Blogger’s Note: Posting the second journal entry, below for this morning’s entry; but these two entries were those for my last two days of entries, posted late due to internet connection difficulties during travels to a Christian men’s retreat during the past two days.
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 56 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 120 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 140 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 141 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Psalm 142 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Highlight Passage: [NLT] … Psalms 56: 3-4, 6 ... But when I am afraid, … I put my trust in you. 4 O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? … What can mere mortals do to me?
8 You keep track of all my sorrows. …You have collected all my tears in your bottle. …You have recorded each one in your book.
My Journal for Today: Five more Psalms for this morning’s chronological read and for my devotional, which will have to be posted online in retrospect again today, though I’m in a delightful state of mind this morning writing here after having had such a beautiful and joyful day yesterday with 27 Christian brothers, catching rainbow trout on the Little Red River in Arkansas, where our churchmen traveled for a weekend retreat.
And so it’s admittedly a little hard for me to break my own personal, and very joyful, context this morning to read David [and maybe Hezekiah] writing these Psalms under the oppression he [or they] experienced as they were being pursued by relentless and worldly forces who wanted to rout and even kill these men of God so trying to be Godly men.
And in today’s reading of Psalms, especially the highlighted passage from Psalm 56, verses 3-4 and 8 above, we read of God’s reality for true believers, for disciples of the Living God, … we who may feel the oppression of the world but know that even the taking of our lives cannot break our forever relationship with our God. David knew that; … and he openly an unabashedly expressed his trust and confidence in God in these Psalms.
The question becomes for us, … do we really believe this when the world seems to be crashing down around us? Perhaps some of us are experiencing horrible financial burdens. Perhaps others are being attacked in some personal or very emotional battles in life. Others may be under the oppression of ill health, maybe even the big “C” – terminal cancer. Those who know the truth of Romans 8: 28 and yet we may be under the pursuit of some of such circumstances of doom/despair and are being tested of the heart. Does God really work in ALL things for the good of those of us who love God and are His called ones? Hard to have such faith as David was singing about in such dire circumstances, isn’t it?
But that’s our life lesson today; and we really need to latch on to it and hold dear to the promises of God just as David was able to do. Our life is dear, especially as it’s lived out to love, obey, and serve God in the context of family and our callings on earth; … BUT … no matter what we may encounter in this life, we can – AND MUST – know, beyond all doubt, this life is merely staging and preparation for our eternal and heavenly bound relationship with our God.
Hold on to that, dear one, as this journey through life may try to pummel you. Remember with me, together with me as you read this, that our Lord never leaves us, … always loving us, … and forever carrying us under His loving arms into that glory that awaits.
My Prayer Today: … As I sit here watching the sun rise in a beautiful and so comfortable spot, Lord, … help me to see this little glimpse of glory as a very small glimpse of what You have waiting for me with You in eternity. Amen
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