Category: Psalms

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Nobody Knows…

Have you ever had one of those pity party days when all you wanted to do was feel sorry for yourself?

It’s a very small guest list; me, myself and I. But before long others start showing up; resentment and hurt feelings come in together, self-pity and depression found their way in and loneliness and anger seem to tag along. Then the band begins to play – it’s a Blues Band. Top 10 on their hit parade are “Ain’t No Sunshine When You’re Gone, Tears of a Clown, Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone, You’re Cheatin’ Heart and even this oldie but goodie, Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen. Now for the refreshments there’s tears of sadness pouring from the punch bowl and bitterness cake fresh out of the oven of regret.

I hope you’re smiling right now. Done like this it does sound kind of silly but in reality most of us have been there at one time or other. The hurt and loneliness are very real and we truly do feel like no one else knows what I’m going through.

“17 He (Jesus) had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins. 18 And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.” Hebrews 2:17-18 CEV

I try not to get to technical in these morning devotionals but this verse above uses an Old English word in the King James version of the Bible. The word is succor. It has been substituted in more contemporary versions with the word help. According to the Cambridge English dictionary it means “give assistance or aid to.

synonyms: help, aid, bring aid to, give/render assistance to, assist, lend a (helping) hand to;

minister to, care for, comfort, bring relief to, support, take care of, look after, attend to

“the prisoners were succored”

Jesus came to earth to experience life the way we experience it. He faced rejection from his family; problems at work; he knew hunger and exhaustion; he was tempted by power and revenge; he experienced heartache and loss but He came through it all without sin. The reason, so that he could strengthen us in our times of greatest weakness.

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

I can honestly say that since I have begun to apply these verses to my life I have rarely had a “down” or depressed day. These verses have been my strength, my support and my emotional anchor.

Realizing that Jesus went through all he did to be my strength is an amazing thought. He chose to experience the hurt and the heartache, the rejection, the temptations so that He could run to my aid and bring me relief. He came to be my help and my deliverance!

Time to break up this party – send home the guests and throw the refreshments out!

However, a new party has been planned. New guests to invite – joy, peace, forgiveness, love, gentleness, kindness. And the music – heavenly! Location – the court of the king!

“Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him. Enter his courtyards with songs of praise. Honor him and bless his name.
5 The Lord is good! There is no end to his faithful love. We can trust him forever and ever!” Psalm 100:4-5 ERV

Let’s get this party started!

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The Story in a Sunset

Yesterday Dave and I watched several programs on Australia. The brilliant blue waters and the chiseled rock formations were amazing. But I love living in Arizona.

I feel so grateful for where we live. I love watching the sun rise each morning and then set again each evening! I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most about living in Arizona – the amazing sunrises and sunsets! Beauty like this can never be captured on any canvas. Even the most advanced camera cannot truly capture the true colors and magnificence that God has placed in the heavens.

I love, did I say that again, I love seeing the beauty in nature. The brilliance in the color of a hummingbird, the magnificence of the whales. The intricacy of a flower’s center, the way the snow glistens like diamonds in the sunshine. Each and every one of them is a tribute to the excellence of God’s design. All telling the glory of God and showing off His handiwork.

But even greater than His creation is His word. For it’s His word that declares the depth of His amazing love for us.

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. 2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. 3 You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.4 But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.

The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens. 5 It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom. It begins its path across the sky like an athlete eager to run a race. 6 It starts at one end of the sky and runs all the way to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give strength to his people. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. They help even the foolish become wise. 8 The Lord’s laws are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are good. They show people the right way to live. 9 Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:1-10 ERV

It’s verse 10 that I wrote on my cards years ago. “10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.”

King David was a very wealthy man but he learned through all his years that what he learned from the Lord, from God’s word, was worth more than the purest gold. He desired to know God’s word more than he desired wealth and riches.

“More to be desired are they then gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Verse 10 King James version

When I see creation and all it’s beauty I realize how very rich I am. I am rich because the God who created all this allows me to call him Father! He created this beauty so that I could see His glory and His power. And then as I enjoy it all He whispers “I love you. I love you so much that I sent my Son”.

“Long ago God spoke to our early fathers in many different ways. He spoke through the early preachers. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son. God gave His Son everything. It was by His Son that God made the world. 3 The Son shines with the shining-greatness of the Father. The Son is as God is in every way. It is the Son Who holds up the whole world by the power of His Word. The Son gave His own life so we could be clean from all sin. After He had done that, He sat down on the right side of God in heaven.” Hebrews 11:1-3 NLV

Thank you Father for this wonderful creation but thank you more for the gift of your Son and your Word!

