to the true state of our condition and the depths of his grace and willingness to forgive.
We just have to open our hearts and lives to the reality of our condition, and let God draw us into the light.
May you be in awe of God's desire to forgive
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Psalm 81
Psalm 81
New Life Version (NLV)
God wants to be in constant relationship with us. God wants to fill us with riches and wonder. God wants to rain down blessings upon us. God reminds us of those times he has done so in the past, and he has a hope for the future that we might continue to position ourselves to receive his mercy in the future. God doesn't want to see sin derail your life and your relationship with him and others.
But we listen to other voices. We listen to the demanding voices around us, telling us to hurry up and to keep up. We listen to the insistent voice within us, telling us that we can't possibly be good enough, that we're fraudulent and will soon be revealed. We quake in fear at the thought of people seeing us as we really are.
If only we would listen to God. If only we would tune our ears to hear the still small voice that reminds us that we are beloved children of the covenant, blessed by God and claimed by him through the waters of baptism. If only we would remember that we have no need to fear, though the mountains tumble into the sea, for he is ours and we are his and he loves,
May you remember that God is love
New Life Version (NLV)
God wants to be in constant relationship with us. God wants to fill us with riches and wonder. God wants to rain down blessings upon us. God reminds us of those times he has done so in the past, and he has a hope for the future that we might continue to position ourselves to receive his mercy in the future. God doesn't want to see sin derail your life and your relationship with him and others.
But we listen to other voices. We listen to the demanding voices around us, telling us to hurry up and to keep up. We listen to the insistent voice within us, telling us that we can't possibly be good enough, that we're fraudulent and will soon be revealed. We quake in fear at the thought of people seeing us as we really are.
If only we would listen to God. If only we would tune our ears to hear the still small voice that reminds us that we are beloved children of the covenant, blessed by God and claimed by him through the waters of baptism. If only we would remember that we have no need to fear, though the mountains tumble into the sea, for he is ours and we are his and he loves,
May you remember that God is love
Monday, September 22, 2014
Psalm 80:8-19
Psalm 80:8-19
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Reach out, God.
Reach out.
We pray for God to reach out, to reach down from the heavens, and intervene for us. We pray for God to lead us and guide us and protect us.
May we also remember to reach out to God. May we remember to offer our prayers, our thoughts, our actions and our lives to God, making it a two way conversation. While I believe that God reaches down to save, I also believe that our faith needs to be lifting our hearts and minds up to God, offering ourselves, reaching to God as God reaches to us.
May your mind be reaching to God today
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Reach out, God.
Reach out.
We pray for God to reach out, to reach down from the heavens, and intervene for us. We pray for God to lead us and guide us and protect us.
May we also remember to reach out to God. May we remember to offer our prayers, our thoughts, our actions and our lives to God, making it a two way conversation. While I believe that God reaches down to save, I also believe that our faith needs to be lifting our hearts and minds up to God, offering ourselves, reaching to God as God reaches to us.
May your mind be reaching to God today
Friday, September 19, 2014
Psalm 80:1-7
Psalm 80:1-7
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
We ask for blessing, and it seems as though God forgets. We end up with tears, with pain, with struggle. We wonder why.
In the short-term, I often do the same. I wonder why some things are so hard, why some relationships fall apart, why I must endure certain things. I wonder where God is in the midst.
But there God is, our Shepherd, leading us. There is God, leading us like sheep, caring for us in the midst of our lives, leading us forward and watching over us. Our pain is temporary. It shall not endure, but the grace of Almighty God shall, and we shall be led through pain and suffering into triumph.
May you trust in God's future
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
We ask for blessing, and it seems as though God forgets. We end up with tears, with pain, with struggle. We wonder why.
In the short-term, I often do the same. I wonder why some things are so hard, why some relationships fall apart, why I must endure certain things. I wonder where God is in the midst.
But there God is, our Shepherd, leading us. There is God, leading us like sheep, caring for us in the midst of our lives, leading us forward and watching over us. Our pain is temporary. It shall not endure, but the grace of Almighty God shall, and we shall be led through pain and suffering into triumph.
