Have you ever spent an entire night before and examination studying in the hopes that you can earn a passing grade? I never found cramming to be an effective way of learning. The rapid review of facts may give and illusion of comprehension but there will be no knowledge. “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’”Jeremiah 5:21-24 Continue Reading…
Turn, walk, and love the fear of God: Jeremiah 5 and 6
No matter what ails you, seek the Lord: Psalm 105
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgements uttered by His mouth.” Psalms 105-1-5 Are you downcast and weary, seek the Lord. Do you feel weak and helpless, seek the Lord. No matter what ails you, seek the Lord! As we seek out God alone we will find our strength in His strength and our joy in His presence we will be able to overcome any obstacle that faces us in our day to day life. Continue Reading…
What do you serve, God or your idols: Psalm 97
What do you serve? Do you serve your job, friends, money, pleasures or knowledge as idols? Have you placed worldly ambition and selfish desires as the main focus and desire of your life. “Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods. Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgements, O Lord. For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.” Psalm 97:7-9 Only God is worthy of our worship. Be on guard against the idols that creep into your life. Remember the mighty works of God throughout all of creation for all time. “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10 Do you love the Lord? He will deliver all of those who love Him. Trust in Him and not yourself. Continue Reading…
Cry out, question God and remember His sufficiency: Psalm 88
What do you think, say and do in your moments of doubt, confusion and despair? Do you hold fast to God, unwavering in your faith and trust? We are incapable of maintaining a consistent trust and faith apart from God because the curse of sin upon us. In Psalm 88 Herman, one of the sons of Korah, is enduring a constant barrage of despair and oppression. He cries out to God questioning why these troubles are happening and what purpose can be found in a season of trials. ”Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Psalm 88:10-12 Continue Reading…
Manifested hope can never be overshadowed by emotions: Psalm 77
Are you oppressed and weary from the tasks that are set before you? Do you look upon the decisions that must be made in your life and wonder what to do? Does distress find you more frequently in the night than restful sleep? Do you look back upon your past with fondness thinking that things were much easier in the days past? Do you wonder if God has rejected you or become angry with you? What can be done? “My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; my voice rises to God, and He will hear me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; in the night my hand was stretched out with out weariness; my soul refused to be comforted.” Psalm 77:1,2 Do you turn to God in your distress? Do you plead before God in your distress pouring out your heart? Continue Reading…
Will your legacy be founded upon God and His faithfulness: Psalm 76
Is your family renowned for anything? What is your city known for accomplishing? Is your nation remembered as something great? As we look upon the legacies of our families, cities and nations there are many different desires that fill our hearts. Do you what to come from a rich family who has a long lineage reaching back into the past? Do you want to live in a city that played a crucial role in the development of your country? Do you want to live in a nation that defends the world and seeks to build prosperity and equality throughout for all mankind? It is complete foolishness to seek any of these desire no matter how nobel they may seem. The only renown worthy of acknowledgement is one that speaks to the greatness of the God of heaven and earth. Continue Reading…
The basis for identity is the foundation of hope: Psalm 65
What is your identity in life? Are you a mother of children, a manager at work, a father striving to make ends meet, a student at school or just another number in a sea of numbers? How we identify ourselves has a great effect upon our outlook on life and the hope we see for tomorrow. Often we define ourselves by the tasks and functions we accomplish on a daily basis but we fail to find our true identity and worth through the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Do you take time to look upon all the blessings that God has bestowed upon your life? Do you see the hand of God at work in your life? Continue Reading…
The measure of distance is a view into your heart: Psalm 61
Is there such a thing as distance between God and His people? We equate to God on our human level because it is naturally the easiest way to view a relationship. When you are in Europe and your family is in the United States you feel the distance keenly and long for the fellowship of your loved ones. After a fight with your spouse you can feel extremely distant from them until you seek reconciliation. When you have been on a long road trip and you are heading home over hundreds of miles you will feel the distance pass very slowly as you long for the rest of home. Why do we feel distant to God at different moments in our life? God is omnipresent and He truly is never distant from us. The distance we perceive is a change in our hearts desire and focus but God has not moved away from us. Continue Reading…
Living signposts pointing everyone to God: Psalm 48
When was the last time you walked into a building and were completely amazed from all that you beheld? Did the experience take your breath away? Have you visited a world renowned city with a multitude of architectural masterpieces? Did the collection of buildings leave you speechless? In Psalm 48 the sons of Korah are describe the city of Jerusalem. Their description of the city is not based in its own renown but upon the value that God has placed upon Jerusalem and the people of Israel. God’s blessing upon Israel and the City of David was evident to all who beheld it, “For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together. They saw it, then they were amazed; they were terrified, they fled in alarm.” Psalm 48:4,5 The renown and power of Jerusalem was impacting everyone who beheld the city. It is imperative to remember that this blessing of strength upon Israel was from God alone and not because of the power and cunning of men. Continue Reading…
Reset your perspective by remembering God’s faithfulness: Psalm 44
Do you hear the call? There is a message woven through Psalm 44 that exhorts us to remember God, His faithfulness and His deliverance every moment of every day. What happens when we fail to remember God and see the secure footing He has place beneath us? Failure and a spiraling outlook of despair will pervade all of your thoughts and actions when we lose perspective. In Psalm 44 the sons of Korah are looking back on how God has worked in the lives of the people of Israel throughout to find assurance and proper perspective in the present. The sovereignty, faithfulness and deliverance of God bestowed upon Israel despite of their inherent sinfulness is paramount within Psalm 44. The sons of Korah acknowledged that everything for Israel happened because God ordained and allowed it to happen. Continue Reading…
