Tag Archives: the LORD

Thirsty for God

11 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

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Flowing Streams — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Our bodies crave water. That’s only natural since our bodies are over 90% water. We can go more than 60 days without food, but only about 10 days without water.

The question I have for you is how long can you go without God? How long can you go without communicating with Him? How long can you go without hearing from God? The psalmist had a constant craving for God.

As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2, CEV).

As I am writing this post, I occasionally  pause to take a sip of water. In the same way we should routinely find our hearts and minds turning to the Lord. Prayer and open communication with the Lord should be as natural for us as that sip of coffee or whatever beverage you crave.

In my heart I am thirsty for you, the living God. Can you say the same? I hope so.

Response: LORD God, give me a constant craving for you. I want to speak to you and hear from you. Be an essential of life for me, just like that thirsty deer. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have a desire to hear from God and be close to Him?

Food to the Hungry

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

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Ottawa River as seen from Greens Creek Point — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Our Lord taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

As I think over my life, I can’t think of a single day when that prayer has not been answered. In other words, the Lord has had an unbroken record of faithfulness. I have never gone to bed hungry except by my own choice. 

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is the one who daily supplies our needs.

He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free (Psalm 146:7, CEV).

The Lord’s provision goes beyond physical needs. As the psalmist declares, the LORD also provides justice and sets prisoners free. Worry often holds me as a prisoner. What about you?

But when I consider the LORD’s faithfulness, there is no place left for worry. He banishes hunger along with worry. We have this assurance: God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19, CEV).

Response: LORD God, thank you for your daily provision of good things. You have been more than faithful. My heart overflows with thanks for your goodness. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God been faithful in providing for you? Has He come through for you?

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?

Tell Every Nation

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

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Easter Sunrise 2016 — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

We live in the afterglow of the resurrection. Unlike an afterglow that fades over time, this afterglow ought to intensify within us like the power of the rising sun. And why should this be the case? Because with each passing day, the day of redemption and regeneration of our physical bodies is drawing closer. Today, I’m one day closer to seeing my resurrected Lord face to face.

Within us there should be a growing desire to declare the goodness of the Lord. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).

We are tasked with the job of joyous declaration. Good news is not difficult to share. We are not tasked with announcing the death of a loved one. We have the joy of sharing the news that one man—Jesus Christ—has defeated death. By faith his resurrection victory becomes our victory as well.

Response: LORD God, I want to glow with the joy of knowing you and your resurrection power. Give me the privilege of telling someone else the good news today. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your resurrection afterglow growing or fading?

Healing Forgiveness

17 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

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River of Healing — Photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Our forgiving Lord expects us to be forgiving toward others—to pass on the forgiveness we have freely received from Him.

There is something deeply therapeutic about forgiveness. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

The LORD forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

Forgiveness and healing are linked. James, the brother of our Lord, writes, “If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot” (James 5:16, CEV).

Forgiveness is the Lord’s prescription for ailments of body, soul and spirit.

Response: LORD God, I need your forgiveness, healing and protection. Help me start on the road to healing by forgiving those who have wounded my spirit. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received forgiveness and healing through Christ?

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?

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?

Greater Glory

26 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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All creation, come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).

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Autumn Splendor, Gatineau Park – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

There’s a rather common saying: The sum is greater than its parts. While that may not be strictly correct in mathematics, it makes perfect sense in real life experience. The full picture is so much better than segments seen in sequence.

If I divided the autumn picture above into six equal portions, and showed you them sequentially, they would not have the same impact as the entire picture seen as a whole.

In the same way, our picture of the glory of God is like many small snapshots. I am not sure we could handle the full glory of God, if it was revealed to us. But today’s verse from the Psalms calls us to see that greater sum.

All creation, [me included] come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).

Response: LORD God, let me catch glimpses of your glory today, but remind me too that you are so much bigger than I can think or even imagine. You are an awesome God! Amen.

Your Turn: Do you think your picture of God is too small?

Reflected Glory

22 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above (Psalm 8:1, CEV).

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Reflected Field of Dreams – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Last May at the close of the day, I snapped this photo through the window of a bullet train (shinkansen) as it raced through the Japanese countryside.

I think the verse from the psalm fits beautifully with the picture. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above (Psalm 8:1, CEV).

The LORD is ruler over all and no matter where you live–on every continent–His name is wonderful. Some of the most loving, committed Christian believers I know live in Japan.

The LORD lets us see His glory in the heavens, but it’s also reflected on the earth. In the photo the flooded rice paddy reflects the sky, so the LORD’s glory is reflected by all of creation and especially by his people.

Response: LORD God, this week help me to reflect your glory to those around me. I want my life and actions to shine for you. Fill me with the love of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How can you reflect the glory of God as you go about your day?

The Window of Faith

18 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Be patient and trust the LORD. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things (Psalm 37:7, CEV).

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Window of Faith – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

I am often amazed at how two people can look at the same picture and see two completely different things. One person may see nothing but problems, while the other sees huge potential just waiting to be tapped.

One person is looking through the window of faith, while the other is staring through a window of doubt and discouragement.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us to, “Be patient and trust in the LORD.” 

Things are not always as they first appear. Over time God’s will often becomes clear if we wait patiently for Him and that requires faith.

Response: LORD God, help me look at life through the window of faith. I want to trust you in all I do. Help me to measure success by your standard and not the world’s standard.  Amen.

Your Turn: How do you see the world, with eyes of faith or doubt?