Tag Archives: faithfulness

Forever!

01 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in Psalm 89, Psalms

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Reading:                                       Psalm 89

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations’” (NIV).

Reflection

The opening stanzas of Psalm 89 remind me of a little rhyme found in a children’s book. It goes like this:

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.”

The lines of that little song were first sung by Robert Munsch as he held his stillborn baby in his arms. Imagine the grief he felt when for a second time his wife gave birth to another stillborn child. Again he took that little baby in his arms and he rocked it back and forth and sang,

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.”

The bestselling children’s book Love You Forever was birthed from that heart-wrenching experience. If you are a parent or a grandparent, this little picture book should come with a warning label: Impossible to read without tearing up.

There’s an element of forever in the bond between a parent and a child. I am a father forever to my two sons, Timothy and Joshua. My love for those two boys hasn’t diminished as they have grown into young men. Though they have moved out of our home, they will be forever loved and we will be forever linked by love and faithfulness.

God’s love for us is that kind of love. It’s a forever love just as the psalmist declares. I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

Love and faithfulness are what marriage is all about. It’s one of those forever things along with parenthood. When God is at the center, these things last forever. And I’m so glad they do.

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that I’m your child forever. You have loved me and welcomed me into your family. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Amen.

Your Turn: Will you sing of the LORD’s great love forever? Now is a great time to get started.

Slow to Anger

26 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by in Psalm 86, Psalms

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Reading:                                           Psalm 86

Verses 14-17

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.

Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me (NIV).

Reflection

Living or working with an angry person can be extremely difficult. You can never tell what might trigger an angry reaction. You can be going about your normal routine and suddenly something will set them off. Next thing you know you are getting the full brunt of their fury for something done in complete innocence or for which you bear no responsibility. Life is full of stress. No one likes being around someone who gives full vent to their unchecked anger.

GP1 2016-08-17

Penguin picnic spot, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Unfortunately, many Christians live their lives as though God has anger management issues. They are convinced that at any moment God may smite them for some minor misstep or indiscretion. The truth is God is far more patient and compassionate than we realize. Here in Psalm 86 David reminds us that the LORD is slow to anger. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

If you want a short one sentence description of God, here it is. It is well worth repeating. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Take that sentence and memorize it, repeat it and meditate on it. This is the essence of God. He oozes compassion for the broken and hurting. The LORD is gracious. He shows favor—undeserved grace—to His people. He is slow to anger. He is more than patient with us. He knows that all too often we are slow to learn the ways of God. But despite that, He abounds in love. There is an ocean full of God’s love, when we imagine there’s only a thimble full. Finally, the LORD is faithful. He sticks with us through thick and thin. In a changing world, God and His faithfulness remain constant.

Does your picture of God need to change? It may be time to switch that picture of an angry God for a picture of the God of compassion and grace—compassion and grace for yourself and for others.

Response: LORD God, I want to see you as you are, full of compassion and grace. Help me to show compassion and mercy to others. I want to meditate on your word so that I can know you as you truly are. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you believe God is angry with you? What characteristic of God do you love most?

Loving and Faithful

01 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are (Psalm 92:2, CEV).

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Your Love in the Morning – photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

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

If the heavens declare the glory of God, then we should join with all creation in doing the same. If the sky has a story to tell about God’s love, then so do I. The psalmist expresses this thought with  these words:

It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are (Psalm 92:2, CEV).

As the day draws to a close can you testify to the faithfulness of God? I certainly can. Each day has its set of problems and difficulties, but as the sun sets I can say the Lord has seen me through. I am sure you can say the same.

Take some time to give God the thanks and praise He deserves

Response: LORD God, thank you for being my companion through the day. Your love and faithfulness sustain me. I want to proclaim your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord been loving and faithful to you?

Praise for Answered Prayer

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers (Psalm 28:6, CEV).

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September Iris, photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

If I did a quick one-question survey of Christians, here is the question I would ask:

Why do you praise God?

Here is the answer I would expect most often:

Because He answers my prayers.

