Tag Archives: God

Through Suffering

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through (Psalm 34:19, CEV).

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Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Many believers have wrong expectations of God. We believe that if we choose to follow the Lord, He will be spare us from experiencing pain and suffering. We view our relationship with God as a kind of insurance policy that will protect us from heartache and loss. The truth is no such insurance policy exists. On the contrary, the opposite may be true.

The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through (Psalm 34:19, CEV).

The people that God chooses often suffer greatly. His chosen people suffered much as slaves in Egypt. When the Lord Jesus arrested Saul/Paul on the way to Damascus, he was told the road ahead would be marked by suffering. Jesus said,  “I will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name” (Acts 9:16).

Though the path—your path—may be marked by suffering, we have this promise. The Lord will bring you safely through.

Response: LORD God, I trust you to bring me safely through to the Promised Land. You are my inheritance. Help me to endure hardship as your faithful follower. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you viewed God as your insurance policy against suffering?

Cared For

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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I celebrate and shout because you are kind. You saw all my suffering, and you cared for me (Psalm 31:7, CEV).

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Grand Tetons National Park — photo by Matthew Taylor

Reflection

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

Suffering is always difficult, but it is especially so when a person suffers alone. Today’s verse reminds us that God sees our suffering. He not only sees and hears our cries, He cares for us. It is God who nurses us back to a point of health, strength and vitality.

I celebrate and shout because you are kind. You saw all my suffering, and you cared for me (Psalm 31:7, CEV).

God’s child is cared for. You are not abandoned by Him during times of suffering. He is right there with you. He brings us through to the other side of suffering—to the place of celebration.

Response: LORD God, thank you for caring for me. It’s more than a promise; it’s a reality. You see how I have suffered and you will always bring me through. I put my trust in you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a testimony of God’s care through a time of suffering?

The Conclusion of Solomon’s Prayer

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 72

Verses 12-20

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse (NIV).

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More glorious than Solomon — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This is the concluding portion of Solomon’s prayer. Many scholars view this as David’s prayer for Solomon, rather than a prayer written by Solomon. In either case, it is a prayer calling for God’s blessing on the king and the nation. This brings us to a question. What is the purpose of God’s blessing? Is it only for personal benefit?

The answer can be found in the first few lines above. The righteous king is blessed and given wealth and authority so that he can be a blessing to others. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

The great danger for any of us is that when blessings come, we accumulate these blessings for ourselves alone. Along with God’s blessings comes a responsibility to share and identify with those in need within our borders and beyond. We serve a God with a big heart. His love extends far beyond our narrow interests. God blesses His people abundantly, so that we can in turn bless others.

What a privilege we have to reflect the LORD’s character in a hurting world!

Response: LORD God, help me to see my many blessings as a gift from you. Show me today how I can be a blessing to others. You are my source. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you tempted to keep all of God’s blessings for yourself?

The God of Nerve Endings

07 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help (Psalm 10:17, CEV).

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Photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

We all suffer or have suffered in various ways, whether it’s physical, psychological or emotional pain. To be human is to suffer.

Our God is the God of nerve endings. We were designed to feel both pain and pleasure. The same nerve endings that give us joy and pleasure can scream out in pain and agony.

Have you heard an atheist railing against God because He allows humans to experience joy and pleasant sensations? Of course not, but God is blamed for allowing suffering. The God of nerve endings allows us to experience both pleasure and pain, and I’m so glad He does.

But beyond all this God hears us when we suffer.

You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help (Psalm 10:17, CEV).

God understands our pleasure and our pain because in the body of Jesus, He fully became one of us.

Response: Lord Jesus, I thank you for identifying with our problems, suffering and weakness. I determine in my heart to thank and praise you both in times of joy and in times of pain. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you respond to suffering? Why is it difficult to praise God in hard times?

Power with Purpose

03 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).

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Power to Save – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

What is power without a purpose? I’m reminded of a young buck revving his engine, so he can pop the clutch, spin his tires and squeal off in a blaze of glory, dust, and bravado. There’s really not much purpose in it, unless I suppose it’s to impress.

At times God will display His power, but unlike the young buck showing off his hot car, the LORD has a meaningful purpose in His display of power. His purpose is our salvation.

I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).

In the Old Testament, in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. Israel was saved by God’s power.

In the New Testament in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD raised Jesus from the dead, and in doing this He defeated death, our age-old enemy. Jesus rescued us from slavery to sin. Praise God! His power has purpose.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for the grand rescue mission you sent your Son to accomplish. Thank you for resurrection morning and your power to save me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you appreciate God’s power to save?

Solomon’s Prayer

02 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 72

Of Solomon

Verses 1-11

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.

 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

 May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him (NIV).

Reflection

There is a verse from Psalm 72 carved in stone into Canada’s Parliament building. From the King James Version it reads, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8).

