Psalm 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132- Historic Faithfulness

 “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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How powerful it is to build our faith and trust in God to remember all the things He has done for us in the past.  The Bible is full of His faithful works and my past shows His incredibly consistent help for me through hard times.  Lord, let me meditate on Your unending love and protection today.

Job 32-34, He’s Near

 “For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.  There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide.  But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty? When he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he watches over both individuals and nations,”

‭‭Job‬ ‭34‬:‭21‬-‭22‬, ‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God does watch over all of us, and there is nowhere to hide.  Even when we feel like God is far from us or that He isn’t paying attention, He is still there.  And as believers, His Spirit is in us…that really is comforting, yet frustrating!  If He is always with my, why does He feel far away at times?

I have heard a pastor say, His felt absence is evidence of previous closeness, and amplifies His coming nearness…

John 21:20-25, Do YOU Believe?

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written. ”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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John was selective about what he wrote because he was telling a story about the greatest man to ever live…a story that would be compelling and force the reader to deal with the truth about God.  The undeniable truth is that Jesus was a real person, He performed miracles that are not possible even today, He loved people as if they were His family even when they were against Him, and He spoke with authority, clarity and conviction like nobody in history. Then, He died, punished as a criminal for you and me, and miraculously came back to life.

All of these things were undeniable.  The people who witnessed them could have torn down these as lies when they were written if that was the case…but they didn’t because it is all true.

So, the question is: will you believe?  Or will you reject Jesus love for you?  That is the only question that matters…

John 16:25-33, Joy & Peace

“Until now you have asked for nothing in my name.   Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.   

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬, ‭33‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Jesus talking to His disciples right before He is to leave them for the cross.  His focus was to care for their emotional wellbeing even though suffering was coming.  Not only because of His own execution, but because they would face their own trials and suffering.

God desires that we understand the same things today:

1) we should go to Him with everything.

2) He wants us to experience joy in Him.

3) we will experience suffering, but we are not alone.

4) He wants us to experience peace in every circumstance.

This sounds like a realistic God, not one of fairy tales, but One who cares about each of us individually.  A God who desires good things for us and will be with us in any and every situation.  That is a God I want to worship, a God deserving my praise and my full surrender!

John 14:27-31, Disappointment vs Peace

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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What is the peace that the world gives?  In fact it is no peace at all…but rather something closer to forgetfulness of the stressful moments, or even the hope of peace promised but never delivered for long…often the calm before the next storm.

Jesus peace, though, is internal calm in light of external chaos.  It is confident rest in the promises of an all powerful God.  It is comfort through the most tragic suffering possible, because God is literally right next to us in the valley of the shadow of death.  Peace because we are not deserted or thrown back to the wolves of our condemning mind.  No, we are His ETERNALLY!! 

The peace that Jesus gives is a gift to us because He has completed the work of our salvation, and there is nothing I can do to screw it up!  My biggest failing would be to reject the gift of true peace and embrace the false, fleeting and phony “peace” the world offers.  Effectively embracing a life of lies and tragically tantalizing disappointments.

John 10:1-13, Thief vs Shepherd

 “The gatekeeper opens it for [the Shepherd], and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 

I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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One way we can tell if we are following Jesus is if He is giving us life in abundance…that doesn’t necessarily mean everything is going perfectly or that we are not experiencing trials, but it does mean that He is with us, and through whatever we face, we see His fingerprints and feel His peace.  He knows us intimately, who I am, where I struggle and what my weaknesses are.

That is just as true if we are following a thief or a liar.  Death and destruction abound.  Joy is consistently stolen.  We are facing trials, with no peace, full of fear and confusion.  Every step seems to be trudging uphill through calf-deep mud sucking away our hope and energy.

Lord, I want to follow You!  Remove the blinders when I am following the thief…let me hear Your voice and follow You!

John 8:21-29, God in Us

“Who are you?” they questioned. “Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. 

So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭25‬, ‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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While Jesus was on earth doing His ministry, everyone wanted to know who He was.  He rarely said outright that He was the messiah, but He alluded to it in many ways and constantly talked about God as His Father.  I love how Jesus reminds the that God is always with Him…just like He is with us today!

Lord, help me to live like God was living inside me, because He is!!!!

John 6:37-46, Called & Secure

“Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me — ”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭37‬, ‭45‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, I want to be close to You.  I want to know You as perfectly as possible while I am here on earth.  Father God, thank You for drawing me and securing me in relationship with you.  I don’t deserve Your love and compassion or even the security You provide. Allow my heart and mind to listen and learn as I read Your word!

Proverbs 21- Words & Motives

“All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. 

The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭2‬, ‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, help me to see from your perspective, give me wisdom to understand my own heart and motivations.  I don’t want to be fooled by my own selfish thoughts or excuses.  I want to make decisions based on truth, Your Word and an accurate understanding of why I do what I do.

In all these things, guard my mouth that I may speak truth in love, recite Your Word with accuracy and allow You to protect my reputation rather than my creative deceit.  Give me the faith to trust You alone rather than feeling the need to help with verbal misdirection.

Lord, I want to please You with my motives and my words…May I rest in Your strength rather than my cunning!

Proverbs 18- Near Protection

 “One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom. 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. 

Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 

One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬, ‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Selfishness and pride are the evidence of coming destruction, especially when that person is isolating from those who can give wisdom.  At the same time we can have pride and selfishness and surround ourselves with other people who think like us…there is little protection there, since the problem stems from our own thinking.  Just because we find others who share our opinions and desires does not mean we have found “wisdom”.

The antidote to pride and selfishness is surrender to the one who is “closer than a brother”, who is “a strong tower”, who is Jesus.  He is the ultimate protector and will provide the only thing we really need in life: His presence.  After all He is “closer than a brother” because His Spirit lives inside us…and He strengthens us to get through any storm, because He never leaves us on our own.

Lord, help me to live in surrender to Your will and help me to see when pride, selfishness, and isolation are pulling me further from You!

Psalm 138- Intimately Known

 “On the day I called, you answered me; you increased strength within me. 

Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance. 

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138‬:‭3‬, ‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This is a Psalm full of encouragement and wonder!  It speaks so clearly of a personal God who knows me intimately, is watching for ways to bless and will unstoppably complete the work He began!!!

How is it possible that God knows me (one person in 100,000,000,000 who have ever lived) so intimately?  How can He personally care about my wellbeing and character?  How is He one who promises to finish the work He started in me because He is faithful?

But actually, the more important question is how can I not love the God who does all these things perfectly? 

I am in awe of who You are Lord…blessed beyond understanding…delighted to know You even in the slightest measure.  Help me to know You more, to experience Your presence and grow my trust in Your perfect goodness!

Psalm 131- Confident Peace

 “Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too wondrous for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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What a picture of peace, tranquility and rest…a toddler just hanging out with his mother.  Going into a stressful situation?  No problem, I’m just going to be held by mommy…everything will be just fine!  Not a care in the world…that is how we can live with God as our Father and Jesus as our Savior!  Always at peace, no fear, no anxiety, just extreme confidence in Gods ability to handle every situation…

Lord, when this is not how I am living, please remind me that it is not up to me to get through the situation…help me to remember that You are by my side, and nothing is outside your grasp.  I trust You, Lord!  Help my unbelief!!!

Psalm 106- Devine Counsel

 “Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Who can declare the Lord’s mighty acts or proclaim all the praise due him? How happy are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times…

They soon forgot his works and would not wait for his counsel. They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, keep my mind fixed on You so that I don’t forget all the incredible things You have done in my life.  Give me patience to wait on You in every decision, no matter how slow You are moving.  Following You is more blessed by any measure, than getting what I want and suffering the consequences.

Psalm 77- Hand in Hand

 “I will remember the Lord’s works; yes, I will remember your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all you have done and meditate on your actions. God, your way is holy. What god is great like God? You are the God who works wonders; you revealed your strength among the peoples. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭14‬, ‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm tells about the familiar feeling of wondering if God is listening or even if He cares while going through something tough.  The portion I copied above is when the author shares the antidote for that feeling: remembering all the things God has done in the past…the last phrase is incredible, “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

I can’t help but remember holding my little kids hands as we walk through a busy parking lot or some other dangerous place.  My intention was to keep them close, safe and guide them through the danger.  Sometimes they held my hand, just because they wanted to be close and felt loved!  That is the same picture that God is wanting us to see Him as…

God, when I feel far from you, help me remember the times you walked with me, hand in hand.  The times where you picked me up and carried me.  Comfort me with vivid memories of how you have always cared for me in the past and have been right there beside me.  I am blessed and loved byYou!

