relationships (Psalm 5:1-12) Our First Love

(Psalm 5:1-12)  Listen to my words, Lord,

     Consider my sighing.
2   Listen to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
     For to You I pray.
3   In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice;
     In the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.

4   For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
     No evil can dwell with You.
5   The boastful will not stand before Your eyes;
     You hate all who do injustice.
6   You destroy those who speak lies;
     The Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit.
7   But as for me, by Your abundant graciousness I will enter Your house,
     At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

8   Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
     Make Your way straight before me.
9   For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth;
     Their inward part is destruction itself.
     Their throat is an open grave;
     They flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them pay, God;
     Have them fall by their own schemes!
     Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings,
     For they are rebellious against You.

11 But rejoice, all who take refuge in You,
     Sing for joy forever!
     And may You shelter them,
     That those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
12 For You bless the righteous person, Lord,
     You surround him with favor as with a shield.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

One day, all unbelievers will fall and "pay" because of their sin.  The bad news is that we have all sinned.  The good news is the salvation message that includes having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, Himself: 

Verse 4 - no evil can dwell with God

Verse 9 - the path of the unbelievers is corrupt and tricky and leads to death

Verse 8 - the path to salvation is straight and simple

Verse 7 - only through choosing the Lord (Jesus)'s forgiveness and grace, may we enter His house

Verse 8 - only through the Lord (Jesus)'s righteousness are we seen as righteous

Verse 5 - only the humble will stand before God (those covered with the righteousness of Jesus)

Verse 11- only those who take refuge in the Lord will rejoice and sing for all eternity  

Verse 11 - only those who love God's name will rejoice

Verse 12 - only the righteous will be blessed and protected

Verse 2 - even king David chose to make the Lord - King over his personal life

Jesus needs to be our first love and first priority, with a humble heart and a desire to serve and worship Him, and Him only.  We should want Jesus to reign over us and guide us in everything we say and do, because of His love for us.  

relationships (Psalm 4:1-8) The Greatest Blessings

(Psalm 4:1-8)  Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness!

     You have relieved me in my distress;
     Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2   You sons of man, how long will my honor be treated as an insult?
     How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie?  Selah
3   But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself;
     The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4   Tremble, and do not sin;
     Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
5   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
     And trust in the Lord.

6   Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?”
     Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!
7   You have put joy in my heart,
     More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
8   In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
     For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

These few verses are amazing and so encouraging, with a very strong message of salvation, fulfillment, clear guidance, (spiritual) nourishment, healing, protection, peace and joy!!  I love how David calls the Lord, "the God of my righteousness".  And verses 4 and 5 gives us the prescription of how to live in His righteousness and enjoy all of these blessings of His, in a personal relationship with Him.

"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness!"  This aligns with the Bible verses that tell us to humble our hearts, deny ourselves, and pick up our cross and follow Jesus, love and pursue the Lord, learn and understand His words, as well as to clothe ourselves with the righteousness of Jesus.  When we truly trust in the Lord, we will strive to be obedient (with His help), not because we have to but because we want to... because we understand that what He wants for our lives will bring about the best outcomes and the greatest blessings and an even closer relationship with Him.

relationships (Psalm 3:1-8) Maintain Focus

(Psalm 3:1-8)  Lord, how my enemies have increased!

     Many are rising up against me.
2   Many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 

3   But You, Lord, are a shield around me,
     My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4   I was crying out to the Lord with my voice,
     And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah 
5   I lay down and slept;
     I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6   I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people 
     Who have set themselves against me all around.

7   Arise, Lord; save me, my God!
     For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
     You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8   Salvation belongs to the Lord;
     May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah 

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The definition of the word "Selah" isn't known, but some speculate that because David is writing songs to sing, this could be like the musical symbol of a rest note.  In other words, have a poignant pause right there, in order to mediate on what has just been said.  Let that thought sink in for a bit.  And here, we find three "selahs".  So what points are we to let sink in?  

First of all, we will experience struggles.  David could speak well on this as he had many enemies out to kill him.  As well, he had committed some very "serious" sins.  But David really loved the Lord, and humbly and persistently pursued Him.  So as a strong believer, a huge betrayal and insult would be when someone slanders, gossips, and accuses you of being so wicked, there's no way that you are saved, and your sins prove that you are worthless and beyond saving!  

