A couple months ago, our pastor called up one of my boys to use him in an illustration in his sermon. This particular son has struggled often with being in front of others. To the point of tears at times. For several minutes, he was up in front of the congregation. I could tell he was very, very nervous, but he controlled himself. No tears. He spoke honestly when asked questions and kept his eyes on me. I mean glued to me. I smiled at him, kept nodding my head, and encouraging him with my facial expressions. He was looking to me as his source of strength and I didn't want to let him down.
It reminded me of Peter walking on water as long as he had his eyes on the Saviour. I am a visual source of strength for these children, just like my husband used to be for me. My son seeing me smiling and making faces, that "joy" was my son's strength. God said in Nehemiah 8:10 "for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Does God have delight on His face when we look to Him? Is He smiling at us? Is He encouraging us being our strength? Absolutely!!! Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
1 comment:
Praise be to God...yes, just as we parents want our children to come to us to ask for guidance and prayer when they are struggling or joyful....(which is rare but so joyful when they do) just magnify that by infinity to get an estimate on what God feels like when we turn to Him to helps us - we can do NOTHING without Him.
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