And What Does the Lord Require of You?

It was a quiet morning in our house. Bottles were washed, kitchen was cleaned up from breakfast,  laundry was going, and sweet baby girl was down for a nap. The sound of quiet. I grabbed a cup of coffee, sat down with my Bible and devotional book, ready to hear what my Father had to teach me that morning.

Opened my book to the next chapter and read the title: "God's purpose: To Accomplish His Plan For Good." Definitely sounded like something that would encourage my heart that day. Little did I know....it would definitely encourage my heart. The Lord would actually use this chapter to change my heart.

I came to the part of the lesson where I was to read Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and write how I thought God defined good. I began reading the verse: "And now, Israel, what does the Lord require of you? He required only that you..." Thinking that I remembered this verse by heart, I started jotting down the rest of it from memory (or lack thereof :)): "To fear the Lord your God, to do good..." Oh wait...as I looked back at the verse, it never said "to do good." So I quickly scratched those words out, and saw that it actually said, "live in a way that pleases him." Hmmm....I stared at the page for a minute. I saw the words "to do good" with a black line across them right next to words, "live in a way that pleases him." The words jumped off the page at me.

Isn't that the way that we as Christians sometimes try to live? We think that if we "do enough good," we are exempt from completely living in a way that pleases the Lord. Hear me out. The Lord asks certain things of us, sometimes things that seem way to difficult for us to deal with or way too hard that we would rather not try. The Lord might ask us to minister to someone who we just don't connect with. And instead of being obedient, we minister to someone else that we do connect with and feel great because we did "good." God asks us to love someone that has hurt us....it's too hard. We love on someone else and think that's "good" enough. God asks us to lead a Bible study, or surrender to the ministry, or go on the mission field.  Change....oh no....that's too hard. So we resort to doing something "good" with a little less change....and we feel "good" about it. Does that make sense? We hear things like this every. "I go to church on Sundays." "I tithe every week." "I volunteer at the homeless shelter." "I give money to those in need." All good things. But good things are just not enough.

Dear one, what I feel that God was trying to teach me that day, was that to do good just doesn't cut it. He is calling His beloved to live in a way that pleases Him. And the first step is to walk in obedience.  Easy for me say that morning, but little did I know, I would have the opportunity to put it into practice the next day.

The morning after this lesson, a situation arose. It was a opportunity for me to do something that the Lord wanted me to do. The thought came into my mind. A thought that was obviously prompted by the Holy Spirit. God was asking me to do something that was hard. He was asking me to do something really hard, something that I just didn't want to deal with at the moment. I thought about picking the phone up and texting my husband to see what he thought it. And as ashamed as I am to say this now, I thought: "No. I won't bring it up. He might think it's a good idea, and then I'll have to do it." But, oh how my sovereign God works. No more than a few hours had passed that I received a text message from my sweet hubby. His words were asking the exact question that I had avoided telling him. Wow....I couldn't believe it. Well, actually, I could.

It was then that I felt God saying: "Okay, Hannah. What did I show you yesterday? Are you living in a way that pleases me? Or are you choosing to only do the things for Me that are not difficult and challenging? Oh how ashamed felt. Did I really get the lesson yesterday? It seemed so much harder to accept it now.

But, praise Jesus that He never gave up on me. I'm so thankful that He blessed me with a husband who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and never ceases to keep me accountable in my walk with God. While sitting in the car at Walmart about to make our weekly grocery trip, I told my husband what God had been doing. It was such a confirmation to the both of us. Did it make the situation any less difficult? Well, not exactly. But, my perspective changed. No longer was I just doing good or avoiding obedience, I was walking in a way that pleased the Father. Walking in obedience.

So, sweet one, what is God asking of you? Have you been filling your life with good things instead of living in a way that pleases Him? Maybe you are not even a believer and you think that the "good" things in your life can get you into Heaven. No, dear one. Good things are just not enough. A relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting Him as your Savior is how you will spend eternity with Him. I know that's how I desire to live the rest of my days on this earth. For when I stand before the Father, the "good" things in my life just fall away. But, the life that I lived pleasing Him, the love that I had for Him, the ways that I served Him in obedience, that is what matters. That is what He requires of me.

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord require of you?

He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, 

and live in a way that pleases him, and love him,

and serve him with all your heart

and soul."

