Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
18 Yahweh’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy 19 to rescue their souls from death and keep them alive during a famine.
20 We wait for Yahweh. He is our help and our Magen. 21 In him our hearts find joy. In his holy name we trust. 22 Let your mercy rest on us, O Yahweh, since we wait with hope for you.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
How well do we know that God authentically cares deeply about our emotions?
Your heavenly Father truly 100% longs for your life to be marked by emotional joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, and peace. He longs for your emotions to be rooted and grounded in his steadfast love and goodness. Our God is an emotional God.
He is not void of feelings.
We feel because he feels.
We have emotions because we are made in his image.
For much of my Christian life I thought my emotions had to be based on my circumstances. I felt happy or sad or mad or depressed solely based on others’ opinions of me, the pressures of life, and opportunities I had or didn’t have.
As a result I was on a constant emotional roller coaster following the ups and downs of this shaky world. I found myself controlled by the things of the world rather than the foundation of love laid before me by the sacrificial love of Jesus.
Scripture continually describes a link between emotional health and trust.
Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Psalm 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Psalm 33:21 says, “For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”
We are robbed of having our emotions rooted in God whenever we take on more pressure than we are meant to carry.
Our emotional health is directly linked to our level of trust.
We feel pressure at work when we look to our job and co-workers for our bosses assurances, provision, identity, purpose, and fulfillment.
We feel pressure in our relationships when our worth isn’t based on God’s perspective but the opinions of others.
We are robbed of peace whenever we try and plan our own steps rather than our efforts at following our Good Shepherd into the green pastures and still waters.
Trust is something we are not created to give away very lightly. We value trust as deeply as we value our own lives, constantly scrutinizing others to see if they’re worthy of our trust. But still we are created, shaped, to do life with help.
We are made to place our trust in that which will provide us with more life, joy, and peace. I pray that this week you and I will discover how trustworthy our heavenly Father is. I pray that we will willingly hand over control of our lives to a capable, loving, and near God. And I pray we will experience the abundant life that only comes through placing our trust in a God who gives up everything for true 100% authentic abiding relationship with us. I pray for the sun to be still.
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
God’s heart is to fill you with peace. He longs for you to have all the fruit of the Spirit dwelling within you. He has consistent, constant peace available to you.
But you must trust him in every area of your life.
You must hand over the reins of your relationships, job, identity, and plans to your Good Shepherd.
You must trust that he will guide you perfectly into an abundant life.
Look to your heavenly Father for peace.
Find rest in his abundant love.
Find your self-worth in the fact that God so desired relationship with you that he laid down his own life to have it.
Your Father counts you worthy of the death of his only Son.
Trust him today.
Place your entire life in his capable hands.
Experience abundant life in the area of your emotions, rooting and grounding yourself in his unconditional, available love.
May your life be marked by increasing emotional health as you grow in trust.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on the link between trust and emotional health. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire and willingness to trust God with every area of your life.
“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
2. Where are you not experiencing abundant life in your emotions?
Where are you void of peace, joy, passion, and purpose?
3. Ask God to help you discern what part of your life you are not trusting to him. Hand over that area to him and find peace and rest in his trustworthiness.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”John 14:27
Don’t settle for less than Jesus died to give you.
Your life can be completely wrapped up in God’s presence, unconditional love, and ability to guide you.
You can be filled with the emotions of God.
You don’t have to settle for pressure, stress, anger, and frustration.
You don’t have to settle for sadness, insecurity, or depression.
Place your trust in God, open your heart, and receive the peace that can only come from your life being hidden in the heart of your perfect heavenly Father.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 Names of God Bible
Psalm 23
A psalm by David.
1 Yahweh is my Roeh. I am never in need. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside peaceful waters. 3 He renews my soul. He guides me along the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name. 4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage.
5 You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.
6 Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in Yahweh’s house for days without end.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
God is sovereign (42:2b) His will is always accomplished. No purpose of God can be removed. God is omniscient (42:3) While our knowledge is limited, God knows all things at all times. God is independent (42:4) He does not need anything from us. We are the dependent party! God has revealed himself (42:5) God has revealed himself to us through His creation, and His Word. God is holy (42:6) He expects us to come before him in humility and repentance.
Job 42:1-6 Complete Jewish Bible
42 Then [at last,] Iyov gave Adonai this answer:
2 “I know that you can do everything, that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 “[You asked,] ‘Who is this, hiding counsel, without having knowledge?’ Yes, I spoke, without understanding, of wonders far beyond me, which I didn’t know.
4 “Please listen, and I will speak. [You said,] ‘I will ask questions; and you, give me answers’ — 5 I had heard about you with my ears, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I detest [myself] and repent in dust and ashes.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Sovereignty is a tough concept to wrap our heads around, especially in today’s highly influenceable culture.
Without exception, everyone answers to someone.
Public figures change their stances based on the feedback they get. Politicians are swayed by high powered well financed lobbyists, donors.
Corporations react to economic pressures both at home and abroad, stock market changes, world events such as war and changes in leadership at the top of their government’s respective food chains and their ‘partisan’ legislative actions, world banks set their interest rates on loans, those sudden boycotts.
In contrast to the famous sign on Harry Truman’s desk, the buck doesn’t seem to stop anywhere, there is always somebody higher up in the decision making food chain who push agendas. There is no ultimate authority, no sovereignty.
Except with God.
Job just barely scratched the surface of God’s sovereignty when he said to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2 NLT).
In fact, God will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. That’s God’s absolute power. God answers to absolutely no one.
He is not swayed by public opinion or conventional wisdom.
He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission or worry about anyone’s reaction.
He doesn’t seek approval, likes, or popularity.
God cannot be second-guessed because everything He does is perfect. His ways are right—always and forever and absolutely without fail.
Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes” (NLT).
Some people challenge His sovereignty by asking, “What about the bad things that happen in life? Are they part of what He wishes?” And the answer is yes.
Evil, suffering, and tragedy aren’t arguments against a sovereign God. They are all firmly under His control. Whatever happens in this life, good or bad, is either caused by God or allowed by God. I know it’s truly 100% hard for some of us to chew on and digest. That’s because we’re limited in our present circumstances.
Can there be an ‘up’ without a ‘down?’
Can there be a ‘left’ without a ‘right?’
Can there be ‘light’ without ‘darkness?’
Can there be ‘life’ without ‘death?’
Not according the God’s own Created Order – Genesis 1
Chaos would abound unchecked…and God will have no part of that – (Genesis 1)
God detests unbalanced scales …
Proverbs 11:1 Complete Jewish Bible
11 False scales are an abomination to Adonai, but accurate weights please him.
Proverbs 16:11 Complete Jewish Bible
11 The balance and scales of justice have their origin in Adonai; all the weights in the bag are his doing.
Proverbs 20:23 Complete Jewish Bible
23 Adonai detests a double standard in weights, and false scales are not good.
Someday, we will better understand the wisdom and purpose of God’s plan.
In the meantime, we take the word of the psalmist who wrote this about God:
“Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans” (Psalm 119:90-91 NLT).
Everything serves God’s plans.
The apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Everything is part of God’s good plan.
In Paul’s words, we find the most amazing truth about God’s sovereignty.
The English historian Lord Acton wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
But he was referring to human authorities, none of whom ever possessed “absolute power.”
