Psalm 38-11.9.21
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 38:17,18
"For I am about to fall, and my pain is constantly with me. So I confess my guilt; I am anxious because of my sin."
OBSERVATION:
David cried out to the Lord. He realized that he deserved God's punishment because of his sin, but he pleaded for God to have mercy on him. David confessed his iniquity. He attributed his suffering to his sin. David knew the God of judgement, but He also knew the God Who graciously forgives the sins of all those who confess their sins and turn from them.
UNDERSTANDING:
When we fail to acknowledge our sins, we shouldn't be surprised when we experience repercussions that can come in the form of anxiety, depression, physical ailments and feelings of guilt. Sin is not always the reason we suffer, but if we live with unconfessed sin, it's just a matter of time until we begin to feel the effects of it. It's very important for us to properly evaluate ourselves so that we can avoid God's discipline which comes after we stray off His intended path for us.
LIFE APPLICATION:
I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit, through Whom God acts to reveal His will and Who empowers me, and discloses His personal presence to me. I am also grateful for the way He convicts my heart, and helps me not to want to sin against God. I am also grateful to the spiritual leaders in my church who are there for me to go to when I need spiritual guidance and prayer.
How beneficial it is for us to stay in community and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, for companionship, prayer support, and accountability. How blessed we are to be able to reach out for prayer when we are hurting, troubled or sick, and how pleased God is to see that we are doing our part to support, comfort, and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need.
"Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect." ( James 5:14-16).
Thank You Lord for Your grace and for Your forgiveness, and for being there when we face troubles of any kind! You are there for us when we call out to You.
-Robin Orefice
Psalm 37-11.8.21
Scripture
Psalm 37
Vs. 1 Don’t fret because of evildoers. Vs. 7,8
Vs. 2 They won’t be here long.
Vs. 3 Trust in God and do good.
*Vs. 22- Key thought- “For those blessed by Him will inherit the land; but those cursed by Him will be cut off.”
Observation
Over and over the central truth is restated- Don’t worry or fret because of evil doers or those who carry out wicked schemes. Focus on Jesus and wait for Him to deliver you. Oh, and while you wait for Him, cultivate faithfulness, delight in Him, humility, and patience. Take refuge in Him and He will give you an abundant life.
Understanding
This is just a great reminder that we shouldn’t be a people who are riddled with or controlled by fear and anxiety about the future. We should be occupied by trying to be like Him, His attributes in our lives, trusting Him to show up and care for us when we need Him to. He is clearly the One who holds provision and blessing. Our attention should never be drawn away to people who are up to no good.
This passage reminds me of Joshua 1:5-8 “I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. The inference is that you don’t ever need to be afraid. Always courageous.
Life Application
I come from a long line of professional worriers. I have mad skills when it comes to overthinking and watching for certain doom. Coming to Jesus certainly saved me from myself, but it’s so easy to look at all the shifting sands in our country and our lives and be worried and fearful. The pandemic, our political climate, rioting and rising crime, all feed a dark view of the future. God says here that there is no need to worry! He’s got this!
Dear Jesus, Your Word is so rich and gives me my marching orders as though you heard my thoughts. Thank you for challenging the ones that don’t reflect what I know is true of you- You’ve got this. Help me to be so fascinated with your wisdom, strength, and sacrifice that I see nothing else but that You are with me and you will never forsake me. Teach me to think and speak according to your Word, because Your Word is truth!
-Joneile Emery
Joneile Emery is married to Gary Emery. “We have had a life of watching God love and deliver His people- Pastoring churches, youth and those in ministry over 40 years. I am a watercolor artist and teacher and I love dogs and gardening and art.”
Psalm 36 - 11.5.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 36:7-9 (ESV)
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm of David. A beautiful, simple song beginning with a description of
“The wicked” in contrast to a loving, righteous faithful God. And ending with a brief description of what happens to those who are upright towards God and those who are not.
Understanding - What does it mean?
At desert streams church for the past couple of weeks there has been a sub-theme of feast(ing) in relation to the abundance of God. Paraphrasing Pastor Gary we tend to lose focus on the feast God has set before us and instead focus on the valleys we sometimes (for half glass empty me it is oftentimes) we find ourselves in.
I recently spent some time with someone whose body is in the name of Jesus temporarily not responding the way that it should. Thank you o Father God for this precious reminder. Your love is steadfast. We can rest under your wings. We can feast in your house. We can drink from your river. We partake in your fountain of life. In you there is light no matter how dark the valley.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Thank you for your reminder to me on this day Lord. While we may live in a world that is filled with pain and suffering You remind me what it is to live in Your house, under the shadow of Your wings. Great is your faithfulness to me.
For my life application this morning I will think upon a valley in my life and instead of focusing on the darkness I will focus on the light. Instead of focusing on the famine I will focus on the feast. Help me Lord Jesus though I walk through the valley to trust in You completely without wavering. In the name of Jesus do I ask and pray, amen.
-kenneth lee