“Pray the Scriptures for impactful prayers,” the exhortation is repeated time and again. Do we want prayer that has an impact? Today, Psalm 122 will direct our steps and thoughts towards the Lord.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Our feet have been standing Within the gates, O Jerusalem!
“What a powerful verse. Think of the sacrifice and courage exhibited for those able to get up and move their bodies in preparation to enter the doors to the house of the Lord in this present time.
The virtual church is wonderful, but the sacrificial act of “going into the house of the LORD” is majestic, glorious, powerful, intimate, . . . real.
Is there no safer house to enter than the house of the LORD?
How wonderful it is to hear of Your promises, of the prophecies fulfilled, and to watch Your Spirit move among believing people:
“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—(1 Corinthians 2:9).
Dear Lord, increase our trust in You every day. Your Word tells us You ‘reward all those who seek You,’ Hebrews 11:6. When we are present in the house of the Lord, “virtual or live, in spirit and in truth, we’re rewarded. You, Lord, inhabit our praises!
Yes, ‘I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.'”
Psalm 122 continues, Jerusalem is built. As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD . . .
“You are the risen Lord. We can “see” You (in our hearts) when we gather and give thanks to You.”
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
“Dear Lord, what is it we desire? Peace and prosperity. Yes, this is the desire You put into the heart of each human being. You show the way in these old songs:
– Look up and seek to trust You Lord, (Psalm 121).
-To cry out to You in prayer, (Psalm 120).
-To give thanks to the name of the LORD, (Psalm 122).
-And “pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good”Psalm 122.
“Yes, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
“There’s confusion in the air, dear Lord. But in Genesis 12:3 You make Yourself clear. Those who love Israel will be blessed and those who curse the land will be cursed. (Genesis 12:3).
The entrance of Your Word gives light and understanding, Psalm 119 reminds us. You didn’t choose Israel or the Jewish nation because they were strong, great, and mighty. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 7 that You loved them.
And “we love You because You first loved us,” (1 John 4:19).
From the Jewish nation, imperfect, but chosen by God to be His people, (just as each of us is called by Him). Israel, the Jewish nation was entrusted with Your Law, statutes, leading, and promises such as,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6.
“Give us a hunger for Your Word and give us understanding in it.
‘Peace be within you.’ Yes, Lord, we choose to open the door of our heart to You, the Messiah, Savior, the Lamb of God.
Let us come into Your house and in remembrance of You, meet You at Your Table. We will take the bread and break it. You were broken for me.
I will drink from the cup. I will receive the cleansing reminder of Your atoning sacrifice for me.
“Keep moving forward.” This is a phrase of encouragement throughout history. And this is my heart, during the advent season, filled with uncertainties and change. I ask you to join me to ascend in the Psalms through the Song of Ascents, to speak aloud the Word and pray to God to be renewed in hope and the joy of the Lord.
Here we go:
In my distress, I cried to the LORD, And He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.
“Yes, Lord. This is a time of divisive and hostile words. Give us discernment to hear Your voice of truth.”
What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
“Lord, help us know and remember Your eyes and ears are open to everything. We only see portions, but You are a witness to each unspoken and spoken word, each motive, every action of humankind., worldwide. You are God Almighty. Together we cry out to You. The One able to move mountains.”
Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has dwelt too long With one who hates peace. I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war Psalm 120, NRSV.
“We think of the day You walked on this earth, Jesus. You came in love, yet You were ‘despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . we hid, as it were, our faces from’ . . . You. (Isaiah 53: 3.)
In this dark age we live in, we cry out for Your hope and light.
We give praise to You for Your Word reminds us:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55: 8-9.
Amen and amen!”
And through the Songs of Ascents, we will continue:
I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth Psalm 121:1,2.
Is this not the testimony of faith through the ages?
“Lord, help us get our eyes off the circumstances, great frustrations, and misunderstandings and fix them on You.”
Where will we be if we turn from the true and living God to trust in man’s wisdom alone?
Your Word tells us, ‘. . . the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men‘ 1 Corinthians 1:25, ESV.
Thank You, Lord, that the open Word brings light to our steps:”
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” Psalm 121: 3,4.
“Amen, dear Lord. You are my Keeper. You’re our Keeper! We walk on the solid ground of faith in You.
You’re Immanuel, God with us. To all who choose to receive Your love and gift of salvation. You’re a giver. You were willing to lay down Your life for all lives, all people, all nations, all tongues.
