November 19 – Daily 'surpises'

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” Isaiah 43:2

From day to day changes occur in all our lives. We know we cannot get through without God's help to face whatever may come our way. Some days we are full of bounce and joy and feel like shouting "Praise God!" other times we are at rock bottom and pleading with the Lord, Please help me, I need a miracle!" Whatever, changes will come with the pasing of time, we need to have a godly mindset in order to handle them.

Martha Noebel writes: “I was in a chapel service recently, and I kept thinking about all the changes that were going on in my life. Between the daily challenges that my husband and I have in our home with raising two teenagers, the constant transitions with our jobs, and the world around us in general -- they all speak of changes.

As I thought about it, I felt God drop this pearl into my heart. It is the acronym for the word changes:

Christ
Has
A
New
Gift
Each
Second

Wow! We can look at each new day and even each second as an opportunity for God to bless us!”

Looking at it this way, we see that each moment contains a gift from God - if we want to look for it. Maybe it could be a smile from someone at your place of work, or an encouraging word from a friend, even a pat on the back from our bosses. The list is endless.

There are so many gifts and pleasures just waiting for us daily – if we care to look for them. Simple gifts and pleasures, like the last rose of the year, still blooming, defying the first frost. A good school report card from our children. An unexpected financial blessing. A walk in the park, kicking up the fallen leaves, the air crisp and sharp. A child suddenly hugging you and saying, “I love you.” Someone saying, “You put your feet up, I'll make a drink.” But above all, God's Word speaking to our hearts,

Events in our lives may change, but God says in Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I change not." Isn't that comforting? With all the changes, there is one thing that cannot change -- GOD. This includes His great love for us.

He also says in His Word,

"So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence" Hebrews 6:18

God promised never to leave us nor forsake us, no matter what.

"For the Lord will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance" Psalm 94:14

"...for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" Hebrews 13:5

So let the changes come, welcome them, they are for our own eternal good, they help to refine us. Let us not walk in fear, but in faith! Trust God with all the changes, and know that He is more than able to help us and that He has plans to bless us.

Every second, if need be, we can find a blessing. Changes can be our friend. Let's look for God in them.

Acknowledgements Martha Noebel

I have chosen for our music “Through it All” sung by the Gaithers. Click on the picture to listen.