The Lord Stands by Us

 

Wednesday, January 8, 2003  5:00 a.m.

Dear Diary,

So often Amy Carmichael would read some scripture and say that she found strength for the day, or comfort, or the Word of the Lord spoke to her through some particular passage. Sometimes it was a verse, or a phrase, or a word.  Today I was strengthened by the passage of scripture found in Acts 23:11.  It reads, “And the night following, the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul.”  What a comfort to have the Lord stand by us.  Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  The Lord is always with us.  He is always standing by us to strengthen and encourage us, the same way He said to Paul, “Be of good cheer.”  Whenever we go through a difficult time it is good to have our friends stand by us, but there is no better comfort then to have the Lord stand by us.

Thought for Today:  The Lord stands by us to hold us, to carry us, and “underneath are His everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).