Category: Devotionals

Scripture: “For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.” – (8:7)

Observation: In this chapter, Solomon returns to his initial theme of wisdom, and once again, it is personified, speaking to the reader. From the history of Solomon, we recall that when God asked what He could give to this young king, Solomon responded with “wisdom” (2 Chronicles 1:7-10), so it is understandable why he devotes so much to this topic.

Application: The world in which we live has no concept of absolute truth; it exists in the realms of a “truth” that varies for individuals and/or groups of people. While absolute truth states that there are things that remain true at all times regardless of when, where, who, or what is involved, relative truth fluctuates because there is no higher authority to authenticate or validate the “truth”. So the world basically says there is no truth because absolute truth doesn’t exist since we can’t prove that it is truth.

So, what is absolute truth? The answer is found in John 17:17, which states, “…thy Word  is truth.” The world doesn’t accept is the absolute truth of Scripture, but the truth is God Himself.  John 1:14 makes this declaration: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh, and the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” Therefore, Jesus is our absolute truth and in Him is all wisdom.

Throughout the Scriptures, it is the Lord who is speaking the truth. He is the higher authority who validates and authenticates truth, thus making it reliable. God’s truths do not deviate when cultures change or time passes. They remain constant, thus making it absolute. We should pay attention to His Word for God will never speak anything false, deceptive, wicked, or “relative”. We can depend on Him for absolute truth always because He never changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). He is an absolute God with an absolute truth yesterday, today, and forever!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, how great Thou art! Your wisdom knows no limit! Your love is everlasting! Thank You for Your Word that is truth, and for the peace and comfort I have in knowing that You never change! The Bible remains the source of absolute truth throughout the ages, and I am so glad that You continue to open my eyes and teach me the truths in Your Word. Help me to pay attention and apply these to my life each day! Thank You for the truth of forgiveness, salvation, and hope! In Jesus’ precious holy name and with great thanksgiving, I pray. Amen.

I know the Bible was sent from God,
The Old, as well as the New;
Inspired and holy, the living Word, 
I know the Bible is true.

I know, I know, I know the Bible is true;
Divinely inspired the whole way thro’,
I know the Bible is true.

(from “I Know the Bible is True” by Baylus Benjamin McKinney)

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“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

Scripture:  – “Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.” (7:24)

Observation: Solomon continues to warn his son about sins of the flesh, specifically sexual sins, but this can also be viewed as the personification of sin in general similarly to the personification of wisdom been in previous chapters of Proverbs.

Application: Sin is a choice. Some choices are made recklessly and can reap severe consequences that linger for a lifetime. I recall a time when I was much younger; I thought I was very knowledgeable… I suppose I would call that the folly of my youth, but in reality, it was the covert manifestation of the sin of pride. Because of that, I chose to indulge in sins that, in looking back, I regret greatly. Had I but listened to the wise counsel of my parents instead of my peers, I would have avoided a lot of grief in later years. Sadly, I did not choose wisely.

When seeking advice, it is imperative to be in constant prayer about the situation for which one seeks guidance. God does not fail to avail us of His wisdom when we ask. Sometimes He uses others to give us godly counsel, like a pastor or other mature believer. Regardless of whom we go to, it is vital to have great discernment in determining if the advisor is one whose beliefs align with Scripture. Then, and only then, do you listen, again, with discerning ears, to the counsel given. It is never wise to blindly accept advice regardless of who offers it. One must be diligent… like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11… and determine if the advice aligns with the Bible. If the advice does not align with God’s Word, it must be rejected and counsel sought elsewhere. If it does agree with biblical concepts, there can be confident in taking action. That is choosing wisely!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your wisdom. You know all things and You so generously dispense Your wisdom to those who ask for it. O God, please give me the wisdom to recognize sin and flee from it. I thank You so much for watching over me, caring for me, and then forgiving me when I was so reckless and sinful with my behaviors. Your goodness to me is overwhelming. Thank You for loving so much. Help me to honor You by making choices based on Your Word. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen. 

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, 
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land, 
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today

(from “I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Jim Reeves)

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5

Scripture: “Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.” – (6:21)

Observation: Phylacteries are small boxlike cases containing certain portions of the Torah. Jewish men wear them on their foreheads or arms as a reminder of God and to keep His laws (Deuteronomy 6:8, 11:18). Proverbs 6:20 reminds the reader to keep the godly commandments and laws passed on by the parents, and today’s verse gives the location to keep these teachings.

