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.

No Greater Joy, Nor Any Deeper 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 truly trust in You.

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

Remind me that I get to decide the level of joy and peace that I want to experience—that it is in proportion to how much I choose to believe Your Word—and help me to trust You more.

Thank You that, when my faith is strong and my joy and peace are steady and unchanging, I can overcome every discouragement and disappointment that I face—with the confident hope that You are always in control and working for my good.

Thank You that because I trust You, I can lie down and sleep in peace—knowing that You alone, O LORD, will keep me safe in every way.

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

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Running To Finish Strong

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

—Hebrews12:1 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to finish strong the race that You set before me.

As I run this race, help me to draw encouragement from the faith demonstrated by those who have already run their race, having endured much more than I have ever been asked to endure—those who finished strong with You, who now stand on the sidelines cheering me on.

Help me to take comfort in knowing that I do not struggle alone in this race, but help me to choose carefully my best friends—making sure that those who are running along-side of me are also committed to their race—so we can strengthen each other along the way.

Help me to leave behind those things that would interfere with me giving my best to the cause of Christ—things that, while they may not actually be sinful, keep me from moving swiftly forward with You.

But especially, help me turn my back to sin—which trips me up and causes me to fall.

Help me to stay in it for the long haul, enduring whatever hardships come, out of my love for You, for the peace and joy of serving, and for the rewards of finishing strong.

Help me to finish strong the race that You set before me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.