The taste of sweet treats I challenge myself to put away, and as a new year begins, I pray instead for increased craving for the promises of God.
For motivation, I open the Amplified Word.
“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied” Matthew 5:6.
Who doesn’t want to be joyful and nourished by God’s goodness? Well, maybe some, but if God tells us how to be blessed, I want to know more of Him and His Word.
This brings to mind an old hymn: ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to Know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Today’s news is hard. Storms are brewing. Yet, if I take delight in the sweet, precious Word of God, and remember what saith the Lord, then I have no reason to fear, because I’m reminded the best truth of all, that God is with me.
Even if I “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” in our hard, demanding days, when I choose to draw near to God, He promises to draw near to me.
“Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to trust His cleansing blood, and in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood.”
Spending a little time in God’s Word and thinking on this related hymn, I’m reminded that, “In Him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28.
He surrounds me.
I can rest upon His promises.
Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you” Isaiah 35:3,4.
My mind and heart are not strengthened by excess of anything, except perhaps, the Word of God and the reading of the hymns.
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Taking hold of God’s provision, life and rest, and joy and peace, is most satisfying. ‘Tis so sweet. This is how we can be blessed. Yes?
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Oh, to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
Oh for grace to trust Him more.
