Gracious strength

Isaiah‬ ‭33‬:‭2

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭33‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you sometimes have difficulty waking up in the morning to face the day? Perhaps you have changes to deal with at work or there is a person you must face with whom you have an unresolved conflict? Maybe you have been struggling with depression and your mind tends to wander while you are still in bed? Instead of counting your blessings, you are counting your curses? Whatever challenges you are facing, start your day with the Lord who is gracious and kind. God understands you and your circumstances better than anyone. This is why He can be so gracious and compassionate with you. In Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah calls out to God to be our arm every morning and our salvation in the time of trouble. He’s coming from a place of weakness, where he’s surrounded by trouble and need around him and he looks up to the Lord in the morning and says, Be my arm. I think about my life today, I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but I feel weak at so many levels. I need strength in so many different ways. Physically weak, I feel in a sense, emotionally weak some days, maybe many days. Relationally weak, just the relational challenges whether it’s work or family or this or that. I think about even spiritual weakness. I think about my temptations to sin. And I just see my weakness on so many levels and yet, I have the opportunity to wake up in the morning from sleep to look up to the Lord on high, the God of the universe and pray, Be my arm. Every morning, be my strength. Every morning, surrounded by all kinds of things in the world, I need You to be my strength, and God hears that prayer. He is gracious to us, He will be strength for us. Salvation specifically in the time of trouble, He will help us in every way we need. What exactly does it mean to be our arm every morning? Some versions of the Bible replace arm with strength. I think that puts it in perspective each morning, we’d be wise to call on God as our strength. Start the day in prayer, spend time in the morning in the Bible; commit each day to the Lord. Rather than rushing out the door in the morning, when you make time for prayer and devotions, it can make a huge difference in your day!!!

Father thank You for this day and the breath of life found in Your Word. Lord let Your abundant blessings flow over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that we can start every morning afresh knowing that You are gracious and strong to deliver us from trouble whether it is the result of our own decisions or the decisions of others. Lord there is nothing too hard for You. Lord help us not to underestimate Your power to change us or our situations. Lord use my friend to be the blessing that someone needs today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!