Monthly Archives: April 2016

My Soul is a Desert

15 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

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Rideau River, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

As I searched about my repertoire of pictures, I realized I don’t have any desert photos to go with today’s verse from the Psalms.  

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

While I don’t have desert pictures, my soul has walked through desert places—lifeless places where faith and hope are dry and shriveled or absent entirely. If we have walked with the Lord for any length of time, we undoubtedly have experience periods of dryness. They are times when we need to call out to God in prayer.

Though we hate to admit it, we may need times of dryness. We need the desert experience so our roots grow deep—so we seek God with a sense of urgency—a true thirst for Him.

The good news is there are streams of water that flow from the Lord. Jesus announced, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say” (John 7:37-38, CEV).

Response: Lord Jesus, give me that life-giving water. I want to become a fountain of blessing for those around me. I put my faith in you. You are my source—the wellspring of life. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you gone through desert places? Did you meet Jesus there?

Like a River

14 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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You give your guests a feast
    in your house,
    and you serve a tasty drink
    that flows like a river.
The life-giving fountain
    belongs to you,
    and your light gives light
    to each of us (Psalm 36:8-9, CEV).

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Tay River, Perth, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

Today’s verse from the Psalms seems almost too beautiful to be true. It speaks of food, drink and sweet fellowship in God’s house.

You give your guests a feast in your house, and you serve a tasty drink that flows like a river. The life-giving fountain belongs to you, and your light gives light to each of us (Psalm 36:8-9, CEV).

Part of me wants to park these verses in the sweet by and by, up in heaven somewhere someday. But the context of Psalm 36 does not warrant that interpretation. In other words don’t put off till heaven what is available today.

The LORD has a feast prepared for us now in His house. He has a river of delights that we can drink from today. We have access to His life-giving fountain now. His light shines on the path set before us, so now we know the way to walk.

We are God’s guests. Let’s accept His invitation!

Response: LORD God, thank you for all the good things you have prepared for us—for me. You are so good! Meet me now in prayer through the shed blood of your Son. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you put off till heaven what is available today?

Thirsty Land

13 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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When your land was thirsty, you sent showers to refresh it (Psalm 68:9, CEV).

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Refreshing Showers — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

Yesterday, I read about a scientific report that indicated a severe drought over a large region can cause the earth to wobble on its axis. It seems the earth gets tipsy when the land hasn’t had enough to drink.

As urban dwellers many of us have lost our connection with the land, but farmers know the value of adequate rain in the right season. Our food supply depends on it. To put it simply, water is life.

In a very real sense God not only quenches our thirst; He also quenches the thirsty land. We see this truth reflected in the Psalms.

When your land was thirsty, you sent showers to refresh it (Psalm 68:9, CEV).

We can be thankful for the showers God sends our way. Without them this wobbly world would quickly become a place of desperate hunger.

Response: LORD God, I am wonderful at complaining about the weather, rather than being thankful for it. You sustain life on this planet. I want to be thankful for how you provide. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you gripe about the weather? (Who doesn’t?) Do you want a more positive attitude?

No Signs from God

12 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalm 74, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 74

Verses 9-17

We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.

It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter (NIV).

Reflection

Do you watch for road signs? I’m inclined to say yes, of course I do. But if I am traveling through a familiar neighborhood or to a familiar location, I pay very little attention to road signs. After all, I know where I am going and how to get there. But put me in unfamiliar territory without a GPS, and the situation changes dramatically. I am hunting for road signs like a hungry hawk hunts for field mice. Every sign is spotted well in advance; the details are read and repeated to cement them into my memory. Landmarks and the appearance of the terrain are memorized for future reference. I do all this because I don’t like being lost.

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River Ice Chandelier — photo by David Kitz

In our reading from Psalm 74, the psalmist finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The nation has been invaded and the enemy has desecrated the temple. This is an enormous loss. But beyond the loss, there appears to be no way forward. The psalmist laments, “We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, God?”

When I am lost, I watch for signs. But in this situation God gave no signs. After the psalmist pours out his complaint before God, he does not stay there. He goes on to recall the miraculous works of God. He reminds God of His interventions into the affairs of humankind. He makes this bold personal declaration, “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.”

As we pray for our nation, we would do well to pattern our prayers on Psalm 74.

Response: LORD God, you see the sins of our nation. Bring us back to you. You are the Almighty God. You do not change. Bring your salvation on the earth even as you did long ago. You are my King. Amen.

Your Turn: Why is it helpful to recall God’s mighty deeds in your life?

Thirsty for God

11 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

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Flowing Streams — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

Our bodies crave water. That’s only natural since our bodies are over 90% water. We can go more than 60 days without food, but only about 10 days without water.

The question I have for you is how long can you go without God? How long can you go without communicating with Him? How long can you go without hearing from God? The psalmist had a constant craving for God.

As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

As I am writing this post, I occasionally  pause to take a sip of water. In the same way we should routinely find our hearts and minds turning to the Lord. Prayer and open communication with the Lord should be as natural for us as that sip of coffee or whatever beverage you crave.

