O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes; you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again.
Psalm 4: 1 (LB)
Scripture: Psalm 25
When trials come, it is easy for us to focus on the negative. We forget God has declared us perfect. We forget He is in control. This devotion reminds us that we are and He is.
Okay, Lord. Here we go – again. It’s problem-city at my house. I’m blowing fuses right and left when only one thing is plugged in and running. I’m having relationship problems again. The job is the same ole’, same ole’. Money is really tight. The cat is being a tiger, and I’m exhausted [add any problems you are experiencing at this time].
In other words, H-E-L-P!
Most of these things are little things, but I know you want to be the Lord of the Little Things as well as Lord of the Big Things. I know there is nothing too little for You. You know how quickly the little things can turn into the big things.
You want to be Lord of my whole life and being. You don’t want me to hold anything back from you. You are in control of all things – big and small.
Perfect in Your Eyes
I don’t feel perfect – in Your eyes or my eyes. I feel unworthy, unimportant and unlovely. I am just going on feelings there. Sometimes, though, feelings don’t give an accurate picture of reality.
You have deemed me worthy. You say I am important to You. You say I am lovely.
I know I have been made in Your image (Gen. 1: 26-27). But I don’t know all that means. I am going on understanding there.
There is no way I am going to understand everything. You are God. I can’t even begin to imagine Your ways (Isa. 55: 8-9).
There seems to be too much negative in my life to feel like anything will feel positive again. My problems are all I see at the moment. I can’t see past the moment to visualize You or a time when things will be better.
That is the problem. I am going on feelings and understanding. Feelings are affected by the moment. My understanding is limited. I need to go on what You have told me and done for me.
You Have Cared for Me in My Distress
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted” (Ps. 25: 16 NASB).
The problem is I feel so alone right now, even in a room full of people. The problems have become my focus. I can’t smile. I can’t enjoy conversations with my friends. I just need You, Father.
Father, I know You will never leave me. You have told me that in Your Word (Deut. 31: 8).
I may feel that everyone else has deserted me, but You will always be by my side. You surround me because You go before me and You go after me (Isa. 52: 12).
Not only that, You have me in the palm of Your hand. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one will snatch them out of My hand” (Jn. 10: 28 GNT).
Hear My Cry
“But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me” (Ps. 31: 14-15 NASB).
You are in control of all things, Lord. Nothing happens without Your consent. You control everything from events to people to the future. You may not make everything happen, but nothing happens that You do not allow to happen. Please bring me through these trials.
Sometimes, it is hard to remember that You are in control when the emotional hurricane is happening again. I have to choose to believe that. I have to choose to look at You instead of the mess things are here.
That is what some of our trials are about, isn’t it? We have our free will that – every once in a while – You check and make sure we are choosing You above all else.
It isn’t a slam because we have done something wrong. It is a way to make us grow closer to You. We need to grow closer to You. No matter how close we think we are, there is always room to be closer.
“O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places” (Ps. 43:3 NASB).
Lord, I choose You. I put my faith and my trust in You. I give You control of the situation and my life.
Show me what decisions You want me to make. Lead me to the road that follows Your path for my life. Bring me back into Your sweet fellowship. Lord, You are the God Who will live forever. I want to be right there beside You.
Loving Heavenly Father. You are the One true God. Each day that goes by is filled with movements that You control. Lord, forgive us when we feel we control our own lives. We get weighed down so often by the little things in life that we can’t function. Show us how to keep our eyes on the major things in life — the major thing — You. We patiently wait for these trials to end. Even now, we praise You for You being our haven and our anchor. Amen.
“I said to the Lord, ‘Thou art my God; Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication’” (Ps. 140: 6 NASB).
What do you think? Choosing to give God control seems easy. But it isn’t. What stops us from giving Him control of our lives? Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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