The amazing truth is that God, who does possess absolute power, uses His max power to accomplish authentic, genuinely good things in the lives of His people.
God’s sovereignty can’t be separated from His love.
That means we can trust Him to care for us.
We may not always understand what that care looks like or why certain things happen, but we can be confident that God will work all things for our good. No one and nothing can thwart His will. We can rest assured in His sovereignty.
Be the Swiftest to Listen and the Slowest to Speak …
Job 42:1-3 Amplified Bible
Job’s Confession
42 Then Job answered the Lord and said,
2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained. 3 “[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’ Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Some time ago, while reading Job 42 for my devotions, I had a scary thought:
sometimes we do what Job did when he was trying to make God accountable for his actions (see Job 38-41). Sometimes we talk of things we don’t understand.
Sometimes we try to explain a Bible passage we don’t comprehend. At other times we offer cheap words of comfort or give glib answers to life’s problems.
Job asked for God’s forgiveness for speaking without really understanding.
He repented of speaking up too hastily. At one point Job said, “I [must] put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4).
Those of us who are in the habit of being quick to speak may need to literally put our hand over our mouth.
Some of us need to be forgiven for the times we spoke of things we did not understand or for giving answers when there were none.
James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
We have to stop talking and start listening.
Years ago a seminar speaker told us that if we hoped to be effective in our service for Christ we had to put James’s warning into vigorous practice.
Unfortunately some of us are not only slow to listen; we are also slow to learn.
We need to ask the intercession of Holy Spirit to help us become slow to speak.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 19 Amplified Bible
The Works and the Word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day after day pours forth speech, And night after night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars]; Their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth, Their words to the end of the world. In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul; The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed]; In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
2 (1) May Adonai answer you in times of distress, may the name of the God of Ya‘akov protect you. 3 (2) May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Tziyon. 4 (3) May he be reminded by all your grain offerings and accept the fat of your burnt offerings. (Selah) 5 (4) May he grant you your heart’s desire and bring all your plans to success.
6 (5) Then we will shout for joy at your victory and fly our flags in the name of our God. May Adonai fulfill all your requests.
7 (6) Now I know that Adonai gives victory to his anointed one — he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.
8 (7) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we praise the name of Adonai our God. 9 (8) They will crumple and fall, but we will arise and stand erect.
10 (9) Give victory, Adonai! Let the King answer us the day we call.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Misplaced Trust?
What is a misplaced trust in the Bible?
The Bible places much emphasis on TRUST; however, many people will put their trust in that which is not true or honest. This is the result of deception, an oft used malicious tool of the enemy, both physical and spiritual. Thus there is misplaced trust; trusting in that which is discovered to be unreliable or false.
Misplaced loyalty (or mistaken loyalty, misguided loyalty or misplaced trust) is loyalty placed in other persons or organizations, things, where that loyalty is not acknowledged, is not respected, is betrayed, or is taken advantage of.
Deceptive Trust?
Deceptive behavior uses trust and mistrust as tools (or weapons, depending on your perspective). The goal of deception is to either convince someone of a greater degree of trust than is warranted, or to leverage risk aversion through mistrust. The risk of deception rises when the stakes are high, and when the system encourages deceptive behavior.
Deception is usually associated with selfish competitive behavior, it can be used for the benefit of someone else, and can sometimes be both a virtue and a vice.
For example, Odysseus was a cunning hero for the Greeks in the Odyssey, but a deceptive malicious villain for the Romans in the Aeneid. Regardless for why deception is used, once someone recognizes the deception then serious, severe doubt is cast upon that deceiver’s future behavior.
Whether To Trust or Not to Trust? God vs. Chariots
Psalm 20:7 English Standard Version
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Where we place our trust says a lot about us, about who we are, and about our character.
This verse from Psalm 20 says,“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
I want to add an exclamation mark at the end when I read it!
Chariots and horses were weapons used in war in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
As time progressed chariots became more and more sophisticated, having spikes on their wheels and other features making them even more intimidating.
The chariot was like the equivalent to our modern day main battle tanks.
They communicated strength and intimidation.
The Chariots and horses could outrun the infantry and the charioteers would shoot arrows, hurl sharp spears that could penetrate the armor of the enemy.
Chariots coming towards you would invoke a fear for one’s life, most certainly! King Solomon had 1400 chariots and 12,000 horses in his army (1 Kings 10:26)!
One probably felt pretty secure going into battle with 1400 chariots! Wow!
It’s pretty easy to trust in my car to safely carry me from place to place.
There’s many safety features in today’s vehicles.
I can trust in a home alarm system, a surveillance camera and the spyware on my laptop.
Trust in these things can fail me in various ways.
I’m not suggesting we do away with these things.
I am saying that placing our greatest level of trust in these human things will eventually disappoint.
However, trusting in the name of the Lord Almighty is another story.
The Bible is full of stories from the lives of those who have come before us that prove when we trust in the Lord we never come up short.
We need not fear. Daniel in the lion’s den, David and Goliath, and many other biblical stories show us how nothing can defeat us if our trust is in the Lord.
The verse that follows this one, 20 verse eight says, “They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand up straight.”
I can still stand up straight when all has collapsed around me.
This trust can give me a superpower!
I can be like David! I can be like Daniel! I too can put my trust in the Lord!
What a word for us today!
What a word for the person who trusts in their personal weapons alone!
What a word for those who have lost everything to war!
What a word for those of us who have experienced injustice!
We are invited to trust in the Lord.
God has not failed us and will not fail us. He is Who He says He is!
How do we trust?
We believe.
We live out in obedience what the Lord has laid out before us.
We choose a lifestyle that pleases God.
It is then that I am handed my armor!
It’s when I trust that I have my chariot and horse!
I am ready for battle and I pray I please my Savior Jesus in the battle of this life.
What are you trusting in?
Is it as strong as the mountain?
Who are you trusting in?
Do they have the faith which can move that mountain even 1 millimeter?
Can you let go of safety and security in earthly things and trust in the Lord.
The safest place to be is where God calls us to be.
I can rest in this and know I am I am covered.
I am safe. I am loved. I am God’s.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 13 English Standard Version
How Long, O Lord?
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.[b]
4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
People make all kinds of choices – great, neutral, simple, easy, safe, complex, life and death, tasty (Psalm 34:8) distasteful but necessary, 100% catastrophic.
David says, in the midst of his words about choosing to follow and come under the protection, care, benevolence of God, that many people will inexplicably choose otherwise. They worship, take another god or gods: little gods, or idols.
David observes how they singe mindedly pursue idolatry and how that lifestyle never seems to take long before it reaps a multiplication of big sorrows in lives.
Sorrow is defined as:
A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others.
In the midst of ten other uplifting verses, verse 4 of Psalm 16 is the one sad one.
It does not seem to be a specific rebuke or a call to repentance for the people of God who’ll one day go or they have already gone wayward and become spiritual adulteresses, but a “just saying”, matter-of-fact, or it-is-what-it-is, truthful assessment of the sinful human race that the people of God are surrounded by.
I have not wanted to write on this verse, because it is ugly. It is not good news.
The fact that people “choose otherwise” and “wed themselves” to another god, is greatly distasteful and repulsive to me. It is discouraging and mind-blowing.
