Humiliation and Pain

Lk. 22

As I was reading this chapter, I was overwhelmed with the degree of humiliation and pain embedded in such a short span of words.  How intensely sad and heartbreaking! First, the humiliation and pain of Jesus.

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  "This is my body which is given for you." As Jesus was serving his disciples, He was fully aware of the intense pain yet to come for these words to have true meaning.  "The cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."  It was His actual body and blood, not a symbol or a metaphor. That He could share Himself this way is amazing!  What a gift that came at such a great price!
• He was also serving the others in His final hours.  He humbly lowered Himself to servant status meeting the needs of those who would betray, neglect, and deny Him.
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  Then Jesus immediately mentioned His betrayer.  How His heart must have ached to have one who had been with Him do such a thing!  From a God-point of view, He knew it had been determined, but from a human-point of view, it was such a deep, personal wound.
• Then in the midst of this time when Jesus was in the throes of his impending betrayal, death, and crucifixion, His other disciples began a dispute over greatness, a fight over prominence and pride.  Did Jesus really need this issue to handle right now?  Could they have been a little focused on the meaning of Jesus' statements? Could they have been there to support Jesus and not be concerned about their futures?  This must have increased Jesus' heartache, but still He used their questions as a teaching tool.
• Following this Jesus tells Peter of Satan's sifting .How hard to tell a close friend such horrible news!  How hard to realize that that close friend will deny Him!  It's like the pain and humiliation never stop!  It's one thing to be humiliated by the enemy, but when it's by your close friend, it's intense. 
• After this Jesus tells them that He will be numbered with the transgressors so Scripture would be fulfilled.  Now Jesus contemplates having his reputation and character smeared by association.
• After praying so intensely that His sweat had become great drops of blood, He came back to find His disciples asleep.  Asleep!  How could it be?  He was so alone. Even though He had prayed asking the cup to be taken away, He was submissive to the Father's will so God did send an angel to strengthen Him. Yet, His own close friends were sleeping during this horrible time in His life.
• Then He had to endure the kiss of betrayal by Judas. It was like Judas was throwing His identity back in His face, saying, 'where is Your power now?'
• After Peter had denied Jesus, the Lord turned and looked at Him.  I can only imagine the pain and agony in that look.  Friends and enemies were all trying to crush the Spirit of this man, but Jesus endured.  He knew the Father's will and that was the most important thing to Him.
• Finally, He was beaten and blasphemed.  I wonder if this was easier to bear.  Wouldn't He have expected this treatment from His enemies?     

Secondly, Peter's humiliation.

• After he denied Jesus 3 times, the rooster crowed as Jesus had said it would.  But then, Jesus looked at Peter, eye to eye, heart to heart.  The pain that Jesus felt by this betrayal was probably equal to the pain that Peter felt after doing the deed.  Once Jesus looked at Him acknowledging Peter's overwhelming fear, it says Peter went out and wept bitterly.  Peter had an epiphany like no other!  His sin was exposed by the very Son of God!  He had no words, no rationalization, just an all- consuming guilt. What humiliation!

When I read this chapter, I was so moved by the intense personal suffering, the disappointment, the betrayal, the agony, the deep wounds.  It revealed so much more to me than just saying Jesus' arrest and trial.  How much He suffered so that I might be saved!

Father,
Help me never to undervalue my great salvation and the horrible suffering Jesus endured to give it to me.  Keep my strong in my faith so that denial will be far from my mouth and my spirit.
In His name,
Amen

Sing of Your Strength

Ps. 59:16-17

"But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning.

For You have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my Strength, I will sing praises to You, for You, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love."

When I see the psalmist's enthusiasm for God, I wonder about mine.  Certainly, God shows me the same strength and steadfast love, so should my response be any less?  What would be preventing that degree of enthusiasm?
First, how exactly did David respond? His response was one of singing, not a quiet singing in the heart, but a out loud singing of God's strength and steadfast love.  His singing began in the morning, and I am pretty sure, continued throughout the day keeping him in worshipful state. In this state of singing and worship, He was one on one with God pouring out his heart to God for all the grace that God had shown him.  As a result, he was praising God.  Not only was he praising God, but he calls God by the name, Strength,. He realized that God was strength perfected, all strength at all times to David.  Just as God is the 'all' of each of His attributes, so is He all strength. David knew this practically because God had been his personal fortress and refuge.  God had revealed Himself to David in a practical way delivering him, keeping him safe, and loving him steadfastly.
After considering David's heart in this psalm, I must ask myself.  Do I know God's attributes and know them in a very real and practical way?  Do I live like God is my Strength? Maybe the reason my praise is not as passionate as David's is because my vision of God is lacking, my time in the Word is limited, and my obedient response is flawed.  For me to praise God wholeheartedly and with great passion, I need to know God in all His majesty and glory.

Father,
Thank You for showing me David's heart.  Help my heart to know You, love You, and praise You like I should.  Forgive me for not seeing You as I should.
In Jesus name,
Amen

 

Beware of the Scribes

Lk. 20:46

"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers.  They will receive the greater condemnation."

What a warning for a religion of show!  Even though the scribes studied and knew much about their religion, they were consumed with self-glorification, loving the show of the religion and not the heart of the religion.  To begin with they enjoyed the clothes, the greetings, the best seats, and the places of honor. They loved to be noticed, recognized, and applauded.  They lived for the praise and esteem of men.  In this passage there was nothing  mentioned about their private relationship with God, their time in the prayer closet, or even their teaching of others even though they were the religious leaders of the day and the keepers of the written records of their faith.  They had access to the words of God and His workings in their lives, but what did they do with it?  Nothing! They had turned it into a sham.  The words they recorded were not the substance of their lives but the means for their self aggrandizement.

Not only did they desire the praise and the honor of men, they devoured the widows' houses and knowingly made their prayers a pretense.  Oh no!  They had gone beyond Narcissism to stealing and taking advantage for their own personal financial profit.  To cover up their greed and corruption, they pretended to pray.  Didn't they realize whose words they were writing and to whom they were supposedly praying?  They will receive the greater condemnation because they were privy to the truth but threw it away for the world's offerings.  They chose to make a mockery of the Truth and debased their calling. Whoa! 

Sadly, I know that sometimes I want the praise of men, to be noticed for what I do for the Lord. So obviously, I am not doing it for the Lord. The account of these men really shows me the route that desiring a little praise can take.  What power the flesh has to overcome the spirit!

Father,

Expose and root out my desire for praise of men.  Help me to focus on You only and do all for Your glory. Give me Your grace to mortify my flesh and grow my spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Awaken the Dawn

Ps. 57:8-9

"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!  Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations."

David's heart is so full of praise and thanksgiving that he wants to awaken the dawn. Unlike most people, he can't contain himself until daylight hours. Perhaps he had been meditating in the night watches and was overcome with the goodness of God in his life.  Whatever was happening, his heart was singing praises to God in full orchestration.  Not only is he awakening the dawn, but he is singing God's praises among the nations.  God's praises are the substance of his life, the fabric of his feelings, and the reason he has for waking each morning.

What are my feelings when I awake?  Am I quick to praise the Lord?  How often do I meditate in the night? 
What is the substance of my life? 

Father,
Thank You for David's example to me.  Help me to have that same attitude of praise to You anytime of the day or night. In the nights when I don't sleep, draw me to You for praise and worship.
In Jesus name,
Amen

In God whose Word I Praise

Ps. 56:10

"In God, whose Word I praise, in the Lord, whose Word I praise."

In Ps. 56:4 David says, " In God, whose Word I praise, In God I trust;"  and then again in verse 10, he says the same things two more times. To me, this repetition implies importance. David felt it was crucial to praise the Word.  Why? Because God's Word is God Himself. God's Word was the channel of David's relationship with God. He praised it not only because God was worthy of praise, but because the Word  was the source of David's trust.  In v. 11 he says, "In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  What can man do to me?" The result of praising the Word is trusting in a God who can cancel all fear. When a man gives his word as his bond, it is his way of declaring that what he says is trustworthy.  God's Word is the His bond.  What He says will happen! What He promises will come true!  David believed God because he knew God's Word and the God of the Word; and this resulted in heartfelt praise of God and His Word.  For David it was a complete package and relationship that impacted his life to the degree that he no longer feared man. Wow!

What is my attitude about the Word?  Can I say my trust is in God because I praise His Word?  What is my heart's normal response to the Word?  Am I quick to obey?  Does obedience lead to praise?  Does praise produce trust? I want to echo David's words, my life is "in God, in whose Word I praise."

Father,

Your words are glorious and powerful.  Help me to trust in You as I learn to praise You and Your Words .

In Jesus name,

Amen

God be Merciful

Lk. 18:13

"God be merciful to me a sinner."

At times in the past, I understood the hypocrisy of the Pharisee, but the problem was that I thought  that his hypocrisy was much worse than any hypocrisy that was in my life.  I identified much more with the tax collector.  But the more I think about it, the more I see hypocrisy deeply embedded in my life.  The Pharisee prided himself on his tithing, his sexual purity, and his proper money handling, all things that were very visible. But I think these things were indicative of his inner man. Even though things looked good on the outside, what were his inside, internal emotions, and attitudes of pride? My internal emotions and attitudes surface in the number of times I look at others and compare myself to them to see how I measure up?  After looking at others, how often do I think that I am alright spiritually?  How many times have I thought I am so thankful that I am not like the Pharisee? When I read this passage, how many times do I immediately look to my heart and to the non-visible hypocrisy in my life? Sadly, not enough. I think the Pharisee's life is something that I own in a very real way. But because of God's grace, I don't have to remain a Pharisee.  I can be like the tax collector and cry out to God for His mercy and cleansing.

I think that the tax collector must have been in touch with his sin.  He must have known how black his heart truly was. He didn't play mind games with himself, deceive himself, or evaluate himself on the basis of comparison. I think that his focus was on his heart rrelationship to God.  He knew that in the light of God's holiness, his heart and life were black with sin.  He knew his great need for grace and humbly cried out for it. 

When I read about these two men, I see what is often inside of me and what is often surfacing in me. I am a mixture of them both when at times I struggle with pride and comparison, and at times, confess and cry out for God's mercy.  What a lesson I can learn from both of them!  The Pharisee gives me a graphic picture of hidden sin while the tax collector gives me a picture of humble repentance.

Father,

Thank You for speaking so clearly to me about my inner man, about my pride, about comparing myself to others.  Help me to look only to You and Your words for the true measure of my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The End

Lk. 17:20-37

How scary!  When I read a section like this, it makes me so glad that I can look forward to the coming of Jesus with joy.  But without Jesus, the outlook is bleak! What can a person do to predict this time? Not a thing! 

• There are no signs to be observed.  This is a surprise event!
• His coming is like lightening lighting up the sky, flashing from one side to the other!
• He warns not to follow those who try and predict! They will be wrong!
• There is not enough time to come down from the roof or in from the field.
• Those who seek to preserve their lives will lose them.
• Two can be in one bed, and one will be taken.
• Two can be grinding, and one will be taken.

Not only will people not know when, but they will not know where.  Jesus answered the 'where' question with a proverb, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather." Perhaps Jesus is saying that people will not know until its too late.  The vultures come when death has arrived, when there is no life left. So Jesus will come when there is no chance left.  From what Jesus said, there will be a great element of surprise. Preparation must be made now! It will be like Noah and Lot who told the truth but the people did not heed; in fact, they mocked the warnings.  But judgment did come!  What God says is a certainty!  Jesus' return is a certainty! He will return when people least expect it,so the warning is BE READY! The only time to get ready is now.  Today is the day of salvation!

