DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK, BE FAITHFUL

 

READ PSALM 112

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE BLESSED?

Psalm 112:1

Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

There is no doubt that fearing God is a recurring theme of the Bible. In this psalm, the author reminds us that delighting in the Lord’s commands is the natural response of a God-fearing believer. Actually, as you read carefully, the writer says that one should delight greatly in the commands of God.

To be able to have this kind of delight, one needs to know the commands, trust the Giver of the commands, and desire the results of obedience to them.

Jesus said that those who obey are His friends.

John 14:15-17

        “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

       

John 15:5-17

        I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

        “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

We all know that abiding in Christ is a blessing, we know that bearing fruit is both a consequence and a joy. We all desire to have real and lasting joy, and Jesus reminds us that obeying Him is the path to true and full joy. We must live for the eternal and not for the temporal!

As the Psalm continues, it is reminiscent of the book of Proverbs.

Psalm 112:2-9

His offspring will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;

who conducts his affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

There is much peace, when one knows that he has dealt with others in a loving and biblical way. The apostle Peter reminds us of the same truth.

1 Peter 3:13-17

        Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Our true blessedness does not come from the response of man, but from what God thinks about our lives. We live under careful scrutiny of our Lord.

1 Peter 3:10-12

For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

I know that I need to pray that God will give me a love and desire for His glory. My comfort, my goals, and my desires can very quickly drown out the joy of faithful service to God. Our focus needs to be upon attracting others to our Savior Jesus Christ. Our great delight must be in living according to the will of God.

We could sum up this life goal with the words of Christ:

Matthew 22:37-39

        You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Having a clear conscience and living to please and serve God will truly make us blessed!

WHY I AM UNGRATEFUL

READ PSALM 111

OUR GRATEFULNESS DEPENDS UPON OUR FAITHFULNESS!

Psalm 111:1

Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

What a wonderful way to begin a psalm. I will give thanks! This gratefulness is not a halfhearted or forced action, but is genuine and sincere. When gratefulness is true, then it’s not secret. It’s obvious to those around. What a privilege we have as believers, to be aware of God’s actions and to unite ourselves with others in open and sincere gratitude. We should ask ourselves if we are known as grateful people.

Gratefulness will be a natural response, when we stop and reflect on what God is doing. The psalmist took time to reflect on God’s great works.

Psalm 111:2

Great are the works of the LORD,

studied by all who delight in them.

It is very easy to be grateful people, if we not only stop and think about the works of the Lord, but we also study them. Our study needs to be directed towards the purposes of God’s work.

James reminds us of a couple of elements that should be at the forefront of our study of God’s works:

James 1:2-4

        Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:16-18

        Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

       

       

God’s work in the life of the believer always has an eternal purpose! God is working to produce assurance and spiritual maturity. Every thing that God does is good, and is a gift from Him; His purposes will never change!

I find that if I don’t stop to study the character of God and His purposes, I will not be thankful, because I will tend to look at the events of my life as separated from the loving hand of God.

The writer has stopped to study and reflect on God’s works.

Psalm 111:3-9

Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

the LORD is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy;

they are established forever and ever,

to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people;

he has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name!

As he studies, he reminds himself of the purposes and the character of God.

He takes time to remember that God’s works are majestic. His works are superior to anything man could ever imagine to accomplish. God provides faithfully to all the needs of His own. He has made known His works to His people. His work is not temporary, but has eternal purposes and cannot be thwarted. He provided redemption and His covenants are forever.

Our sovereign God also has a holy and perfect character. He is righteous, He is gracious and merciful, He is just, He is trustworthy, He is faithful and upright, He is holy and awesome.

Careful study of God’s works can only produce gratefulness, nothing else. If we are not experiencing gratefulness, it is not the works of God that are in question, but rather our own lack of reflection and consideration of His character!

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!

As the writer ends this inspired song, he makes it clear that we need to begin in the right place: with fear of the Lord. Only those who begin there can obtain wisdom, and therefore have the ability to understand God’s works and be overwhelmed with gratefulness.

Lack of gratefulness is not the result of God’s shortcomings, but the logical end of those who live according to earthly wisdom.

