Month: October 2020

Day 32! “Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” Psalms 5:2

Today was a packed day so my QT slipped to this evening. The things about this verse in Chap 5 is that David puts his own place in kingship under the right context of God his King. I love this. Even though David was himself a king he surrendered his kingship before his one true King, God the Father. Do I lay down my kingdom before my King and Savior? Am I quick to walk away from the self-reliance of my own rule? This was a great reminder that even a king like David himself understood the sovereignty of our heavenly King.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8 -> me: Today I finished Psalm 4.  This verse stood out to me because it reminded me of Bella’s life verse Psalms 27:4-5 where in verse 5 it says “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”  It is only by God’s mercy and blessing are we kept safe from evil.  God’s protection is over our soul is complete and unwavering.  Nothing can pluck me out of the hand of God.  This earthly body may be subject to pain and I might endure hardship, illness, and persecution…but my everlasting soul is in the shelter of His sacred tent.  That aspect of my Salvation is what provides HOPE; it is also the simple fact that here on earth God gives me the peace and trust in His promises to carry me through the rest.

“O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?  How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?  But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;  the LORD hears when I call to him.” Psalms 4:2-3 [ESV] -> me: I am really liking moving through the Psalms from front to back.  I have referenced the Psalms so many times but getting a feel of how David rolls these out is a whole new look.  Verse 2 here sounds a lot like Malachi 1:6 (to long to type out here but check it out!).  Here we are Halloween and if you have brothers or sisters, do you remember sorting through your candy and trading?  Remember setting aside those special ones that were your favorite so that you could relish in them?  Well, isn’t that what David is tell us about what God does for those who are godly?  I want the Lord to chose me; what’s crazy is that he already has!  My godliness is attained through being IN Christ.  So, shouldn’t my life reflect what Jesus died to give me?  I already have a secured place in Jesus’ inheritance, but oh how I want to emulate that which I have received!  God help me to have the strength to turn away from earthly pursuits and only seek You in Your temple, to gaze upon your beauty!

“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” Psalms 3:5-6 [ESV] -> me: Today I start my morning Quiet Times!  I finished Chapter 3 of Psalms and feel like the message today is so appropriate for where we are in this world that is turning against God more and more.  The voice of biblical morality and truth is being ‘canceled’ at every turn.  However, just like David, I must realize that I am sustained by the One True God; knowing that everything that is happening is part of His plan to crush the head of the evil one and his followers once and for all.  The takeaway for me today is complementary to Pastor Jeff’s message on Patience this Sunday – ‘Not being afraid means to walk into the mess that is where people find themselves today.’  Yesterday David talked about the Lord as a shield about him – bring able to operate in obedience knowing that whatever happens, is by the supporting hand of the Lord; very comforting.  So, today I will meditate on these verses, asking God to give me a strong heart and open ear and eye in supporting those around me who are hurting.  At the same time leading my family in a way that is honoring to the only One that matters.

”But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.” Psalms 3:3-4 [ESV] – 2 small verses give a day In the life of leaning entirely on the Lord. 1) God is my protector. When I am following Him and leaning into His will for my life; I know I have Him as a shield around me. 2) I am not my glory; God is my glory. As I work to emulate Christ, I become alive in Him and He in me – all glory is His glory. 3) God is my encouragement. Through His word and Holy Spirit He reminds me of His promises and in His strength is produced comfort and peace. 4) I am not alone – Although my King sits in Heaven, He is very involved in all my situations. His hand stands ready to move when my prayer divinely is in tempo with His plans and will.

“Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling.” Psalms 2:11 [AMP] -> I think this verse in Psalms is so right on for the type of attitude we should have in our walk as Christians. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Matthew 28:8 is another instance where these two emotions are discussed with the 2 women departing from the tomb with fear yet great joy. This fear for me is the fear of how big God is and disappointing Him. Yet His love is what brings me great joy; as well as His sovereign hand. So, I am to ‘serve’ with ‘reverent’ awe and ‘rejoice’ with ’trembling’. Now the big question (in Antony fashion), “Do I live my life like this?” Do take every step of my life with a fear of disappointing my Savior? Do I worship with the attitude I would have if I were physically on my face at His throne in heaven where the greatness of His glory feels like a sound of 1000s of thunder claps happening in succession to one another and growing in volume? For sure, not. So what do I do? -> I pray – I pray that the Lord lights the flame of the Holy Spirit in me when I worship so that this realization of real spiritual placement rings with authenticity….It is then that I will come as close as I can, here on earth, to the majesty that is His glory.

”Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” Psalms 2:1-3 [ESV] I am really glad I made the temporary switch over to Psalms. I have never done a deep study of this book and I am now wishing I had. Here today we are told that kings and rulers together work to actively go against The Father and the Son (the Anointed). They work to divide, separate, destroy power. All throughout the Old Testament we see rulers working for their own gain and removing the roadblocks to their successes. The rest of the chapter talks about how the and Heaven have the final say. I believe that with great success and power come the inevitably to allow ones emotions to rule their faith. So, that is my take away today – 1) Never forget that the Rule of Heaven comes second to NO ONE. 2) That my emotions should never rule over my FAITH. My FAITH should always have control and rule over my emotions.

Psalms 1:6 “for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” -> I have taken a small break from Jeremiah and come on over to Psalms. Psalms 1:1-3 are my life verses so this was a pleasant place to be. I did a small study of the word ‘know’ here. When this word is used it means an all-knowing; a knowing that discerns outcomes and heart. Does the Lord know my righteous heart? Because the real question is do I have one? I want to be the righteous that God knows; a way of operating that welcomes God into every corner.

Today I was able to meet with a dear friend (Marie) and her husband (Jerry). I served with Marie’s first husband Jorge (he was my boss at my first duty station and then we went to Okinawa together); he died of a sudden stroke in his mid 40’s in 2010. It was devastating to Marie and her family. The Lord provided her Jerry several years later. Marianne, Bella, Sophie, and Prim were able to meet Marie several years ago in California; since, Marie has moved to Lynchburg just an hour away from where I have been working this week….so Marie, Jerry, and I met for dinner tonight and I was able to share God’s love with her and encourage her; she still struggles with the loss of Jorge. God reminded me today that He can use you anywhere you are when you allow yourself to be used by Him. Being in God’s word helped me see what Marie needed tonight….and I needed it too.

Another long day in VA on business. It is 12:45am here in VA and I am getting ready to head off to bed. I have needed more than what I have been reading in Jeremiah so I have added in a Psalm each day. Today that was Psalm 139. I was turned onto this Psalm by an article from John Piper regarding the election. I would encourage you to read it and let it speak to you in any God touches you with it.