Deuteronomy 10:12

   Hannah Grace

All Things for Good

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Perhaps one of my favorite verses in Scripture. Today as I sat down with my Bible study, this verse was the focus of the lesson. What an encouragement it was to me, and I desire to encourage you, as well.

"All things." (Some translations of the Bible say "everything.") Everything? The loss of a job, the death of a child, the pain of an illness, the hurt in a divorce, the sorrow in loneliness...how can God work good through these circumstances? Tired hearts question every day what good could come out of such painful situations in the forefront of their lives. Maybe you are one of those hearts today. Can I share some hope with you?

Let's read on to verse 29. Here is what it says:

"For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to b

ecome like his Son, so that his Son would be the first-born among many brothers and sisters."

So really, dear one, God knew you before you were born. He planned each day, each circumstance, each trial before you even took your first breath. Psalm 139:16 says, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed..." And why would God choose to bring difficult circumstances in our lives? But for the goal of molding us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Because you see, dear one, as we endure day by day, we are becoming more like Jesus. We can rest in knowing that each and every circumstance has been ordained by the Father in order to accomplish His perfect will. He is molding us, shaping us, and leading us each and every day. As God's dear children, we can put our hope in Him knowing that every circumstance will work for our good. What hope!

What encouragement this brought to me tonight. As I began to think of the way that God has led me in this past year of 2010, I could not help but see the way the Lord used many circumstances in my life, some difficult but some joyous, to draw me closer to Him and His will for my life. Brokenness was surrendered...and hope was given. Direction was sought...and prayers were answered. I would like to share a specific hope that God gave me just recently. It is dear to my heart, and I share this with joy tonight. Rejoicing that God is indeed faithful to His promises. He indeed works every circumstance in our lives....for good.

Tonight I write to you for the first time as Mrs. Thorn. On November 20, 2010, I had the privilege of saying "I do" to God's precious gift to my life. Never did I imagine that I would stand in front of my precious family and friends this year and have the honor of becoming a wife. And my sweet husband, the one that I have prayed for many years, chose to take me as his wife. He is not only one who I call my husband, but one who I call my Godly source of encouragement....leading me closer to my Father. The prayers for a Godly husband were abundantly answered by my Lord Jesus. And as we knelt at the altar during our wedding ceremony, we thanked our Almighty Father for what He had done. What a promise of hope fulfilled.

As I have shared before, I had a special box of letters. As a young girl, I began to write letters to the man that I would one day call my husband. On our wedding day, I had the honor of giving my husband these special letters. But as the wedding day was approaching, I began to assemble these letters into a scrapbook for him. I decided to read the last letter that I had written to him. As I read the letter...tears rolled down my cheek. For in this letter, I poured out my heart to him....not even really knowing who he was. I told him of my desperate longing to know what God wanted to do with my life. I told him of my fear of an unknown future and how God was shaping me through some difficult circumstances. I sat with the letter in my lap.....weeping because I could remember exactly where I was at the moment in my life. Ashamed as I am to say this...I was almost void of hope. I had no idea what God was doing in my life. I felt lonely, frustrated, and broken with "the plans." My eyes drifted to the top corner at the date. With tears streaming down my cheeks, my eyes read July 30, 2009. What is so significant about this date? My sweet husband and I were engaged exactly one year from this day on July 30, 2010.

What hope! God used this example in my life to show me that even in difficult circumstances, He is shaping my life to follow His perfect plan. For if I had not gone through that difficult time in my life, I may have never of had the chance to meet my husband. Looking back on all that God did in my life in one year brings such hope to this heart. God knew on July 30, 2009 exactly where I would be on July 30, 2010. Nothing was a surprise to Him.

Even in the pain, loneliness, sorrow....God is working. He is perfecting us...perfecting us into the image of His Son. Psalm 139:17 says: "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God..." You are precious to Him. Everything that He allows to come into your life is meant for your God. Never despair. Live in that hope.

Praise Upon Praise

"O Father

Through the years

You have permitted

Hurt upon hurt

In my God-planned life.

This early morning

Even before I greet the dawn

I offer You

Praise upon praise

For you are transforming every hurt

Into a holy hallmark--

A genuine guarantee

Of my permanent indentification

With You."

---Ruth Harms Calkin

Praying for you, dear child of God. May you find hope in Him.

