Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Genesis 50:24, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Joseph is a tremendous example of having strong faith in God’s protection and that God would keep His promise of bringing the Israelites back to their homeland one day. Joseph spent a lifetime trusting in God’s promises. In verses 19-20 he said to his brothers, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” We see how God overruled human sin for His glory. That was and is a “but God” principle to place our hope, faith, and trust in. Joseph believed it wasn’t his responsibility or job to bring punishment or a payback against his brothers’ wrong treatment of him. He knew God was God, and any retribution was God’s responsibility. What a lesson that is in itself that no matter what wrong or evil someone does against us, God can use it for good. Trust in the overruling hand of God and pray for Him to intercede and exalt you in due time.

When do you find yourself having weak faith or filled with anxiety in dark times? It all plays over in your head again, and you are insecure once again. You may battle with feelings of paranoia as Joseph’s brothers did, after their father’s death. But remember, the roaring lion looks to pounce, set you back with fears, and tell you his lies of error. Don’t go there again. Check if you have experienced a lack of sleep. That could be part of the problem. Then, reach for the Psalms, as David often said, “I am in distress.”

• Psalm 31:9, “Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.” Then, in verse 14, David declared: “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
• Psalm 18:6, “In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.”

In your moment of weakness, praise the LORD. Strong faith comes from intense trials, as Joseph had many of them, as did David. Perhaps Psalm 40:13-14 fits your situation:

• Psalm 40:13-14, “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!”

Your worth is defined by what God says you are, for you are redeemed. Remember how faithful God has been for you in the past. Remember past battles that God provided and brought you through. Praise Him for those past provisions and His plans that you cannot see or know about in the future. God is with you in this challenge, temptation, and disappointment, as He was with Joseph; whenever people tried to hurt him, God turned it around and meant it for good. God raised Joseph in the status of a slave to a ruler of Egypt. Joseph was a man of integrity and was a target of others as he had a big future. Yet he could have had his big day of paybacks, yet he didn’t act on any of them. “God prevented Joseph from letting his arrows fly. And that is the key. You see, I can’t control the tendency to want to defend myself, to retaliate, to get revenge . . . Thus the only way to refrain from this tendency is to say, “Father, I want to stand up for my reputation, my right, my point of view. Restrain me, Lord.” Because those who find fault with you, those who come against you, those who shoot at you from a distance are ultimately instruments of God for your growth and for your good.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament.

 What is in your boat today? Ask God to rule and reign over your emotions as He is the prince of peace. Acknowledge that God is right beside you with His presence, protection, and provision. Whatever happens today, trust that God is at work. Trust in God’s promises when having a setback for God has the power to help or to overthrow (2 Chron. 25:8b).

Listen to Because Of Jesus (Lyric Video), Charity Gayle.

Exodus 2:9, “Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older she took him to Pharoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying “I drew him out of the water.”

Do you have a problem that you need God to intervene and bring about a desired result? When things look impossible, and you need Him to deliver you with a good result? A time when bad things have gone on too long Perhaps changes made without your consent have gone against you in a situation, and you just want to give up, and you think, what is the use? I have worked so hard, and for what? Then, there is the complete chaos of worldly events in our culture that are evil and far from God’s way. This was the situation in Exodus when a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph, was oppressing the Israelites. He made their life bitter and made them work as slaves. Then, out of desperation, since they were too many and too mighty for the Egyptians (Ex. 1:9) he made a law that all male babies would be killed to try and curtail their population. But Moses’s mother, Jochebed, and sister, Miriam, had complete trust in God and knew how wrong it would be to kill her baby son. But there was little she could do to change a law that evil Pharoh had put in place to kill every boy baby but let any girl baby live. So, Moses’s mother courageously made a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and knew what she was doing because this small basket would be insulated from the weather and hard to see. She put her baby son in it. This was her only alternative, and God blessed her courageous plan to save her son. Pharoh’s extermination program was overruled by God’s law of protection and intervention in the birth and national growth of the Israelites. What do you need God’s protection and intervention about right now?

