several encouragements from worship today.
In Sunday School, we are studying the book of Isaiah. Today, as we looked at chapter 55, so many verses mirrored the Psalm themes so far.
The contrast between the righteous and the wicked has been a major theme. The Psalmist begins with a contrast of the two, and in black and white terms tells us just how it will be with either one. The righteous will stand before God, the wicked will not.
The Psalmist expressed raw, real emotions, but always, always, expresses right before and/or behind that a sure hope and confidence that God will help, strengthen, protect and defend the righteous.
David has plead with God for the wicked enemies to be taken OUT.....to be judged harshly by God.
He has wondered out loud what is taking God so long to do this, when he has promised that He will.
God is patient. And His timing is perfect, even when it seems to us that it isn't. He who knows all, surely can be trusted to plan not only the events of our lives and indeed the course of the nations.
Isaiah 55:7....."Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and abundantly pardon."
Next time I want to ask for God to judge the wicked as He said He will.......I will remember first of all His great patience with me. And the verse above......He gives the wicked a chance to repent. Ample time to forsake his way and return to the Lord. All I need to do is trust that what He has said, He will do.
Hebrews 10:23..."Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.": David does this well.
Isaiah 57:15b stood out to me also. God says, "I dwell in a high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite."
God almighty, the great I AM, stoops to consider us, and delights to dwell with us when we acknowledge our sinful, needy state. The wicked are proud and arrogant toward God, boasting in their own means.
Also from today:
The song our choir sang today was beautiful, both in melody and word:
Be still, my soul.
Be still, my soul, before the Lord, for God is always near.
Before your mind is moved to pray, God listens and will hear.
You need not multiply your words, nor pray with practiced art.
Beyond all speech, God understands the hunger of your heart.
Be still, my soul, before the Lord, for God is always near.
Before your mind is moved to pray, God listens and will hear.
You need not multiply your words, nor pray with practiced art.
Beyond all speech, God understands the hunger of your heart.
Wait, then, in quiet confidence, your anxious thoughts at rest.
God knows your needs before you ask, and works for what is best.
Be still, my soul, before the Lord; on God in patience wait.
God's love, unseen, surrounds your life; God's help will not be late.
Be still, my soul.
God knows your needs before you ask, and works for what is best.
Be still, my soul, before the Lord; on God in patience wait.
God's love, unseen, surrounds your life; God's help will not be late.
Be still, my soul.
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Yes. Be still. How difficult to do in a society that values constant 'noise' and entertainment.
Be still, and know God's comfort and presence. Be still, and take the time to cry to the Father about the concerns of life.Be honest, he already knows your heart. Remind Him of His promises in prayer. And be patient. "His timing will not be late."
And finally, a quote that was pretty thought provoking. Part of me wanted to shout, Yes!, while another part of me cringed at my own sin here.
From Kevin DeYoung in The Good News We Almost Forgot pages 232 and 233.
"The great danger we have, living in such an affluent society, is the evil of self-reliance......This is why prayer is so essential for the Christian......There may be many reasons for our prayerlessness--time management, busyness, lack of concentration--but must fundamentally, we ask not because we think we need not......We do not trust in God alone. Prayerlessness is an expression of our meager confidence in God's ability to provide and of our strong confidence in our ability to take care of ourselves without God's help...........If we never pray, the problem goes much deeper than a lack of organization and follow-through. The heart that never talks to God is the heart that trusts in itself and not in he power of God. Prayerlessness is unbelief...."
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Even when I 'get it', and have seasons of very fruitful and meaningful prayer, I still find myself sliding back into old habits during times of ease particularly.....forgetting to pray, or forgetting HOW He has taught us to pray, or allowing busyness to overwhelm every minute of the day so that there is no time to spend in prayer.
Hope I didn't disappoint anyone reading the blog by not progressing to the next Psalm today.
Come back tomorrow!
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