Week
9 God’s Love for Us
Day 59
Provision Along the
Way
Though
I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth
thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord,
endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Psalm 138:7-8 KJV
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any years ago, I read Pilgrim's
Progress, by John Bunyan. I was young, and the symbolism was not
always clear to me, but one idea took firm hold; we are all travelers through
this life.
Our lives are in a constant state
of change, and with the clarity that comes from truth as revealed through
Jesus, we accept that this world offers no permanent place of happiness. We
have learned not to hold too tightly to material things because the Lord calls
us to find our heart homes in Him. Lives lived for Jesus become allegories of
His years of ministry, and we remember that our Lord traveled from town to town
with no earthly place to call home. However, God provided for His Son’s needs;
Jesus had both spiritual[i]
and physical food,[ii]
money to pay His taxes,[iii]
and rest when His body was weary.[iv]
We may be sojourners—people whose stay here in this world is temporary—but we
can be sure that when we follow in our Savior’s footsteps, God will provide for
us.
Jesus has not only forged a path
for us to our Heavenly home, He walks along beside us on our way. He has
promised not to leave us on our own, and no matter what our circumstances may
be, we hear Him say, “I am with you.”
We live here for now
and are allowed transient moments of joy, but our true happiness awaits us in
Heaven. When our earthbound paths hold challenges that seem
too difficult to face, God’s Word provides Spirit-breathed refreshment.
Psalm 138 provides rich
encouragement for the sojourner:
"... for you have
exalted above all things your name and your word" (v. 2).
"On the day I called, you
answered me; my strength of soul you increased" (v. 3).
"Though I walk in the midst of
trouble, you preserve my life" (v. 7).
"The Lord will perfect that
which concerneth me..." (v. 8 KJV).
God is sovereign over every
circumstance of our lives. When we call on His Name, he responds and
grants strength. Even if we are in trouble of our own making, the Lord is
with us and will deliver us as we invite Him into the situation. Most
encouraging of all, the Lord is able to take our bumbling efforts and inbreathe
them with the Holy Spirit's perfecting power. Thus our tiniest positive effort results
in the advancement of His Holy work.
Praise God for His constant
presence with us, His delivering power, and for the ways He smooths our rough
edges! Incredibly, His redeeming power makes us fit for His Kingdom as we
travel the path He blazed for us. Blessed be His Holy Name!
Pray: Lord, You know I am weary, please strengthen
me. You know I have sinned, please forgive me. You know the way seems too
difficult for me; please encourage my heart. I praise and thank You for
strength, forgiveness, and encouragement through Jesus Christ, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, and the love of Father God. I affirm that my hope is for
Heaven’s joy, but I taste that joy now because You are with me. I praise Your
Name. Amen.
~~~
The Lord will fulfill
his purpose for me.
Psalm 138:7
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