Monthly Archives: July 2016

From Tears to Celebration

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

We cried on the way to plant our seeds,
    but we will celebrate and shout
    as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

396

Newly planted rice stalks, Nagoya, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

All those who like tears and suffering, please raise your hand. Did your hand shoot up in response to that request? No, you say. Well, if it’s any consolation, I didn’t raise my hand. Tears, pain and suffering are things I avoid at all cost. But strange as it may seem some of the greatest human triumphs come directly from experiencing suffering or loss.

On October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai was taken off a school bus and shot in the head by the Taliban for the ‘sin’ of seeking an education. But miraculously she survived. Despite tears and pain she has gone on to promote education for girls and win the Nobel Prize.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that cries of anguish often precede shouts of celebration.

We cried on the way to plant our seeds, but we will celebrate and shout as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

If you are suffering now, take heart. God is well able to turn your sorrow into joy. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5, NIV).

Response: LORD God, I know my tears are not wasted. You value even my suffering. Work good out of those things that bring me pain. I will celebrate the victories you bring. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you suffering at the present time? Do you believe God hears your cries?

The only God

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

You are the LORD’s people!
    So celebrate and praise the only God (Psalm 97:12, CEV).

d-adam

Celebrate God’s goodness — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

One of our greatest needs is a need for belonging. We need to belong to something or someone. For many, family is the primary source for fulfilling that need. But people also join churches, service clubs and a whole host of worthwhile organizations. On the negative side of the equation, criminal gangs prey on outcasts because of their innate need to belong.

God placed within in us this desire to belong. His desire is that we come to the realization that we belong to Him. He made us and redeemed us. Today’s verse from the Psalms reflects this truth:

You are the LORD’s people! So celebrate and praise the only God (Psalm 97:12, CEV).

Jesus taught us that first and foremost God is not our enemy or our judge. He is our loving heavenly Father. He wants us to be part of His great human family. He loves and cares for us more deeply than any human parent could. So take some time right now to celebrate and praise the only God, who loves you with an everlasting love.

Response: LORD God, thank you for loving me and welcoming me into your family. Heavenly Father, I love you. I belong to you; I am yours. I celebrate your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: To whom do you belong? Do you belong to the LORD?

Your Saving Power

19 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Let your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of you. They love your saving power, so let them always say, “God is wonderful!” (Psalm 70:4, CEV).

574

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Many years ago I saw a sign in front of an urban church which read, “Jesus saves!” The grocery store down the street countered with the slogan, “Safeway saves you more!”

So who has more saving power, the gods of merchandise or the God of the universe? The advertising industry certainly works hard at getting us to part with our money. Do you realize that right now, for a limited time you could save $300 on that deluxe barbecue? But here’s an even better saving option. You could save $700 by not giving into that barbecued temptation.

I love the saving that the LORD promotes, because He saves me from my greedy self. We can celebrate that kind of saving, because it’s genuine and personally transforming. It changes us at the core.

Let your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of you. They love your saving power, so let them always say, “God is wonderful!” (Psalm 70:4, CEV).

God is wonderful because through Jesus, He gives us exactly what we need—a Savior.

Response: LORD God, thank you for saving me from being trapped in my sins. Change me from day to day so that I become more like your son, Jesus. I celebrate your love. Amen.

Your Turn: What is wonderful about God’s saving power for you?

A Lifetime of Celebration!

18 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate (Psalm 30:5, CEV).

555

Joy comes in the morning — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Last evening I got a call from my sister informing me that my aunt had passed away. Aunt Lizzy lived to the grand old age of 104. Right to the end, she was full wit and wisdom. She was always ready with a warm smile for all who greeted her. She lived a remarkable life—a life that was immersed in the kindness of God.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reflects on the kindness of the LORD.

Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate (Psalm 30:5, CEV).

There is the strong hint of eternity in this verse. After a lifetime spent experiencing God’s kindness, there comes the dark night of death, but when morning comes we will celebrate our resurrection in the presence of Jesus. That is the great hope of every believer. Though we may suffer for a season, we will celebrate for eternity.

Response: LORD God, I thank you for the godly men and women, who have gone to glory ahead of me. Thanks for the glorious hope of resurrection and eternal celebration with you. Amen.

Your Turn: Would you like to live to 104 or beyond? Can we fully comprehend everlasting life?

