I have yet to hear about someone who is good at waiting. I think this is one of those life-long lessons. Lamentations tells us of God’s goodness to those who wait. While we aren’t good at waiting – we do a lot of it. And God is good to us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the goodness that awaits those who wait for You. Please help us with the challenges that make it hard to wait. We need You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
God has given us information about what is good. God has given commands – commands that He has the right to give. This verse gives a simple list. Act justly. Love faithfulness. Walk humbly with God.
I’ll admit it is not always simple to follow those things. Pride in self interrupts other serving humility. Faithfulness requires hard work. Living justice when that is not what is happening around us can become tiring. However, God promises to be with those who trust in His Son. He promises the grace we need to obey His commands.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what is good. Thank You for providing the help we need to obey Your commands. I ask for strength to act justly, love faithfulness and walk humbly with You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I am so thankful for the comfort God provides through our trials. This doesn’t mean that we will always have warm fuzzies and happy emotions. However, God knows how to provide Bible verses, hugs from friends, and many other joys that bring comfort.
One reason for the comfort is to pass that along to others. We know from experience how precious it is to receive comfort. What could be better than give the same to others?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort you provide. Please give us the strength and joy to pass that comfort to others.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I am so thankful for God’s love. I believe this is a huge concept that we cannot fully understand. However, reading God’s Word and seeking to live it helps move us towards a deeper knowledge of God’s love. In today’s verses, we see that God’s love should move us to love others. This can be challenging since flawed human beings can be hard to love. However, God gives us many verses to help us through the challenges.
As we spend time in the Bible and in prayer, we will gain the help we need to learn more about God’s love and sharing it with others.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even though we don’t deserve it. Please help us to work towards a deeper knowledge of Your love and the best way to show love to others.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
We live in a world with many needs. The economy isn’t great, politics stink, families have struggles. Let’s face it – we have a mess. I am thankful that God provides help. If you read Hebrews 4:14-15 you will find that the help is meant for our weaknesses. Jesus was tempted in every way we are. He can sympathize with our struggle. His ability to avoid sin gives me more encouragement about His help. I just need to go boldly to Him to ask for help. I will receive compassion and kindness from the One Who died for me. This will help my weakness.
Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many struggles. Please remind us to come boldly to ask for help. Thank You that you will give generously.
I pray this in Jesus name.
God is so good.
The apostle Paul often opens his letters with thankfulness for the believers to whom he is writing. I like how Paul qualifies that thankfulness in this book. This is because of the love the Colossians had “for all the saints”. John 13:35 tells us that people will know we belong to Jesus by our “love for one another.” This tells us that love for other believers is very important.
Love doesn’t always come easily. We face many challenges. However, God is faithful to increase our love for Him and others through the challenges. He gives us His Spirit and His Word. And He gives us other believers with whom we can wrestle through the difficulties.
Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom we need to show all men that we are Yours. Guide us to love as You do.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I’m not sure we think of forgiveness and encouragement in the same thought. However, when we confess our sins we can take comfort in God’s faithful forgiveness. This passage reminds us that to be honest, we need to admit to our sin. Sin damages our fellowship with God. Confession and forgiveness restores that fellowship. What a joy that should be to us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of forgiveness. Please help us to remember the need to confess and seek Your forgiveness. We want to stay in a good relationship with You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
