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Listen while you read: "God Leads Us Along"1 (Lyrics) |
Isaiah 55:12 – You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (NIV)
Since the rain has stopped, I am able to see Mt. Topo from my porch. I dried off a chair to sit and enjoy the beauty. Near the middle of Mt. Topo is a section of dense fog, and as I watch, some arms of the fog slowly break away in separate movements as they float upwards.
It makes me think of us when we are living in worldly ways, and then, we slowly break away and head towards higher or heavenly things, where God is.
Above those foggy arms reaching upwards on Mt. Topo, the sky is clear, but above me, the sky is completely clouded over. Yes, no matter how cloudy our lives can seem, God has a brighter and clearer time for us. We need to keep looking towards Him and not on our circumstances.
Surely as the day follows the night, God is always with us!
Now, ten minutes later, the fog has cleared, and God has given me a clear view again. I cannot get enough of Mt. Topo, with so many shades of green. The land just seems to flow down to areas for some cows, and then, on down to some homes. When I look up at that beauty, my response is, "I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)
Where do you get your strength from? God provides the strength, but I appreciate it when He gives us something beautiful to enjoy as we look to Him. Take a moment and think of things that God has put in the line of your viewing when you just felt Him! I bet that there are several things.
Here a couple of examples that I see in the power in the waves as they come crashing onto the big volcanic rocks.
Psalm 93:3b-4 – The seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea — the Lord on high is mighty. (NIV)
Then the water flows back giving playful ripple sounds. For me, this shows both the power of God and the gentleness of God.
- His Presence
I'm thankful to see God's power in action
And hear the ripples show His gentle trait.
No matter my situation, God's the main attraction,
Thankful for the peace of knowing He's my soul mate.
Psalm 34 verse 8 tells us of His goodness we should taste.
Help me, Lord, my time not to waste.
Cover me, Lord, so Your fragrance people can smell,
Then rejoice, 'cause now, with their souls, all is well.
Prayer: O gracious and loving Father, thank You for all that You give so freely to us. Help us to be mindful of Your goodness, no matter how life presents itself. Help us to stay focused on You, and may the Holy Spirit remind us of Your promises, even when we see the cloudy situation. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – In Canada — Pray for those in small or rural churches, many of whom are struggling without adequate leaders or funds to minister to their communities. Give them faith and courage to reach out to neighbours and those who are not involved in worship and fellowship. Pray for their dependence on God to grow as they trust him for guidance and provision.
Pray: "December 3, 2024: Asking prayers for a young man , Ben who is suffering with brain cancer —..." 
Thank you, Brenda.
That was beautiful. Thank you.
Thanks for the encouragement, Brenda.
Hello Brenda, Thank you for today’s devotional of encouragement.
Blessings.
Thank you, Brenda, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
Thanks, Brenda, for this good reminder as well as a lovely word picture.
Blessings.
Greetings Brenda and thank you for your good words today. Yes, we sure need be so thankful for the beauty and the care our Lord gives us in our daily lives. Blessings for your encouraging writing.
Hi Brenda. Thanks for your meditation. I used to live in B.C. by the ocean. Every morning I would walk my dog down to a pagoda and there I would recite the 23rd psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. When I got to: “He leads me beside the still waters” I would look out at the inlet where the tides would come in and out. They were often low tide and very shallow. How still they were on those days. Nature has the power to heal. It is one of its superpowers, I guess. God bless.
Good morning, Brenda,
Your devotional helped me to think about how powerful God can be and yet the gentleness He can show us when we need that healing and comfort. The action of the waves was very eye opening to me. I pray for God to use His power to change many situations which are happening in this world which make life hard for so many people. I know God is in control and has a plan, yet sometimes life seems so unfair to so many people.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and faith. May you continue to be inspired. Blessings.
Thank you, Brenda, for this lovely imagery. Psalm 121:1-2 is a favorite scripture of mine.
Joy and Peace – Grant us these gifts today.