When you and I find ourselves in seasons of ingratitude, we don’t need to pray that our circumstances change, but that our understanding of God changes. Believers who live in the fear of the Lord are blessed, grateful, and joyful.

JESUS IS IN CONTROL!

READ PSALM 110

GOD REIGNS: ARE WE AWARE OF THIS TRUTH?

Psalm 110:1

The LORD says to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

This Psalm predicts the coming of the Messiah and exalts His role as king and ruler of all. It is interesting that every time Jesus alluded to this Psalm, the religious authorities of His time knew exactly what He was asserting, and reacted in their unbelief, accusing Him of blasphemy.

Matthew 22:41-46

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then, that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

        “‘The Lord said to my Lord,

        “Sit at my right hand,

                until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 26:64-68

        Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Preaching at Pentecost, Peter used this psalm to prove that Jesus had risen again and was seated at the right hand of God. He saw that this psalm was a wonderful prophecy and used it to preach the Gospel to the multitudes.

Acts 2:29-36

        “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

        “‘The Lord said to my Lord,

        “Sit at my right hand,

                until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

        Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

The writer of Hebrews would later use this psalm to prove that Christ is superior to the angels and our High Priest forever.

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and rules victorious. At any time, he could return for His church and set in motion the final days for every man and for the earth.

Psalm 110:5

The Lord is at your right hand;

he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

Jesus Christ will reign on the earth, where everyone and everything will be subject to Him. His wrath will be poured on all those whose names will not be found in the book of life.

As we reflect on these truths, various thoughts should come to our minds. First of all, why do I fear, since God is in total control! Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, watching and directing all things for His glory. Secondly, we know the outcome: God will win! Today He is prolonging His longsuffering because there are more souls He desires to see come to Him in repentance. Thirdly, we need to be about God’s business; we are here on earth to be His witnesses. We are not here for our own pleasure or to accumulate material wealth, but to share the Gospel with others. God’s command to make disciples was directed to all of us who know Him. We have the responsibility to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

Jesus is in control! We have responsibilities to fulfill! Our time is limited! God deals, and will deal, with everyone perfectly!

GOD IS REAL AND HE IS IN CONTROL!

READ PSALM 109 

DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF GOD!

Psalm 109:1-5

Be not silent, O God of my praise!

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,

speaking against me with lying tongues.

They encircle me with words of hate,

and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me,

but I give myself to prayer.

So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

David is truly asking God to go after his enemies. His imprecations are strong and direct. Reading this psalm, though, has challenged my heart. 

Psalm 109:4

In return for my love they accuse me,

but I give myself to prayer.

David has a clear conscience about his feelings and reactions. Loving your enemies is never easy, and to do it with a sincere heart is almost impossible. Actually, without God’s help, it is impossible! Praying sincerely for your enemies, if you do not love them, is also impossible. Praying that they will stop or change is a common prayer, but a request to God driven by godly love does not seek the good of the offended, but of the offender!

We are commanded to love and pray for our enemies.

Matthew 5:43-48

            “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

           

Luke 6:27-36

            “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

            “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 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.

           

Jesus makes it clear – Love – Pray – Bless - Do Good!

These verses reveal that such selfless actions set apart the believer from the unbeliever. In other words, these are not deeds that can be done in our flesh. One needs to be a believer who has been transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Although it would seem as if David is asking God to come against those who are hurting him and others, there is a recurring theme woven into his requests.

Psalm 109:21

But you, O GOD my Lord,

deal on my behalf for your name's sake;

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!

Psalm 109:26-27

Help me, O LORD my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love!

Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O LORD, have done it!

Psalm 109:30

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

David has complete trust in what God will do. He has faith in God’s steadfast love. Although he has enemies, difficulties, and hard situations, he never loses sight of God’s love and care for him. His trust includes resting in God’s timing and wisdom. David is making these requests during hard times, but he does not stop praising God. He appeals to God and wants his enemies to know that whatever God’s action will be, it comes from the Lord and not from him.

David wants God to act, wants God to get the glory, and he wants those people to know God.

We all go through trials and want those who are hurting us to stop. We want God to act, but are we satisfied with His timing and His methods? Are we peacefully trusting our wise and loving God?

Enemies are real! Pain is real! Difficulties are real! Sorrow is real!

But above all, GOD is real and He is in control!

WHY DO I STRUGGLE TO FIND REST?

READ PSALM 108

OUR HEARTS NEED TO BE ROOTED IN GOD!

Psalm 108:1-4

My heart is steadfast, O God!

I will sing and make melody with all my being!

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.

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

The psalmist begins his poetry with a wonderful statement! My heart is steadfast, O God! It is wonderful to be able to state with assurance that our hearts are steadfast. To be steadfast, according to the dictionary, means: ‘Fixed or unchanging; steady. Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving.’ As you read the definition, are you able to state that steadfastness defines your thoughts and emotions? If you are like me, this is more often a desired state than an actual situation.

The psalmist rests his heart in the statement he makes in verse four: that God’s great love is steadfast. God’s love was ordained in eternity past, is faithful in the present, and is promised for the future of those upon whom He has set His love.

I often have to go back and meditate on the love of God, for sometimes difficult situations or people in my life cause me to question His love. But the truth is that God always deals with me out of love. God’s love is perfect. His teaching, reproving, correcting, and training are rooted in His love.

God uses the Scriptures to produce His results in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

God uses people in our lives to forge us: See how, a few verses later, Paul charges Timothy to be the instrument of God in the lives of the Ephesians.

2 Timothy 4:1-2
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Are you grateful for your local church and for the leaders whom God is using to show you His love? Are you an active member in a local church? Are you part of a local church that is faithful in its teaching of the Word of God?

As the psalmist writes of God’s steadfast love, it is obvious that his worship and gratitude are rooted in his knowledge of the character of God and the promises of God. He is not doubting God during his difficult times, but waiting and watching for the unfolding of God’s purposes.

Psalm 108:12-13

Oh grant us help against the foe,

for vain is the salvation of man!

With God we shall do valiantly;

it is he who will tread down our foes.

David knows he needs help; he knows that man cannot save himself from his enemies; he knows that only God has the power to deal with his foes, and that He will do so.

When we insert ourselves into a situation, we only create messes. When we pridefully think we can do things apart from God, we are setting ourselves up to fall. When we start doubting that God is dealing with our difficulties, ingratitude and bitterness begin to sprout up.

Resting in God requires us to trust God for His timing and for the results that He plans. We certainly don’t want to become impatient or question God’s love.

My heart is steadfast when I trust in God’s faithfulness and in His steadfast love. When I don’t trust, then my life is a mess! Let your meditation on this psalm redirect your thoughts today! The amount of thankfulness and praise in your heart will reveal how much you are resting in the Lord’s faithfulness!

DO NOT SKIP THIS PSALM!

READ PSALM 107

THE LORD’S STEADFAST LOVE CONSOLES US EVERY DAY!

Psalm 107:1-2

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,

whom he has redeemed from trouble

The psalm begins with an exclamation that reminds me of the reaction of a crowd that participates in some exciting event. I imagine people who jump on their feet and exclaim what they cannot hold in anymore.

THE LORD IS GOOD!

HE HAS CHOSEN TO LOVE ME FOREVER!

HE REDEEMED ME WHILE I WAS IN TROUBLE!

I AM SO THANKFUL!

I CANNOT HOLD IT IN ANYMORE!

While reading this psalm, an ongoing pattern becomes obvious. This pattern reflects our lives, for it exposes our ongoing sinfulness, while magnifying the steadfast love of God. I consider my own ingrained sins, and am humbled by the unchanging, unwavering love of God. Let this psalm remind you of your condition, then refresh you with the consolation you have received from the Lord, and energize you with God’s caring intervention into your life, prompted by His love for you.

THE CONDITION

Psalm 107:4-5

Some wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

THE CONSOLATION

Psalm 107:8

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Psalm 107:9

For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

THE CONDITION

Psalm 107:10

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

prisoners in affliction and in irons,

THE CONSOLATION

Psalm 107:13-14

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

and burst their bonds apart.

