in all things

Monday, June 29, 2020 (6:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. We look around us and see near insanity.

(7:19 a.m.)

Looking to Your Word, I was expecting to be taken in one direction (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Instead, I am smiling by following You to Proverbs 14:16.

Holy Father God, how truly I thank You for Your leading and Your guidance. Oh that we would follow You! How comforted and cared for I am when I follow Your lead! Thank You Lord. Praise You. You ARE the holy God!

“A wise person is careful in all things and turns quickly from evil, while the impetuous fool moves ahead with overconfidence” (Proverbs 14:16). Father, we appear to be surrounded by impetuous fools!

Do all You must to right the wrongs we have incurred. You are Jehovah Rapha. God our Healer!

The Life Recovery Bible has a comment for the preceding verse. Reading “Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps” (v.15) I see so many of us Lord.

“14:15 Trusting God to direct us through the advice of others is an important step in recovery. Solomon, however, gave a wise note of caution here: Don’t trust others blindly. A healthy trust in others is developed gradually and carefully. This can only happen as we determine when it is safe for us to be vulnerable and if the guidance we are receiving is godly. If any advice is contrary to the truth revealed in the Bible, it should be disregarded, no matter who gave it.”

Father, Your Word is absolute Truth. How grateful I am that we have You and It to turn. Thank You Lord.

We can spend countless hours thinking. Planning. Trying to work things out. And when we bring our biggest hopes and fears to You, You provide Your Truth. Thank You God.

Turning to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, I read the comment for 5:14-28 and remember that “Paul tells us to rebuild our relationships by repaying the wrongs of others with kindness. We are called to live a joyful life, always prayerful, continually seeking God’s will. We are reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s continual helping presence in our life. God gives us what we need to succeed in recovery. Our part is to participate in the good plan He has set out for us.”

Oh, that we would Dearest God! Do all You must to change our hearts to follow You.

A footnote for 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in The Passion Translation tells us, “Verses 16-18 identify three areas our lives we must focus on: (1) unbounded joy, (2) praying continually, and (3) giving thanks to God no matter what happens in our lives. These three virtues combine to form the wonderful expression of Christ’s life within us.”

All those years ago You knew our present need. Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition says, “In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.”

Father, I confess that giving thanks is rarely my first reaction to certain circumstances. Thank You that Your Word rings true every time. We turn to You and You restore us to sanity.

I love You. I trust You. I ask You to be glorified in, with, by, through and for me this day. You are good. You are holy. You are “great and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 96:4a). You are to be “feared [read here as: fully esteemed and revered] above all gods” (v. 4b).

Oh that Your people would truly come to worship and adore You! Do all You must to this end. Father, we want desperately to follow You. Do as only You are able. We thank You. Amen.

(636 words ~ 8:52 a.m.)