Helpless

II Chron. 20:12

"O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

What a great prayer of helplessness from Jehoshaphat! He cried out to God to judge the invading hordes, admitted that, even though this was his desire, he didn't know what to do, and then said he would only look to God. His actions verified that He knew God was the only source of his deliverance and protection. His vision and focus were unwavering while he waited on God to answer. In fact, all Judah stood before the Lord waiting.

What a pattern for prayer! Express my desire. Admit my helplessness to know what to do. Keep my eyes unwavering focused on God, and wait for Him to answer and act.

Father,

Keep my prayers focused on You, Your power, and Your grace. I am helpless Lord and ask You to work in my life, growing me, and making me pleasing to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Lying Spirit

II Chron. 18:22

"Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you."

God wanted to entice Ahab into battle, the battle where he would die. To bring this about he used a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets, that is, all the prophets of Israel but one. It is an interesting idea that God, who was all powerful and could have enticed Ahab into battle many different ways, used a lying spirit. It definitely shows that all things are the servants of God even the false prophets and a lying spirit. Since Ahab had always worshipped false gods, it seems fitting that he would be deceived by the words of his own false prophets. 

Also there is the irony of Micaiah telling the truth which he had a reputation for doing. Even though Ahab told him specifically to tell the truth which Micaiah did, Ahab rejected his message as falsehood. He was unable to recognize the truth from God, and it brought about his death. So in order to bring about His will, God allowed the false words of false prophets to be believed and the true words of a true prophet to be rejected. Truly, all things are the servants of God!

Father,

Help me to see and know Your truth as it is revealed in Your words. Teach me to see Your hand in the details of life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Humbled

I Kings 21:29

"Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring disaster upon his house."

Ahab was exceedingly wicked. "There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted abominably in going after evil."  Yet, in spite of his past acts, God saw him when he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth, fasting and going about dejectedly. God saw in him a humbled heart and was responsive to his actions by postponing the judgment that was coming to him. What a merciful God! If He could show Ahab mercy, then He can be merciful to anyone who is humble before Him. Also, it is amazing that Ahab could be humbled. I would think that a man as wicked as this would be beyond humbling, but the ways of God are not the ways of man.

This story brings to mind the fact that God looks on the heart but man looks on the outward appearance. To the human eye, Ahab's actions of repenting would probably be considered a ruse, but God knew better. Also men would consider Ahab a lost cause and not even consider him as a candidate for a changed life, but God knew better again. The warning for me is not to make judgements that only God can make, and to realize that no one is excluded from God's mercy.  

Father,

Keep my heart and spirit as merciful as Yours. Teach me to reach out to those whose needs are beyond human redemption, but not beyond Your redemption.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Afraid and Running

I Kings 19:3

"Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there."

Elijah had been greatly used by God. He had defeated the prophets of Baal and then killed all of them. He had brought the rain that ended the drought. But even though God was with him in an obvious way, and he was being used mightily by God, he allowed fear to control him when Jezebel was after him. She had the upper hand when it came to threats since his first response was not to cry out to God but to run. His flesh was in control. How quickly he had come from the mountaintop and victory to hiding in the wilderness! How defeated he was when he thought he was alone and vulnerable! His fear had obliterated the voice of God. How soon after a victory does the flesh take control! What a lesson to me to me to watch and pray especially after the victory. But the wonderful thing is that God came to him in the voice of a low whisper. He calmed his fears and led him to Elisha. God met his need and preserved his life. 

Father,

Help me to cry out to You at all times and rely on Your strength. Help me defeat my flesh through the power of Your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Word of the Lord

I Kings 16:1

"And the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanai against Baasha, saying..."

Jehu told Baasha he would be utterly swept away, he and his house. Later, after his death, his son Elah began to reign. One night as he drank himself drunk, Zimri came and struck him down. In fact, he stuck down all the house of Baasha, not one single man was living. It was all done as the word of the Lord had said. What God said did indeed come to pass. What God says will always come to pass! This is why it is so important to know the Word of God. It should be our guide for living, our source of grace and strength, and our communication with God Himself.

Father,

Keep me close to Your word. Help me to stay true to Your words and let them be my light and guide.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

To and Fro

II Chron. 16:9

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."

