Glory, Glorious is our God

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The term My Glory as a name for God is a new one to me. I think of God’s glory as the sum total of all His attributes. God displays His glory in the beauty and wisdom of His creation. Throughout the Bible God has revealed His glory to His people through His power mercy, grace, judgement, holiness, love and all his other attributes. In the Old Testament, God revealed His glory in the cloud which came to rest upon the Tabernacle. It was called the Shekinah glory. In the New Testament, God revealed His glory completely in the Lord Jesus.

However, David used the term My Glory to describe God as an active name. Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” He envisioned God as a physical barrier that protects and one who encourages him. God is indeed all those things and more.

In Psalm 57:7-9 David calls out to God using this term, my glory. Psalm 57:7-9 “My heart is steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8     Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations. David’s name is appropriate and honoring to God. He acknowledges that all creation will praise Him and that he loves God with a steadfast love.

In this passage from Isaiah, we see God addressing His glory as part of himself. Glory is His alone. Isaiah 42:8-9 “I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
    I tell you of them.”

God’s glory belongs to Him alone and it is His to do with as He pleases. He imparted His glory to Jesus, His Son, when he came to earth. Belief in Jesus and His work on the cross gives believers access to the power of His glory in Jesus’ name. There is great power in the name of Jesus! Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” James confirms the power of Jesus and His glory in James 2:1 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” Jesus is God and His glory belongs to the Father. John 10:29-30 tells us in Jesus’ words as He is praying for His followers, “ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can, like David, call Him my glory and know the fullness of God’s glory in the person of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus for revealing God’s glory to me personally.

Linda

God Sees Me!

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Jehovah Roi was one of the first Hebrew names for God that I encountered in my study of Genesis long ago. It seemed to resonate with me and assured me that God sees Me too! Jehovah Roi means The God Who Sees and appears in Genesis 16 during the story of Hagar in the wilderness. Hagar was the slave servant of Sarai, Abraham’s wife. When Sarai was not getting pregnant, she devised a plan of her own to have children. She gave her servant to Abraham, as it was an acceptable practice to ‘claim’ children as your own from your servants. When Hagar became pregnant, she developed an attitude with Sarai that upset her. Abraham told her to do what she wished with the servant so she treated her harshly. Hagar ran away into the desert.

This is the scene that unfolded in the desert. Genesis 16:7-13 “ The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” 9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” 11 And the angel of the Lord said to her,

“Behold, you are pregnant
    and shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
    because the Lord has listened to your affliction.
12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man,
    his hand against everyone
    and everyone’s hand against him,
and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”

13 So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Hagar knew this was divine intervention in her desperate situation. God was gracious and gave her hope that her son would be a strong man to be named Ishmael. They would not die in the wilderness. She was important to God as He looked upon her situation and gave her hope. She knew the Lord had seen her, The God who sees.

How about you? Do you have confidence that God sees you and your situation right now? Just as God saw Hagar, He knows and sees you too. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live assured that God sees me and knows the answer to the dilemmas of my life. I, like Hagar, often don’t see a way through a situation but God does and He will lead you through it. Walk with Trust in Him.

Linda

Intercessor God

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Today’s name of God describes a job God does and how He relates to us. He is our Intercessor. By definition an intercessor is one who prays, petitions or entreats favor for another. This is described in Romans as the job of the Holy Spirit towards us and in John we see Jesus interceding for us with the Father. What a privilege it is to know that we have an Intercessor God that loves and cares for us.

Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” How many times have you been stuck and not known what to pray in a situation? In those times we can take comfort from the fact that the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to present our prayers properly to God. When the Spirit intercedes, He presents requests that are aligned with God’s perfect will. It describes His praying for us as groanings to deep for words. He is involved in our prayers and even in our fumbling He presents them faultless before God. Thank you Holy Spirit!

In Hebrews 7:24-25 Jesus is described as our Great High Priest. “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus will hold that position permanently and lives to intercede on our behalf before God. There is no ending to his intercession as he is eternal and never tires.

