CALL ON HIM IN TRUTH

“The Lord is close to all

who call on him,

yes, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18 NLT

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It doesn’t take much time in the Scriptures to become aware that some of God’s promises are unconditional (meaning God will bring about what has been promised no matter what). For example, Jesus said,
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

God has also made promises that are conditional (meaning a condition or conditions must be met before the promised benefits can be realized). Our key Bible verse today is an example of a conditional promise. The Lord is close to all who . . .

The Lord is present everywhere, all of the time, and in that sense He is close to everyone, believers and unbelievers as well whether we are aware of it or not. But the closeness of the Lord referred to in today’s promise is something special! It is the sensing of the loving presence of the Lord which only believers are capable of experiencing, and only when they meet the conditions - call on him, yes, . . . call on him in truth.

To call on the Lord in truth is more than just saying some religious sounding words and going through the motions. It means, like David, sincerely calling out to God from the bottom of our heart – Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. As we turn from what offends God, He forgives us, and deep within we sense His comforting nearness.

When life moves along smoothly with few bumps we can be tempted to let the things of the Lord slip. Bible reading, prayer and Godly living are easily neglected, and before we realize it, we don’t sense His precious nearness as we once did.

On the other hand, our life may seem way out of control, with trouble on every hand – finances – health – marriage . . . and it feels like the Lord is worlds away. Then added to our aloneness is the realization that we have drifted from Him and have neglected our relationship with Him.

No matter what may have caused us to lose that close relationship we once knew with our Lord, it wasn’t the Lord who moved. The way back into that closeness is the same for all of us: CALL ON HIM IN TRUTH for The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

DAY BY DAY

“As your days,
so shall your strength be.”
Deuteronomy 33:25 KJV
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It goes without saying - the days of our lives are not all the same. At times we are very thankful that they aren’t. Other times we wish certain days would never end.

Though our relationship with our Lord is an eternal one, He has a way of providing for us on a daily basis. This principle is so clearly seen in the daily provision of the manna in the wilderness, and in His teaching us to ask Him to give us this day our daily bread.

Whatever comes into our lives is allowed by our loving Heavenly Father, and with each day He provides what we need for that day. Days filled with “Ho-hum” and boredom, or days full of excitement and anticipation – His promise is - As your days, so shall your strength be. Days of good news filling us with gratitude and joy, or bad news that strikes pain and terror into our hearts – His promise is - As your days, so shall your strength be.

Almost 150 years ago this wonderful truth was captured by Karolina W. Sandell-Bergn (the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden”), in her beautiful hymn “Day by Day.” (tr. by Andrew L. Skoog)

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

Click on  DAY BY DAY and let this beautiful song encourage your heart today.