“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple, in the fear of you.” (Psalm 5:7)
As the year flutters open its eyelids, I step into this new day accompanied by the wonder of beginning it with you.
What standing could I possess to meet with you; to rest my mind within your sacred words; to still my steps for you to order them aright; to listen intently as if my very life depended on it?
No voice to break the silence; only yours. Ordinary day exploding with this remarkable happening. You bending low to join me here; you filling up all the empty spaces in this room, in this heart.
Your fullness flooding in, your beauty bringing me blessings, your arms enfolding. Your gentle touch compelling me forward, cleansing my mind with the life-giving water of your Word. Each phrase, each page recorded for me to learn more of you, to lean into your immense, incalculable sufficiency.
On this day I get to love and be loved, to care for others, be made aware of my weaknesses, to dream, to write, to encourage. Today I am allowed to watch for you to show up and surprise me in delightful ways. I can marvel at your creation, consider how little I truly understand this life, and yet how endless are the possibilities to come.
Some whom I hold dear will wake this morning with aches and splintered hearts. The jagged pieces of their circumstances are strewn across the floor; with every step they pierce more. Remind them of your presence. Invade their darkness with your light and set them on the path that leads toward hope. Give them an awareness of your presence precisely where they find themselves today.
You are the rescuer of the lost, the restorer of the weary, the fortifier of the weak, the rebuilder of the broken. Somehow would you pour out your loving comfort through me?
Lamb of God and Shepherd of my soul, you are reminding me to live well even as the new year stretches out its arms to me in welcome.
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exalt in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12).
Elizabeth Ann Mitchell
Photo Credit: Amy Reed on Unsplash
You have such a beautiful way with words, and your in-depth messages filled with spiritual truths minister at so many levels. I pass on the blessing of your writing to my friends in other countries. Thank you.
Thank you Linda. I’m so thankful you share these with others.
Liz,
I shared this site recently with a co-worker who was captivated with your devotional book and how you translate knowing God into words of depth, power and meaning.
Thank you Gary for sharing that encouragement. But you always are a Barnabas.
Elizabeth thank you so much for your messages. I look forward to them and Love to share them with family in other states. You and pastor Mitchell are definitely what the world needs especially at these trying times.
Thank you Kelley for your kind words. I am so thankful to know that you pass these devotionals along!