Hannah Grace

"In Everything, Lord, May I Give Thanks"

"Be encouraged--God is in control.

ALL IS WELL.

You will look back one day and see

how it all fit together for your own good. (I Thess. 5:18)

I love you,

Dad"

These sweet words are what awaited me inside of my car one morning last summer. That particular time in my life, I was struggling with fear/anxiety about an unknown future. My precious dad knew of this discouragement and never failed to remind me that he was praying for me and that he loved me.

Looking back on that difficult but beautiful time in my life, I see the handiwork of my Maker. For my heart was "scared to death" of an unknown future, possibly a future of being alone. And since that time, God has answered, provided, and guided my very steps. Today even marks a special day of that answered prayer. For during that time, I was praying for the one whom I would spend my life with. Five months ago today, he was brought into my life. The time spent in the waiting was all in God's plan. Oh, how my Father perfectly orchestrated my every step and answered my prayers far greater than I could have imagined. All praise to Him.

Tonight, almost a year ago to the day, God ordained that I would receive the same encouragement. What a God!

I recently graduated in May. With this awaited graduation, the hopes of a job were on the forefront. I was eager, willing, ready to serve others through my career. And here I am, June 30, without a job. It seems almost as if these past few weeks of job-searching have been a roller coaster. I've sought God, pleading for His direction and the opening of doors. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I would cry out to God...almost as if I felt that I deserved a job. "But, God, I am seeking you and honoring you with my life. I've surrendered to do whatever You lead me to do. I've pledged my life to You. Why aren't You answering me?"

I have a specific place in my room where I have special prayer times with the Lord. Many times, I have found myself in this place kneeling, praising, weeping before my God. And tonight...I found myself there. And as I kneeled there, these lyrics poured out of my stereo speakers:

"Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still and know You are God"

Oh, how I long to know His power...in quietness and in perfect trust. To truly be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) As I was crying out to God, I looked up. And from where I was kneeling, the top shelf of one of my bookcases was in plain view. There I saw my diploma. But what caught my eye was not the diploma, but what was sitting right next to it. For what was right next to the diploma was a small plaque. And on it read: "In Everything Give Thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18" I then finished the verse out loud:

"In everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Thank you, Lord." I prayed. For I was reminded that the verse did not simply say: Give thanks. It said: "In everything give thanks..." Not give thanks when things are going well, or give thanks when things are going as planned, or even give thanks when a job is offered...in everything we are to be thankful. But even more than that, we can be thankful because God is in this. We can be thankful, because this is His perfect will for our lives. Psalm 18:30 reminds us:

"As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is flawless.

He is a shield

for all who take refuge in him."

What a precious and beautiful source of encouragement I was given tonight. A year ago by my earthly father, this time by my Heavenly Father.

I received a sweet reminder last Sunday. We as believers do not love God just because of what He can give to us or what blessing we can receive. We love God, because He first loved us and gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sinfulness. (1 John 4:10) What a timely reminder this was to me. For I serve God Almighty, not because of what He can give me, not because of the blessings that come from His hand, not because of life that I want....I serve Him, because I love Him. He is my All. He is my Rock. He is the foundation that I desire to build my life upon.

I desired to be very honest with you tonight and share from the depths of my heart. Tonight, I have come from a heart of imperfection, made perfect by God Almighty. I have come from a heart tainted with discouragement, encouraged by the Great Comforter. I have come from a heart threatened by anxiety and fear, made to rest by the Great Calmer. And tonight, I have no more answers about the future than I did this morning, but I rest under the shadow of the Almighty. I choose to be still in His presence and trust that His will is perfect.

Where are you at tonight, sweet one of God? What area in your life are seeking direction from the Lord? May you rest tonight the mighty and perfect will of your Lord Jesus. May you truly be able to give thanks...in every circumstance. He has a plan. He knew your very steps, even before the day that you took your first breath. He has your tomorrow's planned and nothing is a surprise to Him. May you surrender tonight. Let's do it together. May we surrender tonight...surrender our hopes, dreams, desires, plans....surrender them with thanksgiving into the hands of Almighty God. I'd like to pray for both you and I. Praying that this night leaves you filled with hope and a perfect peace.

