Trusting

O. T. #1347  "Trusting"
Dec. 19, 2018
Psalm 118-Part 3
It is better to trust in the LORD than put trust in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.  Psalm 118:8-9

LET IT GLOW

Where do we put our trust? Job, bank account, spouse, family, government, our self?  In what are we trusting our very life and soul? Is it in Jesus that we put our trust and hope? What about others around us? The psalmist tells in what it is better to trust.


LET IT GLOW

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (verse 14)

What a trio! Jehovah provides strength for the conflict, song for the victory, and salvation for the soul. (Falwell)

Augustine explains the expression and is become my salvation, to mean "not that he hath become anything which he was not before, but because His people, when they believed on Him, became what they were not before."

What is the result of our salvation?
Verse 15 tells us that there is rejoicing in the tabernacles of the righteous. Are we rejoicing in our tents, homes? Is there the sound of music which praises our Savior? Especially this time of year, are we remembering the birth of our Savior as the reason for celebration of Christmas?



LET IT GROW

Trust, in both verses, is the Hebrew word chacah (khaw-saw'), which means to flee for protection; to confide in; have hope.

You know, our transportation systems have advanced throughout the years. Flyers put their trust in the pilot, who trusts their plane to get them safely to the destination. Commuters place their confidence in trains, buses, or cars. Every day we put their confidence in someone or something. So, if we are willing to put our trust in a plane or a car to get us to our destination, are we willing to trust God with our eternal destination and to guide us while here on earth?

God is always there when we need protection. He is One in whom we can confide. Most of all, we can place all our hope in Him, hope of eternal life in heaven forever. Our Savior's love is unchanging midst our changing situations.
David said in Psalm 20:7, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

LET IT GO

Jesus, please be my strength as I minister to my hurting family.
Help me reassure them that You are our hope of eternal life after this life is over.
I trust in you, Jesus, for my everything.

Distress and Fear

O. T. #1346 "Distress and Fear"
Dec. 18, 2018
Psalm 118
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
Psalm 118:5

LET IT GLOW

Are you in distress, my friend? Is there a trouble or tribulation that seems to never leave? Are you in a tight place? What can you do? How can you endure? We find the answer in our key verse.

What was going on with this writer of this chapter? Falwell suggests that he and his nation were in a narrow gorge, a straight place.
The word distress in Hebrew, means a tight place; tribulation; trouble.

What did this psalmist do?

• He called upon the LORD.
• His prayer was heard, for God answered him.

What did God do? God set him in a large place, in an open plain, and set him free.

So since the man was in a tight place, with hostile nations surrounding him, swarming like bees and blazing like a crackling fire, and did their best to kill him, the Lord rescued him. He gave victory to Israel and will give victory to us.

LET IT GROW

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (verse 6)

If God is for us, who can be against us? Paul wrote in Romans 8:31.
The psalmist had no reason to fear the destructive designs of man. Neither do we children of God.
He does not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, hope, and a sound mind.

His enemies did their best to kill him, but the Lord rescued him.
Stand strong in the LORD. Trust Him, even in times of distress, no, while in times of distress.
He will work it out for our good and His glory, ya'll.
Man can't do anything that has not first gone through God's hands. His will shall not be thwarted.
People can't take our soul. They can't separate us from God's love. He is on our side, so why fear?
(Hey, I am talking to me.)
In my times of need, I go back through the Psalms and find reassurance in highlighted verses.

LET IT GO

Call on the Lord when I am distressed.
Don't fear people.
Trust Jesus.

Enduring

O. T. #1345  "Enduring"
Dec. 17, 2018
Psalm 118
O give thanks unto the LORD; For He is good; because His mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 118:1

LET IT GLOW

Our car and truck are both over ten years old. They are beginning to need this replaced and that repaired. We are hanging onto them as long as they get us when and where we want to go. As long as they endure, we will not trade them off.  It seems nothing lasts forever around here. Appliances eventually wear out. Automobiles' parts break down. Relationships change. Even our bodies get old and worn out. But there is something which endures forever. This chapter speaks of it, 5 times. Read on to find out what it is.

Look at verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 29. The answer is God's mercy. We have discussed mercy previously. It means kindness; good deed; pity. We often say that the mercy God gives us is not getting what we deserve.
So let's take a different approach here. What does it mean when we read that God's mercy endureth forever?
Endureth means to stand; abide; continue.

Matthew Henry describes God's mercy not only as an everlasting fountain, God Himself, but also never-failing streams of mercy.

Have we given it thought that God's mercy flows as a never-failing stream? It goes on and on, forever. Don't we want to drink from this stream?
Now, on the other hand, are we willing to show other mercy that continues?


LET IT GROW

Who is this anonymous author telling to express gratitude for God's mercy that endureth forever?

• Israel, for she sinned in the wilderness worshiping a idols;
• the house of Aaron, his sons who were priests, set apart for private service unto Jehovah;
• then that fear, reverence, the Lord.

See, we are included there as those who are to give thanks to the Lord because, since, for, His mercy lasts forever, throughout eternity. As I have mentioned before, I often say this before praying at a meal with children.
Dear one, what is God asking you to endure?

LET IT GO

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for all you give to us.
Most of all, thank You for Your mercy.
Help me to endure whatever comes my way.

Dear friends,
I am asking for prayers for my nephew Scott and his family 2 daughters. His wife passed away unexpectedly. He is only 48. She is a believer in Jesus, which assures us of her eternal home.
Thanks. (This morning I wrote 2 posts ahead of time.)

Praise the Lord!

