Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Steadfastness in the Word of the Lord

Psalm 119:100-112
 
V. 109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
 

As we are in the advent season of 2020, now more than ever, I am in eager anticipation of Christ’s coming, the true reason for our hope and joy. At the same time, in all honesty, it seems a bit difficult this year out of all the other years with everything we have had to endure from inexplicable agony to the inability to exercise control in a lot of situations. When everything was crumbling around me and even in me, and my faith in God yet again began to dwindle, God showed up in the most unexpected ways time and time again. Even though I felt immense shame and guilt for the umpteenth time questioning God and walking away from Him, I was humbled and in awe when I was able to experience for myself God’s steadfast nature. In His mercy, He allowed me to see I am truly worthy of being reminded of His unfailing and unconditional love, beckoning me back into His loving embrace.
This year, I was challenged to really dwell on God’s words and draw strength from God and His words alone. It hasn’t been easy but it has been and still continues to be a fruitful experience. The author of Psalm 119 is constantly seen to be steadfast meditating upon God’s word and abiding by the precepts God has set. He is able to draw joy and strength from it, even when he seems to be in danger and going through life’s trials. Though the Psalmist is unaware of his journey, He trusts his constant source of light, God and His words to lead him step by step through the darkness.
Psalm 119 serves as a reminder for us to not trust our limited, flawed knowledge to overcome situations but to trust in God who is actually capable of doing that for us. As we are all looking to put this year behind us and enter the next with renewed hope of not just good but great things to come, how eagerly are we expecting Christ and leaning on Him for His providence, His strength, His words to keep us rooted in faith? It is truly comforting to know and understand Christ is unwavering when it comes to standing in the gap for us and fighting for us and guiding us. The challenge for us is: are we able to be exemplify steadfastness when it comes to trusting God with our hardships?

PRAYER
Father, thank you for being the only constant in our lives. Please teach us to be steadfast when it comes to trusting you with every fiber of our being despite our hurdles and pain.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  -Isaiah 55:10-11

Saly Thomas, Bethany MTC

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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