Month: April 2023

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Praise the King of Kings!

God is

 Psalm 103 When the Israelites were released from bondage in Egypt, God told them that if they worshiped Him and Him only He would provide His lovingkindness to them.

 The author of this psalm reminds us of those words and encourages us. God has released us from our bondage of sin through salvation. He is the one who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He delivers us from the pit of sin and crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion. In addition, he satisfies our life with good things and renews us like the eagle, which is a picture of the eagle which molts and then gains new feathers. As believers, we “molt” when we give up our sins and are given new life in Jesus Christ.

The Lord revealed his faithful acts to Moses and his deeds to the Israelites. As we read and ponder these words, may we be encouraged to recall and give God praise for His lovingkindness and compassion to us. H. F. Lyte’s popular hymn, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven speaks of God’s character.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!

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Genealogy and Legacy

1Chron 7-10 What would you want others to record about your life when you pass from this earth? We all want others to recall our good deeds offered to humanity. But, sometimes, like some Al Capone, Jesse James, and Charles Manson, the record is sad, and we only remember their evil ways. King Saul falls into that latter category.

After the Chronicler recorded the genealogy of the tribes, he closes this section by saying:   “So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord and did not obey the Lord’s instructions; he even tried to conjure up underworld spirits. He did not seek the Lord’s guidance, so the Lord killed him and transferred the kingdom to David son of Jesse.”[1 Chron 10:13-14]

Saul was a man who started out well but ended disastrously and with dishonor. One author noted: “Having a great past does not guarantee a good future.” Unfortunately, this happens when we leave God out of the equation.

 What legacy are you leaving for others?

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Pray without Ceasing

Ps 81; 88; 92-93 The Highs and Lows of Life
God is near and always ready to answer our prayers, but there are times in our lives when God is silent. What do we do then? We do as the psalmist; we cry out to the Lord.

Ps 88 is much like the words of Job in his pit of despair. Where are you, Lord? Do you hear my cry? God is still where He has always been; in his throne room of heaven. The psalmist cries, but the heavens are silent. Sometimes God waits on us to pour our hearts to Him, and other times He answers quickly. He is God, and He alone responds in His perfect timing.

If you are experiencing the quietness of heaven, know this truth: Sometimes, it is to test us to see if we are just in pity party mode or sincere. But we can know that God hears and responds. Trust Him. Our job is to pray without ceasing. [1Thess 5:17]

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Life may seem unfair, BUT God is not

Psalm 73: Life is not fair, says Asaph. Like him, we often look at life through our natural eyes rather than with an eternal perspective. When that occurs, we can only see what lies before us and forget what lies ahead. It began in the Garden of Eden and is alive and well today. Asaph pondered what to do:  73:15 “If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers.” Translation: I would become a stumbling block! Today:  How often do we share via prayer requests our struggles without considering what those might do to a young believer’s faith? Asaph then entered the precincts of God’s temple and came to the sobering reality that first, he harbored the sin of envy for which he needed cleansing. Then he pondered the consequences of being a stumbling block to others, so wisely he sought the counsel of God.  It was when he saw front and center the awesomeness of God that he saw the reality: I/We are here for one purpose: to behold His beauty and to worship Him in all of His fullness.

There is a praise hymn that seems to sum up our thoughts for today: “In the presence of Jehovah, God Almighty, Prince of Peace, Troubles vanish, hearts are mended, in the Presence of the King. Through His love, the Lord provided….

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God and Jabez

1 Chronicles 4 “God Knows Us…”             

The Chronicler noted the lineages of many people without descriptions until we get to chapter 4, verses 9 and 10. What was so important that the Chronicler mentioned Jabez out of the entire lineage he had been recording?

Jabez’s life seems like a mystery to us, but God has the answers. He poured out his heart to Him, who knows all things in eternity past, today, and tomorrow. Jabez was more honorable than all of his brothers, yet, in humility, he earnestly desired God’s best for himself. While others may have been busy with many things, Jabez was worshiping God.

Jabez began his prayer humbly, “if  you…” Jabez wanted the full scope of the blessing! He even noted what that blessing would entail and included protecting me. He wanted or sensed he needed a hedge of protection. And God answered his prayer; all. four. parts.

