Sometimes life seems like the pits. My worst morning ever, was when I was getting ready for work several years ago. I went to put on nylons and my fingernail went through them leaving a nice, big hole. I went to use the blow-dryer and it zapped and died. I was living in Seattle, WA at the time and it always rained. My 1967 Ford Mustang had issues (as you might remember from an earlier post "Rainbow Moments"). I started the engine and then went to turn on the windshield wipers and nothing... I had a towel in my passenger seat. I rolled down the driver's side window and drove to work. I had to stick my arm out to wipe the windshield with the towel. A truck driver with a sense of humor... pulled in front of me and I got what seemed like a tidal wave on my car. But I did get to work, late, and prayed all the way. It was the pits! But I got there safely, wet but safe : ) Times like these happen. This Psalm describes one of David's times in the pits.
When I'm in the pits it feels like God forgot me. But David keeps his faith.
This is another thing that hasn't changed in modern times. No one wants to go to court. It's still crazy.
2 But don't, please don't, haul me into court;
In David's time, there were literal enemies hunting for him. There was that giant, "Goliath" he killed and all the Philistines who were angry, just to name a few. He had a lot of enemies. He feels like he's in a spiritual desert, where'd God go?
Now, David realizes life without God would be death in itself. I agree. I can't live without Him. David writes a beautiful prayer/song. I'm always asking God for directions, I get lost driving, but I also need direction with my life. "Point out the road I must travel."
God's justice is always right. Man's can get a bit messed up at times. We just can't see the whole picture like God can. And... there's politics. I love David's reason- "Why? Because I'm your servant." Even though he went through so much calamity, he remained God's servant. Sometimes it's not easy- but the rewards are divine! And there's nothing like seeing someone else's struggles to put mine in perspective.
Here's what Jesus thinks about our simple acts of kindness. It turns out when we serve others, we're also serving Him : )
Matt 25:31-46
31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
NKJV
Have a great weekend!
In His love,
Karen
Psalm 143
When I'm in the pits it feels like God forgot me. But David keeps his faith.
1 Listen to this prayer of mine, God;
pay attention to what I'm asking.
Answer me — you're famous for your answers!
Do what's right for me.
This is another thing that hasn't changed in modern times. No one wants to go to court. It's still crazy.
2 But don't, please don't, haul me into court;
not a person alive would be acquitted there.
In David's time, there were literal enemies hunting for him. There was that giant, "Goliath" he killed and all the Philistines who were angry, just to name a few. He had a lot of enemies. He feels like he's in a spiritual desert, where'd God go?
3 The enemy hunted me down;
he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life.
He put me in a black hole,
buried me like a corpse in that dungeon.
4 I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away,
my heart heavy, like lead.
5 I remembered the old days,
went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,
6 Stretched out my hands to you,
as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.
Now, David realizes life without God would be death in itself. I agree. I can't live without Him. David writes a beautiful prayer/song. I'm always asking God for directions, I get lost driving, but I also need direction with my life. "Point out the road I must travel."
7 Hurry with your answer, God!
I'm nearly at the end of my rope.
Don't turn away; don't ignore me!
That would be certain death.
8 If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
I'm all ears, all eyes before you.
9 Save me from my enemies, God — you're my only hope!
10 Teach me how to live to please you,
because you're my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
into cleared and level pastureland.
God's justice is always right. Man's can get a bit messed up at times. We just can't see the whole picture like God can. And... there's politics. I love David's reason- "Why? Because I'm your servant." Even though he went through so much calamity, he remained God's servant. Sometimes it's not easy- but the rewards are divine! And there's nothing like seeing someone else's struggles to put mine in perspective.
11 Keep up your reputation, God — give me life!
In your justice, get me out of this trouble!
12 In your great love, vanquish my enemies;
make a clean sweep of those who harass me.
And why? Because I'm your servant.
THE MESSAGEHere's what Jesus thinks about our simple acts of kindness. It turns out when we serve others, we're also serving Him : )
Matt 25:31-46
31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
NKJV
Have a great weekend!
In His love,
Karen
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteProfuse thanks to you for this rich message.
Certainly it buoyed my spirit.
Praise be to our Most High GOD!
thanks lioneagle : ) His Word is awesome! God bless you.
ReplyDelete