May you trust in God's future
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Psalm 79:8-13
Psalm 79:8-13
The Message (MSG)
There are plenty of people who believe there is no God. It was true in ancient days, too, and so the Psalmist prayed for God's intervention in the hopes that they would see the power of God as he saved the people.
We pray for the same thing, don't we? We want God to hear our prayers, to reach down to our despair and lift us out into a place of joy. All the while, we hope that those around us see the awesome power of God and recognize where the true power in the world is.
Know that your voice is joined with a loud choir that spans the ages as we pray for God to break through the pain into our lives and lift us into the everlasting joy.
May you be confidant in God's love
The Message (MSG)
There are plenty of people who believe there is no God. It was true in ancient days, too, and so the Psalmist prayed for God's intervention in the hopes that they would see the power of God as he saved the people.
We pray for the same thing, don't we? We want God to hear our prayers, to reach down to our despair and lift us out into a place of joy. All the while, we hope that those around us see the awesome power of God and recognize where the true power in the world is.
Know that your voice is joined with a loud choir that spans the ages as we pray for God to break through the pain into our lives and lift us into the everlasting joy.
May you be confidant in God's love
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Psalm 79:1-7
Psalm 79:1-7
The Message (MSG)
I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating--the Holy Scripture, inspired by God, gives us language we can use to question God! God wants us to be involved and committed to this relationship, and in any relationship, you're going to have questions when you don't understand things. Take those questions to God! Don't be afraid of asking questions--how many times do the angels tell us not to be afraid? Our questions show that we care. Our questions show that we're paying attention, that we're committed to the relationship even though we don't understand it all.
Now, we're called to ask those questions respectfully, to remember our place and remember who God is. But ask questions. Be inquisitive. Trust that God has answers, even if we don't understand them.
May you trust God enough to ask your big questions
The Message (MSG)
I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating--the Holy Scripture, inspired by God, gives us language we can use to question God! God wants us to be involved and committed to this relationship, and in any relationship, you're going to have questions when you don't understand things. Take those questions to God! Don't be afraid of asking questions--how many times do the angels tell us not to be afraid? Our questions show that we care. Our questions show that we're paying attention, that we're committed to the relationship even though we don't understand it all.
Now, we're called to ask those questions respectfully, to remember our place and remember who God is. But ask questions. Be inquisitive. Trust that God has answers, even if we don't understand them.
May you trust God enough to ask your big questions
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Psalm 78:67-72
Psalm 78:67-72
English Standard Version (ESV)
When I pick ice cream flavors, I am completely unrestrained. I can choose any flavor I want, and it's my choice. It doesn't make much sense to criticize me for choosing differently than you might have.
God chooses his beloved people. I believe that God chooses them so that they might be an example to the world, so that all the world may come to worship him as God and King. It's God's choice--and despite all our failings, God chooses to love us. Let us not criticize God for the choices he makes--let us give thanks that there is grace and love enough for God to choose us.
May you rest in the confidence that God chooses you
English Standard Version (ESV)
When I pick ice cream flavors, I am completely unrestrained. I can choose any flavor I want, and it's my choice. It doesn't make much sense to criticize me for choosing differently than you might have.
God chooses his beloved people. I believe that God chooses them so that they might be an example to the world, so that all the world may come to worship him as God and King. It's God's choice--and despite all our failings, God chooses to love us. Let us not criticize God for the choices he makes--let us give thanks that there is grace and love enough for God to choose us.
May you rest in the confidence that God chooses you
Monday, September 15, 2014
Psalm 78:56-66
Psalm 78:56-66
English Standard Version (ESV)
When all is said and done, I want to be on God's side. He's going to win.
The great thing is, God wants us on his side, too. God wants us to choose grace and peace and love, and he gives us so many opportunities to choose him. We sin over and over again, and there is grace for us. We turn from him over and over again, and there is mercy, abundant and wondrous.
So never give up hope. God's love abounds.
May you choose mercy today
English Standard Version (ESV)
When all is said and done, I want to be on God's side. He's going to win.
