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Listen while you read: "Blessed Assurance"1
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Deuteronomy 31:17-18 – On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, "Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?" And I will certainly hide my face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods. (NIV)
My granddaughters love to play hide-and-go-seek. They will spend hours at it, if I am willing to play with them. When it is my turn to seek them out, I discover their hiding spots quickly.
When it is my turn to hide, however, it often takes them a long time to rout me. Sometimes, they don't find me. I just appear before them, and they jump up and down demanding where I was. I leave them in a quandary, though, keeping my hiding place a secret for another day.
Sometimes, we, too, are in a quandary. We are perplexed over things that we see happening in our world and in our lives. We wonder: is God hiding from us? Much like the Israelites, we ask, "Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?" It's a very valid question in light of the state of world affairs, as well as the continuing decline within the church.
We live in a day and age when the truth of Scripture is distorted to come into line with the desires of sinful man. We want what we want, and if God is not going to agree with what we want, then we will twist His Word to make it say what we think and want it to say. In light of this, is it any wonder that the world and the church are in a quandary, and that various disasters strike almost daily? For when we hide our faces from God, God, in turn, eventually hides His face from us.
So, amidst this quandary, for those who seek, what shall we do to find our God?
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 4:11a,12a – Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business … so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. (NIV)
1 Peter 3:15a – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (NIV)
Seek and you will find. (Matthew 7:7 NIV)
Prayer: Father God, may we continue to find You as we seek to apply the truth of Your Word and the living Christ to our hearts and to the actions of our daily lives. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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So true.
Thanks for the good thoughts, Lynne, and so true.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing with us. I appreciate you!
Well said, Lynne. Amen and blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! To God be the glory! Blessings.
Lynne, Your words are so well said, and the chosen scriptures speak louder than words. Thank you for sharing them in your good writing.
Love it! I can just imagine how you revel in giving them a surprise… the giggles, the fun of discovery!
May your day be filled with that same joy.
Many thanks Lynne for another of your interesting and very meaningful devotionals. You always write such good analogies connecting actions in life with your grandchildren or pets and the works of our Lord. Blessings for these very special writings you prepare.
Good morning, Lynne,
As soon as I read the first line about granddaughters, I knew this was from you.
This brought back childhood memories for me.
God is always right with us and for us if only people would look for Him and realize how much they need Him.
God bless.
Once again, I find your skill as a writer exceptional and today’s Devotional so timely.
Blessings to you and yours.
Good Morning, Lynne,
Your devotionals always give me something to think about, snippets to carry with me throughout my days, words to mull over and apply to life. Today’s devotional is no different from your other writings which I always enjoy. Thank you!
Your analogy of the children’s game of ‘hide-and-seek’ is a perfect example of what is happening in our world today. While I feel it is important to stay current with what is happening in our world each day, watching the news leaves me feeling quite despondent, and questioning human ways. As I ask, “Where is God?”, this thought is usually followed by the question, “Why can’t we humans see the error of our ways?” We need to open our eyes to the path God would have us follow. (Micah 6:8 being one of my favourites!)
Your scriptures today are just the messages I needed to take me forward into another day, another week. Again, my thanks to you, God’s messenger, for offering the needed words of encouragement.
Stay well, Lynne, and stay writing!
Blessings!
(ON.)
Great scriptures, Lynne. Thanks.
As always, very timely contribution from you. I was just discussing yesterday with a friend in Zimbabwe the division in the church in Canada and the US and the phenomenon of Christian nationalism. The verse you gave from Micah is the bottom line in divisive and confusing times. It is like a rudder for me as I simply live out the 2 commands to love GOD AMD NEIGHBOUR.