So why did the Chronicler insert this man out of all the many? Could we be busy “working”  rather than just seeking God’s best? Take a lesson from Jabez. Be bold and ask God to bless you.

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Why God?

Psalm 44 Have you ever faced a time in your life when you could not put your finger on why you were suffering? We meet people who are suffering, and the reasons escape us. We wonder why, but there seem to be no answers. It seems that David was in that position in this psalm. He evidently was facing a difficulty that seemed questionable. He struggled to know the reason that his nation was in trouble. Note his words: “All this has happened to us, even though we have not rejected you or violated your covenant with us. We have not been unfaithful, nor have we disobeyed your commands.” (Ps 44:17-18)

Sometimes inexplicable things take place, and if that seems to be your dilemma, there is only one thing to do, which David did. He pleads in prayer: “Rise up and help us. Rescue us because of your loyal love.” (Ps 44:26)

Precious reader, when you are facing circumstances like David’s, run to the only place where you can find answers: at the feet of God.

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Grief over Sin

2 Samuel 1-4 As it was then, it is today. There are power struggles and expectations of praise from those in leadership, only to be met with righteous anger. Avenging is God’s work, not man’s.  

David, the man after God’s own heart, reveals how we should respond to the death of another—even If they are our rival. For the second time, we read of the end of King Saul, this time from an Amalekite. He came with news expecting David to rejoice in Saul’s death, so imagine his surprise when David called for his execution. He miscalculated David’s response because there is no glory in the death of God’s anointed. Again in chapter four, we read of another incident when two men decided to avenge David thinking their act of murder would receive praise. Instead, David had them executed because they killed an innocent man and, worse, in his own bed! They, too, sought to do God’s work with man’s methods. 

If David was right to be angry, how do we think God will deal with those who rejected and crucified Jesus Christ, His anointed? As David dealt harshly with the Amalekite and the two who slew Ishbosheth, God will deal harshly with those who reject His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Where do you turn for help?

Psalm 121 My Help Comes From?

When in a quandary, where do you turn for help; to others, to the scriptures, or to God in prayer?

David knew the one place to turn, and his words resonate across the centuries; My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. [Ps 121:2] Why can David be so confident that God will be his help? God is the protector of His own, and He does not sleep or slumber. He is always awake! David finishes his time of meditation by saying:

The Lord will protect you in all you do, now and forevermore! [Ps 121:8] Is this your God too?

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Rash decisions or wisdom?

1 Sam 29-31 David decided to go with Achish to fight with the Philistines but is rejected by them. Sometimes, even in our hastiness or foolishness, we pay the price of disobedience. When David and his men return, they find the town they had been living in destroyed by the Amalekites, the very ones God had marked for destruction. Had Saul obeyed God, those enemies would not have had access to David’s army. And also, had David inquired of the Lord, he ‘might not‘ have gone, and this disaster ‘might not’ have happened.

Today, do you consider God’s ways before embarking on questionable things? When we wonder what to do but fail to inquire of God, we open ourselves up to the enemy’s ways, for he is crafty and seeking whom he can devour. [1Pet 5:8]

Before you step out, seek the Lord’s direction; ask Him for wisdom and discernment, just as James tells us. “If anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God…and it will be given to him.” [James 1:5] Want protection from our arch-enemy? Seek God first.

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God is our Vindicator

Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Psalm 54; Psalm 63 The Deadly D’s 

Have you ever felt like you are “on the run” from the deadly d’s; that is, dismay, discouragement, disappointment? David is “on the run,” from his father-in-law, King Saul. We can relate when facing challenges in our own families when we disagree (yes, another deadly d) or when we lose patience with our loved ones over misunderstandings. That is where David is at the moment. He seeks peace, but King Saul is on the march to find and destroy him. What would you do? David prayed; Lord consider my cause; listen to the prayer I sincerely offer. Our vindication comes from sincere prayer as we seek the peace of God in trying circumstances. 

When facing these challenges, we must scrutinize our inner motives because our hearts can deceive us. David has done that and notes: I have not followed the footsteps of violent men. On the contrary, I have carefully obeyed God’s commands. He cries out to God for His protection from those callous men being led astray from the enemy of their souls. 

Can you relate to David’s situation? First, call upon God for His righteous shield to surround you and protect you. Then claim this verse: Heb 4:13 “And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” And you will find peace. 

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