God's desires to support those who love and follow Him, but who can be blameless? In the matter of the OT kings, they didn't destroy the high places. It was in those places that idolatry was practiced. What an affront to a holy God! He had said He would be with them, protecting them, and giving them victories if they wholly followed Him, yet they could not. The detestable idols and evil practices associated with the worship of these idols controlled the kings and the people. I am wondering if there are high places today. Certainly, we don't have Asherim, but we have materialism, possessions, ambition, and so many other things that control our life style. Have we compromised our hearts to hold on to the world while trying to hold onto God?

Father,

Convict me when my heart is not wholly yours. Teach me how to follow You completely and have my heart united to Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Seek the Lord

II Chron. 12:14

"And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord."

Even though Rehoboam reigned as king in Jerusalem, his heart was not for God. He did evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the Lord. What a key insight! Out of the heart come the issues of life. The heart's desires determine the focus of life. If the heart desires evil, then the life will pursue evil. It  becomes the ultimate choice: seek the Lord or seek evil. There is no middle ground. Even though man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart. It is the heart that reveals the true person. The thing that amazes me is that even though I am seeking God in my spirit, my flesh can rise up and control my heart. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness. Thank God He is faithful and just to forgive when I confess.

Father,

Keep me ever faithful to seeking You with my whole heart. Convict me immediately when I begin to stray and lose my focus.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No Escape

I Kings 13:26

"It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the Lord; therefore the Lord has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the Lord spoke to him."

Whether it was Jeroboam with his evil idolatry or the man of God sent to cry out against him, disobedience is not tolerated. The man of God did not accept Jeroboam's invitation to come and eat with him. He obeyed and began his way home, but when the old prophet of God spoke to him, he caved. Even though the old prophet lied to him, it made no difference because the man of God was told not to eat or drink with anyone but to go home a different way. The instruction was clear! Because he disobeyed, a swift and certain judgment came to him. A lion met him on the road and killed him. Even though the man of God met an untimely death, what he had prophesied would come true, but sadly, the heart of Jeroboam was unchanged.

Father,

Help me to be obedient to Your word. Give me a discerning ear to see only Your truth as the guide for my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

So True

Prov. 30:5

"Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."

What a great promise! I can count on the Word of God. I can build my life on it and cling to it in times of stress. Not only are His words true, but He is a shield to me if I take refuge in Him. The amazing thing is that He gives me the grace and strength to run to Him and to cling to His words. As someone who is utterly  helpless and undone, I can be filled with Him and His Spirit. How does this happen? Through the power of His Word! His words are "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." God's words are like no other words! They are always true, powerful, discerning,  piercing, and exposing. His words are my refuge, my portion, and my stay. It is through them that I can grow and glorify God. 

Father,

Help me keep Your words first in my life. Help me to store them in my heart so that I might not sin against You.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Fear God

Ecc. 12:13-14

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Solomon sought to know all wisdom. He had riches, possessions, power, knowledge, education, but still he found it was not fulfilling. His conclusion for all of life was to fear God and keep His commandments. He found that man's purpose and delight would be in His relationship with God. Nothing else would give him that inmost thing that he so desired. All else would be vanity and a chasing after wind. Not only that, but in the end, God would bring every deed into judgment. If a life was focused on foolishness, riches, power, or anything other than God, it would be revealed for what it truly was. There would be no secrets with God. All would be naked and exposed before the One to whom they must give account.

Father,

Keep my focus only and always on You. Teach me what it means to fear You wholly and truly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Vanity and Striving after Wind

Ecc. 3:1

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

There is a time for everything, but that time is not in man's devising. Time is the vehicle for God's purpose and plan.  But when man organizes and allots time, it becomes nothing but vanity and striving after wind because of his motives. Instead of thinking of the good for all mankind, he is thinking about his own personal gain.  So what should man do? Fear God and bring glory to His name. He is the One who gives meaning to the seasons, to all matters, to birth and death, to planting and harvesting, to construction and demolition, to weeping and laughter, to embracing and the lack of embracing, to seeking and losing, to tearing and sewing, to keeping silent and speaking, to loving and hating, and for war and peace. The choice is simple: God and meaning or the world and vanity.

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on You so that I may be united to You and Your purposes.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Reflections

Prov. 27:19

"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man."

What is in my heart is the measure of my true being. Regardless or what I show to other people, God knows my heart. If I am dwelling in Him, then my heart will be treasuring His riches not the riches that the world has to offer. If I am dwelling in Him, sin will be confessed and forsaken. If I am dwelling in Him, I will be storing His words in my heart so that I can produce abiding fruit. When my heart is wholly united to Him, then I will reflect Him.

Father,

Help me to abide in You so that my heart may be true and wholly united to You. Convict me when my flesh strives to control. Give me the strength to live for You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Firebrands, Arrows, and Death

Prov. 26:18-19

"Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking."

How many times have I heard or even said, "Just joking"? Even though it is supposed to take the sting out of the comment and exonerate the speaker, it often hurts the receiver. The supposed innocent and funny comment is hurtful because at its heart is ridicule. Ridicule lifts up the speaker while it tears down the other person. Although it seems extreme, these verses compare them to firebrands, arrows, and death. There is nothing funny or innocent in that description, in fact these words are associated with war and destruction. These flippant comments injure a relationship, either momentarily or permanently, and many times destroy that relationship. Have I made hurtful comments under the guise of a joke? Am I seeking to build others up in Christ?

"I will guard my ways that I might not sin with my tongue."

Father,

I confess I have done this. Give me wisdom and strength to speak only words that edify and glorify You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

All Seeing

I Kings 9:3

"...I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time."

Solomon had built and dedicated the temple to God. In response the Lord appeared to him assuring him that He had heard his prayer. God Himself had consecrated the house by putting His name there. It was a mark of ownership. The house no longer belonged to Solomon or the workers, but it belonged to God. It was where He would dwell. Because this was now the abode of God, His eyes and heart would be there for all time.

By application, my heart is the temple of God as well. When He sends His Spirit to dwell in me, His eyes and heart are there for all time. Once I am a child of God no one can pluck me from His hand. I have this relationship not in a building but in my life. What a gift of salvation! My God lives personally within me, seeing all, hearing all, and feeling all. What does He desire of me? Like Solomon, I am to walk in integrity and uprightness. I am to obey His words, but the great thing is that He gives me the grace and strength to do this. My walk with Him is all of Him, His grace and nothing of my flesh. What should He be seeing, hearing, and feeling within me? The power of His grace bringing glory to His name!

Father,

Keep all I do saturated in Your grace. Keep me ever aware of Your presence as I go through each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Praise the Lord

Ps. 150:6

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"

Praise should be the theme of  my life, filling my thoughts, my prayers, and even my actions. "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven."

He alone is worthy of praise because He is the creator of all. He is my Savior, the One who has saved me, loved me, and nurtured me. He is my protection from the physical and spiritual blasts of this world's system. But even with all of that, it is not so much that I remember what He has done for me, but that praise should be part of my new nature. It should be part of the relationship that I have with God. Am I praising God for who He is? Am I rejoicing in the new life He has given me? Am I seeing His hand in all the details of my life?

Father,

Keep my eyes open to Your works and my heart attune to who You are. Strengthen me so that praise emanates from my being at all times.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

II Chron. 7:3

'"When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever."'

Solomon and the nation of Israel offered praise to God for His steadfast love. In the preceding chapters as the temple dedication was progressing, Solomon petitioned the Lord for forgiveness for his people. If and when his people would sin, Solomon wanted to be sure that God would forgive and preserve them. God answered Solomon in the night saying, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place."  God's response was His loving kindness in action! He would forgive sin but humility, confession, and repentance must characterize the heart. God reassured Solomon that He had chosen this house and His eyes and ears would be there constantly. He would do as He promised.

What a blessing to have the God of the universe, the Creator of all be ready and willing to listen! It is a reminder to me to be aware of my heart's condition. Am I humble when I come before God? Am I truly repentant of the sin in my life? Thankfully, God shows me the same loving kindness that He showed to Solomon and Israel.

Father,

I offer You my heart. Make it soft and pliable. Grant me repentance so that I can walk in Your ways.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Wholly True

I Kings 8:61

"Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in His statutes and keeping His commandments, as this day."