Father God,

I praise You tonight for your faithfulness. I praise You tonight, for You are good. All Your ways are good. Every circumstance, every situation, every moment, even as difficult as some may be, are meant for our good. I pray tonight that we can truly rejoice and be thankful. Thank You, Father, for leading us in very specific ways, opening and closing doors in Your perfect timing. I thank You, Father, for the protection that You grant us through closed doors. And even when periods of silence and uncertainty are all around us, I thank You that You remain in control. You are with us...even in the waiting. I pray for the ones who will read this tonight. I pray that You will fill their hearts with hope. I pray that they may truly trust in You and rest in Your peace. May they know tonight that they are loved. May they truly serve You, not for the blessings to be received, but out of deep love for You. May I do the same, Lord. For my sole purpose here on this earth is to bring honor and glory to You. Thank You for Your love, Father. Surround us tonight...that we may find rest in You.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving:

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation."

Psalm 100

Praying for you tonight, dear one of God. Rejoice and give thanks. For our Father, He is good. Amen?

Hannah Grace

Hope from the God of the Impossible

A calling given. Needs provided. Protection granted. Promises fulfilled. What hope!

Over the past month, God has been doing such wonderful things. Such wonderful and unfathomable things that I could have never even dreamed of. And as I stand back and watch my wonderful Maker work, I think: "Why should I be suprised?" A verse that has been very near to my heart over the past year very often rings within my ears:

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth

by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you."

Jeremiah 32: 17

Did you catch that word at the beginning of the last sentence? Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. Do we sometimes look at our desperate situations, our difficult circumstances, our seemingless hopeless "deserts" in life with despair and defeat saying, "How could God do anything with this?" Perhaps you are even there today. Well, dear one, today I affirm hope in your life.

This morning before the day began, I was reminded of God's miraculous and limitless power. My devotion this morning entitled "God's Possibilities" reflected upon the verse in Mark 10:27:

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible,

but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Did you catch that very, very important phrase? All things, all things, all things, all things. Precious one of God, through Him ALL things are possible. Can you say amen to that hope tonight? We serve a God of the seemingly impossible. Nothing is too hard for Him.

My boyfriend and I are currently doing a daily devotional together entitled "At His Feet." One specific day focused upon the God of the impossible. The author Chris Teigreen writes these encouraging words: "Our Bible is full of impossible situations. A nation camped at the edge of a sea with a hostile army behind them. An inexperienced band of fighters faced an impenetrable, walled city. A shepherd boy stood before an armed and angry giant. A worshiper faced a lion's den. 'Dry bones' rotted in a valley. And our only hope of salvation lay in a sealed tomb."

What seemingly "impossible" situation are facing today? What discouragement, hurt, hopelessness may be crowding your view? Well, sweet one, today I have news of hope. We serve a God of the impossible. In light of the Easter celebration that has just passed, may we continue to meditate on the miraculous resurrection of our Lord Jesus. I imagine myself in the disciples shoes, so to speak. The three days that Jesus spent in the grave may have evoked hopelessness, disappointment, despair...you name it. How could any good come of this? Death feels final...that's it? And three days later...a miracle. Jesus rose!

Perhaps your life is a series of "three days." Precious one of God, praise Him today for the work that He is doing and for the work that He will do! May you find strength, comfort, and hope in Him alone.

"Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40: 28-31

Blessings to you as you trust in Him!

Hannah Grace

"He, the God of all Grace, Speaks"

Should we be surprised when we pray for God's direction...and He shows up? Should we be surprised when we seek His guidance day after day...and He provides the answer? The question tonight is...why are we surprised? He is a faithful God, faithful to all that He has promised. For hear this, child of God. These words are what He has promised:

“Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’"

Jeremiah 33:3

I believe that I may have mentioned this before, but over the past month I have been doing a study entitled "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. What a wonderful privilege it is to dig into the Scripture and study more about my Father God. Over these past few weeks, I have experienced God moving in mighty and beautiful ways. And often, I stand back and say: "Did that really just happen? I prayed for a specific answer...and He responded?" It is almost as if I can hardly fathom that God would choose to answer the requests of this heart of mine. But, He does. Not always in the timing that I think He should or even the answer that I really feel as if I desire...but He always answers.

On the top of my tall, oak dresser sits a special box. On the front it reads: "HOPE Scripture Verse Cards." I simply call it "My Hope Box." More days than not, a card gets drawn

from that box...sometimes more than one a day. And I find myself kneeling on my floor praying whatever verse I have just picked from the box. I can recall countless times where God has specifically allowed a verse to "pop out at me," for lack of better words.