Father,

I thank You for my salvation and the joy You have given me as I wait for Jesus to return.  Help me share His message with those that You put in my path.  Give me an urgency to tell before it is too late.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sin Effects

II Sam. 13

How sad is the account of Amnon , Tamar, and Absalom! Tamar's innocence was destroyed all because of the lust of her half brother. Not only did Amnon deceive her into coming to him, but then he took her virginity,and in the process, committed incest. Wow! Why didn't Amnon fear any reprisal? The footnotes in my Bible imply that there was none because of David's sin. Perhaps Amnon knew that David would go easy on this type of sin because David himself had fallen prey to it. Even Tamar seemed to be aware of this fact when she suggested to Amnon that David would bend the rules about a relationship like theirs and give her to him, but Amnon did not want that. His lust was out of control to the point that only heinous sin would satisfy. What a warning to parents to guard their lifestyle and their godliness!

Another insight would be about the fleeting nature of lust. As badly as Amnon wanted Tamar, I would have thought he would have kept her. But as soon as the deed was done, he hated her. The account says his hatred was greater than his love had been. Lust is never lasting, and in truth, it brings hatred. What a sober warning to consider before allowing lust to control human actions! 

The cycle of sin did not stop there. Humiliated and grieving, Tamar went home to Absalom. In time he got  the proper revenge. He instructed his servants to take the life of Amnon.  Now the father's sin of adultery and murder has resulted in horrible sins in the lives of his children: incest, rape, and murder.

But it didn't stop there.  It is mentioned that David grieved heavily for Amnon, but there is no mention of grief for Tamar or for the estranged Absalom.  Could this be indicative of favoritism?  I think this passage exposes some definite problems of favoring one child over the others.  Wounds are made that create life and death struggles.  The family is fractured! Children are dead, fleeing, wounded, and scarred for life.  What a warning for parents to live godly before their children and to love each child as gifts from God!

Father,
Open my eyes to my sins so that I do not offend Your holiness or damage the lives of my children and grandchildren. Send Your Spirit to guide me and lead me in my relationships with my family.
In Jesus name,
Amen

See the Man

Ps. 52:7-9

What a contrast between these two men!
The Unrighteous Man:

• would not make God His refuge.
• trusts in his own riches.
• seeks refuge in his own destruction.

The Righteous Man:

• is like a green olive tree in the house of God.
• trusts in the steadfast love of God forever.
• is thankful because God has done it.

When I think of the first area of contrast, it really clarifies the root of the problem. An unrighteous person is completely self-centered. He refuses what God has to offer because he will not surrender his own rights, riches, and will. But the righteous man goes beyond finding refuge or protection, he is planted, growing, and flourishing in God's house. He is now eternally alive and growing with God. I mean what is better being completely alone vs. finding refuge and growth in the house of God?

Secondly, this passage clarifies the main focus of the unrighteous and the righteous. The ungodly man trusts in his abundant riches. Why does he place his trust in something so fleeting, something subject to corruption, recession, and theft? I think it is because his riches are an extension of himself. He believes he is responsible for all that he has, and he will hang onto this money until his life is gone. But the godly man trusts in the everlasting love of God because this is what saved him, established him in the house of God, and brought about his growth and holiness. God's love is from everlasting to everlasting, untouched by human hands or corruption, and reliable for any and all my needs. Even though my trust is not in riches, why am I still so concerned about money? Why does money still cause me anxiety and poison my trust in Him?

Finally, the ungodly man continues in his way until the point of destruction. It is like his body chemistry is set on the self-destruct mode. But the righteous man knows that God is responsible for all that is in his life. His acknowledgment of God's sovereignty produces within him a heart of thanks echoing throughout eternity.

Quite a difference! I notice that there are times when my old selfish heart cries out for fulfillment, and sadly, sometimes I listen. But I praise God for his forgiveness, salvation, and steadfast love. Without His love, I would be exactly in the fatal self-destruct mode; but with His love, I am growing, protected, and so very thankful.

Father,

What a gift is your great and steadfast love! Thank you for working in my life in such a glorious way. Thank You for being my refuge and my growing place. Continue to root out my fleshly desires.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Salt is Good

Lk. 14:34-35

"Salt is good, but if salt has last its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear. let him hear."

In Bible times salt from the Dead Sea contained impurities that demanded proper processing. If this was not done, then poor taste would result making the salt inedible and nearly indisposable. Jesus uses 'salt' as an image for believers to illustrate their nature and their weaknesses. Jesus said in Mt. 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Here, Jesus is talking about the nature and character of those who follow Him. Why did Jesus choose salt to express his desire for believers? Perhaps Jesus chose salt because of its preserving qualities, its healing qualities, and its seasoning qualities. If believers have tasted that the Lord is good, and He is, then this taste of the one, true goodness should in turn affect the flavor and usefulness of their own salt. But how would my salt lose its taste? What would destroy its usefulness and make it good for nothing not even garbage? In the case of the Dead Sea, it was impurities that were not processed away. Similarly, my flesh is a fountain of impurities. If left unprocessed or unconfessed, then sin in all its polluting potential begins destroying my salt, jading the flavor, and destroying its usefulness. Since Jesus is serious about my saltiness, He warns me and all believers to listen and understand. I need to keep free from sin so that my salt will be what God wants it to be. That final question is haunting, 'How shall its saltiness be restored?' The answer is, it can't. God has given me a gift to be treasured and nurtured not to be carelessly dirtied. I must listen and heed this warning.

Father,

Show me how to keep my salt pure and useful. Convict me of the sin that dirties this great gift. Help me to share the great taste of Jesus to all who are hungry.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Thanksgiving

Ps. 50:23

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me..."

God desires my thanksgiving so much so that it glorifies His name. It is not something that I have to ponder, it states it out rightly: thanksgiving brings Him glory. The first thing that comes to mind is 'why'. I think it is so important because it expresses my heart's response to God's sovereign plan and purpose for my life. If I am thankful, I am not striving against Him or life as He has designed it. It also expresses my contentment in what God has given me: appearance, talents, finances, social status, friends, family, possessions, etc. The realm of thankfulness encompasses all of my life. It is one thing to say I am thankful, but it is another thing to mean it. How many times do I feel bad about how I look or what my clothes look like? How many times do I want more or think that what I have is not sufficient? How many times do I feel inadequate and untalented? True thankfulness is no easy task! What I can be truly thankful for is His grace to help me be thankful in all the other areas!

