As we enter a new week – and prepare for the beginning of Lent this Wednesday – I encourage all of us to take a few minutes to thank the Lord for all the goodness in our lives. There is so much goodness all around us. Even during the darkest of days, we can find goodness if we look for it.

I would venture to guess that all of us are thinking about some challenge that lies before us this week. Lay that challenge before the Lord, and ask Him to lead you through the challenge. Ask Him to help you turn that challenge into some sort of goodness. Spend time in the silence with Him this week. Think about what enters your heart and mind as you sit silently with Him. God speaks to us when we are still with Him, in the silence.

God wants to lead each of us forward – always. We can accomplish so much with Jesus and through Jesus:

“I can do everything through Him (Christ) who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Below are some verses from a beautiful hymn. Carry these words on your hearts this week:

Praise to the Lord1

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; O my soul praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation. All you who hear, now to His altar draw near, joining in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend thee. Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do, who with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath come now with praises before Him! Let the Amen sound from His people again, now as we worship before Him.

1Written by Joachim Neander