Earlier today, I picked a card and knelt down by my bookcase. I prayed, and then my eyes fell upon these words:

"You, the God of all grace, who called me to Your eternal glory in Christ, after I have suffered a little while, will Yourself restore me and make me strong, firm, and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)"

I rose to my feet. Encouraged.

Tonight, I reached beside my bed and pulled out my devotional book entitled "Hope." And then I prayed these words before opening to the page: "Lord, please give me a word of hope tonight. Amen." Turned to this day's devotion and read these beautiful words....again.

"In His kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation." 1 Peter 5:10

When I read those words, I looked up and thought: "God, You've done it again. Thank you." I thought to myself, "Why should I be surprised?"

He promises to speak to us when we call to Him. And even when we think that He has forgotten...surely He must have forgotten us in our suffering...and even when we are sure that a God like Him could not let one of His own endure a situation like this...He speaks to us a message of hope.

"And I will give you treasures

hidden in the darkness--secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name."

Isaiah 45:3

These words from Nancy Guthrie spoke to my heart tonight, and I pray that they will speak to yours, as well. She writes:

"I don't know what scars or wounds following Jesus will leave on your body, on your emotions, or on your soul. But the glory to come will be worth the wounds. Your scars will be cause for celebration. We'll be glad we followed the way of the Cross. One day we'll experience in reality what we now embrace by faith--that suffering is the pathway to glory."

For whatever you may be enduring today, be encouraged to know that He is able "To do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Obey His voice (1 John 5:2-3), have faith in His promise (Numbers 23:19), put your hope in His Word (Ps. 119:114).

Prayed for you, tonight. To Him be all glory.

Hannah Grace

"I Clear the Path"

This morning I flipped in my mom's book/journal entitled "God Calling" to start this new day with some encouragement. It opened to this page, and I could not help but share this with you. Exactly what I needed to read. Perhaps it is what you need to hear, also.

"Wait on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"I am thy shield. Have no fear. You must know that 'All is well.' I will never let anyone do to you both, other than My Will for you.

I can see the future. I can read men's hearts. I know better than you what you need. Trust Me absolutely. You are not at the mercy of Fate, or buffeted about by others. You are being led in a very definite way, and others, who do not serve your purpose, are being moved out of your Path by Me.

Never fear, whatever may happen. You are both being led. Do not try to plan. I have planned. You are the builder, not the Architect.

Go very quietly, very gently. All is for the very best for you.

Trust Me for all. Your very extremity will ensure My activity for you. And having your foundation on the Rock--Christ, Faith in Him, and 'being rooted and grounded in Him,' and having belief in My Divinity as your Corner Stone, it is yours to build, knowing all is well.

Literally, you have to depend on Me for everything--everything. It was out of the depths that David cried unto Me, and I heard his voice. All is well."

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." Psalm 37:23

Amen? Wow. What a God!

Clear the path, Lord. I will follow.

Hannah Grace

Exchanging My Plans for His

Good afternoon, sweet friends of mine. Hope this gift of another day finds you doing well and living in the joy of our Father. Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule. It would be an honor to share with you some thoughts from this heart of mine.


Plan. What a tiny word with such vast meanings and implications. I researched the different definitions of the word plan. This was perhaps my favorite. Freedictionary.com defines plan as: "A systematic arrangement of elements or important parts; a configuration or outline: a seating plan; the plan of a story." The words systematic and outline are the two words that really stood out to me.


When viewing this small word from a technical aspect, I realized how silly I have been in viewing my life plans. This time last year, my life plan was as follows:

1. May 2010: Graduate from nursing school.

2. Summer 2010: Get married

3. Move wherever my husband and I both acquire jobs.

4. Begin my role as a Godly wife and a RN.

And when these failed to work out...my heart begin to collapse.

Here I sit today in this quaint little coffee shop: 21 years old, single, not sure where God is calling me after May 2010...is there something wrong with this picture? Absolutely not. It is right where He has called me to be..."for such a time as this." Do I always have this positive attitude? Hmm...that would be a negative. In fact, over the past week, my faithful Father has been dealing with me on this issue. Such a growing time of: seeking His divine direction, anticipating His timely answer, and resting in His sovereign will.

