40 Days of Encouragement
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 38| ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIMES OF DOUBT
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 38| ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIMES OF DOUBT
ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIMES OF DOUBT
Psalm 94:18-19
“I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (NLT)
I have never met a person who doesn’t doubt him or herself, at least occasionally. And that is understandable inasmuch as we live in a time with more daily choices than we can count! Back 1000 years ago, life was much simpler (and much harder).
And sometimes, as the psalmist points out here, there might be a time when we’re struggling and slipping and in need of help, peace, comfort, calm, and support. So where can we receive all of that?
(Hummmm…)
We can receive all of that from our Lord!
This should be especially exciting since the peace, comfort, calm, encouragement, and support the Lord offers are only offered to us, His children. But remember that the Lord does not force us to receive any of that, even if that help is tremendous and needed.
One of many things about the Lord I’ve found is that the Lord will NOT force you to be encouraged or receive His renewed hope or cheer. If, for example, you’re having a “pity party” and insist on staying there, you can. He offers help, He stands ready to help, but – like we often do with our young children when they are trying something new – He lets us do it “our way” until we desire, want, and ASK for His help.
Remember Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Prayer: Lord, I do appreciate the offer you make to me – every day – to provide me with what I need to quell my doubts and receive from You the hope, comfort, and cheer I need. Help me not to neglect to ask You for what I need and to remember how much you love me. Amen.
Psalm 94:18-19
“I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (NLT)
I have never met a person who doesn’t doubt him or herself, at least occasionally. And that is understandable inasmuch as we live in a time with more daily choices than we can count! Back 1000 years ago, life was much simpler (and much harder).
And sometimes, as the psalmist points out here, there might be a time when we’re struggling and slipping and in need of help, peace, comfort, calm, and support. So where can we receive all of that?
(Hummmm…)
We can receive all of that from our Lord!
This should be especially exciting since the peace, comfort, calm, encouragement, and support the Lord offers are only offered to us, His children. But remember that the Lord does not force us to receive any of that, even if that help is tremendous and needed.
One of many things about the Lord I’ve found is that the Lord will NOT force you to be encouraged or receive His renewed hope or cheer. If, for example, you’re having a “pity party” and insist on staying there, you can. He offers help, He stands ready to help, but – like we often do with our young children when they are trying something new – He lets us do it “our way” until we desire, want, and ASK for His help.
Remember Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Prayer: Lord, I do appreciate the offer you make to me – every day – to provide me with what I need to quell my doubts and receive from You the hope, comfort, and cheer I need. Help me not to neglect to ask You for what I need and to remember how much you love me. Amen.