March 29, 2024

Hide Myself

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvI’ve heard the thunder before
I’m not a stranger to storms
Even in the flood
I can always run
To where You are

I’ve had to wait in the dark
And hold the Truth in my heart
Even in the night
Still You open wide
Your faithful arms

And I hide myself
Where I find my help
And I hide myself
I find only rest
I find only peace
Beneath Your wings

You are the Refuge that stands
You hold my world in Your hands
The quiet in the noise
The stillness of Your voice
Will be enough

And it’s Your Presence alone
That changes all that I know
‘Til all that I know
Is just Your Presence alone
I’m safe in Your shadow

Even in the flood
I can always run
To where You are

Michael W. Smith
Writer: Mia Fieldes

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We certainly can sense there is turmoil and strife in the world.

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice.
They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips….
Romans 1:29

God knew there would be trouble in our lives.  Some because of our choices and some because of the world.  It is how we meet those challenges, lifting His name in all situations, that sets us apart from the world.  He will not always remove the testing, but He will walk with us through it.  If God can be with David all the while, He will surely be with us.

We need to search our hearts to see where we might doubt Him—where our faith is weakest.  We must ask God to help us strengthen it, to help us grow our faith, and to trust more and more.  David sometimes wondered where God was; and even the prophets did, too.

Look at Elijah….  With God, he had just destroyed all of the prophets of Baal but upon hearing that Jezebel was going to kill him, he was afraid. But isn’t that the man in us—our human side? To forget what God had just done…?  (How quickly we forget when our peace is threatened?)  God knew that Elijah was tired and needed rest and reassurance.  After receiving it, Elijah’s faith was restored and God told him what would happen in the future (see 1 Kings 19).

As God was faithful in restoring Elijah,
how much more will He restore us?

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time He may exalt you,

casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering
are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To Him be the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11

Let this be our prayer for our nation and our world.

He Knows My Name

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story

True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I’m not meant to just stay quiet
I’m meant to be a lion
I’ll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I’ve got

True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

He calls me chosen, free, forgiven, wanted, child of the King
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes

Singer/Songwriter: Francesca Battistelli along with Mia Fieldes, Seth Mosely

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This song speaks to me in so many ways….  Do we really know how precious we are to God??  It amazes me when I think about the details of my life and that He still chose me.  Me—a girl once so beaten down by life and caught up in the depths of despair.  But I am redeemed, I am chosen and He knows my name!

And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:12

He knows who you are and He knows who you are meant to be…and, oh sweet sisters, you are so adored!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1

We don’t need applause from man or our name in lights.  We only need to live for an audience of One.  We were chosen by Him.

“Your Heavenly Father is the creator of the universe. God created all things. He is holy, righteous, omniscient, all knowing, loving, full of grace and mercy, and He calls you his child. You are a co-heir to the one and true God, and you will receive all the benefits that are attached to being an heir.”

(From Adored By God…by Karen Stubbs.)

Click here to read entire devotional.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.
You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.
As a result, you can show others the goodness of God,
for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

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Father, thank You for seeing my heart and for making something out of nothing.  For choosing each one of us and calling us out of the darkness surrounding us and into Your wonderful light.  May we produce good fruit and remember each day that we are living for You.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!!!