“Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].
So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— …” (2 Corinthians 5:5-7 AMP)
REFLECTION
This morning I awoke in physical discomfort, as my body is adjusting to a new (and healthier) way of eating and living. Aware of all my commitments and the energy required, I cried out to the Lord for help. Getting up in faith, I spent time in prayer and pondering His Word, and I was encouraged.
Our feelings are valid and an intrinsic part of how our Maker made us, but they need to be subject to faith-filled action or they can take us up to deceptive pleasures or down to debilitating discouragement. Praise God that we can come to Him as we are, and that we can choose to fill our hearts and minds with His truth and move forward in faith, hope and His unfailing love. And I’ve found that being with Him, in His loving presence, is what I really wanted and needed all along. Everything else is overflow, for the benefit of others.
PRAYER POEM: Lead Me
Lord, thank you that You are with me and sustain me through everything, joyous moments as well as suffering.
Please give me spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see what You are saying to me. And lead me into victory according to Your decree.
