Milky Way behind the Natural Bridge in Yellowstone by NPS/Jacob W. Frank
He counts the stars
and calls them all by name. Psalms 147:4He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession James 1:18
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4
WE ARE HIS PRIZED POSSESSION! Those words penetrated my soul. It startled me how those words of truth, seem to rise from the page, imprinting fresh on my heart. I have studied the book of James many times and I seem to be discovering this verse for the first time!
Our creation is vast, from the countless stars to the immense oceans of the earth. Elaborately created for our pleasure. We are at the top, the supreme, the first fruit, the treasured prize. To embrace and embody that truth should strengthen our souls, giving us a solid foundation on which to build our life.
Building our lives on this truth empowers our trust and sustains our hope in our God. When we become discouraged in the difficulties of this world, we can choose to be reminded of our God status.
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5 (this verse is mentioned 3 times in Psalm 42 and 43. David expressed a common struggle of all mankind, pointing to the remedy of hope.)Let my soul be at rest again,
for the Lord has been good to me. Psalm 116:7
God gives us grace to even help us trust him! The following prayer brings to light the truth of God’s mercy and power:
Grant me, O Lord, to trust in you with all my heart; for, as you always resist the proud
Truth – Original Watercolor painting by Debbie Hannah Skinner.
who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN (pg 515 Prayers for Summertime, Phyllis Tickle)
Praise be to our Holy God who treasures us enough to give us the grace to live in His light, to live free from fear and strong in faith!
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