February 10
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“Why, Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”  (Psalm 10:1, NIV)

There are times in life, as the psalmist in today’s scripture states, when it seems that God has departed on vacation; or is asleep; or is indifferent to our suffering.  But don’t be fooled: God has not forgotten us, nor has He deserted us.

In such times, we need only reflect on our own personal history with our heavenly Father: The times when we thought Him late, but He was already at the point of decision — waiting.  The times when we thought Him absent, but only because He was standing behind us. . . out of view. . . guarding our blind side.  The times when we thought He was indifferent to our suffering, but He sent others to encourage us, to comfort us, to hold us; to hear us; and to wipe our tears.

No one loves us like our heavenly Father.  No one.  – Luther

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February 9
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”  (Proverbs 3:5, NIV)

Today’s scripture addresses the proper ordering of both our hearts and our minds.

Our affections and loyalties are nurtured in our heart.  In the life of the Christian disciple, all affections and loyalties are subordinate to one’s love of the Lord.   What He allows, we may allow.  What He prohibits, we must prohibit.

We have complete confidence in this arrangement because we have complete confidence in our heavenly Father.  Therefore, we need not rely on our own reasoning to make sense of things.

Do not be the disciple who says to God, “Show me and I will go,” when He has said, “Go, and I will show you.”  We need first to be obedient.  Understanding will follow.  – Luther

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February 7
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“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:6, NASB)

If it is true that we make trouble for ourselves because, as J. B. Phillips titled his classic book, “Your God is Too Small” (1953); the same might also be said because we think some matters of our life are too small for our heavenly Father’s attention.

We ought to accept the biblical challenge to acknowledge God in everything — large and small — whether in decisions or in giving thanks.

Through the Holy Spirit — Whom Jesus Himself referred to as the “Helper” — we have a companion who knows well the path; we have an intercessor who knows the mind of God; we have an energizer to sustain us; a teacher to educate us.

However, the Helper helps only by invitation.  If we have not, it is only because we ask not.  – Luther

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