Tag Archives: the LORD

Perfect!

16 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

Open Bible

The Word of God — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

I have trouble with the word perfect. Is it possible to achieve perfection on this side of heaven?

During my days as a teacher, I could give a student 100% on a math test where right or wrong answers are not open to interpretation, but on creative writing assignments or essays I simply refused to give a student 100% even if their writing was well thought out and error free. Error free does not mean perfect. Do anyone’s thoughts on a topic encompass all wisdom and knowledge? Of course not. There is always more to learn or understand.

But…but David declared that the Law of the LORD is perfect.

The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

The expression the Law of the LORD refers to the written Word of God. God’s written Word is perfect because it does not originate with man. Its source is in God. It comes from heaven even as Jesus came from heaven and is the perfect embodiment of the Word. See John 1:1-5. Jesus came to bring us new life and perfect wisdom.

Response: LORD God, give me a love for your written Word because in it I find wisdom from the living, eternal Word. Lord Jesus, you are the perfection that I need! Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a perfectionist? Are you good enough or do you need the perfection of Jesus?

The First Step to Wisdom

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

Daisy 2016-06-06

Garden daisy display — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that the wisdom of God is expressed through His amazing creation. But what does it mean to be wise? How is wisdom expressed in our daily lives? Wisdom is knowledge and understanding in action—applied to real circumstances.

When it comes to wisdom, we all need more of it. Far too often real world wisdom is in short supply. The psalmist gives us this advice:

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

God will always be respected by some, but will we personally respect and obey Him? Respect for God is by no means universal. It’s a choice we make. Respect is an attitude. Obedience is the action that flows from respect. Too often we tell God we love and respect Him and then proceed to disobey His commands. That’s self-deluded nonsense.

Obedience is where the rubber hits the road. Jesus said, “And you are my friends, if you obey me (John 15:14). Obeying Jesus is wisdom applied.

Response: LORD God, teach me wisdom. Teach me your commands for my daily life. Jesus, your greatest command is that we love one another. Give me your kind of love and obedience to your Father. Amen

Your Turn: Can we separate respect from obedience? Are you taking steps to wisdom?

Words and Thoughts

08 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

Eric E.Wright 15

Crashing waves, Lake Ontario – photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that thoughts and words work together. Kind thoughts will lead to kind words. The same principle applies to angry thoughts. When our thoughts are steeped in jealousy or bitterness, we should not be surprised if the words we speak cut and wound. That’s why David’s prayer in Psalm 19 is so relevant for us today.

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

In Proverbs we read: A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up (Proverbs 15:1). All too often we are the authors of our own troubles. We lash out in anger rather than control our tongue and the result is we unleash a storm that rains down on our own heads.

Most often, words and thoughts that are pleasing to the LORD will also be pleasing to others because they reflect concern and compassion, rather than just our own self-interest.

Response: LORD God, I want my words and thoughts to be pleasing to you. Help me to consider others before myself just as Jesus taught us to do. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you like me? Do you think too much about yourself and too little about others?

Tell the Next Generation

03 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph.

Verses 1-8

My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 78 begins with a simple imperative statement: My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

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The next generation — photo by David Kitz

Hearing and listening are very simple commands. There is nothing particularly difficult about hearing or listening. But… but it seems most of humanity’s problems stem from not hearing or listening. Most marital breakdowns come as a result of a refusal to listen to one another. Intergenerational conflict results from a breakdown in communication. One party may be speaking, but the other party isn’t listening. Even on the international stage, when nations refuse to talk to one another, the next step is usually war.

Why do we stop listening or hearing? Is it because we don’t like what the other person is saying? How does that affect our relationship with God? Have we stopped listening to His voice because we don’t like what He says? Have we stopped listening to the voice of our conscience? Good listening starts with listening to the LORD. When our children stop listening to us we have a problem. Have we in turn listened to them? Telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD starts with us hearing and really listening to God. Our children are so very important to us. But it all starts with the LORD. He has something to say to you today. Are you listening?

Response: LORD God, today give me ears to hear what your Spirit is saying to me. I want a listening heart. Help me to really hear the others in my family and workplace. Thanks for listening to me. Amen.

Your Turn: At times I have not listened to God. How about you? How do we change?

He Won’t Go to Sleep

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

Bowl 2015-05-19

Moss covered bowl, Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Though we need sleep, God does not. As today’s verse from the Psalms makes clear, He is the God who never sleeps.

The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

Nothing illustrates this truth quite like the story of when the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Under the sway of Queen Jezebel Israel was divided about which god they should serve, Baal or the LORD. Elijah proposed that the god who answers with fire is the true God who is worthy of worship.

The prophets of Baal were given the first opportunity to have their god ignite their sacrifice. When Baal did not answer the entreaties of his priests, Elijah mocked them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up” (1 Kings 18:27, CEV).

Elijah doused his sacrifice with water and when he prayed the LORD answered with fire from heaven that consumed even the stones of the altar. Hallelujah!

Our God is alive! He is awake! He never sleeps!

Response: LORD God, I thank you that you are my protector. You surround me with your ever-present care. Because you never sleep, I can always call on you. Amen.

Your Turn: What do the LORD’s constant care and protection mean for you?

Wake Up Refreshed

31 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

Chimney - by Karen

Fireplace chimney—photo courtesy of Karen Kitz

Reflection

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

Did you get a good night’s sleep? I hope so. Sleep is essential for our health and well being. God designed us that way and when we don’t get the required amount of sleep our body protests. Ultimately a tired body is an unproductive body.

Worry and various forms of stress rob us of the sleep we need. But in today’s verse from the Psalms David makes this observation:

I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

 

David wrote these words when he was fleeing for his life from his son Absalom. Here he was in the midst of a huge disaster. His son had conspired against him and forced him to flee from Jerusalem. Yet despite the incredible stress King David was under, he slept well. He had committed his life to the LORD, so David could sleep in peace and awake refreshed.

You and I need quiet confidence in the LORD that can bring us through times of stress.

Response: LORD God, grant me confident faith that you will help and protect me during stressful times. My help comes from you. Thank you for the gift of refreshing sleep. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? What works for you?

Before I Go to Sleep

30 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

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Stairway to the moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Our thoughts tell us a great deal about what we value, what attracts us and what we consider important. In general, when our mind is idle or at rest, it turns to the things we love. During such times, David’s mind turned to the LORD. We know this because he penned this verse:

I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

Where do your thoughts go before you go to sleep? Does your mind turn to the Lord as you review the events of the day? Is there a moment of thanksgiving as you consider how events unfolded?

If we love the Lord and are in covenant relationship with Him, then our thoughts should turn to Him as naturally as taking our next breath. Sleep comes easily to those who commit their way and their day into God’s hands.

Response: LORD God, I want my mind to turn to you quickly and easily. I always want to be mindful of your love for me. Your eyes are on the sparrow and on all I do as well. Amen.

Your Turn: Does it require some self-discipline for you to think about the LORD?