For anyone to do or say such things, is to help do the work of Satan, who makes accusations against God's children, planting seeds of skepticism and doubt so they will walk away from the Lord.  But these tactics are only affective when we stop focusing on the Lord and what He has done in our lives, and instead, put the focus on ourselves and the world.  THEN - YES - things will look and feel very bleak and hopeless!  

So the second "selah" points out that we need to keep, or put our focus back on God and cry out to Him, because through Him all things are possible.  He died for ALL sins, for all people, for all time, and He is more than able to forgive, adopt us as His own, and then keep His children securely in His salvation for all eternity!

The final "selah" is for us to meditate on the Lord, and remember how He answers prayers!  Whether we are attacked physically, psychologically or emotionally... these will not be a threat to us when we are consistently seeking a close relationship with the Lord Jesus.  

When we maintain focus on the Lord Jesus, we will realize His power, faithfulness and love!  The Lord is our shield, Who protects!  The Lord is our glory, Who gives us confidence!  The Lord is our sustainer, Who gives us strength and guidance!  The Lord is our salvation, Who gives us assurance and peace!  And this is forever!!!  Selah!!!

relationships (Psalm 2:1-2) Finding Inner Peace

(Psalm 2:1-12)   Why are the nations restless 

     And the peoples plotting in vain?
2   The kings of the earth take their stand 
     And the rulers conspire together 
     Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3  “Let’s tear their shackles apart 
     And throw their ropes away from us!”

4   He who sits in the heavens laughs,
     The Lord scoffs at them.
5   Then He will speak to them in His anger 
     And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King 
     Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7  “I will announce the decree of the Lord:
     He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
     Today I have fathered You.
8   Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance,
     And the ends of the earth as Your possession.
9  You shall break them with a rod of iron,
     You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now then, you kings, use insight;
     Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverence 
     And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,
     For His wrath may be kindled quickly.
     How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This passage is laid out very simply.  The first portion talks about the restlessness in the world, which is a result of those who work against the Lord.  Anything that isn't for the Lord, will be going against His will.  

Sin desires that we be proud and arrogant.  God desires that we be humble and receptive of Him.  Sin desires that we be selfish and greedy.  God desires that we be selfless and graciously generous.  Sin desires that we be self-serving.  God desires that we serve Him and others with the motive of love.  When we work with God and for God, we will find contentment, peace and joy.  When we reject God and work against Him, there will be restlessness in our hearts.

The middle portion tells us that Jesus is already King and sits on His heavenly throne, knowing that one day He will return to earth to bring about immediate justice and a time of physical peace.  This is when He will sit on His earthly throne and set up the Millennial kingdom.  After His thousand year reign, He will judge all unbelievers of all time at the White Throne Judgment.

The last portion of the passage gives us hope for right now!  To find God's blessings and inner peace, all we have to do is take refuge in Jesus, which is opposite of trying to work and fight in one's self-righteousness.  In asking Him for forgiveness of our sins and putting on His righteousness, we may approach and greet the Lord "with a kiss".  This is only possible when we have a personal relationship with the King of kings.  

In essence, even when there is restlessness around us, and especially as we head into another election... let us strengthen our faith, putting our hope and trust in the Lord, and not in government or politicians.  To take refuge in Jesus is to always allow Him to be our personal King.

relationships (Psalm 1:1-6) Choosing a Path to Flourish

(Psalm 1:1-6) 

1   Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
     Nor stand in the path of sinners,
     Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2   But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
     And on His Law he meditates day and night.
3   He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
     Which yields its fruit in its season,
     And its leaf does not wither;
     And in whatever he does, he prospers.

4   The wicked are not so,
     But they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
     Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6   For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
     But the way of the wicked will perish.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Unbelievers do not know or understand "the way of the righteous".  Their thinking is, in essence, the complete opposite of what God teaches us in His word.  So why would we even entertain the idea of seeking counsel from the world?  Let alone being part of their plans and shenanigans?  Or even just putting ourselves in a position where we could be swept up in their path of deceit and destruction?  

And yet how many Christians don't (initially) see an issue with finding a spouse, or bff, who is not a believer... until they do realize the issues.  Just ask any serious believer who is married to an unbeliever.  They live it every day and understand the spiritual tug-of-war and temptation to compromise their faith in the Lord.  Not that a marriage or friendship between two believers will be perfect, without some disagreements, because to make any relationship work - requires lots of work.  But when we are all growing closer to the Lord, we will grow closer to each other.

Consider this:  as individuals, we are healthier (spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically) when we have close friends with other mature believers.  Back in the day, I was living in a small satellite campus of a Christian liberal arts college, while attending a state university.  One semester, because in my mind I had placed unfair and unrealistic expectations on the Christian students, I saw that they did not "measure up".  So, I sought out closer friendships with my secular acquaintances.  

The secular friends appeared to be more open-minded, and I even had a few opportunities to share the gospel.  But it didn't take very long to find myself being spiritually drained and depleted.  One has to know themselves and see the possible pits and temptations that we can fall into.  While praying about this, I found myself talking to a fellow believer back at the satellite campus - someone I hadn't yet bothered to get to know because we were quite different from each other.  I was studying radio, television and film, while she was - a math major!  BUT what was the same?  We both loved the Lord.

As we got to know each other better, it turns out, she became one of my closest friends.  As we encouraged we each other in our walk with the Lord, what do you know - my whole being shifted back towards God - like a breath of fresh air, I was revitalized in His strength, wisdom, peace and joy!  Oh - and - contentment.  Understand that people will always let us down, because no one is perfect.  Only God can make us feel content, complete and fulfilled.

Therefore, the path we choose to walk will make a critical difference.  When we are walking on the path of the Lord, we will find good and valuable friends with the other believers who are also walking in the same direction.  Those who are well-grounded in the Lord will provide encouragement and sound advice.  To embrace biblical wisdom and guidance will provide nourishment.  To seek out God and His will as we go through life, will certainly help us to flourish!

relationships (Job 42:1-17) Reconciliation

(Job 42:1-17)  Then Job answered the Lord and said,

2  “I know that You can do all things,
     And that no plan is impossible for You.
3   ‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’
     Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
     Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.
4   ‘Please listen, and I will speak;
     I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
5   I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
     But now my eye sees You;
6   Therefore I retract,
     And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.”

7  It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so as not to do with you as your foolishness deserves, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job.

10 The Lord also restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased double all that Job had. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they sympathized with him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him a piece of money, and each a ring of gold. 12 The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were found as beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritances among their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man and full of days.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Job humbled himself before the Lord and repented, but God only blessed Job after he obeyed what God had asked him to do.  In helping and praying for his friends, there would have been reconciliation, not just with the Lord, but with each other.  God desires that we do our part in order to experience healing within relationships.

God then gave Job double what he had before, including the children!  Having ten children before, he got ten more - which was still double - because he will see the first ten, in heaven.  Mourning the loss of believers can turn to joy, realizing that it is only a temporary loss that we experience.  And we have a purpose to continue to live, love and serve others, who are still with us.  

No matter how long we've been a believer, we will still struggle.  And no matter what we are going through, we should remain humble before God, continuing to seek His instruction, repenting when needed, and steadfastly obeying the Lord's will.  How God chooses to test us and bless us - is up to God.  Therefore it is to our benefit to trust Him and His will for us - always!

relationships (Job 40:1-41:34) Conversing With God

(Job 40:1-24)  Then the Lord said to Job,

2  “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
     Let him who rebukes God give an answer.”

3   Then Job answered the Lord and said,

4  “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I say in response to You?
     I put my hand on my mouth.
5   I have spoken once, and I will not reply;
     Or twice, and I will add nothing more.”

6   Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind and said,

7  “Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man;
     I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
8   Will you really nullify My judgment?
     Will you condemn Me so that you may be justified?
9   Or do you have an arm like God,
     And can you thunder with a voice like His?

10 “Adorn yourself with pride and dignity,
     And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
11 Let out your outbursts of anger,
     And look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him.
12 Look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him,
     And trample down the wicked where they stand.
13 Hide them together in the dust;
     Imprison them in the hidden place.
14 Then I will also confess to you,
     That your own right hand can save you.

