Carol Purves

‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.’ Psalm 103:11

We might have gone into space but the distance we have been is so minute in comparison with the size of space itself. And that is how great God’s love is for us in our fallen state. Just as we can’t fully comprehend space, nor can we fully comprehend God’s love for us.

God has given us so many blessings and it is not possible to list them all and therefore we sometimes dismiss them. Last evening there was a beautiful sunset and this morning a lovely sunrise. God has given us another day.

‘Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all His benefits.’ Psalm 103:2

When times are hard and difficult we can praise God. There is so much to be grateful for. We praise Him not just for what He has done for us, but also for who He is.

‘I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.’

Habbakkuk 3:18

Do we sometimes spend time pleasing ourselves, thinking we are due enjoyment in life? We feel we are entitled to certain things because life is tough. But in actual fact it should be the other way round. We should be trying to please Him.

‘So we make it our goal to please Him.’ 2 Corinthians 5:9

In these present time are we allowing our worries and concerns to overtake our thinking? We do not need to conform to the world and it’s standards. We need to lift our eyes up and live more by faith.

‘Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body , we are away from the Lord. We live by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

It’s not to difficult to be strong and courageous in short bursts, but with this virus we are in it for the long haul. We need to persevere and keep being unafraid. We look to God for our strength.

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9

‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’ James 5:16

We know the truth of this statement so why are we so reluctant to prayer. Sometimes we do everything but. We try self-help, consulting others and then come to prayer. Prayer should be the first thing we do. I am so bad at relying on the Lord in prayer, when I know His power and strength.

Was discussing with a friend yesterday that we might live for another twenty years or God might call us into heaven that day. What we do know is that God will care for us whether our time on earth be short or long. We can rest in that promise.

‘The Lord watches over the way of the righteous.’ James 5:16

As Christians we want to do God’s will but we need to know what that will is. This can only be found by searching, through reading God’s word, praying to Him and listening to what He has to say. Then we will flourish.

‘His delight is in the law of the Lord, That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields it’s fruit in summer.’ Psalm 1:2-3

We want to be blessed by God. We want His love and guidance in our lives. We can have Him in our lives more by talking to Him more, reading what He had written to us and seeing Him in everything because He is in everything.

‘Blessed is the one …. whose delight is in the Lord and who meditates on His love day and night.’ Psalm 1:1