“I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.”
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Radiant Faces . . .
I see the way her shoulders slump, the way her countenance betrays the pain she’s so desperate to conceal. I see the way she’s feeling her way through the darkness of her everyday, wondering if it’s worth the always-draining effort it takes to put one foot in front of the other.
I see the way she struggles to breathe under the suffocating fear that hope is a mirage.
Yet, I also see her kneeling in prayer — a woman weighted with pain — but satiated in His presence. I see the way she seeks her Savior, daring to trust in the One who holds the unforeseen. And I see the way He enfolds her in His embrace, loving her past her flaws.
Her face reflects His light.
The pain may still be there. But He is there too.
Because He answers when we call. The Creator of beauty and goodness and truth chooses us — even when we’re struggling to choose Him.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Denise,
“He chooses us – even when we’re struggling to choose Him.” Praise! On days when I feel like I’m barely holding on by a thread, I am so thankful that He promises to never let me fall. God has always been faithful and true to that promise. Then He draws me into Himself and hides me beneath the refuge of His wings. May I always sing the Praise of my wonderful Lord and may my countenance reflect His radiance…this is my prayer today. Have a blessed Sunday!
Blessings,
Bev
Patty says
Wonderfuly said Nev!
Penny says
Bev I agree, even on those days. So thankful with you.
Take Care,
Penny
Ann Marie says
I’m so glad He chooses us even when we are struggling to choose Him. I know it’s as easy as asking Him into my life but I’m afraid I’ll let Him down.
Penny says
Ann Marie,
It will be okay, ( gentle nudge).
G Neal says
Ann Marie we all let him down. We all battle the flesh and knows this. His love is so greater than we can comprehend. His gentle love and forgiveness greets us new each morning. Do not let thoughts of not being good enough hold your mind captive. Those thoughts are from evil. Satans job is to mislead Christians with lies. Lies! Lies! Lies! God loves us unconditionally and no matter how bad we screw up His love NEVER CHANGES!
Lynn Richards says
“Because the Creator of beauty and goodness and truth chooses us” I’m so thankful this makes me stop and be in awe after so many years.
Penny says
I’m at a loss for adequate words this morning but thank-you so much for this post.
So grateful to Him
Penny
Sheryl87 says
I am chosen, I am loved, he calls me be name, he has plans for me. All of these things are true I my heart even when I don’t feel them in my head. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. I praise his name with all of you. Blessings on your Sunday.
Beth Williams says
Denise,
Such beautiful truths! Let us always glorify the Lord. He is always there for us never leaving or forsaking us no matter what! I want to “shine” like Jesus for the whole world to see!!
Blessings:)
sandi says
The message in the next few week at church deals with contentment. It seems to be a thread running through many areas of my life. Contentment with circumstances. Contentment with what I have.Contentment with what I may be loosing because of age, Contentment with change of life. God still chooses me. So beautifully said. I ask to praise Him in all things. Why? He is worthy.
Catherine Ventrola says
We need to be always in awe of His greatness!