Author Archives: davidkitz

Discouraged?

03 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope (Psalm 34:18, CEV).

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Petrie Island, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Here is a personal confession, or maybe it’s just a pet peeve. I get annoyed with people who casually say, “If you need help, I’m there for you.” But when your hour of need arrives these same people are busy or unavailable.

The phrase, “I’m there for you,” makes me nervous. I won’t say it to others because I can’t predict my situation or response when the call for help comes. I may offer help, but I hate to promise something and then renege because I can’t deliver at that time or in the desired way.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that there is someone we can always count on in trying times:

The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope (Psalm 34:18, CEV).

Unlike human help that is fickle or unpredictable, we can count on the LORD. He is always there. Always. He is always there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. If you are in that situation today, call out to Him. He is there for you!

Response: LORD God, you have helped me in the past during times of frustration and discouragement. You rescued me from drowning in my sorrows. I trust you now. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God “been there for you?” How has He helped you?

Trapped?

02 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap (Psalm 25:15, CEV).

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Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

I got some disappointing news this week. A Christian brother that I meet with regularly confessed to being involved in an adulterous relationship. Actually, that’s the good news. Confession brings sin into the light where it can be dealt with appropriately. Now comes the heavy lifting—seeking forgiveness from his wife and restoration in his marriage. Sin always has unwanted, hurtful consequences.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is there to rescue us from the traps we walk into with our eyes wide open:

I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap (Psalm 25:15, CEV).

But I have to wonder, why are so many Christian brothers trapped in ongoing adulterous relationships? Why are so many outwardly godly men addicted to pornography? Yes, there are traps all around us, but why are some individuals able to avoid the traps while others routinely blunder into them?

Maybe the greatest rescue the Lord initiates is the preventive rescue. He rescues a man or woman from ever engaging in an affair. He rescues us from giving in to the lure of pornography. He keeps us faithful to our marriage vows. Now that’s the best rescue of all!

Maybe it all depends on where we are looking. Are we looking to the Lord or looking at the lures?

Response: LORD God, I want to fix my eyes and my heart on you. Help me to stay faithful to my marriage vows. Guide me around the traps in my path. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you fixed your eyes and heart on the Lord? Is a course correction needed?

When His People Pray

01 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles (Psalm 34:17, CEV).

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Petrie Island, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Have you ever needed rescuing? I recall hanging suspended upside down with my car on its roof in a snow-covered ditch. When you are in that position you see things from a different perspective. It’s not difficult in such times to find yourself crying out to God. On such occasions, today’s verse from the Psalms has special meaning:

When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles  (Psalm 34:17, CEV).

Yes, God did send someone to rescue me and my wife. In fact, we drove our flipped over car back into town that evening with no visible damage. The LORD does a good job of rescuing us from our troubles. On the other hand, do we do a good job of praying?

When I listen to a newscast, I can’t help but conclude that our world is in a huge amount of trouble. We need a God—a Savior—who will step in and rescue use from the mess we have created. And while we are at it, let’s stop this nonsense of blaming God for the disasters, hate and discord that we have created. We simply need God to rescue us from our troubles—the troubles we have set in motion.

Response: LORD God, this world is a mess. There are desperate people all over this world that need you to step in and rescue them. Please do that today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: Take a specific trouble and bring it before God today. Watch for answers in the days ahead.

He Chose David

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 78

Verses 65-72

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
He beat back his enemies;
he put them to everlasting shame.
Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loved.
He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth that he established forever.
He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;
from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them (NIV).

Reflection

Up to this point Psalm 78 has catalogued a long list of Israel’s transgressions. They have been a stubborn and rebellious people who have been unfaithful to the LORD. They have been unfaithful despite His mercy and the miracles He has performed on their behalf. Now this final portion of the psalm represents a turning point in the history of the nation.

Lyle Johnson

Lanark Highlands, ON — photo courtesy of Lyle Johnson

Once again, the LORD intervened in the affairs of Israel. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.

God chose a man; He chose a leader. Often the LORD chooses the most unlikely candidates for leadership. He did not go to the palace; He went to the sheep pen. He overlooked Jonathan, the courageous royal son of Saul, and instead He called out David, the youngest son of Jesse—a man after God’s own heart.

What does God consider when He looks for a leader? When selecting the next king, the prophet Samuel was told, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The LORD is not looking for physical strength or a handsome face, but he is looking for integrity of heart.

