Daily Affirmations - Day 6 - Now What Do You Say? - Strength for Today
- Alisa B.
- May 22
- 2 min read
Day 6: Strength for today
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem not knowing what will happen to me there (Acts 20:22).
Almighty God, Sovereign Lord, You alone are God from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2)— the only One who knows and directs the course of all things through past, present, and future: I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’ (Isaiah 46:10).
Whenever and wherever You choose, You unveil the mystery of Your plan in order to instruct us, to warn us, to prepare us, or to protect us according to Your wisdom. But in Your great grace and mercy, You do not burden us excessively with the details of the future, for You have said, "Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). And You have promised to give us strength for today, " As your days so will your strength be (Deuteronomy 33:25).
You desire that we know, understand, acknowledge, and embrace Your sovereignty, Your wisdom, Your love and Your goodness. You desire that we trust You— whether we face the uncertain and the unknown, or the known, clear, or predictable dangers and adversities. But You understand our struggles with navigating and bearing the dangers, toils, and snares of this life.
You gave us the example of Abraham, who went as the Lord had told him (Genesis 12:4); by faith... he... obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). You gave us the supreme example of our Lord Jesus Christ who chose to go up to Jerusalem with the full awareness of what would happen to Him there (Mark 10:33-34).
And You gave us the example of the apostle Paul who could not be dissuaded from going to Jerusalem even by the daunting prophecies that detailed the travails he would encounter there (Acts 21:4, 10-14). He was aware that from the beginning You had already determined the hardships in his life and ministry (Acts 9:15-16).
Knowing You and trusting You, Paul was more strongly compelled by the Spirit than by even the heartfelt emotions and the genuine, legitimate concerns of his friends. In the midst of a tearful and emotional farewell, he remained steadfast in his purpose (Acts 20:22, 21:12-13). And he would listen above all to Your voice of personal assurance, "Do not be afraid" (Acts 18:9, Acts 27:24).
O Lord, give us that strength and resolve! Our hardships may not be the same as the apostle Paul's but You give us the same reassurance, urging us to take courage ("take heart!") even as You give us clear expectations about the difficulties of this life: "In this world, you will have trouble" (John 16:33).
Give us the faith and trust of Abraham, and the humility and obedience of the Lord Jesus. Above all the noise and the din of trouble, help us to hear what You say: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
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