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Bird Brained Thinking

I have lived in the desert most of my life. Took a 22 year hiatus in the northwest but the desert is my home. I think some of my favorite animals to watch here on the desert are the birds. Oh I’m far from being a “birder” but I am fascinated by the dove, quail, roadrunner and hummingbird. They give me many hours of enjoyment. Other than the hummingbirds these other species are drab in color. They are basically brown and that’s for their protection, it gives them the ability to hide from their prey.

Do they complain? I’ve never heard them. In fact, what I hear is their sweet song each morning. They wake to the day with a melody that is soothing and joyous. During midday their song is the same and finally as day comes to a close you can hear their song on the evening breeze. They are content!

The term bird-brained has been used in a derogatory manner. MacMillan’s dictionary defines it this way: “Someone who is unintelligent, stupid or silly: fool, lump, clown” but I don’t see it that way at all. I will gladly be bird-brained when it comes to worry and trusting God.

Oh to be them – to be bird brained. Programmed to sing!

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?” Matthew 6:25-26 ERV

We, on the other hand, have a tendency to worry and many of us are very good at it. God doesn’t want us worried or fretful. He wants us trusting Him, relying on Him and being confident in who He is. Have you ever seen a bird complaining because they aren’t as brightly colored as another species or that their song may not be as sweet. No never! They are content in who they are because God made them for a purpose.

God is our provider and creator!

When we were in Iowa for the summer we experienced some terrible winds and rain. The sky would blackened, the winds would blow gale force and we were often notified of tornados in the area. I must admit those storms made me fearful. And then I began to watch the birds. They would continue to go about business as usual – hopping around on the ground, flitting from tree to tree, singing their songs. As long as the birds were singing I knew things were fine. When they stopped, I knew we had a big storm coming and it was time to take shelter. They knew – they were bird brained but they knew.

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-30 CEV

What a wonderful example God has given us on trust. We are valuable to God. The birds go out each morning and expect to find bugs and seeds. They have an instinct that protects them in face of danger and they always have a song. God has promised to cover us with His protection as a mother hen does to protect her chicks.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:1-4 ERV

I hope you are beginning to see that God has promises for every area of our lives. He wants us to trust confidently in His word.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Join me today in becoming “bird-brained”

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A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep like a baby…it may seem strange for me to be talking to you about sleep. I know, I’m the one who rises early and doesn’t seem to require a lot of sleep and maybe it’s because I have learned these verses.

“I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

I hear so many people talking asking “how’d you sleep last night”. It’s big business – specialized mattresses, memory foam pillows, just the right comforter and if all those fail then there are the sleep aids. We are obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep and rightfully so. Our bodies need rest to reenergize. Our brains need sleep so that we can function with clear headed alertness. Yes, sleep is important and since it is, God has something to say about it.

“It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late, trying to make a living. The Lord provides for those he loves, even while they are sleeping.” Psalm 127:2 ERV

Many times we lose sleep because we are working so hard that we just don’t have time. Or we get so anxious over what needs to be done to provide for our families that we just have to stay up a few more hours to get this project done. A good work ethic is important. The things we do should be done right and done well. However, we sometimes put more pressure on ourselves than we should. “If I don’t get this done…”

The Lord is the one who provides us with the job/career we have. He is the one who has given us the abilities we possess and ultimately it is the Lord who is our provider. Our jobs may be one avenue of income but God is our source. Lie down at night with a prayer on your lips “Lord, thank you for giving me restful sleep tonight so that I can wake up refreshed in the morning. Ready for another day of honoring you.” You’ll be amazed at how well you sleep.

Roll all the cares and worries of the day over on Him. He has big shoulders and his solutions are better than yours so He can solve the problems that are facing you.

“ Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLV

The Lord desires to carry those things that weigh us down and cause us to worry and in turn to lose sleep. Jesus certainly faced as many stressful and anxious moments as we do but He was able to sleep in the middle of those storms. We should follow His example and handle our storms the same way.

“ A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.40 He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 ERV

I can hear someone saying “Ya, but that was Jesus. I’m not him and I’ve got big problems.” Ok, so let’s look at a guy with big problems, Peter. He’s about to be tried in court and possibly executed; he fell asleep, peaceful sleep.

