trusting God – Be Still…

Lamentations 3:22-23 – God’s Faithfulness

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

How timely this message is! God’s faithfulness is indeed “great,” and his mercies “never cease.” That’s all because he loves us so much. His faithful love remains no matter what terrible things we do. We can always rely on the promise of these verses no matter what is happening in our lives.

Context (Lamentations 3): The prophet Jeremiah is believed to have written Lamentations, and this chapter speaks of his hope in the Lord’s faithfulness. Jeremiah endured many hardships as a prophet of the LORD, and yet his own faith rings out in these verses as he recounts the trials of the people along with the never-ending faithfulness of God. Continue reading “Lamentations 3:22-23 – God’s Faithfulness”

Philippians 1:9 – Growing Faith

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.” (Philippians 1:9)

This is not only a prayer we can pray for ourselves but for other believers in our community. As Christ-followers, it’s common to pray for each other. I have so many fond memories of praying for others and being prayed over.

Context (Philippians 1:3-11): Paul opens his letter with a beautiful prayer for the believers in Philippi. You can tell that Paul has a special relationship with his audience and cares deeply for their faith journey. Our memory verse is part of that prayer, and we can claim it for ourselves. There are so many profound parts of this prayer. Be sure to read the whole thing and be blessed as if Paul were praying just for you. Continue reading “Philippians 1:9 – Growing Faith”

Isaiah 40:31 – Trusting God

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

I love the image of soaring high like an eagle, even though I’m afraid of heights. It speaks of the freedom we have when we trust in God. We don’t have to fear, we will be given new strength. That sounds marvelous, especially when we’re feeling weak.

Context (Isaiah 40:12-31): This section of Isaiah has been entitled “The LORD Has No Equal.” Just sit with that truth for a moment. Every verse in this section speaks of God’s magnificent power over his creation. If you need a reminder of how great God is, this is the section for you. It masterfully sets up our memory verse today, giving us countless reasons to trust in the LORD. Continue reading “Isaiah 40:31 – Trusting God”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – When You Don’t Understand

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Can you think of a time when you were perplexed by something that was happening around you? God knew we wouldn’t understand everything we encounter in this world. That’s part of what makes discovery and adventure so much fun. We can marvel at God’s handiwork, we can seek out answers, and then we overflow with gratitude when those lightbulbs turn on. Our understanding of the complexities of God’s plan will always be limited.

Context (Proverbs 3): In the book of Proverbs, the nuggets of wisdom often stand alone. In this case, Solomon focuses his lessons on trusting God and what wisdom looks like. The fact those two themes appear in the same chapter are no accident. But as for context with a proverb, it’s good to remember the author was King Solomon whom God had granted great wisdom. Continue reading “Proverbs 3:5-6 – When You Don’t Understand”

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Thinking Clearly

^“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

When I read this verse I sat up a little straighter in my chair, bursting with confidence in the Lord and his promise of salvation. We’ve been dealing with technical support for the past week on a new laptop that isn’t working. While that has nothing to do with my faith or trust in God, it has taken its toll on my confidence in humanity and my own understanding of all things technical. Being clearheaded sounds delightful!

Context: This verse in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians comes amidst a discussion about the last days when Jesus will return. Paul was assuring his readers that while we don’t when this will happen, as children of the light we are in the best possible position to be ready. Jesus will return at the perfect time, and we need to trust that. Continue reading “1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Thinking Clearly”