Category Archives: Thursday’s Thought

Even While I Sleep

02 Thursday Jun 2016

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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?

City of Peace

26 Thursday May 2016

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Your home is on Mount Zion in the city of peace (Psalm 76:2, CEV).

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Koranke, Japan — a place of peace — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Do you dwell in a city of peace? Cities can be places of violence and crime. But we all want peace and security. Today’s verse from the Psalms speaks about God’s city of peace.

Your home is on Mount Zion in the city of peace (Psalm 76:2, CEV).

Where God is there is peace. If you and I have been reconciled with God, we have the peace of Christ in our hearts. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NIV).

God’s city of peace is more than a geographic location where there is no conflict. We can experience the peace of God because Jesus has brought us peace with God by wiping away our sins. Jesus’ peace surpasses anything the world has to offer because it comes from beyond this world.

Will you take some time today to bask in that peace?

Response: LORD God, I thank you today for the peace that Jesus purchased for me on the cross. I can be at rest because my guilt is gone and my eternity is secure in your city of peace. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to maintain the peace of Christ in your life?

A Fortress of Praise

19 Thursday May 2016

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With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

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Prairie Moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the word fortress.

The idea of building a fortress with praise seems completely illogical. How can praises build a fortress? But that’s what today’s verse from the Psalms states:

With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

Furthermore, this fortress is not built with the praises of men, but rather with the praises of children and infants. The simple innocence and wisdom of children often confounds the philosophers and experts of the day. It was children who hailed Jesus as the messianic Son of David, while the chief priests and teachers of the Law scoffed at him (Matthew 21:14-16).

Praising the Lord fortifies our spirit against the attacks of the enemy. And it doesn’t take a genius to apply that truth.

Response: LORD God, I want to build a fortress of praise. There is no one as holy, loving and powerful as you. I give this day, my life and my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do children often grasp the truths of God more easily than adults?

Victory for the Humble

12 Thursday May 2016

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The LORD is pleased with his people, and he gives victory to those who are humble (Psalm 149:4, CEV).

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Sunset shores — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Do you hang on to promises? A promise of help from a friend can give you hope in the midst of dark days.

Today’s verse from the Psalms is a promise from the LORD.

The LORD is pleased with his people, and he gives victory to those who are humble (Psalm 149:4, CEV).

Like many promises, this promise from the LORD is not open-ended. It has certain limitations. It is limited to the people of God—His children born of the Spirit. The second limiting factor is humility. The humble can claim this promise as their own. The proud need not apply.

Are you a humble child of God? Then hold on, victory will come. You have solid grounds for hope. The LORD will be true to His promises.

Response: LORD God, thank you for your promise of help and victory for the humble. Help me to maintain a posture of humility before you. I am your child by faith. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you hang on to God’s promises? Has He come through for you?

Valleys as Dark as Death

05 Thursday May 2016

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I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe (Psalm 23:4, CEV).

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The Ottawa Valley viewed from the Champlain Lookout, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

All of us have experienced dark days. And we will experience such days again in the future. Death is a reality that ultimately we all must face. But even in that dark moment, there is good news. We do not need to face death alone. Jesus, the Good Shepherd walks through that valley with us.

I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe (Psalm 23:4, CEV).

As people of faith we can face death courage. Death is merely the portal to eternal life with Jesus. He is our redeemer, who with great courage stared death in the face and  then emerged  victorious on the other side.

I will fear no evil because Jesus, my companion, walks with me.

Response: LORD God, I can walk with confidence through dark days because you are with me. I feel safe because your shepherd’s rod protects me from all harm. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you see the shepherd’s rod as a rod of protection?

We Will Triumph

28 Thursday Apr 2016

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With God we will triumph; he’s the one who will trample our adversaries (Psalm 60:10, CEV).

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Early spring cycling triumph — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Who are my adversaries? I think that’s a very important question to ask before I head off to battle. If I don’t know who or what I am fighting, how can I properly prepare? How can I advance against my enemies, when I know nothing about them? I might meet up with my foes and join their side by mistake.

I think many Christian believers find themselves in this situation. In many cases our enemies are not physical humans, but temptations, ideas and philosophies that draw us away from God. The first enemy that must be defeated often resides within. Wrong thinking and crippling habits keep us from achieving God’s will.

Our first concern needs to be our relationship with the Lord.

With God we will triumph; he’s the one who will trample our adversaries (Psalm 60:10, CEV).

The first fight we must win is against the enemy within. When we give the Lord Jesus full control, victory is sure to follow. He’s the one who will trample our adversaries. 

Response: LORD God, help me to identify the adversaries that war against my soul. I want to live in the victory you already won for me through the cross and the resurrection. Amen.

Your Turn: Are there thoughts and habits you need to overcome? Have you taken them to the Lord?

Forgetting and Remembering

21 Thursday Apr 2016

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Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

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Treed Flood Plain, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

How can God forget? He knows everything. He knows everything I have done and everything I will do, before it has even entered my mind. The petition prayed here in Psalm 25 must be doomed to fail.

Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

Strange as it may seem God can be forgetful. When we repent of our sins, He chooses to forget that those sins ever happened. But don’t take my word on this topic. The prophet Jeremiah declares this word from the LORD, “I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done” (Jeremiah 31:34, CEV).

That’s an amazing promise. If God can forget our sins, maybe we should do the same. We should not allow the guilt of them torment us any longer. Our sins are forgiven and forgotten when we confess them to our gracious heavenly Father.

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that you choose to remember me and forget my sins. You love like no one else can. Thank you for the forgiveness that is available because of the shed blood of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you spend too much time remembering sins that the Lord has forgiven and forgotten?

Like a River

14 Thursday Apr 2016

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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?

The Self-Sufficiency of God

07 Thursday Apr 2016

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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? 

Generation to Generation

31 Thursday Mar 2016

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Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds (Psalm 145:4, CEV).

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One generation to the next — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

When we think of proclaiming God’s goodness, our minds quickly go to the ends of the earth. But the most important place to live out the gospel is at home. And the most important person you will announce the good news to is your own son or daughter.

Moses had these instructions for the people of Israel: These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Among family members talking about God and our faith should be as natural as breathing. After all, God is involved in our daily lives. Then these words from the psalms will come true for us.

Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds (Psalm 145:4, CEV).

The day will come when Jesus welcomes us into our eternal home. I don’t want to be living there alone.

Response: LORD God, help me to truly appreciate my family. Help me to radiate your love to those near and dear to me. Help me to live before them as a person of integrity. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you find it easy to talk about God with your family?