Strength Every Morning

 Isaiah 33:2  (NIV)  LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

            In an odd way, there is a glint of humor in my mind each time I hear someone expressing a thought that I must somehow be something special or that perhaps I have it easier than most because I am a devotional writer. No, actually, the truth is that my heart aches for lost loved ones just as much as your does. I worry about my boys just the way you worry about your children. My boys do not live nearby and I miss them just like you miss family living far away. There’s a gap in my heart left from those precious family and friends who are no longer living just like there’s a gap in your heart. I’m in my senior years (my Uncle refers to this as “the accumulation of birthdays”) which brings all the normal effects of the aging process to me just as it does to you. But my Heavenly Father is gracious. He gives me strength every morning to complete whatever tasks I need to complete. He saves me—literally, emotionally, and mentally—in times of distress and uncertainty. Every day I find comfort and solace in his Word.

            Today, I will share some of the verses that so frequently bring me hope. Tomorrow, I may share some more.

In times of anxiety:

Matthew 6:27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 55:22  Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 68:19  Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Praying for my boys’ daily concerns as they navigate life:

Proverbs 4:13-15  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Proverbs 22:6  Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:1  A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13  I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

When I miss those precious loved ones who have died and I need comfort:

Psalm 116:15 (NLT) The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

            You see, dear friends, I am just like you. I have similar concerns and daily challenges to face. And the only way I can navigate through each day is to trust in my Heavenly Father who gives me strength every morning.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you that you care. Thank you for your provision of daily strength.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Strength Every Morning appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com