My son, I have not abandoned you. In your fear you felt cut off and alone. But I was there, and will be there no matter what your feelings tell you. Yes, I am speaking to you. This is not a construct of your wishful thinking.
You wonder what purpose could be served in such an experience as you had. First, you must learn to be more obedient. You give in much too easily to feelings of tiredness. Second, you must learn to bring your thoughts into captivity to My Sovereign Spirit. You were not at all successful night before last. “The years the locusts have eaten”—are much, very much, involved here.
Be of good courage. All is not lost. Only pride and shallow faith—but what are they?
January Fourth
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
I Samuel 15:22b
Listen to Me instead of your own thoughts. Your thoughts are full of anxiety and fear, fantasy and unreality. My thoughts are not as yours. That is why a person is kept in “perfect peace” when the mind is stayed on Me.
I know your circumstances—and your physical needs. My arm is not shortened that it cannot save—and I am the Lord who healeth thee. How many times have I told you before, yet you grovel in shadows and self-pity. Your pain is but for a season—and it is never without amelioration. So do not magnify it beyond what it is. Have a good day in spite of it by listening to Me instead of your thoughts. Remember, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me.” So, offer praise continually through the day.
January Fifth
The Lord preserves the simple.
Psalm 116:6a
Look unto Me, My child. Gaze steadily upon My mercy. Know that you are a child of mercy—and that the blessings I pour out on you are the fruit of mercy. Long you have wandered afield, gazing on the things of the world, pulled by the attraction of things that perish and fade. It is time, high time, to fix your gaze on heavenly things. Seek the incorruptible crown, My son. Let go your burning desire to “be somebody” and accept the lowly and despised place I will for you. Look unto Me—and keep looking.
January Sixth
I am the good shepherd; I know My own and My own know Me.
John 10:14
This quiet time is My gift of love to you, My son. In spite of the multitude of distractions, it still carries the stamp of My blessing. You are receiving more than you know. Healing is taking place, fallow ground is being broken up, and the holy seed of My truth is being planted. As you see the snow gently falling to the waiting ground, so My mercies descend on your waiting soul—quietly, without noise or fanfare. This is My way.
January Seventh
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
I know your impatience in waiting—your desire to have a quick and verifying word from Me. Think, My son, is this the right attitude with which to approach the eternal Majesty on high? Is it not rather a symptom of your great self-love and demanding nature? Why must you wait to hear My voice? Because of this very aspect which you bring to these meetings, our communication is impeded.
I do not rebuke you harshly, but appeal to you as a loving Father: Learn to be content with waiting when I seem to delay in speaking. Learn that in the silence much is to be gained if you let it work for you.
Do not lose your grateful heart for these moments—they are not ordinary. Don’t let their frequency blind you to their incomparable worth to your soul.
January Eighth
For He has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His will … to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:9–10
My word brings joy even when it causes you pain. It brings life, even when it brings death to your wonted ways. Rather, it brings joy because it brings pain, and life because it brings death.
The deepest things of life remain a mystery to you, My child, and it must be so. In the mystery there are realities as yet only faintly grasped or dimly seen. But their presence assures you that there is more to life with Me than you have yet experienced.
Do not be afraid of the mysteries, and do not try to explain them away. This foolish effort on your part has robbed you of blessings and stunted your growth in Me for many years. Expand the capacity of your soul to admit what you cannot understand or reason out—and let My word bring the life and joy you so much want and need.
January Ninth
My eyes are toward Thee, O Lord God; in Thee I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
Psalm 141:8
This is My word to you today: Repent of who you are, and let My Spirit convict you of who you are in particular areas of need. Do not frustrate My design by looking for a quick and painless fix—but believe that I am accomplishing that which I have begun in you.
January Tenth
O Thou who hearest prayer! To Thee shall all flesh come.
Psalm 65:2
I hear your prayer, and it shall be done. No prayer is prayed in vain. Leave the particulars to Me, My child, and in My time and way your desire will be fulfilled. I am still training you in the path of faith. I still look for trust rather than doubt or questioning. A loving relationship must be built on trust—and you have ample ground for that, do you not? So keep on praying and learning that trust is a choice which you can make. Don’t let doubts discourage you. Let My strength encourage your fearful heart.
January Eleventh
Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Romans 2:4b
Vain regret is not repentance. Yes, you have made many wrong choices through the course of your life. But I have no pleasure in the self-pity of remorse. Since My grace has never been lacking and My mercy has never been withdrawn from you, your life has been a redeemed life. It does not mean that the wrong choices brought no harm—they did and do. But My grace has been and is greater, and those choices did not overrule it.
My gift of repentance, unlike vain regret, is a forward-looking attitude. It enables you to lay hold of My future, cleansed and freed from paralyzing guilt and shame. Claim it, My child, and let your tears be tears of joy and gratitude.
January Twelfth
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:7
I am the Lord your God. I am with you in your present condition and will be with you always. Let your feeble faith be strengthened and enlarged to rejoice in My sure love. I am the same yesterday, today and forever. I change not, and never forsake those whom I love. Be at peace and drive away foolish fantasies and fears.
January Thirteenth
And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
My dear child, I have missed these quiet meetings with you. You see, I know how much you need Me, how much you need the reassurance of My love, and how dark your way becomes when you neglect your relationship with Me. I am your light. I am your hope. I am your strength and defense. You can never face the