Moses was God’s choice to place a Hebrew in the house of Pharoah, and He did that through this Hebrew woman’s great trust and courage in God to protect her baby son’s life. This was an evil and unjust situation. Yet God had a plan, and His plan never fails despite evilness taking place. What a picture of complete trust in God that these two women, one older, one younger, a mother and daughter, had in God to protect this baby boy despite the political climate’s rule.

Do you feel all alone in the group of people you work with in your Biblical beliefs and values? Or maybe within your group of relatives? Or the state in which you live? Perhaps you feel frustrated by how little you can do to change other’s opinions that are just wrong and ungodly. Look for courageous ways around the evil around you and act against it. Then trust God to use your testimony of integrity, hard work ethic, and trustworthiness. Ask Him to bless those efforts and exalt you in His time, as 1 Peter 5:6 declares, “Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

It takes time to earn the trust of others. Take every opportunity to prove your reliability and your integrity. Remember Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Stand firm in Christ. Trust God to bless your efforts, both big and small. Trust in God for a way out of your difficulties and to remove roadblocks. God had a chosen purpose for Moses, and He also has a purpose for you. Trust Him to bring out His outcome of your problem. The LORD can use you. He often used common people just like he used Moses’s mother and sister that saved the life of baby Moses due to their courage and trust in God’s almighty protection and plan. Jochebed was a woman of vision that trusted and believed in the Word of God. She likely knew the story of Noah, a godly man that God saved in an ark, made with pitch, just like He would save baby Moses in an ark type basket, made with pitch she constructed. Trust God. Stay in the Word that will give you strength, wisdom, and ask God for Him to give you a vision for your child, as He did for Jochebed who also lived in an evil time against the Israelites. Any other problematic situation? Same thing. Trust God. It isn’t about who you are. It is about whose you are and who is with you. the answer is the great I AM — be still and know that I AM GOD.

Listen to Jeremy Camp – Be Still (Lyric Video).

Genesis 49:18 NIV, “I look for your deliverance, O LORD.”

Before Jacob dies, he calls all his sons together to give them his blessing and predict what will come for each of their future. When he comes to Dan, he says Dan will provide justice for his people, and then he stops and exclaims, “I look for your deliverance, O LORD.” Jacob had wise fatherly wisdom and insight regarding his son Dan. He emphasized to Dan that he would be a beneficial and strong leader if he trusted God rather than relying on his intelligence and ability. My NIV Application Bible note says, “Those who are strong, attractive, or talented often find it easier to trust in themselves than in God who gave them their gifts. Remember to thank God for who you are and have so your trust does not become misplaced.” That is an important true statement to heed.

What about when persecution or wrongful acts come against you? Can you trust God to intercede and bring deliverance in your adverse circumstances? Joseph showed great faith and strength in this area. He is a model and champion whose brothers wrongly mistreated him, yet God brought it all together for his good. The worse it became of people erroneously treating Joseph, the stronger he relied on God for deliverance as adversity mounted. His faith had endurance and perseverance as an example for us to follow, which God blessed him for, and his notable descendants were Joshua, Gideon, and Samuel. I have recently needed to follow Joseph’s example better. How about you?

When in the middle of the wrongful circumstance, remember who God is. Remember who you are. The Holy Spirit is nudging you with Psalm 46 and especially verse 10 which declares: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Yes, there is coming a day when every knee shall bow before Him. It will be soon! Despite all odds, God wins in the end, which is our hope, joy, and comfort. Rest in that peace. Hold your head high and thank God for his almighty justice and plan that wins in the end, despite all odds. “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:11.

Despite all odds, when needing deliverance, pray Psalm 38:15, “Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.” Because I have turned over to You all my anxiety with this burden as Your word tells me You care for me (1 Peter 5:7), You have compassion unlike any other. I am casting this worry onto You as Psalm 55:11 admonishes, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” OK, God, now it is up to You. I trust You and will keep my eyes on Jesus. I am waiting with anticipation how You are going to do it. Thank You for what You have enabled me to do in the past and all that You have blessed me with my family, friends, and church body. Jehovah Jireh, God will provide, despite all odds. I praise you God for You will provide my rescue and set me free, because I rely on You, my God.