Another thing that I notice is that it is a 'sacrifice' of thanksgiving. A sacrifice implies self-denial, singleness of heart, and 100% commitment. So this sacrifice of thanksgiving doesn't come easy; it comes at great, personal cost. I think that the cost is associated with valuing Jesus and my relationship with Him more than any worldly thing. If Jesus is my one true love, than my love for the world is no longer pulling me away from Him. Jesus, His Word, my time with Him in prayer, and fellowship with other believers all must become a priority or else the world will push them out of their rightful place. To offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving says something about how I live my life. No wonder it brings glory to God! Am I practically willing to sacrifice all for Jesus, or do I just give lip-service to this offering?

Father,

Send your Spirit to examine my heart, convicting me of what needs to go. Give my Your grace and strength to cut those ties that are binding me to the world and away from bringing glory to You. Make all my thanksgiving be a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

In Jesus name,

Amen

More Reasons

Ps. 49

Yesterday, I read Jesus' warning about covetousness and the abundance of possessions, and today in Ps. 49 I read more reasons about the foolishness of this snare. V. 10 says "For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others." Wealth and possessions are not eternal; In fact, not only do they perish, but they can be lost, stolen, or decay in this life. Whether a person is wise or foolish in their handling of wealth and possessions, death still comes, and with death comes loss of all. V. 11-12 says "Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish." In light of this, it seems so much more intelligent to base my life on eternal values than on an abundance of possessions. Why spend time and energy amassing what could be gone in a flash?

Later in this same psalm it says, "Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed...his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish." Here the psalmist is stressing the same concepts again. I do not need to fear the riches or power of a wealthy man. I do not need to feel inferior in any way because death is the same for all of us. None of this lasts. Recessions, illness, tragedy, and death come regardless of insurance and man's precautions.

The application for me is to press forward for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and not covet the riches or the possessions of the rich whether they are unbelievers or believers. My eyes need to be focused on Jesus, on my home in heaven, and on His grace and provision for my life.

Father,

Take away from my heart my insecurity about possessions and money. Help me to rely on you without any shade of weakness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Be on Guard

Lk. 12:15

"And He said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of His possessions."

I am not only to be careful but also to be on guard. Why is Jesus is commanding double protection against covetousness? Could it be that the flesh is particularly prone to possessions, so much so that the end result is coveting other people's possessions? If this is the case, how can I guard against it? What can I do to stop this fleshly response to covetousness?

First, Jesus wants me to realize that life's value is not determined by possessions. Paul said that he counted all things as loss because of the surpassing worth of Jesus. Since his life was lived for Jesus alone, he willingly suffered the loss of all things and counted them rubbish. Here is a changed mindset! His focus was on what was ahead not on what was behind. Where is my focus and mindset? Am I thinking about possessions, even convincing myself that I need them, or am I counting all 'things' as merely temporal things?

I notice that the verse says the 'abundance' of possessions. That speaks to me of many, of desiring the newest things, or of a love of shopping and buying. If I am to change my mindset, then I have to dethrone things! I must start in the practical realm, in the shopping and buying. I think that is where the love of possessions takes over. I must not only stop the shop, but put something eternal in its place. Quiting is not enough because it just leaves a hunger for what I don't have or for what I see others have. I need to throw my energies, my time, and my money into eternal things, into things that honor and glorify God.

This is a hard issue. Comparison comes into play as I look around and see what others have allowing my covetousness to turn into envy. To really get a handle on this, I must pray and ask God for His grace. It is grace that will fill the void when I empty out the love of possessions.

Father,

Give me the strength to see the truth. Help me to empty and to fill back up with you. Help me to use the grace that You freely offer.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Woe and Beware

Lk. 11:42-12:3

While talking with a Pharisee and a lawyer, Jesus reveals some very upsetting things prefaced with the word 'woe.' Becaue of the following behaviors, Jesus is saying judgment is forthcoming Mercy will no longer be extended.

• The Pharisees tithed but neglected justice and the love of God. They were satisfied with the form of their religion without the substance. This woe addresses their hypocrisy.
• The Pharisees loved the best seats in the synagogue and greetings in the marketplace. Their life revolved around human praise and position, being noticed and honored.
• The Pharisees were like unmarked graves that people unknowingly trampled. In the Jewish economy walking on an unmarked grave made a person unclean. It was a serious issue. This woe addresses their influence on others. They made those who came in contact with them unclean.
• The lawyers loaded up the people with burdens without them even touching the same burdens. They make no effort to help the people after they have added so many human traditions to their religious ceremonies.
• The lawyers build the tombs for the prophets that their fathers had killed. They have become witnesses to the evil of the fathers and have continued to kill the prophets in their day. Their lives demonstrated what how one generation influences the next.
• The lawyers took away the key to knowledge even though they wanted none of the knowledge. Even more than that they refused to allow others to have this knowledge.
• Finally, the beware. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is an insidious evil because it gives the impression of holiness when it is nothing by self-righteousness. This attitude then become oppressive to others and judgmental of all. As they exalt themselves, they destroy others. For these people, the Pharisees and the lawyers, God says woe. What is coming down on them is commensurate with the damage they have done. Don't be deceived. God is not mocked. What they sowed, they will reap.

As I read this, I think of it as a warning to me. What is my attitude toward others? Am I self-righteous? Do I condemn and try and weigh others down with useless rules?

Father,

Examine my heart. Free it from the constraints of hypocrisy and judgmentalism, from seeking the praise of others, and from caring more about myself than others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Very Present Help

Ps. 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

God is my refuge, a place where I can go when I need comfort, soothing, protection, and nurturing. It is a place where my needs are met by God almighty. Wow! Just think! He is everything that I will ever need in any situation!

He is also my strength which speaks to me of His equipping. Not only can I go to Him for my solace, but I can go to Him for my power to go back out and face what sent me to Him in the first place.

