Seek Him Always

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. – (Psalm 105:4, NIV)

Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to Him for help. – (Psalm 105:4, ERV)

Seek the Eternal and His power; look to His face constantly. – (Psalm 105:4, VOICE)

We all need strength to navigate each new day well, and God is the One to whom we look for strength. The thing is, we ought to seek Him to begin each day, and continue turning to Him as we go. God is faithful to supply the help and strength we need as we depend on Him, and He carries us through the places and spaces that we do not think we can continue moving forward. Most teachers are in a space of desperately needing God to provide the strength to finish the school year strong. Everyone is eager to be finished, state testing is complete, and kid energy is magnified when the sun starts to come out. There can be much joy as the year comes to a close, yet there are extra challenges as well. May we ever look to the Lord to be our strength, for He is faithful to supply what we need as we turn to Him.

God, You are so good,

and faithful always;

You hear our requests,

throughout all our days.

You’re our Source of strength,

when the days are long;

You fill us with love,

and make our hearts strong.

Your love lifts us up,

so we may press on;

Your grace gives us hope,

as You we call on.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You’re always good;

and Your faithfulness,

how hope’s understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the One we can look to for strength, and that we can seek You ever and always. Thank You that as we do, You meet us and provide what we need to press on. Forgive us for the times that we have tried to navigate on our own or muscle our way through things without You. Teach us to ever trust in You and to seek You in all things. Lead us in Your everlasting love so that we may extend Your goodness to all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You continually and trust You to lead and provide in all things. Amen.

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

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. – 1 Chronicles 16:11

Why Friday Was Good

Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. – (Matthew 27:37, NIV)

They put a sign above His head with the charge against Him written on it: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” – (Matthew 27:37, ERV)

They placed a sign over His head: “THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.” – (Matthew 27:37, VOICE)

Though done in mockery, what the soldiers posted was in fact true. The One they had crucified would be seated on the throne in heaven to reign forever. Not only as King of the Jews, but as the Savior of all. Good Friday is not good because of His suffering, but rather it is good because through His suffering, the penalty that we all deserve for our sin was placed upon Him. Jesus willingly suffered for our sake so that we might know life eternal in Him. The good is that death could not defeat Him, and the third day was coming. Darkness and silence that overwhelmed Friday, would be flooded with the glorious light of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday. What seemed to be the end was but a pause prior to the ultimate revelation of the power of God. When we find ourselves feeling alone or overwhelmed in the dark, we have the hope that not only is Sunday coming, but light and life and love are available and active for us through Christ. He is our Help and our Healer, our Savior, and our Source. May we ever hold fast to the good that came to us through the willing sacrifice of Jesus on that Friday so long ago.

The light of the world,

Seemingly snuffed out;

Little did they know,

What it was about.

For the love of God,

That gave us His Son;

Willingly chose die,

For many, through One.

The weight of the world,

In love, He chose bear;

It was love alone,

That kept Him up there.

The mocking and harm,

Inflicted on Him;

He took for our sake,

So we too might live.

For when we choose Christ,

We’re cleansed from our sin;

Made new, forgiven,

Declared whole in Him.

No matter the dark,

The burdens we bear;

His love will free us,

As our trust’s declared.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to save us. Thank You Jesus, that You willingly took our sin and shame upon Yourself so that we might know life in You forever. Forgive us for the times that we have taken for granted, the magnitude of Your sacrifice and the love that goes beyond comprehension that kept You in a space of suffering for us all. Teach us to embrace the grace and mercy we are given as we trust in You, and show us how to turn and extend the same to all those around us. Because we are forgiven and free, we can do the same for others. Show us how to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the sacrifice that goes beyond what our minds can grasp and the love that grants life to all who receive it. Amen.

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

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20