But, I get it, that we all need salvation and deliverance. I was not born saved. I was 41 years old and had to be broken (left hip) down and saved and so set free.
I was deceived by my own thoughts and beliefs and my own hatred of God and in bondage to all those lustful things which draw a young man into true misery.
Jesus saved and delivered me. The thought of not serving him is distasteful, but I understand and have compassion for those who are deceived and in bondage.
Humans were designed for relationship with God, the one and only true God.
That relationship involves bowing and kneeling down to and coming under the reign and sovereignty of God, and receiving 24 hours a day 7 day care from God.
From the beginning, we were created in the Image of God to worship, serve God.
We obey God and live our lives before God with one another.
God is good and God is love, by the way.
God does not force people to come into relationship with him.
He relentlessly loves people who have not chosen him and is kind to them.
Yet, many people will still choose to wed themselves otherwise. We are designed to be worshipers and serve God and to be 100% cared for by God.
The idea is we have, of our own free will chosen to be in a covenant relationship with God where we are giving fidelity to God, and we are taken care of by God.
Folks who say, “thanks but no thanks”, to God, then and now, are choosing to make themselves vulnerable to idolatry. By choosing not to follow God, they are open to following someone else. And who, whom you follow is your “god”.
David had to have observed the pagan religions of his geographic area, who did “drink offerings of blood”, and “spoke the names”.
This was the popular pagan idolatry that surrounded Israel.
David, in line with the OT commands, says, “I will not do that”.
Remember the first of the 10 commandments is, “No other gods”, and the second is, “No graven images (carved idol or representation of a god used in worship)”.
Something we observe, is that if a person does not choose God, that they often choose “gods”.
It is easy to see this with people in other religions, especially ones that involve prayer and/or have statues (idols).
Sometimes, people who say they have ‘no religion’ are also choosing another god or gods.
That god or those gods are things like their self, humanism, or libertine-ism, for example. Narcissism is a very popular religion today. Money also gets a lot of worship time. And money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is.
What David is saying in this side-note in Psalm 16, verse 4; is that these other paths that people choose, are paths of deep sorrow, sadness, and grief.
There is no happiness outside of the God of the Bible, the One God, The Creator, and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Those outside, who have chosen others, can really only distract themselves, get “mood altered”, be in more of a distracted state of mind, and be more and more deceived, then living and becoming deceivers to others who have yet to choose.
Death, destruction, and massive heartache seems to be their only assured and chosen inheritance.
Challenging Situations Where Christians Must Run to God.
Psalm 16:4-6 The Message
4 Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names.
5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
In our greatest needs and facing our most difficult obstacles, we desperately need God. It’s urgent we run to Him and not the failing philosophies of man.
Every need we have is answered in who God is.
Here are some (far from all) of the times we need to run to our Father God.
1. Run to God When You Need Wisdom
We aren’t God, and His thoughts and ways are way beyond us (Isaiah 55:8-9).
But that does not mean we shouldn’t run to Him when we get confused, or when we desperately need His perspective for decisions or to deal with tough circumstances.
The writer of Proverbs(3:5-8) we should not lean on our own understanding — our own wisdom — but rather we submit to God and allow Him to direct us.
The wisest place to begin that submission is in the living Scriptures, which offer every manner of guidance for many areas of Christian living (2 Timothy 3:16).
God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 ).
Paul said we should come to God with all our requests (Philippians 4:6).
That certainly would include a plea for wisdom. James specifically encouraged believers to pray for wisdom or discernment concerning their trials (James 1:5).
James 1:5-8 The Message
5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
When nothing makes sense, or when you struggle to understand, turn to the matchless wisdom of God.
2. Run to God When Fears Assault You
Rather than run in fear or pull inward, Christians are encouraged to press forward with God who reaches out His hand and says, “Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
When fears assault, we need courage that comes from His presence.
When afraid, we can run to and trust in Him (Psalm 56:3-4).
God is our refuge, our strength, and our hiding place until the storms of life pass by(Psalm 27:1; 46:1-3; 57:1).
The Son of God advised His disciples concerning fear.
He told them He would supply His own supernatural peace, and then He urged, “do not be afraid” (John 14:27, 16:33).
Even when we must face horrendous circumstances, threaten to swamp us or drown, it is God’s presence and peace that carries us through. (Mark 4:35-41)
When fears mount up and threaten to overcome you, remember the Overcomer, Jesus, who came to bring you salvation and peace.
3. Run to God When Life Seems to Fall Apart(Psalm 42)
How truthful or fake do you believe this statement is:
“It’s easier (harder) to accept God’s providence — His caring provision for us based in His sovereign control — when we’re unchallenged by struggles or loss. But when so many things seem to fall apart at the seams and we instantly, innately, fail to see something positive happen, it’s too close to impossible to see any flicker of light.”
Joni Eareckson Tada has suffered greatly as a quadriplegic and with cancer.
In Is God Really in Control?she wrote about the times we wonder what God is up to when life seems to fall apart.
“Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives,” but in our own efforts at understanding His character, in trusting His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him for everything as the Sovereign who reigns over us, who always knows exactly what He is doing and always does all things well.”
When we experience pain in life that, from a human standpoint, makes us feel everything is falling apart, it’s wise to turn to, lean on, and rest in Father God.
Nothing takes God by surprise, and nothing is outside the span of His control.
All the details of our story — even those things we cannot understand this side of Heaven — are designed with His holy purposes for us and His glory in mind.
He is sovereign, loving, and good. If you are a follower of Christ, one of the Father’s purposes is to make you more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29), and He can use anything to accomplish that, even things that confuse us or bring us pain.
Keeping always in the forefront of our minds that God alone is in complete control will help us face your greatest troubles.
When life seems to crumble, put on sneakers, run to and take comfort in Him.
God, Our first and best choice for our closest friend
Proverbs 17:17 The Message
One Who Knows Much Says Little
17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
One of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is relationships. We are created for relationships; we are all designed by God to be in community with others.
We will meet many people over our lifetime.
With some, we will have no more than brief interactions in passing by, and with others we will have friendly acquaintances.
Still others will become friends, even close friends, and others will become best friends forever companions for life.
With some friends our relationships can feel as close as family, like a brother or sister, and we may love them just like family members.
These are friends who will be there in both good times and bad, triumphs and tragedies, times of joy and times of sorrow.
Did you know that, in Jesus, God is actually our closest friend?
He isn’t a passerby who merely sizes us up, or an acquaintance who enters our life from time to time. Jesus is our brother, our closest friend, who gave up his own life so that we can become the adopted children of God, members of God’s everlasting family, and coheirs in his eternal inheritance (see Romans 8:14-17).
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 42 The Message
42 1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep drafts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears— tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?”
4 These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar. Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me. Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God’s prayer.
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, “Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?” They’re out for the kill, these tormentors with their obscenities, Taunting day after day, “Where is this God of yours?”
11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who[a] struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
12 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Today I want us to consider a much more obscure and unknown prayer, a very short prayer given to us by Joshua. It’s a bold and courageous prayer of just 3 words – 3 impossible words.
In Joshua 10:12 it says …Sun, stand still. Joshua asked God to do the impossible and make the sun stand still in the sky and as we read on in Joshua 10:13 we see that the sun stood still.