Psalm 64- Brain Shield

 “But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly, they will be wounded. They will be made to stumble; their own tongues work against them. All who see them will shake their heads. Then everyone will fear and will tell about God’s work, for they will understand what he has done. The righteous one rejoices in the Lord and takes refuge in him; all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was often attacked by people around him that wanted him to fail.  This is less common for me in my experience…but it does happen spiritually where attacks come aimed at my heart and mind.  The enemy will shoot darts of lies or plant thoughts of frustrations with Gods ways.  These are the attacks that are real to me.  That is where I can relate these Psalms of David.

Lord, protect my mind and heart from the schemes of the enemy.  Help me to recognize the lies as soon as they come and remind me of the Truth of Your Word.  Turn his plans against him and cause the intended pain to build me up and bring You glory. Protect my family from attacks and strengthen their ability to see the darts for the lies they are!

Psalm 62- God Alone

 “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge.

Selah”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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What a great reminder that most of the things I put my hope in are worthless.  My job isn’t guaranteed, money could dry up, friends could die.  Everything that seems valuable or even helpful in giving me confidence is like a vapor…but God is faithful, He is always there, steady, unmovable and loving…those things never change.  Even when times are hard, trials come or we are being attacked, He remains.

Lord, thank you for this reminder, help me to see when I am finding comfort in anything other than You!  Remind me to repent and run back to the Rock!

Psalm 61- My Fortress

 “God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.       Selah 

Then I will continually sing of your name, fulfilling my vows day by day.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm starts out with a question that is easy to have…Is God listening?  Does He hear me? Does He even know I exist?  David describes himself as being strengthless and on the boarder of nowhere…too far from the important things happening for God to care.  He is clearly not confident in his own position or abilities and is going to God because He is the only help.

The imagery about how God will protect him is powerful and yet personal.  A castle built for defense, on a high rock…yet as cozy as a tent, or a bird gathering her chicks right in close to her own body.  What a combination, strong and loving, powerful and tender, unmovable and caring.  Isn’t that the picture of God that we all need?

Lord, help me to trust in Your strength to protect me!  Allow me to lean only on You because You are able to defend against anything intending to harm me.  Abide with me so that I might know Your love and tender care.  Give me peace in every circumstance so that others see You in me!

Psalm 60- Battle for Us

 “Save with your right hand, and answer me, so that those you love may be rescued. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; he will trample our foes.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭60‬:‭5‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David was at war and felt that God was holding back.  David recognizes that it truly is God which is needed to help.  Anything less would just drag out the suffering…

Today I don’t have physical enemies but I do face this battle spiritually.  Daily I am faced with temptation that I am at war with…it may just be laziness or even fighting against performance to define my value.  Those seem silly because they are the opposite ends of the same spectrum, but the battle is real, and I must depend on God to bring me through with the healthy mindset.  We all face similar challenges that can only be overcome by God!

Lord help me to turn to you as soon as I recognize the fight is starting.  Allow me to recognize it early and not waste time fighting in my strength…it is just wasted energy because nothing can stand before You! We are so blessed to have your strength, power and support at every moment of every day!  Thank You for loving me!

Psalm 59- Refuge

 ”But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. To you, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold — my faithful God.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God has always been my refuge, the One I turn to when things go wrong.  He is always faithful, ready to listen, remind me of truth and point out my wrong thinking.  I am blessed to know Him as Savior and Stronghold…what a blessing!

Psalm 35- Devine Protection

 ”Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being.” And my tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praise all day long.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭35‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This Psalm is from David and is full of requests that God would save him from his enemies that are trying to kill him.  For David this was actually his son attempting to Kill him and take his kingdom, or possibly Saul trying to kill his so that he wouldn’t take over as king.  He had a rough life with all kinds of turmoil cause by his own sin or others…

Thankfully, I don’t know of anyone trying to kill me physically…but I know the enemy is working to assassinate my character and drag me into sin.  I know my flesh is working to lure me into pursuing selfish desires.  And I feel the worlds pull to conform to its ways.  Everywhere I turn, destruction is lurking, ready to pull me into the darkness….

Lord, thank you for caring about me and desiring what is good for me.  What a blessing to know that you actually take pleasure in protecting me and giving me what is best…not just the least necessary for me to get by.  You have blessed me immeasurably and continue to protect me.  I echo David and praise you with every step, all day long.