“Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68:28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever seen a friend go through trials that would break most people but do so with a grace-filled strength that is almost confounding? During those seasons God “commands” or summons the strength buried inside, draws it out and builds it up to use for His glory. He doesn’t NEED use is to show His might and power; He can do that well on His own, but He chooses us, perhaps to reach hurting hearts in the skin-on love language most respond to well. Through this living testimony others are drawn to His saving grace. Ask God to draw out that strength—His strength—in you to be a vessel for His grace today.

“May God be gracious to us and bless us;
look on us with favor           Selah
so that Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.”

Psalm 67:1-2  HCSB

Raise your hand if you think you might get sick if you hear or see one more person talk about their successful children, the amazing vacation they went on or the delicious steak dinner they just ate followed by #blessed. It seems almost as if #blessed is the Christian version of the good life. But what if you are not experiencing these same “blessings” even though you are living a life of faithful obedience? Perhaps it’s time to rethink the meaning of the blessed life.

To be blessed means to be made holy, consecrated. This means our salvation from Christ is a blessing because it cleanses us from sin. Studying God’s Word and living that life of faithful devotion to the Gospel as you work out the ongoing salvation of Christian growth is a blessing. The trials that refine your faith and sift out the dross are blessings. These graces are God’s gifts given so others would be drawn to Him and come to know His salvation. Laura story describes it well in her song, “Blessings” — “What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if trials of this life — the rain, the storms, the hardest nights — are your mercies in disguise?”

Truly, be blessed in Him today.

“Praise our God, you peoples;
let the sound of His praise be heard.
He keeps us alive
and does not allow our feet to slip.”

Psalm 66:8-9  HCSB

You are hiking a steep incline with moss-covered stones beneath your feet. With every step you breathe a prayer to not slide as gravel gives way with every push-off. At the end of the trail you sing praises for the safe delivery and hard-fought victory of accomplishment.

This is how those most difficult seasons feel. Thankfully, the God of the universe cares so much for you He placed in your soul that hunger for life which fuels your desire to keep pressing forward for the prize. He will always make a way for you so that, if you choose that path, your feet will stay firmly planted while pressing on. Seek His light to guide you.

“You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65:7‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Do you feel overwhelmed by the demands of this world? By continual pressure to perform, produce and succeed both at work and at home? Pull back for respite in the middle of the craziness to retrain you focus on the God of your salvation. As your eyes turn to the cross, order returns to your heart, and the waves of anxiety are calmed. Be still with Him today.

“Hide me from the scheming of wicked people, from the mob of evildoers, who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭64:2-3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Arrow poison derived from the venoms of animals and from plants is used at the tips of arrows in hunting and warfare. Once in widespread use by indigenous people throughout the world, the deadly toxins are still used in South America, Africa and Asia. There is no doubt regarding their intended use.

Much rhetoric dispensed through common media outlets, bearing in mind social media IS a media outlet, is poisonous to our souls. Your words have the power to hurt and the power to heal. Are your words tipped with poison, or are they a soothing balm?Does bitterness lace your conversation, delicately stabbing at the thoughts, views, and opinions of others? Think long and hard before you put your words out there.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.

You satisfy me as with rich food;
my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

Psalm 63: 1, 5  HCSB

You’ve been on the road all day. You ran out of water hours ago, and you barely grabbed a bite of breakfast before heading out this morning. As you pull off the highway your mouth waters as you salivate on thoughts of a big, juicy steak, creamy potatoes, a fresh salad and a giant glass of iced tea. Just think about that dessert menu! Five-layer chocolate cake, Bourbon pecan pie, creme brule’…

Do you seek God in this way? During the dry, parched seasons do you try to fill the emptiness with controlling your food, whether healthy or not, buying clothes, or decorating and re-decorating your home? Perhaps you escape to gaming, books, or social media.

Let God be that escape. Run to Him first thing in the morning to see what He has for you today. Let Him whisper to your heart, breathe life, quench your thirst and fill your hunger with his satisfying Word. During the stress-filled day when you are tempted to seek refuge in pleasures offering only, fleeting comfort take a few moments, instead, to meditate on His message and praise Him for who He is and the amazing things He has done. He invites you to dine with Him today at His banquet table. Will you accept His invitation?

“Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever noticed after a storm some trees have lost large limbs, some may even be uprooted, but others stand tall with only twigs blown from their boughs? The same wind blew through each tree, the same pounding rain. The trees most damaged received only the occasional watering from rainfall. The trees standing firm received regular watering that soaked the roots and was absorbed into the branches.

Everyone gets pounded with storms at some point. Being well-watered daily and firmly rooted in the truth God’s Word will keep you from being “greatly shaken” by the whirlwinds. Are you soaking in His Word daily?

 
Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless.
Psalm 60:11 HCSB

You fight and fight, but you can’t seem to win the battle over ___________.  Addiction? Procrastination? Anger? Finances? Spending? Health problems?
You can’t do this on your own. The battle is bigger than you:

“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12-13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Seek Him. He is your source.

“I will keep watch for You, my strength, because God is my stronghold. My faithful God will come to meet me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭59:9-10‬a HCSB‬‬

You are in your car driving to work. As you pass through busy intersections, road construction, and school zones you are vigilant to watch for changing lights, unexpected twists and turns, and children that might dart into the street.

Likewise, you must be vigilant to depend on God for your strength or you will fall into the trap of self-sufficiency, believing the lie that you can do life on your own. Are you alert to look for your strength in Him?🚦