Yes, we praise God because He hears and answers prayers. He has been doing it for thousands of years and He will continue to do it for eternity.

God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers calls us to praise Him.

Response: LORD God, I praise you because over and over again you have answered my prayers. You see me and listen to me. What a privilege it is to be your child. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God revealed Himself to you through answered prayer?

Trust God’s Love

04 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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I will tell them, “God’s love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens” (Psalm 89:2 CEV)

CP 1 2014-11-11

Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.

American currency bears the motto “In God we trust.” It’s a noble thought, but all too often we put our trust in money and the security it can bring. But real security, eternal security is found in God alone. His love and faithfulness can always be trusted.

Response: LORD God, love is everlasting. I bask in your faithful care. Amen.

Your Turn: In what are you placing your trust?

Angels Praise Your Faithfulness

03 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Our LORD, let the heavens now praise your miracles, and let all of your angels praise your faithfulness (Psalm 89:5 CEV).

San Remo 2014-11-11

Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.

If sinless angels—the messengers of heaven—have reasons to praise the LORD for His faithfulness, then what about you and me? God sent His son to suffer and die in our place. Then on the third day, He raised Jesus from the dead. What a miracle! What a demonstration of God’s love!

Response: LORD God, I join with the angels to praise your faithful love to the children of men. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord shown you his miracle working power?

Unfailing Faithfulness

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You, LORD, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure (Psalm 40:11 CEV).

CP 3 2014-11-11

Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.

There are many things in life that fail. We have failing grades, failed businesses and careers, failed products and failed marriages. But through it, all the scriptures assure us there is One who is faithful. The LORD has pity on us. His love and faithfulness stand secure.

Response: LORD God, I am thankful that you have mercy on me when I fail. Your love and faithfulness holds me secure even now. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord helped you through times of failure?

Who Deserves Praise?

30 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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We don’t deserve praise! The LORD alone deserves all of the praise, because of his love and faithfulness (Psalm 115:1 CEV).

CP Lake 2014-11-11

Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.

I must admit I like to be praised. It stokes my ego. But do I deserve praise? That’s not always the case. But there is One who is always worthy of praise—the Creator of the universe and the Redeemer of my soul.

Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for your love and faithfulness. You have been my help in times of need. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord shown you His love and faithfulness in recent days?

Personal Idols

14 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Psalms

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When was the last time you thought about idols or idolatry? Frankly it’s not something I think about often. Idols and idolatry are relics from another time, place or culture, or are they?

Our trip to Japan this past May brought idols back into focus. They are visible in homes, at national shrines and street corners.

Street Corner Idol -- Nagakute, Japan -- David Kitz

Street Corner Idol — Nagakute, Japan — David Kitz

The Old Testament prophets would frequently rail against the idolatry of the people of Israel. Though God was faithful, His people were not faithful. They were guilty of worshiping idols of silver and gold. It’s quite easy to make a link with our modern pursuit of prosperity. Has that become our god? Perhaps we need a biblical reminder. The Ten Commandments begin with this injunction: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

What do we worship? What occupies first place in our lives? Where do our thoughts naturally turn? Do they turn to the LORD, or our favorite sports team—to Jesus or today’s hottest celebrity? Jesus commanded us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Is that your first pursuit? Are we faithful to him?

Actually, I think we are skirting the real issue. The real idol—the preeminent idol in today’s western world—is the idol of self. All too often I put myself, my comfort and well-being ahead of everything else, and that includes Jesus and his kingdom. What I want comes first. What God wants will just have to jockey for attention along with all the other demands upon my life. If I’m brutally honest, most often, that’s how I run my life. How about you?

Great Buddha, Kamakura, Japan -- David Kitz

Great Buddha, Kamakura, Japan — David Kitz

Do we have a problem with idolatry? Absolutely! And we are too deceived to recognize it. The god we bow down to is the god of self and our self-will, rather than our Creator and Redeemer.

Response: LORD God, forgive me for my putting myself, my interests, my comforts and pleasures ahead of you. Help me tear down my idol to self. I want to be faithful—fully faithful to you. Amen.
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