By Grace, Through Faith

Each day, for the past two weeks, I have been waking up at 2:36 AM. Not 2:37, not 2:35...but 2:36 AM. I would lie awake for a bit, and think about the fact that I had less than 2 hours of "good" sleep left before it was time to get my day going (I started waking at 4:00 AM to pray and meditate before exercising).

Each day, without fail, and much to my chagrin, I was jolted from my slumber at 2:36 AM. This morning, I remembered the story of Samuel, whom God called. I was convicted about the advice Eli gave him as well. So instead of restling myself back to sleep. I spent the time in prayer hoping to discover the significance of waking at this seemingly odd hour.

This devotion brought me to Psalm 23, verse 6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. It was not lost on me at that moment that the numbers in this Book and on my clock were in alignment.

But what did it mean? As I reflected, one thing that I recognized - as a believer in Christ - is that there is no question, in the end, that God’s goodness and love will overtake us. The Lord is determined to chase after us every moment of every day until we finally know and experience for ourselves the wonders of His goodness. Even if our present situation feels difficult and overwhelming, we must hold on because God’s amazing love is just around the bend. His desire is that we would know Him in His fullness and find life forever in His presence.

As I write, I am not sure who this message would touch or how far it will reach but my prayer is that it brings hope, and peace to someone. Much like the contentment it has given me. For I know, I am here today, living and breathing...by grace, through faith.