The great thing is, God wants us on his side, too. God wants us to choose grace and peace and love, and he gives us so many opportunities to choose him. We sin over and over again, and there is grace for us. We turn from him over and over again, and there is mercy, abundant and wondrous.
So never give up hope. God's love abounds.
May you choose mercy today
Friday, September 12, 2014
Psalm 78:50-55
Psalm 78:50-55
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist forgets to mention that the Israelites complained the entire way to the Promised Land.
It's easy to forget what God has done. We get wrapped up in self, we get wrapped up in the latest and newest, and in the midst of it all we wonder where God has been, omitting the fact that God has been there the whole time, through every celebration and moment of despair. God has never left you, and he will never leave you. The triumph that comes at the end of the long night is possible only because God has led you through and forward and over, and God is there in the moments of joy just as much in the moments of despair.
May you trust in God's presence
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist forgets to mention that the Israelites complained the entire way to the Promised Land.
It's easy to forget what God has done. We get wrapped up in self, we get wrapped up in the latest and newest, and in the midst of it all we wonder where God has been, omitting the fact that God has been there the whole time, through every celebration and moment of despair. God has never left you, and he will never leave you. The triumph that comes at the end of the long night is possible only because God has led you through and forward and over, and God is there in the moments of joy just as much in the moments of despair.
May you trust in God's presence
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Psalm 78:39-49
Psalm 78:39-49
English Standard Version (ESV)
God hates sin.
Sin is the evil force tearing at the underbelly of God's good creation. God loves the world and the people within it, and when sin destroys our lives and the world, it makes God angry.
When God is angry, God lashes out at the forces of evil, threatening their very existence.
When people cling to those forces and refuse to repent, they find themselves threatened by God's wrath.
When we turn to God and plead for forgiveness, there is grace for us, compassion in the face of our sin.
We have a choice to make, and when we look at the expanse of God's love, it should be an easy one.
May we have the wisdom to trust in the God of love
English Standard Version (ESV)
God hates sin.
Sin is the evil force tearing at the underbelly of God's good creation. God loves the world and the people within it, and when sin destroys our lives and the world, it makes God angry.
When God is angry, God lashes out at the forces of evil, threatening their very existence.
When people cling to those forces and refuse to repent, they find themselves threatened by God's wrath.
When we turn to God and plead for forgiveness, there is grace for us, compassion in the face of our sin.
We have a choice to make, and when we look at the expanse of God's love, it should be an easy one.
May we have the wisdom to trust in the God of love
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Psalm 78:32-38
Psalm 78:32-38
English Standard Version (ESV)
"Oh no."
I was listening to a recent Andy Stanley podcast on parenting, and he was talking about how key those 2 words were in his parenting. When he used that in reference to discipline, he helped the kids recognize that he wasn't there to punish them, but he was going to help them see that there were consequences for their actions.
"Oh no! You broke the rules, now you have to ..."
"Oh no! You hit him, now you have to ... "
I think we need to recognize that there are consequences for our actions, too. God has died for our sins, but we are responsible for letting that grace, mercy and love guide us through our lives, and when we sin, we are called to repent, to turn back, to let God lead us forward in mercy and love. The power of sin has been ultimately broken, but it will continue to damage our lives as long as we live in this world.
So let us resist sin and face the consequences of our brokenness with humility, recognizing that God alone can heal, redeem and restore.
May God's grace give you peace today
English Standard Version (ESV)
"Oh no."
I was listening to a recent Andy Stanley podcast on parenting, and he was talking about how key those 2 words were in his parenting. When he used that in reference to discipline, he helped the kids recognize that he wasn't there to punish them, but he was going to help them see that there were consequences for their actions.
"Oh no! You broke the rules, now you have to ..."
"Oh no! You hit him, now you have to ... "
I think we need to recognize that there are consequences for our actions, too. God has died for our sins, but we are responsible for letting that grace, mercy and love guide us through our lives, and when we sin, we are called to repent, to turn back, to let God lead us forward in mercy and love. The power of sin has been ultimately broken, but it will continue to damage our lives as long as we live in this world.
So let us resist sin and face the consequences of our brokenness with humility, recognizing that God alone can heal, redeem and restore.
May God's grace give you peace today
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Psalm 78:21-31
Psalm 78:21-31
English Standard Version (ESV)
I wish I understood God. I'll freely admit that so many things happen in the Old Testament that I don't understand. Things are still happening today that I don't fully understand. I wish I did, and if I did I would explain them so that everyone would understand God's goodness and grace...
But we don't see things clearly. We have to decide, based on what we can know, if we trust God. When I read the entirety of the Bible, not just little pieces here and there, I see a picture of a God filled with love who desperately wants people to come to him. There are snippets here and there where God disciplines his people, sometimes harshly, and I don't fully understand those. In fairness, though, if you only judged me based on when I discipline my son, I might not look so great, either.
I trust the full picture that I have of God, and his love and grace. In light of that, I believe that the things I don't understand are not enough to turn me from God's love.
May you be overwhelmed by awe today
English Standard Version (ESV)
I wish I understood God. I'll freely admit that so many things happen in the Old Testament that I don't understand. Things are still happening today that I don't fully understand. I wish I did, and if I did I would explain them so that everyone would understand God's goodness and grace...
But we don't see things clearly. We have to decide, based on what we can know, if we trust God. When I read the entirety of the Bible, not just little pieces here and there, I see a picture of a God filled with love who desperately wants people to come to him. There are snippets here and there where God disciplines his people, sometimes harshly, and I don't fully understand those. In fairness, though, if you only judged me based on when I discipline my son, I might not look so great, either.
I trust the full picture that I have of God, and his love and grace. In light of that, I believe that the things I don't understand are not enough to turn me from God's love.
May you be overwhelmed by awe today
Monday, September 8, 2014
Psalm 78:9-20
Psalm 78:9-20
Common English Bible (CEB)
9 The children of Ephraim, armed with bows, retreated on the day of battle. 10 They didn’t keep God’s covenant; they refused to walk in his Instruction. 11 They forgot God’s deeds as well as the wondrous works he showed them. 12 But God performed wonders in their ancestors’ presence— in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 God split the sea and led them through, making the waters stand up like a wall. 14 God led them with the cloud by day; by the lightning all through the night. 15 God split rocks open in the wilderness, gave them plenty to drink— as if from the deep itself! 16 God made streams flow from the rock, made water run like rivers.
17 But they continued to sin against God, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 18 They tested God in their hearts, demanded food for their stomachs. 19 They spoke against God! “Can God set a dinner table in the wilderness?” they asked. 20 “True, God struck the rock and water gushed and streams flowed, but can he give bread too? Can he provide meat for his people?”
***************
More.
We always want just a little more, just to be sure God is really there, to be sure he really cares, as though all that God has done is not quite enough. Just a little more, God, our hearts cry. Just a little more. I need it.
What we do, if we're not careful, is set up God to be little more than a vending machine. We go back to God every time we need something, but we forget that our faith is a relationship to be nurtured, a life-giving cord that continually reminds us of all that God has done, preparing us to be certain of all that God will continue to do.
God has never let us go, and he will never do so in the future. God is ever faithful, and so let your anxious heart rest in him.
May you find trust in God
Common English Bible (CEB)
9 The children of Ephraim, armed with bows, retreated on the day of battle. 10 They didn’t keep God’s covenant; they refused to walk in his Instruction. 11 They forgot God’s deeds as well as the wondrous works he showed them. 12 But God performed wonders in their ancestors’ presence— in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 God split the sea and led them through, making the waters stand up like a wall. 14 God led them with the cloud by day; by the lightning all through the night. 15 God split rocks open in the wilderness, gave them plenty to drink— as if from the deep itself! 16 God made streams flow from the rock, made water run like rivers.
17 But they continued to sin against God, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 18 They tested God in their hearts, demanded food for their stomachs. 19 They spoke against God! “Can God set a dinner table in the wilderness?” they asked. 20 “True, God struck the rock and water gushed and streams flowed, but can he give bread too? Can he provide meat for his people?”
***************
More.
We always want just a little more, just to be sure God is really there, to be sure he really cares, as though all that God has done is not quite enough. Just a little more, God, our hearts cry. Just a little more. I need it.