God answered Joshua’s prayer and did the impossible.
God kept the sun from setting.
Now let’s look at the context of this prayer, see why Joshua asked God to do this.
JOSHUA was a remarkable man. He grew up to experience firsthand his nation Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. He saw the miracles of God and trusted Him.
• He spied on the land, and with Caleb, came back with a message of faith – that God would surely help them seize the Promised Land.
• But unfortunately the majority won that day, gripped by fear. So Joshua and Israel were thrown into 40 years of unnecessary wandering in the desert.
• Yet he kept his faith in God. No complaining, no blaming God. Eventually God chose him to succeed Moses and take the nation into Canaan.
Joshua had to lead his men to fight their way into the Promised Land. He never doubted God’s promise to Israel.
• We read here in Joshua 10 that five Amorite armies were planning to attack. Joshua went for a pre-emptive strike.
• He led his entire army on an all-night march towards the enemy’s camp, under the cover of darkness so that they could launch a pre-dawn surprise attack.
The distance from Gilgal to Gibeon is about 25 mils and it takes 2 or 3 days on a leisurely pace, but Joshua’s army covered the same distance in just one night!
• The long night march took the enemy completely by surprise.
• When the enemy lines broke, the Amorites started to flee into the valley.
• God got into the battle in verse 11: “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” (Joshua 10:11)
As the sun set toward the horizon, Joshua knew that his time was up. Once it got dark, the enemies would slip away.
• Perhaps he realized that if he didn’t destroy them now, he would have lingering problems. And anything less than a victory would not glorify God.
• So he uttered into this outrageous prayer: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” (Josh 10:12) It wasn’t a private prayer but a public one, before all the people.
• And if you think this is too ridiculous, God answered him! Without delay!
(1) DARE TO SAY GOD-SIZED PRAYERS
Joshua has the audacity to ask God to do something, not just miraculous, but unbelievable and unprecedented.
• The fact that he could even thought of that was remarkable. Faith knows no limits, because with God, nothing is impossible. Joshua believed in a BIG God.
• Have you ever asked God for the impossible?
Does your unbelief limit what God can do for you?
That is, you believe God only for the achievable, the believable, the possible and so you pray only decent prayers; prayers that are more reasonable to answer.
When Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he did not stretch out his hand to help Jesus get onboard.
Instead he asked to be allowed to do the same – walk on water, and get to where Jesus was!
• In Acts 3 he saw a man crippled from birth, said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)
and guess what happened … look it up for yourself.
• James says, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17-18)
Read that again just to be sure you read it right – “and the heavens gave rain.”
Prayer is the arena where the measure of our faith meets all of God’s abilities.
We can pray prayers worthy of the God we’re praying to.
• “Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:26-27)
• We worship the same God.
The only difference is Joshua, Peter, and Elijah had the audacity to pray prayers that lived up to God’s mighty power and glory.
Could it be that we are not seeing so much of God’s greatness because we have been making timid prayers? We have not been asking more than the natural?
Let us go beyond just timid prayers – giving thanks for the food I eat, asking God for a good weather day, heal from a serious illness, God to restore our land.
These are worthy prayers but we can go farther than that.
• We don’t have to worry about putting God in an awkward or embarrassing position. You’re not going to back Him into a corner (does the universe have corners?). You won’t ever challenge Him to do something beyond His aptitude.
• Let’s stretch our faith and ask God for the supernatural.
Ask for what He is capable of doing.
What is God not capable of doing when asked for in His will, Jesus’ name?
We do the natural, and trust God to for the “super natural” and we will see His supernatural works in our lives.
• When that happens, everybody will know it was God who did it.
No doubt about it, His Son will shine and He will surely be glorified.
Are we so bold, courageous to actually pray for God’s promises to be revealed?
Why was Joshua so bold?
He knows God.
He knows God’s will.
• During the march, God spoke to Joshua and gave him a promise:
“Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” (Joshua 10:8)
• Joshua believed what God had promised him.
It was God’s will to defeat the enemy.
Joshua wants to see God’s purpose fulfilled.
• Someone says, “God listens to the voice of a man who himself has listened to the voice of God.”
Joshua knows God well enough to ask for the sun and the moon to stay still.
• He saw all the miracles God did back in Egypt, when He freed them from slavery.
He saw God drop food from the sky for 40 years to feed his people, Israel.
He saw how the Lord produced water from a rock and has no doubt what God can do.
• Here he did what he could as a commander, to plan and strategize, to lead the army in an all-night march and a pre-dawn strike – and let God do His part.
His faith in God comes through knowing God, and to know Him, we need to hear Him, we need to listen to Him, we need to trust Him and to obey Him.
• Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
• That’s where we need to focus at – if you want your faith to grow, get to know Him more. To know Him, you need to HEAR Him more.
• Matt 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
DON’T STAND IN HOPE, WALK IN FAITH
We can pray and stand in hope – in other words, we do nothing but just wait and hope that God will show up and do something.
• This is passive faith. James called it DEAD faith – faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26), it is useless. I need to show God my faith by what I do.
• We need to WALK IN FAITH – to move out, to do something to get to our destination (God’s destiny for us).
It is amazing to see the extent of human effort involved in this battle.
• Joshua’s army made a 25 mile overnight long march and launch straight into battle that lasted all the way to the next sunset. And he asked the Lord to stay the sun, for another full day! Can you sense how bold, how confident that was?
• Even though God was with them, had given them the promise of victory, and was personally involved in the battle (raining hailstones), it did free them from personal commitment.
• They knew God promised victory, they had to fight the war no matter what; they had to sweat it out, fight it out for night and days; they had to pay a price.
Success doesn’t come easy, even with God’s presence and promise.
• God wants us to be fully committed.
Victory wasn’t just a gift dropped down from the sky, right onto their laps.
• They had to believe God, have faith, trust God, fight for His ‘promised’ victory.
So too, even 4000 + years later, must we.
Possible?
Impossible?
• God has given us His promises.
God says He will be with us.
God will fight the battle for us.
But we need to do our part.
We need to put our hard work.
Walk in faith, don’t stand in hope.
CONCLUSION
The lesson we learn from Joshua 10 is that we serve a God who can transform the most adverse situations we face into opportunities to display His glory.
• Like the people of Israel, you may be facing a very difficult situation.
I cannot promise that God will stop the sun for you, but we can be sure that He can work a miracle in your life.
• He can transform whatever you are facing into something that will show His glory.
It’s human nature to want to skip straight from the promise to the payoff.
Who doesn’t want to get right to the good stuff?
But the process is invaluable.
The process is a time of strengthening.
The process is the place where you lay down your pride and learn to rely totally on God.
Most importantly, the process is the way we grow – to know God.
And that’s really the whole point – to KNOW God!
The process is the point.
Do not Fear! Pray God-sized prayers because God is more than capable of that.
Cling on to His will and what He has promised, and move on in faith.
God will always come through for you.
When Joshua faced an impossible situation – he cried out to God to do what most people would have thought was impossible – he asked God to make the sun stand still. Joshua was bold and courageous and faithful and God responded.
I believe God is waiting for us to be bold, courageous and faithful in our prayers.
I believe God wants us to pray for that which many might think is impossible but we pray it anyway because we know that with God all things are possible.
All things are possible with God which means that there is no impossible prayer.
