God is faithful to strengthen those who ask.
I couldn’t get comfortable. Stress was causing my fibromyalgia to flare, resulting in pain throughout my body. My mind would NOT hush and my attitude had a life of its own.
It was a terrible night.
On my bedside table I keep a little book called Daily Light. It has a morning and evening entry of scriptures for each day of the year. There is no commentary, just a collection of scriptures from throughout the Word that respond to a given theme or thought.
On this particular night, March 19th, the theme was “Strengthen me according to Your word” (Psalm 119:28).
I read those words and sat up a little straighter.
God had my attention.
The next scripture was Psalm 119:49, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.”
Lord, I prayed, I know you’re speaking to me. Open my ears to hear.
God’s Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God …
His Word endures forever. Never fails. Is a lamp unto my feet.
God’s Word is the embodiment of Jesus.
Jesus … my Superhero. My everything. The Rock on which I stand, and hide, and run to when I am afraid.
My peace when I am overwhelmed. My hope when I feel despair.
Strengthen me according to Your Word, Lord, and remember me according to Your promises — those promises that cause me to hope. This is my comfort in my difficult places.
Joshua said, “You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed” (Joshua 23:14).
I thought about different milestones in my faith journey where God proved Himself to me — miraculous provisions, divine appointments with publishers, agents, event planners. I remembered His healing touch, His grace that sustains me in very difficult places, His peace that shouldn’t be … but is.
God has never failed me. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. I can trust Him, even when detours don’t make sense, I. Can. Trust. Him.
And I do.
March 19th’s entries ended with, “‘Fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!’ so when he [angel of the Lord] spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me'” (Daniel 10:19). “‘Be strong, … and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:4). “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
I hear you loud and clear, Lord … loud and clear. And I thank You.
I reached over, returned Daily Light to my bedside table, and turned out the light. My pillow caressed my neck that once was tense, but now relaxed, and I breathed in Jesus.
He had strengthened me according to His Word.
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
The words of this post remind me of the lyrics in Sandi Patty’s song, “There is strength in the name of the Lord. There is power in the name of the Lord. There is hope in the name of the Lord. Blessed is he who comes, in the name of the Lord!” Thank you for this encouraging word and for reminding me how sweet and pleasant it is to just breathe Jesus. Love you
What a great reminder! I love that song too and it holds such truth. Thank you Marcie girl.
Just this morning, I woke thinking how I can’t wait to read about today and tomorrow from my Bible’s perspective. I pray you are better. My mother suffered from fibromyalgia and she knew how stress exacerbated her pain. Happy Easter to you!
I’m so touched that you stopped by. Thank you sweet friend. Yes, emotional trauma and/or stress is to fibro what gasoline is to fire. The Lord is teaching me to hide beneath His wing, but when I venture out from His protection or focus on circumstances rather than Him, a flare will catch me every time. I am better. Warm spring sunshine will help too. Those last 2 spring snowstorms took a toll on me and most fibro sufferers. Oy! But God remains faithful and good, amen? I’m so thankful for Him and I’m so thankful for you.