O. T. #1344  "Praise The Lord!"
Dec. 14, 2018
Psalm 117
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him all ye people.
For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD. Ps. 117:1-2

LET IT GLOW

Thank you dear friends for joining me as I study through the psalms. I am learning so much and hope you are, also.
Even though this chapter is only composed of two verses, it says a lot to us. Look at the three distinguishing features which MacArthur points out:

1. It is the shortest psalm.
2. It is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
3. It is the middle chapter of the Bible.

Can you find the answer to this question? What are the two reasons for praising the Lord?

1. God's merciful kindness and
2. His eternal truth, are found in verse 2.

In Christ, God has shown mercy mixed with kindness in the very highest degree. Nothing has ever blessed the hearts and minds of the nations of the earth as the message of the gospel of Christ has. (Falwell)

It is the mercy, kindness, and truth of God which lead us to praise Him. If God did nothing else for us, He would still be worthy of our highest praise. So amidst our hustle and bustle of the season, let us keep praising our Savior, and thanking Him for showing us mercy, kindness, and truth.


LET IT GROW

For ages the Jews of Judah were the only ones who knew about God and praised Him. The mystery of the Gospel of grace has been made known to us Gentiles. Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers that they were fellow-heirs. All nations of believers will make up The Church.

What is the writer calling us to do? Praise the LORD.

There are two different Hebrew words used for praise in the first verse.

1. Shabach, the first mention, means to address in a loud tone; triumph; glory.
2. Halal, second mentioned praise, means celebrate; glory. 

The Gentile nations are invited to glorify the God of Israel, Jehovah. Then with all the various languages, people are praise God with loud voices. So it is appropriate to shout "Praise the Lord" and "Hallelujah" in a church service.

LET IT GO

Give thanks to the Lord, His love never ends; and all the people said "Amen!"

Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever!

Jesus, You are worthy of all the honor and all the praise!

Thank You, Savior, for providing salvation to us through faith!

The Star

O. T. #1343  "The Star"
Dec. 13, 2018
Psalm 116-Part 2
...There shall come a Star out of Jacob... Numbers 24:17

LET IT GLOW

God shows us His love in so many ways. Oh, He doesn't force people to love Him. How can we but love Him in return after He has done so much for us? In our silent night, we can look up at the stars and marvel that God spoke them into being and wants to speak to us, peace over us. He wants to guide us like the star guided the Wise Men. He woos us to Him with a love freely given.

Did you know that Jesus is called a "Star out of Jacob", found in  Numbers 24:17 ? In the Hebrew language, Star can mean a blazing star or a prince. (I don't recall ever reading nor hear that verse during the Christmas season.)

The star that will come from Jacob is often thought to refer to the Messiah. It was probably this prophecy that the wise men to travel to Israel to search for the baby(Matt. 2:1-2). Life Application Study Bible

In Revelation 22:16, Jesus calls Himself The Root and Offspring of David and The Bright and Morning Star. So, was Jesus the guiding Star which the Wise Men followed to Bethlehem? (I know, He was in the form and body of a toddler at that time, but anything is possible with God.)

If He is only speaking figuratively, then is Jesus our Bright and Morning Star? Is He the Star out of Jacob who wants and is ready to guide us on the right path? Are we reaching up to our Star?


LET IT GROW

I don't know why I shared that, other than I found it and used it in my girls class last night at church.

As we read this chapter, did you notice several "I will's" David says in commitment?

• I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. (verse 9)
• I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. (verse 13)
• I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people. (verse 14)
• I will offer Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (verse 17)
• I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of Thee, O Jerusalem. (verses 18-19)

How are we walking, by faith and in the joyful land of the living? Have we taken from the cup of salvation? Are we calling upon Jesus? Do we pay our vows which we made to the Lord? Are we thanking God for all that He has giving and does for us? I fall short.

So let us look up, our Redemption draweth nigh.

LET IT GO

Keep my vows made unto the LORD God.
Praise and thank Him today.
Look for the Star out of Jacob to follow on this country road of faith. Lead me on Your path.

Bountiful Blessings

O. T. #1342  "Bountiful Blessings"
Dec. 12, 2018
Psalm 116
return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. Psalm 116:7

LET IT GLOW

Most scholars consider David as the author of this psalm.
How did he experience God in his life?

• He heard his voice and prayer for mercy. (verse 1)
• God bends down to listen and he prays. (verse 2)
• He is gracious, righteous, and merciful. (verse 5)
• He preserves the simple (silly, foolish) (verse 6)
• The Lord protects those of childlike faith. (verse 6 NLT)
• He helps those in need. (verse 6)
• He deals bountifully (bestow on; do good). (verse 7)
• He delivers the soul from death, eyes from tears, and feet from falling, (verse 8)
• Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. (verse 15)

Has God dealt bountifully with you? I look at my little house and see I have too much. Closets are stuffed. Tubs are stacked up. Cabinets are filled. How gracious, righteous, and merciful the Lord is to me. This year during the Christmas time, I am looking for those with whom I can deal bountifully, sharing my bountiful blessings.

LET IT GROW

Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life says:

Did you know that admitting your hopelessness to God can be a statement of faith? Trusting God but feeling despair at the same time, David wrote, I believed, so I said, "I am completely ruined.'" This sounds like a contradiction: I trust God, but I'm wiped out! David's frankness actually reveals deep faith: First, he believed in God. Second, he God would listen to his prayer. Third, he believed God would let him say what he felt and still love him.

We are still loved by God even though...
He listens to us in spite of our...

LET IT GO
Friends, please join me in lifting up Amy's family. She lost her mother last month and now her grandmother. Her dad is having such a hard time adjusting to his wife dying suddenly and now his mother, which was expected. Just yesterday, we buried another church member, my friend's mother. This has been quite a year for our family and our church.