2 Chronicles 16:9a

My friend, Peggy, painted this picture several years ago. A favorite!

2 Chronicles 16:9a

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those

whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

This verse makes you want to shout out with a giant thank you to our great God. This verse says God is continually looking at His children so He can strengthen them at all times. This verse overwhelms you with peace knowing God is always watching and working to help you.

King Asa was visited by the prophet, Hanani, with these words. Unfortunately, King Asa didn’t accept Hanani’s words. In time, his kingdom fell.

We know God’s Word is always true. What is said about God, He will do, and we can trust Him to be faithful. God’s Word has been proven true through the ages.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: “The eyes of His omniscience are everywhere, and the eyes of His mercy and goodness, of His care and providence, are here and there, and in every place throughout the whole world at once, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him.”

This is a promise of divine assistance at all times to His children. We know that anytime we are in need of support, God already knows and will work on our behalf.

Godsbless.ing: “It highlights the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, emphasizing that His eyes are not limited by time or space but span across the entire earth. This imagery symbolizes God’s continuous watchfulness and attention towards His creation, showing that nothing escapes His notice. Furthermore, the verse underscores the importance of having a sincere and wholehearted commitment to God. It teaches us that God is always ready to strengthen and support those who remain steadfast in their faith and loyalty to Him.”

Charles Spurgeon: “Perhaps nothing describes our Lord with more grace than when He is shown as humbly stooping from His throne, descending from heaven to attend to the needs and woes of mankind . . . Even your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah, your whisper can incline His ear toward you, your prayer can stop His hand, and your faith can move His arm.”

God is always caring for us. Even if we can’t see the answer in the middle of the battle, His Hands are in motion and working to help us. We can be confident as we wait to see what God is going to do.

By His Grace . . . 

Psalm 61:1-2

 
Picture on Countrylivin Facebook page.

Psalm 61:1-2

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

When I was a new Christian in need of support, my brother-in-law suggested I read Psalm 61, and it has been a favorite since that time 47 years ago.

We all need verses of Scripture that carry a special meaning during difficult times. In Psalm 61, the psalmist wants God to hear his cry; to listen to his prayer; to know he is calling on God during a difficult time.

That’s what we want too. We want to be near Him, the Rock, for His help.

Enduringword.com: “David knew there would be times when his heart was overwhelmed. In those moments he needed at least three things: He needed a Rock, a place of stability and security, something strong enough to stand against crashing waves or quaking earth; He needed a Rock that is higher than I, a place above himself, above his wisdom, above his abilities; He needed God to lead him to that Rock. David was unable to get to the firm-footed place above his crisis on his own . . . Ultimately Jesus Christ is the Rock that is higher than I."

Godsbless.ing: “The imagery of God being a Rock and a strong tower provides a sense of security and refuge. The psalmist compares God to a Rock that is higher, symbolizing God’s elevated and unshakable nature. This visual metaphor conveys the idea that God is a firm foundation, a steadfast source of strength that towers above all worldly troubles. It highlights the faith and trust the psalmist places in God’s protection and shelter.”

"A Shelter in the Time of Storm"

Verse One

“The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm."

Refrain

"Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A Shelter in the time of storm."

 Verse 4

“O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, A shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our Helper ever near, A shelter in the time of storm.

Our Rock is Christ. He’s higher than we are. When we are faint, we call upon Him. He always answers.

By His Grace . . . 

Job 40:1-4

 

Job 40:1-4

“The Lord said to Job: ‘Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!’ Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I am unworthy—how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth.’”

I was first drawn to the Book of Job after reading Chapter 38 when God revealed His awesome sovereignty and power through questions to Job. I was thrilled listening to God tell of His great creation of everything from the earth’s foundation to the storehouses of snow to mountain goats to the majestic eagle. I have a Sunday School quarterly study book that I have kept for decades because of the powerful instruction in it regarding this great book.

Tony Evans wrote: “This book is critical to Scripture because it deals with one of the hardest realities of life: God often seems silent when we are doing our best to please Him and yet experience suffering . . . One of the key truths to grasp from the book of Job is that we must trust God even when we cannot understand Him, even when He is thoroughly confusing to us.  The central statement in the book is one of Job’s closing comments to God: ‘I had heard reports about You, but now my eyes have seen You.’” 42:5

It can be tedious moving through the chapters of conversation between Job and his three friends. But with a good commentary you can follow through with understanding.

Some may dwell on Job’s wife and her statement to him in chapter 2, verse 9: “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’” But the book is so much more than that.

Job realized after being grilled by God that he had no answer for the God of the universe. He was unworthy to speak to Him. In 42:5-6 Job said: “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

And, therein, lies the point. Our God is superior to all things, knows all thing, and created all things. He is in control of all things, and His masterful plan for the universe and our individual life is certain and known to Him since the beginning of time.

Whatever we go through here on this earth, God has ordained for us and will see us through.

No one can contend with God. He is God. The maker of all things. He is good. The giver of all things. He is love. The lover of you and me.

Job 23:10 is another verse well known: “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job expresses his unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and his belief that this season of suffering will ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of God’s purposes. God is aware of our struggles and is with us every step of the way.

If you’ve never read Job, it’s time you do. Grab your Bible. Get a commentary. Sit down for an exciting experience. The Book of Job. Where God shows His majesty and glory.

By His Grace . . . 

Romans 15:4 and 2 Peter 1:20-21

 Romans: 15:4

 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

"Everything that was written in the past." That means both the Old and New Testaments. The tedious books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, long books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and the hard to understand book of Revelation. Everything written has a purpose that God wants us to know.

Bibleref.com: “Paul insists that those older Scriptures were written to teach modern Christians, not just those who read them in the former times. Those Scriptures are for us, too, to bring encouragement and hope to God's people in every generation. They help us to endure, even in and through suffering."

This verse serves as an answer to modern Christians who ask, why even bother to read the Old Testament?

“Regardless of age, those writings remain the revelation of the heart of God. The fact that we have been freed in Christ from following the law does not stop those 39 books from being the Word of God, full of truth, wisdom, history, and great encouragement for believers. Paul insists that we place value on those Scriptures and seek out encouragement and hope from them.” Reference unknown

Have you read the Bible from beginning to end? It’s quite an experience. There are many books to choose to help you read the Bible in a year with portions of the Old and New Testament grouped together. Also, books that group sections of the Bible together that apply to the same message or scene. It can be done.

Another way to read the Bible from beginning to end is to read one chapter in the Bible and then read the same chapter in a commentary. This provides excellent guidance to help understand what is being said.

The New Testament is filled with quotes from the Old Testament. The teachings from ancient times are still applicable, offering us principles that can help us navigate modern complexities.

2 Peter 1:20-21

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, 

though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

I like the way the way the NIV version says the prophets "were carried along by the Holy Spirit." All of God's Word was written in this way, being the very voice of God. Every word in the Bible is for our benefit in understanding our great God. It is so important to read all of it.

This verse says the entire Bible is filled with hope. Hope. HOPE. That’s what keeps us inspired to live for our Savior. Reading it may seem daunting. It may seem intimidating. It may seem impossible. Yet you have the Holy Spirit inside of you to help you read and understand God’s Word. Hope is there. You just have to read it.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.” Read all of it. All you need to do is start.

By His Grace . . .