He is mine forever!

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalms 73:26 NLT)

I've been feeling a bit discouraged and overwhelmed lately. I've come a long way through this part of my journey, but I'm kind of ready for the scenery to change a little.

Tonight God reminded me of my current special verse (above). I just recently read it in a new translation and I realized how life-altering this concept is. The strength of my heart is not in my physical body, or even in my spirit (emotions or mind), but instead it is God who is the strength of my life. A force completly outside of me and my circumstances. And because I have accepted Him, He has promised to be mine forever! In the grand scheme of things it matters not whether I am weak or strong, because Jesus is more than sufficient. He remains my strength, meaning that my human frailty does not alter His great power, and neither does time. He is, was, and always will be.

I am encouraged! I don't need to spend my time worrying about doing all the right things, being successful in this world, or even my weaknesses. He has it all covered, and will never, ever leave me. My job is simply to stay close to Him and allow Him full access, keeping my eyes trained on Him.

I'm having trouble really fleshing out this concept, but the big change for me is related to learning to rely fully, completely, only on Jesus. He is big enough that my circumstances don't affect His ability to accomplish His purposes in me and in the world. There is no need for striving on my part to try and make myself be what I think I'm supposed to be. Thus I will learn to be more content in my circumstances because I know it has all passed through His hands first. My God is big, he loves me incredibly, and He is mine forever!

Living daily in the strength of Jesus, the journey continues :) Not too much longer now!

Blessed Hope

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13 KJV)

Jesus. Our Savior, Lord, and Friend. Our Blessed Hope. He alone makes life worth living and is everything to us. Looking forward to the wonderful day when His physical presence will be the ultimate realization of our daily hope.

I Saw One Weary

I saw one weary, sad, and torn,
With eager steps press on the way,
Who long the hallowed cross had born,
Still looking for the promised day;
While many a line of grief and care,
Upon his brow was furrowed there;
I asked what buoyed his spirits up,
“O this” said he—”the blessed hope.”

Verse 2

And one I saw, with sword and shield,
Who boldly braved the world’s cold frown,
And fought, unyielding, on the field,
To win an everlasting crown.
Though worn with toil, oppressed by foes,
No murmur from his heart arose;
I asked what buoyed his spirits up,
“O this!” said he—”the blessed hope.”

Verse 3

And there was one who left behind
The cherished friends of early years,
And honor, pleasure, wealth re-signed,
To tread the path bedewed with tears.
Through trials deep and conflict sore,
Yet still a smile of joy he wore;
I asked what buoyed his spirits up,
“O this!” said he—”the blessed hope.”

Verse 4

While pilgrims here we journey on
In this dark vale of sin and gloom,
Through tribulation, hate, and scorn,
Or through the portals of the tomb,
Till our returning King shall come
To tkae His exile captives home,
O! what can bouy the spirits up?
‘Tis this alone—the blessed hope.

(http://en.adventisthymns.com/1985/lyrics/441-i-saw-one-weary)