God’s Choice

15 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Reading:                                      Psalm 78

Verses 50-55

He prepared a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.
He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes (NIV).

Reflection

Understanding God’s choice is not a simple matter. Today’s reading from Psalm 78 draws our attention to the choices God makes. Why did God choose the people of Israel? Why did He decide to get behind this rebellious people? Why did the LORD throw His active support behind a slave revolt? Why did He show mercy to Israel, but pour out His wrath on Egypt?

D Adam Lake

Sunset — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Of course we can ask the same questions on a personal level. Why did God choose to save me from my personal pile of sin and destructive habits? Why did He show me the incredible love of Jesus through his death on the cross? Why did the message of the gospel touch me so deeply and transform me so radically, while it bounced off others around me like a babble of meaningless words?

We may never know the answers to these questions. What I do know is that God did not choose the best and the greatest when He chose Israel. Furthermore, at this present time, God overlooked the best and the greatest and instead He chose you and me. St. Paul writes, “My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, CEV).

Later the apostle, Paul, writes, “The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Why does the light go on for some, but not for others? We could spend an eternity pondering these questions and not arrive at a satisfactory answer. Ultimately, we must allow God to be God. We did not choose Him, but rather He first chose us and for that we can be eternally grateful.

Response: LORD God, I am thankful that your Spirit sought me out and drew me to the cross of Jesus. I bow before you in praise and gratitude. I pray that you will show the same mercy to many others. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you understand God’s sovereign choice? How do you respond?

God Struck the Rock

14 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

“It’s true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?” (Psalm 78:20, CEV).

IMG_20160702_192223

Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

There’s an old saying about how it’s hard to get blood from a stone. But according to today’s verse from the Psalms, God is very good at getting water from a rock.

“It’s true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?”(Psalm 78:20, CEV).

This quote from the Psalms refers to the time when the people of Israel were without water in the Sinai Desert. The LORD gave Moses these instructions, “I will be there with you. Strike the rock with the stick, and water will pour out for the people to drink.” Moses did this while the leaders watched (Exodus 17:6).

St. Paul tells us the true significance of the rock that was struck in the wilderness. All of them also ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed from the spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Jesus is the rock that was struck on our behalf and from him gushes living water that will bring eternal life. He said, “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).

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus, the eternal living rock. Through his shed blood I have everlasting life. Jesus, you are my water of life. Amen.

Your Turn: Is Jesus the rock of your salvation?

Words and Thoughts

13 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

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

IMG_20160702_191927

Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Words and thoughts belong together. Thoughts produce words and words produce thoughts. Thoughts and words are the legs of our intellect. They are the means by which we move ideas and events forward. The world becomes a better place, when our words and thoughts are sourced in God. For that reason we should pray that the Holy Spirit would guide our every word and thought. That was David’s prayer in Psalm 19.

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

Our goal in life should be to please the LORD. Just as a young child wants to please its parent, so our daily desire should be to please the LORD. As my parents protected me as a child, so the LORD protects me now. He is the rock-solid strength that I need.

Response: LORD God, today I want to please you. When angry thoughts come, be my peace. When cruel words are spoken, be my comfort. I want to think as you think, Lord, and speak as you speak. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to keep your words and thoughts pleasing to the LORD?

Safe on top of a mighty Rock

12 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock (Psalm 27:5, CEV).

IMG_20160702_191846

Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Here is an Encarta Dictionary definition for the word precarious. Precarious: 1. unsafe, dangerously unstable, unsteady, uncertain, or insecure. 2. not well founded, based on uncertain premises or unwarranted assumptions.

The rock sculptures of John Ceprano, as seen in the photo above, are a vivid picture of the word precarious. The rocks are delicately balanced. Setting them in these positions takes deft precision, incredible skill and a great deal of patience. On the evening when I took this photo, John was working on a new balanced sculpture. Three times it collapsed in a jumbled heap.

John’s rock sculptures remind me of this verse from the Psalms:

In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock (Psalm 27:5, CEV).

This verse seems like it contains a contradiction. On the one hand it says the LORD will hide and protect me in His tent. But within in that tent He will keep me safe on top of a mighty rock. It’s hard to hide on top of a rock.

There is nothing precarious about my life if it is hid in God—if it’s safe within His tent. There I can stand on top of my mighty Rock.

Response: LORD God, I’m thankful for the security I have in you. Troubles may come, but I am safe within you. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you view your salvation? Are you safe or precarious?