Strength for Today Only

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. ~ Exodus 16:4

I’m more afraid of the imaginings of my mind toward the future than I am in a current situation of trouble. That’s because I have God’s manna (strength) for today’s trouble but I don’t have God’s strength for my perceived problems of tomorrow. I can’t eat manna for tomorrow. It’s impossible. And I don’t even need to eat manna for tomorrow because often when tomorrow comes, there’s not even a glimpse of my imaginings.

Grace to Go Forward is All I Need

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. ~ Psalm 62:7

I have had an ongoing fight against my own tentativeness and fear. God is the rock solid foundation for my life. I should have nothing to fear because He is with me always. But I do fear taking steps forward. I want God to take the fear away so I can serve Him better. But maybe I was given my tentativeness to keep me looking toward God and away from myself. Maybe God wants me to feel that fear so that I’ll lean on Him as I go forward and His strength will show. Maybe that fear will never go away--for if it draws me to God, it's doing a good thing.

God is just a prayer away. I can feel that tentativeness and still go forward. This could be the practical definition of faith--feeling fear but knowing God is with me so I go forward anyway. I want His presence to shine ever brighter with each step I take.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

There's Room in My Heart

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

Jesus knocks. I invite Him into my heart. I’m very happy He’s here. I begin to show Him around. It is comfortable and warm in my heart. He tells me that my heart is soft and pliable and that is good. But then He looks around a bit more. There are windows on each wall that portray nature in all its glory. There are chairs under each window—big comfortable, soft chairs. These are there for me to be comfortable while I watch the world. I’m happy with God’s creation of the world—it brings me joy. But I stay too comfortable looking out of those windows.

Jesus says to me, “My child, arise and go forth. Do what I’ve always called you to do. Be a light in this dark world. Go.”

I gulp and swallow a lump of fear. He takes my hand and says that He’ll be with me. I smile and go.