What Are You Trusting in Today?
By Gail Rodgers
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God??? (Psalm 20:7).
~ Father in heaven,
There are so many things that promise to be my confidence if I will trust in them. Finances promise security. Looks and the right wardrobe promise self-esteem. The right job promises success. The accumulation of great “stuff??? promises fun. Yet we know all these things are fragile. The promises, though often fulfilled for a time, can end up hollow. We know too well the stories of how these things can all be fleeting.
Thank You for reminding me in Your word, that there are many things I can put my trust in… yet the ultimate is to trust in Your name. All that Your name encompasses will stay with me and never become fragile or hollow.
* Thank You that You are my Provider. I trust in You today to meet my need.
* Thank You that You are my Peace. Encase me in Your peace today which passes understanding.
* Thank You that You are my Rock. When all around me feels like sinking sand You alone provide a firm place to stand.
* Thank You that You are my Shepherd. Lead me today in paths that You have prepared for me.
* Thank You that You are my Healer. Touch me where I need healing both physically and emotionally.
* Thank You that You are God Almighty. With my God I can scale the walls in front of me.
* Thank You that You are my refuge and strength, my strong tower. I run to You to find the strength and shelter I need today as I face the winds of life.
* Thank You that You are Father God. Encase me in Your loving care today.
Thank You that I can trust in the name of the LORD my God! Remind me, by Your Holy Spirit, to live in this reality today.
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, amen.
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions: Try praying the prayer above aloud. What did you experience? What does it mean to trust in the name of the Lord our God? Can you think of a loss or difficulty you faced that heightened your trust in God?
2. Comment on the devotional blog. Interact with others who are reading today’s devotional. Visit http://talk.thelife.com/ and double click on “Comment” (just under the devotional title).
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4. Related reading: What exactly is joy? http://www.christianwomentoday.com/devotionals/daily/2191.html
About the Author: This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Learn more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/gail-rodgers/
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I really wish I knew what to say but one thing I know that our God is faithful and true and even through the situations that I went through, an abused marriage, losing a job and then losing my husband and now not knowing what is instored I have learnt to trust God even as he brought this scripture to my mind. “The LORD God will wipe away tears from all faces.
Isaiah 25 : 8 and spoke thus into my heart.
My child, My precious one, who has beguiled you, who has downtrodden you, who has brought you to this place of weeping and who has broken your heart. I am very near to you and my loving arms enfold you. I weep with you my child and I hold you close to me so you can draw your strength from me.. I am your consolation and your source ofcompletpeace and comfort. When you cried out to me, even in that gentle whisper , a sigh and a loud heart cry. I heard you my child and I rushed to be beside you. I cannot bear to see your tears, I cannot bear to see you unhappy. I wrap my arms around you and hold you so close to me, assuring you of my love. Hush my child, know that I am with you through this ordeal, who knows you better than me and who knows really, what you are going through if not me. I have put your tears in my bottle and I have written them in my books. I will rebuke the devourer for you sake and wipe away the tears from your eyes. I have heard your cry and I have seen your tears. Surely I will heal you my child be rest assured.Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.With this assurance lets all move on believing in this wonderful Savior whose name is JESUS.
GOD will make a way, where there seems to be no way!!!
Praise the Lord Everybody!!!! Your emails have definitely encouraged me. I really believe when we go through things, that’s an opportunity for God to show us who He is and what He is capable of. I recently had a miscarriage, after my husband and I had been trying for a while to have our 1st child. I didn’t understand, I was so hurt. But, through that time, my relationship with Christ was really strengthened. God showed me that HE is greater than our circumstances. I felt so much comfort in knowing that God has a plan for my life and He knows my future, so whatever happened was in line for what He has in store for me. I felt peace in knowing that I was in Christ, and in His will in the safest place to be. God cares for all of His children, I am sure it hurts Him when we are going through things, and He doesn’t want us to go through more than we have to. But there’s a place He has to bring us to, and in order for us to get there we have to go through some things. For all who are going through HOLD ON to God’s unchanging hand. IN DUE time…Galatians 6:9 says “For let us not be weary in well doing, for in DUE SEASON, we shall REAP, if we faint not!!!!!