God doesn’t want us to pray for the impossible he wants us to pray with God like conviction and Jesus’ faith for that which we know can be possible with Him.
Jesus said if we faith the size of a mustard seed that nothing will be impossible.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
Knowing that all things are possible with God, what are all those seemingly impossible situations God wants you to pray for with boldness and courage?
What impossible situation in your life is God just waiting for you to pray about so he can amaze you with his power and grace and goodness?
Is it a relationship that needs to be healed or a financial problem that needs to be fixed?
Is the impossible or possible situation a spiritual transformation in your life or in the life of someone you know or love?
Is it a prayer for physical or emotional healing, power to overcome temptation or finally to achieve a certain goal that has eluded you for an entire lifetime?
What is the impossible situation in your life that God wants to make possible?
Can you name it – write it down and start getting specific with God about what you want?
God is waiting for us to be bold and courageous in our prayers – so what is the impossible prayer (or possible prayer) you need to be praying today?
Now… what will take for you to pray this impossible prayer with boldness, faith and confidence?
What will it take for you to pray like Joshua knowing that God can 100% make it happen? What does it take for us to ask God to do that which is impossible to us?
Praying for the impossible means we stop trying to do it ourselves and start asking God.
Whether it’s in relationships, finances, health, our jobs, our community or finding our place in the church or in our world, when we finally stop trying to do it on our own, start asking God to do it for us, God can finally step in, do it.
So what it takes to pray for that which seems impossible is
A vision of God’s Power
An understanding of God’s love
Being in synch with God’s word
Humbling ourselves in the Presence of God.
That’s what it takes to pray for the impossible
– all that’s left now is to actually pray.
Are you praying yet?
One final thought, while Joshua prayed his prayer once and God did it, that prayer only came after a lifetime of Joshua praying and walking with God.
God may not answer our prayers the moment we pray them, it may take a bit of patience and perseverance and persistence in prayer until God answers – so don’t pray once and then give up when the sun sets. Pray every day until God reveals Himself and moves in your situation or moves in your heart and life.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 29 English Standard Version
Ascribe to the Lord Glory
A Psalm of David.
29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,[a] ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.[b]
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth[c] and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless[d] his people with peace!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— 32 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Tozer’s powerful line quoted in sermons & books, ‘What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. ‘ It’s a simple but sharp wake-up call for us to examine the connection between our ‘theology’ (conscious or unconscious), and too everything else about our “Christian” lives.
With that being said, it will always be true that the Word of God encourages all believers to fully rely on God’s strength and His guidance in facing life’s battles, towards enlightening understanding the enemy’s tactics, and achieving victory.
Psalm 18:34-35
34 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.
The Bible says that we are to fight the good fight of faith and to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand strong and uptight and faithful against the enemy. It also says that the kingdom of God suffers violence and the war-like take it by force. There is no question that there is a raging battle going on in the earthly, spiritual realms and we are called to take our stand, to resist the enemy.
In Psalm 18’s Davidic promise, King David paints an intimate picture of how God Himself intercedes in the affairs of mankind and trains David for battle.
I am seriously encouraged by the NIV Bible translation of Psalm 18:34-35 …
34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. (NIV)
What a picture of strength intimacy!
God gets intimately, personally involved, up close, face to face and eye to eye.
Even in the midst of preparations for battle, David speaks of a God that gently trains him and sustains him and even stoops down from heaven to make him great. No matter what battle we are facing today, be comforted in knowing that it is God Himself that will put His face to ours, put His Hands on us, equip us to fight the good fight, for every battle belongs to the Lord. He will stoop down beside us, give us His shield of victory and His gentleness will make you great!
On all those battlefields, in hand to hand, eye to eye, combat, on the high seas, and in more contemporary times, in the air – jet plane to jet plane, computers to computers, in the invisible face of terrorism which can explode on the scene at anytime anywhere, to ordinary service men and women who signed their name on the dotted line to serve their country, even during peace time when there are no declared wars – God is always close to those He prepares for war.
In this verse, David reflects on how God equips and empowers him for battle.
He fully acknowledges that it is God and God alone who teaches him the skills of warfare, gives him the strength to persevere, a profound recognition that all of his physical and spiritual capabilities and victories stem from divine assistance.
What does it mean – David: “so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” mean?
The image comes from Psalm 18, “He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
First logical question to ask ourselves is “Does bronze bend or break?”
Please realize that Bronze is a very sturdy and strong material that does not bend very easily. Its high corrosion resistance also makes it very durable.
Since it’s nearly impossible for someone, anyone, to bend a rod of bronze, I now believe that the bending of the bow symbolizes for the reader the supernatural strength, God alone grants which enables people to do what seems impossible.
Psalm 18:32-34 New American Standard Bible 1995
32 The God who girds me with strength And [a]makes my way [b]blameless? 33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. 34 He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
What is the meaning of Psalms 18:32-34?
This means that whatever battles you and I have in our lives, bear in mind that God and God alone has trained our hands to war, and makes our arms to bend a bow of bronze and fire… any issues that we might have: sickness, challenges, poverty, (you name it) and beside all this, God will always keeps our way secure!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 29 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Voice of the Lord in the Storm.
A Psalm of David.
29 Ascribe to the Lord, O [a]sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory [b]due to His name; Worship the Lord in [c]holy array.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The Lord is over [d]many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful, The voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord hews out [e]flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord [f]shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the Lord sits as King forever. 11 [g]The Lord will give strength to His people; [h]The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Christians usually don’t like the word “law” because they think and believe it means an endless array of strict and pointless rules we are all expected to obey.
But Torah, the word we use to mean “law,” has a very different meaning and focus in Hebrew. Torah comes from the root word yarah, which means “to flow like water.” Figuratively, it means to show, teach, tell, inform, or point out.
Just as loving parents establish rules, boundaries to protect, guide, and nurture their children, God, our Heavenly Father, provides us with commandments to ensure our spiritual well-being and to help guide, direct us, lead fulfilling lives.
Instruction
Torah means “instruction” in English, which means “God’s instruction to man.”
Whatever God teaches us, we must follow to enjoy a good life here on earth.
Torah reminds us that God is not just a lawmaker or a police officer ready to arrest, punish judge us. God is also the loving parent who teaches His children how to live. Jesus was just exactly reflecting His Father when He taught all His disciples and the people how to have life and have it more abundantly.
No One Can Keep the Law
No one, no matter how many or how few, or how wise or clever or smart or how manipulative, can properly keep all the laws (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23).
In truth, no one can keep all ten commandments properly.
The Law exposes our wickedness (Romans 7:7).
The Law was given by God to identify sin and highlight our need for a Savior.
The only person who has perfectly obeyed the Law is Jesus. He fulfilled all of God’s righteous commands via His life, death, and resurrection.
A Stream of Water
We should view God’s law as a source of wisdom and learning, an invitation to grow, flourish under His direction, like a plant thriving by a stream of water.
In Hebrew, ‘Torah’ comes from the root word ‘yarah,’ which intriguingly means “to flow like water.”
This imagery is far removed from the rigid connotations often associated with the word ‘law.’
Instead, it suggests something way more organic, dynamic, and life-giving.
‘Torah’ encompasses showing, teaching, informing, and pointing – it is a guiding principle rather than a set of restrictive rules.