Nails were driven into Your hands for me.
In a world where love is defined in many ways, Your Word defines love for us:
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath] 1 John 4:10, AMP.
To know You, Lord, is to believe Your promises:
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore! (Psalm 121: 7,8. Emphasis mine.)
Amen. Amen! (Emphasis mine.)
The LORD will preserve those who trust in Him from all evil, from this time forth, and even forevermore.
P.S. Renewed in mind, heart, and soul is the reward in time aloud in God’s Truth! In response, I share a song I wrote from Psalm 95, which I plan to record with the voices of children, The Lord is a Great God:
(For anyone who has read this far, can I ask for prayer as I complete the writing of a 5-Day Huddle in Genesis / Creation?
This song will need to be re-recorded with the voices of children! If you are local to me and have a child who loves to sing and is looking for opportunity, please contact me (PM).
In time, I pray this offering to the Lord will be a resource for churches and Christian schools for simple and powerful ministry to kids! And prayerfully, I can keep putting together 5-Day Huddles throughout Genesis.)
We give praise and glory to God because He IS GOD.
His Word is “perfect, refreshing the soul,” Psalm 19 reminds us: “The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” Psalm 19:7-10.
Are we going through a great trial? Yes, most people are challenged today, some are in crisis.
How is gold purified? Yes, fire.
And, there are times the Lord allows great trials that feel like a fiery furnace.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus, He draws near to the brokenhearted.
May we receive His Word and rejoice – even in hard times.
Why? Because God is faithful. He hasn’t left us, orphans. He is speaking. We must take time to talk to Him.
When we open His Word, we’re allowing Him to speak to us. What does He say about hard trial:
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1 Peter 1:6,7.
“Lord help us hear Your voice and block out all others. Give us ears to hear what You have to say to us. We need to know You more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Today, I pray that the Lord keeps us “rejoicing in Him” no matter what! God said, . . . and it was so! We CAN trust Him for what concerns us today! Amen!
Who will join me, (along with many from my church) in a month of an “Attitude of Gratitude?”
This month, let’s make the choice to deny our flesh and ask the Lord to grow us in Him, His grace, His love, His forgiveness: His Holy Spirit, our Comforter, and present help in trouble.
Help us put off our “self” and put on Christ and His Spirit of love by believing in Him and His great sacrifice He made for us.
Jesus took all the pain on the cross that we, who believe receive great gain.
Can we think about His sacrifice and deny our flesh in some way? Join me to hunger more for Him and ask to “eat” time in His presence, hope in His strength, and be empowered by His grace.
“O how restless is the foe Jesus’ kingdom to overthrow.
Shall not we as zealous prove to proclaim redeeming love.
Let us publish saving grace, scatter life in every place . . .
Dare the world and satan’s frown – turn his kingdom upside down!” (Words penned hundreds of years ago, author unknown):
We are thankful dear Lord that You are on the throne!
Help us know Your Good News above the news of this day:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46: 10.
“We will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah(Psalm 46). We will pause and think calmly of the Name above all names, Jesus: Lord Omnipotent, Sovereign, LORD over all the earth.
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah Psalm 46:11.
Today. This day. We, “Pause and calmly think of that!”
“O God, give me noble and praise-worthy thoughts. I will speak a hymn and a psalm and immediately be changed from fear to faith:
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light
Keep my thoughts on things above, not on things of the earth.
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23.
The only separation from me to You, Holy God of the Universe, is my sin. My unbelief, my pride to think I am enough without You. There is not a person on this planet able to escape evil thoughts, covetousness, selfishness, and lies.
I can never be good enough to come into Your presence. But Christ Jesus bridged the gap as He stretched out His arms for me on the cross.
Your Word is truth:
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord Thou my great Father, and I thy true son Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one
Am I separate from God, or am I His “true son?” Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” Romans 10:13.
Call on Him, Today.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise Thou mine inheritance, now and always Thou and thou only first in my heart High King of heaven, my treasure thou art
From the kingdom of darkness I’ve escaped, in the name of Jesus, to the Kingdom of Light. My inheritance is Love. Joy, peace, patience, kindness are empowered in and through me by the power and gift given to me of the Holy Spirit.
I’ve inherited the faithful, keeping hand of God to hold me for all eternity. I have reason to be thankful in every circumstance. I am a child of God. He has made me victorious in faith in Him!
