Today promises to be another hectic day, but I had to pause in the midst of all the cleaning and preparing to spend a few minutes focusing on my God.
One of my all time favorite devotionals is My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. (The updated version is much easier to understand than the original, while retaining the significance).
Today's devotion has to do, in some part, with God having His hand upon us. Oswald says, "Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength."
I mentioned in yesterday's entry that some of my friends are going through some really difficult times right now. One dear friend was diagnosed with cancer last week. Two others are dealing with chronic pain disorders, in addition to serious financial troubles. Another is struggling in her marriage. And yet another has some medical problems which the doctors have yet to diagnose, much less properly treat.
While my heart is broken for all these friends, I know that God's hand is upon each one. The only way that I know this is that I, too, have been through similarly "hopeless" and fiery situations--and His hand was upon me. I have always said, if He cared for me, He will care for you.... The results may not be what we desire in the physical, earthly realm, but our God is Sovereign, and nothing can hinder His perfect Sovereign will for our lives. If our hearts are open to Him, even--and especially--in our troubles, He will be there for us in a way that is beyond anything we've ever experienced before, with peace, comfort, provision, support, and strength.
Psalm 139 stresses how God has His hand upon us.... And it is because of that we can have hope.
I cannot help but pray for my friends today, that they will experience the reality of God's hand upon their lives today, in a unique, special, and unforgettable way; that He will indeed be their strength, their supply, their peace, their comfort, and their provision--above and beyond all they could ask or imagine.
You hem me in-behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5