I will praise Him!
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Waiting for spring — photo by David Kitz
The LORD is a Refuge
12 Sunday Feb 2017
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tag Archives: trust
Trust Brings Permanence
06 Monday Feb 2017
Tags
Hopewell Rocks, immovable, Mount Zion, mountains, peace, permanence, Psalms of Ascent, Songs of Ascent, steadfast, surrounded, the LORD, trust, trust in God
Reading: Psalm 125
A song of ascents.
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.
LORD, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel (NIV).
Reflection
If someone compared you to a mountain, would you take it as a compliment, or would you be offended? Your answer to that question may depend on your gender. I suspect very few women would like being compared to a mountain. Though I am a male, becoming a mountain of a man has never been one of my ambitions. Nevertheless, Psalm 125 begins by comparing those who trust in the LORD to Mount Zion. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick — photo by David Kitz
This is the sixth psalm in the Songs of Ascent series, and clearly the psalmist is inspired by his surroundings. He beholds the beauty of Jerusalem, its citadels and the mountains around it. There is something reassuring about a mountain. Mountains have stood the test of time. They have endured when human endeavors have come and gone. In a world of transition, the mountains remain; they stand firm.
Are you like a mountain—solid and immovable? You ask—how can I be? Without the LORD, this is truly impossible. But the psalmist provides us with this assurance: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
We only have permanence because of the LORD. He has you surrounded. Are you going through hell and high water? He has you surrounded. Are you facing opposition? He has you surrounded. Is there trouble on every side? He has you surrounded. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
Again this psalm reassures us that the LORD is on our side. He is working on our behalf. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
Response: Father God, I trust in you. I trust that you are working on my behalf. Help me to become steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV). Amen.
Your Turn: Are you becoming steadfast? Do you have enduring faith?
Good to Me!
28 Saturday Jan 2017
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Thoroughly Tested
23 Monday Jan 2017
Tags
emissions testing, God's word, harmful emissions, promises, tested, testing, trust, trustworthy, Volkswagen, Volkswagen diesel
Reading: Psalm 119
צ Tsadhe
(Verses 137-144)
You are righteous, LORD,
and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live (NIV).
Reflection
In the spring of 2015 my son bought his first new car. He was understandably proud of his purchase. The vehicle boasted great handling, exceptional fuel economy and almost zero harmful emissions. What’s not to like about a diesel-powered car like that? Volkswagen engineering was ranked among the best in the world.
A winter view from Chateau Montebello, Montebello, QB — photo by David Kitz
Less than a year later, the illusion of zero harmful emissions came crashing down. Volkswagen had installed specially designed software to make sure its vehicles passed emissions tests, but real world, on-the-road results were totally different. The thorough testing that consumers rely on had been subverted.
Fortunately, God’s laws cannot be subverted. Humans may try, but the judge of all the earth knows all; He sees all. We can never pull a fast one on God. Today’s reading from Psalm 119 makes that perfectly clear. You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. The psalmist then goes on to make this assertion: Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
God’s word and His promises have been road tested by us, His people. They stand up in real life situations. The Bible—God’s word is designed to be applied. It doesn’t just work in the test lab. It works in the laboratory of life—day-to-day life, where it really counts. That’s why spending time in God’s word is so important. It becomes the roadmap for life—an abundant life—the life Jesus promised to his followers.
Response: Father God, your word and your promises stand true for all eternity. Help me to believe and live each day through the wise application of your word. Give me understanding that I may live. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you tested God’s word? Did it work for you in real life situations?
I Trust in Your Word
05 Thursday Jan 2017
Tags
change, God's word, Jesus, political uncertainty, technology, trust, trust in God, uncertainty, unchanging
Reading: Psalm 119
ו Waw
(Verses 41-48)
May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
your salvation, according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees (NIV).
Reflection
We live in uncertain times. I am sure people have been saying words to that effect for generations, but it’s true. Developments in technology have been driving change at an ever increasing tempo. With major political and economic changes on the horizon, there seems to be more uncertainty than ever. The only thing that seems certain is that change will certainly happen.
Show me your paths — photo by David Kitz
In times like this, we need certainty. This world can’t offer us certainty, but God’s word can. Isaiah reminds us of the permanence of God’s word. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
Jesus offers us the same assurance. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).
Jesus fully endorsed a reverence for God’s holy word. This is the reverence that we see expressed here in Psalm 119. We can place our trust in God’s word because it’s not changing with the times. It stands eternal. In uncertain times, we need God’s word in our minds and on our lips more than ever. May this be our prayer: Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
Response: Father God, help me grow in my love for your word. Help me to read, meditate and apply it to my daily life. I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you spending time in daily in God’s word?
Trust in the LORD
09 Friday Dec 2016
Tags
blessings, faith, God's blessing, help, help from God, sheild, the LORD, trust, trusting God
Reading: Psalm 115
(Verses 9-18)
All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.
May the LORD cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to the place of silence;
it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD (NIV).
Reflection
As a sharp contrast to placing our trust in the lifeless idols of this world, Psalm 115 calls us to place our trust God. Today’s reading begins with a threefold call to trust the LORD. All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield.
The path of the blessed — photo by David Kitz
For those who are logically minded, there is a simple equation or formula at work here. Trust in the LORD results in help and protection—he [the LORD] is their help and shield. Our trust or faith in God brings a response from Him. The LORD’s response is both active and passive. He provides help; He intervenes by actively assisting us. From personal experience I know the LORD has been my help. In the nick of time He has provided words of knowledge and wisdom. He has opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessings when needed most. He has sent help in various forms and in ways too numerous to mention.
But the LORD is also our shield. He protects us from the slings and arrows of the evil one. He shields us from the enemy’s attacks, whether it is from physical harm, or spiritual attacks that undermine our faith through faulty reasoning or deceptive philosophies. The LORD is our sure defense. We can draw strength from this promise: He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
Response: Father God, I trust you to be my help and my shield. Keep me safe from the evil one. Thank you for all your help through the years. You have been faithful to keep your word. Amen.
Your Turn: Can you think of instances when God has helped you?
In the Shadow
13 Saturday Aug 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tags
In the shadow of God All-Powerful, Petrie Islan, Ottawa. ON — photo by David Kitz
Live under the protection
of God Most High
and stay in the shadow
of God All-Powerful.
Then you will say to the LORD,
“You are my fortress, my place of safety;
you are my God, and I trust you.”
(Psalm 91:1-2, CEV)
Powerful Defence
29 Monday Feb 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God (Psalm 20:7, CEV).
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?
The Window of Faith
18 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
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).
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?
Young Lions
04 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).
Image courtesy of tratong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.
I don’t like being late for supper. I don’t like being the last one in the line up for the self-serve banquet. I might miss out on something good.
I’m hungry for something good. Aren’t you? Of course, something good can be more than just food. Sometimes it’s good-natured fun with friends. Sometimes it’s a game, or a round of physical or mental exercise, and at other times it’s rest and relaxation.
Something good comes in a variety of packages.
I like the promise in today’s verse from the Psalms: Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the Lord, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).
The key factor is trusting in the LORD. Are you someone who trusts in the LORD even in hard times?
Response: LORD God, increase my faith. I want to experience the good things you have set aside for me. Help me daily to put my trust in you. Amen.
Your Turn: What does trusting in God mean for you today?
I love the Psalms 