Psalm 107:15

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

THE CONDITION

Psalm 107:17

Some were fools through their sinful ways,

and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

THE CONSOLATION

Psalm 107:19-20

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He sent out his word and healed them,

and delivered them from their destruction.

Psalm 107:21

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

THE CONDITION

Psalm 107:25-27

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;

their courage melted away in their evil plight;

they reeled and staggered like drunken men

and were at their wits' end.

THE CONSOLATION

Psalm 107:28-29

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 107:31

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

THE CONCLUSION

Psalm 107:43

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;

let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. We do not presume on God’s love. Our life should be changed!

Romans 6:1-4

        What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

We rest in deep gratitude that our salvation, our hope, is based upon God’s steadfast love.

Romans 5:1-2

        Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

       

We live as trophies of God’s grace and we boast only in the work of Christ!

Galatians 6:14

        But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

WE MUST REACT TO GOD’S IMMEASURABLE GRACE!

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT JUSTICE?

READ PSALM 106

A LOVE THAT NEVER FAILS!

Psalm 106:1

Praise the LORD!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

As the psalmist rehearses the steadfast love of God, it is magnified against the backdrop of the people’s unfaithfulness and rebellion.

The history of Israel is an ongoing cycle of rebellion, repentance and forgiveness. The grace of God was showered on His loved ones, who could not do anything to deserve it.

They sinned, rebelled, and forgot His works. They worshipped man made gods and forgot their savior. They despised His provision, they murmured, they united themselves with pagans, and provoked God with their actions, as they followed pagan religions.

Psalm 106:43

Many times he delivered them,

but they were rebellious in their purposes

and were brought low through their iniquity.

Because of God’s steadfast love He continued to rescue them.

Psalm 106:44-45

Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress,

when he heard their cry.

For their sake he remembered his covenant,

and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

This is the God of the Bible: the God to whom we cannot offer anything. The only thing we can offer is our brokenness and genuine repentance.

As I look at this psalm, I am amazed at this kind of love. I rage against the injustice of others and call for mercy for mine. I look in disdain to the behavior of others and seek for my sins to be covered and forgotten.

No wonder Jesus had no mercy on the man who received grace and then showed no grace to others.

The psalmist certainly reminds us that Israel bore the consequences of their sins, but also enjoyed the unmerited love and forgiveness of God.

I could never contemplate this truth if God had repaid me for the actions I have committed. I can only approach God as a broken child who has found mercy and grace so often.

The children of Israel again and again looked to God for His steadfast love.

Psalm 106:47

Save us, O LORD our God,

and gather us from among the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

They promised gratefulness and praise, only to fall again. We do the same so many times. God grants us grace in spite of the fact that He knows exactly when and how often we will fail again! If you and I are not amazed and awe-struck, then we need to ask God to help us to see ourselves in our wicked state.

Psalm 106:48

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting!

And let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the LORD!

If we don’t get up from our quiet time with these words, then we must wonder if we have understood anything.

In love He saves us, in love He chastises us, in love He carries us, in love He corrects us, in love He shepherds us, in love He provides, in love He surrounds us with care, in love He draws us to Himself. The list is endless because His love in steadfast.

You and I cannot do anything to attract and keep this love. God expects us to come broken to Him, on His terms and resting in Him.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the LORD!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

And so we end where we started: resting in God’s steadfast love!

YOU CANNOT SIT BACK IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK!

READ PSALM 105

SOMETHING WORTHWHILE TO BE SEEKING FOR…

Psalm 105:4

Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

As you read this Psalm, notice the detail of God’s faithfulness toward Israel. It is also interesting to note that in this psalm God does not remind them of their seasons of sin and rebellion, but rehearses the many wonderful works He did on their behalf.

Reading these lines reminds me of the faithfulness of God to His promises. Israel, though rebellious and prone to sin, was kept by God’s omnipotent hand.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

If God does not hold us and keep us, we will never be faithful. God is faithful to His promises, not according to our behavior. We do know, though, that God is not indifferent to our sin and He will do whatever it takes to keep us close to Himself.

The psalmist reminds us to seek the Lord, to seek His presence and strength. For us to seek the Lord’s presence means to make sure we are living in communion with Him, that we are abiding in Him.