Thus, a more accurate translation of ‘Torah’ might be ‘instruction’ rather than ‘law.’ This shift in understanding transforms the perception of God’s law from a list of do’s and don’ts into a form of divine guidance, akin to a flowing stream or river that nurtures and directs rather than confines.
I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
On Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Torah covenant.
On the Feast of Pentecost, Christ sent his Spirit to seal a new covenant of sin-forgiveness.
The Spirit, like the Torah, reveals God’s truth, instructs us, and convicts us of sin. However, unlike the Torah, the Spirit enables us to live in communion with God by changing our hearts from within, which the law could not do (Romans 8:5-7).
Summary of the Law
Jesus said the most important commands are summed up in loving the Lord your God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.
He didn’t say the entire Law was replaced by loving God and your neighbor.
He literally meant it as a summary- the main idea. Just as the summary of Constitution of the USA is the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but is does not actually replace the entire Constitution nor the amendments.
The Law is Eternal
Jesus explained the law is eternal. Our Torah continues to be a source of guidance, direction, and instruction for people of faith.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Matthew 5:17-18
Not only did Jesus fulfill the law, but the law will remain unchanged until heaven and earth disappear (i.e., until the end of the era).
Not even the slightest detail, not even the smallest stroke of a pen, shall be spared from God’s law.
The statement of Jesus confirms the full authority of every word and letter of Scripture.
613 Laws
God gave 613 commandments to show us how to live here on earth.
The Ten Commandments are the first ten of the 613 commandments. God gave the Law to disclose His standard of absolute righteousness, to convince us all of our true sin before Him, and to show us the need for the gospel.
There are many different laws in the Bible. The law of sin and death was nailed to the cross. The laws dealing with sacrifices were only for the Temple period.
The New Testament verses concerning God’s law explain that those who love God will follow God’s instructions—His ways, His paths (Romans 2:23; Ephesians 6:2-3; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Hebrews 10:16; James 1:25; 2:11; 8-26; 1 John 2:3-4, 24; 3:22; 5:2,3; 2 John 6; Revelation 22:14).
The Law is Written on Our Hearts
I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
On Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Torah covenant.
On the Feast of Pentecost, Christ sent his Spirit to seal a new covenant of sin-forgiveness. The Spirit, like the Torah, reveals God’s truth, instructs us, and convicts us of sin.
However, unlike the Torah, the Spirit enables us to live in communion with God by changing our hearts from within, which the law could not do (Romans 8:5-7).
Summary of the Law
Jesus said the most important commands are summed up in loving the Lord your God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.
He didn’t say the entire Law was replaced by loving God and your neighbor.
He literally meant it as a summary- the main idea. Just as the summary of Constitution of the USA is the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but is does not actually replace the entire Constitution nor the amendments.
The Intention of the Law
The intention of laws is to bring holiness to God’s people. “And the Lord spoke unto Moses and said, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel and say to them; You shall be holy, for I the Lord you God am holy.’”
God established moral and ceremonial regulations to assist people in loving him with all of their hearts and minds. However, by Jesus’ time, religious leaders had twisted God’s laws into a jumbled mess of rules. When Jesus spoke about a new way to comprehend the law, he was attempting to return people to its original purpose. Jesus did not criticize the law in and of itself, but rather the abuses and excesses to which it had been subjected.
Under the Law of Christ
Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice–no more sacrifices needed (Hebrews 8). The Old Testament law has not been repealed, but it must now be reinterpreted and used in light of Jesus. God never changes his mind.
We are not without the law but under “the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). There are laws that apply to believers today that deal with our relationships with other people. The law is good and just and perfect–there is a problem with the law–there is a problem with man. Man, with his sin nature, is unable to keep the law.
Freedom is not absence of law; absence of law is anarchy.
The law was never meant to save—only to guide.
Without God’s instruction, it would be impossible for people to live together. Without God’s law, there could be no grace.
As David said in Psalm 119, God laid down precepts that are to be obeyed.
He said he meditated on God’s precepts and ways, and if we walk in God’s paths our hearts are set free.
The Law is Never Earning Salvation
The Jews never believed that anyone could earn their way to salvation.
They know salvation is only by grace through Messiah (and we are praying they will have their eyes opened to see the Y’shua (Jesus) is the Messiah).
Neither Jesus nor Paul ever taught God’s law was “done away with.”
Obedience to God’s Law was a show of trust in God, and only those who offered such to God were truly His people.
Paul’s letters to the Gentiles speak against upset with those who twisted the law–those who abused it such as making it a prerequisite for salvation.
Paul made it clear the Gentiles did not have to live by the law to attain salvation.
He did encourage the Jewish believers to keep the law–but never made it a condition of salvation.
Paul never implied that believers in Christ were to start a “new religion” that did away with the Old Testament.
In fact, Paul explains we should thank God for His mercy that by faith we are grafted into Israel and we are not to boast for their eyes are blinded, in part, until the fullness of the Gentiles– see Romans 11:16-36.
Did Grace Replace the Law?
The idea that grace replaced the law began in the second century. The first section of this book explains how the Early Church left their Hebraic roots.
During the second century, Marcion, a heretic who twisted Paul’s writings, caused a radical opposition between the Law and the Gospels.
What do the Marcionites believe?
Marcionites held the God of the Hebrew Bible is inconsistent, jealous, wrathful and genocidal, and that the material world he created was defective, a place of suffering; the God who made such a world is a bungling or malicious demiurge.
Marcion suggested the entire Old Testament be omitted from the canon.
He broke away from the Roman church in 144 and set up his own very successful group.
Polycarp referred to Marcion as the Son of Satan.
Marcion believed the God described in the Old Testament was cruel, so he refused to acknowledge the God of the Old Testament but embraced the portions of the New Testament that expressed God’s love.
Marcion created a reduced version of the New Testament consisting of Luke and parts of Paul’s letters–purposely leaving out all Jewish interpolations.
Marcion’s legacy lives on.
A study of Marcion and his immense influence on Christian leaders in church history is highly advisable to anyone truly serious about studying God’s law.
Nine-Fold Purpose of the Law
To teach the believer how to serve, worship and please God [Psalm 19:7-9; Acts 18:13, 14].
To instruct the believer how to treat his fellow man and have healthy relationships with him [Leviticus 19:18; Galatians 5:14; Galatians 6:2].
To teach believers how to be happy and prosper here on earth by manifesting the power and authority of God’s reign in their lives [Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Luke 12:32].
The Law was given, not to save, but to measure man’s deeds both toward God and his fellow man, straightening out all matters contrary to sound doctrine [I Timothy 1:8-10; II Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 6: 1- 12; I Corinthians 3:13; Romans 2:12; Revelation 20:12, 13].
The Law is a schoolmaster showing that we are guilty and then leading us to Christ our Messianic justification [Galatians 3:21-24; Romans 3:19].
The Law gives us both the knowledge and depth of our sin [Romans 3:20; Romans 4:15; Romans 7:7, 8; Luke 20:47 – greater damnation].
The Law reveals the good, holy, just, and perfect nature of God and serves as the visible standard for God’s will [Romans 2:17, 18; Romans 7:12; II Peter 1:4].
