Today dawned early, too early with Cruz wailing from his crib, his arms thrown wide for me. He’s teething right now so grumpy baby on my hip, I stumbled to the kitchen for Cruz’s milk and my coffee, then out to the yard to release our barking dogs (don’t know why the dogs woke this morning all riled up, too), and back to my prayer chair where Cruz sipped his milk and I drank in my coffee and devotions as the sun came up. Streams in the Desert is a devotion I’ve done for years. I love this daily reading complied by Mrs. L.B. Cowman and first published in 1925. Today’s reading is God’s perfect answer for sadness and I wanted to share it with you since last week I blogged about being sad.

From Streams in the Desert 
August 27:

There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “…My peace I give you…” a peace that comes from looking into his face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment. 

Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:27).

I usually post just once a week because my boys keep me so busy, but I hope to blog later this week with something of my own, God willing. Thank you all who prayed for me last week. I’m feeling so much lighter in spirit this week. As if the dark clouds have parted letting the sun shine in.