Steadfast

I often find myself so easily swayed by all that goes on around me.  Maybe it is the emotions of the day; regrets of my mistakes; illness; financial worries; or maybe someone has let me down.  Some days I just feel down and unsure of my next step.  I have found that I can drown in the circumstances  around me.

Yet, there is one who never changes and who is always faithful despite my faults. It is He who says take heart for I have overcome the world.  It is on Him I will build my house because He is my rock and my salvation so whom have I too fear.

It is in Him that I can trust because He promises to direct all my paths and to use everything for good.  It is Him who has given me everything I need for life and godliness.  On this rock I will stand when the waves of life sway and I will not be shaken!!

Once again as I stand on his faithful promises, he gives me the strength to stay steadfast in the tasks before me.  It is in this daily steadfastness that He builds character, excellence, and strength in my life and continues to transform me into the women, wife, and mother He wants me to be.

Psalm 37:3-7:
TRUST in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take DELIGHT in the Lord,
and He will give you your heart's desires.
COMMIT everything you do to the Lord,
Trust Him and He will help you.
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
BE STILL in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for Him to act.

I have found this trusting, delighting, committing, and waiting key to staying steadfast.  Spending faithful time with our Lord in the word and in prayer; trusting his promises, committing all I do and delighting in Him keeps me steadfast.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.  Help me to remember your precious promises and to trust you when life gets tough.  Continue to mold me into who you want me to be and help me to commit all I do to you and do it for your glory. Amen.

What promises do you stand on?

(Psalm 127:1, Psalm 62:2, John 16:33, Proverbs 3:6, Romans 8:28, 2 Peter 1:3)

The Priviledge of Delight

Mercies are new each morning.  How true I find that to be.  Each morning I awake with a plan for the day.  Ready to take on the challenges and tasks that lay before me.  The cares of yesterday are

dim and the possibilities of what the day may bring give me hope.

Yet, how quickly those thoughts seem to faulter.  The reality of life hits once again.  Kids to get ready, list of things to do, the chaos of life.  Many days I see my spirits going down quickly with the worries of life.

How easily I can fall into self-pity and despair.

Matthew Henry in his commentary on Phillipians 4: 4 writes "Delight thyself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4) in the multitude of our thoughts within us (grievous and afflicting thoughts) His comfort delights our soul (Psalm 94:19) and our meditation of Him is sweet (Psalm 104:34). Observe it is our duty and priviledge to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in Him always; at all times; in all conditions..."

This is my heart's desire.  To delight in the one who promises to help me do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phillipians 4:13).  In Him who delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17) despite all of my weaknesses.  To remain in the joy of the Lord despite my circumstances of the day.

So, this afternoon, I delighted and rejoiced in Him.  While going about my day and interacting with those around me.  I asked Him to help me remember who He is and who I am in Him. When I started to remember all the things I am inadequate in, I brought them in prayer and instead started focusing on who He is.  As I delight in Him, those cares start to grow dim and the strength needed to accomplish what is set before me returns.  As the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus says, "And the things of earth will grow strangly dim, in the light of His glory and grace". 

Thank you Lord for your amazing grace and the priviledge you have given me to delight in you!  Through my failures, help me remember that your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Help me to delight in You!