Following Your Path
Riverside cycling path, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
You Teach Sinners
03 Saturday Sep 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tag Archives: mercy
Yet He Was Merciful
01 Friday Jul 2016
Reading: Psalm 78
Verses 32-39
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
So he ended their days in futility
and their years in terror.
Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;
they eagerly turned to him again.
They remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.
But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;
their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.
Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities
and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
and did not stir up his full wrath.
He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return (NIV).
Reflection
Psalm 78 is a lengthy indictment against the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness to the LORD. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that these were the people of God—His chosen people—yet they responded with lies, unbelief and disloyalty. If this is how the people of God conduct themselves, what are we to expect from those who do not know the LORD?
Autumn in Central Park, New York, NY — photo by David Kitz
Unfortunately, the people of God today are not so different from the people of Israel 3,000 years ago. When we look about the church world, we see a plenty of division, backbiting and sin. All too often hate rules instead of love. We cover ourselves with a fig leaf of self-righteousness and then proceed to attack those who fail to meet our standard. We do all this while we are trapped in our own secret web of sin. We are determined to clean up the world while ignoring our personal pile of filth.
The words of Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount still ring true today, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:4-5).
But given this deplorable state of affairs, what does the LORD do? The psalmist states, “Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them.” Like the people of ancient Israel, we are saved not because of our righteousness, but solely because of God’s mercy and grace.
Response: LORD God, I cannot boast because of my righteousness. You know all my shortcomings. I have an impressive pile of personal sin. Forgive me through the mercy of your son, Jesus. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you been guilty of pointing out the faults of others while ignoring your own?
David
15 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
David, fairness, forgiveness, getting even, mercy, Psalms, wisdom
David treated the people fairly
and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).
At the entrance to the Museum of the Tomb of David — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow.
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.
Today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that David exemplified wisdom.
David treated the people fairly and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).
In yesterday’s post we learned that respect and obedience to the LORD is the first step to wisdom and good sense (Psalm 111:10). Obviously to receive such a commendation, David must have lived his life in a healthy fear and respect for the LORD. On more than one occasion David fell into sin, but when he messed up, he repented. He humbled himself and turned back to God.
David earned this commendation because of how he treated others; he treated people fairly. David showed mercy because he had received mercy. Do we do the same?
Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Just like David we act wisely, when we do what we pray, when we show mercy because we have received mercy.
Response: LORD God, I want to act wisely in my interactions with others. Help me to treat people fairly, even as I would want to be treated. Jesus, show me your way. Amen.
Your Turn: What does fair treatment mean for you? Does it mean getting even?
His Love Never Fails
05 Sunday Jun 2016
Care for the Humble
11 Wednesday May 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Though you are above us all, you care for humble people, and you keep a close watch on everyone who is proud (Psalm 138:6, CEV).
Cradled Moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is humility.
The LORD God of the universe, the high and lofty One, the Creator of all, cares for the humble. That may be the most amazing truth of all.
Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father cares even for the humble sparrow. “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).
That means our merciful God cares for even for the likes of you and me.
Though you are above us all, you care for humble people, and you keep a close watch on everyone who is proud (Psalm 138:6, CEV).
All too often the rich, powerful and proud look down on those who are humble. Frequently, they exploit the poor. But our heavenly Father does the exact opposite. He lavishes grace and love on those who are humble.
Response: LORD God, I want to be more like you. Give me a heart of compassion for the humble. Help me to fully appreciate your majesty as it mingles with love and mercy. Amen.
Your Turn: Who do you admire most, the rich and powerful, or the person of humble circumstances?
Always, always, ALWAYS!
19 Friday Feb 2016
Posted in Friday's Focus, Psalms
Tags
You are merciful, LORD! You are kind and patient and always loving (Psalm 145:8, CEV).
God’s Paintbrush – photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is patience.
Sometimes I don’t see something because it’s too obvious. I stare into the fridge looking for that jar of fruit, but can I see it? Of course not! My wife has to come over and point it out.
I think the same is true when it comes to seeing God. He is always there – at work right in front of us, but like that jar of fruit, it seems we can’t see Him.
