Tagged: trusting God

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:10-11   May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles      render him tribute,  may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! Psalm 72:10 A multitude of camels shall cover you,      the young camels of Mid′ian and Ephah;      all those from Sheba shall come.  They shall bring gold and frankincense,      and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.  Isaiah 60:6 We tend to value most that for which we pay the highest… Read More

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:6 The last thing I want to do is be still. I have so much to do, so many tasks mounting, so many urgencies clamoring. How can I possibly be still? Is that even responsible? In some circumstances, being still is life-saving. Reminds me of a true story, as usual.  The sun shone like joy as I made my way down Mt. Kenya after an epic climb with friends to the summit. I happily led the way, some distance ahead of my companions. The terrain on Mt. Kenya is surreal in parts, like something out of Perelandra by CS Lewis. We had just passed over spongey, mossy tufts, past… Read More

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:9 I met a remarkable horse I called Lovey recently. She was clearly trained to draw near and stay near when called. She looked me in the eye as she stood still, right beside me, waiting for my instruction. Her gentleness was profoundly strong. I stood with my forehead leaning on Lovey’s broad cheek for a long time, soaking in her strength and stillness. Somehow she strengthened and comforted me. Lovey had obviously trusted her trainer enough… Read More

By your patience possess your souls. Luke 21:19   But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4   Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 Impatience is an indicator. It reflects my soul like a mirror reflects a face. What does my indicator show me today? I have been given my answer in prayer. I can’t see it yet, but I know it. Now I am waiting on God, but it sure looks with my eyes like I am waiting on people. I oscillate between irritation and calm composure. Holding on to His sure answer, I remind my soul that faith is the substance of what I hope for, the evidence… Read More

This popular devotion originally appeared on audreyfrank.org in February 2021. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 It came in strange gift wrap, not at all what I expected. But the gift was right there inside. I turned it over in my hands, joyously held it to my heart, and wondered at the mad methods of my Lover. It is exactly what I asked for, really. The wishing began slowly, like a tingling thrill that rises up quietly from the deep spaces of our souls, growing in intensity as it climbs, until it bursts out all over us, covering us in hope. I wanted a life change. I asked Him to rearrange me on the… Read More

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.  1 Samuel 1:28. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.  Luke 2:49-52 Gifts are best when given over to the Lord. Every good gift comes from God (see James… Read More

The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.  Psalm 33:11   If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.  James 4:15 God is either sovereign, or He is not. There is no middle ground. Suffering taught me that. I learned it on a dark night when I wasn’t sure of the morning. When I wasn’t sure what this wild God of mine would demand of me next. Would my son live or die? Would the child I prayed for with tears be taken back by the One who gave him? It is easy to believe in God’s sovereignty, His complete control over all that happens, when things are going well. But… Read More

Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup, and have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5 Everything that comes is assigned.  Elisabeth Elliot called this the great simplifier for all of life. Our loving heavenly Father has assigned everything that comes into our lives. Can I accept His assignment? Can you? The Israelites wandered in the desert, all ate of the same manna. But many did not please the Lord and died before seeing the Promised Land. How do you explain the difference between people who have been through the same experience, but with vastly different outcomes? The great simplifier invites us to trust God even when it’s hard. Maybe even when it seems impossible. His portion can be painful.  I have found… Read More

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Gold basically becomes gold in two ways: melting and crushing. Scrap gold, such as bits of old jewelry, must first be tested to assess its quality and determine how much of it is gold and how much is other elements. In this process, the gold is placed in a crucible, where the melting begins. The temperature required to melt scrap gold is 1947 degrees or higher, depending on the alloys it contains. Upon melting, the metals separate from one another, and the gold sinks to the bottom. The other impurities are left behind. The refiner must then take several other steps… Read More

The Lord is my shepherd… Psalm 23:1   Jeso muridza mudzo! Nahenza nakamone ko muno! Nahenza Nakamone ko kuno! Nahenza Nakamone ko kuno.   Jesus is a good Shepherd! I long to see Him up ahead leading me! I long to see Him up ahead leading me! I long to see Him up ahead leading me.   To the throb of a one-two, one-two-three drum beat we used to sing these words and dance under the palm shelter that served as our church in East Africa. The purity, the sheer joy of the thought of being shepherded by the Lord, filled every face with light. This group of humble shepherds knew the exhaustion of shepherding sheep, wandering far over the brushy savannah looking for grass… Read More