I stepped out of the house for my early morning walk and talk with God. The air is chilly and fresh. No bustling sound coming from the main road a few meters away from our place. No belting from videoke enthusiasts in the neighborhood. It's too early for that. Even the birds are still asleep. I couldn't hear even a faint delightful chirping. Perfect moment.
I uttered a prayer. Bless me, O Lord with the joy of Your presence. Increase my rejoicing with Your wonderful promises. Make me happy with answers to my prayers.
I needed God's comforting presence. The past days have given me enough reasons to weep, worry and be worn. Two friends lost their fathers. A contagious virus struck my son at a time when he needed to complete requirements for graduation. For months now, I've been looking and hoping to find a lost item. And we've been praying for an important application to be finally approved. I desperately needed God's presence and promise. And so I prayed.
In my past conversations with God, He would speak as I open the Scriptures. Sometimes the verse is the exact answer to my question. But at times, I would read a passage that has nothing to do with the thought that's troubling me. Then I would just trust that God heard me anyway. I may not get my answer now, maybe it will come later, or not at all. God's silence doesn't mean His absence.
But this morning, God answered my prayer with a promise as I turned to a Bible reading guide and discovered the verse for the day. It's Romans 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joy and peace come from trust in God, but such trust is finally the gift of God, for believers abound in hope only by his grace (ESV Study Bible). Thank You, LORD for enabling me to trust You, and as I trust You, You fill my heart with gladness. What a blessing for this lovely morning.
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