“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

Sometimes we find ourselves frustrated in all our plans with none of the things we’d like to see happen getting accomplished.

In this I have to remind myself that my main purpose as a Christian is not productivity, but knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ.

We may be successful in the eyes of the world because of our accomplishments, but if we aren’t close to Him, it’s all a mirage.

The Lord has been stressing to us again and again the importance of getting closer to Him by praising.

And we certainly had opportunity to do this while Barbara was in the hospital, not something we wanted,

but something the Lord allowed and something we could praise Him in and for. (She is home now).

When we praise God for each thing that comes to us, whether it seems good or bad from our perspective,

we are surrendering to God at that particular moment, reaffirming our trust in Him.

In such praise we are declaring His goodness and His power to all those around us.

We are proclaiming His intent to bring to us only what is for our good and His glory.

This is pure faith, the best way to please God! So, let’s join Him by trusting in praise.

Proverbs 3:7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Picture: When the way seems closed, God has a plan

Praise you, Lord Jesus, that in your wisdom you always do the right thing,

allowing us to make choices for good or bad and

allowing us to live out the consequences of our decisions, whether wise or foolish.

Then you take all this and weave it into your great plan

for bringing about the end of history and the beginning of eternity.

In this You are working towards securing the salvation of as many as possible,

as well as bringing about the end of evil, which you will lock up in the lake of fire.

Praise you for your unlimited power to bring all this to pass,

your unwavering faithfulness to follow through

and your high and wide wisdom in doing it all in rightness and righteousness.

You are certainly worthy of all praise, honor, worship and obedience.

In the light of all this truth, it is certain that you have the wisdom and power

to guide me in the day before me.

Help me to walk in faith, in the light of your presence

so that I may bring glory to you. Amen.”

Picture: God reaching  into history to save another person  [from wall/Bible art]

Praise be to you this morning, Lord God, for your wonderful Word:

living, powerful, deep, transforming and encouraging.

It is life-giving, guiding, convicting, protecting.

For instance,  Psalm 94:18,19 says, “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your love, O Lord, supported me.” This is so true;

when I have felt abandoned, a failure, useless, attacked or unloved, your Word has supported me.

Your Spirit brought to mind passages of power, towers of Truth to flee to for help and protection.

Such as, when attacked by others, Psalm 37 is my favorite fortress, providing powerful protection and direction:

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers…for they shall be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb” (verse 1).

This Psalm is a beacon of Truth, giving perspective and guidance going on to say: “Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall you dwell in the land and be fed.” (verse 3).

It gives the high and protecting wall of Hope: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart” (verse 4).

And as I trusted these verses, the Lord worked things out in multiple difficulties. He is faithful as I stay up in His high tower:

“The Lord is my rock, my salvation and my high tower…” And if I stay in the high tower, “I will never be shaken.” Psalm  62:2

We stay in the tower when we trust, wait for His direction and praise Him for the outcome before it is seen.

Picture: my own blue  tower on my house

While looking at some of my writings from our first year in the Middle East, I came across the following.

One area where we are really encouraged is our health: we are all remaining healthy and strong

in spite of the daily pressures of language study, teaching English nights and bureaucratic demands.

And then there are  the cold temperatures in our apartment. Although it is only mid October,

the temperatures are down in the 30s at night and 40s F in the daytime, not bad if you have heat.

However, by law, the central heating won’t be turned on until Nov 15—a month away!

So we just dress more warmly and heat up one room with an electric heater–when the electricity is on; and it’s off more often than on here.

But, God is our provider and we will praise Him for whatever He allows, even when we are shivering in our apartment!

Prayer: “Father, forgive me for my tendency to complain;

help me to reject the natural, negative thoughts that rise up from my selfishness

and help me to think instead of you in all your excellence and perfection,

and of all the good things you provide. Make praise the keynote of my life. Amen.”

Picture: the boys and Barb keeping warm together