TRUSTING GOD
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for your purging, because I know it is for my good, and your glory. May my life bring forth more fruit with each passing day.
Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Oh Father, our finite minds cannot comprehend your ways because our thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are our ways your ways. Yet, Father, in this affliction that you have allowed into my life, I too, like Paul, would pray that your gospel would be furthered, and you would be glorified.
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Oh Father, draw me ever nearer to thyself. Grant me heavenly wisdom to see plainly the importance of being patient in my suffering so I will learn the lessons you want to teach me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Father, I am thine Oh Lord to do with as you wish. Thank you for the immeasurable abundance of peace that you have bestowed upon me. I want your power to rest upon me, therefore, like Paul, I too will "glory" in my infirmities as I rest in the knowledge that you know my frame and you have me engraved on the palm of your hand.
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Father, thank you for the lessons you have taught me in my affliction. Thank you for your Word that it is new and fresh every morning, that your Word brings joy, comfort, peace, strength, and guidance. Father may your Word become sweeter with each passing day. May I too, as Jeremiah say, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
How I praise you for the promises in your Word. Thank you that you are my God, that you will strengthen, help, and uphold me with your right hand. Because of this I need not fear.
Isaiah 43:1-2 Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Heavenly Father, how blessed I am to have you say, "fear not." Thank you that I can rest knowing that famine, fire, or flood cannot over power me because of your promise, "I will be with thee."
1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Thank you God that you are faithful in all things and I know that you are in control of all things. Your way is always the right way, therefore, when suffering is part of your plan for me, I can and will rest in the knowledge that I can commit the keeping of my soul to you.
2 Chronicles 20:12, 15 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Father, my eyes are upon you. I need your help because I don't know what to do. So as I wait on you, I will remember your reply to Jehoshaphat to not be dismayed by this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but Gods. Thank you, Father, that you are in control and you are going through this valley with me.
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for your greatness. How comforting to know that there is nothing too hard for thee. Your great power will enable you to restore me fully, and yet if this cup is "not to pass from me," you will, by your great power and mercy equip me with the grace and peace needed to bear it.
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Father, you tell us in your Word that our life on this earth is like a shadow, a breath, a broken flower, and a vapor. You also tell us that during this earthly life we will have trials and when they come don't think some strange thing has happened. So Father, like Peter, I too want to rejoice in this trial because Christ also suffered and has counted me worthy to suffer. Oh Father, may my response to this suffering count me as worthy and may it bring glory to your Holy name.
Isaiah 40:28-29 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Lord, God, in heaven, thank you for the blessing of being able to call you my Father. You who are the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of all things. Unto you I can call and you will give power and strength. Thank you God for that privilege.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Thank you Father for the hope that your Word gives. Hope that even when our outward man perisheth, you are renewing our inward man. Thank you for the hope of our eternal glory that is to come. That blessed hope allows us to bear our light afflictions here on earth, because we know it is just for a moment in comparison to eternity with you, free of all sickness, sorrow and suffering. Thank you Father that I can rest knowing my times are in your hands.
Isaiah 40:31 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.
Father, may I be content to wait for your time to renew my strength. My humanness wants to have my former strength right now. Yet I know that your ways are always right. May I cling to the promise that you have given that in your time I shall have my strength renewed. So, teach me Lord to wait.
Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Father, what a privilege prayer is. We too like the Psalmist have called unto you and cried and you have heard our prayers. Thank you for always being ready to hear us when we cry out to you. Thank you that you do hear and answer our prayers. May we never loose sight of your goodness to us. May our answered prayer continually be a reminder of your great faithfulness.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Oh Heavenly Father thank you for your goodness. Thank you that in our troubles you have promised to be a strong hold.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Father, you know my needs even before I ask. May I remember that you who clothed the lily, will clothe me with everything I need. Help me to be patient and courageous as I wait on you, knowing that you will strengthen my heart. Help me to remember that you who sends the clouds can as easily clear the the skies. As I await for the clear skies, may I glorify you in the clouds.