Are You Blessed?

Blessed is the man
   who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
   to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
   are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
   no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
   they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40:4-5

Yesterday my youngest son and I came back from a Scouting event called Camporee. He had fun. I am a blessed man. 

It was great to come home to my wife and daughter and spend the rest of the day (after cleaning up) with them. I am a blessed man. 

Today I will go to my job that is about five minutes from my house. I am a blessed man. 

As I sit here reading God's word I am reminded of God's grace as I ask for his strength to overcome the sins that so easy tempt me. I am reminded that it is God's Spirit within me leading me to even think of him. I am a blessed man. 

Please take a moment and ask yourself, "How am I blessed?" Please bless us with a comment of how God blesses you.

FEEL NEED? SEEK GOD: Psalm 40:17

"Yet I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
 You are my help and my deliverer;
    O my God, do not delay." Psalm 40:17

How you feeling? Do you feel poor and needy? Didn't Jesus say, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"? Yes, he did. I know this isn't usually what we want to hear, but, sometimes it is good to feel poor and needy. A few days ago, something happened to me and I was very upset. I called out to God. I felt very poor and needy. God answered my prayer. Thank you, Lord. 

Frankly, it is good to seek God. It is good to seek God when things are well. It is good to seek God when things are not well. Just seek God. God is our help. God is our deliverer. 

Father, thank you that we can seek you whatever the circumstances. Praise be to you in us today!

SURROUNDED, TIME TO CALL ON GOD!: Psalm 40:11-12

"Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord;
     may your love and your truth always protect me.
 For troubles without number surround me;
     my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. 
 They are more than the hairs of my head,
     and my heart fails within me." Psalm 40:11-12

I love David! What does he do when he totally blows it? He calls on God! He cries out for mercy and asks that God's love and truth would protect him. The enemy, the accuser, would have us wallow in sin, guilt and condemnation. But, why David was called a man after God's own heart was because when he things were at there worst, even due to his own sinful choices, he sought God. 

Are you surrounded by troubles? Do you feel overtaken? Time to seek God. It's past time to try to get yourself together. It's time to seek God. Time to call ask for mercy. Time to let God's love and truth protect you. 

Father, we call out for your mercy! May your love and truth protect us. We are surrounded, overtaken and can't see a way out. We call on you! Thank you that you hear our prayer! Thank you Jesus for being our righteousness! Praise be to you in us today!

MAKE THE LORD YOUR TRUST AND BE BLESSED: Psalm 40:4

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
     who does not look to the proud,
     to those who turn aside to false gods." Psalm 40:4

There is a simple truth here and it is that if trust in the LORD you are blessed. In comparison, if you look to the proud, you won't be blessed. 

What is it about proud people that is negative? They look to themselves. They use personal pronouns a lot when referencing how they became successful. I read the book "Good to Great" (by Jim Collins) and one of the characteristics of a great leader was they took very little credit for success themselves. They were humble. The idea of a humble leader is astounding to the world. But, to Christians, not so. Christ humbled himself. 

We must humbly make the Lord our trust. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the issues, look to God. wait upon the Lord. When we make the Lord our trust, we are blessed.

Father, you are our trust. We look to you and not the proud. Bless us. Bless us today! Praise be to you in us today!

SET YOUR FEET ON THE ROCK: Psalm 40:1-3

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
     he turned to me and heard my cry.
 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
     out of the mud and mire;
 he set my feet on a rock
     and gave me a firm place to stand.
 He put a new song in my mouth,
     a hymn of praise to our God. 
 Many will see and fear
     and put their trust in the LORD." 
 Psalm 40:1-3

It is hard to be patient when you are feeling the pressure of a serious trial. But, it is very important to remind ourselves about the truth of God's Sovereignty and unfailing love. When all is said and done, God's will will stand. 

Wherever you are at, whatever you are going through, God has a firm place for you to stand. That place is in Christ. Christ reigns, Christ rules. When we trust him, we can trust that he has us where he wants us and can move us to where he wants us. 

Father, show us your unfailing love and help us to stand in you. Praise be to you in us today!