Application: Unlike the phylacteries, the heart and neck are indicated to be where the Word of God should be stored. The Scriptures are not just an ornamentation, but a necessity of life as vital as breathing itself. Jesus states, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). They are not restrictive in nature, but rather, they are liberating! Not burdensome, not out-of-date, not irrelevant. The Bible is God’s love letter to us, and it is as essential to our lives today as when it was first penned.

The Inward Challenge:

We are instructed to hide God’s Word in our heart to for a myriad of purposes. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 explains the work that the Scriptures perform in our lives. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” As I study the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps me apply it to my life, as Titus states, “… denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (2:12). The Word of God works to change me and make me more like Jesus, which in turn, gives me a biblical worldview that leads to a life rich with God’s blessings and His assurance of an eternity with Him in heaven! WOW!

The Outward Challenge:

Wearing the Scriptures around my neck doesn’t mean I should wear a huge pendant filled with verses, but the symbolism is that, like a beautiful piece of jewelry, living for Jesus should be seen clearly in me by others. This means that the influence of God’s Word in my life should be visible to the world. When people look at me, I hope to give them glimpses of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. My testimony for Him is what others see of Him in me, and that is His Word “tied about my neck”. Matthew 5:16 records the words of Jesus, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” James 2:17 reminds us, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” In order to impact others for Christ, I must “wear” the Word around my neck, which is manifest through my words and actions. True change is inward, but once that begins, it is then reflected outwardly and is an ongoing process as God continues His good work in us (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, what a wonderful thing to know that Your work continues in me! You didn’t just save me to let me be, but You saved me to learn more about You, become more like Your precious Son, and serve You with my whole heart! Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for finding value in me regardless of age or ability, and that You have a purpose for me in this present world. Help me to continue to study Your Word, apply it to my life, and share it with others. May I be a “heart” and “neck” Christian! In Jesus’ precious and holy name, I pray. Amen.

More like Jesus would I be, let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love, make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.

(from "More Like Jesus I Would Be" by Fanny Crosby)

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“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2

Scripture: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” (5:21)

Observation: In this chapter, Solomon is cautioning his son about promiscuity. He explains the allure of fleshly lusts and the consequences. Near the chapter’s end, he writes about the blessings of being faithful to one’s wife. Then Solomon reminds his son that God is always aware of what His creation is doing.

Application: The world we live in sees no wrong in indulging in every carnal desire. There is no shame in behaviors that once were spoken of only in whispers or behind closed doors. Today, adultery, same-sex relationships, abortion, greed, and so many other sins are spoken of without reservation. These sins have even been glorified and applauded, while the biblical aspects of marriage, purity, and godly living are ridiculed by today’s culture.

There is no possibility that such sins can be hidden from God. He sees everything I do. In fact, because I am saved and have the Spirit of God within me, wherever I go and whatever I do, I take God with me! There is nowhere I can go where God cannot see me or know what I am doing. David stated, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Psalm 139:7-8).

It is important to remember that even after becoming a Christian, I am still a sinner… just a saved and forgiven one! Sin is still present in my life, but God is gracious and ready to forgive. I am His work in progress (Philippians 1:6). He knows there will be times when I will stumble and sin, but He is always waiting to forgive me when I repent and restore my soul by cleansing it of all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Through the study of His Word, I draw closer to the Lord by learning what is good and right in His sight. As I learn more and more about Him, I become more sensitive to His leading and that empowers me to live a life more pleasing to Him. God only wants the best for me. He doesn’t want to make my life miserable; He desires for me to follow Him, and in doing so, He blesses my life. Even now, I still suffer the consequences of past sins in my life, but I am reminded quite often (through His Word) that I have been forgiven. Jesus has taken the punishment I deserved for my sin on the cross. Through Him, I have forgiveness of sins and the promise of an eternity with Him. And while I wait to be in His presence, I know that His Spirit is with me, and like the sparrow in Matthew 10:29, God always watches over me!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your ever-presence in my life. Thank You for your mercies. Your Word tells me they are new every morning, and I am so grateful for that. Your compassions never fail. Thank You for forgiving me again and again. I am so sorry for those times when I choose to sin… I don’t take your way of escape, and I willfully sin against You. Please make my heart sensitive to Your Spirit, that I would pay attention when you warn and convict me of sin. Help me to say “no” and chose to walk the paths of righteousness, following in the steps of Jesus. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, “Come, follow Me!”
And we see where Thy footprints falling, lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.

(from “Footsteps of Jesus” by M.B.C. Slade)

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“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” – Psalm 86:5

Scripture: “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” (4:26)

Observation: In this chapter, Solomon instruct his son to choose wisely the path he follows. He warns against straying from that which he knows is good and right as Solomon has taught him. He promises that if the son follows the advice of his father, his life will be better for it.

