But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Ps 22:3

Difficulties can sometimes make God feel at a distance. Times when we are desperate, overwhelmed by pain and suffering, alienated and alone. There are times when we need to feel a touch from heaven, a touch from God. The scripture passage reminds us that God “inhabitest the praise” of His people, even when in difficult times. Difficulties can distract our attention from offering praise unto God. Difficulties can distract our attention to ourselves, and the Presence of God is unnoticed when we need Him most. As Jesus hang upon the Cross, He was in the most desperate and difficult time. His body desperately strained to endure the torture, beating, and nails of the crucifixion. The pain and suffering overwhelmed Him as He carried out His Father’s will. In His dying moments, all His friends had alienated Him and fled to leave Him alone. Yet in these last moments of the Cross, Jesus looked beyond His desperation and difficulties to cry out unto His Father, not for help, but for hope. He cried to the Father to forgive His accusers, those who assaulted Him and crucified Him. Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). He cried to the Father, who is holy and worthy of all praise “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Lk 23:46). My friend, when difficult and desperate times seem to overwhelm you, look to God with hope, offer Him your praise, and He will help you (Isa 41:10), deliver you, and “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Dear friend, no matter what you my face, look to the Lord and offer up to Him your praise. He is worthy! Father thank You for Your love and the hope salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Ps 61:2

God wants to lead you from survival to revival. God wants to draw you near to Him (Mt 23:37) even when you are scattered and afraid. He invites all to come unto Him, to know Him, and delight in His Presence, and He will give you rest (Mt 11:28). For those times when we seem to lose our way, grow impatient, bored, fatigued, and fainthearted from distress and disappointment, God wants to revive your heart and restore your faith in Him. The scripture passage reminds us to “cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed.” When your heart is faint and your strength has failed, “Cry unto the Lord” (Isa 19:20), for He will save and deliver you. Prayer opens the gates of heaven and God hears the cries of His children. Even with tear filled eyes and overwhelmed in affliction “cry unto Thee…then Thou wilt hear and help” (2 Chr 20:9). God diligently awaits to hear the cries of His children that we may know His faithfulness to “lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” My friend, God is faithful to hear the cries of His children, even when we have drifted, and He seems spread to “the end of the earth.” Look to Him and hear Him say, “Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). He will give you rest from your fears, fatigue, and fainthearted distress to revive you by His Spirit with a renewed heart, a heart of faith, and not fear. He will walk along the way with you, to restore within you, a faith-heart, full of the joy of His salvation. Dear friend, look to the Lord and He will renew your strength and revive your heart. When you seem overwhelmed and fainthearted, trust in Him and He will cover you with His wing (Ps 61:4). He is nearer than you could ever think or imagine. Father thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness to hear me when I cry. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.  

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Our walk with Christ is often desired as an endurance race. An endurance race requires focus, discipline, and inner strength. An endurance race is run in segments, at varying paces, with the final goal in mind. To finish the race and celebrate the victory. The scripture passage reminds us that true joy and happiness come when we choose to put our attention on eternal things. The example and the way to eternal things is by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Jesus is our example of how we are to know the joy of heaven on earth. Jesus endured the cruelty of the world, suffered the shame of temptation, and submitted Himself without striking back at those who would harm. He entrusted Himself to the Father’s judgement and into the Father’s hands. His strength and courage to “endure the Cross” was by the word of God. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh 1:9). The Father was faithful to the Son, at every turn, through every valley, through every storm, and to climb every hill. The final hill was at Golgotha where He boldly proclaimed, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). He won the victory and defeated death, hell, and the grave. My friend, the victory is to those who are “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Look beyond the circumstances in life and focused on who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Focus is on Jesus and the word of God to rise above your circumstances through the strength that God supplies. Dear friend, God is ready and able to uphold you by His Spirit to know the joy of His salvation (Ps 51:12). He will guard your heart with the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Col 3:15) that you may “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1) and see the victory that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Father thank You for Your love and the grace to run with endurance. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.