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Hear the devotion: https://bit.ly/3rSIc0q
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. (Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 NIV Bible)
Dear Friend, Nellie and I just drove in from Wharton via Austin and it's about 11:15 pm. This devotional will be brief as this old man is tired. We had a wonderful time with the fine folks of Wharton ISD where for two days I helped enrolled staff, teachers, and adminstrators for this coming school year. At this reading the peace and calm that was in the building has ended as today, Thursday is the first day of school for the students there in Wharton. Let us pray for the safety and blessing for the students and all who make up the schools of Wharton Independent School District. May we also ask God cover all students and teachers and all who make up schools everywhere. Pray for parents who have mixed feelings about the opening of school once again.
I met several wonderful people in Wharton and was blessed by the hospitality at the two schools where I set up shop. I heard many a story and prayed for all, especially those who shared some hard times in their personal lives. And I had the blessing of having Nellie by my side on Wednesday as we had to check out of our hotel early and she and I shared with a lovely lady about the "secret" of forty-five years of marriage. We affirm that we believe that God brought us together and it has been God who has blessed us through the good and the bad. The psalmist could have been writing about our lives together as he gives witness to his faith about God's graciousness and compassion. The psalmist knew that God was indeed slow to anger and very rich In love. I too, believe that God is good to all people and that God has compassion on all creation for creation is His. God has been there when we have fallen and helps us get up; even those whom life has made them bow down in defeat, God lifts them up. God is aware of us during our time of need and when we lift up our eyes in desperation; God has provided food for us when it seemed we might not have any. The mere opening of God's hand brings blessing to those who ask, and the desires of all living things are satisfied in God.
God is there when we need Him the most. When we call on the Lord, God listens and responds. Even our desires are fulfilled in Him; and He hears when we cry and brings us salvation. Friends, God watches all of us who love Him, but the wicked face a fearful future. Yet, our mouth should speak the praises of God. The call is for all of us to join in with all creation in praising God, for God's name is holy now and for ever. Amen? Amen!
PRAYER: GOD, you are awesome and we praise You for all You do for us; may we be worthy of all and do all we can for those in need; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Share the news that God is there for all who need Him and who cry out to Him.
Receive my blessings of love and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