There is the crux of the matter, keeping wholly true. Before Solomon ended his prayer, he pleaded with the Lord to listen and forgive His people because he knew the heart of his people, and for that matter, the heart of all people. He knew that sin would rear its ugly head and keep the human heart from being wholly true. The flesh is indeed weak! But God has promised to listen because He is a God of grace, steadfast love, and kindness. He forgives when I confess and repent. The problem is not God but me! How do I keep my heart wholly true? How do I stay true to His words?

Father,

Lead me in the way of truth so that I will be wholly Yours. Keep my heart seeking Your heart.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Finished

II Chron. 5:1

"Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God."

The house of the Lord was finished. What David had envisioned had come to fruititon in his son's life because God's plan superseded a single lifetime. It is a lesson for me to remember. I may not see the completion of a desire or a prayer request, but I must trust God for his timing, for His will to be perfectly fulfilled. 

Even though David's heart's desire was to build a house for His God, it was not God's will for him. His desire was a good thing, in fact, and excellent thing, but it wasn't what God wanted. Not every good idea or excellent plan that I have should necessarily happen. Instead I should seek only God's plan. 

Father,

Help me to keep my eyes focused on You as I seek Your will. Keep my grip loose on my ideas so that I am free to follow Your Spirit's lead.

In Jesus name,

Amen  

Timing

II Chron. 3:1

"Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite."

David's desire was finally coming to pass. He had wanted to build the house for God, but the timing and the circumstances were not right. David had to subdue the land and its inhabitants. His days were filled with conflict and war, but in Solomon's time, there was peace. The land was at rest and the time was right. He set about building the temple of the Lord on Mount Moriah.

Mount Moriah was also where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, that is, until God provided a lamb for the sacrifice. For Abraham it was the place of ultimate sacrifice and love for His God. Then later it was the site where David was commanded to build an altar to God after He had sinned by numbering the people. God gave him three choices as a judgment, and he chose to fall into the hands of God because the God he knew was merciful and gracious. Even though the plagued did descend on Israel, and many died, God in mercy did stay the judgment. David spoke with the angel on the threshing floor of Ornan. After listening and obeying, he bought the land at full price, built an altar, and offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord commanded the angel to sheath his sword. The judgment had ceased. Once again this site was synonymous with sacrifice, obedience, and devotion to the Lord.

Father,
Keep me ever resting in Your timing. Help me to listen and obey to all that Your words command.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Training

Prov. 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Strangely enough, when I was training my children, I thought this training was something that I had to do. So I was diligent and worked as hard as I could, but now I realize that it was not me that had to do the training but the grace of God in me. But thankfully, His grace toward me was not deterred in the lives of my children since God's grace is free flowing and all powerful to them as well as me. But what was different was me! I struggled when I should have rested! I was in conflict when I could have been in peace! I have since read a book where the author said he did his best parenting through prayer. What a glorious statement! That leaves it all to the grace of God and none to me! So for me, I want to do my best grand parenting through prayer. I want to be the best wife through prayer. I want my life to be all of grace and not of self!

Father,
Keep revealing myself to me so that I might confess and cry out for Your grace. Thank You for this grace walk and life! Even now I pray for my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren. Keep them tender toward Your Spirit, abounding in Your love, approving what is excellent, and filled with the fruit of righteousness.
In Jesus name,
Amen

My Steps

Prov. 20:24

"A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?"

What a reason for prayer! All my steps are from God. He has ordered them before I was in existence. So it makes no sense why I would want to make decisions about my life when only God knows the directions and the intricacies. Sadly, "Every way of a man is right in His own eyes..."  How many times have I made decisions without consulting God and lived to regret those decisions? Countless!! Thank God for His grace, for His forgiveness, and for His steadfast loving kindness. He has told me clearly that "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord."  Not only am I warned, but I am so thankful that He has ordered all my steps. I can rest in His sovereign wisdom for all the details of my life, the good and the bad. I can rest in His promise that all the things He has allowed in my life are for my good.

Father,

Keep me constantly aware of You and asking Your before I make decisions. Thank You for planning my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Just Quit

Prov. 17:18

"The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out."

Strife, disharmony, or tension begin with a small drip, barely noticeable, just a small irritation. But if left unchecked, the drip can turn into a slow leak. In time, the slow leak weakens the barrel until a gush of water flows out. The seemingly small, insignificant irritation has grown into a full fledged quarrel. I have experienced this so many times. What to do? The proverb says QUIT! Just quit! Give it up! But that is so hard. I want to hold onto my rights, my feelings, or my hurts. I want to hold on to my injury until it is made right for me. But according to this, is this my course of action?

