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Listen while you read: "Search Me, O God"1
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I love to read, and I especially enjoy reading biographies. These accounts give me a real sense of connection with people of the past, and help me to see how history unfolded during their lifetimes. So many people with fascinating lives were part of and instrumental in making history happen as it did. One of the most influential people of the modern era was Napoleon Bonaparte. The military, legal, social, and educational changes that he enacted in his lifetime still have repercussions today. Reading his biography lent to my understanding of how history played out in Europe and beyond in the centuries following his life.
I also enjoy reading all the writings by one author, and then his or her biography. It opens up so much more of the author's thought process and experience of their world. I have delved into the works of Rudyard Kipling, Prince Albert, Rosamund Lehmann, and other authors this way. How much more meaningful to me, and to Christians worldwide, to be able to read the Scriptures, and not only to read the biography of the Author of life, but to know the Lord God personally!
Jeremiah 29:11-14a – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come to pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. (ESV)
What a wonderful insight into the character of our God! He is always thinking about us, with kind and loving plans for our welfare, and He is continually waiting to hear our prayers. He will not hide away when His people seek earnestly for Him. Our search for Him and His revelation of Himself form a great future and hope.
Have you ever thought that your own life story might change the course of the future? Most of us will never see our biography put in print for all to read, but the Lord knows every sentence and paragraph. Our God thinks about us and has plans for today and the future. A wonderful future it will be when "you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart".
Prayer: Sing with me: "Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from every sin, and set me free." (James Edwin Orr). Amen.
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About the author:
Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for sharing, Shirley.
Thank you, Shirley, for this challenge.
Great job and I needed to remember there is a plan for me in the heart of our God.
Decisions made early in life determine the present and the future – Prayer is important in making these decisions.
Thanks for another of your interesting writings Shirley. Those words in Jeremiah 29 are truly words to reflect on. Blessings.
Shirley,
What a very meaningful devotional you have written for today. Never did I think of delving into the lives of the many authors I have read…and of course, I will admit that always I could spend more time in scripture!
Thank you.
Thank you for the challenge to learn from others in reading their stories – you are an amazing reader. I have not read a lot of biographies, but one of the biographies of Billy Graham has touched me in various ways, and one of his challenges to read 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb every day has blessed me. Keep on sharing and challenging us. Blessings.
Dear Shirley,
Thank you for your inspiring meditations. I have come to look forward to them. After a somewhat restless night, concerned about my daughter and granddaughter, this verse from Jeremiah was a reminder of the Sovereign Lord who is forever close and ready to hear my cries. I can also rest in His promise to answer according to His grace and mercy in His perfect timing for our good.
Thank you also for this beautiful song.
May you and your ministry to us be continually blessed.