Where Is My Friend

I find it amusing when I have memories from “back in the day” and then for the life of me I cannot recall what even made me think of the specific event.  I do however, recall the trigger for this memory: an old song by Helen Reddy – “Where Is My Friend”.

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.

~Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Today's verse has some very profound implications. It would be so much easier to think that only the good things happen to those who are believers and the bad things happen to those who reject God. Some people will even tell us that the reason we are sick or have an illness is because we have unconfessed sin in our lives. (I'm not sure, but I think these persons may be related to Job's friends!)

The above verse makes it very clear that God has made one as well as the other. Now why would that be? Perhaps it's because we, with our little finite minds wouldn't be able to appreciate and enjoy the good times without having experienced the bad times. (Vinegar and sugar, Marcy?) And then again, are we able to praise God for even the "bad" things in our lives? One of my blogging friends, Diana, said that she has problems praying when times are bad. I have the very same problem. When the difficulties come, I tend to retreat, to hide. I find I can't pray and I can't read the bible. That is when music - praise and worship music reaches me in the depth of my despair. One such song is "I Will Sing" by Don Moen. And have you ever noticed that some praise and worship music are simply prayers set to music?

Even older hymns like "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio Spafford are prayers of praise. If you don't know the history behind this hymn, I encourage you to do a little Internet research. It was written out of extreme loss and suffering. (I've even changed the music to these two songs, may they minister to your souls.)

I am still striving to learn the principle that God allows the "bad" things in our lives so that others may see the manner in which we handle them. Otherwise, how will they know the difference in the way believers handle unpleasant circumstances verses the unbelieving?

My prayer...

My Lord and my God, when the bad things, the unpleasant circumstances come my way, may my words, my behaviors, and my actions reflect You. May I seek to praise You in spite of the circumstance.

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

~Deuteronomy 31:6

Thoughts on today's verse...

When we travel through those places of great testing, the Lord tells us again and again, "I will be there!"

As you look back over your life today, take some time to reflect upon those times when God was there for you. Pull out your trusty journal and consider:

What do you trust God with today that you may not have trusted Him with some time ago?

Can you look back and see God's hand at work in situations where you perhaps couldn't see them before?

Do you love God more today than you did a year ago?

Do you believe He loves you?

God's love for us is unending and His faithfulness never ending. Whatever are you facing right now, be it good or bad, remember that you are loved by a God who spared nothing of Himself to show you His faithfulness.

My prayer...

Lord, today I choose to pray portions of Psalm 55: ' And I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest... I would hasten to my place of refuge, From the stormy winds and tempest. As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me... He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me... Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you... I will trust in Thee." ' Father, that is my prayer today - for those of us who find ourselves in the midst of a battle - be it physical, emotional, or spiritual - calm our hearts and allow us to experience your strength. Amen

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara