Great Joy, Deep Peace

You have given me greater joy
    than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

—Psalm 4:7-8 (NLT)

Gracious LORD,

Thank You that there is no greater joy—nor any deeper peace—than that which is given by Your hand to those who fully trust in You.

When I see others reaping a harvest of momentary happiness from an abundance of material gains, help me remember that only You can give the lasting rewards of joy and peace—rewards which are far beyond anything this world has to offer.

Comfort me with the assurance that I can overcome every discouragement and disappointment that I face—when my faith is strong, steady and unchanging—knowing that You love me, that You are always in control, and that You are working in every situation for my good.

Help me to learn to trust You more each day, so I can lie down and sleep in perfect peace, knowing that You alone, O LORD, are able and will keep me safe in every way—mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Thank You that there is no greater joy—nor any deeper peace—than that which is given by Your hand to those who fully trust in You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Like A Tree Planted

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

—Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to delight in being faithfully obedient to Your law.  Let it become my habit to meditate on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings both day and night.

Keep me from being a person who takes the advice of the ungodly to heart—or who follows after their example of bad behavior—only to find I have been led away from the Truth that can only be found in Your Word.

Keep me from being a person who stands around doing nothing, in the midst of an evil people who continue in pursuing their sinful ways, when I should be declaring the Truth of Your Word—having been motivated to such boldness by my great love for others.

Keep me from being a person who sits down, joining company with those who would dare to ridicule You and defiantly reject You—mocking the blessings that are made available to all of us, when we embrace the Truth of Your Word.

Let me be a person who has cultivated a desire to hold Your Word in his heart—whose best joy comes from considering, studying and meditating on the Truth of Your Word, at all times.

Let me be a person who is like a tree that was planted by the streams of water—nourished, strong and steadfast—producing the kind of fruit that brings blessing to all those around me, as I allow the Truth of Your Word to guide my life and bring glory to Your Name.

Help me to delight in being faithfully obedient to Your law.  Let it become my habit to meditate on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings both day and night.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My Source Of Hope Forever

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

—Romans 15:13 (NLT)

Dear God,

Let my hope always be found in You—as You fill me completely with the joy and peace that comes when I put my trust in You alone.  By the power of Your Holy Spirit, cause that confident hope to overflow from deep within me, to Your glory, honor and praise.

Forever remain the very source of hope within me.  Let my continuing experience of Your goodness, kindness, and faithfulness to me, give me cause to trust in You more and more—with every moment that passes.

And as I trust You more and more, giving every hurt and worry to You, fill me completely with Your joy and peace—so I am no longer disheartened or dismayed, no matter what circumstances I may face.

By the Power of Your Holy Spirit at work within me, cause that confident hope that is mine, to overflow out of me to all those around me—as a testimony to Your great mercy, grace and love for us all.

Let my hope always be found in You—as You fill me completely with the joy and peace that comes when I put my trust in You alone.  By the power of Your Holy Spirit, cause that confident hope to overflow from deep within me, to Your glory, honor and praise.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.