And Yet...

Webster's online dictionary describes the word "yet" with other terms & phrases that can really underscore just how powerful this small word actually is.

"Yet" can also be replaced with the words "besides", "even", "still", "eventually", "however", "nonetheless". You can even use the phrases "on top of everything else" or "no less" or "in addition" or "in spite of" to describe or even define it.

What has me so focused on this tiny word today is how it's used in God's word to give a state of His enduring, patient and never-changing love for each & every one of us. I was reading in Psalms this morning about how God saves in the midst of trouble. I was reminded how time & time again, the people of Israel wandered away from His favor and often found themselves in deep trouble. They then knew in their hearts to call out to God for salvation and each time, He would hear their cry and have mercy upon them.

Psalm 106:7b-8 says:
"they did not remember Your many kindnesses and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet He saved them for His name's sake, to make His mighty power known."

Psalm 106: 43 states so simply:
"Many times He delivered them but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin."

This had such an impact on me. I so often get blessed by His holy word and the promises He reveals to me. Sometimes, I get so charged up I head out into the world, full of ME instead of letting Him lead the way and, as the Israelites found themselves way off course, I find myself outside of His will for me. However, I realize where I went wrong and cry out to God to save me...to rescue me from my situations and my surroundings.

From myself.

And as His word says, He is faithful to forgive. He is faithful to be there to lift me up, to raise me up and to put my feet on solid ground.

Job 33:20-30 speaks of how man falls away from God and often finds himself at the brink of utter, total decay & destruction. But praise God He is faithful to save us and spare us from a certain doom within the pit.

"then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor with Him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. Then he comes to men and says 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. He (God) redeemed my soul from going down to the pit and I will live to enjoy the light.' "

I got so encouraged by this verse and truth today!!! As many times as we fail our Lord, He not only saves but He also restores!!! He give us peace...He gives us victory!! To know that we can come before Him at any time and as His children, ask Him for His guidance and saving grace upon our lives, we are assured that not only will He do as He says but He will then fight for us.

Psalm 108:12-13
"Give us aid against the enemy for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory and He will trample down our enemies."

To know He cares for His own like this gives me such comfort. I hope that today, you will find the peace of knowing how much He loves you and how He so desires to save you, to redeem you and to restore you by His grace & mercy.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good...His love endures forever!!!