High King of heaven, my victory won May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Psalm 46, Amplified:
God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.
(Pause and think calmly of that!)
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her [His city], she will not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has brought desolations and wonders on the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
Pause and calmly think of that!
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:3-8.
“He saved me from my low estate, His loving-kindness, oh how great! Samuel Medley, 1782.
When temptations rise to be afraid or heavy-hearted under life’s weight, the hymns immediately change my mind.
After-all, doesn’t the Lord tell me, (and you), in His Word to, “Fix (y)our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” Philippians 4:8, NLT.
And furthermore, to “Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.“
The hymnal, (along with the Bible, of course), is a safe place to find excellent and praise-worthy thoughts:
He saw me ruined in the fall, Yet loved me notwithstanding all; He saved me from my lost estate, His loving-kindness, oh how great! Samuel Medley, Loving-Kindness, 1782.
To wake and imagine my sweet Lord, patting the seat next to Him on the sofa,”Come a sit by Me.” So, I sit to be with the Lover of my soul as I open the hymnal:
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise; He justly claims a song for me, His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
(In the back of our minds, do we have the report from the doctor, or that call on the phone, or the piece of mail that recently arrived?)
The Lord in my heart, is near. He’s right here. And He reminds me today from this hymn long ago:
Though num’rous hosts of mighty foes, Though earth and hell my way oppose, He safely leads my soul along, His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
The Comforter, the Holy Spirit speaks to me. He reminds me of a favorite psalm,
Why are you cast down, O my soul?And why are you disquieted within me?Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him Psalm 42:5.
When trouble like a gloomy cloud, Has gathered thick and thundered loud, He near my soul has always stood, His loving-kindness, oh, how good! Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
God’s Word is living water refreshing my soul. Word-picture perfect, Psalm 42 reminds me, “God knows.”
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God . . . My tears have been my food day and night,While they continually say to me,“Where is your God?” . . .
For I used to go with the multitude;I went with them to the house of God,With the voice of joy and praise, Psalm 42:1,3,4.
I will think on this today, “His loving-kindness, oh, how good:”
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me—A prayer to the God of my life . . .
Why are you cast down, O my soul?And why are you disquieted within me?Hope in God;For I shall yet praise Him,The help of my countenance and my God Psalm 42:8,11.
My eyes are up. My heart is tuned.
“He saved me from my lost estate, His loving-kindness, oh, how great!”
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing they great Redeemer’s praise; He justly claims a song for me, His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
His loving-kindness, oh, . . .
how free!
Revive us Oh Lord. We speak aloud Your Word:
“Sing, . . . Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes . . . Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth . . . Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you Isaiah 54:1-10.
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing they great Redeemer’s praise.
“His loving-kindness, oh, how great!”
Loving-Kindness by Samuel Medley, 1782:
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise; He justly claims a song for me, His loving-kindness, oh, how free! Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
He saw me ruined in the fall, Yet loved me notwithstanding all; He saved me from my lost estate, His loving-kindness, oh, how great! Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how great!
Though num’rous hosts of mighty foes, Though earth and hell my way oppose, He safely leads my soul along, His loving-kindness, oh, how strong! Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
When trouble like a gloomy cloud, Has gathered thick and thundered loud, He near my soul has always stood, His loving-kindness, oh, how good! Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale, Soon all my mortal pow’rs must fail; Oh, may my last expiring breath His loving-kindness sing in death. Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness sing in death.
Then let me mount and soar away To the bright world of endless day; And sing with raptures and surprise, His loving-kindness in the skies. Loving-kindness, loving-kindness, His loving-kindness in the skies.
Jesus had no pointing finger—only arms stretched wide.
In silence.
Yielded.
His love letter to each of us was written with blood.
He rose from the dead. Ever-living.
In believing, we receive . . .
sight, salvation, freedom. Light. Hope.
Eternal life is given.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Dear Lord, we remind ourselves today Your never changing Good News.
I Am the LORD, I “will fight for you; you need only be still,”Exodus 14:14.
I Am the LORD, I “give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak,” Isaiah 40:29.
I Am the LORD, those who “hope in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31.
I Am the LORD, “So do not fear, for I am with you,” Isaiah 41:10.
Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name. We choose You, we are Your sons and daughters.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Remind us. Holy Spirit imprint on our minds, a picture of Jesus and His nail-pierced hands reaching out for each and every one of our sins.