I love the 17the chapter of the gospel of John as in that chapter Jesus prays for the disciple then and for all believers in the future. He shows His great love, care and concern for those who believe in Him. John 17:8-10 “For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.  John continues in 15-19 “ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” Jesus wants us to know Him and when we do He lives to intercede on our behalf knowing the challenges we will face in this world before we join Him in eternity.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can take comfort in knowing Jesus prayed for me and that the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to intercede for me each day. Be encouraged as God will hear your prayers no matter how inadequate they may seem. He will present them perfect before God with the intent of your heart. Keep on praying as Prayer Changes Things! If it didn’t, Jesus would not have prayed for us! Keep on praying!

Linda

God is Jealous for Me and You

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I think one of the more difficult names of God to think about is Qanna, Jealous. God is a jealous God but not in the human terms of jealousy which is almost always thought of in a negative sense. In humans it is not a character trait or action that is considered good. However, let’s rethink this in terms of God. God’s jealousy is one of protective love. The Lord seals every believer to Himself through the Holy Spirit. Unlike human beings, God does not experience feelings of insecurity, fear or anxiety about His relationship with people. He is righteously angry when His children choose to devote their time and attention to lesser things. When God’s children turn their backs on Him, in His mercy an grace He pursues them.

We see the name Jealous referred to multiple times when God is talking to them about worshipping idols. First in the 10 Commandments He lays down his standard for our behavior concerning worship. Exodus 20:5 “ You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,” God did not want the Israelites worshiping idols of wood or stone as He abhorred this practice. It offended Him as He desires them to worship Him alone.

When they were headed to the promised land, God warned them of His jealousy and the consequences. Exodus 34:13-14 “You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),” He also warned them of His jealous nature if they abandoned Him for idol worship. Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “ Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Joshua warned the people as they entered the promised land as they were to fight people who worshipped idols. Those who would forsake the worship of the one true God would not be able to be forgiven and that they would be consumed. Joshua 24:19-20 “But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 

During the New Testament times, Paul mentions God’s jealousy too. The Corinthians were arguing about whether or not they could eat food that had been offered to idols. Paul tells them that their is nothing wrong with the meat but do they really want to eat food that has been a part of a pagan ritual and offered to a demon. He is saying you can’t have it both ways- like your cake and eat it too. Consider the source and intention of the food and then decide. As a Christian he said there is nothing wrong with eating the food but consider how others might view it. 1 Corinthians 10: 21-24 “ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” As they were to consider their actions, Paul reminds them that God is a jealous God and wants all of their devotion and worship to be towards Him not on any idols.

How does this effect you and me? I am encouraged and uplifted that God is jealous for my devotion and love. He loves me so much and sent Jesus because of His love to save me. John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Why would I want to place someone or something on such a pedestal of worship to arouse His jealousy? Imagine God’s seeing people reading, golfing, working, being entertained instead of spending time in worship, be it alone or in a fellowship group. Wouldn’t that arouse God’s jealousy as we idol away our time neglecting Him?

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am committed to a God who loves me and is jealous for my love towards Him. Seek to lean into Him this week and some spend time in prayer and study. He will bless you for your devotion.

Linda

The Lord is There

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The name Jehovah Shammah means The Lord is There. This is the ever present character of God. He never sleeps nor tires and is always there. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet was given a vision of the future holy city that will reflect God’s glory and where God will dwell with us. Ezekiel 40:1-4 tells how this vision starts. “In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me to the city. 2 In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. 3 When he brought me there, behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. 4 And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.” In the next chapters Ezekiel sees the Temple, courts, gates, the altar, the feasts, division of the land and then in Ezekiel 48:35 “The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”

It is significant that this passage is the only place where God is referred to as The Lord is There. Perhaps in heaven, in His holy City we can know for sure that that is where we will be for eternity. Until then, His spirit dwells with in us and we can say the Lord is here within me. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 “ Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” God’s Spirit lives within us to transform and sanctify us. Be encouraged as we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and we belong to Him. Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know I’m sealed, protected and indwelt by the Holy Spirit for eternity. I will always be where God is now and in the future to come! Thank you Jesus!