He is also a present help in time of trouble, a help that is there on the minute when I need Him. I don't have to petition Him for help, send a requisition and wait, or wait in line for my time with Him. Because He is Almighty God, He is present everywhere and anytime for me personally. No waiting!

All of this attests to the fact that He is sovereign, immutable, omniscient, omnipresent, and all-powerful. Amazingly a God like this is my God, and He is there for me! What a great promise for my the many moments of my life!

Father,

You are so great and gracious. Thank You for being there for me whenever and wherever I need you.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Distracted with much Serving

Lk. 10:40, 42

"But Martha was distracted with much serving. Ans she went up to Him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and trouble about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

I find this account[Lk. 10:38-42] so revealing about the nature of women. We tend to be distracted with many things and much serving. As we view our homes and families, we see all the things that need to be done, the laundry, the cooking, the needs of the children and the husband. The list is long and overwhelming. As we plow in to conquer, we tend to exclude sitting at the Lord's feet and listening to His teaching. For me, this story is a strong reminder.

First I notice that this serving, regardless of the specific venue, is distracting. It takes my focus off spiritual issues and places it on non-eternal issues. Anything, even something completely necessary, that is a distraction needs to be carefully examined. I think that distraction implies more about my focus than my specific actions. How do I view the serving that I must do? Am I so involved in it that I exclude my worship?

Secondly, I see that this distracting service wants company. I don't like to do it alone because I think I need help or companionship. It's not wrong to share different tasks and responsibilities, but it is wrong when this time excludes Jesus. Is my desiring help keeping others from their time with the Lord? Am I guiding my family to the Lord or away from time with Him?

Third, these distractions produce anxiety. I think it is because these tasks are unending. If they are my total focus, they give me a feeling of hopelessness and exhaustion. Am I going to the Lord for His strength as I accomplish the daily chores that I have? Have I sought Him first before I begin the day?

Finally, a choice needs to be made. Mary chose the good portion, that is sitting at the feet of Jesus. If I chose this portion, like Mary, it will not be taken away from me. I do want to be like Mary. I want to chose the good portion where I am sitting at the feet of Jesus learning from His Words.

Father,

Thank you for this story that says so much about my choices and the use of my time. Give me Your strength to chose the good portion, to be sitting at your feet learning and worshiping.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Rejoice

Lk. 10:20

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

My rejoicing must only be in the fact that my name is written in heaven. Case in point, the disciples returned rejoicing at the power that they had in the name of Jesus, power to tread on snakes and scorpions, and power over the enemy. But, Jesus immediately reminded them that this power was a gift of grace, a gift to be used to spread His kingdom, a gift not to be used for personal prowess. He also reminded them of Satan's fall from heaven, of his prideful abuse of power because He didn't want these men to fall prey to the same root of pride. Pride has an insatiable hunger. Once it gets a taste of glory, it won't stop without more. I know that my flesh cries out for recognition when I have been party to something of note or something exciting. But Jesus says, No. My rejoicing is not in my giftedness, but in His grace that brought me salvation. My rejoicing is in being saved!!! My name is written in heaven!!! What more could I want?

Father,

Keep my eyes off my flesh and focused on you. Help my service to bring You glory with none for myself. Blot out my sinful desire for my own personal praise and glory. Thank You for writing my name in heaven.

In Jesus name,

Amen

"This is my Son, my Chosen One."

Lk. 9:35

"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my son, my Chosen one; listen to Him!"

Jesus was on the mountain praying while Peter slept. When Peter awoke, He saw the glorified Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. Immediately, Peter spoke out offering to make 3 tents, one for each of them. However, this was heinous to God. In no uncertain terms, He clarified that Jesus was the Son, the Chosen One. The other men were not. In no way could Jesus be put on the same level as the prophets. Peter's response was one of silence. Silence in the light of the glory of Jesus and the voice of God was Peter's smartest move.

The lesson for me is that good men can never be put on the same level as Jesus. Moses and Elijah were great prophets who did great things for God, but that does not qualify them to be worshiped as Jesus was or should be. Following a man is never honoring to God. A man, regardless of his love for the Lord or his holiness, is still a man. God stated clearly that men should have no other gods before Him, that includes other men. Honoring men for their service or their ministry is a human tradition, a tradition that feeds pride. In God's economy, "whoever is least among you is the one who is great." The honor that men offer is a snare to the flesh. When the flesh takes the bait, it rises up seeking the praise of men and not the grace of God. God is then demoted. Not good! God wants my singular worship and praise unpolluted by other men.

Father,

Keep my eyes focused only on You and not on other people. Extinguish my desire for human praise as I serve You. Keep my service and ministry free from pride's pollutants.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hall of Fame

Lk. 8:39

"Return to you home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him."

Luke 8 is like a hall of fame of Jesus' great power. First He demonstrates His power over nature when he rebukes the wind and the waters. His question to His fearful disciples was, "Where is your faith?" Faith is at the very core of understanding the great power of Jesus. Next Jesus shows His power over demonic forces when he cast Legion out of a possessed man. Legion's new direction was straight into the herd of pigs, into the lake, and eventual drwoning. I find it interesting that demons know exactly who Jesus is whereas man is often confused. Thirdly, Jesus demonstrates his power to heal the sick. As Jesus is on His way to heal a young girl, a chronically ill woman touches the fringe of His garment and is healed. After finding the woman, He speaks personally to her, "Daughter you faith has made you well. Go in peace." Here as before faith is at the heart of the matter. She believed Jesus could heal her so much so that she only desired a touch not even His full attention. What power He had! Finally, Jesus shows His power over death. Someone from the young girl's house reports her death to Him, but Jesus is not deterred. When He arrives, they laugh at Him because they are so convinced it is a lost cause. Their mockery has no influence over Jesus or over His great power. He simply says, "Child, arise." After her spirit returned, she got up and ate to the amazement of her parents.

