Devotion: Safe Pastures

Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Such nice verses:  trusting, doing good and taking delight, just standing in the beautiful meadow and soaking in God's love and goodness.

Sometimes we're in a different place though. We're in a scorching place with problems on every side. We're tired. We're angry. We put hands on hips and scream at God. "Things aren't working out. Do you see how desolate things are in my life?"

Will He still love us when we feel unlovable? When we lash out? To answer that, ask yourself if you still love your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or godchild when they're unruly. You may question it sometimes, but of course you do. 

God understands our feelings and moods. I believe He even expects there'll be days when we don't cope well, when we're on edge or have trouble holding close to Him. But just as we don't give up on our cantankerous, even obnoxious loved ones, we trust the Lord loves and understands us no matter how unlovable we are at our worst. He's beckoning to us, waiting to wrap His arms around us and lead us to safe pastures. 

Heavenly Father, when we feel out of sorts, when we feel far away from You, help us pause and pray, knowing You search us out. Take us back to the place where things are manageable, position us where we may rest peacefully and take delight in You. Thank You. Amen.