God Rescues: a Psalm and a Prayer

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
   let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
   turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
   to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
   for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God,  
   from the hand of the wicked,
   from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

Psalms 71:1-4 NIV

Lord, you are our refuge, we look to you in times of trouble. It is not by our righteousness that we seek victory, but by yours. Rescue us and deliver us from the evil that seeks to destroy us. Give us wisdom and discernment to deal with those who seek only to satisfy their desires. Praise be to you in us today!

Cling to God, He Will Uphold You

On my bed I remember you;
   I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 63:6-8  NIV

When you finally put your head down on the pillow what's really on your mind show's up. You might of been avoiding it all day long, but there it is. 

God is our help and whatever might be a worry we lay down at his feet. God wants to hide you in the shadow of his wings. He made us to cling to him. His desire is to uphold us with his right hand. 

CHRIST REIGNS IRREGARDLESS OF PERCEPTION

""...and put everything under his feet."

 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not  subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." Hebrews 2:8

Well, this is reality isn't it? We know Jesus is Lord, we just can't see it all the time. I think this is where faith truly comes into our lives. 

You may think there is some magic prayer of faith that will induce God to act quickly. But, his time is not our time. 

You may have heard that there is an exalted state of personal faith where your belief in the greatness, faithfulness and power of God will open the blessings of heaven upon your life. But, God's often tends to dispense his blessings in ways we can't imagine. 

You may think that your faithfulness to Christ warrants some kind of tangible evidence of the reign of Christ in and around you life. But, our righteousness is but filthy rags in God's sight. The truth is that it is never about our goodness but it is always about his faithfulness. Although I do believe that living by faith helps us see God working, our works can never force God to act. 

God acts when he sees fit. His ways our not our ways (yes, I find that frustrating sometimes).  But, his love in unfailing and everlasting. His promise is to work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). God reigns. God will and does act when he sees fit and he will not be persuaded to move until he knows in his perfect wisdom, the time is right. 

Father, help us to be still and know that you are God. Open our eyes to see you in our lives today! Praise be to you in us today! 

EVEN YOUR FORTRESS: Psalm 46:7

"The LORD Almighty is with us;
     the God of Jacob is our fortress."
 Psalm 46:7

Two things to remember today. The LORD Almighty is with you and the God of Jacob is your fortress. 

I see it all the time coaching my son's teams. I kid will be looking into the stands, popping their head out to see if their mom or dad is there yet. Once they know they're there, the kid settles down. Sometimes that's us! We look around trying to see God in whatever situation we are in. The truth is: God is with us. He will never leave you or forsake you. God, the LORD Almighty is with you.

Not only is God with you, he is your fortress! When the Psalmist says "the God of Jacob" he is saying that God is the God of those of us who are not exactly perfect. Remember, Jacob was the one who stole his brother's birthright and the blessing of the first born. His name means "he grasps the heel"  which figuratively means "he deceives"! Lying sneaky thief might be one way to say it. Think about it. You, like me, may know that you are not exactly perfect. Yet, God is your fortress. God is with you and he is going to keep you safe.

Father, help us to abide in you. To live in your presence and under your protection. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD CONTENDS FOR YOU: Psalm 35:1-3

"Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;

     fight against those who fight against me. 

 Take up shield and buckler;

     arise and come to my aid.

 Brandish spear and javelin

     against those who pursue me.

 Say to my soul,

     "I am your salvation."" 

 Psalm 35:1-3

Have you ever felt like everyone was against you? I have. Sometimes it just seems like no matter what you do, someone is trying to take a shot at you. If you don't find trouble, it will find you. Well, if your seeking God that will happen. But, the battle is not yours, it's God's. 

That is why David called upon God. He realized that the bottom line in all of life is that it's all about spiritual warfare. Life was not his battle it was God's. We need to come to that place where we realize, since our lives are not our own, the battles in our lives are God's battles because we are his. God contends for us.

Father, we are your children. The battles in our lives belong to you. Contend for us against those who contend against us. Arise to our aid. Be our salvation today! Praise be to you in us today!