I wasn’t looking to Him for what I needed and he completely striped me until I had no where else to look but up. He allowed everything to be taken away from me to force me to look to Him and to give all my burdens to Him. I have lost everything in the physical but I gained everything because I can now see Him and feel His love for me. There is a phrase “I would buy the experience for a nickel but I wouldn’t sell it for a million dollars.” I have become such an encourager and my testimony has inspired a lot of people. Even those I shared it with at my new church yesterday were taken aback by my excitement at what God is doing in my life given my awful fleshly circumstances I choose to look at the good in my circumstances. I love my life again, I forgot what true joy and peace was through Jesus. I forgot the awesome amazing feeling of encouraging someone, turning their eyes to Jesus for their answers, strengthening their hand in God and watching the smile appear because they suddenly realize that God IS in control and that He loves us. I gave myself to Him, all of me and I am proud and honored to say here or anywhere that I give every part of me to you Jesus to use me any way you want and I will trust in you to see me through any trial because I believe YOUR WORD IS TRUE! PRAISE YOU JESUS may I be a instrument of blessing and encouragement in people’s lives – AMEN!
I WILL
By Laura Metcalfe
I will serve who you want me to serve,
I will volunteer where you want me to volunteer,
I will work where you want me to work,
I will give what you want me to give,
I will say what you want me to say,
I will help who you want me to help,
I will remember who you want me to remember,
I will date who you want me to date,
I will marry who you want me to marry,
I will befriend who you want me to befriend,
I will lead who you want me to lead,
I will do what you want me to do,
I will encourage who you want me to encourage,
I will pray for who you want me to pray for,
I will move to where you want me to live,
I will forgive who you want me to forgive,
I will trust who you want me to trust,
I will evangelize to who you want me to evangelize to,
I will live the way you want me to live,
I will be faithful to who you want me to be faithful to,
I will accept who you want me to accept,
I will embrace who you want me to embrace,
I will call who you want me to call,
I will hug who you want me to hug,
I will support who you want me to support,
I will protect who you want me to protect,
I will honor who you want me to honor,
I will fight for who you want me to fight for,
I will invite to church who you want me to invite,
I will follow who you want me to follow,
I will love who you want me to love,
And I will be what you want me to be.
I will do it all for my God, my creator, my friend and my savior and with a thankful heart and the Love of you my God and I will remember that because of the power that is within me YOU can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. Eph 3:20
I will, Jesus, I will!
To God be the Glory great things He has done!!!! I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that prayer changes things. You have now idea, Laura, how grateful I am for you. Just a few days, you couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Oh, but their is NOTHING too hard for my Lord. And this is only the beginning, girlfriend. There shall be showers of blessings…
Thank you for sharing your testimony.
Continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. God Bless!
Thank you all for you all for your love and support. I’m actually going to a different church this morning and so amazing things have happened in the past few days. I informed my landlord that I didn’t have the rent. He talked to his wife and they are giving me 1 months grace and then I still have lst months rent prepaid so I have 8 weeks not to have to worry. He told me that in 6 weeks if I haven’t got a job we could talk about it. I had several strong job leads including a possible interview next week. I went to JUST GIVE ME JESUS from Ann Graham Lots (billy Graham’s daughter)here in Toronto. I was a counselor on Friday night. She preaches a salvation message on Friday night. Several hundred gave their lives to Christ, or re-dedicated themselves to Him. I had the privlidge to be the first on they saw, I took down their information and I prayed for them. It was so powerful. Ann said something that really helped me yesterday. She said that by helping and encouraging others it helps us to not only be blessed but we hear the encouragment and believe it within ourselves.
So, I’m going to a new church with a new attitude, I have a place to live, I have some job prospects and I have Jesus! Praise God for His love does endure forever and He doesn’t leave us or fordake us.
In tears I asked the landlord why he was giving me the time he said “Hey we all have to help each other, don’t we?” I think he and his wife are Christians.
I am so blessed, be blessed by this everyone, just turn to Jesus and let it all out, he can release us of the burden IF we are willing to give it up.
I was overwhelmed by your responses, thank you all so much. I love you all very much, blessing to all.