“One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, “Hurry, get up!” The chains fell off Peter’s hands.” Acts 12:6-7 ERV

When I was a young child my sleep was plagued with nightmares. All sorts of monstrous and horrible images filled my dreams. I would wake up frightened many nights. On the worst occasions I remember going in and asking my Mom if I could sleep with them. She would comfort me and take me back to bed and then I would be ok.

After I became a mother I would pray over my little ones as I put them to bed. “you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly” I put the Father in charge of their sleep. It made their nights and mine more restful.

“My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. 22 They will help you to live a long and beautiful life. 23 You will walk safely and never stumble; 24 you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly.25 So don’t be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil.” Proverbs 4:21-25 ERV

If you face nights without sleep I encourage you to choose one of the verses above and tell the Lord when you go to bed, “Lord, this is your promise and you don’t lie so I’m depending on what you said for a good night’s sleep”.

You know there are times, few and far between, when my sleep is uneasy or absent and that’s when I go back and remind myself of these verses. Then there are many times, like the other morning, when I get up in the middle of the night to pray. That’s different. But whether it’s sleep or strength I have learned to trust God to provide exactly what I need.

Rest well dear ones. Sleep in peace!

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Living A Life of Health

We can’t leave Psalm 103 just yet. Yesterday we just looked at a couple of the promises that the Lord had for us this. This morning I want us to look again at verse 3.

“He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses.” Psalm 103:3 CEV

I was really amazed the first time I read this verse. As I said yesterday, I knew God would forgive my sins but no one had ever told me that He would heal me from sickness. Having grown up in Sunday School I had heard the stories of people Jesus had healed in the Bible. There were some lepers, lame men, some who were blind, a woman with a bleeding problem, a couple people who had died and been raised to life again and then scores who had various sicknesses and diseases.

I believed that Jesus did miracles but I had no confidence that He would heal me. There you have it – So as I heard people start to teach about healing and say that God wanted me well I was skeptical. I had the mindset that maybe God would and maybe He wouldn’t but when I read this verse there was no getting around the word ALL.

“Jesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. And he healed all the people’s diseases and sicknesses. 24 The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all those who were sick. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some had demons inside them, some suffered from seizures, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all.” Matthew 4:23-24 CEV

There it was again – ALL.

“From there, Jesus went along Lake Galilee. Then he climbed a hill and sat down. 30 Large crowds came and brought many people who were crippled or blind or lame or unable to talk. They placed them, and many others, in front of Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 Everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard. People who had never spoken could now speak. The lame were healed, the crippled could walk, and the blind were able to see. Everyone was praising the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:29-31 CEV

I was beginning to see this “all” in a new light but my mind was telling me that this was for the Bible days when Jesus was in his physical body and physically touching people. Jesus wasn’t physically in front of me, could I be healed like this?

“My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLV

By listening to and reading God’s word I had learned about forgiveness. I learned about healing the same way, it came from God’s word. Jesus never turned anyone away who came to Him for healing. In fact He sent his disciples out as his representatives with a command to heal. It was all part of what He came to do – forgiveness, healing and peace of mind.

“When you go, tell them this: ‘God’s kingdom is now very near.’ 8 Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.” Matthew 10:7-8 ERV

As I studied I found that the Lord had provided both forgiveness and healing. It was His will for me.

“The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. 5 But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain. 6 We had all wandered away like sheep. We had gone our own way. And yet the Lord put all our guilt on him.” Isaiah 53:4-6 CEV

There are so many more verses that I could give on healing and it being God’s will for us but I won’t list them now. I hope that you will begin to see that you can go to the Father when you body is weakened by sickness and disease and receive healing just like you receive forgiveness. I began trusting the Lord for healing over 40 years ago. I started out small – praying over a headache, a toothache, the sniffles. Through the years I have seen my body healed, my children, my husband, friends and strangers. Health has become a way of life.

Yes, I have physical health issues from time to time. Yes, I go to the doctor for their help when needed. Doctors aren’t evil – medicine isn’t bad but I pray first. I get the Lord working on my healing before I trust it to anyone else. And then I don’t just trust Him for healing, I trust Him for health. It’s great to be healed from some sickness or disease but it’s even better not to be sick in the first place.

There is so much to share and I’m limited by the length of a blog but I told you I would share with you the verses that I have written on my cards. These are some of those verses. I will close with a prayer that the Apostle John prayed. It is my prayer for you…

“My dear friend, I know that you are doing well spiritually. So I pray that everything else is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health.” III John 2 ERV

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How Far Is East From West

I’d like to pose a question to you this morning. How far is the East from the West?

