Journey to the Cross

Pause

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

Psalm 13:5 (NLT)

Listen

Lord, teach me your way;Ā because of my opponents, lead me on a good path.Ā Donā€™t give me over to the desires of my enemies,Ā because false witnesses and violent accusersĀ have taken their stand against me.Ā But I have sure faithĀ that I will experience theĀ Lordā€™s goodnessĀ in the land of the living!

Hope in theĀ Lord!Ā Be strong! Let your heart take courage!Ā Hope in theĀ Lord!

Psalm 27:11-14

Think

In 2015, the United States experienced one of the warmest Decembers in nearly 100 years!Ā Because of the ā€œEl NiƱoā€ weather phenomenon, many flowers sprung to life right before Christmas only to be zapped away by freezing temperatures in January. Consequently, spring will not bring the usual parade of vivid blooms. Experts say, however, that well-rooted plants will surely bounce back if normal weather patterns return next winter.

Maybe this is how we journey with God. In Psalm 27 the phrase, ā€œthe land of the living,ā€ can actually be translated more concretely to mean something like, ā€œgood, fresh soil.ā€ Though the psalmist is weary in the face of enemies, he sings his faith that he will experience Godā€™s joy when rooted in good, fresh soil. It may not be today or even next month, but he is rooted for the long haul, and joy will come.

An essential part of trusting God means rooting yourself well for a journey that will bring both love and hurt, doubt and hope. Faith is a journey with a healthy share of darkness, but joy will come.

Blake Tommey

Pray

Companion God, Iā€™m ready to make the long haul with you. Root me in good, fresh soil so that when the darkness comes and my enemies overshadow me, I will journey with you still. Deliver me once again to a place of joy, as I learn to trust all that this journey will bring. Amen.

Go

Act. Laugh. Breathe. Stand. Free. Doubt. Root. Trust.