For the sins of the entire world . . .
You willingly paid.
Give us the ears to hear Your words, throughout our day “Follow Me.”
And we respond, “I will follow You.”
We wait with great expectancy . . .
We choose to worship You now, and watch our anxieties flee. We choose to worship You Jesus, Be Thou our Vision. Restore Peace to our restless hearts.
Let us exalt the Lord as we take time to meditate and speak:
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r: Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
If I lose the world, but have You, I have the King of Heaven as my friend. No one can take that away. You are an ever-lasting love and hope.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Be Thou My Vision, Irish Hymn, c.8th Century
“Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call on Him while He is near . . . “Isaiah 55:6,7.
What’s the greatest miracle of them all? Jesus healed the blind, He opened deaf ears. Jesus turned water to wine. Crippled people could walk and jump. The dead became alive again.
Jesus is the resurrected Lord, but none of them match this:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1.
There’s so many miracles in this very first verse of the entire Bible.
God is Creator of science. Here we have time, space, and matter. Let’s say it together: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1.
Do I believe this verse? To believe God is called “faith.”
Creator God, He’s all-knowing, all-powerful. God is love 1 John 4:8.
He gave us choice as one of His love-gifts. We can reject His Word or choose to believe and receive Him.
To love God is full of reward and promise to all who believe, (or have faith in Him).
We love rewards, don’t we? Guess what- when we draw near to God, and seek Him, He gives us eyes to see!
How do I know? The Bible tells us:
Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40.
Faith to believe God is a glorious miracle.
When we believe, we are as a blind man who can see. We become as one deaf who can now hear.
All of us have been hurt in this life and may have sad hearts that limp, yet the Lord’s love and miracle of faith help us to heal. He gives us power to stand again and walk forward today in good thoughts of His love and help.
The Bible tells us: Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see Hebrews 11:1.
And when we believe, we get understanding,
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen Hebrews 11:3, NLT.
The Spirit of God was hovering over the darkness of the empty earth, in the beginning, and God said,
Let there be light” and there was light Genesis 1:3. We’re not talking about the sun here. This is light energy. This is the spectrum of color light energy.
Yes, God said let there be a spectrum of color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, and all the shades in between!
At night when we look out, everything is a tint of gray. But in the day, color!
Blue skies, green grass, lots of colors found in flowers, brown tree trunks.
O LORD, how manifold are you works! In wisdom you have made them all: the earth is full of your riches Psalm 104:24.
The Gospel Huddle:
God said, “Let there be light.” How about you? Do you believe God and His Word?
This is a first step. God doesn’t want us to be in the dark. He doesn’t want our world to feel gray and full of dark shadows.
We feel that way at times. We feel separated and far from God.
Put your arms out far apart.
Yes, this is how we are to God, separated. But do you see your arms stretched far? That’s what Jesus did for you because He loves you so much.
Jesus willingly allowed men to stretch His arms out wide on the cross, even though He didn’t deserve any punishment. (Jesus had no sin). He took our punishment of sin on Himself as He was nailed to a cross and died for you and me.
We all deserve punishment because we all have sin. Every single one human being on this planet.
Sin is anything we think, say, or do that goes against His Word to us.
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23.
God wants us to see His great love gift-Jesus.
When we believe Him and receive His love, our eyes are opened. We see a whole spectrum of color for all things new. A life with Him, forever. In forgiveness and hope.
Perhaps the greatest miracle is God’s gift of faith to believe.
Talk to the Lord as you listen to God’s Word in song about faith in Him:
It’s Time to Seek the LORD Song: Hebrews 11:6, Isaiah 55: 6,8,9.
This Scripture Song invites your heart to seek the Lord.
When the picture is dim. Futures look foggy. The ways of man seem right in their own eyes. (Proverbs 14:12).
God’s Holy Word stands alone, unchanged. (Numbers 23:19).
What do we do?
Do we open His pages?
Do we call on His name? (Romans 10:13).
Do we believe He’s faithful? (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Do we thank Him? Do we give Him praise? (Psalm 148: 13).
Do we have comprehension? (Ephesians 1:13-15).
Are we growing in grace and the knowledge of Him? (2 Peter 3:18).
Who is the Lord? And what is His name? (Exodus 15:3).
His name is Jesus. There is none greater. There is salvation in none other. (Acts 4:12).
He was, and is, and will always be. (Isaiah 43: 13-25).
