Lord, You are sovereign

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:17-18)


Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  (James 1:22-25)


Lord, You are sovereign over all things, in all things, and through all things.  It is who You are, part of the very nature of Your being.  So when I begin to get sad about my circumstances or am temped to question You, please turn me back to trusting You Lord.  I pray Your will be done.  I pray that You would help me to pursue Your goodness and cling to Your promises and the truth of who You are.  Lord, I surrender my heart and this situation to You today, even in all of my longings and hopes, because I have a greater hope that is in You and rooted in my relationship with You, knowing You and recognizing how much I need You in everything.  I am filled with Your gift of joy today, knowing that this trial will produce perseverance, and I pray that this perseverance would finish it's work, so that I may become mature in my faith and complete one day standing before You.  My hope is rooted in You, knowing that You are working all things out for good.  


...deeper than my view of grace, higher than this worldly place, longer than this road I've travelled, wider than the gap you fill....