15 “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as well as you;
     He eats grass like an ox.
16 Behold, his strength in his waist,
     And his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He hangs his tail like a cedar;
     The tendons of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze;
     His limbs are like bars of iron.

19 “He is the first of the ways of God;
     Let his Maker bring His sword near.
20 Indeed the mountains bring him food,
     And all the animals of the field play there.
21 He lies down under the lotus plants,
     In the hiding place of the reeds and the marsh.
22 The lotus plants cover him with shade;
     The willows of the brook surround him.
23 If a river rages, he is not alarmed;
     He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him when he is on watch,
     Can anyone pierce his nose with barbs?

(Job 41:1-34) 

1  “Can you drag out Leviathan with a fishhook,
     And press down his tongue with a rope?
2   Can you put a rope in his nose,
     And pierce his jaw with a hook?
3   Will he make many pleas to you,
     Or will he speak to you gentle words?
4   Will he make a covenant with you?
     Will you take him as a servant forever?
5   Will you play with him as with a bird,
     And tie him down for your young girls?
6   Will the traders bargain for him?
     Will they divide him among the merchants?
7   Can you fill his skin with harpoons,
     Or his head with fishing spears?
8   Lay your hand on him.
     Remember the battle; you will not do it again!
9   Behold, your expectation is false;
     Will you be hurled down even at the sight of him?
10 No one is so reckless that he dares to stir him;
     Who then is he who opposes Me?
11 Who has been first to give to Me, that I should repay him?
     Whatever is under the entire heaven is Mine.

12 “I will not be silent about his limbs,
     Or his mighty strength, or his graceful frame.
13 Who can strip off his outer covering?
     Who can pierce his double armor?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
     Around his teeth there is terror.
15 His strong scales are his pride,
     Locked as with a tight seal.
16 One is so close to another 
     That no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another;
     They clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18 His sneezes flash forth light,
     And his eyes are like the eye of dawn.
19 From his mouth go burning torches;
     Sparks of fire leap forth.
20 From his nostrils smoke goes out 
     As from a boiling pot and burning reeds.
21 His breath sets coals aglow,
     And a flame goes forth from his mouth.
22 In his neck dwells strength,
     And dismay leaps before him.
23 The folds of his flesh are joined together,
     Firm and immovable on him.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone,
     And as firm as a lower millstone.
25 When he rises up, the mighty are afraid;
     Because of the crashing they are bewildered.
26 The sword that reaches him cannot prevail,
     Nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
27 He regards iron as straw,
     Bronze as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee;
     Slingstones are turned into stubble for him.
29 Clubs are regarded as stubble;
     He laughs at the rattling of the javelin.
30 His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery;
     He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
31 He makes the depths boil like a pot;
     He makes the sea like a jar of ointment.
32 Behind him he illuminates a pathway;
     One would think the deep to be gray-haired.
33 Nothing on earth is like him,
     One made without fear.
34 He looks on everything that is high;
     He is king over all the sons of pride.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God challenged Job in his thinking that he had knowledge and strength (as many people do), yet Job would never stand a chance against the strongest animal on earth.  As well, Job in his own knowledge and strength could not withstand what Satan did to him.  We can become so prideful and arrogant, thinking that "we've got this" and "we are in control".  Oh, how we can deceive ourselves!

God has made all things and God is in control, yet God still cares for us.  Still, many people think that they can get to heaven in their own strength and efforts.  But, as God says in verses 41:10-11, if we think we can control Him, or even barter with Him, we are deceiving ourselves all the more.

Everything belongs to the Lord, so what can we possibly give Him???  The ONLY thing we can give of value is our hearts that are humble and seeking after Him!!!   

Notice that God not only allowed Job to respond to Him, but He asked Job for his response.  God desires to have a personal relationship with us.  And the Lord who made the universe wants to have intimate conversations with us.  Therefore, we can speak to Him in prayer without ceasing, about everything and anything!  And He speaks to us through His word (the Bible) as well as His Holy Spirit!  He hears and He answers!