Laura
Thanks Gail, just when I thought the devotionals couldn’t get any better, you do it again. Whant does it mean to trust in the name of our Lord our God? To me it mean, I cast all my cares upon him, and do not fear no matter what; though the earth be removed, and through the mountians be carried into the midst of the sea, in other words even when my problems seem mountian high and so big that the earth can not contain them, and we know that all things work for good to them that love God, and blessed is the man that trust in the Lord. I can remember loss and difficulty I faced and facing {difficulty} that have elevated my trust in God. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble. He have said to let not your heart be troubled; to believe in him. So even when heaven seem silent I have to believe, hope, and trust in him. ~Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone that is struggling in their finances, the one that need healing in their bodies or just need a touch from you. I thank you for your promise to bring us through whatever we are going through. I know your hand of blessing and healing is upon us. We will wait on you Lord: and be of good courage, for you are our help and shield. In Jesus Name, Amen. When God seem the furthest that is when he is closer. Blessing to all.
Thank you for this devotional. As I read the prayer out loud today, I realize that I have not been trusting God enough and that HE indeed is all I need – Jehovah Raffa my healer. I am in the middle of getting tested for MS and I’m struggling with my faith for walking in divine health – the main thing I think about is what I’ve done so that God has lifted his protection? I’ve started medication for tremors, which are surprisingly stopping. I’m praying for lessened side effects. Sometimes healing comes through medication, I guess.
i really wish i knew what to say to each of you to ease your burdens,,,i will lift you in prayer,,i can suggest you claim a scripture(verse) and if it comforts you, then hide it in your heart.I was comforted by Isa.40:31, and that is my comfort,,,whenever i’m overwhelmed,or just “down”,to think about having wings like eagles,,oh,what joy!!!To each of ,just hang on,don’t give up.There’s a song that says,”He never promised that the road would be easy,and I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.” To Laura,read Psalm 20(as Gail mentioned),and also Psalm 37.Psalm 147:3 is also a comfort.God Bless all of you.Dee
Thank you Natacha. I will keep you in my prayers. Just like you it’s because of God and my family that I am still here today. Those are my reasons for getting out of bed to face each day. God and family. It’s amazing that I haven’t run out of tears. But as weary as I feel, I still am grateful to God for the little things. I’m alive and healthy and standing on my own two feet. I have not given up. Though I cry everyday, I still have hope. I have faith too. Though not as much faith as before. I didn’t even realise how much my faith was slipping with each unanswered prayer and trial and tribulation after trial and tribulation. It’s just been ongoing I tell ya. Please pray that I gain more faith. Please just keep me in your prayers as I shall certainly keep you in mine. Thanks again.
I wrote a reply this morning, and i set it so that i get emails when a new reply comes in. I have to say, that reading all the subsequent replies was like having a new worship all throughout the day. I’m so glad i signed up for this. It really keeps my mind stayed on Him. I want to lift up Nadia right now. Nadia, as I was reading your reply, I wanted to cry, because EVERY SINGLE WORD felt as if I had written those words. usually when I read a testimony/prayer request that seems similar to my own, there is always something that makes it different. however, for the first time…every thing you wrote is how I feel. As for me, the only reason I don’t cry every night is because i am tired of crying, and i don’t have my own privacy to do so anyway. Therefore, when i do weep, i have to weep in silence. Just like you, the emotional stresses of my trials have gotten so overbearing that is has taken a toll on me physically. My body aches constantly, and i feel my immune system going down, down, down. I hate to say that I’m depressed, but I can’t say that I’m happy. Only God can do something for me. Everytime something would go right, not even a week later, something else goes wrong. And as for me, it’s very discouraging because i’m still in my twenties, and I am trying to make something of myself. I reside in Miami, Fl, and i am on my own. The only reason why i’m here is because i’m pursuing a Masters, and i’m planning on going to medical school (truthfully, that is all i have to live for now-God, family, and MED SCHOOL). Anyway, it’s been more than hard for me financially, and my living situation has left something to be desired. I’m getting persecuted left and right. I ‘m just waiting for a breakthrough. just a couple of weeks ago, i decided not to complain about my situation (why i’m here in Miami), because God put me here, therefore, it’s a slap in His face everytime I do complain. I know everything He does He does it well. It’s hard for me to give you advice on cheering up when sometimes it’s hard for me to do the same. I have to practice what i preach. However, I am very grateful for this message system. It really really helps, interacting with real ppl and their issues, and lifting each other up in God’s name, and praying for each other. This is great. I will keep you, Nadia, in my prayers as well. Please,Nadia and anyone else reading this, keep me in yours. It’s hard to be in the world and not part of the world, and i’m trying to do all i can to lead the straight and narrow, but when things always seem to go so wrong, what’s my motivation? Lord help me. I know He has a plan for me. He has to.