Is Jesus' power over demons, nature, illness, or even death any more powerful than His power to save a human soul? When I read these stories, I thought how cool it would be to have witnessed those events. But when I think about it, I realize that the saving of a human soul is a far greater thing. It is not just for this life, but for eternity, changing the entire course of a man's existence from hell to heaven giving that person a completely changed nature. What a powerful God I serve!

I love the man's response. Jesus told him to go home and declare what Jesus had done to Him. Isn't that what He tells me to do? It says that the man went home and proclaimed. He obeyed! When I think about what Jesus has done for me, I wonder how often have I proclaimed what Jesus has done? Have I been obedient in this most basic of commands? I am sure that this man had no training or teaching in evangelism. He was sharing from His experience. I must do the same!!

Father,

Your power is so great! My heart cries out in grateful thanks for the miracle of new life and the gift of faith to believe. Without Your powerful work in me, I would be lost and without hope. I praise Your name for Your great love and compassion.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Good Soil

Lk. 8:15

"As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."

If I believe that my life is good soil, then I need to see if this verse is true in my life. First I must hear the Word. Certainly, hearing comes through sermons, personal study, and even music. But to me it speaks of saturation, hearing the Word constantly because it it in my memory bank; it is my food for meditation; and it is the content of my prayers. If I am not hearing, then the rest of the verse will never happen. The Word is key and pivotal!

Secondly, I must hold fast to the Word with an honest and good heart. Holding fast is hard to define. It could mean to hold on as if my life depends on it, because it does; or it could mean to hold on so strongly that a separation would never happen. It definitely implies permanence, effort, strength, and diligence. This same phrase is used in Rom. 12:9, "Hold fast to what is good," and in Rev. 3:11, "I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown." Holding fast is commanded. It is something that I need to do! Can I hold fast to what is good if I am not holding fast to the Word? The Word is where I learn what is good. How could holding fast to the Word prepare me for the return of Jesus? I Pet. 1:13 says, "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Isn't this preparation contingent on my time in the Word? How am I holding fast to the Word? Am I obeying and growing as I read and study? Am I allowing it prepare me for Jesus' return?

Finally, I am to bear fruit with patience. When I think of fruit-bearing, I think of Jn. 15. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." Abiding implies dwelling, intimacy, and familiarity. Am I in the Word in this intimate and personal way? Am I at home in the Word? Am I familiar with His Words enough that they affect my entire life, my every thought? Also, I see that this fruit comes with patience. It is a growth process, and growth is hard. It often includes suffering, pain, trials, and infirmities. If I want to bear fruit with patience, then I must have the power of the Spirit and the power of the Word because I must be in the vine! Am I abiding in the Word enough so that I can produce fruit? Is my fruit healthy and robust, or is it stunted by my waywardness and self-will?

Father,

I believe my soil is good and that you have planted within me the seed of new life. Send Your Spirit to guide me deeper into abiding and intimacy. Infuse me with Your strength to hold fast so that I will be ready and longing for Jesus' return.

In His name,

Amen

Guard My Mouth

Ps. 39:1

"I said, I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue..."

Since sinning with my tongue is an ever present danger, I need to be constantly on guard, vigilant and diligent. Being a guard is not something to be pursued casually or without thought. Guards work with a schedule, using surveillance, checking the perimeter, etc. These are all acts designed to prevent an attack. Similarly, my schedule should include the Word and prayer. It is only as the Spirit convicts my life through the Word that I can spot sin, specifically the sin of my tongue. Prayer, meditation, and Scripture memory establish my perimeter. They keep me healthy, connected to my power source, and operating through His grace. If I am not on guard, sin seems a feasible thing, even justifiable. Being on guard means that I never slip into auto pilot. I must be constantly "watching and praying to keep from falling into temptation."

Father,

Give me the strength to stay on guard, to be fortifying my 'sin sensor' with the Word and the Spirit. Give me the strength to stay diligent and not fall prey to sinning with my mouth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Loving Much and Forgiven Much

Lk. 7:47

"Therefore I tell you, her sins which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

What a contrast between the sinful woman and the Pharisee!

The Pharisee gave no water for His feet, but she wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

The Pharisee gave no kiss, but she kissed His feet unceasingly.

The Pharisee did not anoint His head, but she anointed His feet with ointment.

Her love was demonstrated by her humble adoration. Even though the Pharisee thought she was a sinner of the worst kind, she gave Jesus freely of what she had. She was not hindered by his attitude in her worship. She didn't anoint and kiss Jesus' head, but instead kissed and anointed His feet. But not so with the Pharisee who merely gave him a place at the table (not a place of prominence), and who didn't even meet the physical or spiritual needs of His guest. In fact, he criticized Jesus for allowing the sinful woman to adore Him, and then proceeded to doubt his spiritual credentials. What a difference in heart attitude between these two people!

Jesus then taught the principle. Her many sins were forgiven because she loved so much, but the one who loves little, is forgiven little. Did the Pharisee understand that he was the one who loved little? Or was he so puffed up with his self-righteousness that he couldn't imagine that he was anything but spiritually perfect? Those at the table watching the scene wondered at the power that Jesus had, but the Pharisee never wondered about anything. Not only did he love little, have little forgiven, but he had little true understanding. How blinding and devastating is self-righteousness!

Father,

Help me always to come to You on 'foot' level. Refocus my eyes to see You and not my self. Help me never to fear others in showing my love and devotion for Jesus.

In Jesus name, Amen

Expecting Nothing in Return

Lk. 6:35-36

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

How could I really live expecting nothing in return even from those who were not my enemies? I know that if I do something nice for my husband or someone in the family, I have expectations about their responses. In fact, if my expectations are unmet, they only point out the ungratefulness of others. I feel hurt and unappreciated, but in truth, it comes down to my heart. Did I really do good and give for the joy of giving or for the joy of receiving praise?

