The Night Seasons

Psalm 16:7-8  I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.I have set the LORD always before me;  Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,


Girls, I look back at the many trials I have endured over the past 15 or 16 years and my thoughts always go to these two verses.  The Lord truly has been my comfort during those times as well as my counselor.  He has instructed me and guided me through each one.  Even the night was light about me when I woke up worried and anxious over one thing or another.  Why...because I had set Him always before me and He was at my right hand.  When I think of the possibility of going through any trial without Him, I literally shudder. Knowing that the Lord is my instructor and guide I can move ahead in His confidence knowing that He is working out His special purpose for my life and is guiding me along the path of life and fullness of joy.


What does it mean to set the Lord always before you?  It means exactly what it says it means. He goes before me...He shows me the way in which to walk  My job is to follow His lead and obey. "Therefore, He is at my right hand and I shall not be moved."  I don't stumble through life.  I walk with the God of the Universe pointing me in the direction I need to go.  I walk with the God of the Universe's will and purpose in my life unfolding continually.  His will is what I want...His desire is what I want. My hope is in Him...it really doesn't matter what happens here...I am His and will be His forever. Where He leads, I will follow. He has my life in His hands and can do with me as seems good to Him.

Girls, this is the best way to live.  When the Lord is your Shepherd goodness and mercy will follow.  Goodness will surround your footsteps and mercy will cover your missteps.  He will work all in your life for good.  He will make all the decisions.  All you need do is follow.  He will be at your right hand....you shall not be moved.  Here are just some of the verses from the Psalms that speak of His right hand.  They speak of  safety, pleasure, power, honor, favor and support.  Read them and be encouraged.


Psalm 121:5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

Psalm 63:8  My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.


Psalm 73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

Psalm 139:10  Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 44:3  For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.


I end with some words to one of the first worship songs I ever heard...it is one I sing daily in my heart. 

O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You
O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days.

And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days.

Love

Mom

The Author and Finisher....by my daughter, Rebecca...

“Known to God from eternity are all His works.” ~ Acts 15:18

 

It never ceases to amaze me how masterfully and inexhaustibly intricate the Lord is. Look around you! Look at His word! Look at His plan of salvation! The very paths of the stars, from the moment they were flung into existence, declared... His plan for the redemption of His creatures.

By Acts 15, the early church had accepted Gentile believers. Some, however, stipulated that circumcision and the keeping of the Mosaic Law was necessary for their salvation. But the voices of Peter, James, Paul, and Barnabas answered in emphatic unison: No! To believe that salvation was contingent upon the imperfect efforts of man to keep a perfect Law demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the Lord, His salvation, and His Scriptures. The Law was a temporary means by which man could approach God. It was intended to be a tutor to bring us to Christ, revealing our utter depravity and the inestimable price required to redeem us. A true understanding of that Law would inevitably point to its fulfillment – Jesus Messiah – and its subsequent fading in favor of the glorious New Covenant. There is no inconsistency between Judaism and Christianity. In fact, they are beautifully consistent, even to the point of being musically harmonized. And it is all to the glory of God Most High.

Known to God from eternity are all His works. He is the Author and finisher of our faith, and even more than that, the Author of all that we are and know. The finest, most artfully crafted story cannot compare to the story the Lord wrote in history. From the foundation of the world His plan was in motion. He knew, before Adam and Eve were even created, that they were going to rebel. He knew He was going to curse them so He could save them. He wove each of our life stories and the story of this world together into one marvelous, complex tapestry of His story. From Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Daniel to Jesus, and beyond, He knew it all. He planned it all. He is Master over all. His love and His grace, shining through all of human history, so surpass the measure of words that it is overwhelming.

And His story is not even done yet. We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth today – the birth of the One who was born to die, to rise again, and to live in each one of His children. There is greater celebration to come. Jesus is coming back. This world will end. But His story won’t, and we are part of it! This Christmas, I beg you, look to the Lord. Don’t miss your chance to have Him be your shield and your exceedingly great reward.

Acts 1:9-11, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”

Maranatha.