knee prints in the sand...trusting

In many Scripture verses, the word “trust” is synonymous with “hope”… and hope is always future.

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But the people who trust [hope in; wait on] the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky [with wings like eagles]; they will run and not need rest [grow weary]; they will walk and not become tired [faint]—Isaiah 40:31 Expanded Bible

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A word study of the Hebrew word for "trust [hope in; wait on]" is “qavah” meaning to bind together by twisting, to wait for, to hope for, to look eagerly for; to lie in wait for; linger for, to expect. The basic idea is to wait for or look for with eager expectation.  

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Hope, with its Biblical dimension of certainty, is one facet of qavah, which also includes ‘waiting’ (patience) and ‘resting’ (trusting). The participial form points to those in whom this relationship of expectation, patience and trust with the Lord is unchanging. 

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Another facet of qavah pictures a continual, unchanging relationship of patiently remaining or abiding under. This includes the ideas of trust and the confidence which characterize hope.

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But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!—Habakkuk 2:3 TLB

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In Beth Moore’s study on Paul’s life, To Live is Christ, Acts 20:22 tells of Paul having been “compelled by the Spirit” to go on to Jerusalem, even though trouble lay ahead. 

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Once Paul discerned the will of God, nothing could stop him. When the ship was ready to sail, Paul’s friends accompanied him to the ship. Men, women, and children kneeling in the sand praying with one heart and mind for the apostle and his beloved associates. 

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We pictured what the sand must have looked like after Paul boarded the ship and the crowd went back home. Footprints leading to and from the shore. Then, nothing but knee prints—clustered together in the damp sand…a sight for God to behold. 

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Long after the time and tide had washed away every print, the power of those prayers was still at work. 

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Lord Jesus, help me trust You more, leaving “knee prints” in the kingdom.

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We are recipients of great favor and a great inheritance. We are the righteous—those in right standing with the Father by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection—the Lord’s own inheritance. Because we belong to Him and are His heirs, God blesses our lives with deliverance, direction, and continual access into His presence. Because of His unfailing love for us, we can enter His throne room and receive His grace. 

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When we ask Him to tell us what to do, He will show us which way to turn and will always lead us on the right path. To top it all off, He encompasses, or encircles, us with the shield of His love, which means that He covers us with His favor and with the approval that He bestows on the righteous. This is a wonderful thing to petition the Lord for, on behalf of your loved ones and for your own life, leaving “knee prints” in the kingdom.

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A pastor’s wife once told this true story of a time she was walking down a path in a park, when suddenly, she could see a man running toward her with an evil intent and expression on his face. She cried out, “Jesus, help me!” and instantly she said she actually saw a “hoop skirt of light” shining down around her, and the evil man just kept running past her, as though he had not seen her, and she was safe.

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Heavenly Father, thank You that I know that I know that I know that because I have placed my trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, I am redeemed by His precious blood, He has crowned me, surrounded me, encircled me with His glory and honor. Thank you for letting me see the Savior! Jesus is alive, he has come and is coming again! Lord Jesus, thank you for being a light to reveal God to the nations so that more people can know and worship our Father. Thank you for bringing us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. I want to shine your light everywhere I go so that everyone around me will be drawn to you. I ask you to lead me down right paths and to show me which way to turn. Thank you for protecting me from my enemies. You and you alone deliver me from them! Thank you for surrounding me with the shield of your love and favor.Thank you for how Your favor is operating and functioning in my life. It surrounds me and encircles me like a shield. Your favor goes before me and prepares my way. Your favor opens doors of blessing and opportunity in my life. Wherever I go and whatever I do, Your favor is with me, surrounding me, encircling me. Your favor fills my life with overflowing blessing, peace, joy, fulfillment, and abundance. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

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Look Up—meditate on Isaiah 40:31 ... pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on Isaiah 40:31 ... pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

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Look Out—as you meditate on Isaiah 40:31 ... pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

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Take a few moments to leave a few “knee prints” pondering the prayerful lyrics of this timeless hymn...

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Before the throne of God above

I have a strong, a perfect plea

A great high Priest whose Name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands

My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

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When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

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Behold Him there the risen Lamb

My perfect spotless righteousness

The great unchangeable I am

The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my God!

With Christ my Savior and my God!

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One with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my God!

With Christ my Savior and my God!