Bible Reading: Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85 & 87
Psalms 84:11-12 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
When it comes to life on planet earth, it would not happen if it were not for the sun. Not only does it give light and heat, but it is also responsible for photosynthesis, seasons, alternating day and night, radiation, and many other factors. The placement of our earth in proximity from the sun is perfect. If our earth was closer, we would burn up. If we were farther, we would be on a frozen ice ball. God designed all this!
Now, if we think about the comparison that David makes here, we see that he is relating things we can see to our relationship with God. God gives us life. He is the light! He is also a shield. Not only does he give us life, but he protects us from all attacks.
Not only that, but he does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. Now is that a works based salvation? No, it reminds us that the loving and nurturing hand of God is for us and not against us. Now if we study all of the Bible, we know that to walk uprightly is not something we do, but based on faith in Jesus Christ. Only a person who trusts in Jesus is 'upright' in God's eyes.
And that is what the very next verse says! Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord. God is good and he gives us life and protection. We need to trust him. We cannot trust ourselves or any other thing. Because nothing else is powerful enough to give life, and shield us. God is! He is all-powerful! He is all-knowing. He loves us. Trust Jesus!
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
I wait for the Lord
Bible Reading: Psalms 121, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129 & 130
Psalms 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
David summed up his time in the wilderness of Judah. What was he doing as he lived his fugitive life running from Saul? He waited. What was he waiting for?
Some of his men, like Abishai thought David was waiting for his chance. They thought he bided his time looking for the opportunity to slay Saul and take the rightful place on the throne. But when given the opportunity, David would not touch "God's anointed".
Others thought David was waiting for someone else to see him. His time with the Philistines almost proved to be an opportunity to advance in their ranks, but God would not have that for David.
No, David was waiting for the Lord. He was simply waiting for God to put him where God wanted him. God had promised to make David king. Samuel had anointed David, but he would not take the throne. He would wait and hope in God's word.
Waiting is difficult work. It shouldn't be because really you are not working hard at it. It is simply...waiting. For some, they see waiting as sitting and being completely inactive. That is not so when it comes to waiting upon the Lord. When you wait on the Lord, you continue to serve him faithfully doing what you know he has called you to do. However, you know that at some time, he has some other plan for you. We all wait for the coming of our King to establish his kingdom.
So how do you faithfully wait upon the Lord? You do what David did - you hope in his Word. You get the promises of God in your heart and meditate upon them daily. You believe what he says and know that he will fulfill all his word in his time.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
In Christ,
Rody
Psalms 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
David summed up his time in the wilderness of Judah. What was he doing as he lived his fugitive life running from Saul? He waited. What was he waiting for?
Some of his men, like Abishai thought David was waiting for his chance. They thought he bided his time looking for the opportunity to slay Saul and take the rightful place on the throne. But when given the opportunity, David would not touch "God's anointed".
Others thought David was waiting for someone else to see him. His time with the Philistines almost proved to be an opportunity to advance in their ranks, but God would not have that for David.
No, David was waiting for the Lord. He was simply waiting for God to put him where God wanted him. God had promised to make David king. Samuel had anointed David, but he would not take the throne. He would wait and hope in God's word.
Waiting is difficult work. It shouldn't be because really you are not working hard at it. It is simply...waiting. For some, they see waiting as sitting and being completely inactive. That is not so when it comes to waiting upon the Lord. When you wait on the Lord, you continue to serve him faithfully doing what you know he has called you to do. However, you know that at some time, he has some other plan for you. We all wait for the coming of our King to establish his kingdom.
So how do you faithfully wait upon the Lord? You do what David did - you hope in his Word. You get the promises of God in your heart and meditate upon them daily. You believe what he says and know that he will fulfill all his word in his time.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
In Christ,
Rody
Thursday, April 19, 2012
He teacheth my hands to war
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18
Psalms 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
I love this verse. In this Psalm, David shows how his relationship with God flowed into every aspect of his life. He did not just see God as the One he worshipped on the Sabbath. He saw God as active in all of life. His skill as an archer was due to God!
Do you see the Lord Jesus as teaching your hands to war? Maybe you don't war, but does he teach your hands to make supper? Or does he help you shoot a basketball? What about giving you the knowledge you need for your studies?
When I help my Dad brand calves, I always pray that God will teach my hands to rope well. I meditate on this verse as well as a few others. To follow Jesus is a part of all of life. The Bible says:
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Our walk in Christ encompasses all of life. The Holy Spirit fills us and empowers us to study the Bible, lead someone to Christ, disciple new believers, teach a Bible study, pray for a hurting friend as well as...
Rope a calf at the branding, drive a tractor, present a business proposal, file a report, try a case, build something from scratch, teach kids math, lay brick, frame a house, drive all day long, sell insurance, wait tables, mow the lawn...
David knew that his strong arms and ability for battle came from God. Let's learn the same lesson. If you know how to do something, do it for the glory of God. If you cannot say what you do glorifies God...THEN DON'T DO IT!
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus and do it with all your heart. Bring glory to God in all of life...even changing diapers and cleaning up throw up!
In Christ,
Rody
Psalms 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
I love this verse. In this Psalm, David shows how his relationship with God flowed into every aspect of his life. He did not just see God as the One he worshipped on the Sabbath. He saw God as active in all of life. His skill as an archer was due to God!
Do you see the Lord Jesus as teaching your hands to war? Maybe you don't war, but does he teach your hands to make supper? Or does he help you shoot a basketball? What about giving you the knowledge you need for your studies?
When I help my Dad brand calves, I always pray that God will teach my hands to rope well. I meditate on this verse as well as a few others. To follow Jesus is a part of all of life. The Bible says:
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Our walk in Christ encompasses all of life. The Holy Spirit fills us and empowers us to study the Bible, lead someone to Christ, disciple new believers, teach a Bible study, pray for a hurting friend as well as...
Rope a calf at the branding, drive a tractor, present a business proposal, file a report, try a case, build something from scratch, teach kids math, lay brick, frame a house, drive all day long, sell insurance, wait tables, mow the lawn...
David knew that his strong arms and ability for battle came from God. Let's learn the same lesson. If you know how to do something, do it for the glory of God. If you cannot say what you do glorifies God...THEN DON'T DO IT!
Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus and do it with all your heart. Bring glory to God in all of life...even changing diapers and cleaning up throw up!
In Christ,
Rody
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