Dear Heavenly Father…You have taken me out of darkness and brought me into Light by your Almighty hand. You have opened my eyes to glory, your Son Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and Savior. Once I was weak and without purpose and hope and now, equipped by your supernatural works to love and serve you joyfully. I am grateful to be effectually called by You to eternal life.
Why did you choose me, Lord? Your loving care is especially evident this morning because you’ve brought to my remembrance the time I was lost in the woods in Quantico, Virginia when I was 2-3 years old. I made it home and certainly not by my might. I did not know where I was or how to get back home. Left at a park by a babysitter at dusk, not another person seen, only the woods. It was you, dear Lord, that led me home. It was you, Abba Father, that guided and protected me as I slid down the muddy hills. I made it home covered in dirt and I burst through the front door and declared with great relief, “I’m home!” My mom asking where I had been and I replied, “I was lost!”
How? Because of You?
Why? Because of your mercy and grace!
I didn’t know you, but you knew me. You already had your hand upon me. I was already in your hands, predestined Yours! O my faithful and watchful Lord, let this miracle soak into my heart, nurture this act of Providence, bring glory to yourself in this testimony of your tender loving care.
When was I converted, Lord? Repenting of sin seems recent?
What was your work in my life called before my conversion?
You used evil things in my past to bring me closer to you. I turned to you in my youth and in sheer turmoil and devastation, hurt and anger, you were there. I believed in you then. I saw you on my lavender closet door. As if it were yesterday, I remember this special revelation. I believed and held on, from the very depths of my being, to your image. You appeared, lit up your Presence so that I could see you. As I rocked myself in misery on the floor of my bedroom, I was desperate for peace and comfort. You, my Father in heaven, heard my cries and you answered. You came down and made yourself known! You revealed yourself to me in the most powerful, sweet, and glorious way. I was quieted by your miraculous gift. Thank you God for your care of me. You have been with me all along! Thank you!
O LORD how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger…
O LORD how majestic is your name in all the earth (Ps. 8:1-2).
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
The answer to my question: Why did you choose me, Lord?
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Out of His own will, He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures (James 1:17-18).
Answer: Out of His own will, He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Praise the Lord for His inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word for it has the power to call us to Salvation, not by our choice, but by His power that is at work within us.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
To the believer who lacks wisdom in handling trials, wisdom is a God-given and God-centered discernment regarding practical issues in life. Wisdom comes from prayer for God’s help. God gives generously (with “single-minded” liberality) and without reproach (He does not want anyone to hesitate to come to Him) (ESV Study Note: James 1:5).
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God. God is good even in the midst of trials. God is NOT tempting us to sin, He uses the difficulties in life, with the intention to strengthen and perfect us to become more like Him. God’s intentions are ALWAYS good. There is nothing in this world that is truly good that has any other origin than from above, namely heaven, descending from the Father of lights, which refers to God as creator of the heavenly “lights” which is a prime example of His good gifts. God is unchanging in His character and therefore in His giving of good, unlike the variation of the night changing to day or the shifting shadows caused by the sun or moon.
Praise the Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God bless you and I pray as you read this, God draws you close and reveals Himself to you in special ways. I pray for your relationship with Jesus! I pray for wisdom, understanding, and deeper knowledge of God!
Our Heavenly Prize 