Psalm 6 - 7.18.24

Psalm 6:1-3; 6

S - 1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

 6 I am worn out from my groaning.

    All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.

O – This Psalm is a lamentation by David who sensed he was under the chastisement of God, but he still knew he should ask God to shorten the trial. There is a place for humble resignation to chastisement, but God wants us to yearn for higher ground and to use that yearning as a motivation to seek Him and get things right with Him.

In his agony David pleads for deliverance – but on the ground of God’s mercy, not his own righteousness. David knew that the LORD’s chastisement was righteous, but he also knew that God is rich in mercy. (endouringword.com)

A – I know so many of us this morning who can relate to David’s anguish for many of the different things we are experiencing. Those things may or may not be the result of our own sin, but the pain and frustration is all the same. We NEED God to get us through these things. We need to cry out and lay each of our needs at His feet and let Him take the load. And if we believe sin has played a part in our circumstances, then let’s take the opportunity to confess those things and let God move us past them. As we just wrapped up our 7-day rooted challenge, I pray that each person who was seeking Him and growing those roots deeper, truly came away from that time feeling connected! I think most of us would say they have memorized this scripture:

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

That verse carries so much truth! Well, don’t they all? But this one always packs a punch for me. When I am going through the chaos and crying out to God, I must stop and ask myself if I am even taking the time to connect with Jesus. Most of the time, I have been “too busy” to put in the time and effort, not giving Him the chance to speak to my heart or lead me where I need to go. In this Psalm God’s chastising hand was heavy upon David. His life seemed to be nothing but tears and misery. David felt God was angry with him and he lacked a sense of God’s presence (familiar?) and the only reason we would not feel God’s presence is because we have not been connecting to the source. He does not turn his back on us and as we go through each of our own trials, it is imperative that we call on the Lord to bring us through them. He has already promised us that He will!

P – Lord I thank you that your promises never change. That you said there is nothing that can separate us from your love. You said there will be trouble on this earth, but we need not fear any of it because you have already given us victory over every battle. Help us to hold onto that promise and live like we remember that! Help our lives be a testimony to those around us who are watching. Please help myself and others to always go to you amid the pain and suffering and not turn to any of the many other things we can get so caught up in to help ourselves feel better. Let us always turn to YOU for our comfort and our sanity! Thank you, Jesus, that you hear our cries and our desperation, and being the good Father that you are, are right beside us holding us up as we get through our pain.

Amen!

Crystal Penrod Flory

Psalm 5 - 7.17.24

Scripture - Psalms 5

Listen to my words, Lord,

   consider my lament.

Hear my cry for help,

   my King and my God,

   for to you I pray

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

   in the morning I lay my requests before you

   and wait expectantly.

Observation

God does not expect you to put on a brave face or pretend to be happy in times of trial. Over and over in the Psalms, David sets the example for us, going to God and pouring out his sorrow, anger and pain. He is real and raw. Complaining and crying out, he lays his needs at God's feet. He sits before God and lets God work on his heart. By the end of every Psalm, not every situation is changed, but David is changed through his time spent with God. 

Application

I like to say, "You need to feel your feelings - for a while." David is a great example of that! But we can't stay there. We need to learn to lay our troubles at the feet of God and trust Him. We need to learn to trust Him even when we don't see anything happening. We need to trust that He works in ways we can't see or understand. Learning to trust is a spiritual discipline. 

In the morning - David starts his days meeting with God

My King and my God - he acknowledges God's sovereignty, his supreme authority and power

Wait expectantly - spend time, learn to trust

By the end of the Psalm, you see that David's heart has changed.

"David began his devotions seeking help for himself but ended by seeking blessing for all the people, including his enemies. That’s the way our devotional times ought to end." Warren Wiersbe Bible Study

Prayer

Thank you God for this reminder today. I don't need to carry my burdens alone. You love me and You want me to come to You with everything. You want to listen, comfort me, change my heart, and teach me to trust in You.

- Debbie Dunn

Numbers 6 - 7.16.24

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers 6:22 – 27

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

OBSERVATION

Verses 22 – 27 is called a Priestly Blessing. The blessing comes after a lengthy outline in verses 1 – 21 on how a Nazirite is to live their life. I wasn’t aware of a Nazirite but found it’s a Jewish man or woman who takes a vow to consecrate their life to the Lord for a period of time. There were several people in the Bible who were considered to possibly be a Nazirite based on the vow or dedication they showed in their life:

Sampson, Samuel, Paul and John the Baptist

Although 21 verses are devoted to the Nazirite’s vow and what that entails, the Lord ends up blessing all Israelites and not just the Nazirites. He’s a gracious and loving God who wants to bless all who follow Him.

God’s blessing goes deeper to also “keep us.” This is a way of protection and watching over us in our life. His eyes are upon us to keep us from harm. I feel special knowing His love and care goes so deep.

The blessing goes further into showing how God is pleased with those who follow Him by shining his face towards us. My heart is so full knowing He looks upon me with a shining face and is gracious. How special we are to Him!

By turning His face towards us, this is an act of acceptance, love and pleasure with us. He then also extends peace. I’m so thankful He doesn’t turn His head away but towards me and the blessing of peace is given.

Another take away is this Scripture uses the word “you” six times. God is in the details of us personally. In Psalm 139 (which is my favorite life scripture) God says He’s intimately acquainted with each of us, knew us before we were born, knows when we sit down, lay down, and even what we will speak before anything is said. You are important to God and His blessings flow in abundance. God’s perfect peace flows when reading this Blessing.

APPLICATION

I need to remember this Scripture and commit it to memory for those times I’m feeling low or discouraged. The reminder of how God wants to bless us, love us, is gracious, shines his face of acceptance and light upon us, is gracious, and extends peace ultimate causes me to feel so special and at peace within Him. God is so good and worthy of all praise!

Hearing the worship song set to this Scripture is the icing on the cake. Receive the blessing God wants to give you and His peace in this worship song: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4

PRAYER

Lord, I am so thankful for your blessings. You love us so much! You have always loved your chosen people – the Nation of Israel - and I also care about Israel. I pray and lift them up now and always. I also pray this blessing to the United States that this nation turns back to you. Help us to consecrate each day to you and receive the blessings you freely and graciously give to those who follow you.  In Jesus name… amen!

- Mary Oberg