I absolutely love that this Thanksgiving season we are looking to express gratitude to God not just for what he has given us, but for who he is and what he is like. Dear friends, this deeper understanding of God is what will drive our gratitude and lead us to become more thankful in all circumstances and for all things.
I don’t know about you, but every year I look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. But inevitably they leave me feeling stressed, and overwhelmed. The planning, cleaning, cooking, shopping, and decorating can easily rob me of joy and replace it with complaining. Add to that the many family members that descend onto our home (many of whom we only see during this time) and things can get tense. This is the perfect time of year to meditate on the truth that God is our rock–because isn’t that what we really need? A place of refuge during emotional storms and a strong footing when we just want to crumble.
A Place of Refuge
There are many days when I want to run and hide from all the craziness in my life. Do you ever feel that way? But curling up in a fetal position is not the answer. It will neither protect us nor provide us with strength.
he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
Our strength may impress some, but it will never be enough. God’s strength must become our strength. This will only happen when we take refuge in him. But what does this mean? How do we take refuge in God?
The answer is found not in any new way, but in the old ways prescribed to us by God. We must wrap ourselves in his word so that the Holy Spirit can use those words to comfort and heal us. And we must shower our days with prayer . I don’t believe we truly understand the importance of prayer. If Jesus was so clearly dependent on his Heavenly Father in prayer, how much more must we cast ourselves upon his mercy and listening ear! We must take our cue from Jesus. Prayer is vital to our spiritual and emotional health and the means by which God is active in our lives. Without prayer we become isolated and alone in our battles, whatever they may be.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
A Sure footing
Mountains do not move easily, and our God is mightier and stronger than even the biggest mountain. He cannot be moved and if we build our faith on him we are safe. Though satan may try to destroy us, our hearts will try to betray us, and the world will try to lead us away from God, our souls are kept safe atop this strong rock who is our God. So in the midst of uncertainty that we face during this holiday time, you can know that God does not waver, change, or move. He is your steadfast saviour, your calm place though the winds that swirl all around you. We can say with Chrysostom, “I stand upon a Rock, let the sea rage, the Rock cannot be disturbed.”
We will find strength the more confidently we stand upon this rock.
Let the verses for today lift your hearts and voices in praise of our good God, our solid rock.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
Psalm 18:31,32
Looking To Jesus,
Yes. I do stand on a rock and He is my firm foundation. Your final quote “I stand upon a Rock, let the sea rage, the Rock cannot be disturbed” made me thing of this quote that I’ve seen on Pinterest. It is a reminder that even when the world around me is in disarray and I’m feeling lost or torn, I need to turn to Him for peace and strength.
http://pinterest.com/pin/469007748665517106/
Yes. I do stand on a rock and He is my firm foundation. Your final quote “I stand upon a Rock, let the sea rage, the Rock cannot be disturbed” made me think of this quote that I’ve seen on Pinterest. It is a reminder that even when the world around me is in disarray and I’m feeling lost or torn, I need to turn to Him for peace and strength.
http://pinterest.com/pin/469007748665517106/
I love that. I need to bookmark that saying. It captures me so very often.
This is so true Casie. Even when everything around us is seemingly falling apart, we have refuge in Him. 🙂 ~ Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Prayer is the answer. God is the Rock, the solid foundation. I pray for my family to be saved through Jesus Christ our savior. Amen
Amen Jo-Ann <3 . Blessings, ~ Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
how can i not sing this today…”On Christ the solid Rock i stand – all other ground is sinking sand – all other ground is sinking sand”
A great song!
I love that song. 🙂
Prayer is vital to our spiritual and emotional health and the means by which God is active in our lives. – My prayer is that I realize this more and more everyday and do it!
Amen!
I have a question. I encouraged a couple people to sign up for this study. They did so after it started. They have yet to receive the emails or study materials. What do I need to do so they receive the information?
Hello Jennifer! Did they subscribe to this blog by email? They may have to check their Spam, Junk Mail, or ‘Promotions’ tab to find the confirmation email from Feedburner. There is a link they need to click on before their subscription will be activated.
Yes they subscribed by email. I will have them check those folders/tabs. If there isn’t anything there, what would be the next option?
