Friends
Where are you today? Are you trudging up a long steep hill or skipping along down a lush green path? Wherever you find yourself today, be assured that you do not walk alone. His Grace goes with you.
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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – ESV
In this life, discouragement is easy to find, while encouragement requires effort. Hard things happen and our hearts sink. Difficulties arise and we are downtrodden. Apart from God, this life is an endless battle to beat the odds. With God, life is still hard.
But here’s the difference. The Grace of God goes with us wherever we must go. And, that Grace is sufficient.
You and I travel a long hard road filled with tricky twists and turns, laden with steep hills and deep valleys. We see the bend in the road ahead and ask “What if?”
The uncertainty frightens us. We ponder the perils and doubt our strength. “Do we have what it takes to traverse that rocky path ahead?”
We gaze down that bumpy road before us and forget a powerful truth. We are not traveling this road alone. Our burdens may be weighing us down, but the One who walks beside us stands ready to carry our load.
We wonder about the steep hills ahead, fear the shadows in the valley below, yet, our Companion knows the way forward. He is certain in His steps, confident in His mastery over the obstacle course ahead. Though we feel lost and dismayed, He has it all under control.
When we see the rough places that loom before us, we are discouraged, downtrodden, even desperate. We see only a hard road, and we doubt our stamina.
What we fail to notice is that while the road ahead may be filled with scary switchbacks and steep climbs, it is also covered by Grace. God’s gift of Grace always travels with us.
Better still, Jesus is our constant Companion. He walks with us down that road, bearing our burdens, lightening our load as we place our trust in Him. He will be by our side, always and forever. Nothing can separate us from His love.
We can stumble. We can falter, but the Hand of Grace never fails. It reaches out to us, steadies us for the climb, comforts us when we are weary.
God knows the road ahead, every pitfall, every peril. He is not surprised or agonized. Instead, He prepares a way for us. Our God will light our path. He will bring forth blessings and grant us His peace. We can stand on His promises and trust in His good plan. We can claim our hope in Jesus Christ. We can choose to be encouraged. For He has, and He will, make the rough places smooth (Isaiah 42:16).
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 – ESV
PRAYER
O Lord Jesus, guide our steps. Strengthen us for the journey ahead. Go before us, and behind us, and upon each shoulder. Go above and below us and wrap us in a hedge of Protection. Shower us with mercy and grant us Your Perfect Peace. Let our eyes be fixed on You as we step out in faith.
In the Merciful Name of Jesus, we give our thanks and humbly pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 2/7/2022