Are you feeling overwhelmed with all sorts of negative thoughts about yourself, people, your situation, and even your relationship with God? These thoughts can bring about depression, anxiety, and fear. What does God say to us when we are feeling overwhelmed? “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, THY COMFORTS DELIGHT MY SOUL.” (Psalm 94:19)
God, with His loving arms, says to us: “Come unto me, I will bring my comfort unto you and bring delight to your innermost being.” When God’s comfort enters into our lives, the negative thoughts will be turned inside out into positive and comforting thoughts focused upon Him.
“Dear Lord, you understand how life seems overwhelming to me. I can’t cope with everything that comes my way. However, your comfort carries me through these times and brings joy out of depression. You also bring peace out of anxiety. I thank you that you are always available with your loving arms outstretched to me. Amen”
“Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all of His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)
One of the greatest results of our salvation is that we are adopted into God’s family. We now can call God, Our Father! The Fatherhood of God is more than a doctrine, it affects every aspect of our lives. Being God’s child places us in a position to enjoy many blessings from our new relationship. Sometimes, we forget these blessings because we become too busy, or we focus on ourselves instead of our Father. Let’s look at just a few of the blessings that our Father gives to us. May our hearts abound in love and thanksgiving to Our Heavenly Father for all that He has done, and is doing in our lives.
BLESSINGS FROM MY FATHER
1. His Great Salvation-“Whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall have eternal life.”
2. His Adopting Us into His Family. “We cry, Abba, Father”
3. His Constant Presence-“He never leaves us, nor forsakes us.”
4. His Listening Ear-“Ask and it shall be given unto you.”
5. His Mercy-“For His mercy endures forever.”
6. His Patience-“The LORD is longsuffering.”
7. His Love-“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”
8. His Forgiveness-“Who forgives all your iniquity.”
9. His Strength in My Weakness-“My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
10. His Word-“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”
11. His Family-“For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
12. His Promises-“For all the promises of God in Him are yea.”
13. His Discipline-“For whom the Lord loves, He chastens.”
14. His Home in Heaven-“In my Father’s house are many mansions.”
15. His Cleansing us from Our Sins. -“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
16. His Abundant Joy-“Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice.”
17. His Knowledge of My Life and My Heart-“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
18. His Grace is Sufficient for Every Need-“My grace is sufficient for thee.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for adopting me as your child through your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You have blessed me above and beyond anything that I deserve. Help me never to take your blessings for granted. Thank you for being my Father, today, tomorrow and forever! Amen.”
Winter Sunset in Wyoming (Photo by: Deanna Maston)
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
When I was young, I remember a song that had the following words: “What the world needs now is love sweet love, It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” This song expresses the search for love that is part of each person’s life.
Where do we find love? What can we do to receive love? The Word of God makes it clear that love begins with God, continues with God, and ends with God. He is the source of love. He demonstrated His love by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.
The love of God is real. We see that His love is a perfect love that desires to see change in our lives. He wants us to go from being dead in our trespasses and sins to having eternal life. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Deep down, we feel that we deserve God’s love. We demonstrate this when we complain during the difficult times in our lives. We may say of God: “If God is a God of love why did He allow this.” We feel we are deserving of God’s love and he has failed to love us. Do we deserve God’s love? Here are several reasons why we deserve God’s love.
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“Dear Lord, I come before you in all brokenness and humility because I know that I don’t deserve your love. Your love for me is based on all that you are. I deserve nothing but your wrath because of my sin before you. Yet, you have loved me with an everlasting love. I don’t understand your love, but I thank you for it. I thank you that I can call you “Father” because you brought me to a saving knowledge of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Please help me never take your love for granted. Amen”
Have we accepted God’s love? Have we come to Him realizing we don’t deserve His love? He has His hands of love outstretched towards us. Will we accept His offer of love today? This love is expressed in an old hymn. The words abound with the sacrificial nature of God’s love for us.
“WHY SHOULD HE LOVE ME SO?” By Robert Harkness
1.Love sent my savior to die in my stead;
Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led;
Why should He love me so?
2.Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin;
Why should He love me so?
He suffered sore my salvation to win;
Why should He love me so?
3.O how He agonized there in my place;
Why should He love me so?
Nothing withholding my sin to efface;
Why should He love me so?
Chorus: Why should He love me so? Why should He love me so? Why should my Savior to Calvary go? Why should He love me so?
“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” (Psalm 36:7)
Often, as a pastor, I minister to people facing tough times. We have all experienced the death of a loved one, a serious sickness, issues within the family, financial setbacks, sin problems, and many other forms of pain and trials. Many times, these problems are unsolvable from a human perspective: however, there is a place of security, love, comfort and peace. The Bible calls this place, “under the shadow of His wings.”
David often faced great difficulties in his life. In Psalm 36, David writes about those who would bring harm to his life. He realizes that he is helpless in face of these schemes; so he chooses to find refuge under the wings of his Lord God.
The words, “under His wings”, refer to how a young bird finds protection from danger within the shadow of his mother’s wings. Whatever danger that comes to the young bird must first pass through the ever vigilant mother. God is like that mother bird. He gives us a place of refuge under the shadow of His wings. Nothing will enter our lives until it first passes through His ever vigilant eyes and protection.
Here are some examples of times when we need to seek the security that God provides for His children.
Fear. (Even groundless fear is still painful.)
Danger. (Self, sin, Satan, and foes)
Inability to defend or overcome without help
Foresight that sees the storm coming and looks for safety.
Prudence to hide before the storm.
Times of fatigue, discouragement, or temptation.
David fled to the safety of the shadow of the Lord”s wings because He knew God personally; thus, he could trust Him. How well do we know God? In Psalm 36, David focuses upon five attributes of God that will help us to know Him better.
1. God is merciful. We don’t deserve His forgiveness, compassion and protection; and yet He shows mercy unto us. “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;” (Psalm 36:5a)
2. God is faithful. People may come and go in our lives. People may not want to help us. Sometimes, others may get tired of helping us, but God demonstrates His faithfulness by His presence in our lives. He never leaves us, nor does He forsake us. “Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5b)
3. God is righteous. We can trust God because He can do no wrong. When God makes a promise to us, He keeps His word. There is great comfort and strength when we flee to God’s Word to claim one of His promises. God will never fail us, nor wrong us. “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains.” (Psalm 36:6a)
4. God is just. Everywhere we look we see injustices occurring. We wonder, “where is the justice?” When we flee to God, we will receive justice. God’s justice is perfect and impartial. “Thy judgments are a great deep:” (Psalm 36:6b)
5. God is love. God knows our weakness. He knows our need of Him, more than we do. His love says to us: “Come unto me, I will take care of you” “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!” (Psalm 36:7)
When we find refuge under the shadow of His wings, we will find abundant peace, protection and guidance from our Heavenly Father. David testifies of God’s provision in the life of those who live under the shadow of His wings. “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” (Psalm 36:8-9)
“Dear Father, instead of finding refuge under your wings, I try to solve my problems on my own. I know that I should come to you. I know that you love me; yet, I seek to go my way. Help me to trust you when hard times come. Place me under your loving wings; so that I will know the warmth of your love, peace and protection. Amen”
Bible Treasures for Today 