What we do, if we're not careful, is set up God to be little more than a vending machine. We go back to God every time we need something, but we forget that our faith is a relationship to be nurtured, a life-giving cord that continually reminds us of all that God has done, preparing us to be certain of all that God will continue to do.
God has never let us go, and he will never do so in the future. God is ever faithful, and so let your anxious heart rest in him.
May you find trust in God
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Psalm 78:1-8
Psalm 78:1-8
Common English Bible (CEB)
How do children learn things?
They learn by watching. Caleb & Danielle watch how Rachel and I interact. They watch what we say and what we do. It's scary, sometimes, because I'm imperfect, but it certainly guide me toward more upright action. The other day, I dropped something very hot and burned myself, and I was very, very aware that Caleb was watching my reaction. Kids pick up on and imitate us.
So when we praise God and teach the next generation about God and his marvelous grace, our kids are watching, and what we teach them, what we show them, will influence their relationship to God.
What is your life teaching the next generation? An attitude of dependence or an air of indifference?
May we lead lives worthy of imitation and filled with humility
Common English Bible (CEB)
How do children learn things?
They learn by watching. Caleb & Danielle watch how Rachel and I interact. They watch what we say and what we do. It's scary, sometimes, because I'm imperfect, but it certainly guide me toward more upright action. The other day, I dropped something very hot and burned myself, and I was very, very aware that Caleb was watching my reaction. Kids pick up on and imitate us.
So when we praise God and teach the next generation about God and his marvelous grace, our kids are watching, and what we teach them, what we show them, will influence their relationship to God.
What is your life teaching the next generation? An attitude of dependence or an air of indifference?
May we lead lives worthy of imitation and filled with humility
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Psalm 77:10-20
Psalm 77:10-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
The key to this Psalm, I believe, lies in the end. The footprints of God were unseen--the people were led by Moses and Aaron. God used Moses and Aaron to lead the people. Anybody who has read the Bible will know that Moses and Aaron are imperfect, and yet God used them to do great things for the people.
So there are, I believe, at least two questions for us.
1) Will you allow yourself to be used, without worrying so much about how unworthy you are?
2) Will you look for the voice of God speaking and leading you through others? God continues to use people to lead others. Perhaps God is speaking to you through another person. Will you humbly listen?
May God help you see with new eyes today
English Standard Version (ESV)
The key to this Psalm, I believe, lies in the end. The footprints of God were unseen--the people were led by Moses and Aaron. God used Moses and Aaron to lead the people. Anybody who has read the Bible will know that Moses and Aaron are imperfect, and yet God used them to do great things for the people.
So there are, I believe, at least two questions for us.
1) Will you allow yourself to be used, without worrying so much about how unworthy you are?
2) Will you look for the voice of God speaking and leading you through others? God continues to use people to lead others. Perhaps God is speaking to you through another person. Will you humbly listen?
May God help you see with new eyes today
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Psalm 77:1-9
Psalm 77:1-9
English Standard Version (ESV)
I like to do things on my own. Maybe it's pride or stubbornness or an innate curiosity to see if I can manage, but it's nice to be independent. It's not that I don't feel like I need God... I just seem to trust my own efforts more naturally.
But in the midst of the storm, I realize how insufficient my efforts are. Even when God doesn't answer as dramatically as I might like, I realize that God's strength is so much greater than my own. I need God. I need his wisdom and leadership and Holy Spirit. My own resources will tumble--but with God, I can endure to the end.
May you trust God more than you trust yourself
English Standard Version (ESV)
I like to do things on my own. Maybe it's pride or stubbornness or an innate curiosity to see if I can manage, but it's nice to be independent. It's not that I don't feel like I need God... I just seem to trust my own efforts more naturally.
But in the midst of the storm, I realize how insufficient my efforts are. Even when God doesn't answer as dramatically as I might like, I realize that God's strength is so much greater than my own. I need God. I need his wisdom and leadership and Holy Spirit. My own resources will tumble--but with God, I can endure to the end.
May you trust God more than you trust yourself
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