If you start to travel north from where you are now, how far will you go before you are heading south? You will only go north until you come to the North Pole and then you will head south to the South Pole. Once at the South Pole the process of going north will repeat again. Now, how far east do you have to go before you begin going west? Picture a globe of the world in your mind, head east, keep going until you start going west and then stop. Unlike north/south travel east/west will continue on. A remedial example but it’s pertinent to today’s verses.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!
2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been.

3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4 and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.
5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.

6 For all who are mistreated, the Lord brings justice.
7 He taught his Law to Moses and showed all Israel what he could do.

8 The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails.
9 The Lord won’t always be angry and point out our sins; 10 he doesn’t punish us as our sins deserve.

11 How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!
12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!” Psalm 103:1-12 CEV

This is one of my favorite Psalms and I’ve only listed about half the verses in the Psalm. I encourage you to read the whole Psalm and have provided a link for you here. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+103&version=CEV

Each morning I spent time thanking the Father for His goodness and blessings. Look at this, forgiveness from all our sins – healing all our diseases – protection – strength – justice.

I had grown up with teachings on forgiveness. After all that’s the reason Jesus came. He died so I could be forgiven. But I wasn’t as familiar with these other blessings, not familiar at all. In fact, I had heard it said that God would make you sick to teach you a lesson and that He might cause your business to fail to keep you from becoming greedy. God, the Father, has been blamed for so much that He has never done.

He is patient, kind, his love never runs out. He’s not angry with us and He doesn’t give us what we deserve. In fact, He removes our sins from us. That means when He forgives, he forgets! The worse thing that you’ve ever done has been forgiven and removed. Amazing!

God wants relationship with us; he’s not holding us at arm’s length. Just the opposite. He is drawing us in, welcoming us, embracing us. No matter or circumstance He is here to provide us with what we need. Yesterday I needed strength, today I need protection, tomorrow I may need healing – whatever my need the Father wants to take care of it.

No wonder King David said with all my heart I will praise the Lord. God hasn’t changed since David’s time so let’s join in on that praise today!

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What’s Better Than a Mama Grizzly

I’m sure by now most of you have heard the term Mama Grizzly. It’s been used around quite a bit in the last few years. Of course the meaning can be construed to fit a number of situations and refers to taking a strong defensive stand.

I want you to look at it this morning in light of our relationship with the Father. When Jesus was on this earth he faced constant criticism from the religious leaders and rulers of his day. His own family didn’t understand Him. People followed him out of selfish motives; they wanted to see the next miracle and have a free meal.

No one other than Jesus has ever lived a perfect life. He was pure, even when angry he was righteous. He looked at people and was moved with great love. He championed the weak, healed the sick, brought comfort to those with broken hearts and restored relationship to those who had been outcast. He even forgave the ones responsible for his death. He came with a single purpose – defeat the power of sin, providing a perfect sacrifice for our forgiveness and restoration to God.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 CEV

When things looked the darkest and hope was almost gone, God stepped in with the ultimate victory.

“We have seen and heard everything He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And yet they killed Him by nailing Him to a cross. 40 God raised Him to life on the third day and made Him to be seen.” Acts 10:39-40 NLV

When we accept what Jesus has done for us personally is when we truly become God’s child and can call him Father.

“He gave the right and the power to become children of God to those who received Him. He gave this to those who put their trust in His name.” John 1:12 NLV

Once we are in God’s family he defends us, we can be confident of that.

“If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right.” Romans 8:31-33 CEV

God, our Father, makes it his personal business to provide for our well being and our defense. He will not, WILL NOT, leave us to struggle through things on our own. It’s his promise!

“’The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.’ The Lord who loves you said this.” Isaiah 54:10 ERV

Our loving Father is the one who kept Noah safe in the ark; gave David victory over Goliath; delivered Daniel safely out of the lion’s den; and sent an angel to release Paul from prison. He protects and provides for “his kids”. He’s much better than a “Mama Grizzly”.

One last verse.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:1-4 ERV

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A Few of My Favorite Things

Years ago when I realized that the Lord had given me an ability to teach and share His word, it became my goal to share about His unconditional love, His mercy, His grace and His gift of adoption to us who believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and is risen as our living Savior.

