“Blessed is he whose transgressions is forgiven, whose sin is covered!” Psalm 32:1
Many make the mistake of hoping for the best when they refuse to first deal with that which is worst. They want the benefits of reconciliation, yet they refuse to repent. They want the blessings of the righteous without being made righteous. They desire the fruit of godliness without despising the root that corrupts  them. Such people need to give serious consideration to these words from the pen of J. R. Miller:

True blessedness can ever come to anyone—until forgiveness has come. Unforgiven sin lies as a heavy curse upon a life. No other favor or prosperity is of any avail while sin remains uncancelled. But with forgiveness, comes all the blessedness of life and glory. When we are forgiven, we become at once God’s children, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ to all the rich inheritance of eternal life. All the blessings of salvation are in this one.

In one place God says he will remember our sins against us no more. The covering is complete and final. The sins are covered by the atonement of Christ. “All we like sheep have gone astray; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all.” If our sins were laid on Jesus Christ—they are covered forever, and will never rise up against us.

Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.–Proverbs 2:9

There is a European legend about a great kingdom whose roadway to the capital city was obstructed. In the middle of the road, not far from the gates of the city, was a large boulder. Travelers were forced to detour around it, and many complained that it was allowed to remain in the middle of the road. Finally, a man came along who was different. He got a long piece of wood to use as a lever, pried the boulder from its place, and rolled it out of the road. Under the boulder he found a small bag and a note from the king.

“Thank you for being a true servant of the kingdom. Many have passed this way and complained because of the state of the problem and spoken of what ought to be done. But you have taken the responsibility upon yourself to serve the kingdom instead. You are the type of citizen we need more of in this kingdom. Please accept this bag of gold that traveler after traveler walked by simply because they didn’t care enough about the kingdom to serve.”

When we walk in God’s path we live a life of service to others and to Him. Jesus described the purpose for His coming this way: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). As a result He was able to say, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). Jesus came and gave us an example “that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).–From “Daily in the Word”

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD—–. – Psalms 71:16

Our own weakness would dismay us, but God’s strength is offered to us; in His light we see, and in His strength we work. We have duties to perform, difficulties to encounter, and foes to overcome; let us therefore go in the strength of the Lord.

It is promised to us, and may be received by us; we must ask it of God, we must expect it in faith, and go forth believing that He is faithful who hath promised. Never let us attempt any thing in our own strength; if we do, we shall be sure to fail; let us first take up God’s promise, rely on His veracity, and so go forth to duty, conflict, and danger. Then the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s; then we are sure of success, succour, and victory.

The Lord will then be our strength and song; our refuge and certain salvation. His strength is made perfect in weakness, and His grace is glorified in the unworthy.

Let us not fear, let us not loiter, let us not despond, but let us go in the strength of the Lord, and we shall be more than conquerors. He giveth courage to the faint, and to those who have no might He increaseth strength.

I know the God in whom I trust,
The arm on which I lean;
He will my Saviour ever be,
Who has my Saviour been;
Strong in His strength my foes I face,
Assured of victory through His grace
—By James Smith

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1

The Scottish-born naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, once had a conversation with railroad magnate and industrialist E. H. Harriman.

“I’m richer than you are,” declared Muir to the railroad baron.

“And how is that true?” responded Harriman.

“Because you don’t have all you want — and I do. Therefore I am richer than you,” answered Muir.

Well, perhaps these two men were playing word games with one another. We don’t know if either man was truly satisfied with his life, but there’s one thing of which I’m certain. Our search for satisfaction will not be found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. It can only be found in Jesus.

What satisfies you today? Is it the things you own? Your relationships? Your job? Ask the Lord to fill you with the source of lasting satisfaction—Himself! (Adrian Rogers)