have I no power to deliver?
Isaiah 50:2b
Believe and you will see. Greater wonders will yet unfold. My arm is not shortened, and My purpose stands. I lead My flock in ways that seem strange to you. But I know the way and I know the destination to which I led you. I do not expect you to see or understand all. But I do ask you to believe. That is the strong cord binding heart to heart—believing, trusting. Against that the enemy has no power. But it is yours to choose. And I counsel you again, My child, “be not faithless—but believing.”
FEBRUARY
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He hath said?
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.
“Fear not, I am with you, Oh be not dismayed;
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee, I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow.
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
K. in Rippon’s Selection, 1787
February First
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
I Chronicles 16:34
Thanks and praise become the upright. Thanks and praise become the sinner. Forgiveness begets a thankful heart. Never cease to lift your heart in grateful remembrance of what I have done for you, My child, for in this is your safeguard. Once the well of thankfulness goes dry or is clogged through misuse, disobedience is not far behind, and with it, all the sorrows and pain it entails; you need to practice praise. Your identity and welfare are intimately tied up in it. Praise is not a luxury. It is as vital as the air.
February Second
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.
Psalm 62:5
Expect a blessing—that is the faith attitude I am pleased with when you come to pray. You would not go repeatedly to someone with a request you did not expect to be received favorably. Likewise, My child, when you approach the throne of grace, I want that expectancy to flood your heart. With such sacrifice I am well pleased. The sacrifice involved is the laying down of your old fear-filled, guilt-laden thoughts. I have promised that those who trust in Me will not be confounded. So come to Me expecting a fulfillment of My word.
February Third
Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Luke 17:17–18
My greatness and My glory are seen in little things as well as great ones. For those with eyes to see, there is glory everywhere. With those who have ears to hear, there is the music of the spheres. Much of the chaos of this present world is rooted in the lust for bigger things. Blessed are those who find contentment in little things. Learn this lesson, My child, and be blessed.
February Fourth
O man of little faith, why did you doubt?
Matthew 14:31b
Never doubt My goodness. That is one of the chief ploys of your adversary—to insert questions in your mind about Me. He knows where to attack at the weak places in your spiritual armor—which are the “strong” places in yourself. What folly to allow his little game to triumph over you, when you have a Strong Deliverer! O My child, would that you would settle it once for all—that My goodness faileth never. I am who I am and I change not. Never, never doubt My goodness!
February Fifth
… those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:12b
I have given you My word. My promises are sure. There is no turning or wavering in My heart. Turn your thoughts to this sure foundation so that your heart may also learn steadiness and steadfastness. Let us go on together, My child, in a relationship of loving trust. Let us go on with the sure knowledge I have given you, and let Me prove again and again that those who put their trust in Me shall not be confounded.
February Sixth
And you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.
Isaiah 41:16b
This is a day of blessing and mercy. Open your faith-eyes to behold both. It is My joy to shower goodness upon those who love Me and seek My face. My heart is ever toward them, to bring them new light and hope. My fatherly care is ever extended to them and they are kept by My sovereign power.
When you are attuned to My Spirit, you are under the overflow of My blessing and mercy. When you join with others who likewise seek My face, joy abounds. Have a joyful day!
February Seventh
Go; be it done for you as you have believed.
Matthew 8:13
Believing and receiving go hand in hand, My child. Just as the radio must be tuned to a certain frequency to pick up a particular broadcast, so, in a manner of speaking, must your heart be attuned to Me. Believing opens up your receiving capacity. Without it, you are shut off and have only your own thoughts and reasonings.
Because you have set such a high store on reasoning and being reasonable, belief does not come easily for you. You must “go against the grain” of years to achieve the blessed state of being “as a little child.” But that, My child, is where believing and receiving can meet—to your good and My glory.
February Eighth
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it