Application: Impulsive behavior is never conducive to wise actions. The allure of sin in the world is great and very attractive. Satan knows exactly how to appeal to our carnal nature, and if we give any attention to worldly temptations, we risk falling completely into the darkness of sin. When a person “dabbles with sin”, the consequences can be devastating. Solomon writes in this chapter, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (v. 14-15). To think we can avoid sin ourselves or stand up to Satan alone is extreme foolishness. We have a formidable enemy who knows how to present sin in ways that feed on our weaknesses and fleshly lusts. It is so easy to believe the lie that we can “handle it”. We can’t. Not without the power of God.

Ephesians 6:11 instructs us to be fully clothed in the armor of God. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  Why? Because, as I Peter 5:8 states, “… your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan doesn’t want to make us stumble; he wants to completely destroy us, our relationship with God, and our Christian testimony, thereby being ineffective in showing Christ to others who need Jesus.

Therefore, I must always consider the path I choose to walk and establish by asking myself the following questions in order to choose wisely.

• Have I prayed about this, seeking God’s guidance?
• Do my choices align with God’s Word?
• Will my choices help or hurt my testimony?
• Will my behavior bring me nearer to or farther from God?
• Will my choices glorify God?
• How will my choices impact others for Christ?
• Do I have peace about the choices I make?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for your ever-present Spirit in my life. Thank You for the Bible and its truths. Help me, O God, to make choices that delight You, that are in agreement with Your Word, and that help me to become more like Your precious Son, Jesus. May I bring You honor and glory through my choices and actions each day, being led by You in every path I take. Order my steps, Father, and empower me to walk in obedience to what You have called me to do each day. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, amen.

’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, step by step and day by day;
Stepping in His very footprints, walking with Him all the way.
Step by step, step by step, I would walk with Jesus,
All the day, all the way, keeping step with Jesus.

(from "Tis So Sweet to Walk With Jesus” by Albert Benjamin Simpson)

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“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3

Scripture: “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” (3:3)

Observation: Solomon writes about following the laws of God and the wonderful things that happen to those who do. He also mentions that even the chastening of the Lord is a good thing because that happens when God loves the person (v. 11-12). Lastly, Solomon cautions about God’s actions against the wicked.

Application: Keeping mercy and truth in one’s heart comes from repeatedly studying the Word of God. As I get older, I find memorization of Scripture more difficult than I thought it would be, but not impossible! Perhaps I just got out of practice, so I am challenging myself with memorizing short sections of the Bible. My first two attempts have been very encouraging… Psalm 23 and 100. It’s taking quite a bit of time to commit these passages to memory, but hopefully by exercising my brain, I’ll get better at it.

Why is this so important to me? According to Proverbs 3:3, I need to commit Scripture to memory and “let thine heart keep my commandments…” (3:1). If I don’t know the Scriptures, I can’t keep them in my heart. It is vital for me to read the Bible for remembrance… not as simply a daily chore to check off my “to do” list. One of the benefits of memorizing verses is that it will help me refrain from sinning against God as stated in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” It doesn’t make me less of a sinner, but it helps me recognize sin when it rears its ugly head and empowers me to fight against it.

This chapter also reminds me that God’s ways are infinitely higher than mine, and He knows what is good and right. Keeping God’s precepts is the application of godly wisdom in my life, and it comes with amazing benefits! It helps me recognize and avoid sin (v. 7), maintain a healthier lifestyle (v. 8), and receive the blessings of God (v. 10, 33-35). Lastly, when I think of the infinite mercy and grace God gives to me, my heart is filled to overflowing with unspeakable joy and eternal gratitude! Thank You, Jesus!!

Prayer: Dearest Lord, how great Thou art! How wonderful to have Your Word available to me for teaching, correction, and most importantly, introducing me to my precious Saviour, Jesus! Help me to never take the Bible for granted. It is so precious to me! Help me to memorize more and more of it, hiding it in my heart, and helping me to become more aligned with that which is good and right in Your sight. Thank You for Philippians 4:13 that tells me that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

(from “Wonderful Words of Life” by P.P. Bliss)

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“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” – Psalm 12:6

Scripture: “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:” (2:11)

Observation: Solomon is writing here about the benefits of having wisdom. He reiterates that wisdom and knowledge come from God, and then goes on to describe the rewards of one who has sound godly wisdom and lives accordingly.

Application: As I read through this chapter, I noticed the benefits of having God’s wisdom as a compass in my life’s journey.

1. God protects those who “walk uprightly”. (v. 7)
2. God preserves the way of His children. (v. 8)
3. I will understand every good path: righteousness, judgment and equity. (v. 9)
4. I will have discretion, which will preserve me. (v. 11)
5. I will be delivered from evil distortions of the truth. (v. 12)
6. I will not be deceived by the world. (v. 16)
7. I will be led in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous. (v. 20)
8. I will dwell in the place God has prepared for me. (v. 21)

What a wonderful list of benefits that come from embracing godly wisdom! Even the smallest steps in the acquisition of biblical knowledge will lead to amazing rewards! The journey for me is not the easiest, but I am not walking alone. Jesus is always with me!

Prayer: O gracious God in heaven! How great is Your love for me and I rejoice in it! Jeremiah says You love me with an everlasting love! O how my heart sings Your praises and exalts Your holy name! Thank You for loving me and desiring a relationship with me enough to die for me and then forgive me of all my sins. I am so sorry to have failed You so many times, even after being saved, but I am so grateful that Your forgiveness is unlimited. I pray for more of Your divine wisdom that I may walk uprightly and on the paths of righteousness to Your glory! Give me understanding as I read each verse in Your Word and the ability to apply them to my life to honor and serve You better. In Jesus’ precious and most name, I pray. Amen.

All that I am I owe to Thee, thy wis­dom, Lord, has fa­shioned me;
I give my mak­er thank­ful praise, whose won­drous works my soul am­aze.
Search me, O God, my heart dis­cern, try me, my in­most thought to learn;
And lead me, if in sin I stray, to choose the ev­er­last­ing way.

(from "All That I am I owe to Thee" by Henry K. Oliver)

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“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” - Ephesians 5:15

Scripture: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7)

Observation: King Solomon is the main author of the book of Proverbs, and he writes his sayings, along with the other authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 1 begins with a personification of wisdom and the need for it in our lives.

Application: As a nursing student learning about medicine and the human body, I took classes taught by those who knew the content material well, so I could gain as much knowledge as possible in patient care. As a Christian seeking to know God and His ways, I must again seek out the One who has the authority to best teach it – God Himself! To learn of God, I must begin with a deep reverential understanding of who He is, and that happens through a relationship with Him. That relationship begins at the cross of Christ. Accepting Jesus’s forgiveness of my sins and choosing Him to be my Lord and Saviour is the first step in my quest for godly knowledge. Why? Because at the moment of my salvation, God’s Holy Spirit comes to dwell within me and begins to teach me godly precepts through His Word.

Learning anything new takes time, and learning about God is no exception. It is a lifelong quest for godly knowledge. Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” As a new Christian, the Spirit of God begins to teach immediately through the truth of God’s Word, continuing this process until God takes me home to heaven. I am truly a “work in progress”.

Fortunately, the Spirit teaches me wisely… in small increments… bite-sized pieces of Scripture that I can comprehend, apply to my life, and cause my faith to grow. As my faith is cultivated, my ability to understand deeper things of the Bible are revealed to me. Sometimes, the process of gaining a particular understanding of a biblical concept takes years due to my level of faith, but God is faithful and promises to continue the work in me. A deep respect for God is the beginning of wisdom because it drives me to worship Him for who He is, regardless of circumstances or feelings. To “fear the Lord” is to honor Him, respect Him, and acknowledge Him as the author of all wisdom and the best teacher I could have. God is the foundation to ALL knowledge as Colossians 2:3 states, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” If I desire wisdom and knowledge, I simply need to sit down, pray for guidance, open my Bible, read it, and listen as the greatest Teacher speaks to my heart.

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word and the wisdom it contains. Help me to desire Your wisdom and seek it by spending quality time with You every day. Give me understanding as You speak to my heart, and empower me to apply Your precepts to my life. Thank You for Your promise – that You will continue the work You began in me when You saved me. In Your precious name and with thanksgiving, I pray. Amen.

O bound­less Wis­dom, God most high, O Mak­er of the earth and sky,
Who bid’st the part­ed wa­ters flow in Heav­en ab­ove, on earth be­low.

O Fa­ther, that we ask be done, through Je­sus Christ, Thine on­ly Son;
Who, with the Ho­ly Ghost and Thee, doth live and reign eter­nal­ly.

(from "O Boundless Wisom, God Most High" - author unknown)

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“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” - Colossians 4:5

“Why hasn’t God answered my prayer yet?”

This is a common lament I’ve said over the years especially when I’ve wanted an immediate response from the Lord. I’ve had times when I’ve tried to bargain with God to get my prayer answered in my way or rationalize with Him as to why He should answer me right away! To say I’ve struggled with prayer is a huge understatement, but God, in His great mercy, has forgiven me for my presumptive nature, and He has been teaching me a great deal about prayer.

As I learn more about God and how He desires to communicate with me, I am gaining a better understanding about prayer. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” I have learned that there are specific requirements to remember about prayer if I want them answered.

First and foremost, answered prayers are those that align with the will of God. How do I know if my prayer is in agreement with God’s desires? His will is all throughout the Bible. For example, I know that God wants people to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” and John affirms that salvation is for everyone in 1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Another example in Scripture that I know is God’s will is that I am to love others.  John 15:12 records Jesus saying, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” I know without a doubt that loving family, friends, and even those “hard-to-love” folks is something God wants me to do.

One last example of knowing God’s will is in Matthew 28:19, when Jesus gives us what has come to be known as the “great commission”: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” I know it is the will of God that I share Christ with others whenever I have the opportunity to do so.

When I know the will of God and pray according to it, I can approach His throne boldly with my requests, and have the assurance that He will pay attention to my prayer and answer it in His time.

But what if I don’t know His will? How do I pray then? Sometimes we don’t know the will of God regarding a specific issue, but we are still to pray. The Bible tells us that we are to bring all of our burdens, cares, worries to Him, and He will take care of them. Philippians 4:6 instructs me, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” My responsibility is to share my heart with God, and then trust Him for the outcome. I am not to pray and tell God what to do. I am not the omniscient One; He is. Psalm 62:8 states, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Giving my burdens, cares, troubles to God, and then trusting Him to provide the answers for me requires me to “let go and let God” as the old saying goes. As a “control freak”, this is not easy for me, but when I choose to trust Him to work in the best interest for me and those for whom I pray, He gives me peace… His wonderful peace that truly passes all understanding… as I wait for Him to answer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells me to “Pray without ceasing.”  I am not promised that I will understand how God works all the time, or that His answer will be what I wanted, but I am promised that when I trust Him, He will work all things to my good (Romans 8:28), and that’s what brings my heart peace in the midst of a life that’s not always so peaceful.

Pray on, pray on, believing ones, God’s promised word is sure,
That they shall overcome by faith who to the end endure;
Pray on, pray on, O weary not; the cross with patience bear,
And tho’ its burden weigh us down, the Lord will answer prayer.

His eye foresees our greatest good, while we at best are weak,
And thus in wisdom He withholds the boon that oft we seek;
And yet His all-sufficient grace, He bids us freely share,
And in a way we little know the Lord will answer prayer.

With anxious thoughts for those we love, how oft our hearts are filled,
But soon the clouds are rolled away, the troubles waves are stilled;
Then murmur not, but trust in Him, Who knows our every care,
And better for than we can ask, the Lord will answer prayer.

(from “The Lord Will Answer Prayer” by Fanny Crosby)

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Colossians 4:2

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Never forget what James 5:16 states: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” – Psalm 40:2

Today, when I went out to fill my bird bath with water, I noticed that sitting on the fountain mechanism was a swallowtail butterfly. Its wing tips were in the water, and it wasn’t moving. I thought that perhaps its life cycle had been completed, and it had landed there to die. However, since I wasn’t too sure, I gently reached under it and lifted it up. Its tiny little feet moved slightly, so I knew it was still living. Its wings were too wet for flight, so  I carried it to my butterfly plant and set it upon one of the blooms. After a few moments, it adjusted itself slightly, but seemed unsteady on the plant. I left it there, hoping it would regain some strength.

A few minutes later, to be sure it didn’t fall off due to its weakness, I quietly returned to see if the butterfly was still on the bloom. It was, but it had positioned itself differently, spreading its wings, perhaps to avail itself of the sun’s warmth. After another few minutes, I returned once again and saw that it was now feeding from one of the tiny blossoms on the large bloom! I was elated and gave thanks to the Lord for allowing me to help one of His creatures!

This whole event reminded me that when I accepted the gift of salvation that God’s precious Son, Jesus, provided for me when He died on the cross, God lifted me from the miry clay of sin that threatened to destroy my life. Then, like the butterfly who was renewed after feeding off the bloom, after I accepted Christ as my Saviour, I was fed from His Word which gave me new life in Him! Now I can spread my spiritual wings and fly for Him, sharing the gospel… the good news of God’s plan for mankind’s redemption… whenever He provides an opportunity for me to do so!

My heart was distressed ’neath Jehovah’s dread frown,
And low in the pit where my sins dragged me down;
I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay,
Who tenderly brought me out to golden day.
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah!

(from “He Brought Me Out” by Henry J. Zelley and H.L. Gilmour)

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

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Oh, to be a butterfly in the hand of God! What joy divine!