 Why does the proverb say to quit? I know that peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit and believers are commanded to "Live peaceably with all men."  As I grow in the Lord and the Spirit grows fruit in my life, I see that strife is most often caused by selfishness. I want my way. Also,  Philippians says "in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." This attitude of sacrifice for others is the stuff that quitting the strife is made from. When I am thinking of others, the quitting is doable. One thing I know is that the grace of God is essential for peace. 

Father,

Give me Your grace to quit when the water begins to drip. Help me to let go of myself and love You more than my injured pride.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Soft Answer

Prov. 15:1

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

A soft answer implies that my heart is soft as well, soft and pliable to God. As anger and angry people come into my life, what is my response? Do I react in anger, or do I in softness and submission, speak to God before I respond? If I am harsh, even though I may feel the person deserves a harsh answer, I am stirring up more anger. Anger diffused is a relationship preserved!

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life..."  Since gentleness is a trait of the Spirit's fruit, this proverb refers to the growth of fruit in my life. A gentle tongue coming from abiding in the vine can then in turn produce a tree of life for others. Gentleness of speech can be a shade from the blast of angry and abusive words. It can be life-giving by encouraging and fostering communication. Gentleness leads to listening and caring for the needs of others. Giving my tongue to God to be used by Him is essential for abiding in Him and producing abiding fruit.

Father,

Put a guard over my ways that I might not sin with my tongue. Help me to be soft and submissive to You so that my tongue might be gentle bringing life and healing to others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sword Thrusts

Prov. 12:18

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

What an image to describe the damage that the tongue can do! Sword thrusts can wound and even kill the spirit of a man and the strength of a relationship. Even though repeated jabs can make long term, irreparable wounds, a wise tongue brings healing. Can the power of God that has changed a tongue from thrusting to healing, also undo the damage of years of thrusting? God's power is unlimited as is His grace, but the warning comes to the thruster. Guard your tongue! A sword wound goes deep and makes scars! Sadly, I have 'thrust-ed' quite a few swords in my time. Not only am I concerned about undoing the damage that I have caused, but what about breaking the habit of thrusting? Old speech patterns die hard! But God has encouraged me and provided me His grace and strength. Through Him I can speak words of healing and wisdom. When His words are stored in my heart, then they come out my mouth. What a powerful God I serve!

Father,

Keep Your words flowing out of my mind, heart, and mouth. Help me to speak kindness, healing, and wisdom. Help me be gracious as You are constantly to me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Fear of the Lord

Prov. 9:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Who doesn't want to be wise and insightful? I know that I do. So here it says the answer is not in life experience, seminars, or self-help books, but the answer is in fearing the Lord. What exactly does that mean? The second half of the verse says that knowledge of the Holy One is essential. It doesn't say knowledge about the Holy One but knowledge of the Holy One. That leads me to believe that is is a personal, experiential knowledge resulting from a deep love and delight in God. In 8:13 it says  "The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate." This verse further enhances the meaning by showing the clear connectionof evil, pride, and arrogance to the fear of the Lord. In fact, this relationship has gone beyond non-existent to outright hatred. Evil, pride, and arrogance are abhorrent to God and can not be in His presence. Since for me to fear the Lord means that I have intimate knowledge of Him, who He is and what He values, then I can not allow evil, pride, and arrogance in my life. As I read this and think about this, I realize the great need for grace and mercy because I certainly can't say that evil, pride,and arrogance are never in my life. Thank God for the blood of Jesus that has cleansed and covered me! Thank God for the gospel of grace that allows me to understand and grow into fearing the Lord!

Father,

Continue teaching me what it means to fear You, to have Your wisdom, and Your insight. Make my mind and my heart united with Yours. Grant me repentance when I fall into the slime of evil, pride, and arrogance.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Keep Your Heart

Prov. 4:23

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Prov. 4 stresses the importance of guarding my heart because the heart is the fountain of life. Out of it flow the issues of life. How do I do this? Saturating myself in the word of God and coming to Him for grace is the basis for my vigilance. Without the power of the Word and His grace, any guarding that I might do will surely fail. After v. 23, there are some other important directives that might help in this guarding of the heart. V. 24 warns about crooked speech and devious talk. If I indulge in those or even listen to those, I am not guarding my heart. V. 25 says to look forward and keep my gaze straight. When I do this, I can ponder the path of my feet and my way will be sure. When I turn away from evil, I will be guarding my heart. What sage advice!

