Psalm_33

Scripture - What stood out?

Psalm 33:5 (NIV) The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.  Observation - What does it say?Written by an unknown author, this is a psalm of praise to God. The psalm is a reminder of why we worship God, why He is worthy of all that praise and just exactly why we put our hope, our trust and our faith in Him. Understanding - What does it mean?The phrase that stood out to me in verse 5 was “unfailing love”. It kind of caught me off guard. I have heard the phrase that God’s love never fails, but for the first time I sat and thought about God’s unfailing love.To try and understand what “unfailing love” I began to think about...failing love. What type of love has failed me in the past? Parental love. Marital love. Romantic love. Brotherly love. Friend love. Self love. All have failed me at one time or another. Our love fails. But God’s love is...unfailing. And that is how God loves. His love doesn’t falter, or slip up, or forget, or fall short.

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Has love ever failed you? 

 Lord I can spend the rest of my time here on earth thinking about love that has failed me. Instead, I ask you Lord that I would spend the rest of my life dwelling on a love that never fails. I think about Your life, Your ministry, Your work in Calvary and I know that I am just scratching the surface.May I spend the rest of my life trying to understand your brand of love. A love that never makes a mistake. A love that never falters. A love that never fails. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.-kenneth lee 

Psalm 32

Scripture

Psalm 32: 6-7

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

 

Observation

David writes form a place of introspective worship to God, proclaiming that He provides peace and comfort to a tired and weary soul. Within these two verses he provides an outline to achieving liberation and deliverance for the soul.

 

Understanding

When I was little (and still now) when I have a bad day and need a good cry I always go to my parents for comfort. My dad just holds me and lets me cry, and everything seems to melt away and I feel safe in his arms. HE for the most part is my hiding place during these times of distress and trouble, and I don’t have to worry about anything else. That is exactly what I imagined when I read these verses today, and they hit me like a ton of brinks, but in a good way.

They echo snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! And they lay out exactly how to do that.

1. Intercession: He begins by saying “Therefore let all the faithful pray for you while you may be found…” implying that someone is lost, and others are praying for them to find their way home. I think this is very indicative of the current state of our world right now. Lost, and searching for answers (or a way home). David reminds us that the journey home, although difficult, starts with prayer.
2. Protection: “surely the rising waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place…” I can’t stop saying “you are my hiding place.” There’s security in those words like no other. However, the protection only came because someone prayed for the directions home, and that person decided to follow the road map. So my little side note would be to STAY THE COURSE no matter how difficult. Because when you do, you will find the greatest comfort waiting at the end of the road.
3. Liberation/Deliverance: “and surround me with songs of deliverance…” From protection come liberation, came relief, came freedom! Safe in the arms of the Father, nothing can touch you, harm you, or threaten you. This is what are nation is starved for, but it begins with intercession.

 

Life Application

We are not in a fight of flesh and blood, yet we’ve been suiting up for battle with all the wrong weapons. Our world is starved for change and I think it’s time we turn to the only hiding place we haven’t been to yet. My soul waits for Him and Him alone, but until we meet I will be in fervent communion with my Creator.

-Allison Khan

PS If you find yourself worried or stressed I have found that saying “you are my hiding place,” makes every anxiety and fear melt away.

1 Timothy___1

Scripture  

1 Timothy1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation-What does it say?

Paul is giving his testimony of the grace and mercy the Lord has shown him in his life. He also shares the Good News of Christ’s testimony and gives all the honor and glory to God for who He is!

Understanding-What does it mean?

We must not forget where we came from.

No matter how much influence Paul was blessed with, he remained humble by remembering God’s grace and mercy upon His life and being grateful for it!

Life Application

Be grateful.

 

During last Sunday’s livestream, Pastor encouraged our church to post something everyday on social media that we were grateful to the Lord for. 

I will write my personal version of the first part of Paul’s testimony, since it is focused on thanksgiving to the Lord.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, that He has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once very depressed and hopeless, a victim of my circumstances, who put guys on the throne of my life instead of Jesus, fell into the looks, worldly success and comparison trap and was very prideful, I was shown mercy. The grace of our Lord Jesus was poured out on me abundantly! To God be the honor and glory forever! 

What are you grateful to the Lord for this morning? Please post it in the comments section and on social media!

-Michelle Gaddi