Take Joy in the Journey

For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what Your hands have done. How great are Your works, Lord, how profound Your thoughts! – (Psalm 92:4-5, NIV)

No wonder I’m so glad; I can’t keep it in! Lord, I’m shouting with glee over all You’ve done for me: what mighty miracles and Your power at work – just to name a few! Depths of purpose and layers of meaning saturate everything You do. – (Psalm 92:4-5, TPT)

Because You, O Eternal One, thrill me with the things You have done, I will sing with joy in light of Your deeds. Your works are marvelous, O Eternal One! Your thoughts are unfathomable. – (Psalm 92:4-5, VOICE)

Each new day, we have a choice – we can either focus on our struggles, or we can take joy in the faithfulness of God. Some days, this is more difficult than others. This morning as I woke from a very restless night’s sleep, I found myself frustrated and grumpy. It took little time to ponder how God has provided for what my heart has needed, and I could not help but smile and find myself aware of how God works on our behalf. God’s thoughts and plans are not our own, and He can use every test as a testimony. If I pause and reflect, there have been countless times that the Lord has taken my struggles and turned them into strengths, and He has turned my trials into triumphs. In the midst of my challenges, I must remember that God is faithful and is ever working on my behalf. He does a work in my heart as well, and leads me through whatever obstacle lies before me. The Lord is loving and kind, working mightily in us, before us, and through us, even in the moments that we are oblivious to how He might move. May we ever praise the Lord for His love and faithfulness, even when we cannot see how He will work things out.

The work of Your hands,

Is faithful and true;

You help and hold us,

As You lead us through.

My heart sings for joy,

At all You have done;

Our loving Father,

The Most Holy One.

Help us to reflect,

Remember with praise;

Your presence and help,

Miraculous ways.

Lead us with Your love,

When we cannot see;

How things will work out,

May we trust in Thee.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and kind, and that Your ways are so much higher than our own. Thank You that You work on our behalf, and lead us through the deserts and valleys that are a part of our journey. Forgive us for not lifting praise when troubles come; for You are always worthy. Teach us to depend on You in faith, and to ever praise You for what You have done, are doing, and will continue to do. Show us how to love those around us in tangible ways that make Your heart evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and all that You have done, trusting that You will forever remain our faithful Father. Amen.

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

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. – Psalm 5:11

The Faithfulness of His Word

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, NLT)

The Lord’s word is true, and He is faithful in everything He does. He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, ERV)

 

God is always good. His faithfulness never ends. What He promises, He will be faithful to fulfill. I have a dear friend who received a call and a promise from God when she was seventeen years old. Now, three kids later, after the unforeseen twists and turns that life has provided, the Lord is showing her that what was spoken is being worked out, as she faithfully says yes to each new step that He leads her. All that she has been through has been preparation for where the Lord is leading. His goodness and justice is making itself known in miraculous ways, as doors are being flung open, and favor is poured out upon her. The Lord’s faithful love is leading the way across the ends of the earth, as He is making His presence and faithfulness known in new ways, both near and far. May we ever listen to the word of the Lord, as His word is true and we can trust everything He does. Let us look around and see how His unfailing love fills the earth.

For the Lord is good,

And His word holds true;

We can trust in Him,

In all that we do.

He loves what is just,

All good in His sight;

As we pursue Him,

He shows us what’s right.

Wherever we go,

Whatever we do;

The Lord’s faithful love,

Is forever true.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is true and that we can trust everything that You do. Thank You that You love what is just and good, and that Your unfailing love fills the earth. Thank You for those who are faithful to trust You at Your word, and continue to say yes, even when they are unsure of what that yes is going to look like. Please continue to bless and encourage my dear friend, as You open doors and light the way that You are calling her to go. Forgive us for the times that we do not trust You at Your word, or trust the things that You are doing in our lives. Help us to trust what we cannot see, as You know the outcome before we even begin. Show us how to love those around us, so that Your goodness and justice is seen through our love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in everything You do because Your word is true, and Your unfailing love fills the earth. Amen.

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

I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23