The sunset photo above is a beautiful example of God at work painting the sky. What a work of art! What an artist! God paints a gorgeous sky-scape twice a day, but do we even notice? Sometimes I need someone to point out to me that God is always loving, kind and patient.
Response: LORD God, open my eyes to your patience and love. I know it’s always there, but I want to see it daily with the eyes of my heart. Help me to see you today in the world around me. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you have trouble seeing God?
Patient Love
15 Monday Feb 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Tags
1 Corinthians 13, God, impatience, love, mercy, patience, the LORD
The LORD is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails (Psalm 103:8, CEV).
Wild Flower – photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is patience.
Can love be impatient? I certainly can be. But true love is not about me. It’s always about the other person. Impatience is all about me. The other person has not moved according to my schedule, so I am irritated or displeased.
Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is loving and patient with us. The LORD is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails (Psalm 103:8, CEV).
I wonder if the apostle Paul had the words from this Psalm in mind when he penned those famous lines: Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, CEV).
My impatience reveals my need for a greater level of God’s love, and mercy in my life. The love, mercy and patience that I have received from the LORD needs to be extended to others.
Response: LORD God, fill me with unselfish love so that I can be patient with those that don’t quickly conform to my wishes. Give me patient love. Amen.
Your Turn: How do we break our habits of self-focus?
Always Loving
29 Friday Jan 2016
Posted in Friday's Focus, Psalms
You are merciful, LORD!
You are kind and patient
and always loving (Psalm 145:8, CEV).
Sunset over Lake Ontario – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is mercy.
What is God like? Gaze into the sunset pictured above and you will get a very good idea of what God is like. He is splendid, glorious and creative–a God of diversity and variety. We can deduce this from observing nature.
God puts on a splendid show before our eyes every day. The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done (Psalm 19:1, CEV).
But today’s verse from the Psalms also tells us the LORD is merciful, kind, patient and always loving. The word of God reveals more fully to us the character of God. That’s why I read the Bible.
We see God in nature, we learn about Him through His book, the Bible, and we experience Him through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Response: LORD God, I want to know you better. I want to see more of you in my life. I want to experience your mercy, kindness and love. Open my eyes to see you all around me. Amen.
Your Turn: Where do you most often see God?
In the Shadow of your Wings
28 Thursday Jan 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
God, mercy, protection, shelter, wings
God Most High, have pity on me! Have mercy. I run to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings, I seek protection till danger dies down (Psalm 57:1, CEV).
Clematis – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is mercy.
Does God have wings? You might think so based on this verse from the Psalms.
In our attempts to picture God we often give Him anthropomorphic qualities. In simple terms that means we turn Him into a human. The truth is God is a spirit and any attempt to ‘picture’ Him will be grossly inadequate at best, and at worst idolatrous.
Nonetheless, Jesus reminds us that he is eager and willing to shelter us: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn’t let me” (Luke 13:34, CEV).
God in the person of Jesus is willing and eager to show us mercy, if we will just come to Him. Take time to come to Him today.
Response: LORD God, I need your mercy. I set my pride aside and ask for your help. Keep me safe from all forms of harm in the shadow of your wings. Amen.
Your Turn: Has God been your shelter in the storms of life?
Waiting for Mercy
27 Wednesday Jan 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
I am worn out from waiting for you to keep your word. When will you have mercy (Psalm 119:82, CEV)?
Snowy Woods – Photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is mercy.
When we are in a really tight spot, God’s mercy cannot arrive fast enough. We want help immediately.
Our impatience can be part of the problem. In God’s mercy, He has us wait. In the waiting process our situation may stay the same, but we change. God’s Spirit works on us.
I fear the kind of person I would become if God answered my every request immediately.
That doesn’t mean we should never pour out our complaint to God as the psalmist does here. I am worn out from waiting for you to keep your word. When will you have mercy (Psalm 119:82, CEV)?
Bottled up frustration is never a good thing, especially when that frustration is directed at God. Are you frustrated waiting for God’s mercy? Take it to Him in prayer.
Response: LORD God, I need your help. I need your mercy. I need your patience. Give me the grace I need for today. Your word and your good promises sustain me. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you impatient as you wait for God’s mercy?
I love the Psalms 