I saw so many Christians who were like I was; reading the Bible but not really applying it to their everyday lives. We had grown up  believing in a God that’s “going to get you for that” or in thinking “you never know what God’s going to do” relationship; fearing God and His retribution rather than living in His love.  So I accepted my calling to proclaim the “good news of the gospel” to Christians.   It was and is my desire to see Christians walk in the full power of relationship with Christ and to receive fully from His blessings so that we truly are  examples of Jesus, Christians, on the earth. Many times it is the teaching of religion that heaps condemnation on people but through God’s goodness and love people are drawn into relationship.

There is nothing I find more fulfilling than sharing God’s word either through written communication, one on one personal interaction or teaching to a gathering. It’s my heart passion!

This morning when I found these verses, I asked myself why I hadn’t seen them before because they convey all that I desire to share with others.

“Lord my God, you have done many amazing things!
    You have made great plans for us—too many to list.
I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.

6 Lord, you made me understand this:
    You don’t really want sacrifices and grain offerings. You don’t want burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 So I said, “Here I am, ready to do what was written about me in the book.
8 My God, I am happy to do whatever you want. I never stop thinking about your teachings.”
9 I told the good news of victory to the people in the great assembly.
    And, Lord, you know that I will never stop telling that good news.
10 I told about the good things you did. I did not hide these things in my heart.
I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us.  I did not hide your love and loyalty from those in the great assembly.
11 Lord, do not hide your mercy from me. Let your love and loyalty always protect me.” Psalm 40:5-11 ERV

Look particularly at verses 8-10

“  I told about the good things you did. I did not hide these things in my heart.
I spoke of how you can be trusted to save us. I did not hide your love and loyalty from those in the great assembly.
11 Lord, do not hide your mercy from me. Let your love and loyalty always protect me.”

Let me take the opportunity to declare again today – God is faithful, He is righteousness, He is my salvation and His love endures forever!

 

 

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Time to Sing It is Well

Today is our last day on Psalm 119.

“Lord, listen to my cry for help. Make me wise, as you promised. 170 Listen to my prayer. Save me, as you promised. 171 I will burst into songs of praise, because you have taught me your laws. 172 Let my voice sing about your word, because all your commands are good. 173 I have chosen to follow your instructions, so reach out and help me! 174 Lord, I want you to save me. Your teachings make me happy. 175 Let me live to praise you. Let me find the help I need in your laws. 176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Come and find me. I am your servant, and I have not forgotten your commands.” Psalm 119: 169-176

David finishes this Psalm by reminding the Lord what He has promised; wisdom, salvation, help, joy and restoration.  Aren’t you glad that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. No wonder David was filled with joy; God had been consistent throughout His whole life – this is reason to sing.

Jesus displayed this consistency in rescuing Peter while He was walking on the water; He showed the Father’s heart in the story of the prodigal son; He displayed the ultimate in forgiveness and salvation when He spoke to the thief on the cross and prayed for those who had persecuted Him and had Him crucified.  His own condition never superseded His love and compassion. Hanging on the cross, He spoke to John about His mother’s well being…God IS love and how better can it be displayed than in the actions of Jesus!

God’s word will be a constant reminder of His love. It will show us how passionate He is about us; how far He will go in His search to restore us and how deep is the river of compassion that flows to us. This truly is reason to sing.

The other morning I was cleaning and listening to Pandora. An old hymn came on and I had to stop what I was doing and listen to the words. This song was written in 1873 but the lyrics are so strong, It is Well with My Soul.

“When peace, like a river, attends my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

  • Refrain:
    It is well with my soul,
    It is well, it is well with my soul.
  • Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blessed assurance control,
    That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
    And has shed His own blood for my soul.
  • My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
    My sin, not in part but the whole,
    Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
    Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

 

This is the reason we sing; Christ’s love removes our sin and gives us peace!

In the final verse of this wonderful chapter once again David draws an analogy for us using a shepherd and his sheep and God and his love. Jesus spoke a similar parable.

“All the tax-gatherers and sinners were coming to hear Jesus. 2 The proud religious law-keepers and the teachers of the Law began to speak against Him. They said, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them a picture-story, saying, 4 “What if one of you had one hundred sheep and you lost one of them? Would you not leave the ninety-nine in the country and go back and look for the one which was lost until you find it? 5 When you find it, you are happy as you carry it back on your shoulders. 6 Then you would go to your house and call your friends and neighbors. You would say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven because of one sinner who is sorry for his sins and turns from them, than for ninety-nine people right with God who do not have sins to be sorry for.” Luke 15:1-7 NLV

At one point or another we have all wandered off and gotten lost. What the shepherd doesn’t do is scold, ridicule, beat or in anyway abuse the sheep who was lost. Instead, he picks it up and carries it home. He is so glad to have it back that he throws a party.  The sheep was lost and couldn’t get home by itself; sometimes we just get out too far, we become weak and vulnerable and need someone to carry us home – that’s what Jesus does for us!

