“For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his
tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.”
(Psalm 27:5 NIV)
Every time I choose to trust God, my faith grows. All I need to do is ask for Him to help me. He promised He will be with me through it all. He will keep me safe. He will hide me. He will set me high upon a plateau. I will see clearly all around me and know I am safe. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that
hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.”
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
My
husband, Jeff, enjoyed running road races. When we lived in Pensacola he ran
almost every weekend in a 5K, 10K, or Half-Marathon race. Sometimes I would
race-walk the race with him. Our children often joined in the fun, too.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us
in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray
for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for
us
with groans that words cannot express.”
(Romans 8:26 NIV)
The simple beauty of Autumn was laid before my eyes. I did not know how to thank my heavenly Father as He moved me beyond the past and into a new season of Hope with Him. The Holy Spirit prays for me and I trust Him to use the right words. I hope you will, too!
“You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall.”
(Isaiah 25:4 NIV)
The Lord is my Refuge, my Shelter, and my Shade. Like an umbrella on the hot, white sands of Pensacola Beach, He protects me from the heat of the sun. I run through the dangerous dunes and fall down in His arms. I can relax and enjoy being with Him. I hope you will, too!
“Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial,
because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love
Him.”
(James 1:12 NIV)
Les Miserables’ “One Day More”
reminds me:
One day more
Another day, another destiny
The time is now, the day is here
One day to a new beginning
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store
One more dawn
One more day
One day more
I will march into another day with Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“A righteous man may have many
troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
(Psalm 34:19 NIV)
Have you read the story of Job lately? I like to avoid it. Suffering like Job did is more than I want to cozy up to. I recently read a book about slavery and how the heroine reconciled her faith in God during her struggle. Brothers and sisters in Christ in many countries live in danger. God has promised to deliver us all and bring us to Himself. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too!
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in
our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces
perseverance.”
(Romans 5:3 NIV)
Perseverance produces character and character produces hope. My confidence is that the purpose for which God created me will be ultimately realized. His purpose is to produce character in His children. I will triumph over sufferings as I rejoice in my Creator, my Savior. I will go through the refiner’s fire and come out on the other side more like Jesus, to reflect Him more clearly. I hope you will, too!
