Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Psalm 25: 16,17 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One of the roots of the word distress is the Latin word districtus, which is the past participle of distringere, to draw apart, hinder. When we are distressed, we are often divided, drawn apart. Have you ever been in a situation where things just seem to be getting worse in spite of your best efforts? This happens to me with plumbing projects, although I have now given these up under the advice of my wife, after causing a minor flood in our kitchen.
In this portion of Psalm 25, we see David crying out to God in affliction, feeling desolate. Perhaps today you feel drawn apart, not knowing which way to go, feeling like you are falling down a deeper and deeper pit. This hole could be of your own volition or through no fault of your own. Remember, it is not the depth of the pit that you are in that matters. Rather, it is the length of the arms of mercy that can pull you out, if you just ask Him. Won't you cry out to the Lord today? He will hear and reach down into the depth of your despair to bring you out into the light of His love.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
October 23 - God, our rescuer
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalm 25:15 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One night, my youngest daughter, who was about one at the time, was crying quite a bit in her crib. When I went to check what was wrong, I quickly noticed that her leg was caught underneath a railing in the crib. The look on her face was one of fear and of trust; fear of what was happening and the pain, utter trust in me that I would be able to free her. Yet, until I could calm her and stop her from trying to free herself, I could not free her leg.
In the same way, we often are fearfully thrashing about trying to solve our own problems, seeking relief from our pain, perhaps trying to reverse mistakes that we have made. If we can just stop thrashing and look toward the Lord, He will indeed deliver. What do you need deliverance from today? Look to Him today and always, for our God is our provider and deliverer.
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalm 25:15 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One night, my youngest daughter, who was about one at the time, was crying quite a bit in her crib. When I went to check what was wrong, I quickly noticed that her leg was caught underneath a railing in the crib. The look on her face was one of fear and of trust; fear of what was happening and the pain, utter trust in me that I would be able to free her. Yet, until I could calm her and stop her from trying to free herself, I could not free her leg.
In the same way, we often are fearfully thrashing about trying to solve our own problems, seeking relief from our pain, perhaps trying to reverse mistakes that we have made. If we can just stop thrashing and look toward the Lord, He will indeed deliver. What do you need deliverance from today? Look to Him today and always, for our God is our provider and deliverer.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
October 22 - Forgiven and Free!
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Psalm 25: 10-11 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: We see a stark contrast in these verses; on the one hand, all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, on the other, David is asking for pardon. Perhaps there is an indication of regret here for past iniquities.
We often regret mistakes of the past, fearing that in some way we will pay for these mistakes. God cannot look on our iniquities, because He is perfect. Yet, He found the perfect way to forgive us, through the gift of His Son Jesus. Father God can only see the perfection of Jesus when He looks on us, because of His great mercy towards us.
Do you have some things in your past that you regret? Have you received God's free gift of salvation and forgiveness through belief in Jesus? If you have, then those regrets have been forgiven, forgotten and cast as far as the east is from the west. Rest in that assurance today, you are forgiven and you are free in Jesus.
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Psalm 25: 10-11 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: We see a stark contrast in these verses; on the one hand, all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, on the other, David is asking for pardon. Perhaps there is an indication of regret here for past iniquities.
We often regret mistakes of the past, fearing that in some way we will pay for these mistakes. God cannot look on our iniquities, because He is perfect. Yet, He found the perfect way to forgive us, through the gift of His Son Jesus. Father God can only see the perfection of Jesus when He looks on us, because of His great mercy towards us.
Do you have some things in your past that you regret? Have you received God's free gift of salvation and forgiveness through belief in Jesus? If you have, then those regrets have been forgiven, forgotten and cast as far as the east is from the west. Rest in that assurance today, you are forgiven and you are free in Jesus.
Monday, October 20, 2014
October 21 - Humility
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
Psalm 25:8-9 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: What does it mean to be humble? Perhaps images come to mind of one who puts others before himself. Maybe a particular individual comes to mind. In this psalm, David makes a correlation between learning the Lord's ways and humility. The humble He teaches His way. So, then, perhaps being humble means getting outside of ourselves enough to realize that we are nothing except for who we are in Jesus. True humility is utter abandon to God.