GOD IS MY ROCK – WHEN WIL THE AFRIKAANS VERSION BE AVAILABLE – I WOUD LIKE TO DO THE STUDY ALSO IN AFRIKAANS – I AM AN AFRIKAANS SPEAKING SISTER OF YOURS AND DAUGHTER OF OUR GREAT FATHER – JESUS CHRIST – AMEN AND AMEN
Hello Eldorette! The Afrikaans translations are available through this link: http://lovegodgreatly.com/source-gratitude-translations/.
I needed this reminder today! I know He is my rock. No one or nothing else can hold me. Yes, I do feel as though the storms are raging around me at times. Too often I wait to stand a little firmer and higher on the Rock. Thank you Father for once again putting this before my eyes and most of all my heart.
It was an excellent reminder, I agree!
Love this Jen! So encouraging!
If I walked you through this day, I would have to admit that I have been struggling to remember that I am safe on the Rock. Unexpected emotional stress has left me feeling battered lately, and I wrote about that very thing in my private journal just before opening this devotional. It was as if the words were written to me as a personal reminder from the Lord that I am safe. I am His. I am loved. Thank you for allowing God the opportunity to speak through you.
Kendra,
I always find it so awesome how HE uses avenues that touch us, to speak to us. So thankful you were encouraged by Jen’s post today!
~ Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Today passage and scripture hit home. I needed it today more than any knows. This last week I have had to find the strength to hold my family up as we found out devastating news about my uncle. He is on life support and we are faced with the decision as to where to go from here. I am a nurse and I have given families the talk many times and provided guidance, but this week I had to give that same talk to my family. God gave me the strength to be able to give my family comfort in this difficult time. Today was a much needed reminder that God only gives us what we can handle and provides us with the strength we need. Thank You for this wonderful message today!
Oh Casey, I’m so sorry about your uncle. So thankful that the Lord gave you the strength to encourage and be His light during this difficult situation. Praying for you sweet friend!
Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Today’s reading revealed to me that I need to allow God to lead me to the rock/shelter that he has prepared for me. All to often, I go to a shaky ground/shelter of my own making and it always leads me to sin and more stress. God is my Lord and my Rock. I need to humble myself and allow him to be both in my life. I need to put him first in both positions. Thank you.
Amen, Monica! I think we all have a tendency to turn to ourselves when we’re in trials. But as we practice faithfulness and obedience, we learn that in Him is the only pace we’ll find stable ground. Thank you for stopping by and for sharing your words with us!
~ Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Dear Jen,
Thank you for your time in preparing our devotional.
I am reminded of 2 things:
* My Bible study on the word “humble” took me this morning, to Matt. 23:12 – “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Monica I thought of this when you said that you need to humble yourself and not do things your own way. Thank you for that. I need that reminder every day.
*Then I thought of this good ‘ole Southern Gospel song – “I Go To The Rock”. I found it on Youtube sung by the wonderful Crabb Family. Here is the link if you would want to listen:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KFnTtvmzACU
Debbie, I’ll need to check out that song! Thanks for sharing the link!
~Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Thanks for the reminder that curling up in the fetal position is NOT the answer and that God’s strength becomes our strength!! My sister is going through chemotherapy for cancer and I am having a hard time dealing with her suffering. Lam 3:22-23 have been such an encouragement to me today!! Thank you for this study.
Prayers going up for you and your sister.
If you have the instapray app on your smartphone, you can also post prayers there and pray for people all over the world. That app has really been a blessing for me.
So glad that one thing in my life is stable, a Refuge, a Rock. My daughter is struggling with severe depression and two days ago, started hearing voices. She’s so young. But I know God sees her heart and mine, and we are not alone.
I am sorry that your daughter is going through this Willa. I will pray for her and your strength through Christ.
Willa, praying for your daughter. Praying for peace and healing. Praying for your too, mama – as you work through this season with your daughter.
~ Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Vivian, prayers for your sister. I’m thankful this post was an encouragement to you. <3
~ Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
So glad I read this. I had to take notes because it was filled with so much that I needed to hear at this time. I must share this quote because I think it will change the way I look at this time of the year forever: “This is the perfect time of year to meditate on the truth that God is our rock–because isn’t that what we really need? A place of refuge during emotional storms and a strong footing when we just want to crumble.” WOW!!! This has blessed me. Thanks so much.
Tracy, thank you for sharing that quote. SO TRUE!!!
~ Blessings, friend. Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
Tracy, thank you for sharing that quote. SO TRUE!!!
~ Blessings, friend. Marlene {Leadership Encourager}