Father,

Keep me ever in Your word so that my heart will be tender to your leading, so that I will follow Your path alone and be free from the evil influences all around me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Trust

Prov. 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

Since this was one of the verses that I learned as a child., it has been with me for many years, and yet, the meaning and the truth of it is still growing with me. In order for me to trust the Lord with all my heart, I can't trust in myself. I can't lean on my own understanding. That is tough! These verses are talking about giving the control of my life to God, that means praying constantly about decisions even small, mundane decisions, that means admitting I am weak and helpless to know what I should do. Even though I would be the first to admit, I am weak and helpless, I still seem to plough ahead doing my own thing. My self and flesh are unrelenting in their desire to control. But God is calling for me to abide in Him, to dwell with Him on a moment by moment basis, to talk to Him continuously throughout the day, to memorize and meditate on His words and let them dwell richly in me. He is calling for me to forget the wisdom of my own eyes and to fear Him. What a message is packed in these verses! The message is powerful and the promise brings hope! He will make straight my paths. He will take me straight into His presence.

Father,

Keep growing Your words in my life so that I will trust You above myself.  Take me daily straight into Your presence.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Mine and His

Song of Solomon 2:16

"My beloved is mine, and I am his."

This book of love poetry describes the intimacy of love in the marriage context. Whether it only describes physical marriage on earth or the marriage of Christ and the church, it is intensely intimate and passionate. There are numerous descriptions of the physical beauty of the partners in this relationship, and the enjoyment of each other's physical beauty. It makes it clear that marriage is not just a working relationship to accomplish the daily duties, but a passionate delighting in each other. Some of my favorite lines are:

•  "His banner over me was love." Husband and wife are united and covered in their love for one another. Christ showed the greatest love possible by dying for the church, His bride. Truly His banner over His bride is love.
• "My beloved is mine, and I am His." There is never a doubt who the married couple are. They are not enticed away from each other, but are secure in their abiding love. Christ offers an even deeper bond because it was forged with His blood. He chose me to be part of His bride. Once chosen, I am His, completely and irrevocably.
• "How much better is your love than wine..." The intimacy of the husband and wife is far superior to wine because it is all inclusive, covering a vast array of endeavors. It alone is passionate and heady. The same with Christ and the church.  Our love for Christ should supersede family, job, and anything that the world offers. It is our motivation for all that we do. We are to leave all to follow Christ.
• "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."  Love within marriage should be  strengthened by the waters of trial and adversity. As the husband and wife pull together, their bond grows stronger. In the relationship of Christ and His church, trials and adversities are often the vehicle of more grace. This grace strengthens and build the relationship of the bride and Christ. Once I am Christ's nothing can pluck me out of His hand, no amount of turbulent water.

Father,

Keep my love for John and for Jesus passionate and strong. Help me focus on Your love so that it can flow out to others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

All the Day

Ps. 119:97

"Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."

The psalmist's thought life is controlled by the word of God. It is constantly in his mind as he navigates his day. Why? Because he intensely loves the word.  It is not just something he reads on a daily basis and then checks off, nor is it something that guides his life from a distance. He doesn't just read it or listen to it at corporate worship, but it is the basis of his private life. He totally delights in it!

This great love has produced great effects in his life. First, it makes him wiser than his enemies which protects his life and helps him discern their motives and their methods. Secondly, it gives him more understanding than his teachers enlarging his world view through the eyes of God. And finally it gives him more understanding than the aged which is the practical savvy that comes from the school of hard knocks. The word does all this. It provides all that the psalmist needs. It still does all this!! Even though many believers know all this, they still don't have the word in their minds all the day. Instead the world's system often controls their minds. What do I think about all the day? Do I love the word? Am I trying to balance the Word and the world keeping hold of both?

Father,

Thank You for Your words and the great wisdom that they bring. Draw me ever closer into them so that my mind and heart will be filled with them.

In Jesus name,

Amen