How can I apply this to someone considered my enemy? Normally, the human feeling toward an enemy is not one of giving but of getting even. Jesus is calling me to go out of my self and my selfishness to reach out to others. He wants me to love as He loved, to do good as He was good, and to be merciful as He was merciful. I think it all comes down to my relationship with God. Has God's character impacted my life? Has His Spirit produced godly fruit in my life? As God was merciful and kind to me, so I must reach out to others. As I was ungrateful and evil when God reached out to me, so in turn I must share God's grace with those who are ungrateful and evil.

Father,

Rid me of my selfishness so that I might love others. You have shown me what it means to expect nothing in return, now help me make it a reality in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Beautiful Words

Ps. 36:5-9

"Your steadfast love, O Lord extends to the heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast You save, O Lord. How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light."

What beauty and meaning are combined in this verses! God's attributes of steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgment are described in such a way that man may understand them. His love extends to the heavens, an area uncharted and without boundary; His faithfulness to the clouds, another area perceived but not controlled; his judgments to the great deep, an area unknown and somewhat terrifying; and His righteousness like the mountains of God speak of permanence, majesty, and grandeur. All of Himself God freely offers man.

Specifically, how does God make His attributes a reality in the lives of men? First He saves man. That is huge! Without salvation, everything else is a moot point. He allows man to take refuge in the shadow of His wings. How close and how safe is that! He allows man to feast on His abundance, drink from the river of His delights, know His fountain of life, and see His divine light. Wow! What kind of God is this! Not only does He give man great things, but He describes them in the most beautiful ways.

All of these images show me the heart of God. He loves beautiful words as much as I do, probably even more. When I think that He is the Word, how could His words be anything but beautiful. He has placed within me a hunger and a love for the beauty of His Word. I can only thank Him for such a gift of grace.

Father,

Your words lift me from the mundane to the glorious reflecting You and Your attributes. Help me make the beauty of these words shine out through my life. Make Your beauty mine so that I will be hidden in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Great is the Lord

Ps. 35:27-28

"Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, "Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of His servant!" Then my tongue shall tell of your rightness and of your praise all day long."

Where is my delight? Is it in God's righteousness? If it were, how would that look? Certainly it must be related to loving His Word, obeying His Word, seeking to serve Him, making Him my highest priority, but still, I can do those things without delighting in Him. What brings that delight? Could it be grace that works in my submissive and dependent spirit? Could it be from taking a risk for God? But how do I do that? Where do I begin? Could this delight come from focusing on the cross? Realizing and appreciating anew each day the great work of grace in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? I think sometimes I take important things for granted. I am so wrapped up in living that I neglect to think about all the great things that God has done in my life including my salvation. If I am this wrapped up, then I am too wrapped up!

When I am delighting, my attitude will be one of joy to the point of shouting and being glad forevermore. No depression here! I do feel this great rejoicing. I can say wholeheartedly, "Great is the Lord who delights in the welfare of His servants." What a cause for rejoicing when I remember all that God, the God of creation and the universe, has done individually for me. That God would become invested in a single person is amazing to me, especially when that person is me!

The end result is that I will tell others. I will open my mouth and shout for joy so that others may hear. I will share all the great things that a great God has done graciously in my life. What keeps me from sharing more? I feel it in my heart, so why am I afraid to say anything? What is the deal?

Father,

I bring myself to You with all my inconsistencies. I love You and Your great grace, yet at times, I don't share and I don't delight in You as I should. This I confess. Show me how to fit all these pieces of the puzzle together. Show me how to make Your word a reality in my life. Expose those insidious things that are holding me back from obeying completely what You say.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Actions of Ps. 34

What a beautiful psalm! It speaks of so many things that I should do, that would be the will of God for my life.

• I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be continually in my mouth. Do I do this? What is in my mouth continually? Is it praise of my God? Why wouldn't I have praise in my mouth? Could it be preoccupation with this world?
• My soul boasts in the Lord. If I were truly boasting in the Lord, then I would be depending on Him. I wouldn't be plodding along in my own self-sufficiency.
• Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! Magnification speaks of enlarging. Am I enlarging Christ in my life and in the lives of those around me? Am I exalting Him in such a way that others would want to do this too?
• I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. This implies time spent in prayer. To get an answer, I must make a request, not just a request for material things but requests for spiritual things.
• Those who look to Him are radiant and their faces will not be ashamed. Keeping my eyes on Jesus will change my countenance. It will make me radiant and unashamed. The joy of the Lord will be filling all of me and shining out through my face.
• O taste and see that the Lord is good! God is so good, but I must taste. I must eat, even feast on the riches of His grace. When His Word is my nourishment, then I will experience the goodness of the Lord.
• Oh fear the Lord, for those who fear Him have no lack! My heart and soul need to be fearing God. My attitude needs to be reverent and in awe of a God who loved me and saved me.
• But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. I need to be seeking the Lord. As a result nothing good will be lacking in my life because my sufficiency will be in Him. How do I seek Him? How do I make Him the entire object of my life and not be side tracked with what I have to do on this earth? Were is the balance?
• Keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit. My tongue is so powerful and can utter hurtful things in a flash. As James said, it is a world of iniquity. With my tongue, I need all the grace that God has to offer.
• Turn away from evil and do good. I can't be doing good if I am focused on evil. I must not only turn away, but turn to good. How do I find this direction? In His word!

There are so many things that I need to do in this psalm. How will this happen? How will my attempts to do these things not be works? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It must be through His grace and power that I make this psalm a reality.

Father,

Show me how to make Your word a reality in my life. Show me how to balance Your grace with my responsibility.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Glad Hearts

Ps. 33:21

"For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name."

If I am in Christ, my heart is glad, but how? This gladness comes through trust, trusting in His Holy name. This trust is not a product of my humanity, but the result of God's drawing me to Himself. When He reached down, then I could trust Him as a gift of His grace. "For by grace are you saved and not of yourselves." In myself, this trust is impossible. It is only a grace-gift. When I trust in Him, I have salvation, more grace, eternal life, strength for each day, and the list goes on. This grace-gifted trust has given me all things that pertain to life and godliness so why wouldn't I be glad?