I wrote a reply this morning, and i set it so that i get emails when a new reply comes in. I have to say, that reading all the subsequent replies was like having a new worship all throughout the day. I’m so glad i signed up for this. It really keeps my mind stayed on him. I want to lift up Nadia right now. Nadia, as I was reading your reply, I wanted to cry, because EVERY SINGLE WORD
I am so tired. I can’t even think of the right thing to do. God has given me strength before and can again. My beautiful daughter is in the hospital again. This is the 3rd time for depression(she is 20). It has been a nightmare. I wish I could help, but I don’t know how too. I’ve done all I can. Please pray for Meagan.
God initiates everything . Be humble before the mighty hand of God . Indeed , I always fail in so many ways but His love never faileth . I really have to go to back to Him in repentance and start the day anew . Renew my mind and heart with His word and constantly thirst for His presence moment by moment . God help me to fix my eyes upon thee .
When the going gets tough He is just a breathe away . He will ALWAYS there for you!!!
I just want to say that God must have led me to this site today because I have been experiencing trial after trial after trial and it just never seems to end. Last night emotionally and physically depleted I literally lay down on the floor of my room and wept while calling out to the Lord. I have been praying and praying for so long for a break. As much as I believe that God hears me and loves me, it’s hard to feel that and trust it now. Things have just been so, so hard for so, so long. Last night I prayed for strength. Both emotional and physical strength and for patience and faith to keep waiting on the Lord to answer my prayer. Please pray for me and my family. I can’t remember a day that has gone by that I have not cried. Even now as I type this, the tears are falling. Please just pray for me. I’m at work now and gotta try and pull myself together. Thank you.
Thank You for that devotional, it reminds us that we can trust God and to pray without ceasing, confessing aloud the word of God. Trust in the Lord God with all your heart in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Laura, may God bless you!! I know how it feels to have everything taken away from you. I am 18 years old, and actually 5 months ago today, my boyfriend of 2 years was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. It has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. At first I was really angry and questioned God constantly. I did not understand why something like this would happen, and still to this day I do not understand. But I have put my faith and trust in the Lord, and know that he will help me through this. I hate that it has taken something like this to make my faith and trust in the Lord grow stronger. But now I know that with God, we can conquer anything! You will be in my prayers!
I praise God for Gail Rodgers and her daily devotionals, they are always a blessing. Laura, Connie and Natacha, I am lifting you up in prayer.
He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Isaiah 40:29
Laura,
I know where you and have almost been there. After my second divorce, I lost my job just weeks after the initial seperation. I didn’t know what I was going to do but God saw me through it. I try really hard to have faith and pray everyday. I wish you the best and always remember God won’t anymore on you than what you can handle. I honestly believe that too. May God bless you!!
Laura, God is faithful as we write to interact through this media, pouring out our problems and appreciating all God has done in our lives. Jesus said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30.
Pray and the Lord shall make you whole again, just surrender all to God.
Lord I thank you and appreciate your name for you are forever.
dear Laura
whatever you are , I am other person, I am single and living on my own , not knowing where I am today. I became a homemaker, and as i am speaking. trust in the lord in his own ways .
I belive things will be a better world out there. Im sure things will be better.
comment u more .. later ..
Mercy mercy mercy!!!