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

We abide in Christ as a result of allowing God to transform our lives with His Word. As we meditate on God’s Word, we must strive to align our lives to what it says. Sanctification is both God’s work in us and our submissive response to His Word.

When the Bible describes our spiritual walk, it uses various images: of an athlete, of a farmer, of a boxer, of a runner, of a soldier. None of these images strike me as people who are laying back and waiting for God to do everything. Although it is the Word that transforms our minds and hearts, we must strive in our walk. There are many who preach a Gospel where believers are not expected to strive to do what is right. The Bible never describes the believer as one who has a passive response to God’s very clear instructions.

We must faithfully seek God.

Colossians 3:1-4

        If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

All too often, I allow the clouds of life to darken my view of Christ. My desire for personal comfort and ease overshadow my awareness of the presence of God.

For the Israelites, rehearsing the goodness, care, protection, and sovereignty of God changed their disposition toward God and life. For them to know that when God promises something it will come to pass was comforting. Remembering that although Joseph’s brothers were planning harm for Him and caused him much pain, God was using them to provide for the needs of the children of Israel in the future.

Psalm 105:43-45

So he brought his people out with joy,

his chosen ones with singing.

And he gave them the lands of the nations,

and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,

that they might keep his statutes

and observe his laws.

Praise the LORD!

God orchestrates everything for His glory and our good. God always intends for our obedience to produce joy and peace in us.

I have so much to learn in this area, but as I learn, I am thankful that God is faithful to His promises and that He will bring me victoriously to the end.

HAVE YOU PREPARED WELL FOR TODAY’S CHALLENGES?

READ PSALM 104

MORNING COFFEE AND MORNING MEDITATION…

Psalm 104:34

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Starting the day without coffee is unthinkable for many of us! In fact, how many people tell others not to talk to them until they have had their first cup of coffee? They cannot function without their cup of caffeine.

For many of us, though, starting the day without any kind of meditation on the Word of God is all too normal. Reading even a short passage of Scriptures is nice, but not necessary for many believers who assume that they can function easily without it. Obviously, reading a token number of verses cannot and should not be considered a lucky charm. Your day will not go better because God will be more favorable to you if you have spent a few minutes in the Word.

Reading, meditating, and praying allows us to think about God. It guides our thoughts in the right direction. It causes us to have a heavenly perspective, as contrasted to an earthly mindset. It prepares us to face difficult people, hard circumstances, with the right attitude.

Mark 1:35

            (Jesus) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Luke 5:15-16

            But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Jesus habitually set time apart from ministry and people to commune with his Father.

Take time to slowly read Psalm 104. Let these amazing truths permeate your mind. Become more aware of the majesty and sovereignty of God.

God reigns with total control over the earth. Everything was set in its place by the creating power of God. Nature has boundaries set by God. God sustains and orders everything in the world. God controls the cycles of nature, so that man can cultivate and expect the earth to produce its fruits. God has planned the correct habitat for every plant and animal. The seasons, the day and night are all planned and controlled by God. Every plant, every animal, and every person depends on God for life and nourishment.

The awareness of people or the beliefs of man do not change the complete control of God over all things and nature’s complete dependence on God’s rulings.

Does this meditation affect you? Does it make a difference? Preparing yourself for the day with meditation in the Scriptures is necessary. The only deterrent I have found is laziness!

Psalm 104:31-35

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD rejoice in his works,

who looks on the earth and it trembles,

who touches the mountains and they smoke!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Let sinners be consumed from the earth,

and let the wicked be no more!

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Praise the LORD!

I have been encouraged by the number of people who have said that they begin their day reading these devotionals. My hope is that they would help to prepare you, and those with whom you may share them, to live each day with an awareness of God. They might even become a springboard to having a habitual time with the Lord.

Life is hard, so we need to be prepared! Praising God is the result of an informed heart. “I will sing as long as I live” - if we allow God to engrave His words in our hearts. Husbands and fathers, lead your families by your example! Wives and mothers, prepare yourself for your duties of the day! Everyone: begin your day with God! Share this devotional with others!