As you lead me into worship each day, Lord Jesus, there is a definite sense of solidification within, a strengthening in my inner being, for you are “strengthening me with strength in my soul” (Psa. 136:8). I am more at rest in you; my confidence is shifting from other sources to you; there is a growing sense of firm faith in you which stands against my common sins of self-pity, impatience, discontent and fear.

Worship (praising you for who you are) brings transformation as I gaze on your greatness: “…we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2. Cor. 3:18).

Worship of you, Lord, shines into my being the light of your character—positive, pure, powerful, passionate, and perfect—and you use it like a laser beam, shining deep into the recesses of my soul, exposing the filth of sin, burning away dross, purifying, healing, and guiding me into confession, repentance and the filling of the Spirit.

One result of worship–extolling you for your power and might, sovereignty and wisdom, omniscience and omnipresence–is that my being weak is no longer something to be feared and despised. My weakness has become like a lens, focusing my attention on you, Lord God, and on your mighty, loving, wise personality, waiting for you to act in each situation.

This is your way, Lord, reaching into our weakness and bringing your power with you. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9. An example is a principle I’ve mentioned recently: “the shortcut to humility is the road of humiliation.” When we embrace our weakness, thank God for us, “then the power of Christ rests one me.” 2 Cor. 12:10.

Lord help me to think this supernatural way, rejoicing in my weakness, reveling in your strength. May this honor  you and bring power when it is needed.

Psalm 22:11 “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”

[David had only you to turn to, Lord, his great God and good Shepherd. Only you could help Jesus in His earthly life. And so it is in our lives: in the midst of powerful forces swirling around us–spiritual, political, economic, social–only you, Heavenly Father, can actually help. As it says in Psalm 62:1, “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him.” All others are limited and weak, they fail, are faulty, are fickle, but you are faithful.

As it says in Psalm 18:16-18, “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.”]

I praise you, Lord God, that you reach into every aspect of our lives to carry us through whatever challenges come. You take us through the valley of the shadow of death “out into a broad place; [you] rescue me, because [you] delight in me” (Ps. 18:19).

Thank you that today you will work this way in my life. Save me from the evil one, from evil people, from evil events and from my own evil within. Help me to keep on the armor, to trust in you that you may shield my head in today’s battle. Amen.

During those  3 ½ years in Germany, the Lord has faithfully continued this upward trend of my life, bringing me into ever  new and more radiant levels of relationship with Him.

This ongoing growth flows, like all the other changes God has wrought in me, out of meditation. It is powerful to get the Word into my mind through memorizing, then to water it by praying it, and to turn on the light of deeper understanding by personalizing it.

The insights that come, the understanding, the transformation of thought, feeling and desire are marvelous.

One great area of growth has been in understanding more of the love of God. Every day in putting on the armor of God, when I come to the belt of truth, I think first about what I actually deserve as a result of my sin in all its darkness: punishment, failure, suffering, death and eternal separation from God in Hell.

Then I add to this dark backdrop, the diamond of Truth, which says that in spite of what I deserve, the eternal holy God  chose me (and all others willing to believe) before the foundation of the world. He called me to Himself. He cleansed me, first forgiving, then washing away my sins and transforming me into a new creature. He claimed me as His son. He commissioned me to special service. He cherished me as if I were His only child.

Then I turn the spotlight of His grace to shine on this diamond of Truth, bringing out further sparkling aspects of His love: I now stand before Him dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in.  I bask in the reality of His grace, letting myself feel the wonder of total acceptance, the security of utter approval, the joy of unending love.

As I stand in this beam of grace, reveling without a pause in the light of such unconditional, rich, never-ending love, I am transformed a bit more each day.

There is a solidification of my sense of security. There is a severing of my sinful fear of others’ thoughts and values. There is a shift in my thoughts and feelings towards myself: an acceptance of self, based on Christ’s acceptance of me; a lowering of self criticalness along with a rise in my desire to please Him. I experience a rest from the disturbing desire to “measure up” to others standards by being right. There is growth in the peace and joy that comes from knowing God, as opposed to performing well.

All this frees me to love others around me more, to forgive more easily, to quickly overlook offenses, to be gracious, patient and positive.

It allows me to be a carrier of “Sonshine” to others; to have believing faith for them when theirs isn’t enough, to encourage others in thankfulness, to look at the positives in their lives, rather than being distracted by the negatives.

It makes me more realistic, less idealistic. It brings a delight in being weak, confidence in God’s doing what is best, peace in the midst of uncertainty, and joy, even when I don’t get what I want.

It stimulates the flow of creativity and the ability to see what is good in hardship. It gives acuity to see and claim truth when I am accused with vague, negative generalizations.

In general it opens my eyes to the beauty of the Lord all around me and within me, like this vibrant flower here. Truly as we know the Truth, it sets us free. Will we follow Him into this freedom?

We praise you, Lord God, that your ways are higher than our ways. You truly see the big picture and will work things out in your perfect understanding, timing and wisdom.

We can only see to the next corner and that’s it; see from now to eternity, you know every bump, gully, mountain and stream, every hot and every cold time (like in the picture here) we will encounter and will carry over, through and out the other side  into your eternal kingdom

Praise you, Lord Jesus, my great Shepherd, for the wonderful, profound, powerful and complete way you provide for us. Our role is to find our shelter, our help and our rest in you.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ (Ps. 91:1-2).

Help us, Lord, to be like David and like Jesus, embracing our weakness so we can rest in your greatness, praying about all, thinking your Word, doing what we know is right. And I praise you now for how will help us!

More on God’s method: partnership.

You give input on what to embrace or avoid; we must pay attention and follow your lead. “The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes…. By them is your servant warned; in KEEPING THEM there is great reward.” Psalm 19:9b,11

You provided spiritual armor for us; we must put it on and use it: “PUT ON the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11

You call us to trust you and glorify you in the midst of difficulty; we must obey: “He WHO SACRIFICES thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

You show us the needs around us; we must pray about them and give help. “…always KEEP ON PRAYING for all the saints.” Eph 6:18b “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but DOES NOTHING about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15,16

Your Spirit convicts us of sin; we must listen and repent,

“IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

As we join you in your call to partnership-obedience, Lord, we grow, you are glorified, the gospel goes out, good is done, creation moves forward to its redemption and history towards its conclusion.

Praise you that you choose to share with us a partial understanding of your great plan, so that we can join you in seeing the world reached, believers matured and you glorified. Show me today where I am not joining you so I can repent and partner with obedience.

Picture: our granddaughter Leiza cooperating with Barbara