Laura, you have no idea how much I feel for you. I don’t know you personally, but I lifted you up in prayer because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I am at a tender age of 22, yet I believe that I’ve gone through alot…and I’m still going through a lot. Most of it has to do with finances, and the lack thereof, whilst trying to get an education. Life is not easy. I used to think that it was punishment; although i messed up a few times, I can honestly say that I have tried my best to do the will of God (most of the time). So I didn’t understand why I was getting punished, or tried. I told God, “I’m not Job.” It was trial, after trial, with hardly any room to recover from the previous trial. My soul was weary, and I was tired of crying out to God to do something for my situation. In short, I got depressed, and I inadvertantly let demons control my thoughts. OH BUT THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD SAVED ME. Just like Danielle said, we don’t know why God allows the things He allows. We may never know in this lifetime. But, no matter what, since we can’t see the big picture, we MUST trust Him to know what He’s doing. I commend your faith. I promise you, God is going to bring you through it. Mat. 6:25-28 speaks of not worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Continue to trust God, and “He will withhold nothing that is good from you.” And remember that “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Who are the called according to His purpose,”Rom. 8:28.
God Bless You today, Danielle, and anyone else reading this.
While my children were in their teens I claimed Jerimiah 29:11 and placed a stained-glassed banner in my window so I could see it everyday and be reminded every time they made bad choices that I was trusting God to fulfill His purpose for their lives.
If I had not put my faith and trust in the Lord while my three strong-willed teenagers were growing up or when my 18 year old was burned over 43% of his body and lost his leg in a military accident or as I watched this same son spiral downward into his own self-made hell because of his bitterness and anger toward God for what happened to him and go to prison or the fact that my husband and I, in our retirement years, have been raising two boys(12 & 15) for the last four years because this son is now in prison, I would not have seen the hand of God working in their lives
During this time I have had a daughter marry the man of her choice and raise 3 grandchildren in poverty. It was difficult to see my youngest son enter the military after his older brother’s military accident. He has served in Bosnia and Iraq.
These are just the highlights of our lives but God has been faithful. Although our daughter continues to live in poverty she has come to the Lord and is trusting him with her family and the future. Our oldest son came to a saving faith in prison and is preparing himself for ministry upon release. Our youngest son came back from Iraq and his wife had left him, but God is faithful as he works in this young man’s life. God is faithful as he works out his purpose in their lives. That stained-glass banner still hangs in our home today.
Laura, God Bless You, you could not be more on target! I also am going through a lot of the things that you describe, and yes, every time we start to lean too heavily on people, Christians, or non-Christians, they will let us down. I think it is worse with Christians because our expectations are higher. Although, Christians were not promised perfection but by God’s grace we work to mature more and more at having the mind and heart of Jesus. It’s good to come to the realization that Christ is always with us and He will speak to us through the Holy Spirit if we keep our ears tuned to Him and not those around us. I have came to realize that He will allow these things happen to us because if everything and everyone is taken away, we are not distracted and we will go to Him to meet our needs. That’s the only way we learn to trust in Him and to grow our faith.
Laura, I believe that if God brings us to it he will bring us through it. I am not currently going through huge trials in my life, but my childhood was more than enough to make up for it. I believe that God tests us so that we can go through the refiners fire and become new again. If it weren’t for the awful things in my childhood, then I wouldn’t have the wonderful things that I have today. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.
I just wanted to mention that when I read the devotion aloud I started thinking of examples in my life where these things occured and it seemed like there was a lot more power in the words when read aloud. I really felt as though I was just reading words the first time and that I was praising God reading it aloud. What did you all think?
I guess I’ve been trusting in people not Jesus!
I have wrongly trusted in the people at my church to be my friend as I go through all that is happening. Loosing my 2 children in a bitter divorce and being falsely accused, loosing my father to illness last year, loosing my job in July, loosing my friends loosing my home, and now facing possibly being made homeless and also loosing my friends at church as well. I have lost everything and everyone in my life and I finally figured out that I cannot loose Jesus. No matter what happens and no matter who at church is cursing me I cannot loose Jesus as well. In my overwhelming grief and loss I turn to Jesus. I don’t know where I will be living in a month but I will trust in Jesus to keep me safe.
Thank you ffor the daily encouraggement. Walking with God is the only way to live and find peace as we enter ou autumn years. Still we pray to see our family come to know the Lord, and must be a example