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Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, ON — Photo by David Kitz

There are several ways of interpreting this verse. First, it should be noted that Psalm 72 is a prayer of Solomon. During his reign, Solomon brought the nation of Israel to the pinnacle of greatness, prosperity and dominance over its surrounding neighbors. But Solomon also sowed the seeds that brought about the nation’s decline after his death. His marriage to hundreds of foreign wives led directly to idolatry and a forsaking of the ways of the LORD. Personal wealth and aggrandizement were achieved by means of forced labor and high taxation. Revolt was festering beneath a surface of calm.

Another interpretation of this psalm takes a more messianic approach. The Messiah will reign. He will have dominion from sea to sea. Many believe this is how the Fathers of Confederation viewed this passage. They longed for the reign of Christ on the earth. Even so we pray, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That should be the prayer of every Christian believer in whatever country we live.

Response: LORD Jesus, have dominion over me. I willingly submit to your rule. You are my King and my God. I willingly bow my knees before you. Reign over me, and in me to the end of time. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you by nature rebellious or do you find it easy to submit to God’s rule?

Mighty Power

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms

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You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place (Psalm 65:6, CEV).

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Misty Mountains – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Nothing speaks to me about God’s power like mountains. Maybe it’s because I grew up on the Canadian prairies, and I didn’t see any mountains until I was eighteen. When seen for the first time, the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies is simply breathtaking.

That feeling of awe is likely what led the psalmist to write these words: You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place (Psalm 65:6, CEV).

We know one thing with certainty. God can move mountains. Their existence declares his power. But I also know God can move the personal mountains that I face in my life. Jesus said, “If you have faith in God and don’t doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will” (Mark 11:23).

What about you? Are there mountains you would like to see moved?

Response: LORD God, you are the strong One—the mountain mover. Move the mountain in my life that keeps me from being close to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: What mountain would you like God to move?

Powerful Defence

29 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God (Psalm 20:7, CEV).

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Galloping Horses – Image courtesy of Tina Phillips at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reflection

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

I don’t have much trust in chariots and horses. For me horses are animals of beauty and entertainment. But then I don’t live in the Bronze Age, when horses and chariots were indicators of military might.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that a nation’s defenses are more than just a matter of having a powerful military. Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,
but we trust you, LORD God (Psalm 20:7, CEV).

Tanks, bombs and fighter planes are not the first line of defense for any nation. The first line of defense is integrity, honesty and morality rooted in our faith in the LORD God, our Creator. When those defenses are undermined in the population, trouble and national decline are sure to follow.

Our God is more powerful than any army. My best defense is aligning my life with Him.

Response: LORD God, I put my trust in you. Help me to live a life of honesty and integrity. Be the defender of my nation. Holy Spirit, be at work among the people. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do you think nations go into decline?

Human Glory

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5, CEV).

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The Face of God’s Glory – photo courtesy of David Kitz

Reflection

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

When we think of glory, especially in biblical terms, we immediately think of God’s glory. But today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that we humans have glory too. You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5, CEV). Other translations read a little lower than the angels.

Glory, honor and dignity are gifts from God. They are His gift to humanity. When we humiliate or dishonor someone, we are sullying God’s glory. We need to see God’s glory in the faces of those around us.

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts (1 John 4:12).

Do you see God’s glory in your children, your neighbor or colleague?

Response: LORD God, open my eyes to your glory in those around me. Help me to treat my neighbors with love and respect because they bear your image. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have trouble seeing God in others?

Resurrection Restoration

23 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalm 71, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 71

Verses 19-24

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.

 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion (NIV).

Reflection

Typically Christians view resurrection as a New Testament concept, but here in the conclusion to Psalm 71, we can see that the Old Testament psalmist had a solid grasp of resurrection truths. Consider his words. Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

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Landestreu Cemetery, Landestreu, SK. — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

That sounds like resurrection to me. Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words of the psalmist when he stepped out of the tomb on resurrection morning. Elsewhere David spoke prophetically of Christ and his resurrection when he wrote, “I am your chosen one. You won’t leave me in the grave or let my body decay” (Psalm 16:10).

Peter sited this verse as proof of Jesus’ resurrection when he preached to the crowd that gathered on the Day of Pentecost. See Acts 2:22-36.

The resurrection filled the psalmist with hope and it should do the same for us. Because Jesus is alive now, we too will be raised to life. That thought should buoy us on tough days. When we lose a loved one, whose faith was rooted in God’s redeeming love, we can rest assured that our farewell is not forever. We will see them again at the resurrection. On that great day we can join with the psalmist and declare, “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.”

Response: LORD God, thank you for the promise of resurrection. Thank you for the hope we have in Jesus. Through Jesus’ shed blood we have redemption and forgiveness. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn: Why is the resurrection meaningful to you?