"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble"
Psalm 46:1
I want to share a devotional from Faith's Checkbook, by Charles H. Spurgeon. When I read this, it seemed so appropriate for this time of year---when most everyone in the world is going from "here to yonder" shopping, looking for the most special presents for their loved ones. After reading the devotional below, I'm sure you'll agree that the very best "present" is our God---Who is our refuge, our strength....He's always ON TIME....more than near, but abiding within us! Doesn't that make Him the very BEST Present after all!?
Even if you may not have any presents under the tree---if you have God---your Heavenly Father, Jesus, your Savior---The Holy Spirit---Comforter and Divine Enabler---You have the very best Present~Who is PRESENT within your own heart!
I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!!
Enjoy the following devotional from C.H. Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook."
December 22
Immediately Present
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
Psalm 46:1
A help that is not present when we need it is of small value. The anchor which is left at home is of no use to the seaman in the hour of storm; the money which he used to have is of no worth to the debtor when a writ is out against him. Very few earthly helps could be called "very present": they are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used. But as for the LORD our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid. He is more than "present," He is very present. More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us in our trouble; more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind. He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present. He is present now if this is a gloomy season. Let us rest ourselves upon Him. He is our refuge, let us hide in Him; He is our strength, let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help, let us lean upon Him; He is our very present help, let us repose in Him now. We need not have a moment's care or an instant's fear. "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
A help that is not present when we need it is of small value. The anchor which is left at home is of no use to the seaman in the hour of storm; the money which he used to have is of no worth to the debtor when a writ is out against him. Very few earthly helps could be called "very present": they are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used. But as for the LORD our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid. He is more than "present," He is very present. More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us in our trouble; more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind. He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present. He is present now if this is a gloomy season. Let us rest ourselves upon Him. He is our refuge, let us hide in Him; He is our strength, let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help, let us lean upon Him; He is our very present help, let us repose in Him now. We need not have a moment's care or an instant's fear. "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
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| Christmas Hugs and Hershey Kisses! |
Thanks for this beautiful post, Tammi! Spurgeon was right on target-Christ IS the best present and He is very present! Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior! Hugs and blessings!_
ReplyDeleteHi! Tammi~ ok I guess you think I forgot you, this time! not so~ I have been working my "feet" off! I mean really working at this job! Retail business, WOW! I am tired! But Praise God I survived it, worked yesterday from 8 to 1:30, and it was crazy! These people know that Christmas is coming every year!! Ha-Ha! But anyway~ God is so Good! I loved this post! I will think about this one often~ and Spurgeon is wonderful! I so hope and Pray that you and your Family have a wonderful Christmas Day! and look forward to our sharing in the coming year. Love and Blessings to you, and your Family and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe best gift we could ever receive...the gift of eternal life in Christ. A wonderful gift that God gave to us, His own Son. Tam, I can't imagine freely giving up a child. Oh, the love that God has for all of us. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts! Love you, Mom
ReplyDeleteHi Tammi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a Present indeed.
Emmanuel, God with us.
Ever present.
Love that devotional by Spurgeon.
Merry Christmas from your newest follower.
Debra
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com
Hi Tammi,
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful thoughts you posted, you are right, we have the very best present, "Jesus". If it were not for Jesus there would be no Christmas, no gift of eternal life. It's all about Jesus. How blessed we are.
Beautiful post!
God bless you
Hey Gorgeous Lady~~~ You are a Precious Sister to me in Christ...LOVE your post as always, its such a JOY to my heart that God has blessed me with such special lady as You this past year...May God continue to bless you in this New Year as you call on Him~~~Hugs Dena
ReplyDeleteHi Tammi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the LORD's Word via this devotion with us. I came by to say, Happy New Year to you and your family. May it be a year that is full of love, peace, joy and all that GOD has for you and your family!
Hugs and blessings!
Happy New Year!
Beautiful post Tammi!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful that I've become friends with you through our blogs. What a treasure you are!
Happy New Year!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I love Spurgeon, and this is such a beautiful picture, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAlways present! I really love that thought.
Happy new year Tammi! Look forward to visiting you in 2011.