Tag Archives: the LORD

Every Bone in my Body

22 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms

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Every bone in my body will shout: “No one is like the LORD!” You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them (Psalm 35:10, CEV).

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Sunset Glory – photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

God, help the poor. It seems like no one else will.

Of course that statement is an exaggeration, but there’s an element of truth to it. In a world where extreme wealth and extreme poverty live side by side, one wonders at the lack of care that we show for our fellow travelers on the road of life.

We find this advice in the Book of Proverbs: But you must defend those who are helpless and have no hope. Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless (Proverbs 31:8-9, CEV).

Do we give more than a passing thought to refugees fleeing war, or youth on the run from domestic violence? Ask yourself, am I reflecting the care the LORD has for the poor and needy?

Response: LORD God, no one is like you. You protect the helpless and save the poor. In my thoughts and conduct help me to be more like you. Amen.

Your Turn: Is there someone in need that you can help today?

Carry Us

20 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms (Psalm 28:9, CEV).

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Lake Ontario sunset – photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

It’s a long, long time since I have been carried, but it remains as a pleasant childhood memory. I recall falling asleep in the car on the way home from a visit to some distant relatives. I remember slowly waking as my father carried me into the house.

David, the shepherd king penned the words of this prayer: Come save and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.

Undoubtedly, as a young shepherd David remembered carrying lambs in his arms, but surely he also remembered being carried as a boy.

We may be adults now, but there are still days when we want to be carried—need to be carried. We are too big. Human arms aren’t strong enough. We need the LORD, the good shepherd, to carry us.

Response: LORD, my shepherd, when I am weary carry me in your arms. At the close of the  day, I want to feel your warmth and rest next to you. Come save and bless me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you still long to be carried?

Turn and Come

18 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Turn and come to my rescue. Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD (Psalm 6:4, CEV).

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Lake Ontario surf – photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

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

In today’s verse from the Psalms, the psalmist pleads with God to, “Turn and come to my rescue.”

Though I don’t doubt the psalmist’s sincerity, I wonder who really needs to do the turning. Does God turn His back on us, or is it we who turn our back on God?

From personal experience I can say I am prone to walk away from God until…

Until I get in trouble, and then I come running back to Him pleading to be rescued.

Fortunately, God continues to show us His wonderful love despite our blunders. He is the LORD, who saves us from ourselves.

Response: LORD God, thank you for being the God of my salvation. You have rescued me over and over again. You are a kind and loving Savior. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your heart turned to God or are you prone to wander?

 

Save us, LORD

14 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Save us, LORD God! Bring us back from among the nations. Let us celebrate and shout in praise of your holy name (Psalm 106:47, CEV).

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Morning hoarfrost — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

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

In today’s reading the psalmist cries out, “Save us, LORD God!”

There’s an element of desperation in that prayer. It should be our prayer too. If holiness is what God requires then salvation is our greatest need.

We are unable to save ourselves. Holiness does not come naturally to the human soul. We need God to intervene. And that’s just what the Father did when He sent His son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.

Our redemption was purchased for us at the cross. The price was the shed blood of Jesus.

Now every believer can say, “Through Jesus, you saved us, LORD God!”

Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for sending Jesus to be my redeemer. Holiness is available to me personally through faith in the blood of Christ. I love you, LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received the salvation from sin that Jesus offers?

Mercy and Holiness

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, LORD, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple (Psalm 5:7, CEV).

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Landestreu Church, near MacNutt, SK — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Mercy and holiness belong together. When I think about my personal holiness, or rather the lack of it, I am reminded that I need God’s mercy. Without His mercy there is no forgiveness and no peace.

Rather than frighten us away, God’s holiness should draw us to worship Him. In His holy temple we bow down. This is where we find mercy and the strength we need day by day.

Take some time to bow before God today. Swallow your pride and open your heart to the mercy of God. Even as I write this, I know it’s what I need to do.

Response: LORD God, you are perfectly holy. I am not. I need your mercy, your love and forgiveness. Wash me clean by the blood of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How do mercy and holiness come together for you?

My Guide

07 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind (Psalm 16:7, CEV).

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

Reflection

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

When there’s a fork in the road, which path do you take? Sometimes the right answer is not obvious. Our internal GPS may not be functioning as it ought.

There are many occasions when I need the LORD to be my guide. I can’t make right decisions without Him. I praise Him because in times of confusion or doubt, he has sent His word and His Spirit to light my way.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for being my faithful guide. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see the path you have mapped out just for me. Amen.

Your Turn: What are some of the ways the Lord uses to guide you?

Belonging

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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All who worship the LORD, now praise him! You belong to Jacob’s family and to the people of Israel, so fear and honor the LORD! (Psalm 22:23, CEV).

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Crofter’s Home, New Shieling, Cape Breton, N.S. —photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

We all need a place of belonging—a home. But it’s not just a home or a house that we need. We need to belong to a household or family. On Christmas Day my son called me from across the country, 2,000 miles away. It was great to hear his voice.

Why did he call? Because he  knows where he belongs.

You belong too. You belong to God’s great family. Give Him a call today. He will be thrilled to hear your voice.

Response: LORD God, thank you for welcoming me into your family. I belong to you. I praise and worship you. I fear and honor you for your great love. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you show that you belong to God’s family?

“The Lord is wonderful!”

25 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Our Lord, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The Lord is wonderful!” (Psalm 40:16, CEV).

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Christmas-Greeting-Card-Nativity-Scene-by-Dona-Gelsinger

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is love. Love was born on Christmas Day.

Today we gather around you, Lord Jesus. We come to worship you even as the shepherds came. We rejoice and praise God as they did. We love you because you came to save us.

Today we join with the psalmist to say,  “The Lord is wonderful!”

Response: LORD God, thank you for the love and joy of Christmas. As we gather with family help us to sense you right there with us.  Thank you for the gift of salvation. Amen.

Your Turn: How will you worship the heaven-sent King today?

Right Living Produces Joy

17 Thursday Dec 2015

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The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8, NIV).

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Percé, QC – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

To put it simply the LORD’s ways are higher and better than our ways. I always want the shortcut, the easy way. But my shortcut and my quick fix can short circuit the excellent plan that God has in mind for me.

We all want joy, but that joy comes in fullest measure when we patiently obey God’s commands. There is a joy that comes from doing His will that the world cannot receive or comprehend.

Response: LORD God, I want to experience your joy. Give me eyes to see your beautiful plan. Give me a heart that willingly obeys your word. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your life built on the rock solid word of God?

Who Bears Your Burdens Daily?

08 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 68

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Reading:                                            Psalm 68

Verses 15-23

Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
When you ascended on high, you took many captives;
you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious—
that you, LORD God, might dwell there.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share” (NIV).

Reflection

There is one thought from today’s psalm reading that jumps out at me and here it is: Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

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Weeping willow, Grey Nuns Park, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Why would or should God our Savior bear our burdens? He sits enthroned in heaven above the fray. Why should He entangle Himself in the affairs of humanity? But apparently He does.

Jesus our Savior gives us this invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus is inviting us to step into the harness with him. Then he assures us that he will do the heavy lifting and pulling. I’m not sure that was a wise offer for Jesus to make. Did he really know the extent of my burden? Did he know all that burden bearing would lead him directly to the cross? He must have known, but he did it anyway. What a foolish man! What a foolish God!

Some Saviors will do anything for love.

Response: LORD God, thank you for being foolish enough to love me. Thank you, Jesus for bearing my burdens to the cross and beyond. My hope rests in you. Our God is a God who saves;  from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord lifted some of your burdens recently?