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A Revisited Devotional from February 12, 1998
Psalm 53:1a – The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." (NIV)
Nehemiah 8:10b – Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (NIV)
The other night, I had been crying for several minutes, totally depressed and sad about my friend, Susan, moving away, back to Ontario, 2,600 miles away. Then, I decided to pick up a devotional book which this same friend had borrowed and had just given back: God Calling. For January 21 it said, "Be calm. Never fear. Sing unto the Lord. Be glad all the time. Rejoice exceedingly. Joy in Me. Rest in Me. Never be afraid. Pray more. Do not get worried. I am thy Helper. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms. You cannot get below that. Rest in them, as a tired child rests."
This lifted me somewhat and filled me with a small amount of hope. Then, I turned on the radio, and what was the song? The joy of the Lord is my strength! I couldn't believe it. Not two seconds later, the phone rang. It was Connie, my friend of 19 years, calling me from Ontario. She said she had debated whether to call or not, but she did. She had recently found our telephone number on the Internet and called me. I will never forget that feeling of relief, encouragement, and happiness that I felt when she called. It was indeed "God calling" to save me from my misery and pain. It was God Who knew that I needed a friend right then and there. Connie is a friend from the past, someone who is dear to me, yet we hadn't kept in touch over the previous four years. So, I was filled with a flood of joy because, though I was losing one friend, at the same time, I was renewing a relationship with another friend. God is so good to me.
At Bible study, we were discussing about how sometimes people question God's existence. I see evidence of His existence every day. How can someone not believe in God? Aren't you so glad that God knows exactly what is going on in our lives!
Prayer: Father God, how we love You and praise You for being there when we need You. We always call You Father, because You are always there for us, just like a good earthly father. Thank You that You know everything about us, whether we're sad or happy. You know all the details about every aspect of our lives. Thank You for the gift of faith, to believe in You, even though we can't see You. But we do see evidence of You, Lord, every day, in the wonderful things that You do for us. Thank You, Lord, for wrapping Your arms around us and bringing us comfort in those everlasting arms. We can truly rest in You and have the joy of the Lord. Thank You for hearing our prayers and for Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
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Thursday, January 23, 2025 – In Europe — Pray for the Jewish community to be encouraged and feel the love of their non-Jewish Christian friends. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts and minds of these secular Jews, and for God's leadership in my work.
daughter: "Update December 30, 2024: And please touch her heart that she may turn to YOU.* November 12, 2024:..." 
Thank-you Karen.
Thank you for that devotional Karen. I needed to read that this morning.
We are at the beginning of Christ’s journey, his birth. Praise the Lord.
Thanks Karen, encouraging to remember that God is always there. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us again today! It truly lifted my spirits. Blessings.
Thank you for this devotion.
Just what reminder I needed.
Blessings to you.
Thanks for including the reading of January 21!
I would have never seen or read it, had you not included it in your message.
I appreciate your writing articles for the PresbyCan Daily Devotional!
(Tx)
Karen,
Thank you for your message today. It may be a repeat, but the message never gets old.
We’re going through a downsizing and moving, and I am amazed at how things are coming together. I thank the Lord for His help through it all.
Thanks again for the encouraging words.
Thank you, Karen, for this devotional you wrote some years ago but still has the same full meaning today. Yes, we need be so thankful that our loving Lord is ever available to wrap us in His everlasting arms. He gives us comfort and reassurance in so many wonderful ways in our daily lives.
Blessings for your writing and may you enjoy a pleasant day of memories.
Good morning, Karen,
You might have penned this many years ago; however, it will definitely touch someone today. Those doubts creep in and God provides for us to help us gain perspective. When others share their experiences, we all reflect and remember the times that God helped us with putting someone in our lives, hearing the words we needed at that moment, or providing comfort to get us through the difficult situation.
I know reflecting definitely helps me to be thankful for what God provides for my growth. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Good morning, Karen,
Yes, it is so true, how faithful God is. Two days after my husband passed away, I drove his niece and nephew to the airport. On the way home, it hit me, I will be going home to an empty house, I prayed, God give me strength, help me unlock that door and enter!!! I prayed and sang to God most of the way home about half HR drive.
I got home and I had a bit of trouble opening the gate onto the porch. The problem was a box on the other side. Would you believe that box was put in the mail in Ontario December 29 and God delivered it March 29, so instead of entering an empty house I got to enter my house with a box of love from my oldest friend. It was full of several things for my birthday which is in January!!! God’s timing is perfect, what we truly need at the time!! I am so happy how God’s timing worked for you that evening.
Blessings.
Thank you so much for this devotional. I usually read it in the am. Tonight, I was very “down” and the prayer was just what I needed! Peace, God’s in charge…
Bless you Karen!
(BC)
Thank you, Karen. My son, who has lived near me for the last two years (lived on the East Coast before that), left a couple of hours ago to go back to the East Coast, so I can empathize with your situation. And like you, I often find comfort from various sources, all mingling with each other.