Est.

  When I read this verse, it challenged me.  Do I actually wait on Him continually? Waiting implies that sometimes I will have to be patient. Do I struggle to submit to the Lord patiently?  Am I listening moment by moment for His voice? Or do I too often allow other voices to crowd my mind so hearing His voice is more difficult?  I found the first phrase encouraging.  It is only by His help that I can do anything! If I try to do things without His help, I will fail, but when He directs, He also gives the wherewithal to accomplish the task. What a great blessing it is to have His promises and to know He is holding us every step of the way. Nothing escapes His notice. He sees and knows what is around each corner. If we will simply trust Him and wait on Him continually, He will guide us safely home, no matter what unexpected hills or valleys we may have to traverse. He is so gracious and merciful and His way really is the best way. These words of an old chorus came...

I think this may be one of my favourite verses. Time and again I find great comfort in it. It's a great reminder for me that the Lord is so gracious and delights in dealing bountifully with His people. This is the only way to find true rest.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Thank You Lord for dealing bountifully with me!

I always loved this verse. I think it's such a great encouragement that no matter how frequently we mess up, our God is the One who is able to keep us and present us faultless with exceeding joy. What a glorious day of rejoicing that will be! God and the angels and redeemed mankind will all rejoice greatly at the Lord's great loving kindness and mercies and gracious dealings with His people.  When you're struggling to hold on to that, remember this: "The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:17-18.  Whether it feels like that or not is another matter but our feelings do not dictate truth.  He is gracious, and worthy of all the praise we can give, even in the hardest circumstances. We have many examples of this all through the Scriptures.