turning to and looking for God

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 (6:47 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for Who and ALL You are. You lead us. You guide us. When we turn to and look for You.

Mm, yes Father. When we turn to and look for You!

Thank You most Dear and Holy God. Thank You for sending Jesus to come and teach and die for each of us. That in His sacrifice, we would ultimately live forever.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us, “When we entrust our life to God, two opposite and somewhat confusing processes are simultaneously at work… the body’s physical deterioration and death…distressing trials that accompany life on this earth. On the other hand, our spirit is being renewed, preparing us day-by-day for the overwhelming glory and blessing we will experience in the presence of God throughout eternity. If we trust God to help us in our troubles now, we can look beyond these troubles to the everlasting joy He has for us in eternity.”

Hmmm. Trust God. Look beyond troubles. Everlasting joy in eternity. Continue guiding and teaching us dear Lord.

The Message spells out these verses quite simply. “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. There hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

Oh amen. Amen!

Reading of “the lavish celebration prepared for us” my mind went straight over to Psalm 23:5 and the table You preparest before us. Thank You Father that You take such tender good care of us.

Using The Passion Translation I delight in contemplating the Lord as “my Best Friend and my Shepherd.” Because of Whom, “I always have more than enough” (v. 1).

Continuing with this choice of words I relish the thought of Him offering “a resting place for me in His luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss” (2). Such a peace-filled picture.

“That’s where He restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to His name” (3). Oh yes Lord!

The footnote for “footsteps of righteousness” teaches, “Psalm 23:3 Or ‘circular paths of righteousness.’ It is a common trait for sheep on the hillsides of Israel to circle their way up higher. They eventually form a path that keeps leading them higher. This is what David is referring to here. Each step we take following our Shepherd will lead us higher, even though it may seem we are going in circles.”

Blessed Lord Jesus, how I thank You for being our Shepherd. Keep leading and protecting us. Do all You know is best for Your good and Your glory.

We love You Lord. We need You. And we long to grow into the people You would have us be. Following Your guidance every step of the way. Praise You. Thank You. Use us. Amen.

(569 words ~ 8:30 a.m.)