Does this sound familiar:

“God can’t love me. I’ve done some really bad things.”
“Life is too hard. I am sure I will fail.”
“I don’t deserve his love.”
“How can God forgive me? He knows everything I’ve done.”

As a parent, I have experienced some trying times when it comes to my son. Temper tantrums. Fits of rebellion. Painful words.

Each time my son rebels or disobeys, my love for him does not change. He cannot sway my unconditional love for him. At times, he may provoke some emotions like anger or frustration. But never does he provoke me to hate or to wrath. I love him no matter what he does. My mercy towards him endures.

Now if I can do that as an earthly father, how much more can God do that as a heavenly Father?

When you get a chance this week, read Psalms 136. It’s only 26 verses, and it’ll only take you a few minutes to read. But, you will find something quite interesting about that chapter. Twenty-six times (one of each verse), the following words are repeated:

“For His mercy endures forever.”

You might say, “But God can’t love me. I’ve done some really bad things.” God says, “My mercy endures beyond the bad things you’ve done.”

You might say, “Life is too hard. I am sure I will fail.” But God says, “My mercy endures beyond your future failures.”

You might say, “I don’t deserve his love.” But God says, “My mercy endures beyond your ability to deserve my love.”

You might say, “How can God forgive me? He knows everything I’ve done.” God says, “My mercy endures beyond all that you’ve done. I can forgive you.”

Is there hope for you? God thinks so (Jeremiah 29:11). He has good plans and a good future for you. That’s why his mercy endures forever. In Christ, you are forgiven. You are made clean. You are in right standing with God.

His mercy endures beyond your abilities, your failures, your efforts, your sins, your past, your future. His mercy endures forever.

Prayer: Lord, I know I have messed up things pretty badly. But, your mercy endures forever. Let your mercy wash over me and cleanse me. I put my hope in you.

Change can be uncomfortable. In March of 1999; I went through a season of change in my life–a change that many people are experiencing today in this economy. After ten years of service with this company, I was laid off without warning.

I remember that morning so clearly. It started off just like any other Monday morning, but I had no idea what was coming. At 10:00 am, my boss walked up to me and said, “Russ, we have to let you go. You need to be out of here by 5:00 pm.” What started out as a typical Monday morning quickly became a life-changing experience in just a matter of hours.

At first, I was kind of numb. Ten years at one job was a long time. Yet, as my boss walked out of my office that day, I began to weep–not at the job loss; not at an uncertain future; not even at the abrupt ending of my income. No. When I wept, I was weeping over God’s goodness. I had no idea what the next day held, but I knew God was good, and he could be trusted. My life, my future, my family was really in his hands. I was already in God’s hands before that Monday morning, but now the revelation of that truth had come to life.

Months passed with no promising offers. An interview here; an interview there. Nothing came my way. I was riding the roller coaster of emotions. Yet, I knew deep down that God would not fail me. I could trust him.

One morning, I got a call from a local company. We talked for a bit, and then I went in that very day for an interview. By the end of the interview, they had verbally offered me the job. In a matter of hours–just like that day in March–my life had changed.

When I look back over the past four months of unemployment, it was a good time–times of rest; times of seeking God; times of divine provision; times of prayer. And yes, even times of questioning God. I figured if David and Jesus could ask “why” (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), then surely it’s okay for me to ask “why”. Yet even in my questions, God proved himself faithful.

I could have battled all the “what if’s” and spent endless hours worrying and stressing over my situation, but I chose not to. I knew God could be trusted. I knew he would provide for us. So, I decided to rest, and let God bring about the right job at the right time.

I want to encourage everyone reading this that God can be trusted. No matter if it’s unemployment, fears, family problems, marital issues, personal struggles or just questioning your faith, God is there for you. Through his Son, Jesus, God is ready to help you through any problem, any situation and any circumstance.

Jesus said, “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Prayer: компютриFather, I want to trust you more. I want to understand your heart, your will, your desires for me. I want to live in your faithfulness, because you are completely and totally faithful. Today, I choose to trust you. I choose to not listen to me circumstances. I will rest in you.