I have recently begun a new Bible study by Priscilla Shirer entitled: "Discerning the Voice of God." Could this study have come in my life at a better time? Oh my. Another neat tidbit about this book is that I had debated between two different studies written by Shirer before coming to the decision that this was the one I would complete first. Wow. Again, I come to the conclusion that God brought this study into my life "for such a time as this." What a God of the details!

This study focuses upon the somewhat unfamiliar book of Habakkuk. Read Habakkuk 1:2-4 if you have your Bible nearby. Perhaps you can sense this man's frustration as he desperately desires to hear from God concerning the sinfulness in Judah. Consider some difficult circumstances within your own life. Have you ever felt like Habakkuk? Have you ever asked God: "Why are you allowing this to go on? Why do you remain silent? Do you not hear me?" Strikes a cord with me.

But then, my friends, we see God in His divine time answer this distraught soul with a promise of hope in 1:5:

"Look among the nations! Observe!

Be astonished! Wonder!

Because I am doing something in your days--

You would not believe if you were told."

What a comfort! Even in God's apparent silence, He was working "behind the scenes." Shirer writes: "With these words, God gave Habakkuk spiritual vision. The prophet received encouragement to look around and observe. While Habakkuk waited on God to answer, God was already answering...Even though the prophet wasn't seeing God respond in the way and timing he expected, God was speaking and moving. He always is--even in His silence."

God is always speaking and moving...even in His silence. What an encouragement to this "planner" heart of mine.

Let's skip over to the next chapter. In Habakkuk 2:1, we see this prophet's next action. Wait for the Lord's direction, anticipating His answer.

"I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart.

And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me."

Habakkuk 2:1

This required a willing and open heart, plus a major dose of patience. And then, our faithful Father did it again. He spoke. Yet another promise of hope in 2:3:

"The vision is yet for the appointed time...Though it tarries, wait for it;

For it will certainly come, it will not delay."

Shirer focuses on this principle: "The process of waiting for a message from God is just as important as the message itself." For in that season of waiting, God is able to grow our weary and needy hearts into those molded to fulfill His perfect PLANS for our lives. Shirer brought about the principle of the guard post. She states: "The watchtower was positioned well above the group to provide a broad view for miles around. It gave the guard in the tower a different view circumstances. Habakkuk purposed to remove himself from the depression and anxiety of his ground-level circumstances and get above them. He took his eyes off his circumstances and watched only for God."

Will you purpose today to get those searching eyes off your "ground-level" circumstance. Go and climb that guard post. Listen for Almighty God's voice. How? Through prayer, meditation on His Word, and worship.

"Wait for the Lord;

Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

The answer may not come when you think it should, but He will never fail to provide His direction.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise..."

2 Peter 3:9

And even in times of discouragement, God does care about the details. And for a "detail-oriented" person like myself, it's even more of an encouragement to truly believe that. I leave you today with one last bit of encouragement.

A few days ago, I walked into Barnes and Noble. I got my coffee and decided to head to the nursing section of the store. The nearing decisions regarding my future were heavy on my heart, and I was hoping to find some books on different types of nursing and possible hospitals to consider. Deep inside I wanted to avoid the thought of making such important and difficult decisions. Yet, I knew the time had come. As I walked in front of the tall, white bookcase, a blue book caught my eye. I read the title, looked up...and smiled. For in front of me was not a nursing book but a inspirational journal that someone had "randomly" placed upon the shelf. The title read, "Dear God, I need to talk to you." Inside...page after page...I read one encouraging verse after another. All words pointed me towards a faithful God who cared about my future. Coincidence some may say. But in my heart, I did not consider it a random literary misplacement. I considered it a divine appointment with my Almighty God, Who is concerned with the details. He truly cares. He will give us divine direction in each and every area of our lives.

Don't run because of difficult circumstances, sweet one of God. Don't collapse in your weary search for direction. Don't become discouraged in what appears to be silence from the Father. Get up on the watchtower. Listen for that still, small voice. Spend time with the One Who loves you far more than you could ever comprehend. Be still and listen. He's moving and speaking...even now.

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and I will tell you great and mighty things,

which you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

Amen? Talk with Him. Be encouraged, follower of God. Blessings to you.

Hannah Grace