Names of God: Through Thanksgiving & ChristmasSample

David describes the Lord as His Shepherd: a kind, loving, and caring protector.  The Lord seeks to provide all of the needs of His sheep.  He is the source of all of our needs. He provides our rest, our guidance, our encouragement, our protection, our source of nourishment.  He is a constant source of provision and help.  

God remains active in a believer’s life. Perhaps we haven’t thought about what is going on above us? Is God oblivious to our trials and struggles on this earth? No. He provides forgiveness, restoration, great power, and love.  Is Jesus sitting next to God passively waiting until it is time for His return at the Second Coming? Absolutely not. The Lord is our advocate when we stumble and sin. He declares to God each and every time we stumble that we are righteous because of His sacrifice and our faith in Him. He intercedes for us. He makes requests to God on our behalf.  Jesus speaks to God about us, bringing our prayers to Him. He is busy preparing a place for us in heaven. As if that weren’t enough, He is actively working within us, each day, in the person of the Holy Spirit, to mold our character, teach and counsel us, and strengthen our love and commitment to Him. 

Will you choose to seek the Lord no matter what? Will you trust that He can meet all of your needs? Can you set your mind above the daily struggles of fear, loneliness, doubt, and worry in this world knowing that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are constantly actively working within you to show you the depths of their love? You can rise above it all when your focus is on the things above. 

Father God, You are the Living God who remains powerful and active in my life. You never sleep nor slumber… never failing to provide me constant protection and care. Forgive me, Lord, for those times when I still envision You as helpless on the Cross when in actuality, You are living, powerful, and active in my life from Heaven. Remind me to look upwards to the heavens for all of my needs when I struggle, when I’m weak, and when I’m scared.  I thank You, Lord, that You have set Your mind on the things of this earth so that I don’t have to. In Jesus’ name. Amen.