August 30, 2001
"Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,
if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.
You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor.
Job 11:13-19
A friend shared this verse with me the other day to help me over a rough spot and today it helps me even more. Every day brings new challenges, new surprises, new things in which my natural inclination to be insecure and doubt myself comes rushing to the forefront; fortunately it doesn't have to stop there! I love the simple truths outlined here... all I need to do is devote my heart to God. All my plans, my thoughts, my actions devoted to him... reaching out to God to give me the strength, the wisdom and the courage for whatever a day holds. If I do that and keep my heart and conscience clear then I can always stand before him without shame or reproach... nothing to make me afraid. There are so many promises in this verse about the peace, security and confidence that God brings to my heart because I can know beyond a shadow of doubt that God watches over me and protects me!