Your Faithful Love

God, within Your temple, we contemplate Your faithful love. – (Psalm 48:9, HCSB)

God, in Your temple we remember Your loving kindness. – (Psalm 48:9, ERV)

We ponder Your love-in-action, God, waiting in Your temple. – (Psalm 48:9, MSG)

The incredible thing about this is that we no longer have to be in a physical structure to be in God’s presence; our body is the temple for His Spirit. God’s nearness is as close as our next heartbeat, and His love is tangible and ongoing. Yesterday was a strange day, as I was told my teaching assignment for next year. Sixth-grade math is not what I would have anticipated nor asked for, yet I can look back and see God’s faithfulness to carry me through each and every time that I have had to pivot in my career. As a teacher that has a K-8 generalist degree and only a specialized degree in Art, I have become the “jack-of-all subjects” (and grade levels), yet feel like a master of none. That being said, throughout each and every shift that I have had to make, I have been blessed with incredible teammates that aided in making the transitions doable. Looking ahead, the partner that I have been paired with for next year is fantastic, and I can trust that God’s loving kindness will again provide. Additionally, yesterday evening, we ran into an old friend that walked beside me in my most difficult season. Seeing her now was again a reminder of God’s love in action that is faithful and present always. To remember where I was and reflect on the here and now, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that God dwells within us. May we ever pause and ponder the goodness of God, and His faithfulness to be present always.

Lord God, as we go,

Help us be aware;

Of Your faithfulness,

And great loving care.

Teach us to trust You,

In everything;

Give thanks for the good,

And love that You bring.

Help us see clearly,

That You are within;

Wherever we go,

You also have been.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and kindness. Thank You that to be in Your temple, Your very presence, can take place wherever we are and whenever we look to You. Thank You that we can look back and see Your faithfulness and love, and look forward, anticipating Your hand moving on our behalf. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when we are facing things that seem like giants before us. Teach us to slow down and be intentional to reflect upon Your ongoing, unending faithfulness. Lead us to love those around us with the same passion and commitment You have for us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ponder Your goodness and faithfulness in all things and at all times, as we have Your promised presence, always. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Lead for Life

For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die. – (Psalm 48:14, NLT)

This God is our God forever and ever. He will lead us from now to the end of time! – (Psalm 48:14, ERV)

 

One of the attributes of God that I appreciate most is His faithfulness. Because He is faithful, He will never leave us nor forsake us, and His promises remain true for all time. When we make the choice to invite God to be the Lord of our lives, He comes close and dwells within us. As we seek Him for answers, He shows us the ways in which we are meant to go. His leading lasts forever, if we are only willing to listen. May we ever look to the Lord and His faithfulness, trusting Him to lead us from now until our days are done.

 

Faithfulness of God,

It knows not an end;

For He’s forever,

Our hope, guide and friend.

He’s promised to lead,

To the end of time;

Always He’s present,

With our best in mind.

So trust in the Lord,

Seek always, His face;

To find direction,

Love, mercy and grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our God forever and ever. Thank You that You will lead us from now until the end of time. Thank You that we can trust in Your faithfulness, for it endures forever. Forgive us for our lack of faith and trust when trials come. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek and heed Your guidance all of our days, as Your ways are higher than ours. Show us how to love those around us in tangible and observable ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your leading all of our lives long. Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Our Map and Our Guide

For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. – (Psalm 48:14)

 

There is such reassurance in these words, as the companion chapter in my reading plan today included Revelation 13. In Revelation 13, we are told of the captivity and persecution that will happen in the end times for all who faithfully follow Christ. I find that to be a bit unnerving, yet there is such reassurance in this particular verse in Psalm 13. God will be our God and our guide unto the end. He will be our map and our Companion, leading, guiding, directing, strengthening and remaining present, no matter where we are called; regardless of what we may face. Our charge is to continue to pursue Him through the study of His word (our map), seeking Him in prayer, and to allow our hearts to be tender toward Him, so that we may hear His direction and guidance. All glory, honor and praise unto You, our God and our guide for all of our days.

 

For God is our God,

both now and always;

He will lead and guide,

for all of our days.

When the trials come,

He stays by our side;

our heart in His hands,

for our souls, He died.

Whatever we face,

His strength is enough;

His peace and presence,

the most hopeful stuff.

So, fear not my friends,

the evil around;

for in Christ we’re saved,

our hope has been found.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our God forever, and that You will be our guide until the very end. Thank You that no matter what comes, nor what trials we face, You remain present, holding our hearts and our hands. Thank You that though harm may befall our bodies, our spirit is safe forever in You. Forgive us for our fears when we see all that is going on in the world that points to potential discomfort, and grant us Your strength and courage to trust in You and Your plans and purposes for us. May we love without limits, as You love us, and may those who know You not, come to know the hope found forever in You. Be glorified, O God, as we trust You to lead us and guide us all of our days. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31

Tend Well the Temple

Within Your temple,

we meditate, O God;

on Your endless love,

may the whole earth applaud.

For Your Name, O God,

is so great to be praised;

to the ends of the earth,

may our voices be raised.

Your mighty right hand,

does hold all righteousness;

knowledge of Your love,

fills our hearts, we are blessed.

As we all rejoice,

as Your people bring praise;

may our hearts hold truth,

the gift each of our days.

For God You are now,

and will be evermore;

our guide to the end,

just as You were before.

Present praise to Him,

for all honor is His;

our hope and promise,

to eternally live.

(Responding to Psalm 48:9-10, 14)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your temple is no longer a specific structure where we are required to present sacrifices in order to stand before You. Thank You that instead, all who call on Your Name and invite You in, become Your body – Your holy temple – as our hearts house Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the freedom to worship You, and for the joy in knowing our future and our hope, are held in You. Forgive us for not giving the glory that is due, and help our hearts to hold the hope and truth found in You alone. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, so that we may love as we are loved by You. Let our love lead those who are looking, unto Your loving arms. Amen.

Anne update: Anne was happily wearing one of her warm new outfits yesterday when I went to visit. She had another outing planned for later in the afternoon, and was very much looking forward to fresh air and being out and about. Please continue to contend for her total healing, and for the hearts and homes of both the couple who has hosted her for the past many days, loving and caring for her so well, and for the pair that will provide her permanent home, beginning this evening. May His grace and peace be yours. With love and gratitude, Shannon

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