In my heart I am thirsty for you, the living God. Can you say the same? I hope so.

Response: LORD God, give me a constant craving for you. I want to speak to you and hear from you. Be an essential of life for me, just like that thirsty deer. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a desire to hear from God and be close to Him?

Sweet Satisfaction!

08 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope (Psalm 22:26, CEV).

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Hidden Cove, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

We hunger to be satisfied. That’s what hunger is all about, a desire to be satisfied. A full belly and a contented heart fit together like bacon and eggs or toast and jam. 

Satisfaction and contentment are at the core of today’s verse from the Psalms.

The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope (Psalm 22:26, CEV).

When our needs are met, worship and gratitude become the natural outflow from a contented heart. We experience inner peace because we dwell in hope. The God who has satisfied our needs in the past will continue to do just that in the future. There is a sweet satisfaction in knowing the ongoing faithfulness of God.

Response: LORD God, I set my eyes on you. You have been more than faithful. Daily you have satisfied the desires of my heart. I give you thanks because you are good. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you content with the goodness God has shown to you?

The Self-Sufficiency of God

07 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you, because I own the world and everything in it (Psalm 50:12, CEV).

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Spring high water, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

Here’s some breaking news: God doesn’t need you. Yes, you read that correctly. I repeat. God does not need you. He can get along fine without your help. We may desperately need God, but let’s not delude ourselves into thinking that the Maker of the universe needs our help. He is the totally self-sufficient One.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God has no needs.

If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you, because I own the world and everything in it (Psalm 50:12, CEV).

We experience hunger because we need food. God has no such need. We experience loneliness because we need companionship. God has no so such need. We experience sadness because we need comfort due to loss. God has no such need. But in His great mercy God supplies food for the hungry, love for the lonely and comfort for the downhearted.

In all this we see the grace of God expressed to humanity—to you and me. From His great sufficiency He floods my soul with all I need.

Oh, the wonder of God’s love and grace!

Response: LORD God, you are the God of more than enough. Thank you for the abundance of your grace shown to me through the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God need you or does He want you? 

Food to the Hungry

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

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Ottawa River as seen from Greens Creek Point — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

Our Lord taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

As I think over my life, I can’t think of a single day when that prayer has not been answered. In other words, the Lord has had an unbroken record of faithfulness. I have never gone to bed hungry except by my own choice. 

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is the one who daily supplies our needs.

He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

The Lord’s provision goes beyond physical needs. As the psalmist declares, the LORD also provides justice and sets prisoners free. Worry often holds me as a prisoner. What about you?

But when I consider the LORD’s faithfulness, there is no place left for worry. He banishes hunger along with worry. We have this assurance: God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19, CEV).

Response: LORD God, thank you for your daily provision of good things. You have been more than faithful. My heart overflows with thanks for your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God been faithful in providing for you? Has He come through for you?

Our Land Has Been Invaded

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalm 74, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 74

A maskil of Asaph.

O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
Remember the nation you purchased long ago,
the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.
They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.
They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.
They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!”
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land (NIV).

Reflection

This is a psalm that was born in a time of disaster and distress. The enemies of the people of God had triumphed. In reality Psalm 74 begins as a lament as the psalmist calls out to God with these words. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

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Mamma Spider, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Foreign armies had invaded the land. Not only had they attacked the people of God, they had desecrated God’s sanctuary. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

It may be hard for many of us to imagine the destruction of war and the invasion of our country by foreign forces. But on the spiritual level our land has already been invaded and the attacks on the sanctuaries of God are unrelenting.

Take a walk or a drive about any large city in Canada and you will see abandoned church buildings. Some have been turned into concert halls or night clubs. Today this statement describes our present reality. Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.

Sadly, in many places the standard of the cross has been replaced by standards of hedonism and human pride. This would be easier to fathom if this was the work of some sinister foreign power, but in reality our own people who have turned their backs on God and instead embraced the gods of this world.

God have mercy on our land.

Response: LORD God, help us to become agents of change in our land. We want people throughout this country to turn to you in repentance and faith. Open their eyes to their need and your reality. Amen.

Your Turn: What will it take to awaken our nation to God?

My Supplier

04 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat (Psalm 107:9, CEV).

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Evening Silhouette

 

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hunger.

Hunger comes in many forms. As the day progresses at various times I am hungry. At times I may even think I am starving. Of course this is nonsense. After a week without food I might get down to a more healthy weight, but even then I would not be starving. True starvation is more than missing a mid afternoon snack. Most of us have lost touch with the true meaning of hunger.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is the one who satisfies our hunger.

To everyone who is thirsty, he gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, he gives good things to eat (Psalm 107:9, CEV).

Our greatest hunger may not be for food. We may be most hungry for love or acceptance, inner peace or forgiveness. Whatever your need, bring it to God. He is the suppler of every good thing.

Response: LORD God, thank you for being my supplier. Every good and perfect gift comes from you. I give thanks for your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: What is your greatest need today? Will God be your supplier?