There will be a day when all will eyes see. (Philippians 2).
He alone is in control. He is before all things. (Colossians 1:17).
He’s coming again. (Matthew 24:44).
All eyes will behold, every knee will bow. (Romans 14:11).
God hates lies. God hates evil. (Proverbs 6:16-19, Amos 5:15).
The enemy of God is the father of lies. (John 8:44).
Satan comes to deceive and accuse. (Luke 22:31).
Satan seeks to destroy . . . me and you. (John 10:10).
As Moses in the wilderness with a multitude of faithless complainers, against God and His ways. Serpents were sent among all the people.
The serpents bit. People were afraid.(Numbers 21:4-8).
What happened next?
God instructed Moses. Make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Lift it in the camp. All who look on the bronze serpent will be healed.
What will we choose? Do we look up? Do we look away?
Do we bow today?
Or do we wait for some other day?
His Word is Love. (1Corinthians 13).
What do we believe?
This is a life or death question. What answer does the Bible give:
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:14-21).
What is sweeter than the grace of God?
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory! Ephesians 1:13-15, emphasis mine.
If you want to receive Jesus in your life. Simply bow your head and heart and ask His forgiveness for sin. He washes all the past shame and sin away. Then ask Him to fill you with His love. He will flood your heart with His sweet love. Accept His love and forgiveness and ask Him for the Holy Spirit to help you to grow in His grace and knowledge. He is faithful. he will surely do it!
Then tell someone. Tell the whole world that you are a new creation in Christ. And find other believers to grow with in a Bible teaching church.
Rejoice in Him. Worship Him. He alone is able to accomplish all that concerns all who seek Him, today.
I earnestly prayed, “Increase my faith,” and it seems in answer to my request, God ordered a stress test of trials and circumstance.
I had a Bible reading plan in Psalms, Proverbs, OT, and NT for each day’s reading. God spoke a similar message through each Book one day.
I was given exhortation from His Word in Proverbs, If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. (1)
Then my reading in Jeremiah proved a similar message,
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”(2)
“Is this encouragement? I wondered. It’s a if I could hear the stampede.
I turned to Proverbs 3 for some wisdom, My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loath His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights . . .
My NT reading for the morning in Hebrews 12: 2-4 brought me instruction in my dilemma,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Let go of it all, and focus on Me!” God spoke so clear to me.
Eyes up!” was God’s exhortation.
Discipline is good. For my growth and renewed faith and strength, I must be taught through it.
I was reminded:
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (3)
“Eyes up!”
God’s Word speaks right to the heart.
“Let go of the garbage. Continue on your race unincumbered with all the loss and hurt. Let Me in . . . “
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (4)
Who will join me today and start a new day with a new skip in our step because in the process of the walk with Him, He increases our faith!
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. (5)
I can’t run this race without the Spirit of the Lord. I try on my own, but in my own strength, I’m worn down and fail.
With each new day, let’s run this race with lifted hands and strengthend knees, with a walk forward with increased faith and eyes up on the author and finisher of our faith,
Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm.
Say to those with an anxious and panic-stricken heart, “Be strong, fear not!” (Isaiah 34:3,4).
“I don’t feel strong,” we might say.
“Fear not!” The Bible tells us with an exclamation point.
Indeed, your God will come with vengeance [for the ungodly]; The retribution of God will come, But He will save you.”
The eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped . . .
These are words of hope. The Bible is the Good News to those who believe. But when I look left and right I see chaos and violence. How about you. We must fight to look up and believe God:
A highway will be there, and a roadway; And it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel in it, But it will be for those who walk on the way [the redeemed]; And fools will not wander on it . . . (Is. 34).
How offensive this might sound to the natural ear, mind, and heart. But those who have tasted and seen the goodness and forgiveness of the Lord in His willingness to take all our sin on the cross, we’re reminded time and again,
“This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
But just as winter turns to spring, work must be done:
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you Hosea 10:12.
It’s time to return.
And the ransomed of the LORD will return . . . They will find joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away Isaiah 34: 3-5,8, 10, Amplified.
My open Bible changes me. It is true as Psalm 19: 7 proclaims:
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; (Psalm 19).
I’ve found revival for my weary soul in only a short reminder in God’s Word. Is anyone else being revived in the process of turning to the Lord in His Word for help?
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
But I wrestle with God. “What about this? How is this going to work out? What am I supposed to do?
