Galatians 4 - 1.17.24

Scripture

Galatians 4:9 - But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? 

Observation

Paul is reminding the Galatians who they are now – knowing and known by God.

Application

The phrase, “or rather are known by God” caught my attention, so I did some studying. This phrase is repeated in other parts the Bible and the wording and sentence structure each time seems to emphasize it more than us knowing God.

“To be known by God simply means to be counted among his sons” John Calvin

Parents know their children – they know what is best for them, what they need, and when and why they need it. They are their biggest champions and want the absolute best for them. They recognize their strengths and weaknesses, value them for who they are, and want to see them grow and succeed. God views us the same way.

“When God beholds his image in us He does that not by looking at that which He has put into us by nature, but at that which He has put into us by grace.” John Calvin

“To be known by God signifieth to be approved and loved by him, and consequently that all our concerns are perfectly known to him and regarded by him. This is the full and final comfort of a believer.” J.I Packer

Prayer

“If one loves God, one is known by him.”  I Corinthians 8:3

Thank you God for knowing me - as I was … as I am … and as I will be. Thank you for loving me when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for championing me. Thank you for knowing all my concerns and my hopes and dreams. Thank you for guiding me and nudging me and correcting me. Thank you for doing what is best for me even when it hurts. Thank you for being in control. Thank you for giving me a hope and a future. Thank you for reminding me of your love for me today.

- Debbie Dunn

Psalm 55 - 1.16.24

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

OBSERVATION:  Verse 22 encompasses David’s heart and firm faith even during the most distressing and difficult siege on his life.  To really understand verse 22, it’s important to know what brought him to this place of faith and trust in the Lord.

This chapter begins with his cry to “listen to my prayer, O God” and then his plea in verse 2-3  about “my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying.” He goes on to say in verses 4 – 6  he is in anguish, has terrors of death, fear, trembling and horror have overwhelmed him. The picture he paints is a man who is at the deepest depths of despair. Later, in verse 13, we find out what was causing him such grief. He was betrayed by a friend, a close companion, someone he “enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God.” He later describes the person, in verses 20 – 21, saying this “friend” attacks and violates their friendship, he is a smooth talker yet does the opposite behind his back. Some scholars think this might be about his son, Absalom, but it could have been someone else. No matter what, it was someone who was close, a brother in the Lord, and it was an utter betrayal to David. Have you ever been hurt from someone that close in your life? I have and know it’s a deep hurt that only God can heal.

Verse 22 is where David shares the one and only way to get through the trials and tribulations of life; even those places of deep betrayal and hurt. He writes to “cast your cares on the Lord.” The verb “cast” translates “shalak” which means to throw, to fling, to hurl. Imagine taking your burden and literally throwing it as hard as you can away from you and to the Lord. What a great visual when you’re in the midst of a trial to cast, throw or literally hurl it away to the Lord!

It’s very interesting verse 22 doesn’t say he will remove or take away the problem you’re going through but will sustain you through it. He promises to support you, bear the burden, to keep you from going under or giving way to the trial. Through all the trials in my life, I know and have experienced growth in my faith, strength to endure, and a deep and personal way to encourage others when going through trials. I love what George Campbell Morgan, a great Bible teacher, preacher and author wrote about verse 22:  “The experience of suffering was not taken away from the servant of God, but he was sustained, and so made strong enough to resist its pressure, and through it to make his service more perfect. This is how God ever sustains us in the bearing of burdens.” (Morgan).

APPLICATION: There are many times in my life where I took on the burden of a trial. I failed miserably and was floundering at best. It seems when trying to carry a trail on my own, every aspect of the trial exponentially grows larger than the trial itself. Have you ever noticed that happen to you? The sweet part is once I gave the trail to the Lord, that’s where His peace surrounded me. Just like David, moments of human fear, discouragement, and despair can begin when faced with a trial, but it’s what you do with those emotions that is key. You can live in your fear and discouragement or you can live out your faith like David by trusting and knowing God’s promises have never failed. When you give your burden to the Lord, David confirms the promise of God “he will never let the righteous be shaken” while in the midst of the trial. What a wonderful promise!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for David’s example of walking through the emotions of his deep betrayal and fear, and then witnessing his great faith in You. His example shows that he was human yet his faith in You was mighty. Help me, Lord, when I am going through a trial that I will immediately cast my fears and anything else on you. Thank you for caring and sustaining me through each and every trial. I give you all the praise and glory now for your love, care, and for sustaining me through every trial in life.

- Mary Oberg

Galatians 2 - 1.15.24

Scripture

Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

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Observation

“Paul draws our attention away from the law, sin, death, and every evil, and centers it upon Christ.” (Reference: studylight.org)

Paul was opposing Cephas for forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs, and reiterating that we are saved and justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not works of the law. Paul, who of all people, knew how to follow the rules (which is a reason why he persecuted Christians as Saul), did not want the church to fall into the trap of rule following again, but rather a faith relationship with Christ.

Application

It’s all about Christ. Keep our focus on Him.

It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6) I love this chapter in Galatians. Basically, do not be caught up in the rules of the faith, but rather the faith relationship with Christ. As a result, obedience will follow. If I just give my kids a bunch of rules to follow, but they don’t feel deeply loved by me first, how long do you think that relationship will last, before they start to rebel?

I want to encourage us through this time of prayer and fasting, that if it is not building our faith in Christ or drawing us closer to Jesus, we are just doing activities or having bragging rights of completing a challenge. Following rules breeds pride, but following Christ takes faith and humility.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your death and resurrection on the cross for my sins and that I am justified solely because of what You did, not what I did. Holy Spirit, please convict my heart when I fall into the trap of pride from following rules and the law. Help me to always stay humble and grateful for what only You alone have done for me. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi