Psalm 116:7

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

If you ever need a verse of Scripture that provides rest and encouragement this is the one! The words “once more” should bring forth reminders of the many times God has brought you out of a state of turmoil and hardship into His rest. Gratitude and peace are found in such times and should be constant reminders of what God has done for you.

Godsbless.ing: “This verse evokes a sense of tranquility and calm that the soul can experience in God. It implies a shift from turmoil and distress to a place of serenity and trust. The soul is urged to remember the rest it can find in God, a rest that surpasses worldly understanding and offers true solace. The phrase carries a gentle yet powerful invitation to seek refuge in the unwavering love and care of the Lord.

"Rest in God’s peace, for He has been good to you” reminds us to trust in the peace that God offers us, especially in times of uncertainty or struggle. It serves as a gentle reminder that we can find solace and calmness in the presence of God, knowing that He has continuously shown us His goodness and love. This verse encourages us to rest in God’s peace, surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him, understanding that He is always there to provide us with comfort and support. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and being grateful for the blessings and goodness that God has bestowed upon us, reinforcing our faith and strengthening our connection with Him.”

“Good to you.” We have been redeemed from “eternal death” in the forgiveness of our sins. This alone is reason to acknowledge how good God has been to us. But he does so much more!

Godsbless.ing: “These words serve as a grounding reminder of God’s faithfulness and kindness in the past. It points to a history of God’s provision and protection, laying a foundation for the soul to find rest and reassurance in the present moment. This acknowledgment of God’s goodness is not merely a historical reference but a living testimony to His continuous grace and mercy towards His people.”

This verse can be a daily reminder that brings encouragement, inspiration and worship to your soul. God never stops working in your life. Every one of us have been touched by God's love and care. We can be thankful daily.

Sing with me this powerful chorus and thank God for always providing what we need:

“Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

By His Grace . . . 

Jeremiah 7:11

 

The best way to know God watches us!

“Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?

But I have been watching! declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 7:11

In this verse God is speaking with His people who have been disobedient. The words that lingered in my mind are: “But I have been watching! declares the Lord.”

There are no secrets with God. He sees all. He knows all. He’s in control of all. He watches you and me. That should give you opportunity to pause.

It’s almost scary. Not bad scary. But the fact that He sees all and watches all. He’s watching me. He’s watching you. We should always be aware that our God knows everything about us and watches as we go through our days.

Christianitypath.com: “Another critical element of this verse is the emphasis on God’s omniscience when He states, ‘I have seen it.’ This assertion reminds us that God is aware of our actions, both public and private. In a world where individuals may escape accountability, God sees and judges our hearts and motives. This knowledge ought to foster humility in our hearts and inspire a desire to seek greater righteousness in our actions.”

TheBiblesays.com: “This indictment suggests that God sees the actions of those who brazenly transgress His law yet still occupy His temple. Jesus would later echo the same accusation in the Gospels, applying the term ‘den of robbers’ to point out religious hypocrisy. Jeremiah’s words underscore how nothing is hidden from the LORD, who surveys the entire nation’s behavior and insists on sincerity rather than appearance. The result is an urgent plea for spiritual reform and ethical alignment with God’s righteous standards.”

Have you ever started to do something that you knew wasn’t right and maybe it was so small you didn’t think it would be a problem? Or it’s easier to give in and do what your friend wants even though you know you shouldn’t be doing it. It’s easier to skip the last 10 minutes of your working shift so you can catch the early bus instead of staying and having to wait for the next bus. It’s easier to sleep in another 15 minutes even though you’ll have to speed to get to church on time.

“But I have been watching! declares the Lord” and He knows exactly when you make excuses, even in the little things. Knowing He is always watching should help us to be strong and true in our walk with Him. They should keep us from slipping into undesirable words and actions.

As Spurgeon said in the graphic above, "God is an Almighty Watcher, a sleepless guardian, a faithful friend. Nothing can happen without His direction."

Now that's a great reason to be thankful!

By His Grace . . . 

Psalm 102:18

 

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.”

God’s Word continues through the ages and never stops speaking. We are able to research men and women who lived centuries ago, who wrote about God and their experiences.

Psalm 102:18 was written during a time of affliction. The psalmist cries to God for help, begging him to listen and answer. The author pours out his heart, expressing the deep sorrow and despair that have consumed him. The psalmist and all of God’s people were dealing with the consequences of idolatry.

