Psalm 118 - 6.18.26

S: Psalm 118:1 & 8 - 14

1  “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.”

O: Pressure and the consuming nature of pressure or worry or fear is something that comes into our lives quite often in many different seasons. In this psalm we see this narrative of pressure that nations are closing in and fear is rising, but it is in these moments of pressure and within the battles that we face internally and externally that we have an opportunity to see the power of the name of our Lord and the power of our praise for His everlasting love. This is what sticks out to me in Psalm 118, how when the name of the Lord is called upon fear is silenced, a place of dwelling and refuge is received, help is found, and all is put into perspective when praise is lifted to the Lord and His love. In this psalm, notice how before the battle is brought up - first what is brought up is praise and praise for Lord’s love. The Lord’s love is a consistent and powerful thing that we get to praise Him for no matter what pressure we are under or what battle is in front of us, Psalm 118 shouts thanksgiving and celebration of the Lord’s steadfast love that delivers us from distress. His name and His presence being more powerful than our worry or fear. We can so often become ritualistic with our worry, that worry and fear feel like second nature that we forget the medicinal and radical power that is the name of Jesus and the power that is in our praise for His faithful love.

A: Let's make praise for the Lord’s love, our weapon of defense and our refuge this week. Let us make a commitment together to consciously put reminders and scriptures in front of us that remind us of His love.  Whether that be a worship song you can continually listen to this week that proclaims His steadfast love over you, or a scripture you can have as your screensaver or on your mirror or in your car, whatever it may be how can we orient our hearts to see and declare that His faithful love endures forever no matter what we are facing and no matter what we are going through. Because this is the truth, He deserves praise because His faithful love endures forever!! When we do so, I am excited to see how chains will break and perspectives will shift and thought patterns will change. Jesus loves you so deeply and praise for that steadfast love is medicine to our soul.

P:  Jesus, your faithful love endures forever! You know what burdens are on my heart and on my mind and God I cast those cares and burdens to your feet and choose to PRAISE you for your faithful love that endures forever. In Jesus name, AMEN!

- Tess Schrupp

Exodus 4 - 6.17.26

Scripture: Exodus 4:10-13

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Observation

God had literally just finished giving Moses a preview of His power. He showed Moses the miracles He was going to perform in front of Pharoah – He changed the staff into a snake and back into a staff, and He made Moses’ hand leprous and then restored it to health. Moses stood there in God’s presence, experiencing the power of God. And then he told that very same God that in spite of His power and His promise to empower Moses, He wouldn’t be able to use Moses to accomplish his purposes.

Application

Moses’ reaction seems incomprehensible. Can you imagine God performing miracles right in front of you and then not trusting Him to do what He promised? In other words – God, you might be able to change a piece of wood into a snake and heal leprosy, but you wouldn’t be able to give me the right words to say. His lack of faith!

But unfortunately, I see parallels with my own life. God has performed miracles in my life and kept His promises. And still, many times, I am too scared to share about what He’s done for me with others. In those instances, I am more worried about what other people think of me that what God thinks of me. Verse 14 says, “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses …” Moses ended up getting his way, God used someone else. But it doesn’t say at what cost – what blessing did Moses miss out on because of that lack of faith?

Prayer

God, thank you for giving us such a clear example in today’s reading – so clear that it seems ridiculous when I let my irrational fears win out over faith. Please forgive me and continue to strengthen my faith. And thank you for your redeeming love – that you can and will continue to use us (like you used Moses), in spite of our fears, failings, and shortcomings. Amen

- Debbie Dunn

Exodus 3 - 6.16.26

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:11-12

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

OBSERVATION

Moses had a supernatural encounter with God when he approached the burning bush in the wilderness. God told Moses about the promise that He gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had the plan to use Moses to fulfill that covenant. This seemed like an overwhelming, almost impossible task for Moses to complete in which he could not do in his own power. Moses was to approach the ruler of the most powerful kingdom of the time to release a multitude of slaves who were his people. God assured Moses that His presence would be a sign to him, the Israelites and even the Egyptians, and that He alone will receive the glory. 

APPLICATION

The most comforting words that we can hear is when God says, “I will be with you.” Christ can make the incapable capable and the impossible possible. This is where faith is to be applied. If God lays a pathway for us where the obstacles seem impossible to move, we have to trust in God to see us through the whole way. The Apostle Paul asked the Roman church that if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Whatever calling, ministry, task, encounter, or interaction that God is calling us to, He will be with us. We have nothing to fear. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your comforting words that You will be with us and will not forsake us. I pray that we encounter You in a mighty way to hear what You have in store for us. I know that You have an assignment for each of us, and I pray that we can hear You with clarity such as Moses did near the burning bush. I pray that You can strengthen our faith. In Matthew 17:20, You told the disciples that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We thank You for walking with us, beside us and most of all in front of us leading the way!

- Darrence Hamilton