Let’s end now with a thought from the Apostle Paul – may your day be filled with the overflowing blessings of our Lord and Savior.

“37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

There is so much joy in knowing that my Father loves me and that nothing can separate me from His love! It is well.

 

 

 

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Favor and Good Success

The foundation has been laid and the walls are going up!

 

When we first started on our study in Psalm 119 weeks ago, we started with the premise that we were building a firm foundation. A foundation that would be secure and able to keep us safe in the storms of life. It is my hope that each day you have found a verse that supported you and strengthened you.

King David has repeatedly mentioned his enemies and those who hate him and want to see him destroyed. But he also states time and again that he relies on the Lord to deliver him and that he will continue to stand on God’s word.

May I ask, do you have enemies? Who or what are they? It may be that they are real people or perhaps they are circumstances or situations like fear, debt, illness, lack of self-esteem, pride, anger, addiction, self-righteousness, gossip. I will give you a moment to ascertain what is trying to destroy you.

“Powerful leaders attack me for no reason, but the only thing I fear is your command. 162 Your word makes me happy, like someone who has found a great treasure. 163 I hate lies; they make me sick! But I love your teachings. 164 Seven times a day I praise you because your laws are fair. 165 Those who love your teachings will find true peace. Nothing can make them fall. 166 Lord, I am waiting for you to save me. I obey your commands. 167 I follow your rules. I love them very much. 168 I obey all your instructions and rules, because you know everything I do.”  Psalm 119:161-168

Jesus didn’t speak against Caesar but he did talk about the hypocrisy of his day.  He countered  each accusation or attack brought against Him with  “It is written”.  Satan brought temptations against Him and Jesus answered with the Word. The Pharisees, the Sadducees and the rulers of the Law brought twisted questions of entrapment and He answered with the Word. His answers were so powerful that the Bible says they would stop their line of questioning.

Staying focused on God’s word, loving His word and obeying His instruction will bring ridicule and persecution BUT it will also bring “true peace and nothing will make those who love it fall.”

I’d like to tell you the story of another king who trusted in the Lord. His name was Hezekiah. He became king at the age of 25 after his father’s death. His father Ahaz was an evil king who led the people of Judah in idol worship.

“Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled twenty-nine years from Jerusalem…2 Hezekiah obeyed the Lord by doing right, just as his ancestor David had done. In the first month of the first year of Hezekiah’s rule, he unlocked the doors to the Lord’s temple and had them repaired…So the temple was once again used for worshiping the Lord. 36 Hezekiah and the people of Judah celebrated, because God had helped them make this happen so quickly.” II Chronicles 29 CEV

Hezekiah was determined to honor the Lord and have made a commitment to obey God’s word.

“ Everything Hezekiah did while he was king of Judah, including what he did for the temple in Jerusalem, was right and good. He was a successful king, because he obeyed the Lord God with all his heart.” II Chronicles 31:20-21 CEV

But Hezekiah had enemies who wanted to destroy him, the king of Assyria waged war against him.

“After King Hezekiah had faithfully obeyed the Lord’s instructions by doing these things, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He attacked the fortified cities and thought he would capture every one of them... Be brave and confident! There’s no reason to be afraid of King Sennacherib and his powerful army. We are much more powerful, 8 because the Lord our God fights on our side. The Assyrians must rely on human power alone...Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz asked the Lord for help, 21 and he sent an angel that killed every soldier and commander in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returned to Assyria, completely disgraced.” II Chronicles 32

This isn’t just a fun little Bible story, this is the story of a man who trusted God and stood on God’s word. He was built on a firm foundation and it saved him and those in his country.

King Solomon also knew that in order for us to be truly successful we must trust and follow God’s word.

“My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words. 2 For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:1-5 NLV

If the Kings, (David, Solomon, Hezekiah) and many others plus Jesus and his disciples all depended on God’s word as their foundation should we do any less?

Let’s say with the Apostle Paul “let God be true and every man a liar”.

Favor and victory comes from the Lord!

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