(2011-02-11) DAY 40 of 40 Days of Adoring the God of hope

DAY 40 - Zealous God

The idea behind the word “zealous” includes the following meanings: to desire earnestly, to pursue, to strive after, to busy oneself about, and to exert oneself so as to hold onto another.  The word oozes intensity, fervency, devotion, and commitment to a cause and Person believed to be of the utmost importance and transformational relevance. God is the ultimate example of zeal, for He has said that He is a jealous God, seeking worshippers of Him alone (Exodus 34:14).  He is zealous for His glory, for He alone deserves it. God is not lukewarm. He is passionate. He is passionate in love. He is zealous, and in His zeal He pursues us.

Verses for Meditation

Isaiah 9:7, “…The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.”

Ruth 2:18, “The man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

Song of Songs 8:6, “For love is as strong as death, its zeal unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”

Isaiah 42:13, The LORD will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

Ezekiel 5:13, “Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside, and I will be avenged. And when I have spent my wrath on them, they will know that I the LORD have spoken in my zeal.

John 2:17, His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

(2011-02-10) DAY 39 of 40 Days of Adoring the God of hope

DAY 39 - Wisdom God

Wisdom is skill and understanding. Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. Wisdom breeds insight, common sense and good judgment. There is nothing in all the world of more value than godly wisdom. It is more precious to have than all the riches in the world. Godly wisdom has eternal value – the riches of the world are soon gone. It is good, and needful, to have an education. But of more value and benefit is to pursue godly wisdom for your life. You will never go wrong if you have God’s wisdom guiding your every step. Pray that we will see the GOD OF WISDOM at work in all arenas of our lives.

Verses for Meditation

Isaiah 11:2, “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”

Isaiah 400:13-14, ¹³ Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?

¹⁴ Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

Isaiah 55:8-9, ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.  ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

Jeremiah 10:12 - “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.”

Daniel 2:20-21, “Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.”

Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

(2011-02-09) DAY 38 of 40 Days of Adoring the God of hope

DAY 38 - Want-to-Be-Near-Us God

God pursues us. He wants to be near us. God sought us before we sought after Him. Jesus Christ is the ultimate picture of God’s desire to be near us. He sent His Son to the cross to remove the barrier of sin that separates us from Him. That we may seek Him as He seeks us. His name is Immanuel, God with us.

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.

Verses for Meditation

Psalm 65:4, Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple. (NKJV)

 Psalm 73:28, But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. (NLT)

John 17:24, 26, “Father, I want these whom you’ve given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began! …And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them.”

Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

(2011-02-08) DAY 37 of 40 Days of Adoring the God of hope

DAY 37 – Anchor of hope God

Believers all throughout the ages have received assurance in their hearts as they consider the security an anchor provides in the midst of battering storms.  There are two qualities to this anchor of hope which indeed express two complimentary truths.  It’s a firm and secure hope. It’s as if the Holy Spirit wants to make it absolutely clear to us just how dependable this anchor is! Take hold of the anchor that is immovable. It will weather the worst storm. Truly, this anchor of hope we have in Jesus Christ is firm and secure! Rest in this blessed assurance today.

Verses for Meditation

Hebrews 6:19, We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. 

Psalm 39:7, But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

Colossians 1:27, To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 Timothy 1:1, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

(2011-02-07) DAY 36 of 40 Days of Adoring the God of hope

DAY 36 - Trainer God

God does not only protect us. He also trains us. He trains us as a warrior trains his son/daughter to be a warrior also. Through His training, we become powerful. God took a little shepherd boy and raised him up to be the greatest King Israel has ever known. David became a giant slayer and mighty warrior. 

Verses for Meditation

1 Samuel 17:47,  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Psalm 18:34, ³⁴ He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. ³⁵ You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 

Psalm 144:1-2, ¹ Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. ² He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

2Corinthians 10:3-4, ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”