More than a Promise…
Welcome to the Overflow! Whether you’re an old friend or a new one, I’m glad you’re here. This is a place where faith is spilled and souls are filled. I hope you’ll linger for a while and be encouraged.If you like what you find here, don’t forget to sign up on the side bar to receive a trickle of inspiration in your in-box each month. Of course, we can connect on Facebook or Twitter too. Better yet, we could meet face to face! I’m scheduling speaking engagements for the 2018-2019 school year, and I’d be delighted to bring a message of encouragement to a ministry event near you. (Contact me at overflow@aliciabruxvoort.net if you’d like to know more).
I don’t remember what had burdened my heart in the midnight hours on that night long ago. But I remember the cavernous ache that had threatened to swallow me whole. I don’t remember the source of my angst or the weight of my worry. But I remember the drizzles that had seeped quiet from my tired eyes and the cries that had spilled noisy from my desperate heart.
I don’t remember the details of my darkness. But I remember how I’d stared at the stars shimmering in the velvet sky and begged the One who breathed those stars to life to breathe life into me, too.
I’d opened my Bible in the flicker of lamplight and let the Psalmist’s words wash over me like a soft spring rain.
I hang on to these words for dear life!
These words hold me up in bad times;
yes, your promises rejuvenate me…
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word… (Psalm 119, The Message)
My tears were mingling with the moonbeams when I heard the pitter patter of little feet. Soon the sound gave way to sight, and my preschooler stepped into view.
“I can’t sleep,” my son said with a ragged sigh. I turned to meet his green-eyed gaze and gave him a nod of wordless empathy. He stumbled toward me with sleepy steps and slipped his slender frame beside mine.
I pulled him close and kissed his head of tousled hair. Then I let my eyes roam over the words in my lap once again.
You’re my place of quiet retreat;
I wait for your Word to renew me…
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise… (Psalm 119, The Message)
Slowly, my soul began to breathe and my fears began to flee.
My qualms began to quiet and my worries began to wane.
I’d opened the word of God and come face to face with the Living Word.
Because the Bible is far more than a collection of God’s promises; it’s a conduit into His presence.
It’s more than a beacon of hope for tomorrow; it’s a bidding to encounter His heart today.
The Bible is an invitation to be wrecked by Christ’s mercy and wooed by His grace; to be strengthened by His faithfulness and transformed by His truth. When we step into God’s presence on the pages of His word, we get to lean in and listen to the timeless whispers of Heaven. And we are reminded that the breadth of our strongest longing is no match for the depth of our Savior’s love.
But the Bible offers us so much more than comfort. Ultimately, it offers us a Companion–
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5, 14)
The first chapter of John reminds us that Jesus isn’t hiding behind the words of scripture or peeking around the gospel message. He IS the Word, the radiance of God’s glory. And He’s willing and waiting to step into our story…If only we’ll open our Bibles and invite Him in.
My little boy wiggled beside me and whispered the question that had been on his mind since he’d padded down the hallway. “Mommy, why were you sitting all alone in the dark?”
I pulled my son closer and assured him of what my heart knew to be true.
“I wasn’t alone,” I whispered. “I was just sitting here with Jesus”
My preschooler scanned the room with wide-eyed wonder. Then, in a reverent hush he asked. “Is He still here?”
I patted my Bible and pointed to those well-worn pages that lay open on my lap between us.
“Yes,” I replied with a grateful smile. “He’s right here, buddy. He’s right here.”
Today I’m giving away a little something to encourage you as you seek Jesus in His Word. If you’d like to enter to win the gift book, God’s Promises for Every Day along with a journal for recording your favorite scripture, just leave us a comment below. Let us know how God’s Word has encouraged you lately or share one way you’ve encountered the heart of Jesus when you’ve opened your Bible. The winner will be chosen by random drawing and notified by Friday, August 10.U.S. addresses only, please.
Your story from Proverbs 31 was incredible. Simple truth, from your daughter and from Him. A bandaid is not going to always fix everything, but He can. He never leaves us, even in the darkness, literal or spiritual, He is there. My favorite thing you said from this today is “the breadth of our strongest longing is no match for the depth of our Savior’s love.” I love that we can open the Bible and find exactly what we need, at the perfect time, in the perfect way. He loves us so much. Thank you today for the reminder.
Thanks for taking a minute to speak encouragement, Hannah. I love the way the Bible speaks personally to us at the perfect time in the perfect way, too. So glad the Word is active and alive:)
Your morning inspiration bandaids can’t fix hurt is what I needed to hear. I just just signed up on your overflow blog.
