Scripture for Today:  I Chronicles 29:12  “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.  In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

When I was young I owned one of these 8 balls!  As a boy-crazy adolescent I would consult it often in matters of love.  The future was a looming mystery and I was full of questions about what was ahead.  The problem with this 8 ball method was that I would repeat the question over and over until the response I wanted appeared!

There are still questions about the future.  There are also all kinds of “what if?” scenarios that can keep one up at night.  Whether it be the futures of children and grandchildren, or what is ahead for aging parents, the temptation continues to worry about what is ahead.

The verse today is a reassuring truth.  My future is not a matter of chance or accident.  As a child of God, my future is in the powerful hands of the One who rules the universe!  Since He is powerful enough to take care of my eternal life, He surely is more than capable of taking care of my earthly life too!  He is not surprised or frustrated in His plans for me!  The state of the economy is a non-issue for Him!

Honor, riches and strength all come from His hand.  He is the One who controls my future!  Psalm 18:32 says that it is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.  Having this confidence allows me to face my future without worry or sleepless nights.  HE is in control and His control is good.  My future rests in His loving hands.

Thank you Lord, that with You I can face tomorrow!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 63:7-8 “Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.  I cling to You. Your right hand upholds me.”

I finally gave in.  After years of fighting with plastic wrap, I finally bought a dispenser that allows me to roll it out and cut it easily.  If there had been a hidden camera in my kitchen, it would have caught me tearing at that plastic and throwing away countless yards of the stuff as it would cling to the wrong thing.  Seriously, plastic wrap seems to have a mind of its own!  It clings to itself, my hand, or the counter, but rarely where I am putting it.

Our verse for today is about a different kind of clinging.  When we realize just how needy we are, we can give ourselves permission to cling.  The problem is that sometimes we cling to the wrong thing.  When we cling to our own resources or to others, we continue to be needy.  However, when we cling to the Lord and His strength, we find ourselves upheld by His powerful right hand.  He is our help when all else fails.  Clinging to Him and His protection changes our attitude to one of joy and song.  He is never bothered by our clinging.  He does not shake us off.  He holds us up when we feel we are falling.  He is faithful to give the help we need.

I cannot cling to Him if my hands are full.  I need to let go of all my supposed resources and depend completely on Him.  He is big enough and strong enough to be all the help I need.  As the old hymn says, “Simply to Thy cross I cling.”  Lord, help me to really believe it!