Psalm 65:2- "O You who hear prayer..." As I read Psalm 65 this morning, I was able to reflect on this - Our LORD hears prayer. No gods or idols hear. They can not hear. They are deaf and mute. There is no power in them to do anything. But our God - He hears our prayer. An not only does He hear our prayer, but He atones for our transgressions (vs. 3). No gods or idols can atone for transgressions. They can not even move or cause anything to move. They are still. But our God atoned once and for all for not only one sin but for the sin of the world (John 1:29). Not only does our God hear and atone for sin but He also preforms awesome deeds (vs. 5). Vs. 7 speaks of Him stilling the roaring seas and waves. No god, idol or man has this kind of ability. Only our God and we read in Mark 4:35-41, Jesus doing the very thing Psalm 65:7 speaks of. No god or idol is like our GOD. And it is to God, we run to every day to hollow His name, looking for His return, desiring His will, supplying our daily needs, forgiving our sin, leading us not into temptation (and leading us into the paths of righteousness) and delivering us from evil. This is our God who hears us.
"Thank You Father for hearing our cry. Evening and morning and at noon hear our prayers (Ps. 55:17) and we thank You in advance for doing the impossible day by day. We love You because You first loved us. Amen"
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
His Unfailing Love
I have been musing over the importance of reading and studying the word of God these past few months (as I prepare also for the Jr. High Bible classes). And one thing that keeps coming to mind as I read the scriptures is there must be a desire to be in His word. We can read out of duty, but that is kind of odd. Would I say I spend time with my wife because I feel like it is my duty? Of course not, I spend time with her because I can hardly think of a better way to spend the day. I long to have moments with my bride. So it is with the word of God. Time in His word is spending time with Him.
Jesus put it this way, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt.5:6) Desire is vital to having a good start to reading and studying the Bible.
Today as I was reading Psalm 143 (vs. 8) I stumbled upon another reason for remaining in His word daily. Listen to this verse and then think about it for a moment - "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love,..." (Now think about this before reading on. What might you find a bit peculiar about his words to God?)
David had found himself between a rock and a hard place. If God were to judge him (or any man) he could not stand, for no living man is righteous in God's sight (vs. 2). On the other hand, he had his enemy breathing down his back, ready to wipe him off the face of the earth (Vs.3). This rock and hard place caused David to do the only thing David knew how to do when facing impossible situations - Call on the LORD. That is what Psalm 143 is - his prayer to God in the midst of this dilemma.
Think again now upon David's request. "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love..." "Unfailing love", he is talking to the promise keeping God who would never fail or never break His promise. He is talking about a love that is promised and never to fail. He knows that God's love is there. So why would he have to hear, the first thing in the morning, of God's unfailing love?
We are relational beings created by God almighty who is relational and created us to have a relationship with Him (Gen. 3:8-9). We know He loves us, but to hear it... again. That is sometimes like rain falling on the sun baked ground (vs.6). It is refreshing and invigorating. And sometimes we just need to hear it once again. Not that we do not believe it, but that it restores and replenishes us.
Think of parallels to this fact. Dad and Mom, they love you, but isn't it good to hear that from time to time. Brothers and sisters, they love you, but isn't it good to get it straight from their mouth. Friends and kin, they love you, but isn't it good to get a note or word from them. We all desire to hear the obvious and be reminded of the truth. We somehow forget or think that the other has forgotten and when we hear those words - "I love you" we are ready for whatever is next.
Take time today to be in our Lord's word today. It is something you don't want to miss. Thank Him too for giving you a hunger to be in His word (whatever the reason may be.)
Jesus put it this way, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt.5:6) Desire is vital to having a good start to reading and studying the Bible.
Today as I was reading Psalm 143 (vs. 8) I stumbled upon another reason for remaining in His word daily. Listen to this verse and then think about it for a moment - "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love,..." (Now think about this before reading on. What might you find a bit peculiar about his words to God?)
David had found himself between a rock and a hard place. If God were to judge him (or any man) he could not stand, for no living man is righteous in God's sight (vs. 2). On the other hand, he had his enemy breathing down his back, ready to wipe him off the face of the earth (Vs.3). This rock and hard place caused David to do the only thing David knew how to do when facing impossible situations - Call on the LORD. That is what Psalm 143 is - his prayer to God in the midst of this dilemma.
Think again now upon David's request. "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love..." "Unfailing love", he is talking to the promise keeping God who would never fail or never break His promise. He is talking about a love that is promised and never to fail. He knows that God's love is there. So why would he have to hear, the first thing in the morning, of God's unfailing love?
We are relational beings created by God almighty who is relational and created us to have a relationship with Him (Gen. 3:8-9). We know He loves us, but to hear it... again. That is sometimes like rain falling on the sun baked ground (vs.6). It is refreshing and invigorating. And sometimes we just need to hear it once again. Not that we do not believe it, but that it restores and replenishes us.
Think of parallels to this fact. Dad and Mom, they love you, but isn't it good to hear that from time to time. Brothers and sisters, they love you, but isn't it good to get it straight from their mouth. Friends and kin, they love you, but isn't it good to get a note or word from them. We all desire to hear the obvious and be reminded of the truth. We somehow forget or think that the other has forgotten and when we hear those words - "I love you" we are ready for whatever is next.
Take time today to be in our Lord's word today. It is something you don't want to miss. Thank Him too for giving you a hunger to be in His word (whatever the reason may be.)
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