The Law is to be established or accomplished by our faith, therefore, it is called the Law of faith [Romans 3:27; Romans 3:31].
The same Law today is written on our hearts, and through God’s Spirit we can delight and serve the Law of God [Romans 7:6-25] (Mosley 1996).
We fulfill the law when we love one another and God, and God rejoices over us!
So, by all means, let us “Rejoice in the Law” alongside Israel.
It is part of our inheritance in Jesus, doing so is consistent with New Testament teaching and acknowledges the loving heavenly Father who gave us the law.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 29 Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 29
A Psalm of David.
1 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. 11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Master,[a] look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received[b] it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”[c]
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
As Jesus and his disciples walked along toward Jerusalem, they came across an unexpected surprise: a fig tree in full leaf.
This was a surprise because it was too early in the year for figs.
But where there was a fig tree in leaf, you could expect figs.
So Jesus and the disciples went over to the tree to see if it had any fruit.
It had none.
What seemed at first to be a remarkable tree turned out to be a disappointment.
So Jesus said to the tree: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
And he walked away.
The next day, as they left Jerusalem and passed by the same tree, the disciples were astonished to find the tree totally withered.
When Peter expressed his surprise about the tree, Jesus used the opportunity to teach two lessons.
The first lesson was about failure. The empty tree serves as a stern hardcore warning we cannot pretend to be spiritually alive, for we won’t bear any fruit.
The second lesson is about faith. Jesus says, “Have faith in God.” We are to 100% trust in him for all the life and strength we need in order to serve him.
When we are rooted in Jesus through sincere prayer, our faith will bear fruit.
Our faith in Christ will be strong enough to help move people to believe in Jesus and enter his kingdom. Through his strength in us, we will show he is alive!
Probable or Improbable: Faith to Move Mountains
In reading our Bibles, we will come across verses that seem straightforward and easy to understand immediately.
On the other hand, there are also verses like this one!
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” says Jesus.
We are tempted essentially to sidestep what these words say.
We try to bury them under a hundred qualifications.
The misapplication of such verses has scared some of us so much that we hardly give any attention to the sheer encouragement and the challenges they contain.
In this bold command, Jesus reminded His followers to trust God, because it is actually faith’s foundation in God that gives that faith significance. We should not have faith in faith or faith in ourselves, but 100% faith in God, God alone.
The metaphor that Jesus employed—that of someone commanding a mountain to be thrown into the sea—was perhaps familiar to the disciples; it was similar to a common rabbinic figure of speech for accepting an impossible challenge to then, with all effort accomplishing something that was seemingly impossible.[1]
1 Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Longmans, Green, and Co., 1898), Vol. 2, p 376 (footnote).
The way to get real-life results in prayer is to seek God with an attitude that says, “No matter how long it takes, or whatever I have to do, I will not be denied.”
This is not arrogance; it is Godly hunger. It is not about pushing God to give us what we want and how and when we want it, but about pushing yourself into God. It is not praying for the sake of praying. It is praying to see the hand of God move. It is desperate hardcore praying. It is the type of prayer that gets answers.
The disciples would not have misunderstood Jesus as suggesting that they can literally hurl the Mount of Olives into the Dead Sea over 4,000 feet below them.
They would have understood his words as a proverbial statement indicating God wants to do extraordinary things through His children, for His children.
We discover vivid proof of Jesus’ teaching on faith and prayer throughout the book of Acts.
Early on, when a lame beggar asked Peter and John for money, Peter told him instead to look up, to stand up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ(Acts 3:6).
Perhaps as he spoke to this man, Peter was remembering Jesus’ words and he was thinking to himself, “Whatever you ask in my (Jesus) name … believe…”
When God is the object of our faith, we can have an audacious faith—a faith that believes the impossible to be possible with Him.
We can know that we are speaking to someone who is able to do far more than we can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21), we can do even greater works than Jesus (John 14:12-14).
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14 if you ask[a] anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus essentially says to us, I want you to pray in a way that says you actually truly believe in One God who is too wise to make mistakes, who is too kind to be cruel, and who is too powerful, unchangeable to be subdued by the great forces of the universe.
Don’t set aside these verses with hundred impossible improbable qualifications.
Just let them sit there in your spirit for a minute – preferably a whole lot longer.
Enjoy the truth that God is able to do things beyond anything you can imagine.
Rest secure in the indelible reality Father, Son, Spirit, know no impossibility.
And then ….
Pray Until Something Happens!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Psalm 20 Revised Standard Version
Prayer for Victory
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
20 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfil all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. 7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the Lord our God. 8 They will collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.[a]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
On the radio the other day I heard a familiar song about how heartbreak feels.
There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, if not more of songs written throughout history about broken hearts and lost loves. Have you ever wondered why musicians and music producers keep writing about that same thing?
Songs like Psalm 13.
Songs like Psalm 137.
Which are the psalms of lament in the Word of God?
Maybe people of whatever time frame -ancient or contemporary, do not tire of those types of songs because everyone can relate to them in some way. Nearly everyone has experienced those hard feelings of emptiness after a breakup, or they have asked themselves “What went so wrong?” after losing their love.
Thankfully God’s Word provides some guidelines to help us hard answer our questions and give us peace of mind when heartache and heartbreak happen.
Psalms of Lament
The psalms of lament are songs and poems in which the psalmist cries out to God in times of deep distress and despair.
In Psalms of lament, the psalmist asks God for intervention to deliver him from suffering, sorrow, great loss, failures, and enemies.
These petitions often give way to the Psalmists expressions of trust in God to act in the psalmist’s favor, leading to hope and joy, faith and peace and love.
There are more psalms of lament than any other type of Psalm.
These Psalms fall into the broad categories of individual or communal (or sometimes both).
Their basic structure includes:
Address to God
Description of complaint
Request for God’s help
Expression of trust in God
Psalm 13
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4 And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
When we hurt, Scripture can provide comfort.
It also gives us a way to express how we feel, especially when we don’t know what to say or how to say it.
Much of that language can be found in the Psalms, and many psalms were written by people who shared their feelings candidly and honestly.
David, the writer of Psalm 34, didn’t have to search long for peace, and neither do we. God is near to those who hurt, and we can trust today that the One who gave the sun its ability to shine, who told the waters how far they could go, and who constantly watches over the universe is also near to you—and he’s saying,
“I’ve got this, and I’ve got you.”
Why You Can Be Sure ‘the Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted’ (Psalm 34:18)
When emotions are strong, I find comfort when reading Psalms.
The heart of a Psalmist is familiar with suffering and consistent in hope.
This pattern emerges time and time again.
The writer expresses an honest struggle, makes a request, and ends with a choice to trust in God.
Some Psalms focus on lament, which means to grieve the loss of something or someone.
Some focus on praise.
But many combine the two, even when several verses reveal the pain of suffering.
One of my favorites is Psalm 34.
The New Living Translation says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Eugene Peterson interprets this verse the Message as, “If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.”
What Does Psalm 34:18 Mean for the Brokenhearted?
A brokenhearted person can literally feel the pain of brokenness.
We have physiological responses to loss, grief, and hurtful situations.
Emotional pain can be felt in a very real way, in the body, the mind, and the heart.
Our bodies are actually wired in such a way that emotional pain affects us physically. This is one reason it’s so vital to get honest with our emotions and pursue healing because it impacts all of who we are and how we live.
