Today is Saturday, February 25, 2017. Thirteen days until our Glen Rose weekend!
“The cat could very well be man’s best friend but would never stoop to admitting it.” ~ Doug Larson
Hoary ~ gray or white with or as if with age. My beard is hoary.
Today is Clam Chowder Day. It’s not often that I will choose something over chocolate (it is also Chocolate Covered Peanut Day), but, seriously, if I had the choice between Clam Chowder and chocolate covered peanuts right this second, I would dig into that Clam Chowder! It’s grocery store day. I’m going to have to get some.
We were supposed to have our Night of Worship “missional gathering” tonight, but the leader got the flu this week. I’m not sure when we will have it next. Our next Night of Worship is a week from tonight, March 4.
We have a couple of things to try to get done today. A new tire for C’s car, and she needs to pick up glasses at the eye doctor’s office. S wants to go to Martha’s Mexican restaurant today. She must be feeling better.
Today is the day of the first Spring Training game for the Texas Rangers. They play the KC Royals this afternoon, in Surprise, AZ. The Red Sox played the NY Mets yesterday, and lost 3-2.
37 days until Opening Day!
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 95:2
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
Psalm 84:7
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!
Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psalm 57:7-11
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:3-5
One of my father’s favorite books was The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. The first two paragraphs of this book present a truth that is so simple, yet so profound.
Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult–once we truly understand and accept it–then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
I believe I latched onto this truth a long time ago, because, to me, it truly no longer matters that life is difficult. I have accepted it. And we, as believers in Christ, can add another phrase to it.
Life is hard, but God is good.
No matter what is happening in your life right now, the truth will never change. God is good. We may shake our fists at him in anger; we may cry out to him in anguish or fear. But he is good. In fact, according to Scripture, he is the only one who is truly “good.”
The Psalms are full of verses that describe this truth.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalm 34:6-7
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Psalm 37:39-40
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
There are many more. But the recurring theme of all of these is that, even though we will face difficulties, struggles, and afflictions, God will deliver us from them. There is never a promise that he will keep us from ever experiencing them.
Life IS hard!
But there are plenty of promises of deliverance out of those troubles.
But God IS good!
Remember this today. Whatever you experience. Or, perhaps, remember it in case you run across another person who is experiencing troubles and afflictions and knows not where to turn.
Life is hard, but God is good.
Father, teach us this truth. The only way we can truly rest in your love, mercy, and grace, is to firmly grasp the truth that, yes, we will encounter trials and difficulties in our lives, but, through them all, you are good. Thank you for being good. Thank you for your promises of deliverance.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Grace and peace, friends.
Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy 