Nearer, My God, To Thee

Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you. Turn to God when a problem you face is greater than your resources. Exercise your faith by giving the burden to God to be carried and answered. Cultivate the habit of letting Father God know what presses down on your heart and causes your hands to be weak. Become consistent in calling on God for strength, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, patience, direction, power, authority, guidance, love, mercy, grace, justice; in other words, all things we need each day to walk victoriously in God' kingdom as His children, His sons and daughters, His representatives, ambassadors, shepherds, healers, judges, warriors. Only by practicing His presence in our daily lives can we fulfill our responsibilities to those He sends us to.

Isaiah 40:10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. (v.11) He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.

We turn to Him in thankfulness, and the joy of the Lord shines through us to those around. We seek Him earnestly and the strength of God flows through us to the ones for whom we pray. We cry to Him with tears and His compassion enfolds the pain and suffering with balm and healing. And as He answers, we find the comfort and joy of His presence as we are held in His hand, a tool in the use of the Master.

Isaiah 40:
v.28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
v.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
v.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
v.31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

We can count on Him for not only our needs, but the needs of those who depend on us, who turn to us when troubles arise and fear grows. By our conversation and lifestyle, others will know we have a different foundation; they may laugh or scorn when things are fine, but when the storm clouds darken the sky, the winds start to toss the trees, and the rain starts to wash away the ground under their feet, they will turn to the ones who are still calm and confident, the ones who see beyond the storm and know the One greater than the storm.

Isaiah 41
v.8 "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
v.9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
v.10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
v.11 "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
v.13 For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
v.14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Let the abundance of the blessings of heaven stir your heart and renew your mind today as you come into the presence of the God of glory and get your marching orders. He will go with you, before you, and follow after you, for you are as the apple of His eye, the very pupil of His eye, and any power that comes at you, comes at the Lord and Creator of the universe. Let this humbling thought sink in, and let our hearts bow before the awesomeness of the place in which He has put us.

Psalms 66
v.1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
v.2 Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!
v.3 Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You."
v.5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!
v.10 For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.
v.11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
v.12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.
v.20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!

God above, we stand in the place where You have placed us, and we acknowledge that though we are in the midst of what is happening, we have no power over the events or circumstances, save what You give us. We depend on You for our salvation and redemption, we look to You for directions and authority, we confess we are not worthy or capable of what You entrust to us, but we act in faith and trust Your work in our lives. Show us where to go and what to do, and even as Jesus gave us the example, we lay our lives down for others, that they, too, may come to know who You are.

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