Scripture for Today: Psalm 65:11 “You crown the year with Your good blessings and You leave abundance in Your wake.”

This crown belongs to Queen Elizabeth and being that it weighs three pounds, the quote from Shakespeare, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” can be understood two ways!  It is so heavy that the Queen will practice wearing it a few days before having to don it for an official ceremony.  But the crown is impressive with its valuable jewels.  More than that, it impresses as a symbol of power and authority.

Today’s verse describes a power and authority much larger than that of an earthly monarch!  We serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  It is in His power to crown a year with His blessing and abundance!  He came in order to give His followers a life that is abundant (John 10:10).  He promises His blessings for those who are obedient to Him.  His eyes search over the entire earth to see whose hearts are fully committed to Him, in order to strengthen them (II Chron. 16:9).  He looks to bless His own with good things as a Father does for his son (Matt. 7:11).

How reassuring to be His own and face the future with trust and confidence in His provision!  I do not know what the new year will hold, but like the saying says, “I know who holds the future.”  He is worth trusting.  He will crown this new year with His goodness toward me.  I know this with every fiber of my being because He has promised, and because He has been so faithful even in that strange previous year.  Whatever this new year may hold, I can look forward to an eventual fulfillment of every hope and every dream!

Lord, thank you for Your goodness toward me.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from a previous year.)

Scripture for Today: I Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

My grandson practically trembles in anticipation as he stands ready to whack! The game “whack-a-mole” can use moles, sharks or anything else that can pop up and defy being bonked. But in fact, there is little anyone can do to be really ready. That is because the sharks are ready as well and their sequence is random and unpredictable. By the time the mallet comes down, the moment has passed and up pops a new challenge!

Today’s verse tells believers not to be surprised at the hard times we suffer. They are not the exception but the norm. We are not exempt from difficulties, although sometimes we think we should be. It is easy to be lulled into thinking that an easy life is our right and privilege as God’s own. Then something suddenly happens and we are surprised! And as soon as we feel we have mastered a situation, up pops something else. Nothing strange is happening. God uses it all to test our faith.  

This testing of my faith is never very comfortable. When am I ever ready for multiple troubles to arrive? But I can be sure that the hard times are never random, even in their timing. When I feel that I just can’t anymore, that is when I learn dependence on the Lord. He does not ask me to face life in my own strength. Instead, He shows Himself strong and able through my weakness. Whatever threatens to defeat me, He has already conquered! I can share in His victory as I place my trust in His powerful arm.

Thank you Lord, that You help me pass these tests of faith.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

It was amazing to see Jupiter and Saturn lining up, something that has not occurred at such proximity since 1623! The fact that it happened near Christmas gave it special meaning for believers. It brought to mind the miraculous Christmas star guiding the Magi to the Savior’s birth. However, the reaction of some was much different as this photo shows, taken on Balboa Island. There seems to be a religious observance going on but I am not sure it has anything to do with the star’s Creator.

Today’s verse reminds us of what we instinctively know when we look up. The heavens declare loud and clear that they have a Creator! More important than Jupiter and Saturn lining up is mankind’s lining up their thinking to this incredible truth! God’s eternal power and divinity are clearly seen and understood from what has been created. (Romans 1:20) The skies proclaim that this magnificent awesome beauty is the work of His hands! How incredible it is that the Creator of this star and the entire universe is the same One who wants to create a personal relationship with each of us through His Son.

How is it that we can discount and minimize the wonder of the skies! I am dumbfounded by those who take gorgeous pictures of our world but do not give recognition to its Maker. The more science reveals the amazing details of nature, the more my heart sings in praise to the creative genius of Christ! It is through the Son that all things are created and are held together. (Col.1:16-17) And He continues to create in me the praise that is due Him!

Thank you Lord, that our world reveals You!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 27:4 “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, to seek Him in His temple.”

The Christmas tree stripped of its presents can seem a little forlorn.  The leftovers in foil and plastic wrap don’t look quite as inviting as they did the day before.  The Christmas Carols suddenly sound a bit worn out and “tinny.”  There is definitely something missing.  The anticipation is gone.  And one wonders what happened to that warm fuzzy feeling.  In its place there seems to be not only exhaustion but a certain let-down.  If we could just hang on to that feeling of beauty and contentment!

Today’s verse speaks of a place where we can constantly dwell.  There is no day after.  One never needs to leave.  There is beauty in this place.    To be in the Lord’s presence and gaze upon His beauty is an experience that never gets old and never has to end.  The warmth and comfort of His love rivals any warm and fuzzy feeling from holidays, music and decorations.

There are many things I could have requested for Christmas.  But I have lived long enough to know that any item will eventually lose its shine and luster.  But the beauty of the Lord is forever and He invites me to continually gaze on Him!  In His presence I can sing and make music to Him (verse 6).  He will always receive me (verse 10) and I never have to worry about Him rejecting or forsaking me (verse 9).  Regardless of what is happening around me, it is there that I want to stay!

Lord, keep me seeking You above all else.