Encouragement for Today - Feb. 1, 2008

February 1, 2008

They Will See God

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

Devotion:

There is something amazing that happens to a soul when quiet majesty is observed.

Recently I rode to the top of Straton Mountain. When I got off the gondola and took in the scene around me, my soul quickened at the obvious hand of God. It was amazing to see some of God's most glorious handiwork. Every tree, the vast blue sky, the swirled mix of sunshine and clouds, the rise of the mountain, and the slope down to the valley all placed by the hand of God.

As I took in the scene I imagined God asking, "Who will notice Me in all of this today? Who will stop for just a moment and see me? Who will let their soul linger ever so slightly and simply utter an acknowledgement of Me?"

Oh God, the rocks surely do cry out great evidence of You.

May I do the same.

And not just on days when I am on vacation.

Everyday God is there. Everyday we have an opportunity to notice and acknowledge, and see and rejoice. Even when the world is crazy around me, I can still make the choice to see God.

Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

It doesn't say, "blessed is the perfect person."
It doesn't say, "blessed is the woman who has perfect Biblical knowledge."
It doesn't say, "blessed is the one who never misplaces library books."
It doesn't say, "blessed is the mom who never messes up with her kids."

Nope. It says blessed is that woman whose heart is pure. In other words, "blessed is that woman who lives in expectation of seeing God- who looks for and acknowledges Him- whose greatest desire is to see God--- for she certainly will."

So whether your scenery today consists of beautiful mountains or mountains of laundry – look for Him – make the choice to acknowledge Him. Choose to see Him, and then you will.

Dear Lord, help me to pause today and make the choice to see You, acknowledge You, thank You, and represent You well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do you know Jesus?

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Lysa’s blog

Listen to today P31 radio show

Application Steps:

In your journal, write about God’s obvious presence in your life right now. Yes, it is so easy to see and focus on the bad stuff. But there’s plenty of good too. So, let’s make the choice to acknowledge and be thankful for the good today.

Reflections:

I look up and this is what I see…________________

I look left and this is what I see…___________________

I look right and this is what I see…____________________

I look down and this is what I see…____________________

I choose thankfulness over grumbling and I will see You Lord.

Power Verses:

Psalm 84:12, “O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” (NIV)

John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (NLT)

Proverbs 3:6, “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (NLT)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road