Listen to Aware Worship – Trust In God ft. Mark Guiterrez (Lyrics).

Genesis 46:3-4, “Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

In November 1991, we moved from a town of about 20,000 people in Minnesota, to Santa Clarita, California. Many changes were utterly new, which we had never experienced, which was somewhat frightening. There was a definite culture difference. Loneliness would set in when we thought of our old friends and family, who now lived so far away. I can understand how Jacob, who was 130 years of age, must have felt to move from a rural setting, because he and his children were Bedouins – simple folk who were shepherds, which caused him anxiety. They had lived in tents. However, Egypt was a land of culture and sophistication where shepherds were considered an abomination. Jacob feared his sons would be influenced or tainted with the idolatry of Egypt and forget the God of their fathers. This was an understandably frightening new situation for them.

God spoke to Jacob in a vision. God speaks words of comfort and meets him in his weakness. God told him not to be afraid that God himself would be with him in this move and confirmed that his descendants would return as a nation. Acknowledging God’s presence should always dispel our fears because of the promise in Isaiah 41:10, which declares, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Fear is normal. But God’s presence gives us the benefit of His power, grace, mercy, compassion, and love for us. So, remember these facts:

• God knows your name. Isaiah 43:1
• God promises to be with you and go with you wherever you go. Deuteronomy 31:8
• You can face life with confidence. Hebrews 10:35-36
• God will work out His perfect plan in your life regardless of your age. Romans 8:28

Yes, new and unfamiliar situations in your life can be frightening but remember who God is. Then, remember who you are. Be in prayer, for prayer taps you into heavenly places. Prayer activates your spiritual armor. God knows your weaknesses, yet He still loves you.

Write down the most pressing problem, the most challenging person, or the most overwhelming circumstances you are facing right now. Then do what 1 Peter 5:7 states, “Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” Amplified Bible. Then leave it there. Do not be fearful any longer because you and God are in this together – the great I AM. Just as God was with Jacob, He is with you right now in this new or difficult and challenging situation which may be causing you to feel pressured, yet God is enough. Remember who God is and who you are. Jehovah Immeka – God is with you. Cast it all on Him and feel His peace fill your heart.

Listen to Place In This World (2024) – for King & Country featuring Michael W. Smith.

Genesis 30:22-24, “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”

When things seem difficult and impossible, is it hard for you to trust in God when relief does not occur? All you see is a fog and not a clear answer to your burden. When you need a Red Sea parting of the waters to walk on dry land, to be rescued, or to be able to walk on water despite disruptive circumstances miracle relief, which is from your perspective. When you have done your best at analyzing data, researching options, and weighing the risks, and the pressures do not let up, what often happens? An emotional upheaval usually erodes, and feelings of failure and defeat set in, no doubt, as the result of someone else’s or oneself exploding from burnout. You have prayed, but relief cannot be seen. Usually, lack of rest or sleep precedes, and often, our health is affected and threatened. I have been there, have you? It goes back to the fact that the error of truth’s weapons are guilt, shame, frustration, and failure to step in, so he steals, kills, and destroys one’s peace, joy, hope, and trust in the power of truth, the LORD God almighty. The great I AM.

Rachel had to live with the consequences of taking things into her own hands when she lost patience with God not answering her prayers for children. Her jealousy and envy of her sister, Leah, caused her to make a significant mistake. She failed to see that Jacob’s devotion and loyalty to her never stopped. Out of her own desperation, she created a plan that changed the course of history, based on emotions rather than persevering and waiting on God to provide her need of giving Jacob a son.

When you have prayed and prayed and don’t see the answer forthcoming, trust in God. Hold on a little longer. Self-control calms rage. Remember who God is and who you are. Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). You are an anointed child of God.

