Feb 12, 2026 – Delight
JC – “I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading every thought…. I smile when you think lovingly of Me. My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My thoughts. As your thinking goes, so goes your entire being…. Let Me be your positive Focus…. Modern man seeks his positive focus elsewhere…. Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in their lives. I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only I could fully satisfy it. Delight yourself in Me; let Me become the Desire of your heart.” See Matthew 1:23 and Psalm 37:4.
Simpson – “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt.vi. 33). Simpson adds his thoughts about keeping our focus on God, “For every heart that is seeking anything from the Lord this is a good watchword. That very thing, or the desire for it, may unconsciously separate you from the Lord…. The thing we desire may be a right thing, but we desire it in a distrusting and selfish spirit. Let us commit it to Him, and not cease to believe for it… keep our purpose fixed on His will and glory…. Then shall it be true, ‘Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart’ ….It is only when ‘we are Christ’s’ that ‘all things are ours.’”
Prevail #43 – My small group meeting is today and we are studying the book 12 Daring Women of the Bible which has several authors and speakers for each accompanying video. Deborah is our focus today; and, ironically (to me but not to God), she is Larson’s focus today as well. She points out that, “Throughout the ages… Where there’s been a void of Christian influence, there’s been a vacuum for the enemy to fill. National women leaders weren’t exactly commonplace at the time of the judges, yet God called Deborah to rise up, to lead, and to help care for His people. Where’s the need in your midst? ….Don’t wait for someone else to lead – rise up! God has a place of influence for you, He has gifts He’s called you to steward, and He has people He’s appointed you to touch…. Set aside your default distractions and seek the face of God. Ask Him what your calling looks like in this particular season of life.”
Streams – Matthew 6:32 – “Your heavenly Father knows.” Cowman shares Arthur Christopher Bacon’s thoughts, “I still believe that a day of understanding will come for each of us, however far away it may be. We will understand as we see the tragedies that today darken and dampen the presence of heaven for us to take their proper place in God’s great plan – a plan so overwhelming, magnificent, and joyful, we will laugh with wonder and delight.” I would think that Deborah, who led men in battles, and people through the ages who have experienced unthinkable tragedies would wonder how someone could say that we will someday understand. I would think God will just erase it all from our memories once we get to heaven, but Bacon says we will understand. Deborah now understands. John 13:7 – “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but….”
Power – And now God reminds us of another verse about trials, this one from 1 Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as thought something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.” Joyce explains, “God sometimes allows us to be in less than desirable situations to test our ‘quality.’ Quite often, He is planning a promotion for us in life if we pass the test in front of us.” It’s so difficult to lay that explanation over some of the ugliness we’ve studied in history and especially that we’ve seen in our day, but that is indeed what He asks us to do. Trust. “Are you passing the test…. If you are in a difficult or trying situation right now, discipline yourself not to complain, but instead give praise and glory to God.”
Max – After I let my mind fill with reminders of unspeakable tragedies and trials that people have faced and are facing, I was met by Jesus’ words that Max chose from John 14:1 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” Max consoles us with, “Jesus wants you to know…. that you are never alone. You are never without help, hope, or strength. You are stronger than you think because God is nearer than you might imagine.” I pray this reminder finds the hearts of all who are suffering during seasons of confusion and fear right now.
Utmost – Chambers points out this truth (that he bases on Exodus 20:19), “We do not consciously disobey God, we simply do not heed Him…. We show how little we love God by preferring to listen to His servants only.” Even though I do lean quite a bit on what other people share, I find myself wanting to protest here. I do want to hear from God (which is partly why I want to hear what other people have learned and experienced), but I’ll read on to hear the point that Chambers is trying to make. “We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we do not desire that God Himself should speak to us. Why are we so terrified lest God should speak to us? Because we know that if God does speak, either the thing must be done or we must tell God we will not obey Him. If it is only the servant’s voice we hear, we feel it is not imperative, we can say, ‘Well, that is simply your own idea, though I don’t deny it is probably God’s truth…. The real delight of hearing Him is tempered with shame in having been so long in hearing Him.” Bullseye!
JA – “It is easy to slide, ever so gradually, from delighting in Me to living for the next spiritual ‘high’…. Do not underestimate the brokenness of the world you inhabit. Your enjoyment of My Presence will always intermingle with the sorrows of living in this fallen world – until I take you into Glory.”