Brokenheartedness can feel so intense because we do not have what we once did, or what we thought we should have. We have lost something or someone. Also, we may feel all alone. Our body reacts to grief, anger, sadness, and fear.
When we are in this place, our need for something beyond ourselves becomes more evident.
Our enemy would love to keep us from knowing God’s love deeply and receiving the courage we need to move forward when life is hard.
God loves to help us know Him and know His presence with us, especially when life is hard.
Psalm 34:18 reminds us God is not only present with us, but near.
Near to the pain we feel.
Near to the loss we can’t fill.
Near to the needs we have and can’t yet express.
For the brokenhearted, God gives nearness.
God is not removed from knowing about the pain, or from our experience of pain. He is always available and close to those who suffer.
Not only is He near, but he stays with us and will help us get through.
He is not surprised or deterred, no matter how deep the brokenness feels.
God gives us the courage we need to breathe again.
Emotional pain sometimes leaves us speechless.
This Psalm provides words to remind our hearts and talk to God when we cannot find the words ourselves.
God’s presence with us in our messy moments is of great comfort.
What Does Psalm 34:18 Mean for the Crushed in Spirit?
I love the way Eugene Peterson describes how God saves, or rescues, us when our spirits are crushed.
When we feel kicked in the gut, He helps us catch our breath.
When everything has been knocked out of us, and we are depleted, He has what we need to take that first step of getting up again.
God sees and knows the impact of a soul that’s weary and worn.
Consider the following verses:
Proverbs 18:14 “The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?”
Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
These verses help me feel seen by God because He gets what it feels like to be crushed in spirit.
He’s been there, all alone at the Garden of Gethsemane preparing to suffer and die for us.
He knows it is painful.
It can feel like you’re emptied out, dried up because there’s nothing left to give.
It’s time to receive.
God rescues, or liberates, us from great pain and a weakened spirit, through His great love for each of us.
He sees the distraught places in our hearts and offers to fill them up again.
When we breakthrough to God, receive His love and the gift of His presence, our hearts are calmed, our hearts are sated, which frees us to finally move forward.
What Else Can We Glean from Psalm 34?
Encouragement and praise permeate Psalm 34, especially for the worn-down individual.
Verse 2, “I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”
Verses 6-7, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Verse 15, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;”
Verse 17, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
David also invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (verse 8).
Because when we seek refreshment for weariness, we find goodness in God that renews us, restores us, refreshes us. And it’s available as often as we all need it.
God listens. God hears. God acts decisively.
And He is near – as close as the next breath you take.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 Revised Standard Version
The Divine Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;[a] 3 he restores my soul.[b] He leads me in paths of righteousness[c] for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[d] I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.[g]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
2 (1) How long, Adonai? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 3 (2) How long must I keep asking myself what to do, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long must my enemy dominate me?
4 (3) Look, and answer me, Adonai my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death. 5 (4) Then my enemy would say, “I was able to beat him”; and my adversaries would rejoice at my downfall.
6 (5) But I trust in your grace, my heart rejoices as you bring me to safety. (6) I will sing to Adonai, because he gives me even more than I need.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
David the psalmist had feelings of being God-forsaken.
He had times of being surrounding by enemies.
In Psalm 13, He wrote of the depths of aloneness one can feel when it seems God has turned away, failed to listen or act timely and now the enemy is at the gate.
“Has God lost track of me way out here in this God-forsaken, sun and wind, and scorched, waterless wilderness where only dust devils, tumbleweeds blow ?”
Psalm 137 expresses a similar depth of forsakenness and deep lament: “How long will God forget me, … How long will he keep forgetting, forsaking me?”
137 By the rivers of Bavel we sat down and wept as we remembered Tziyon. 2 We had hung up our lyres on the willows that were there, 3 when those who had taken us captive asked us to sing them a song; our tormentors demanded joy from us — “Sing us one of the songs from Tziyon!”
Unanswered Prayer or Intentionally Forsaken?
John 11:4-7 Christian Standard Bible
4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
John 11:28-37 Christian Standard Bible
Jesus Shares the Sorrow of Death
28 Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
29 As soon as Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.
32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”
33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved[c] in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.
“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”
35 Jesus wept.
36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?”
Have you ever found yourself pleading and praying, yet seem to only receive delay after delay, silence and more silence as a response?
Or, arriving on the other side of the circumstances only to discover none of what you desired or anticipated came to pass?
Where was the Good Father in the midst of your trials?
The Bible is full of assurances that God will never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6), knows what we need before we ask (Matt. 6:8), and encourages us to bring our petitions to the Lord because what we request will be given to us (Matt. 7:7).
If all of these promises of God are true, why do our prayers go unanswered?
Is the Lord taking one of his Sabbath days rest (how long is a Sabbath days rest for an eternal God?), uncaring and aloof; standing just outside of our troubles and intentionally forgetting, or punishing or refusing to come unto our aid?
It can be disheartening and even confusing when we diligently pray as the Word directs us, yet apparent provision is not provided.
One of the most helpful examples of this in scripture can be found in John chapter eleven, we encounter the death and ultimate resurrection of Lazarus.
Jesus knew Lazarus was going to die.
He could have prevented this tragedy with a single thought as with Jairus’ daughter or the Centurion’s servant yet He chose to allow it to unfold without intervention. Lazarus continued to suffer his illness until his physical death.
His sisters and close friends mourned deeply for days.
Even Jesus, himself, wept when he arrived at the mournful scene.
Why would the Lord allow so much unnecessary sorrow when ultimately Lazarus would be spared the finality of death?
Our Heavenly Father sees far beyond our momentary light affliction (2 Cor. 4:17).
His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8).
He allowed great heartache and even physical pain for Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and others “for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4, NIV).
We see an even greater example of this in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
How difficult is it for anyone to observe their kids, close family member, suffer?
For the sake of his treasured creation (John 3:16-17), God allowed his only son to take on mortal form and then endure horrific torture and temporal death so salvation could come to us.
Nothing could have possibly cost anyone more.
Yet, the final outcome far outweighed fleeting anguish.
It is unimaginable for us to comprehend the depth of this transaction, but it is clearly evident our Father’s love knows no bounds.
It far supersedes all worldly understanding.
How can this perspective alter our viewpoint on our own circumstances?
Despite our unwelcome travails, the Lord is working for the same good in our lives today that was displayed through Lazarus 2,000 years ago.
It is amid our own journeys that our Savior’s unfathomable love is evidenced to the desperate and hopeless. Even in our darkest hours, his light shines through.
Though your prayers may appear unanswered, there are actually intentional, eternal purposes at work. And his work is always for His glory, our greater good.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take time to read through the Psalms of Lament, entire chapter of John 11.
Test and challenge yourself … Can you see that although Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus, he intentionally chose not to answer the fervent prayers of Mary and Martha so that God’s glory may be made known?
Challenge yourselves … How can you see his omniscient plans displayed in your own life today, even when the outcome is long delayed or not what you desired?
Can you recall a time when an “unanswered” prayer was actually revealed by the Living Word of God and the divine work of the Holy Spirit to be a blessing?
There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.
Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. (refrain)
There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain]
There shall be showers of blessing: Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come and now honor Thy Word. [Refrain]
There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we’re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain]
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 