Do we wrestle with God? Yes. We’re broken. We have stories and testimonies in our Bible pages of this.
But God never changes. He’s the same, yesterday, and forever. We can grow to trust Him more if we spend time with Him:
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lordare true, and righteous altogether Psalm 19: 7-9.
If this is what God says will bring rejoicing in my heart, then I will seek Him now, with my whole heart . . .
“Will you follow Me? Together we can journey.” Do we answer, “I will!”
“Get strong in the Lord,” we hear from our pastors. We’re exhorted daily, “It’s time to know the Word.”
So, let’s go then. On a walk, moving forward in The Song of Ascents, Psalm 120-123, Amplified.
The Lord gives words for our prayers and power to heal what’s been dislocated from His Word of truth.
Who is God except the Lord? And Who is the rock on which we stand? We do best to know Him more and more fixing our eyes up, neither left or right.
A prophesy was given in 2019 that the year 2020 would be as Psalm 120:
In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue . . .
Woe is me, that I sojourn with Mesheck, that I dwell beside the tents of Kedar [as if among notoriously barbarous people]!
My life has too long had its dwelling with him who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” Psalm 120: 1,2,5,6,7.
The ancient Word speaks as if written today. They prove to be an accurate prayer from our heart at present.
We have not experienced anything the Lord has not walked through and experienced. The old hymn,”O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” makes this clear in our mind’s eye:
“With grief and shame weighed down. Now scornfully surrounded With thorns Thine only crown; How pale thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
Our Jesus, how He knows our sadness and losses, our persecutions, and abuses. He took all our shame and failures on Himself, on the tree:
“What Thou, my Lord hast suffered Was all for sinner’s gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain;
What is our response when we view so clearly His willingness to face our curse?
Do we take a hard look? Do we see Him now?
“Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, Vouch-safe to me Thy grace. (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. Based on Medieval Latin poem. Ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux.)
Together, we speak aloud the next Song of Ascents as we press forward into 2021. We won’t lean on our own understanding, but boldly proclaim in an ever-growing faith:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills, . . . From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made Heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber Psalm 121: 1-3, Amplified.
We can trust the Lord in all things. We remind ourselves these things:
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
He.
Will.
Keep.
Your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore. Psalm 121: 7,8. A Song of Ascents.
Laws are made by man to protect the people, but move to close the doors of God’s house.
God is Spirit. His Church is not a building. The hearts of His people speak in confidence continuously, . . .
despite the location:
“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem . . . Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they prosper that love you [the Holy City]! Psalm 122: 1,2,6.
“We pray for the peace of Jerusalem dear Lord!”
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, Ephesians 2:14,15.
He is our peace? Our peace isn’t good circumstances. Our peace is a Person! What is His name?
God saves us once from sin and death for salvation in Jesus. And to all who receive Him and believe in His name, He calls us His children. Children of God.
He saves us daily from our “natural selves.” Our brokenness, our anxieties, doubts, jealousies, hatreds, and our rage. Jesus calms the wind and the waves. He can tame our flesh. In Christ alone . . .
That He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity . . .
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father Ephesians 2: 16,18.
We’re not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. We have access by the Spirit of God to the Father. These are not mere “positive thoughts.” God’s Word, the Gospel message is the power of God to salvation.
Step by step, breath by breath we speak, meditate, pray His Word, and become more and more empowered and hopeful:
[Earnestly] remember the former things which I did of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God and there is none like Me.
Declaring the end and the result from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose. . . Listen to Me. . . Isaiah 46: 3,9.
He, Jesus, keeps us in perfect peace when we keep our minds on Him! (Is. 26:3.)
Psalm 123. A Song of Ascents. Unto You do I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in heaven . . .
Instead of worry, we worship and wait in ever-growing faith in God, the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the lover of our souls:
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84: 10,11.
We speak aloud and are changed from glory to glory being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ:
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; . . . They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion Psalm 84: 5,6,7.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives.
We can rest in our Jesus. He is our hope and stay. Do you join me in an “Amen?”
The Word of God. Hymns. Music Therapy. God’s help and comfort for us right NOW.
In a shattered world, where do we find real, living, powerful, present comfort? The Bible tells us in Psalm 119, our comfort comes from the Word of life.
When we have no words to pray, Psalm 119 provides the prayers:
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors Psalm 119:17-24.
