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Listen while you read: "Give To Our God Immortal Praise"1
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Psalm 139:13-16 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)
Earl, my kitten, is interested in everything I am doing, everywhere that I am. He silently perches on a shelf above my baking counter and watches me avidly as I prepare meals and baked goods. He quietly sits high atop the bathroom door so he can see me in the shower. He unobtrusively curls up beside me as I watch television and follows me from room to room as I vacuum and dust. There is something very comforting in his presence and the knowledge that I am a very important person to him.
I also find great comfort and encouragement when I consider that there is another interested party in my life: God. God knows everything about me from start to finish. Somehow, He is aware of every moment of my life, and I am so important to Him that He has repeatedly promised never to leave me nor forsake me.
God sees the good, the bad, and the ugly that goes on within me, and yet, He never forsakes me. He never stops loving me. He is always there to guide and direct me. When I ask — and even when I don't ask — He continues to work for good in my life. How marvellous, how wonderful is this!
I do not always feel that God is with me. I am able to see Earl, but I cannot see God. I can, however, see the evidence of Him around me. I see Him through the beauty of nature and the continuation of the world in its orbit. I view Him in the eyes of those who love me and through the creatures that I care for. The Scriptures reveal His character to me and the history of His presence and interest in the lives of so many who have gone before me. When I choose to listen, within my heart and mind, I hear His still, quiet voice, a voice that always lines up with the wisdom and truth of His written Word. I sense His presence when I call out to Him in prayer and when I see His gracious answers to both enormous and miniscule requests. Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that God is always with me. God is always the interested Party in my life, something for which I am truly thankful.
I pray that you, too, may be watchful for and truly thankful for the Interested Party in your life.
Prayer: Thank You, Father God, that You are the Interested Party in each of our lives, whether we acknowledge You and Your presence or not. Open the hearts of many today to Your love and salvation through Jesus Christ, that You may be glorified and that they may be comforted and encouraged through Your presence as the Interested Party in their lives. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Thanks, Lynne. Take care!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
Blessings.
Lynne, this went right to my heart. Beautiful description of our glorious Lord. Bless your heart.
Thank you. Great comparison.
Trust you are settled into your new place. Earl seems to be at home!
Thanks for the important reminder that God is always there for us, Lynne! Earl sounds like a sweet little kitty, blessings!
Love it!
He’s “El Roi”, “the strong one who sees.”
Earl, your cat, is well-named!
Hello Lynne,
I enjoyed every line of your devotional today. It was lovely.
Blessings!
Hi Lynne. Love the story of your cat. My son lives with me, and his 2 dogs follow me around the house and get in my way sometimes. I guess that makes you and me leaders of a kind. Be well.
Hello Lynne
Another interesting example of God’s love and guidance and care for us, thank you.
God bless you!
Hi Lynne,
When I first started to read this devotional, I said to myself, “Lynne wrote this devotional.” Indeed, you did and it spoke to me.
Thank you.
Morning Lynne. Psalm 139: 13 is very special to me as to the way I made it into this world; in unusual circumstances in the early 1950’s. Beautifully written!
Thanks. Earl sound like my Shih/poodle cross. Great lil four legged friends.
Have a wonderful day, and many thanks again for your inspirational notes.
Greetings Lynne and many thanks for another of your great analogies coordinating actions of your pets with similar caring actions of God on our lives. Yes, we sure need be thankful that God is with us every moment right from his creation of us. There can be times that we may feel he has left us but not so. Blessings for these special writings you prepare and keep enjoying the actions of that sweet little kitty.
Dear Lynne,
Your story about Earl brought back fond memories of my cat’s endearing habit of sitting nearby watching as I did yard work. I loved your line, “There is something very comforting in his presence and the knowledge that I am a very important person to him.” It’s not a huge leap to liken this relationship to my own relationship with God. Thanks for the food for thought.
Good morning, Lynne,
I am indeed thankful that God is with me, but there are times when we are really struggling and then we seem to be not so much aware of it. But then there are times when we feel at ease after a stressful time and then we are sure again. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Thank you for your good words.
Good morning, Lynne,
Your kitten, Earl, sounds like a small child who loves to be with you and share all those special times. I remember those days well. I always think of cats being more aloof where puppies follow you around and want to be with you. Earl doesn’t follow that pattern.
I am glad that God is an “interested party” in our lives and that He is always there for us.
I join in your prayer that many hearts are opened to see Jesus as their Saviour.
Lynne
I say Amen and Amen to your prayer.
Not having had a kitten, I cannot relate from that aspect. However, I have had three miniature schnauzers over the years who wanted to be near me either in their own chair or laying in their basket next to where I was laying down. Each one gave me unconditional love and received unconditional love back from me and my wife. That love was a constant reminder of the love which our Lord Jesus pours out towards us at all times.
May the Lord Jesus bless you and wash you through and through with His amazing love as you become more and more the person He has created you to be.
Blessings.
May God be an active presence in our lives – Amen.
Good morning, Lynne!
I receive the daily devotions from a dear old school mate.
As Covid began its march my friend began forwarding these reflections each day. It has been the most special way to begin a day, as I’d usually write back to her with my thoughts of what I’d read, and often she’d have a response. It’s been wonderful….we’re both “octogenarians”.
The reason I write this is to say thank you for your message.
Thank you again for today’s Reflection.
(Ontario)
Beautiful. One day I hope to have a cat.
God bless you.