• 1 John 2:20, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”

• 2 Corinthians 2:21-22, “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

• John 16:13, “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

God created you and has a purpose in life that only you can fulfill. We must place our hope in the future God has for us – a future that we can’t see just yet. We must take it one day at a time. Ask Him to help you have the faith to trust Him alone in all things and not in other people. God will deliver you and straighten out any areas where you have failed. Ask Him to astound you (Mark 6:51). So, trust in God, even when you cannot see the end.

Eventually, God did answer Rachel’s prayer, but she had to live with the consequences of taking things into her own hands and wanting her own way in her demands. It is recorded that the last word Rachel said before she died was “sorrow” (Genesis 35:18). Dear one, God has not forgotten you. Memorize Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is in your midst; a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love, He will exult over you with loud singing.” Trust Him.

Listen to Matthew West – Don’t Stop Praying (Lyric Video).

Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Originally, chariots were vehicles usually with two wheels and were drawn by one or more horses. It carried two standing persons, the driver, and the fighter, using bow-and-arrow or javelins to shoot at enemies. In Biblical times, chariots were more expensive than the horses. David knew that the kings and their soldiers trusted in human capabilities and their own strengths rather than God. Isaiah 31:1, states, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy one of Israel or consult the LORD!” God’s faithfulness and character was stronger to David and Israel than an army of chariots or horses.

The point is, what do I, what do you put your trust in? Spurgeon has said, “Alas, how many in our day who profess to be the Lord’s are as abjectly dependent upon their fellowmen or upon an arm of flesh in some shape or other, as if they had never known the name of Jehovah at all.” The disciples had been with Jesus, yet even they had weak faith at times and had real fears. Then they saw Him calm the storm in Matthew 8:23-27, while they were in that boat on the sea.

Do you feel all alone in what you are going through? Are fears taking over? That is normal but take up your shield of faith to fight your battle. What is happening today will not be the same a month or a year from now. Trust in God’s protection, guidance, counsel, and wisdom to be provided for you through His Word. Isaiah 41:13 declares, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you.” God speaks with tenderness, compassion, and reassurance. Grab His hand and squeeze it tightly! Trust in God himself.

Recently, I was going through a tough time. I will never forget the day and portion of Scripture I read in my One Year Chronological Bible one morning while this was going on. It was a chapter in Ecclesiastes. I was dumbfounded. Solomon was stating the same problem I was going through. It was almost word for word! It was the comfort I needed right then. It gave me hope. It was a verification that I need to trust in the name of the LORD our God. His power will rule over my life. I was also reminded of these two verses:

• Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
• Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

God is and will be your shield of protection as He was David’s. Put your name in Psalm 84:12, “O Lord of hosts, blessed is ______________, who trusts in you!” God is with you. You are in His presence. Don’t be afraid. Don’t panic. Trust in the name of the LORD our God rather than objects, people, and possessions and share what great things He has done in your life with others. Psalm 20:6 declares, “Now this I know: the LORD saves His anointed. He will answer him from His holy heaven. With the saving strength of His right hand.” NIV. Trust in Him for the miracle you need Him to provide. Chariots are flashy and horses are strong, but nothing compares to the power of our almighty God.

Listen to “My God Can” by Katy Nichole ft. Naomi Raine YouTube video with lyrics.

Proverbs 18:2, “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.”

Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.”

In order to have understanding one must have insight. Facts must outweigh emotions. Yet God gave us feelings to be sensitive to others. The definition of insight found in dicitionary.com states it is the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing. Discernment is a synonym for the word insight. It is also listed in the Bible as one of the spiritual gifts that helps to determine between truth from falsehood and wisdom from foolishness. Solomon taught about having the wisdom of knowledge, which gives one understanding in contrasting its value versus being a fool. Biblical discernment depends solely on the written Word of God guided by the Holy Spirit to discern truth from error. Much wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, can be learned by reading the book of Proverbs.

“What does delight the fool is expressing his own heart. If he asks questions it is to show how clever he is rather than to learn. He is focused on self instead of God, and his folly flows from this wrong priority and wrong place to find delight.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. We must ask God for understanding and spend time reading Scripture to gain insight and discernment. Then, let God speak to your spirit. Let Him do the talking. Listen to Him before you start talking. Then we will become wise instead of foolish.