In the midst of his despair, he expresses his confidence in the reign of God, the hope in the covenant faithfulness, and trust in the future victory of God. Therefore, the psalmist continues to pray, knowing that the Lord would pay attention to the prayer of the destitute.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: “This wonderful deliverance shall not be lost nor forgotten but carefully recorded by Thy people.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: “This shall be written for the generation to come - It shall be recorded for the instruction and encouragement of future ages. The fact that God has heard the prayer of His people in a time of trial shall be so recorded and remembered that it may be referred to in similar circumstances in all time to come, for He is an unchanging God. What He has done now, He will always be willing to do hereafter.”

We have the Bible to help us understand times of despair and hardship. We also have books written through the ages by people who went through heartache and despair and were brought through them by God’s help.

Godsbless.ing: “Here, we see the importance of recording God’s deeds for the generations to come. Just as Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs believers to pass down God’s commandments to their children, this act ensures the continuity of faith and the recognition of God’s works across time.”

Take advantage of the many books and articles written by God’s people that will help you continue in your walk with God. Stories that will strength you and help you through hardships during your life. Stories that will demand you praise God for what He has done in past times and what He continues to do now.

The Bible stands alone for its truth and should always be the first book you read. Other books serve to build on God’s Word as they build your confidence and settle any doubt within so “that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.”

By His Grace . . . 

James 1:12

 

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test

 he will receive the crown of life 
that God has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12

Trials. No one wants to go through trials. They hurt. They make us sad. They bring broken hearts. Going through them is hard, but we will all go through them. Christians and non-Christians. All human beings go through trials through life. It is not an option.

As Christians, we may hope God will not bring a trial to our life, but God knows trials are the only way to growth, both as a Christian and as a human. We learn so much from trials.

A few verses earlier in James, he tells us going through trials produces perseverance. That we will be blessed when we persevere. It also teaches us resilience, faith, humility and personal growth.

“Through the lens of Scripture, we can see that benefit. We are told that our trials develop our character in ways that will produce eternal profit for us; and we are told that the God who allows them always has our welfare in mind. These are things that an unbelieving world cannot see, but they have been revealed to those who believe.” Chris Tiegreen, Walk With God

As you mature in Christ, your understanding of trials and how God brought you through enables you to rejoice that He is able to do all things, and especially do them for you. You find it easier to handle trials, even though they hurt, because you know Christ will be at your side and bring you through.

The crown of life. What is the crown of life? Believers who endure in the face of difficult situations.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: “The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect.”

God will always be with you through your journey. He is faithful and true. When you go through a trial, bring to mind what God has done in the past and your future will be filled with joy.

“Just as the Cross of Jesus revealed the character of God within Him, so does the fire of trial reveal the character of God within us.” Chris Tiegreen, Walk with God

Life is hard, no doubt about that. But we have the Word of God to get us through. We can depend on Him for He is faithful.

By His Grace . . . 

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

Faith. That’s what we all have. We have faith. We have faith in God. We have faith in Jesus. It is God’s gift to all believer's in Jesus.

Biblehub.com, Barnes Notes on the Bible: “There is scarcely any verse of the New Testament more important than this, for it states what is the nature of all true faith and is the only definition of it which is attempted in the Scriptures. Eternal life depends on the existence and exercise of faith, and hence, the importance of an accurate understanding of its nature.”

This opening verse in Hebrews 11 encapsulates the very nature of faith. It goes beyond mere belief and trust; it involves a deep conviction in the promises of God, even when we cannot tangibly perceive them.

Somehow when we are saved, God instills in us this knowledge that we hope for, and we know it is true. It resides inside of us firm and secure. It never lets us down. This verse is the opening of a remarkable account of the “Hall of Faith” in this chapter, highlighting the lives of numerous Old Testament figures who demonstrated unwavering trust in God.

Bibleref.com: “Our perspective, looking back on their 'Hall of Faith' example, should inspire confidence that God will make good on His promises, even if our earthly lives don't last long enough to see them come to fruition. God ‘creates’ out of things we cannot see—both in a literal, physical sense, as well as a spiritual sense. Just because we don't understand how God will act does not mean He cannot or will not act.”

Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: “Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all He has promised to us in Christ.”

Never let your faith grow cold. God has instilled it in us to carry us forward with hope and assurance until the day He takes us home. Be sure of it.

By His Grace . . .