That should give hope to every one of us. I cannot change my stature or significantly alter my appearance, but through repentance and faith I can change the condition of my heart.

Response: LORD God, I want a heart of integrity—a heart that is pleasing to you. Help me to become an instrument that you will use for your good purpose in this strife-torn world. Amen.

Your Turn: Can we change our hearts or is that God’s job? What role do we play?

From Every Nation and Race

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you. You perform great wonders because you alone are God (Psalm 86:9-10, CEV).

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Stained glass Llewelyn United Church, SK — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Though as followers of the Lord Jesus we may go through difficult and discouraging times we can draw strength from this thought: God is in control and He will triumph in the end. Though at present the world may be in turmoil, the day is coming when the Prince of Peace will return. Today’s verse from the Psalms reflects this truth.

You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you.
You perform great wonders because you alone are God (Psalm 86:9-10, CEV).

God sent his son to suffer and die to take away the sins of the World. But on the third day God raised Jesus from the dead. Now that’s a great wonder! But I’m not sure which is a greater wonder, the resurrection of Jesus, or God’s love for the likes of you and me?

There is a thought that brings me great peace. Our great Redeemer will bring His elect people together from every nation. That’s the promise of His word.

Then they sang a new song, “You [Jesus] are worthy to receive the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed. And with your own blood you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race” (Revelation 5:9).

Response: LORD God, what a wonderful hope we have in you. The day is coming when we will all bow down to worship and honor you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you glad that we will be unified around the throne of God?

Wonder Worker

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked (Psalm 9:1, CEV).

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Moonlight on Lake Ontario — photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

Has God worked wonders in your life? God certainly has worked wonders when we consider the glories of creation. But has God worked wonders for you personally. Has He answered your prayers in marvelous or miraculous ways?

David, who wrote this psalm, certainly had many good reasons to praise the LORD. Notice his exuberant call to worship:

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked (Psalm 9:1, CEV).

God was with the shepherd boy David as he slew a lion and a bear. Later God was with him as he took down the fearsome giant Goliath. Then David went on to win battle after battle against the Philistines. As David stepped forward in faith, the LORD was working wonders on his behalf.

On a personal level we can’t fully know the wonders of God until we take steps of faith—risky steps of faith. Jesus invited Peter to step out of a boat and onto the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee. Peter experienced the wonders of God as he took those few hesitant steps. Will we dare to do the same if Jesus calls us?

Response: LORD God, give me faith to see you as you are—a wonder worker. You have done and continue to great and marvelous things. Help me to hear your voice and follow you. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord worked a wonder in your life?

Open my mind

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).

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Cobourg, ON — photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

Yesterday’s post focused on the wonders of God as seen in creation. The sky declares His glory. But today’s focus is on the wonders of God’s word. Here is the psalmist’s prayer:

Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).

The Law in this case is not simply referring to the Ten Commandments or the other precepts in the Jewish ceremonial and civil law. The Law in this verse refers to all of the inspired word of God, which for Christians includes all of the Old and New Testament.

There are wonders to be discovered in the pages of your Bible. Have you established a daily routine that includes reading the word of God? To discover the wonders of God’s word, we need to be immersing ourselves in God’s word, and as we do we do that we need to pray for a mind that is open to what God is saying to us. God’s word becomes wonderful as it is applied. Only then will it transform and give meaning to our lives.

Response: LORD God, today I want to open my mind to your word. Speak to me through it. I want to be a doer of your word. Help me make life changing discoveries in the Bible. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a habit of reading God’s word? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you recently through the pages of your Bible?

Telling the Wonders of God

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done (Psalm 19:1, CEV).

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The heavens declare the glory of God — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Does God exist? The answer is written in the sky. In essence that’s what David the shepherd king is saying as he begins Psalm 19.

The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done (Psalm 19:1, CEV).

At night the starry hosts announce God’s glory. Each morning the sun rises in glorious splendor to declare the goodness of the LORD. Towering clouds and thunderstorms reveal His awesome power. God is robed in the grandeur of the setting sun.

Through all these daily occurrences, God is speaking—speaking from the heavens. And He is speaking across the whole earth to every nation, tribe and people group. The daily panorama unfolding in the sky bares witness to the wonder-filled reality of God our Creator.

Are you hearing the voice of God? Have you opened your eyes to see His wonders? He is far closer than you think.

Response: LORD God, I want to see your wonders today. I want to hear you speaking to me through the natural world that you created. Give me ears to hear your voice. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God speak to you through the beauty of nature?