Have you ever thought about praying for wisdom to understand someone who seems to trigger your reactions in setting you off? Think about someone who always speaks their opinions without asking or listening to yours. They delight in voicing their opinions and don’t give you a chance to state yours or ignore them because they are too busy hearing their voice speak. Solomon labels them as a fool.

Since God is always present, He will always hear what you have to say. He listens to you with compassion and has no bounds. They are renewed daily as Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Therefore, the LORD understands your thoughts, but He will examine your motives and heart as He listens with unconditional love.

Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP, “Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart. And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” Don’t try to over-analyze your burdens and how you got there. Trust and rely on the LORD. He will give you the strength and maybe a slingshot to fight your Goliath. He will provide all of your needs for He is Jehovah Jireh. Don’t be overwhelmed. Fix your mind on the promises of God so you will be wise and not a fool. Be a discerning listener, pause, and then speak your position of the insight you received from the Great I AM when appropriate. Find pleasure in the understanding and insight you will receive from the Holy Spirit. Abide in Him as He shows you great and mighty things you do not know. Trust Him. He will provide all of your needs – both physically and emotionally. Learn to use the pause technique and be a good listener. It will serve you well. Be aware of the Holy Spirit’s promptings. You will be anointed with wise insight from trusting and relying confidently on the LORD. He will not fail you.

Listen to Aware Worship – Trust in God (Featuring Mark Gutierrez).

Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

We all have strengths, and we all have weaknesses. That is a fact no one can dispute. Have you identified yours? Maybe you have trouble protecting yourself because your brain never stops analyzing how you could have done something better. Then, you lose all your patience from being stressed out and exhausted emotionally. What about examining your time management? We all need to follow God’s example of Genesis 2:2, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” Even God rested from His work creating the heavens and the earth. Or what about when your values are ignored? Have you had that trigger button set off? But Romans 8:26 states the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us “with groanings too deep for words.”  

Have you ever been in a situation when you didn’t know what to pray for? Those times when you have tried your best, worked hard, and are disappointed in the outcome because the result you anticipated did not happen. That is when we just have to ask, “Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do in this situation? Please intercede for me because I cannot see clearly what is ahead, but you can. I have my desires and opinions, but what is yours?” I needed that this week.

So, whatever happens, when I can say I know I have done my part, doing my best and trusting in God to do His part I can have peace and rest. As Psalm 91:9-10 declares, “If you say the LORD is my refuge [Jehovah Machsi], and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.” Distractions, which are hurled at us by the enemy, will try to derail us. But the Spirit of Truth will overpower and guide us as John 16:13 promises, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” My prayer is for my vision with my eyes to see clearly, due to my recent eye surgery, but even more important for my heart and mind to know and see God’s will in my life as well. I take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit is interceding for me in ways I am not even aware of according to the will of God (Romans 8:27).

What is your need today? Ask God for His thoughts and commit it to Him to do the rest. Trust Him. Take time to rest or take a break even if it is only for ten minutes today. Go for a walk or exercise even if it is only for five minutes. That will help to relax your brain. Take refuge in God. Dwell in His presence. Then recite throughout your day: No harm will overtake me, no disaster will come near my tent. Psalm 91:9-10. You have the Holy Spirit interceding for you.

Listen to Keep Me in The Moment – Jeremy Camp (Lyrics)

Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

How is your vision? Are you able to see clearly without glasses or contacts? For several years, I have had problems seeing clear enough to read in the morning after I get up without blinking and squinting. After some time, the words on the printed page would become more readable, but not at first. I have now undergone eye surgery to correct this problem and await the benefit as the first eye heals, and the second eye will be operated on in a few days. I am having new light-adjustable lenses in both eyes. This experience has reminded me that I need God to help me see things from His perspective with spiritual lenses when I encounter disappointments and when I can’t entirely agree with someone or about something. Without viewing things from God’s perspective, my view may be a bit distorted, like my cloudy vision has been. I need to ask God to help me see things through His eyes as the Holy Spirit guides, teaches, and reminds me of what He has taught me through His Word to understand what is really going on. Psalm 119:18 is my prayer, which says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Yes, “open my eyes,” and be my counselor (Psalm 119:24).

