Trust in Trials and Triumphs

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. – (Job 19:25, NIV)

I know that there is someone to defend me and that He lives! And in the end, He will stand here on earth and defend me. – (Job 19:25, ERV)

Still, I know that God lives – the One who gives me back my life – and eventually He’ll take His stand on earth. – (Job 19:25, MSG)

Job, after he had lost everything, still stood on the truth that he knew. In his heartache and anguish, he cried out to God and proclaimed the truth before his friends who had stopped supporting him and begun blaming him for his own misery. God, in His goodness and mercy, restored Job’s health and wealth to more than it was before, and honored his faithfulness, despite all that Job had suffered. God has good things in store for us, despite the trials and heartaches we have to endure. His goodness stands forever, and His promises are eternal. It is our eternity that provides hope, even on the darkest days. No matter what comes, God is still good and is still on the throne. May we ever remember that our Redeemer lives and in the end, He is our hope forever as Lord and King of all.

The Lord is alive,

Our hope and our peace;

No matter what comes,

His love will not cease.

Though days might seem dark,

The true light will come;

He brings grace and peace,

For all is not done.

Look to the heavens,

The Lord ever reigns;

Our hope forever,

And goodness He brings.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and for the examples who have gone before us. Thank You that despite the difficulties that happen, You still reign and have power to restore. Forgive us for our wavering faith when challenges overwhelm us. Teach us to turn in trust to You, ever holding fast to the truth that we know. Thank You that You are our hope and promise forever. Show us how to walk alongside those in the midst of struggle, so that we might love, encourage and bless as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in every season – both trying and triumphant, for You love and lead us through all. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds. – Psalm 73:28

Created for Good

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) 

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He had already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV) 

We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! – (Ephesians 2:10, TPT) 

As God’s handiwork, His poetry, we have been created to do all things in love. If love is our motivation, the good will be evident in all that we do. This applies from simple things to great things, for all ought to be done in love. Each day, as we live and move and are being, the decisions we make ought to be determined through Christ’s lens of love. Will our words, thoughts and actions clearly reflect His heart for those around us? If so, then we are doing the good He has prepared for us. Often, it is the seemingly smallest of gestures, that have the greatest impact. When others see us, care for us, and act in a way that makes us feel known and that we matter, God’s heart is made tangible. God uses our willingness to bless others in the same way. May we go forth in the knowledge that we have been made the way that we are for a purpose, and as we do all things in love, good works will be done that fulfill His purpose in us, for us, and through us. 

We are created, 

God’s own works of art; 

Made to do good things, 

His love we impart. 

As we allow God, 

To love and to lead; 

We’re equipped to do, 

Loving acts, good deeds. 

So, rise each morning, 

Pursue the Lord’s best; 

For as we seek Him, 

His love is expressed. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created us to do good and be the good that the world sees. Forgive us for the times that we have turned away from the good we knew we should have done. Help us to lean into You, so that we would constantly pursue You to lead us and equip us to love as You love. Show us how to do good wherever we are and with whomever we are with. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to do the good that You have created us to do. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Daily Provision

Give us today our daily bread. – (Matthew 6:11, NIV)

Give us each day that day’s bread – no more, no less. – (Matthew 6:11, VOICE)

We acknowledge You as our Provider of all we need each day. – (Matthew 6:11, TPT)

 

I so appreciate The Passion Translation’s phrasing of this verse, as it is a reminder of who God is and how He is our Provider of ALL that we need each day. God’s provision goes far beyond physical food. The Lord knows our hearts, minds and souls, as well as our physical needs. He provides people, resources, support and supplies for that which we truly need. God turns trials into triumphs as we trust in Him. May we ever remember to ask the Lord for that which we need, and watch in faith for answers. Grant us daily, O God, what is needed to navigate each day with strength, stamina and grace, so that we may more clearly reflect Your heart and walk in Your ways.

 

Help us not worry,

For You have today;

In Your mighty hands,

As we trust and pray.

You’re our Provider,

Of all that we need;

You grant us enough,

To love as You lead.

For You are our strength,

Supply, hope and grace;

In love, You lead us,

To walk in Your ways.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace as You provide for our needs each day. Thank You that You see and know beyond our physical needs, but You care about our hearts as well. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of the ways that You have met our needs in the midst of difficulties. Teach us to fix our eyes on You, so that we would see Your loving kindness as You supply all that we need to navigate each new day. Show us how to love those around us best, so that we may be Your vessels to help meet needs in tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and thank You for loving us so well. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. – Acts 14:17