Linda

The Word

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Yesterday’s name for God, Wonderful Counselor, focused my attention on Jesus and a name given to Him, The Word. Most places in the Bible speak of the Word of God as the Holy Scriptures, the words spoken by God or by Jesus. The Bible is referred to as the word of God. Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word. Psalm 119: 105 ” Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path.” Psalm 160 “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” We all depend upon God’s word to guide us in our daily lives. However, scripture refers to Jesus as The Word in John in various places and in his heavenly vision in Revelation.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The essence of God, His Words to us, spoken at creation are embodied in Jesus. He represented God’s Words to us when He came to earth.

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Here John is more specific and defines the Word as the flesh and blood Jesus who was filled with the grace and truth of God himself. He was God come to earth.

1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—” John wanted his readers to know and believe that the Jesus they knew was God and that He brought the words of life from God to them.

John had a vision from God on the island of Patmos. It foretells of Jesus coming again and many things that are to come in our future. It tells how the story of creation and battle with Satan will end and reveals that Jesus will reign eternally. Sin will be eliminated and we will live with Him forever in a New Heaven. In Chapter 19 he saw a vision of Jesus- the one with a robe dipped in blood, known as The Word of God. Revelation 19:11-14 “11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.” 

The Word of God is a name filled with power and might. He is one to be feared and revered but also remember He has the Words of life! Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am open know the Word of God and His transforming power in my life. I pray you too know Jesus, the Word of God, and feel His presence in your life. His Holy Spirit will transform your life if you walk with Him.

Linda

5th Sunday of Lent, Hold onto God and He will Hold onto You!

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Which of the names of God spoke to you this week, made you intake a breath in awe or desire to praise Him out loud? This week we looked at God the Lord of Hosts or Lord of Heaven’s Armies, our Husband with all of us being the Bride of Christ at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb- Jesus, Provider God, God my Rock, Wonderful Counselor and God of Love. God has so many facets to His character and it is so amazing how He can relate to each one of us in a personal way. God is a personal God. David felt that way and expressed his love, devotion and awe for who God is in the Psalms. Let’s continue in Psalm 37.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
    when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the Lord upholds his hand. David knew God was upholding him.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging for bread.
26 He is ever lending generously,
    and his children become a blessing. David had real life experiences with God’s goodness.

27 Turn away from evil and do good;
    so shall you dwell forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
    he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
    but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
    and dwell upon it forever.…..David knew that walking in His ways would bring blessings.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
    he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. David knew to hold onto God.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
    because they take refuge in him. David knew delivery and salvation come from God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know God will uphold me, experience His goodness, walk with Him to experience His blessings, know God will hold onto me during the storms of life and deliver me home!

As we enter this 5th week of Lent, may you be mindful or your sin and let your praises rise to Him! He’s got you!!

Linda

P.S. I think the name of God that resonated the most with me this week was God is my Rock. I can cling to Him, take refuge in His arms and hide within Him. He is always steadfast and faithful- my rock. It makes me want to praise Him!!

LOVE = GOD

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The name for today, LOVE, I think of more as an attribute of God but it also encompasses His character and describes Him. God is love and shows love. He is motivated by love and His love is eternal.

The greatest expression of God’s love was sending His only Son, Jesus to come to earth and atone for our sins so we could be reconciled to Him. We were broken away from Him by the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden. Jesus restored a pathway to God by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead. He suffered, died and conqueror sin for us. I love John 3:16 as it speaks to the heart of God, His love for us. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Through faith in Jesus, we gain access to eternal life with Him.

1 John 4:9-10 puts it this way: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Propitiation is a big word but it simply means Jesus died in our place and was the atonement for our sin.

