Dear Ones,
Happy Labor Day weekend! Hope you have an enjoyable weekend. We plan to see a friend in Assisted Living on the way to the lake and then on to brunch at Taylor’s cabin. Later hope to have some Scrabble games and a wiener roast at the Point with more relatives. We plan to go to church tomorrow to hear Leif preach and then back to Ann’s for lunch. We also look forward to quiet time by the lake and love the view of the lake right from the French doors of our bedroom. Emoji
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all get tested in life with situations we may rather not have to go through, but it is a time that reveals our true character. We may not be always aware of how much we need the Lord and so we often we slip into depending on ourselves rather than Him. God uses trials of all kinds to shape us and help us to more firmly put our confidence in Him.  We may not jump up and down with joy as we go through those difficult times, but it can be a strengthening time as we find we can rest in Him even in the hardest of circumstances.

So many promises come alive when we are tested and go to the Word to find a promise that is like balm to our hearts. Maybe today we are facing a circumstance, and we are unsure of the outcome; can we still trust the Lord?  When Moses was 120 years old and getting ready to leave this earth, he told his successor, Joshua to be strong for, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)

It’s important we don’t harden our hearts and lose our focus but know God has a plan in those difficult times. He will work out the details and we need to look to Him. We are not strong in ourselves but as it says in Psalm 18:32, “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.”  David prayed when God delivered him from his enemy Saul, and he goes on to say that the Lord would give him a wide place to step so that his feet would not slip. He realizes that God has heard him, and his strength comes from the Lord. We don’t have to work up courage but as David said, “Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I view the ways He works.”  He closes the Psalm with thanksgiving to the Lord.

May we be like David when tested and lean on and rely on the Lord, drawing our strength from Him. No matter what happens, He will see us through!

Challenge for today: Thank God when you go through a time of testing for what He will show you and teach you through it.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy