Confidence in God

Yesterday I listened to two sermons by a dead man! It seemed strange but I recently bought a book about A. W. Tozer which included a CD with two of his messages on it. I never had the privilege of hearing the modern-day prophet (in the truest sense) but have certainly read much of his work. I was surprised to discover that he wasn't as skilled an orator as I expected but he certainly left no stone unturned when "speaking the truth in love".

The following is the devotional thought which I received by e-mail today. Yes, we can have...

Confidence in Him

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

"You can have this confidence in God, and you can have this respect for His will. Do not expect God to perform miracles for you so you can write books about them. Do not ever be caught asking God to send you toys like that to play around with.

But if you are in trouble and concerned about your situation and willing to be honest with God, you can have confidence in Him. You can go to Him in the merit of His Son, claiming His promises, and He will not let you down. God will help you, and you will find the way of deliverance. God will move heaven and earth for you if you will trust Him."

Trust Him today, dear friends! He is trustworthy and you can have...confidence in Him.

I Like Quiet

Generally speaking I'm a quiet person. I speak softly but I'd rather listen than speak at all, I'd rather say nothing than say something meaningless. I don't like the cacophony of noise that's so much a part of our busy, hectic lives. I like quiet! A walk in the forest or a walk in the city? No question! The forest, the country, the quiet streams!

The scriptures that speak of quietness are food for my soul. I seek quietness. I long for solitude. I like quiet.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." - Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." - Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." - Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)

Since righteousness leads to peace, quietness and confidence, my prayer is that "the righteousness of God in Christ" would be my portion today and every day. I know that His righteousness has been imputed to me already. May the realization of that fact and the desire to be "a righteous and godly man" be God's gift to me and you today!

"O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by."

And, by the way, did I say that "I like quiet"?

My dear readers and friends, in the midst of the Christmas rush today, may there be a quietness in your spirit that can only come from the Lord Himself. Sense His peace today!