Crosswalk.com

Sweet Moments - God's Love at Work - Week of August 29

Sweet Moments

By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of August 29, 2021

Within four days, very recently, our family laid two very special aunts to rest. All of my many aunts were like second mothers to me growing up. Each one was unique and strong and poured their very best into my young life. And each one inspired me to do the same.

As my large, extended family came together for these homegoing services, I was reminded to look for God’s beauty in everything: the tears, the memories, the flowers, the love through so many hearts and the legacy through these two aunts, who are also mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, and daughters.

In this, death’s bitter moments were made sweet by God.

"Sweet" can mean "good" (NAS Exhaustive Concordance #2896a).

As in His invitation to "Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him" (Ps 34:8 NLT)!

The Word "good" in this verse means "pleasant" and "agreeable" (Strong’s 2896a).

Psalm 34:10 NKJV reminds us that "...those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing."

Here, the Word "good" means "benefit" and "welfare" (Strong’s 2896b) as well as "happiness" and "prosperity" (NAS Exhaustive Concordance).

So, when we seek God, agree with His truth and ways and take refuge in Him, we will experience sweet moments of life that include His good benefits, no matter what our hearts’ desperation.

"Moment" is defined by Dictionary.com as "a particular time or period of success" It can mean a "stage" of a "course of events." And It factors in importance and effects, such as consequences or rewards.

Proverbs 14:14 TPT assures us that "a good person receives a sweet reward."

"Moment" can mean "day" in relation to "point of time" So, as we call out to Him and receive His moment-by-moment provision for victory, He can shift us from darkness to light instantly (Ps 138:3 TPT).

In this way, sweet moments magnify God and His Name. Sweet moments are victory in action.

As we release our pain to Christ and agree with His sweetness or goodness every moment, we align with His victory above darkness progressively to the point of completion, knowing He’ll use our circumstances for the good of His Kingdom. (Gal 5:22).

At my aunts’ homegoing services, God aligned my family on a new level of reconnection. He touched our hearts to override any absences or differences with His outpouring of what’s most important: Love.

To be more aligned with the heart of God is what my aunts would want.

God’s way above it all.

His truth.

His prevailing Presence and presentation of victory over death.

Psalm 34:7 NKJV tells us that "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them."

So, we never have to fear death or unpleasantries when we remain close to sweet Jesus. His Spirit of truth and grace is stronger and empowers us in any situation, even when loved ones cross over into eternity.

In Psalm 138:7 TPT, King David says, "By your mighty power I can walk through any devastation and you will keep me alive reviving me." In verse three, he says, "At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me! You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me."

Friends, we can face any difficulty when we are filled afresh with God’s Spirit above being full of ourselves.

We can rejoice and come up higher, according to Psalm 24:7 TPT, which says, "So wake up, you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you doorways of eternity! Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you."

Friends, we can rise and remain living in the ascended life Jesus died to give us by trusting and obeying Him to make our moments sweet.

So, let’s look to His every rainbow promise that bridges us to His fulfillment, as we abide with Him for every sweet moment.

Pray with me, if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your heart of love that brings Your people together. Help me to remain in Your truth, to abide in You in all things. Please "Give me revelation about the meaning of your ways so I can enjoy the reward of following them fully" (Ps 119:33 TPT). Help me to choose Your righteousness over my own ways and reap the benefits of Your rewards. Thank You for Your sweet and fruitful moments in my life. I pray that You will multiply them.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

And now, I declare that "The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him" (Ps 28:7 AMPC).

To God be the glory.


Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.