Thank you.🙏🙏😇
So glad to meet you here, Connie! Welcome to the Overflow family:)
God has been a place of refuge for me as I struggle with personal stressors as well as work stressors. Most recently, God has helped me come to terms with a stressful and heartbreaking time at my church as leaders have not conducted themselves in Godly ways. Even though leaders and their words may fail and change, God never does change and neither does His Word.
Jen, I’m so glad God never changes. Praying for you as you walk through this season of heartbreak and disappointment. And I’m praying for your church, too. May Jesus heal wounds and bring peace in the pain.
Praise God for you, Alicia, and your readers and their comments! 🙂 I was blessed by both the devo about sometimes needing more than bandaid and “More Than A Promise…” Wow! May I ask the verse references and Bible from which they camcamen “More than a Promise…”? May God continue to grow us closer to and deeper in Him.
Cindy, thanks for your encouraging words! The verses are from Psalm 119 in the Voice translation.
Thank you, my go to verse has always been Jer 29:11, yesterday in my hours of need the Lord reminded me of it. This morning I was saying to Him as the tears slid down my face I wish you were physically here to hold me, He would let me know John 1:14. He is here with me.
Beautiful! God is so kind. Thanks for sharing the way He’s holding you.
I just wanted to find out what Psalm that was that you were reading in the early morning :)?
Psalm 25 is one of my go-to’s when I can’t sleep. But, actually, I love all the Psalms:)
Thank you for sharing today’s devotion! Each day’s devotion has the Words written to help me make it through the next day… Across the next hurdle… They are balm for my weariness, and energy to continue to seek. Thank you!!
Julie, I love hearing how God meets you through our P31 devos each day. He’s so faithful, isn’t He?
Thank you for this message. I have been encouraged lately to walk by faith. It has really helped me recently.
What a great post!
Thank you for this sweet devotion! Great encouragement and wisdom to remember that our God is the first One to seek in each and every moment.
Thanks for this devotion I loved the parts about your daughter bringing band-aids to school in Kindergarten and also later on had to add a Bible because “band – aids do not fix everything”. I say Amen to that.
I absolutely love when it happens- when God’s Word directly speaks to our hearts and minds, comforting exactly what weighs us down. When I face particularly worrying situations, I love when He leads me to the right verses that I need for the moment.
Just on Friday I faced an unexpected very stressful situation the outcome of which would be beyond my control. My mind just went into overload. And then in the evening I accidentally came across this, ” He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall find refuge”…that was a soothing ”lotion” over my soul and started to calm my mind down.
Oh, Maria, yes! I love the way God’s word is personal and powerful! And a soothing lotion, indeed 🙂
Testing
Recently,God’s word gives me incredible joy!
Recently God’s word give me assurance of his full control in every season of my life!
I’m so thankful for each of you! Thanks for taking time to linger here at the Overflow.
Recently,and currently Gods word continues to give me peace and assurance he will never leave me nor forsake me no matter what
God’s word lately has and continues to give me supernatural peace during the continued undeserved most upsetting time of my life!
God’s word has given me peace in the most turbulent season in my life this is how God’s word has encouraged me lately!
I loved today’s devotional! What a great reminder for us Adults to be looking for people who are hurting from their hearts
I was led to your site through proverbs31 ministries. My walk with Jesus has been questioned by others in unfair ways that let me think about my walk itself. I am in a situation of need right now. Need of prayers to get thru difficult times.
We’re praying for you, Kimberly!
Thank you for this devotion today! I’ve been dealing with some heartache, and needed encouragement, this gave it to me!
Praying that Jesus will hold your heart today, Dori, and soothe you with His presence.
Today I will attend the funeral of a dear friend of mine’s daughter. When trying to muster up the courage to reach out to my friend this morning with some encouragement on how she will get through the funeral, I went for my “Daily Bread” scripture, and pulled out Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What a comforting promise for my friend today! If I win this package, I will proudly pass it on to my dear friend. Thank you~
Oh, Bobbie, I am praying for your friend in this heartbreaking time. I love how Jesus met you in the word and strengthened you to walk with your friend through one of her most difficult days.
Yes, Alicia, it was a difficult day, but I am truly thankful that my friend has a very strong faith, and that alone is getting her through this tragic loss. She has good days, and bad days, but she is carrying on! Thank you for reaching out and letting me know that I won! I cannot wait to share this with my friend, and let her know that this happened on such a sad day for her, and I believe it was another way that God meets us where we are, and brings disciples to share His word to help us along the way! Thank you!!
I am trying to revive my prayer life and was reminded today that the answers I seek (for why I’m struggling with this issue) are right there in my bible. Thank you for reminding us where to search!
Leslie! I often pray the Word aloud. It’s like CPR for my prayer life (and my soul). May you find fresh joy in talking with Jesus as you open His Word and find Him there.
Your words reverberate in my soul. Thank you. My go to verse is: “ For You O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.”
I LOVE that verse, Vicki. One of my favorites, too!
Thank you for your message. I’ve been struggling with life and worry. Our two kids are estranged as our daughter is refusing to forgive our son for hurting her. I am heart broken. He has asked for forgiveness many times and she won’t talk to him. Our family is devided and we have always been so close. I continue to pray but struggling with losing hope.
Jesus, fill our sister with fresh hope. Bring healing and peace to her family and restore the friendships that are strained and severed.
I suffer with an as yet undiagnosed ailment that causes severe burning back pain. I have waited ten months to see a specialist, and since this journey of physical suffering began my beautiful daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Today I awoke in pain praying for a miracle for both of us, but especially for a good outcome of an follow up MRI that my daughter will undergoe this afternoon.
Then God lead me here to your site and reminded me “to be still and know that I am God.”
To trust in Him and to place all my sufferings and anxieties in His healing Hands. Love heals and all things are possible with God. I will be bringing my own bumps and bruises kit with me to the hospital today, in the form of His Divine Word. Thank you Alicia for posting your story.
Jeanie, I am crying out with you for a miracle for you and your daughter.
I recently had an infection and was quite ill. I had to opt out of a trip with my husband to California to visit our daughter and new granddaughter. I was feeling left out and alone, as well as achey and feverish, when I opened my Bible and searched through the psalms for relief from my pain and sorrow. In the week I was alone – I grew closer my Sustainer and Lifter of my head. It turned out to be a week of joy and renewal for my spirit and allowed me to be excited for my husband and the special time he had alone with our two precious girls.
Wow, Joan! Thank you so much for sharing with us. May we all have many such times in the Word with our “Sustainer and Lifter of our heads!” May God continue to richly bless you.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Alicia, thank you for sharing your words of wisdom with us! I love how real life today relates to God’s word from so long ago. He has given me little glimpses of what His plan for me in ministry is these last few weeks and I’m excited to jump into what He has for me. I don’t yet have all the details but I’m just digging deeper and waiting for the next step.
Thank you for obedience to the calling He has on your life. It is very encouraging!
Shannon, may God continue to guide your steps, your “leaps,” and your ministry. Blessings!
Thank you for the devotion and the blog post.
I am ,in more recent days, coming to spend time in God’s Word. I was doing well with His but 11 years of extreme trial can cause one to waver in their faith. I have been reading Lamentations and Psalms in m2u study Bible. The hope is there even in the darkness. Thank you again for your writing today.
Linda, I love the verse in Isaiah that says we will find treasures in darkness. I’m praying that you’ll mine some gold as you seek Jesus in the Word today.
I have been reading Joseph’s story in the book of Genesis. It has encouraged me to trust in God’s timing and to seek Him in good times and in bad. I love the verse in Genesis 50, “… you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Verse 20)
YES! Joseph’s story has been my favorite since I was a little girl 🙂 My mom says I even asked for a “coat of many colors” for Christmas! Such an amazing God we have who can flip our darkest hours into His brightest victories.
Gods word is a light for our path in this difficult world. Thank you for your lovely, meaningful devotion on P31 today …
Your devotion is timely and sooo true!!
Thank you for sharing today. I needed the reminder that God is the source of surest aid.
Be still and know that I am God psalm46:10. The psalm that helps me everyday. Thank you for todays reading.
Encouragement is a word that keeps popping up in my Jesus time lately. Thank you for the contribution of encouragement today.
I love when God speaks to me and my current needs/situation as I lean into Him and His word! ♡
It seems like whatever question I have in mind or feelings I have, everytime I read the daily devotional it always answers my questions. It’s what I need everyday. Thank you for always providing these readings, it’s such a blessing to me.
I have a preteen I’ve been butting heads with lately. As a concerned mom I need, in the midst of her/our struggle in her changes, to remember that bandaids don’t fix everything. Perfect verses for her to open her day with as well! Thank you
This is such encouragement to me. I am constantly amazed at how, as ancient as it is, the Bible is still the same yesterday as it is today. Spirit and truth, laid out for each of us. Thank you for this devotional today and for reminding us of the power of God’s promises.
The Lord is so faithful to meet me exactly where I am in His Word every morning. He is my Rock and my Redeemer!!
Your words were exactly what I needed today. Thank you.
I love this devotion and Proverbs 31! I read these devotions every morning before work to start my day. I’ve had some difficult issues in my life to deal with this past year and God’s word and these devotions have helped my fear and anxiety over my circumstances. One particular verse that I love is “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. With God, all things are possible!
I am so thankful that we are never alone!
Thank you for sharing this message! God’s blessings always!
The devotions from Proverbs 31 women always have been just been what God needed me to hear that day.