Even though childhood and youth may be “vanity”, during these wonderful years when their smiles melt our hearts and their innocence charms us, prepare their hearts to serve You and to trust You in all things.
Does it take courage to cry out to God?
Father, we see that the Psalmist cries out to You, with his whole heart. When God, have we felt such anguish, such concern? Jesus Himself talks about the times he “rose up early” to talk to You, to cry out for the needs of Your people. Here the Psalmist does the same and is sometimes awake through the entire night, meditating on Your word.
Just how important is a child to God?
Jesus, You teach us that there is a domino effect in our relationships. As we receive one of Your children, it as though we were receiving You and when we receive You it as though we received the Father. We know, from other teachings You have given us, that if we do not receive Your children we are rejecting You. What a vital lesson Jesus. Loving others is how we show our love for You.
Do we get what we give?
Jesus, for these promises, we are thankful. We see that we must be merciful to others in order to receive mercy from You. Clearly, Jesus, if we do not show mercy to others when we have the opportunity to do so, we are declaring that we do not expect to receive mercy from You. But that is such a bad game plan, who would behave in that way?
Even when we think we are cut off from You, You hear us.
Father, No one has shown us the marvelous kindness that You have shown us. None of us feel worthy of Your concern for us. Even when we cry out in despair, doubting Your love for us because of our circumstances, You ignore our immature attitude and You bring us back to You, stronger.
We seek you by day, you seek us by night, mysteriously
Father, when we seek You during the day, You are telling us here that You seek us by night, as we sleep. You open our ears to new knowledge, to new possibilities of service to You. You instruct us in the night seasons. Father, when Your Spirit teaches and leads our spirit, it is a gift of immeasurable value, a true act of love from You to us.
Are we required to teach God’s word to our kids?
We know that this kind of love should definitely result in our sharing it with our children, when we teach them, pray with them and speak of You and when we rise up and when we lie down. You expect us to make Your presence a constant reality in the lives of our children.
Our hearts, the host of Your heavenly presence
Father, we have felt like life was a journey too difficult, at times. Your guidance and Your mercy, in the midst of our troubles, is undeserved, your grace is beyond rational thought.
God’s thoughts toward you exceed number!
Father, as we cry out to You, we sometimes feel there is no way that we are able to be heard. You have just told us that Your thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. Father, we are heard and You are miraculously present.
Pretty simple; just two commandments!
Jesus, we know that knowing the truth, such as the two greatest commandments, which summarize the 10 commandments, is not the entire issue. Help us today to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the truth can become a pivot point for a daily commitment to love You with our whole heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.