Dwell with God through Difficulty

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” - Psalm 25:4-5

David wrote this Psalm from a place of distress and affliction (v16-18). Not only does he cry out for forgiveness, but he pleads for wisdom in the way forward. As the words "way" and "path" are repeated several times throughout this Psalm, David acknowledges that God's ways are not discovered by his own merit but require a humble and trusting posture. In the midst of trial and adversity, God is our refuge. He is our salvation. He poured out his love for us in Christ Jesus who suffered the absence of the Father on the cross that we might be reconciled to him. Through faith in Christ, God gives us his Holy Spirit who guides us into his truth and leads us on the path of greater joy and delight in him. We all hunger for truth, for the best way forward in any given situation. God's Word calls us in the wilderness seasons or situations to wait on him, to listen and trust him, and humbly walk forward in surrender to his leading. He is the God of our salvation. His love for us in Jesus can never be taken away.

Questions: 

1. When do you find it most difficult to trust God?

2. What does the gospel teach us about God's faithfulness and nearness in our time of need?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for being the God of my salvation. Thank you for dying on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins so that I can be brought near to the Father and filled with your Holy Spirit. Your Word is truth. Help me trust you in this chaotic and unknown season. "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; and teach me your paths." Remind me of your grace. Humble me as I wait on you..

By Sean Lyons

Dwell with God through Fasting

“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." - Matthew 9:14-17

Fasting is a common practice throughout Scripture used to grow a heart-longing for God. Here, Jesus explains the fasting seen in the Old Testament was a longing for the Messiah to come, and since Jesus is present, His disciples do not fast. However, Jesus anticipates His followers to fast when He leaves them, after His Ascension and until His return. With the foretaste of God's glory and goodness shown through Jesus, we have a new perspective on fasting, one that is rooted in God's power, love, and faithfulness that we have already seen, which makes us hunger after Him even more.

Questions: 

1. What characteristic of God have we seen or experienced that we desire more of?

2. What can we fast from that will increase our longing for more God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are more than enough for me. You have graciously revealed your love and glory to me. Show me ways to increase my hunger for you and decrease my longing for things of this world. Grow my heart to earnestly seek for you to come again.

By David Nauta

Dwell with God through His Presence

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:11

I often find myself thinking, I can’t wait for this vacation or this event to happen. Maybe for some of us, it’s the idea of finding a spouse or getting a pay raise. These are all good things and in many ways are examples of God’s goodness towards his people. The tricky part is after we experience the event, achieve the monumental life moment or finally get that promotion we are still longing for something more. We seem to have an insatiable appetite for more. The Psalmist tells us to look for joy in a unique place that will endure through every season and never run dry. This joy is found in the very presence of God he says. Jesus came to break the curse of sin and restore our relationship with and access to the Father. If you are struggling to experience joy today, I’d like to lovingly point you to Jesus (John 10:10). In his presence alone will you find joy that will overflow and never end. Take time today to sit with him, learn from his word and share your heart with him. He won’t let you down.

Questions: 

1. In what ways do you see yourself looking for joy in temporal things?

2. How can you cultivate uninterrupted time to sit in the presence of God today?

Prayer:

God, we acknowledge that we so easily look to temporary things to bring joy and satisfaction. We proclaim that eternal joy and pleasure is found in you alone. Thank you that through Jesus we have direct access to this joy! Help me to cultivate time each day to sit in your presence and hear you speak through your word.

By Caleb Price