Great is Thy Faithfulness

This year for my Bible reading I decided to do something different and read the Bible through Chronologically. It has been really interesting. Soon I'll be starting first and second Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. Some of the Psalms will also be in there. I'm looking forward to reading through them as they happened. Another thing I know will be great will be the Gospels, but that's a little while off yet. This morning I read Ruth. Who doesn't love Ruth? She and Joseph have always been my favorite Bible characters. I am for sure a hopeless romantic and will never tire of the beautiful story of Ruth, though I've heard it countless times. This morning, I was touched by the faithfulness of God. Naomi had been through so much, and had become bitter. She had so many major bumps in the road, and felt God had forgotten her. Yet that was not the case at all. I focused this morning on the change in Naomi's attitude as she saw God become real and personal to her once again. We can't help but rejoice with her in God's faithfulness. Sometimes I like to just read the words of hymns, so I have included the words below. May this special weekend be blessed as we rejoice that He is not dead, but alive, and He is daily loving, providing, and comforting us in a way that only our Faithful Saviour can!

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

    "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Godliness with Contentment

You know that moment when it hits you that your contentment is slipping. Thoughts like, "Wouldn't it be nice if this was the case..." or "I wonder if this will ever happen..." or perhaps even, "I shouldn't have to put up with this!" Most people have something that they feel would just make life better. I've noticed these things change with age and stage of life. It becomes almost a mental life goal. Perhaps going to college, getting married, the perfect job, a certain house, having children...Has something come to your mind? We all deal with something that we pray about often, seek to give to the Lord...yet some days in our weakness those thoughts come back. It kind of reminds of a Chinese torture game. These "games" are basically a test of the will and how much you can take. At first it doesn't bother you at all. You simply try to ignore the consistent tapping. But if it continues, all of a sudden it hits you. You can't take it anymore and the fight is on to get the person to stop! I think we handle our discontentment like this sometimes. We try to ignore it instead of dealing with it right when it starts. When it gets to the point of, "I can't take it anymore!" we blame God and everything gets completely twisted from what His perfect plan for us is. God is sovereign and holy! One of my favorite sayings is, "God wants for you what you would want for yourself if you were wise enough to want it." God loves us more than our human minds can even begin to grasp. Sometimes we just need to step back and realize Who we serve, Who He is and how much He really has done for us. Many things I believe we'll learn about in Heaven of how often he takes care of us and protects us.

Another thing that can slip into our lives when we are not content as we should be is comparing. We know from Scripture that this is wrong, but no doubt we've all failed at this a time or two. Have you noticed that whatever it is that you are dealing with, that is poking at your contentment, seems to be everywhere around you? Everyone else has "it" but you! That is a sad, dangerous road. Its end leads to resentment and bitterness...and no friends! Do you remember that flood of peace and joy that filled your being when you accepted Christ as your Saviour? We have that renewed peace and joy when all is right between us and our Saviour. Let's remember to seek Him above all! Contentment is not based on what is happening in our lives, what we have, or what tomorrow holds! It's based on our Sure Foundation, All-knowing Lord, Protector, Provider, our perfect loving Saviour! Contentment is not having everything you want, but realizing you are in the Master's care. Contentment is having no clue what tomorrow might bring, and resting in God's Omniscience.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5