Out of heaven He made thee to HEAR HIS VOICE...

" Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD  He is GOD in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath; there is none else." Deuteronomy 4:39

Much of our time here on earth is busy and occupied... there are many activities that tire us. We often find ourselves waking up with the burden of the day. So much needs to be accomplished.

And yet, our God knows our needs. He cares and provides what's best for us... He prunes, He purges.

As I reflect on the Lord's goodness this morning, I marvel at His care.

I confess that I don't always find every situation in my life rosy. .. no, not all the surroundings are easy to go through.

How often I lose sight of God's plan to grow me,
... working in me a faith that does not waver,
... working in me a life that is more and more like Christ's,
... working that I might be humble and obedient to His will.

Pruning hurts... but it yields fruit in the end.

How encouraging to know that the CREATOR of heaven and earth... is LORD over all. There is none besides Him. He does what is right and perfect...

When things around us may crumble... our refuge is in our God.

Despite what the future holds... our God is in control.

And while God may take us through trials and afflictions, He is ever near us...working that which is needful in our lives. .. patience, character and hope.

Indeed, our God is a merciful God...

" But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

When thou art in tribulation and all these things shall come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient to His voice; 

For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; He will not forsake thee..." 

Deuteronomy 4:29,30,31

Oh, what assurance- that when we walk with Him, and look unto Him... He hears us and helps us! 

Father, we thank you for making us hear your voice through the living Word. Thank you for the promises we have that comforts us in time of need. Help us to be firmly rooted and grounded in the WORD.

May you be encouraged today to trust the Father's care for you... and be still in knowing that HE IS GOD.

~Ellie

Lo, I am with you ALWAYS, even unto the end of the world...

" The LORD your GOD which goeth before you, HE shall fight for you..." 

Deuteronomy 1:30

How often I am reminded of my weaknesses... it's not easy to face defeat or to see the flesh take control of actions or thoughts. This past week I saw myself succumb to the flesh... because I wanted to get my way ultimately. In reality, I went ahead in my own strength and placed God second. It didn't go well...

I repented and God in HIS mercy reached out to me and made me see that even when I fail, HIS compassions never faileth. Even when I falter in my faith, GREAT is HIS faithfulness.

He is just to forgive.

And while struggling with my failure, I was encouraged while reading through Deuteronomy that God is ultimately the One who goes before us and fights for us.

We are to be reminded of HIS faithfulness to us. All we have to do is to look in the past and see HIS mighty hand of protection over us. God never forsakes His own... even in the "wilderness" we often find ourselves in.

The "wilderness"... a desolate place, a place of fear. A place where others are bigger and stronger than us. A a place where we fear being defeated by the things around us. A place where discouraging words can paralyze us.

That's what the Israelites struggled with:

" Our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, 

The people is greater and taller than we; 
The cities are great and walled up to heaven;

 And moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there." 

Deut. 1:28  

But the "wilderness" doesn't have to be a place of fear. It can be a place of growth. A place where our faith gets strengthened. A place where God works in us... and through us.

We need not murmur or rebel against God's work and will for our lives.

Yes, God's ways can be painful. Yes, His perfect plan for us may not be what we desire. But trusting that HE knows what's best will make us rejoice even in the midst of sorrow.

" As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... " 

2 Corinthians 6:10

And through my reading in Deuteronomy, I came upon verse 31... where God paints such a beautiful illustration of HIS Fatherly love to HIS children.

" And in the wilderness 
Where thou hast seen how that the LORD THY GOD bare thee, 

As a man doth bear his son, 

In all the way that ye went..."

 Deut. 1:31

I could not but thank Him for His great mercy shown to me in the verse... a reminder that His compassions never fail.

HE is with us ... ALWAYS... even unto the end of the world. What a wonderful promise!

May you trust the Heavenly Father today... that HE is faithful and just to forgive, a present help in time of need.  

~Ellie

Thou art GOOD and doest GOOD...

" Thou hast dealt WELL with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy WORD." Psalm 119: 65

This past week I "stumbled" upon a few verses in my daily Bible reading... verses that have made me think.

Do you ever wonder about God's goodness to you when you are afflicted? I'll admit it is quite hard to see what God is doing in my life when I feel afflicted in one form or another. No one likes afflictions.

But affliction is good for us, even though  it hurts. And yet the affliction is not in vain... it causes a marvelous work in us. It causes us to be more like Christ.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ."

2 Cor. 4:17 

If we are not afflicted, we naturally go astray. (Psalm 119:67). Our hearts need the discipline of the Lord, to keep us on the right path... and to please Him.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Yes, it is difficult to be afflicted... to feel pain. One may say God isn't loving, or good or faithful when He sends afflictions. Because why would a loving God afflict us? Yet without affliction, our lives would never learn the statues of the LORD. And we would never  desire the WORD of God to dwell richly in us. We would be most miserable!

And if God says that it is good for us to be afflicted, then it must be GOOD. (Ps. 119: 71).

And we can have peace that HE is most loving:

" I know, O LORD, that THY judgements are right, and that thou in FAITHFULNESS has afflicted me."

(Psalm 119: 75)

I may not fully understand God's dealings with me. But one thing I know. He loves me enough to discipline me in faithfulness. And what assurance to know that HE never leaves HIS own.  Even when HE disciplines and afflicts us. Even then. He cares about each of His children. So much so, that a price was paid for our redemption. He bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And that is enough to trust Him.

" THY hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."

Psalm 119:73  

May you know God's goodness to you... even in affliction.  May you delight in HIS word today, trusting Him.

~Ellie