In the Palm of God’s Hand

S.  "Sing for joy, O heavens!  Rejoice, O earth!  Burst into song, O mountains!  For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet Jerusalem says, "The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us."   "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.  Isaiah 49:13-16 (NLT)

O. God's love and faithfulness never cease to amaze me. There are so many times in my life that I have felt forgotten and dismissed by people on the earth, but God's love is always there. I don't have to worry about His presence or power in my life, because he has promised those to me. Years ago, when I traveled with the Continental Singers, I would meet with pastor's of local churches and talk about their ministry and about our ministry as a group. I would always want to remember the name of each pastor (and I am not good at remembering names)…so I would write their names on the palm of my hand. It was a quick reference to their name…I would not forget it that day. I love the image of God's palm containing my name…that he cares enough to make sure that He will remember me and show his faithfulness to me.

A. Well, for me today, knowing that God has my name in a place where He will not forget me…knowing that He is still faithful and loving to me…knowing that He will never let go of me is enough. Today, I will rest in these incredible promises!

P. Lord Jesus, Thanks for loving me in spite of my sin. Thanks for giving your life for me. I love you!

God’s Faithful Plan

S. "O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things!  You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them." (Isaiah 25: 1, NLT)

O. One of the enduring qualities of our God is His faithfulness to work in our lives. And God's work in us is not just something that he does at the spur of the moment. God has an eternal plan for each of us…a specific, purposeful and meaningful plan for us. The problem with God's plan most of the time is the fact that we don't allow His plan to guide our steps. We want to do what we think is best for us and so we plow through life one day at a time. I believe that the person who can surrender their plan and will to God's plan for life will always be blessed and rewarded for their surrender. That does not mean that things will always be okay…take the life of Joseph as an example. Joseph was an obedient servant of God, but still faced some very difficult situations. But when we place our lives in the hands of God we can trust in his faithfulness…Thus prophet can say…"I will honor you and praise your name"!

A. Today is a day to allow God to lead me. I have all kinds of plans, but I must allow God's plan to move my steps.

P. God, I surrender my life to your plan. I don't want to be disobedient as I walk in this life…I want to honor your with all my heart and the fruit of all my labor. I give you my life today. Amen.

More About Surrender

S. 3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 3-7, NIV

O. This is a rather lengthy passage that I have chosen today, but I was really struck by God's provision of prosperity and peace. These verses are often only read and studied during the Christmas season, but they are full of God's promise and power. I love the promises of restoration, protection and peace. "You have shattered the yoke that burden"...what a promise…that God will break everything that oppresses us and give us victory and power over these things. He also promises an increase of God's presence and protection in his presence. Peace, justice, righteousness…forever are all characteristics of God's kingdom and his internal and eternal dwelling with us. It this is true, why are so many Christians caught in oppression and living a life free from peace and God's protection. I believe it stems from the very core of who we are and the depth of our relationship with God. The problem with all these who were oppressed in the Old Testament was that they had turned the back on God…they had begun to worship idols and had turned they back on God. So the simple answer as to why we are not experiencing all that we should in our Christian life is our lack of intimate relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ. When we make a conscience effort to pursue this relationship and allow it to drive all we do and say and think as a person, then and only then will be the recipients of God's restoration, protection and peace. As I have been coming back to over and over as a primary response to the scriptures…it is a matter of my individual surrender to Jesus Christ. I have to die to self and become alive in Jesus Christ!

A. I must obviously need to learn and relearn the lesson of surrender in my life. It seems to be a constant post of learning for me from the scriptures each week. So what am I doing about it? I must say that I have a hard time with surrender…because it means that I don't have all the control and I like to be in control. I need to learn to live more by faith and not by sight. I need to step out of my comfort zones and make a conscience choice to follow wholeheartedly the path that God has laid before me. I must decrease…Christ must increase.

P. Lord, I what some desperately to follow your plan for my life…I want to much to surrender my whole life to you today and everyday. Help me to die to self and life in Christ! Today and everyday!