It was dinosaur day at the local mall. The giant robots were so realistic. The mammoth models would move and growl like real dinosaurs. It was an exciting time for the kids.

When Caleb was 3 years old, he was fascinated with dinosaurs We figured he would love to see the exhibit. As we walked into the mall, his eyes lit up when he saw the figures from afar.

As we came closer to the largest one, the T Rex, the growl grew louder and the eyes more fierce. Caleb was filled with excitement…and fear. His voice quivered when he pointed to the giant that hovered over us.

I tried reassuring him that it was only a model and that dinosaurs don’t live anymore, but he was still consumed with the lifelike figures.

“Caleb? Hold my hand and I will help you. There’s no need to be afraid.” As we walked through the mall, his hand gripping mine, he began to enjoy the displays.

“Daddy! Daddy! Look at that one!” he shouted with excitement. “Over there! Look over there!” From fear to excitement, Caleb enjoyed the exhibit. Most of the time, he held firmly to my hand. Other times he gripped tightly around my neck.

He felt secure. He felt safe. His fear turned to joy when he walked with his father.

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

From a dinosaur model to the realities of life, fear takes on many forms. Although the reasons for the fear, in many cases, may only be perceived, our response is very real.

Let me encourage you to take hold of your Father’s hand. Heed his words, “Do not fear.” When you take your Father’s hand and start walking, what once seemed fearful will become exciting. You can walk past the “dinosaurs” of life with a new confidence, a new peace, a new perspective, holding your Father’s hand.

Prayer: Father, take my hand in yours and lead me through the crises of life, turning my doubt into excitement, my fear into anticipation. Help me to trust you, hold on to you, in every situation.

King Nebuchadnezzar built a large statue. It was ninety feet tall, nine feet wide and made of purest gold. The king then made the following decree: “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace” (Daniel 3:5,6).

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego served God. They would not bow to any image the king had created. The king was furious and demanded that these young boys come before him. As they stood before the king, he told them directly, “When you hear the music, bow down!”

It was the king’s decree. It was the law. If they disobeyed, they were surely going to die. Listen carefully to their response:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17, 18).

Did you hear the faith of these young men? Minutes before their obvious execution, they declare, “…the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand.” They did not bow to the king’s demand. They did not give in to fear. No matter what the consequences, they were going to trust God, even if it meant death.

Many times when fear strikes, we give in to the thoughts and lies that have plagued us for years. The prince of this world plays the music of fear in our minds. When we hear it, we simply bow down to the fear and allow it to control our lives.

I encourage you to declare that you will trust God no matter what the consequences. As God protected those three boys from the fire, so he will protect you. When you trust God with all your heart no matter what could happen, his peace will flood your soul.

Prayer: Father, I call upon you in my weakness and ask you to give me strength and courage–strength to stand against the music of fear, courage not to bow down to the enemy. I declare that I will trust you no matter what the consequences.

When I first became a Christian, the panic attacks continued. I couldn’t understand why. I prayed and begged and cried out to God for freedom. Yet, they continued. I kept asking God to take away the fear–to take away the bondage of panic. But, they continued.

Then one day, I was thinking about the people from the Old Testament and their situations. I learned something quite intriguing. God does not simply take away our problems–he gives us the strength to overcome them. We do not walk away from our problems–we walk through them. Let me explain:

A great flood poured down upon the earth. God did not save Noah from the flood. He saved Noah through the flood. He gave Noah the resources to survive.

Daniel’s friends would not bow down to the king, so they were thrown into the furnace. God did not save them from the fire. He saved them through the fire. In fact, one “like the son of God” walked through the fire with them.

As Moses and the children of Israel were fleeing the Egyptians, they encountered the Red Sea. It seemed as if they were trapped. God did not save them from the sea. He saved them through the sea.

When God steps in and provides a miraculous deliverance, he gets all the glory. No man can take credit for the deliverance. There have been many times that I have prayed for God to free me from panic disorder. Now, I understand that he walks with me through the panic disorder. Peace comes as the flood and fire of fear have no effect on me.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).

When you walk with God, you can walk through any obstacle that comes into your path. Whether it be fear, panic, pain, confusion or danger, God will protect you when you walk side-by-side with him.

Prayer: Father, I know that you have the power to heal, and yet I also understand that sometimes you choose not to heal your children but to give them the sustaining grace to walk through their difficult circumstances. I pray that as I walk beside you, you will protect me from the fire and flood of fear.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Being crucified with Christ is such a hard concept to grasp. Yet, learning to die to ourselves is the key to life in Christ, a life full of peace.

Let me share a story with you about dying to our dreams. God visited Abraham and said to him, “Abraham, you will have a son. Through this son, your seed will be like the stars in the sky” (Genesis 15:5). God promised Abraham that through his son there would be many, many children.

Isaac is born, and God’s promise is fulfilled. Can you imagine the hopes, the expectations, the dreams that Abraham had for his son Isaac? “This is my promised seed from God,” Abraham must have thought proudly. “Through him, thousands upon thousands of people will fill the earth.” A proud father. A confident patriarch.

Then, God commanded something that might seem totally contrary to his character: “Abraham, take your son, your only son, and offer him as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2).

“What? Kill my one and only son? Kill this promise you have fulfilled? Kill my hopes, my expectations, my dreams?” The thoughts must have flooded Abraham’s mind.

Yet, Abraham put aside his human reasoning and obeyed God’s command. After he had laid Isaac on the altar and had raised a knife to kill him, an angel of the Lord stopped him. In the thicket, Abraham saw a ram that God had provided for him to sacrifice instead.

God wants us to die to our own desires, our own dreams. By dying to these desires, we are telling God that we fully trust him–that he knows what’s best for us. God honored Abraham’s obedience. God will honor your obedience. When we give up control of our own lives and are willing to die to ourselves, God will provide what we need. He can be trusted.

Prayer: Father, if there is any area of my life, which I have not released to you, please show me. Reveal any part of my fleshly self that is still alive and needs to die. Help me to surrender my selfish desires to you, nailing them to the Cross. I will trust that you know what is best for me.

God came to Abraham in a vision and told him, “Look toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5).

Years passed, and still there were no children. Abraham was 99 years old. Sarah was 90. Could they still have a child at this age? Sarah laughed at the prospect. The odds were certainly against them.

“What if I don’t have this child God promised? What if I fail God? What if I die and there is no heir? What if . . . ? What if . . . ?” Abraham could have listened to all those doubts and become downcast and distressed.

“Yet [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21).

I want to persuade you that God has the power to do what he has promised you. He may not come to you in a vision or a dream. He may not speak to you in a thundering voice. But, we do have promises through Jesus Christ. Here are some of those promises that you can stand on:

• “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
• Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
• Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
• Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27a).

You can stand on these promises. God is more than able to do what he has promised you through Jesus. I encourage you to rest in these truths.

Prayer: Father, Abraham did not waver through unbelief because of your promises for him. Fear and panic come as a result of wavering in the storms of doubt. Help me to realize and see the promises you have for me. Then, give me the courage and strength to stand on those promises.

My wife just shared this devotional with me. It’s from Joyce Meyer, and wow, is it so true! Be encouraged!

Let God Be God of the Present

Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.

There are many facets of faith. The most brilliant facet, however, is trust!

Trust is something we have, and we decide what to do with it. We decide in whom or in what to put our trust.

We must remember Who delivered us in the past and know Who will deliver us in current troubles, then take our trust and put it in the right place, which is in God alone.

Trust has certain identifying characters. Trust is not upset, because it has entered into God’s rest. Trust is not confused, because it has no need to lean to its own understanding. Trust does not indulge in carnal reasoning, it lets God be God.

In whom have you placed your trust? In what have you placed your trust? Is your trust in your job, employer, bank account, natural talents, or friends?

Perhaps your trust is in yourself, your past record of successes, education, or possessions. All of these things are temporal. They are subject to change. Only the Lord changes not. He alone is the Rock that cannot be moved.

Choose to place your trust in God. It requires a greater faith, but it pays outstanding dividends.

Say This: “I trust in the Lord with all of my heart and mind. I will not rely on my own insight or understanding.”