“There is no better counsel than the Spirit of God speaking through the Word of God.” Jon Courson.

Have you seen God yesterday in how you spent your time, or what about today? Jeremiah 29:13-14a was what Jeremiah wrote in a letter to the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, “You shall seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD.” Then, in John 16:13, we have the promise from God that says, “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority but whatever he hears, he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” When you are at a crossroads, looking for purpose and direction, pray for your mind and heart to see God leading you in His direction of His plan and purpose with those spiritual lenses needed. Pause, and push beyond pressure type feelings into Holy Spirit’s Spiritual discernment that you need to receive and know. Separate physical pressure type feelings in striving to walk with the Lord to understand His divine wisdom, leading you in the way to go, pressing on, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus. Furthermore, we are given God’s promise of benefit for every believer in Christ as stated in 1 John 2:20, which declares, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”

My prayer and desire is Psalm 119:27, “Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34b). What comes out of your mouth indicates what is going on in your heart, Jesus said.

The shining light in God’s Word will illuminate our vision of seeing God more clearly and guide us to His truth. Continually studying His Word will give us God’s perspective, and the result will be much like Psalm 119:98-99, which states, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” What verse will you use today to give you a clearer vision of God’s perspective because He is right there with you. Those are the spiritual lenses He will implant in your heart and mind so you can see clearly because of the promise of Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Listen to Mercy Me – Lyric Video – Then Christ Came

Psalm 28:6-7. “Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”

In January of 2023, I chose the word perseverance to be my goal to be focused on. That was appropriately needed throughout this past year, along with endurance required to persevere. I think I saw some progress in putting into practice perseverance as I learned the value of Romans 12:12, which states, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Patience is also required to maintain perseverance while in communication with the Lord in prayer. C.S. Lewis said, “God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” Woodrow Wilson said, “Genius is divine perseverance. Genius I cannot claim nor even extra brightness but perseverance all can have.” I agree with both quoted statements.

For 2024, I have now chosen the word “trust.” It is reported that the word trust is mentioned over 150 times in the Bible. Abraham, Moses, and Job were prime Old Testament examples of how they trusted in God even in the most impossible situations. Then there was David that stands out as a man after God’s own heart and prayed with passion. David’s son, Absalom, had several unwise advisers that God used to cause the end of his life and protect David from his son’s plan of insurrection against him. 

David wrote many Psalms, praising the LORD for God’s guidance and protection from various enemies he had against him as king. Yet David admitted in Psalm 25:16 that he was “lonely and afflicted.” It is reported that David wrote this Psalm towards the end of his life, so he was older when he wrote Psalm 25. He stated in verse 21, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”

When life doesn’t make sense in this coming new year of 2024, I will choose to trust in what Psalm 84:11, declares, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk uprightly.”

Maybe you have some unseen scars from this past year. You may have wounds in your heart and soul that still hurt. David felt that way too from having his closest advisor friend, Ahithophel, who betrayed David, aiding his son Absalom in trying to kill David and overthrow his kingship. But God protected David’s life. “For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.” 2 Samuel 17:14b. Ahithophel ended up committing suicide by hanging himself (2 Samuel 17:23) because his advice had not been followed. Next, Absolom’s mule he was riding on, went under the thick boughs of a terebinth tree (from which turpentine and sweet-smelling gums used in medicine are harvested), and his head was caught in it, and he was hanged. God took them both out of David’s way, two enemies, due to God’s ordained purpose of David being king of Israel and not Absolum, his son. Nothing prevents God from accomplishing His will.

So, I will purpose to trust in God’s shield of protection over me and give me perfect peace, because it promises in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast {perseverance and steadfast go together}, because they trust in you.”

What will be your word for 2024?

Listen to Jon Reddick – God, Turn It Around (Feat. Matt Maher) Official Music Video).