Dear Ones,
Hope you are keeping warm with this frigid weather. I am going to make a Korean dish and go to a Women’s Bible study this morning. We plan to go to friends this afternoon for dessert and fellowship!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Isn’t it refreshing to be around upbeat people who are thankful and full of praise to the Lord, not just when things are going well but especially when going through hard times? We can teach our children and others to face problems and defeat the enemy by praising the Lord in the midst of whatever adversity we encounter. I saw a T-shirt with the caption in big letters, “God is so good to me!” It doesn’t mean everything in my life is necessarily wonderful, but we know His love never ceases and He has our good in mind!
I was reading from the book of Jonah when he was crying out to God in the belly of the big fish after being swallowed and entangled in seaweed. He prayed and God answered. It says in Jonah 2:9, “But I’m worshipping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!” Even the sailors who threw him overboard worshiped God as they beheld His power.
David also takes refuge in the Lord, who was his rock and heard his cry for help. He says he will ever sing praises to His name and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 61) So many times David was in a tight spot but he called on the Lord, praised Him and thanked Him. That is a powerful thing to do and defeats the enemy. What a witness that is as well to our family, when we don’t complain but seek the Lord and praise Him, even before we know how He is going to answer. Let us be examples as it says in Psalm 79:13: “Then we, your people, the ones you love and care for, will thank you over and over. We’ll tell everyone we meet how wonderful you are, how praiseworthy you are!”
Challenge for today: When the enemy attacks you, confuse Him by praising the Lord and thanking Him for His goodness and mercy.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy