Seek in Trust

Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to You. – (Psalm 102:1, NIV)

Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for help. – (Psalm 102:1, ERV)

Hear me, O Eternal One, hear my prayer! Hear my lonely desperate cry for help. – (Psalm 102:1, VOICE)

I appreciate how the Psalmists were so real with how they were feeling, yet continued to seek and praise God. The humanity is reassuring, and a reminder that no one has it all together all the time, yet always God is the one to seek for answers, help and hope. Their example demonstrates that no matter what comes, God is who we ought to seek. Yesterday evening, after spending the day at the high school where I coach gymnastics for their schedule pick-up, I opened my school email and my class lists. After seeing some of the names and faces that I taught last year, a bit of anxiousness crept in. It is a new year and a different building, and I have to trust that God has a plan. I am torn, as I was so hopeful for the new, yet there is comfort in the familiar. I will be teaching the same classes and follow the same schedule as last year. So far, class sizes seem reasonable, and I am praying that they stay that way. God is good, and He knows my heart and hears my prayers. He will equip and empower me for what lies ahead, and will strengthen me to take on that which is difficult. In all things I will give Him praise, for His goodness is not circumstantial, and His love knows no end.

You are faithful,

A glimpse of a classroom on our temporary campus…

to hear all I ask;

Your love, unending,

You lead through each task.

With kindness and grace,

You come alongside;

Your capable hands,

lead arms open wide.

Ready to catch me,

each time that I fall;

to show me Your way,

through the great and small.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You know our heart;

each day is its own,

with a brand new start.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and loving and faithful. Thank You that we can call on You and trust You in all things. Thank You that You are for us. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations with how we think things appear. Teach us to trust that You see beyond what is before us, for You know the purpose and the outcome. Show us how to faithfully walk in Your love as we do all things. Lead us to love those around us in ways that make Your heart evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place all things in Your hands and trust You with all that is and is yet to come. Amen.

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

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Unchanging Goodness

But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. – (Psalm 102:27, NIV)

But You never change. You will live forever! – (Psalm 102:27, ERV)

But You are the same, You will never change; Your years will never come to an end. – (Psalm 102:27, VOICE)

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who led His people through the sea He parted to create a safe escape, is the same God who sent His one and only Son to redeem us from our sin. He sits on the throne and hears our cries, and loves us through all things. A place is prepared for all who trust in Him to be with Him forever. No matter what we face or have to endure, God remains faithful and present to see us through. Beyond what He has done and is doing, we have a hope for all eternity. May we navigate our days with the recognition of God’s presence, and the hope we have not just for today, but forever.

The Lord is so good,

He always remains;

Unchanging, the same,

As love He proclaims.

God always has been,

Forever He’ll be;

Our help and our hope,

Love eternally.

May we place our trust,

In the Lord who reigns;

Forever faithful,

Choose trust in His Name.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have always been, are now, and forever will be. Thank You that Your love and faithfulness knows no end. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of who You are and how Your presence and strength provide what we need to press on. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would keep our eyes on eternity with You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and faithfulness evident. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your faithfulness and trust in Your goodness and love forever. Amen.

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

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. – Psalm 33:4

Ever Be

But You are always the same; You will live forever. – (Psalm 102:27, NLT)

But You never change. You will live forever! – (Psalm 102:27, ERV)

But You are the same, You will never change; Your years will never come to an end. – (Psalm 102:27, VOICE)

 

As I read the various versions of this particular passage, song lyrics began to play through my mind immediately. The song, Ever Be, by Aaron Shust, has a line that kept repeating over and over as I took in the truth – “Faithful You have been and faithful You will be…” God is always the same and will not change. His love and faithfulness for us, remain for all time. Before the world began, He was. Long after life as we know it ceases, He will be. The constant is God. When everything that surrounds us seems to be swirling out of control, the one true thing that shall always remain, is who God is and how He loves. He is the anchor of our soul, and the One on whom we can always depend. May we ever trust in the Lord, for He is good and loving and kind, and His faithfulness will never end.

 

For You never change, 

You’re always the same;

Faithful forever,

We trust in Your Name.

Though we are all born,

And will one day die;

You are forever,

Hope never denied.

Help us always seek,

You, our faithful Lord;

All praise be to You,

The One we adore.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always the same, and that Your Kingdom knows no end. Thank You that Your faithfulness is forever, and we can trust in You. Forgive us for thinking that You are fickle like us, that You would somehow change Your mind. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would readily believe and receive all that You have for us, as You are faithful forever. Show us how to love others with the same faithfulness that You give to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You praise for all of our days that You never change and that Your years shall not ever end. Amen.

 

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

 

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6