Psalms 42 - 12.28.23

SCRIPTURE: Psalms 42:1-2 CEV

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 

In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?”

OBSERVATION 

A psalm attributed to the sons of a Korah.

This psalm begins with a powerful image – a deer aching with thirst.

Perhaps the thirst came from drought or from heated pursuit; either way, the deer longed for and needed water. In the same way, the psalmist’s soul longed for and needed God.

The word thirst is taken from: arag: to cry out or deeply long for.

It’s not—I’m a little bit thirsty-

It’s—I’m in deep agony and in desperate need for water.

In this analogy the deer is crying out in distress.

APPLICATION 

Learning to be thirsty for God

I like how Spurgeon put this:

“Ease he did not seek, honour he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul; he viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a deer.”

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again. 

But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. 

The water I give will become in that person a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.””

(John 4:13-14 CEV)

I am simply sitting pondering today and asking God for a deep and desperate thirst for Him.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV)

“Deep calls onto Deep” (Psalm 42:7a NIV)

“Whatever the “depths” of our need, sorrow, or desire, 

IN God there is a FULL “Depth” of supply that may be obtained.” (FB Meyer)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus 

I pray today that my heart will desperately thirst and long for You as a priority of my life. YOU are the direct source of ALL I need and ALL I desire.

I desire to have More of You.  To be immersed in Your Presence.

Draw me near. Make my life Your living Worship.

In Jesus Name, amen.

Tina L Kudelka

2 Corinthians 2 - 12.27.23

Scripture

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Cor 2:10-11, NIV)

Observation

Forgiving others is not an option. We are commanded to forgive everyone who has wronged us, throughout the New Testament. Paul reminds us that if we don't forgive, we are giving Satan a reason to take advantage of us (2 Cor 2:11, NKJV). In the parable of the unforgiving servant Jesus warns us of similar judgment, if we do not forgive others "from our heart" (Matthew 18:35). In the Lord's prayer, the Lord teaches us to pray to the Father to forgive us just as we have forgiven others. (Matthew 6:12).  It is followed by the reminder that if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven either (Matthew 6:15). 

Application

As we finish this year, let's search our hearts to see if we have a spirit of offense in our hearts, against anyone who has offended us. Let us ask God to help us to forgive those people who hurt us. Without His help, it is humanly impossible to forgive as the Lord requires us to. Let us start the new year without any grudges, and any lurking unforgiveness in our hearts.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for washing my sins away, and making me your child. Please help me to forgive those who have hurt me. Help me to remember if I am holding offenses against anyone in my heart. Help me to forgive that person just as you forgave me. I want to be wholly yours, and not give Satan a place in my life through unforgiveness. In Jesus name, I forgive everyone who has hurt me. Thank you Lord, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Zephaniah 1 - 12.26.23

SCRIPTURE:  Zephaniah 1:14-16 - “The great day of the Lord is near - near and coming quickly.  The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts His battle cry. That day will be a day of wrath  - a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness - a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.”

OBSERVATION:  Zephaniah was chosen by God to warn the people of Judah about their sins; complacency, and idol worship.  They had turned their backs against God!  He warned them that if they refused to repent of their sins, the entire nation, including the city of Jerusalem would be lost! He urged them to turn back to God. “The wages of sin is death”, and because God is just, He MUST punish sin!  He is also holy, and will judge and punish everyone who is content living in their sin, and who refuses to repent!

God commands that He alone be worshipped, and from the time of Moses, the Israelites had been warned about worshiping false gods. A day will come when God will punish all nations for their disobedience.  “I will bring such distress on all people…because they have sinned against the Lord!  Neither their silver or gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath!  In the fire of His jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth!”  What a horrible punishment that will come to those who defy the Lord!

APPLICATION:  As God used Zephaniah to warn the people to turn from their sins and return back to Him, He is warning people today! The ONLY way to escape the day of wrath is to become a child of God, and a true follower of Jesus!  When we believe Jesus is Lord and make Him our Savior, we are forgiven, and Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross allows us to be restored back to God, so… we don’t need to fear because the Lord promises us that we now have hope for our future!

When we speak of God’s coming judgement, our primary purpose should always be to encourage unrepentant people to come to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. 

PRAYER:  Lord, Your Word is truth, and EVERY Word You have spoken will come true!  Thank You that as Your children we don’t need to fear Your judgement because Jesus died so we could be saved.  Help us to demonstrate a deep sense of humility in our walk with You as we reflect Your love and compassion to the ones who are still lost in their sins, and who need to find real hope and true security in Jesus. 

- Robin Orefice