Glorying in Him

1 Corinthians 1:31 “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Why?  Because He is glorious and worthy!

Just this one chapter alone gives plenty of reason.

•          Because grace and peace come from Him. Verse 3
•          Because He enriches our lives. Verse 5
•          Because we are confirmed by Him. Verse 8
•          Because we are called into fellowship by Him. Verse 9
•          Because He is faithful. Verse 9
•          Because it pleases Him to save those who believe. Verse 21
•          Because He is wiser than man. Verse 25
•          Because He is stronger than man. Verse 25
•          Because He is righteous. Verse 30
•          Because He sanctifies. Verse 30
•          Because He is our Redeemer. Verse 30

And if that isn’t reason enough to glory in the Lord – search the Scriptures yourself!

Fanny Crosby was blind from infancy. Yet she wrote thousands of hymns, some under pseudonyms. One of her hymns, To God Be the Glory, first published in 1875, was the theme song of the Christian primary school I attended. Admittedly, I grew tired of singing it at every student assembly and school program, but the meaning of the words is never tiresome.

“To God be the glory great things He has done.”

(Just consider making your own list!)

“So loved He the world, that He gave us His Son.”

(I doubt very much that I love anyone enough to willingly give up a child or grandchild.)

“Who yielded His life an atonement for sin…”

(He took a death sentence so that even “the vilest offenders” could receive “full pardon.") 

"And opened the life-gate that all may go in."

May I be found glorying in Him today!

Comforts in Anxieties

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Reading this verse today I couldn’t help wondering how many are carrying a “multitude of anxieties.” In today’s world there is plenty to be anxious about! We may not express anxiety openly, but watching the news or looking at social media rarely cause peaceful feelings to well up in us.

So I began thinking about God’s comforts.  Here are just a few with several verses for each. As you read the list you will no doubt think of others.

The Comfort of His Presence:

•  Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
•  Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
•  Matthew 28:20 … I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The Comfort of His Promises:

•  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
•  Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
• John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

 The Comfort of His Peace:

•  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
•  Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
• Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

The Comfort of His Power:

• Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
•  Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
•  Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.’

The Comfort of His Provision:

•  Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (You might want to start reading at verse 25.)
•  Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 The Comfort of His Protection:

•  Psalm 138: 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,  you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;   with your right hand you save me.
•  Psalm 121: 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life.
• Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

The Comfort of His Preeminence:

• 1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
• Deuteronomy 4: 39 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
• Psalm 86:8 … there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

So, Father God, in these troubled times You comfort us.

Thank you for giving us a central focus, a secure refuge, 

and the assurance that You’ve got this!

When we feel anxious help us to remember Your comforts which delight our souls.