I also think that there is power in His name, a power that completely transformed and continues to transform my life. One day all men will bow to His name, and all things will be subjected to His name. Even in the OT the names of God were important and were cherished by His people. His names characterized His relationship with His people. Jesus' name has this same divine power and characterizes His relationship with me. It is a name that not only brings me life and hope but results in my joy and gladness. As I sing and say His name in worship Him, I know His great joy.

Finally, His name is holy. Holiness is the attribute of God that includes all the others. His name is holy because He is holy, without imperfection. He is to be worshiped for His holiness. Is. 6:3 demonstrates the seraph's response to God's holiness. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory." Not once but three times is the holiness of God sung and repeated by these angels. God's holiness is celebrated before His own throne and should be the essence of my worship as well. His name is holy! My response is one of divine gladness because I know and can call on the holy name of Jesus.

Father,

My heart is glad in the name of Your holy Son. Thank you sounds so hollow for giving me this life-changing trust.

In His holy name,

Amen

Be about My Father's Business

Lk. 2:49

"And He said to them,"Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?

In verse 38 of this chapter, it says that Jesus grew, became strong, was filled with wisdom, and had the favor of God upon Him. I wonder what Jesus' parents thought? Did they think that they were outstanding parents who had done everything right? Or did they realize that Jesus' growth and development came from His Father in heaven?

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover, and this year the twelve year old Jesus accompanied them on this journey. After a day's time on their travel home, His parents noticed Jesus was missing. Imagine the frantic search! To lose a child is such a helpless feeling. In such a diverse location, where would they look? They began with family, but then ended up back in Jerusalem. It took 3 tortuous days to find Him! What a deal! I can only imagine the depth of their anxiety. They went to the temple where He was listening and asking questions of the teachers. Into this scholoarly scene rushed his parents. Astonished, Mary simply asked why He had treated them this way? Now that she saw He was safe, she was concerned about His disregard for them. How could He do this? What had happened to her perfect child? Where was her stellar parenting now?

Jesus responded almost as if He were not their child. "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" The passage says that they didn't understand Him or what He was saying. How many times have parents felt this way? How many times are they at a loss to understand what is truly going on? But this situation is different. Jesus was not rebelling, He had a higher mission that He had to accomplish. I think when Jesus heard their reply, he understood their position and their pain. The verse says He came to Nazareth with them and was submissive to them becoming their child again.

Even though she didn't fully understand, Mary treasured these things in her heart. Perhaps they evoked a memory of her visit with the angel and the birth of Jesus. Perhaps this incident was another piece of the puzzle that she was beginning to see take shape. Jesus did continue to grow in favor with God and with man, including His parents. But what I like is Mary's response. When she didn't quite understand something, she pondered it. She tucked it away to dwell on and bring out at a later time. I imagine that she thought a lot about Jesus and His Father's business as He began His earthly ministry. As a mother, I was often overwhelmed and at a loss as to what to do with a child, but what a difference it would be if your child were the Son of God? Thank God for His grace in life, in parenting, and in waiting!

Father,

Help me to treasure in my heart those things that are hard to understand. Help me to wait patiently for Your will to be worked out. Lead me in following the example of Jesus as He was about Your business.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Love the Lord

Ps. 31:23-24

"Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord."

What great closing statements for this psalm! First, David begins with a seemingly simple command, "Love the Lord." But is it really simple? Perhaps the exclamation point is pointing out the the significance of the command. It is not, love the Lord, but LOVE THE LORD! David is saying that our love for God should be fervent and all consuming. This kind of 'all-caps' love comes from a heart that is united toward God (Ps. 86:11). What about my love? Could I describe it as 'all-caps'?

Next David gives a promise with a warning. He will preserve those who are faithful to him, but at the same time, He will repay those who act in pride. This repayment is in abundance which implies that God does not gloss over pride because it is an affront to His holiness. Pride is seeking to put self in the place of God. God has stated clearly that there will be no other gods before Him, even the gods of my own making and of my own flesh. Which will I choose--preservation or repayment? Logically, it's not a hard choice, but in reality, it is not so easy. My flesh and pride hang on with a grip that takes divine prying to loosen. Am I willing to have God pry my pride grip loose? Am I desiring to truly be faithful in heart, flesh, and soul? Are my heart and soul united toward God?

David ends with, "Be strong, and let your heart take courage." Perhaps he knew personally how hard it was to be rid of pride, but at the same time he also knew the preserving power of God. He had experienced it so many times when people were after him. Even though he knew God would protect him, I am sure that he was still afraid at times. While he waited for God, he needed strength and courage. What a reminder for me! Am I waiting for God to preserve and protect? Am I calling for His strength to be my strength? Am I allowing Him to be my courage and not going ahead in the pride of my flesh? Sadly, the waiting often brings my flesh into full power.

Father,

Drive the meaning of these verses into my heart and flesh. Reveal my pride so that I may confess it and seek for Your strength in its place. Thank You for giving me such mighty promises.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Favor for a Lifetime

Ps. 30:5

"For His anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning."

The preceding verse says to "sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name." What is the reason for this praise and thanksgiving? It is because God's anger is momentary with His favor spanning a lifetime. I think this anger refers to God's judgment toward His children, not His judgment on the unsaved. For the believer and for David, this anger could be discipline or judgment for disobedience which David had experienced firsthand. This would be a very valid reason for rejoicing in God's lasting favor. Also Israel's history demonstrated in a very harsh way the full scope of God's judgment when He allowed other nations to subjugate her.

But what does this mean for me? Why is His anger momentary? It all comes down to His favor. What is favor? It is nothing less than His grace. It is because of His grace that he can discipline or judge and then show mercy, steadfast love, and great grace. It is because of His grace that He can be slow to anger. So God's discipline in my life may bring tears of grief and repentance, but I can always rest in this promise. This time of discipline will be short-lived because His grace is everlasting and ever available. Grace brings joy in the morning; grace brings hope; and grace brings praise and thanksgiving.

Father,

Keep my eyes and my heart focused on Your great grace. Help me see it even in Your discipline. Thank You for this great promise of Your unlimited and everlasting grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen