Popular culture reflects upon the word and wonder of God without acknowledging His hand at work in creation. In the song ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ by the Byrds they sing “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The song by the Byrds is a melodic tune that easily gets caught in our minds but how often do we think about the true meaning to the words? What was Solomon imparting to us with these words in Ecclesiastes? Continue Reading…
We live, breathe, and endure because of God’s will: Ecclesiastes 3 and 4
Truth of salvation is our seed of hope: Psalm 126
Do you feel that you are far from God today? Have you lost your first love for God in the midst of the business of life? The burdens we carry through life will seem insurmountable as they overwhelm us. When we take our focus off of God our feeble faith fails as we grasp at the idols we have surrounded ourselves with. Where can we find our help? God’s faithfulness is greater than the bonds that hold sway over us. He will not forget us and He is the one who restores. “When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and out tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” Psalm 126:1-3 You may feel cut off from hope and joy but God will bring you back to Him. Cling to the truth that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross of Calvary. The truth of salvation will be your seed of hope in the darkness of your circumstances. Continue Reading…
Joyful gladness manifested in our lives: Psalm 100
Is your life marked by a joyful spirit and attitude? As a follower of God we are to find our delight in serving Him. The relationship that we have with God manifests itself in our lives by a joyful gladness in all things. Why are we impacted in such a way by our relationship with God? “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 We know that all we have in life is from God and an amazing peace permeates our lives because of this truth. We can encounter troubles, trials and tribulation joyfully because we know that it is God at work in us and not ourselves. This correct perspective of God as the Almighty Creator enables us to rest and find our joy in Him.
Will you find joy or despair in the coming judgement: Psalm 98
A moment of great fear and joy is quickly approaching for all creation, “Let the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:7-9 Will you find the moment of God’s judgement upon the earth a joyous celebration? Will the coming of God to judge mankind fill you with fear and dread? Have you attempted to forget the truth that God is coming soon to judge the world by filling your life with idols? Continue Reading…
A gaze beyond ability to the desires of the heart: Psalm 84
Is the heart truly a window into the soul? What do our yearnings tell us about ourselves? Do we desire financial security for our families, more money for more toys, a healthier lifestyle or just a calm existence? Can anything this world offers give us lasting satisfaction? In Psalm 84 the sons of Korah boldly proclaim, “How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:1,2 These men knew that everything this world had to offer them was completely worthless compared to God alone. Do you find joy in knowing God? Continue Reading…
Wisdom, joy, enlightenment and restoration: Psalm 19
When you go outside and look at the blue sky stretching infinitely above you do you see the amazing splendor of God? On a still night when the moon and stars shine brightly do you hear them speak of the majesty of God? Creation all around us proclaims the greatness of God. Creation is the silent witness to the splendor and majesty of God. This silence of creation speaks louder than any words of man of the greatness of God. In Psalm 19 a beautiful picture of God’s greatness is revealed through the wonder of His creation. Do you take the wonder of creation for granted? When you see the beauty of the world around you it is only a pale and impure picture of the beauty of God. All creation is a sign post that points to the Lord God creator in every way. Are you filled with awe and wonder at the thought of such an amazing God? Continue Reading…
The joy of a life surrendered to God: Psalm 16
What is your most treasured possession? Where is your joy and fulfillment found? Is the foundation of your life a bulwark that cannot be moved? There is great joy found in David’s Psalm 16 as he expresses the delights of God. He delights in the Lord and in Him he placed his hope. He found an immense joy in God that could be found nowhere else.
David desired to follow in the footsteps of the people of renown from generations past? Do you look upon the people who have walked this road of faith before you and long for a fraction of their faith. The faith of generations past seems like something to desire but that faith was developed through many difficult circumstances that shaped each person through some dark moments of life. Your faith is uniquely blessed because God has brought you through many different circumstances to build you up. Embrace the faith that God has bestowed upon you and move forward encouraging those around you. Continue Reading…
Joy returns when God is placed first: Nehemiah 11 and 12
What is happening in Nehemiah 11 and 12? You are faced with many names again which may make you want to tune out the details of the text. What is happening in the story of Israel? “And they offered great sacrifices that and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with a great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:43 ESV Why are details given about the priests and Levites? Why was there such joy in Jerusalem? Why list the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel? Continue Reading…
When opposition looms find hope in God: Ezra 5 and 6
Where do you find strength and confidence? When was the last time that you stepped out to complete a task with people actively working to stop you? Did you have hope to complete the task? In Ezra 5 and 6 the people of Israel who have returned from exile are facing the same moment of crisis. Will they continue to follow God and rebuild the temple despite the enemies and rulers who had forbidden the work? Where did the Israelites find their hope and strength? What reassurance would you want before you would step out in faith to follow God? When we are surround by people of the world that are claiming that are work we intend is useless and fruitless, what will we do? Continue Reading…
True leadership found in a shepherd’s heart: 2 Samuel 5 and 6
How are we to view leadership? How were Saul and David as leaders over Israel? In 2 Samuel 5 David was finally anointed king over all of Israel and in 2 Samuel 5:2 the people say to David that “when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’ ” While Saul was sitting upon the throne of Israel it was David who was among the people helping and leading them. It is amazing to think that David who was a shepherd of his fathers flocks of sheep was using the same skills as he shepherded the people of Israel. Continue Reading…