Do you want to know the ways of the Lord? Ask Him today to help you to be humble before Him, that you may know Him in a deeper way.
Psalm 25:8-9 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: What does it mean to be humble? Perhaps images come to mind of one who puts others before himself. Maybe a particular individual comes to mind. In this psalm, David makes a correlation between learning the Lord's ways and humility. The humble He teaches His way. So, then, perhaps being humble means getting outside of ourselves enough to realize that we are nothing except for who we are in Jesus. True humility is utter abandon to God.
Do you want to know the ways of the Lord? Ask Him today to help you to be humble before Him, that you may know Him in a deeper way.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
October 20 - Merciful God
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Psalm 25:6-7 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Have you ever been deeply hurt by someone and chosen to walk away from the relationship? In our humanness, we don't want to leave ourselves open for further hurt and we forsake the relationship. God does no such thing. When we are at our lowest, He reaches out to us in love. In this portion of Psalm 25, we read of David's plea to the Lord to not remember his past transgressions, but to show him mercy.
Are there things in your past that you feel would cause the Lord to not love you? Know that, if you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, you have been forgiven and are forever in a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. The choice is yours today: accept His mercy and forgiveness or dwell on the not so nice things in your life that you feel are outside of His mercy. Which will you choose?
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Psalm 25:6-7 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Have you ever been deeply hurt by someone and chosen to walk away from the relationship? In our humanness, we don't want to leave ourselves open for further hurt and we forsake the relationship. God does no such thing. When we are at our lowest, He reaches out to us in love. In this portion of Psalm 25, we read of David's plea to the Lord to not remember his past transgressions, but to show him mercy.
Are there things in your past that you feel would cause the Lord to not love you? Know that, if you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, you have been forgiven and are forever in a right relationship with the Heavenly Father. The choice is yours today: accept His mercy and forgiveness or dwell on the not so nice things in your life that you feel are outside of His mercy. Which will you choose?
October 19 - On Waiting
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
Thought for today: We live in a society where waiting does not seem to be an option. Everything is instant from gratification to groceries. I teach at a college and find that students want to learn things instantly. Yet, in this psalm we see David indicating that He waits on the Lord all day long. This waiting is tied to being shown by God His ways. Perhaps, the more we wait on the Lord, seeking His face in prayer, the more we shall become like Him. This day, may we all endeavor to slow down, waiting on the Lord and seeking to learn all of His ways.
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
Thought for today: We live in a society where waiting does not seem to be an option. Everything is instant from gratification to groceries. I teach at a college and find that students want to learn things instantly. Yet, in this psalm we see David indicating that He waits on the Lord all day long. This waiting is tied to being shown by God His ways. Perhaps, the more we wait on the Lord, seeking His face in prayer, the more we shall become like Him. This day, may we all endeavor to slow down, waiting on the Lord and seeking to learn all of His ways.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
October 18 - Lift Up Your Soul
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Psalm 25:1-2 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: David indicates in the opening verses of this psalm that there is a direct connection between lifting one's soul to the Lord and having victory over one's enemies. What does it mean to lift one's soul to the Lord? It seems that all we have to lift to Him on the level of the soul is prayer. When we pray, we experience victory. When we pray, our difficult circumstances, what we might call our enemies, cannot overcome us. Are you facing something in your life that you are afraid will triumph over you? The only answer is to lift up your soul to God in prayer. In Him will be the victory.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Psalm 25:1-2 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: David indicates in the opening verses of this psalm that there is a direct connection between lifting one's soul to the Lord and having victory over one's enemies. What does it mean to lift one's soul to the Lord? It seems that all we have to lift to Him on the level of the soul is prayer. When we pray, we experience victory. When we pray, our difficult circumstances, what we might call our enemies, cannot overcome us. Are you facing something in your life that you are afraid will triumph over you? The only answer is to lift up your soul to God in prayer. In Him will be the victory.
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