I praise you, O Lord, for you are “the God who sees me” (Gen. 16:13). You are a shield around me (Ps 18:30), you shut me in behind and before and lay your hand over me (Ps. 139:5). You are my refuge and strength (Ps. 18:2).
I praise you now, Lord Jesus, for what you are going to do today: the events you will allow, the positives as well as the disappointments, the difficulties and the downers, for these valleys bring death to self and growth to your children.
To you I am
a valuable inheritance,
a beloved son,
a cherished family member,
bought with a price,
adopted with fervor,
loved with passion,
sung over with joy
and cared for with power.
In you there is safety, in you there is help, in you there is goodness and grace.
You are the great Transformer, using the attacks of the enemy, the power of sin, the consequences of our rebellion to bring growth and goodness to us and glory to your name. You use them to unmask our sin, break our crookedness and undo us so you can reshape, redo and restore us towards the original image of yourself, to make us more like Christ.
Therefore, I choose to live today in the truth that “Knowing Jesus is enough for joy!” I choose to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving for each thing that comes–as all comes with your permission and in your plan–and thereby fulfill the purpose you have given me of bringing honor to your Name!
I pray that, in the power of your Spirit, my thoughts, motives, words and actions will bring joy to your heart today, my Lord and Savior!
Picture: Barbara at her mother’s grave
