What is faithfulness? We too easily perceive with a feigned understanding the truly unknowable faithfulness that is sourced in God alone. We cannot know God or comprehend the depth of His faithfulness to us. In Psalm 132 the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem is recalled and celebrated as the great faithfulness of God is praised. The psalmist cries out for God to remain faithful to His promises to the line of David. He knows that God is the true source of hope because He remains faithful to His lovingkindness. We look upon our friends, family, or pets as examples of faithfulness but this faithfulness is built upon flawed humanity and our emotional expectations cannot be truly faithful. Have you tasted the pure faithfulness that is found in God alone? Can you rely on God’s lovingkindness? In your helplessness will you trust in God’s faithfulness? Continue Reading…
Taste the pure faithfulness of God: Psalm 132
Is God enough for you to find complete rest: Psalm 131
Is God enough? Do we find rest in God? We often look upon our lives and think that we need just one more ‘thing’ to make ourselves complete. Why do we long for more? We let ourselves get in our way: we let the pride within us dictate our needs and wants, we let our eyes lust upon the items our pride desires, and we tout how our great intellect helps us. How can we believe that God is enough when we assume requirements from God upon our lives and we think that if we work hard enough we will meet the requirements. Is our busyness an attempt to win God’s favor? Why do we feel compelled to work for our salvation which was completely finished and granted at the cross of Calvary. Continue Reading…
Dawning of God’s deliverance shatters darkness: Psalm 130
When we are weighted down by the worries of life and all around us are idols that seek to cause our heart, mind, soul, and strength to fail and run away away from God what are we to do? Are we to run towards the first thing we see that would ease our anxiety or offers us a distraction? Will this thing we choose to run to bring help? When we turn to sin for comfort we will only find deeper despair and a soul filled with an ever increasing emptyness. What ultimately can we do? What should we do? We need to fight every inpluse that compels us to run away from God and wait for Him. Continue Reading…
Perspective transformed where life and faith intersect: Psalm 129
Does our faith in God cause our lives to be free from trouble and trials? How does our faith in God change our outlook on life and the circumstances we face? We may desire to have a guaranteed way of making our lives carefree and easy but would we be truly satisfied with such a life? “‘Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,’ let Israel now say, ‘Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; yet they have not prevailed against me.’” Psalm 129:1,2 When our lives intersect with our faith in God there is no great transformation that changes the circumstances we endure but the transformation occurs within our hearts as we have a hope that is greater than our circumstances. We will face many difficult times in our lives but we will be enabled to overcome all trouble because God loves His beloved. Continue Reading…
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…
Can our trust be secured in God alone: Psalm 125
What is trust? What do we place out trust in? We instinctively, even subconsciously, trust that the chair we are about to sit down in will support us. When we are walking on the sidewalk on a snowy day we trust that we will continue to have secure footing and not fall. We trust the laws of nature to continue unabated allowing us to go about our lives. What do you trust in? Does the trust you place in an item have an effect upon you? “Do good, O Lord, to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.” Psalm 125:5,6 Continue Reading…
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side: Psalm 124
Have we tragically overlooked God’s blessing, provision, and presence in our lives? When David states “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side…” in Psalm 124, what is he believing and thinking? Does the prowess of your mind and the skill of your hands cause you to believe that you are the cause of your success? There are many self-help books that promise everything you desire is obtainable if you just learn a few simple steps, act a certain way, or acquire the perfect set of friends. We are gravely mistaken when we believe that our success is birthed from within ourselves. God the creator and sustainer of all creation is intimately involved in everything that occurs throughout creation. Continue Reading…
Fix your eyes on God awaiting His gracious deliverance: Psalm 123
What does a persons eyes say about them? Can you tell if someone is sad from their eyes? Can you get a sense of a persons character by observing their eyes? Our eyes are always telling a story of our emotions, interests and thoughts to those who we encounter. What are your eyes telling about you? “Behold, as the eyes of a servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious to us.” Psalm 123:2 Is the servant expectantly awaiting to serve their master at a moments notice, looking for affirmation or a reprieve from duties? No matter the motivation of the servant, their eyes are fixed upon their master who holds their lives in his hand. Just as these servants, we need to fix our eyes upon God and trust that He will provide for every need we have. Will you fix your eyes expectantly upon God and await His grace to deliver you? Continue Reading…
Truly seeking the wellspring of peace: Psalm 122
What is your progenitor of peace? Can money buy peace, can a lack of warfare bring about peace or can tolerance produce peace? We are naturally inclined to a state of distress and calamity because sin’s curse that is inherent to all of creation. Is there hope for lasting peace? “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you . May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say ‘May peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:6-9 When we turn to God and find our hope in Him we can finally experience true peace. Continue Reading…
Our never slumbering God is our help, hope and deliverance: Psalm 121
Have you ever been in a situation where you needed help and deliverance? Think of a time before mobile phones and automobiles where people traveled by foot or on horseback. Think back to the time in Israel when Psalm 121 was written. If you were threatened by overwhelming forces or hurt in the wilderness, you would be eagerly looking for someone to appear that will offer help, hope and deliverance. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?” Psalm 121:1 Where do you look for your hope when you are helpless? There are many things in this world that will tell you that they will offer you help in times of trouble, hope when your will is crushed and deliverance when you are oppressed but can they be relied upon in your darkest moment? “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow you foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:2-4 God is always there for His children. When you face a dark moment, isolated and alone, God is present and aware of your circumstances. Trust in His deliverance in every situation that you face. You can stand firm because God is always there. Continue Reading…