In 1 John 4:16-19 John speaks about the nature of God = LOVE. Knowing His love and abiding in it, we will know Him. His is a perfect love for us and it started with Him! Loving Him was not our idea but God’s! “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.“

God’s love is throughout scripture. In the Old Testament it is often referred to as God’s steadfast love. He wanted His people to know His love for them, in spite of their rejection and unfaithfulness, was unchanging and eternal. He will never leave us nor forsake us and He can be counted upon. David repeatedly spoke of God’s steadfast love in the Psalms. His heart was filled with love and devotion to God. I loved Psalm 59:16-17 “But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love. His love is with me all day and night. He is my fortress, refuge and strength. He shows me constant steadfast love!

Unlike man, God’s love is filled with forgiveness and restoration. Micah 7:8 “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can experience God’s love for me daily and will be with Him in eternity. Thank you Jesus! Walk in God’s love today!

Linda

Wonderful Counselor!

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One of the most precious names for Jesus is written in Isaiah. He is called Wonderful Counselor. This is precious because one of the ways He helps us intimately and personally is by being our Counselor. Human counselors hear people’s woes, joys and sorrows along with giving them advice. Our Lord Jesus will hear our confession and give forgiveness, our troubles and offer comfort, our joys and rejoice with us and sorrows and offer peace. There is no counselor in life as wonderful as our Lord Jesus.

The Isaiah passage speaks of the coming Messiah. One who will come as a child and be many things to those who believe. He will be our counselor, God himself, eternal Father and our Prince of Peace. No one compares to the Lord Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The counsel of the Lord will be unmatched according to Job in 12:12-13 “Is not wisdom found among the aged?
    Does not long life bring understanding? 13 “To God belong wisdom and power;
    counsel and understanding are his. We can never find one to match the wisdom and counsel of the Lord. Trust in His counsel.

His Word will always provide needed counsel for us. Thank you Lord. Psalm 119:24 “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

As my Counselor, Jesus will be my guide and keep His eye upon me. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Another verse that speaks of God keeping his loving eye upon us is 2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” We can count upon His watchful eye which are consistent with his omnipresent character.

Lastly, I want to mention Psalm 16:6-8. This is one of my favorite verses as it speaks of the goodness of God and how in and through my praise He counsels me. Psalm 16: 6-8 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be counseled by God 24/7, guided and provided with the most magnificent wisdom in all the universe. Thank you Jesus for loving me this much.

Linda

God is Our Rock!

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Jehovah-Sel’i or the Lord is my Rock is a new name for me. The Lord is listed repeatedly in scripture by the writers as my rock and I never saw it as a specific name for God. David often spoke this name for God as he saw God as the one who held him together and protected him at the most difficult times of his life. David was anointed to be King by Samuel while Saul was still king. David never threated Saul and was patiently waiting for God to move him into the king’s position. Saul on the other hand, was anxious to see David killed so his line and kingship would continue. David wrote Psalm 18 when under duress and persecution from Saul. Saul sought to kill David for 14 years before his death. You can hear the heart of David in his words and his true feelings about God his rock.

Psalm 18: 1-5 “I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. God was the one upon whom he depended.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of destruction assailed me; Even though Saul tried to kill him, 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me; David clung to God his Rock.
    the snares of death confronted me.

31-33 “For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength David praises God’s steadfastness
    and made my way blameless. and His equipping.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.

46-48 “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance Praise God, my rock! He saved me!
    and subdued peoples under me,
48 who rescued me from my enemies;
    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
    you delivered me from the man of violence.

I love this Psalm as it shows how David leaned upon God for his strength, courage, rescuing, equipping, and steadfastness. God was the immovable Rock that David could cling to in all times and in all seasons. No matter the circumstances, David knew that God would be there. Psalm 94:22 David writes these words, “But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.”

Who is God to you? Is He one to be depended upon at all times, confided in, trusted with your most difficult problems and your hopes and dreams? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the Rock of my salvation and cling to Him, hide behind and within Him and know He will never change. He is immutable and as Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We can depend upon our unchanging God just like David.

Linda