Here is today’s Bible reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7.
Psalm 71:20-21 (NIV)
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
[21] You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.
The Psalmist understood the sovereignty of God. He acknowledged that God is not only responsible for the things that are easy, but also those things that are difficult–even those troubles that are “many and bitter”. But there is comfort in God’s sovereignty because it means that our suffering is not random and pointless. Rather, it has a purpose. Ultimately that purpose is to shape us to be more like Jesus. When that happens, our honor increases and we will experience the comfort that only God can give.
Like the Apostle Paul, I want more than anything to know Christ (Phil. 3:10). I do not want to simply know about Him. I want to know Him-- personally, intimately, and experientially. It is not enough for me to hear about Him. I want to see Him with my own eyes.
With My Own Eyes 
Joanne Walker
March 31, 2012 at 2:57 am
God is so amazing and merciful! I am only on March 6th and as I read Mark 12:37 this morning I was convicted with the verse that says, “The large crowd listened to him with great delight.” I immediately journaled “It is obvious that I don’t listen with great delight as I am almost a month behind in reading the Word. Oh LORD, please forgive me. Help me to delight in listening to you from your Word. Help me to catch up and stay consistent and faithful.” Maybe that is why I am waking up almost every morning between 4 and 4:30 – to catch up and to delight listening to Him. Since I am journaling this reading through the Bible in a year I cannot just skip and start where you are! When will I ever learn?