Yes, God is not silent. He speaks. His Word shows us the way.
Do we desire to be children of light in a dark place? What do we do?
Now is time to speak aloud truth. The Bible says, “Thy Word is truth,” John 17:17. We either believe this or not. God gives us choice. He sees each man’s heart, even if mankind thinks he’s his own person not needing Jesus.
Who is born of God? Those who believe in His name. What can we proclaim as true about Him regarding our lives today? Speak aloud Be Still My Soul by Kathrina von Schlegel:
Be Still my Soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide,
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul, thy best and heavenly friend, Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end . . . Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul! for God will undertake to guide the future surely as the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know the voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Maybe our hope and our confidence is shaken a bit, but we will not be greatly shaken. We will choose this minute, and move about by the power of the Spirit of God to know Him more and be still.
Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.
Are we on God’s side?
He’s on our side.
He will guide the future.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then shall you better know his love, his heart, who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Do we have His love? His hope?
God’s heart beats with constant love for us. He doesn’t change. His ways are unsearchable. Do we believe in Jesus?
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a.
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ -2 Thessalonians 3:5.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with . . . singing. —Zephaniah 3:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. —2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Our hope is our faith in a true and living God.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them – 1 John 4:16.
You, me, we can trust Him always.
The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. —Romans 8:18.
Music Therapy of the Hymn Be Still My Soul and Psalm 18 is provided to meditate on God’s Promises. He alone is true to His Word:
You O LORD, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop, and with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless and He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God beside the Lord? And who is a Rock except our God? Psalm 18: 28, 29, 30, 31.
A song can bring hope. Let a song bring healing and light in the dark spaces.
Classic Christmas hymns are memorable. They’re powerful with their clear and focused doctrinal lyrics.
They also can fall into the danger of being over familiar, where the words aren’t heard anymore. They become as elevator music to a hearing ear.
Isaac Watts penned Joy to the World in the 1700’s for Christmas. Hundred’s of years later, these lyrics are rich in wisdom and carry remedy for our hearts in turmoil, sadness, and fear.
“Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing.”
Hearts are burdened and weary. Believers in Jesus, His birth, death, resurrection can be tempted to doubt, forget the good, and lose the song of His grace and new mercies for each new day.
Let’s prepare Him room. The dark world around us needs a God song. Let heaven and nature sing, and let’s take a breath and join this chorus in our attitudes and willingness to shine for Him.
Christians need their lives to sing for the Lord at this time.
People of all ages, the young, the elderly, everyone in this troubled day are in need to hear heaven and nature sing. There’s power and refreshing of outside crisp air, the cover and color of evergreens, the cloud’s formations. A change of space brings revival.
I’ve thought about changes in melody and song. Think of the classic lyrics, Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
They’re sung in many melodies. Each brings the deep truths alive.
How about “Hallelujah“? Oh, the many different melodies we sing those glorious words of praise.
I ventured to put a new twist to Joy to the World to bring out the lyrics of some fantastic verses:
“No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”
How glorious are these thoughts. We receive Him, and we don’t have to let sin and sorrow grow, we can walk in newness of life and He fills us with His Spirit.
Simply to speak these words lift a weary soul.
Jesus comes to make His blessings flow,far as the curse is found. He is able. He is Savior of the world. He is a gracious, compassionate, slow to anger. He abounds in mercy.
Jesus comes to bring forgiveness to whosoever will believe in Him.
To this we sing Hallelujah. So let us sing, “Joy to the world the Lord is come”!
The soil of our heart can become parched and dry as the day’s minutes pass by.
The winter winds of loss and outside fears bring a sting of pain.
But hear the good news: He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The light of His righteousness And wonders of His love . . .
Hallelujah. Let earth receive her King!
Prayer:
“Dear Lord, give us Your strength to sing: “Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ . . .”
You’re the One who asks of us, “Do you have ears to hear? Do you believe I am He? Have you prepared your heart for Me?
You tell us, ‘I’m your peace.’
‘I’m your healing.’
‘I’m your rescue.’
‘I’ve come to bring salvation and grace.’
It’s time I agree with You, Lord. Do I believe You Lord? Help me receive Your love.
Yes, I receive. Yes, I believe.
I pray now, help my unbelief. Bring Your joy to my world. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.
How many ways can we sing, “Amazing Grace”? How many ways can we say “Hallelujah”!
So, let us sing, “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.” Let our lives sing as we focus on Him as He lets His blessings flow .
