Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz
The Rock where I am safe
24 Sunday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Author Archives: davidkitz
I Will Answer
23 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz
“When you are in trouble,
call out to me.
I will answer and be there
to protect and honor you.
You will live a long life
and see my saving power.”
(Psalm 91:15-16, CEV)
He Rejected Israel Completely
22 Friday Jul 2016
Reading: Psalm 78
Verses 56-64
But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.
Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.
They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
When God heard them, he was furious;
he rejected Israel completely.
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among humans.
He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
He gave his people over to the sword;
he was furious with his inheritance.
Fire consumed their young men,
and their young women had no wedding songs;
their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep (NIV).
Reflection
Sin has consequences. We can pretend it isn’t so, but we’re fooling ourselves. Unchecked sin on a personal level can have devastating consequences—consequences that lead to heartache and an early grave. I think we all know individuals who became trapped in sin and wandered down a self-destructive path.
Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
Today’s reading from Psalm 78 reminds us that a whole nation can abandon God and become mired in the consequences of sin. The nation of Israel did just that. The psalmist tells us they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.
When Israel abandoned God, He in turn abandoned them. We read, “He rejected Israel completely. He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans. He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy. He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.”
Has God changed? If the LORD abandoned His people in ancient times, will He treat our nation—any nation that turns away from Him differently today? There are consequences for sin and that truth applies to nations too. When collectively we abandon the ways of God and the precepts He has established from the foundations of the world, we can expect dire days ahead. That’s what happened to ancient Israel, and it can happen to us today as well.
Response: LORD God, collectively as a nation, we have wandered away from you. LORD in your mercy lead us back to the center of your holy will. Give us repentant hearts that seek your face. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you concerned about the spiritual state of your nation? What are you doing about it?
From Tears to Celebration
21 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
celebrate, celebration, God, harvest, Malala, Malala Yousafza, Suffering, tears
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).
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 in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
You are the LORD’s people!
So celebrate and praise the only God (Psalm 97:12, CEV).
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 in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth
Tags
advertising industry, celebrate, celebration, God, Jesus, Safeway, salvation, the LORD, worshipers
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).
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 in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Tags
celebrate, celebration, eternal life, God, kindness, resurrection, 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).
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?
If you love me
17 Sunday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tags
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz
The Lord says,
“If you love me
and truly know who I am,
I will rescue you
and keep you safe.”
(Psalm 91:14, CEV)
Your Fortress
16 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz
The LORD Most High
is your fortress.
Run to him for safety,
and no terrible disasters
will strike you
or your home.
(Psalm 91:9-10, CEV)
God’s Choice
15 Friday Jul 2016
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?
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?
