January 29-30
Yesterday, after five days in pajamas and not coming out of this flu, I was beginning to think I'd been drugged and wasn't going to be able to shake this stuff.
Wait! Holy Spirit alert! The white bird just showed up, came straight down the cove towards my bedroom window, flapped her wings at me and did a u-turn as if to say, "You are going to be sailing smoothly again soon!" What a lift to my morning. Whether that means back to good health or onto heaven, I am up for either. Sometimes we just need a sign of hope on the horizon or a little help from our friends to keep on keeping on.
The Lord has been that help for me today by putting the devo thoughts together in seconds. The word on my heart was steadfast: firmly fixed in place, not subject to change, firm in belief, determination, or adherence. You know, like our marriage vows..in sickness or in health, for richer or poorer...steadfast!
Clicking on Merriam-Webster to look up the definition of steadfast, the word facing me on the opening screen was mercurial, which means the opposite..."changing moods quickly and often".
Remembering that God is steadfast is encouraging in itself, but when we look in the face of what the opposite of that would mean the appreciation for who He is intensifies.
Looking up yesterday and today's scripture references in Jesus Calling were two verses with the word steadfast. Thank You Lord, that made it easy.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Then Peter authors one of my favorite passages which equals steadfast encouragement for our faith in 1 Peter 5:6-10.
Father, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that you may lift us up in due time. We cast all our anxiety on You because You care for us.
Train us to be alert and of sober mind. Remembering our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Teach us to resist him, standing firm in the faith, because we know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
God of all grace, who called us to Your eternal glory in Christ, we trust that after we have suffered a little while, You will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. To You be the glory, in Jesus' name, Amen.
