Thursday, January 25, 2018

God is Our Strength & the Father Enables Us to Rise Above Life's Circumstances (1.25.18)

Father,
I confess that I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon You.

How thankful I am for the promise of Your Word, that when I grieve, You give me a crown of beauty; that even when I mourn, there is gladness found in You. And when I despair, and feel hopeless in my circumstances, as I look to You - You will cloak me in a garment of praise.

My desire, Father, is to always praise You; but I confess that often, like Peter, I look away from the face of Jesus.  I see the fierceness of the storm around me, I sink into my circumstances, and lose all ability to believe that You will fight my battles.

Why is my faith so small?
Why do I doubt?

Forgive me Father and have mercy on me.
Help me, I pray!

Destroy doubt in my life and help me to believe that although the fig tree does not bud (my dreams do not come to fruition . . .) and there are no grapes on the vines (my burdens seem endless . . .).  Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food (my financial resources are sadly lacking . . .); though there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the stalls (my worldly possessions are minimal at best . . .); may I still be joyful and praise Your Name for You are my GOD and my Savior (I have Jesus!).

You are my strength, and you enable me to rise above the circumstances of my life and the cares of this world.

May I follow the example of King Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel, and sing and praise Your Name, leaving the battles of my life in Your Hands. Even in the most overwhelming situations, may I choose to give thanks to You and rejoice in You, knowing that Your Love endures forever.

I choose this day to praise You, regardless of what I see with my earthly eyes; and I rejoice that my name is written in Heaven because of the finished work of Your Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, on the Cross.

Thank You that the victory is sure.
In Jesus name I pray.

Amen

Reflections:
    2 Chronicles 20:12  ;  Isaiah 61:3  ;  Matthew 14:25-33  ;
    Habakkuk 3:17  ;  2 Chronicles 20:21, 22  ;  Psalm 5:11  ;  Luke 10:20

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