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:11-13.
“Let us sing, Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Walk with me in victory in the Song of Ascents as we run our race and fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith . . .
The Song of Ascents were recited as the children of Israel journeyed up to Jerusalem. Journey with me. Speak aloud the Songs. Pray the Songs, for such a time as this, together we ascend to our promised land:
Psalm 120, A Cry in Distress A Song of Ascents:
Quite accurate for our year 2020, Psalm 120.
In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has dwelt too long With one who hates peace. I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war Psalm 120.
We won’t stand still, we keep moving forward. Psalm 121 will help us with our focus:
Psalm 121, God is Our Keeper. A Song of Ascents.
The LORD will preserve those who trust in Him from all evil, from this time forth, and even forevermore.
Perhaps we walk in a desert place, but when we feed our hungry soul with faith as we drink the Living Word, we are refreshed in ways beyond our mind’s eye.
Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126: 5,6.
But I can’t get ahead of myself. “The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.”
We can rejoice in the Lord, always:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
How glad we are to enter the house of the LORD!
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Our feet have been standing Within the gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built. As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD . . .
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good”Psalm 122.
“Yes, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem because You, dear Lord command us to. We seek Your good this day dear Lord. We rejoice that You hear our prayers.”
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud Psalm 123.
Why should I feel discouraged Why should the shadows come Why should my heart feel lonely And long for heaven and home When Jesus is my portion A constant friend is He His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches over me
Cevilla D Martin, His Eye is on the Sparrow
Bring us to a new beginning Lord. We seek You. Help us believe You and Your Word. Help our unbelief. We cry “Mercy Lord.”
Renew.
Restore.
We walk with ears to hear:
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper . . . Psalm 1:1,2,3.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish Psalm 1:6.
The LORD God, Creator of heaven and earth, He is our hope and defense:
If it had not been for the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, . . . Our help is in the Name of the LORD who made heaven and earth Psalm 124. (Calligraphy, tonirypkema.com)
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,” Let Israel now say – “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us;
Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul.”
Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth Psalm 124.
Those who trust in the LORD are like mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever Psalm 125:1.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 125.
Breath by breath, step by step, with our eyes focused up, we walk this journey meditating on God’s Word that we might be as trees planted by the rivers of water whose leaf shall not wither, (Psalm 1).
Because: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.“
The Bible tells us so. Today, I hear the voice of the Lord, and I will stand on His promises. Join me in faith to believe God more and more and grow in understanding of His Holy Word? Yes and amen.
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity Psalm 125:3.
Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
We remember our hope:
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus by Robert Lowry, 1876.
Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy . . . The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad Psalm 126.
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come againwith rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126.
Do we sow in tears? We shall reap in joy.
Do we continually go forth weeping? We are bearing seed for sowing. We will rejoice again because the Lord is working. He is helping. He is drawing near as we draw near to Him.
“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you Isaiah 46:3,4.
“With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.
“Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels Isaiah 46:5-8.
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’Isaiah 46: 9,10.
From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness.
I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel Isaiah 46:11-13.
Do we hear the voice of the Lord? Do we believe?
“I believe You, Lord.”
Aloud we proclaim Your Word. Our faith in increased. We are being changed.
Unless the LORD builds the house they labor in vain who build it Psalm 127:1.
Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. they shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate Psalm 127.
Moving forward in the Song of Ascents. Psalm 128:
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
Life might be messy, but with the LORD, it will be blessed!
Blessings come in many ways. Often by trial and hardship. They’re the good things that draw me closer and closer to the Lord. The pain brings remembrance of Him:
Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed 1 Peter 2:24.
In this collage of God’s Word and Psalms and hymns, I share encouragement from a Traditional Spiritual written in about 1800, There Is a Balm in Gilead:
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.
If you can’t preach like Peter, If you can’t pray like Paul Just tell the love Jesus, And say He died for all.
Step by step we journey, fixed on the Author and Finisher of our souls. He speaks, . . .
with each step we’ve all been given privilege to choose:
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess Deuteronomy 30: 15,16.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. Deuteronomy 30: 17,18.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.Deut. 30: 19,20.
Who will repeat His Word back to Him in faith and believing: “I chose life, so that me and my children may live. That we might love You, Lord God, and listen to Your voice, and hold fast to You.
For You, Lord are my life, and You give me many years in the land . . .
