Monthly Archives: June 2016

Turning Back on the Day of Battle

10 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                          Psalm 78

Verses 9-16

The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;  

they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.

 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers (NIV).

Reflection

Today’s reading from Psalm 78 discusses the cowardly behavior of the men of Ephraim. Though they were well-armed, they turned back on the day of battle. There are numerous instances in the annals of war, when a superior force was overwhelmed by fighters who were fewer in number, poorly equipped or both. Why does that happen?

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Abandoned armour — David Kitz

Undoubtedly, armchair generals can provide a list of reasons for the poor performance of “superior forces” in a variety of historic battles. In every instance, the psychology or spirit of the troops is a contributing factor to their success or failure in war. In the case of the men of Ephraim, the psalmist tells us they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. How could this forgetfulness lead to defeat in battle?

Actually, Christian men are daily defeated in battle because they refuse to live by God’s commands and they forget that God is all-powerful. Soldiers who do not obey orders can’t be counted on in the day of battle. An army that knows its proud history is likely to rise to the occasion, rather than slink off in retreat. It has often been said that past performance is the best predictor of future results.

In the daily battles of life, how are you performing? Are you keeping God’s covenant and obeying the orders of Jesus, our commander-in-chief? Do you realize He is victorious over death, hell and the grave? He’s no second-class wimp. Compared to our Lord, Satan is the second-class wimp, and when you come under the Lord’s command you are on the winning side; so live like it and act like it. He is the miracle worker. Today, the first miracle He is working on is the transformation of your life and mine. Are you up for the challenge, or like the men of Ephraim will you turn back on the day of battle?

Response: LORD God, today I accept the challenge to follow you with all my mind, heart, soul and strength. Give me ears to hear and obey your commands. I pray in Jesus’ all-powerful name. Amen.

Your Turn: Why is daily obedience so crucial to the advancement of the kingdom of God?

Jerusalem!

09 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Jerusalem, if I forget you,
    let my right hand go limp.
Let my tongue stick
    to the roof of my mouth,
    if I don’t think about you
    above all else (Psalm 137:5-6, CEV).

Rampart Walk- Lois Walker

Greenery growing on the rampart walls of Jerusalem — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow

Reflection

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

Today’s verse from the Psalms highlights the psalmist’s love for Jerusalem. While in captivity in Babylon, he longs to return to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand go limp. Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I don’t think about you above all else (Psalm 137:5-6, CEV).

In this verse the psalmist was expressing his deep-felt desire to return home. We all have a homeland and that desire for home never leaves us. We may grow up and move a thousand miles from home, but that desire to return home—and the imprint of that place of belonging remains with us for a lifetime.

On the spiritual level, we too have a homeland and it’s not defined by national borders. Our true homeland is within the Kingdom of God, which is both here and now, and far beyond and forever.

May I never forget that place of spiritual rebirth—that place of belonging near to the heart of God.

Response: LORD God, my real and forever home is with you. I never want to forget that truth. With my tongue I affirm my citizenship is in your eternal Kingdom. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a citizen of the New Jerusalem? How do you define your citizenship?

Words and Thoughts

08 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

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Crashing waves, Lake Ontario – photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that thoughts and words work together. Kind thoughts will lead to kind words. The same principle applies to angry thoughts. When our thoughts are steeped in jealousy or bitterness, we should not be surprised if the words we speak cut and wound. That’s why David’s prayer in Psalm 19 is so relevant for us today.

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

In Proverbs we read: A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up (Proverbs 15:1). All too often we are the authors of our own troubles. We lash out in anger rather than control our tongue and the result is we unleash a storm that rains down on our own heads.

Most often, words and thoughts that are pleasing to the LORD will also be pleasing to others because they reflect concern and compassion, rather than just our own self-interest.

Response: LORD God, I want my words and thoughts to be pleasing to you. Help me to consider others before myself just as Jesus taught us to do. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you like me? Do you think too much about yourself and too little about others?

Online Comments

07 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies (Psalm 5:9, CEV).

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Dark Clouds Advancing – photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

If you want a grim and bitter view of the world, spend a few minutes reading the comments people post in response to online news stories. For the most part, the comments section is where trolls and hatemongers thrive like bacteria on rotting hamburger. A kind or thoughtful word is rarely seen. All too often this description from the Psalms applies.

Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies (Psalm 5:9, CEV).

There is a cure for this spiteful online negativity. The apostle Paul provides an answer. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Right thinking leads to right, friendly and proper words online and in person.

Response: LORD God, I want to fill my mind with thoughts of compassion, faith and truth, so that the words I speak and write bring joy, encouragement and healing. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you read or respond to negative online comments? Are you able to stay positive and respectful?

Swords instead of Tongues

06 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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I live among lions, who gobble down people! They have spears and arrows instead of teeth, and they have sharp swords instead of tongues (Psalm 57:4, CEV).

D Adam Abandoned

Abandoned Farmyard – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

What is the most destructive organ of the human body? Some might think it’s the clenched fist. But the fist clenches in response to what the tongue says. The tongue is the force that unleashes the fist and the guns of war. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this truth.

I live among lions, who gobble down people! They have spears and arrows instead of teeth, and they have sharp swords instead of tongues (Psalm 57:4, CEV).

Spears and arrows are set in motion by the tongue. James reminds us of the fearsome power of the tongue. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person’s entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself (James 3:5-6).

We desperately need to gain control of our tongues.

Response: LORD God, through the power of your Holy Spirit I set a guard on my lips. Help me to use my tongue to bring goodness, truth and encouragement today. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you often regret the words you speak? Do you need to clean up your conversation? Has God helped you gain control of your tongue?

Tell the Next Generation

03 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph.

Verses 1-8

My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 78 begins with a simple imperative statement: My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

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The next generation — photo by David Kitz

Hearing and listening are very simple commands. There is nothing particularly difficult about hearing or listening. But… but it seems most of humanity’s problems stem from not hearing or listening. Most marital breakdowns come as a result of a refusal to listen to one another. Intergenerational conflict results from a breakdown in communication. One party may be speaking, but the other party isn’t listening. Even on the international stage, when nations refuse to talk to one another, the next step is usually war.

Why do we stop listening or hearing? Is it because we don’t like what the other person is saying? How does that affect our relationship with God? Have we stopped listening to His voice because we don’t like what He says? Have we stopped listening to the voice of our conscience? Good listening starts with listening to the LORD. When our children stop listening to us we have a problem. Have we in turn listened to them? Telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD starts with us hearing and really listening to God. Our children are so very important to us. But it all starts with the LORD. He has something to say to you today. Are you listening?

Response: LORD God, today give me ears to hear what your Spirit is saying to me. I want a listening heart. Help me to really hear the others in my family and workplace. Thanks for listening to me. Amen.

Your Turn: At times I have not listened to God. How about you? How do we change?

Even While I Sleep

02 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

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Koi fish in a roadside canal. Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that God never sleeps. Because the LORD never sleeps, we should be able to take our needed rest in peace. Today’s verse from the Psalms affirms that truth.

It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

We live in a high stress world. There are so many demands on our time and energy. It’s so easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing with no time for sleep, rest or relaxation.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that God works while I sleep. The garden grows while I sleep. Answers come while I sleep. Troubles melt away while I sleep, because God takes care of his own. My anxious ways hint at a lack of faith on my part.

Response: LORD God, I place my troubles and concerns in your hands. I am so glad that you work the night shift so that I can enjoy my rest. I trust you to care for me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do worries keep you awake at times? Do you need reminders that God takes care of his own?

He Won’t Go to Sleep

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

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Moss covered bowl, Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Though we need sleep, God does not. As today’s verse from the Psalms makes clear, He is the God who never sleeps.

The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

Nothing illustrates this truth quite like the story of when the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Under the sway of Queen Jezebel Israel was divided about which god they should serve, Baal or the LORD. Elijah proposed that the god who answers with fire is the true God who is worthy of worship.

The prophets of Baal were given the first opportunity to have their god ignite their sacrifice. When Baal did not answer the entreaties of his priests, Elijah mocked them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up” (1 Kings 18:27, CEV).

Elijah doused his sacrifice with water and when he prayed the LORD answered with fire from heaven that consumed even the stones of the altar. Hallelujah!

Our God is alive! He is awake! He never sleeps!

Response: LORD God, I thank you that you are my protector. You surround me with your ever-present care. Because you never sleep, I can always call on you. Amen.

Your Turn: What do the LORD’s constant care and protection mean for you?