Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
The Hebrew word for “fool,” nabal, isn’t about intelligence, as much as it is moral deficiency. Here’s the thing.
God must be hidden enough that we can hide from him. If God is too obvious, then we really don’t have a choice to be in relationship. No free will. We wouldn’t be human the way god designed us.
Psalm 12:5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
When we think about poverty, rightfully, our hearts go out especially to children. This is understandable. Yet, there is also a sub group that is in poverty and, at times, overlooked. The elderly.
In my state, California, 20% of the elderly live in poverty. And the elderly are quite susceptible to scams and purchasing services they don’t need in confusion. Thieves prey on our elders, especially in this information age. This brings added suffering for those who are in poverty already.
Lord, protect our elders from those who would malign them, as you have spoken.
Amen
The family of Jesus thought he was out of his mind. How about your family? For that matter, who is your family?
Jesus brings a new perspective…
Mark 3:20-35
Psalm 11:4-5
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous…
Why is God watching those who are living in his ways? The righteous? The end of Psalm 11 gives the answer:
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.
When you follow God’s ways, he’s with you. You will know this.
8:6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…
How much God loves humanity that he trusts us care for all he owns, his creation, giving us the opportunity to develop into creatures of the highest value.
God is the owner of everything and he trusts us to be stewards of what he owns. What does this say about our responsibility?
7:6 Arise, O Lord, in anger!
Stand up against the fury of my enemies!
Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
King David is a man “after God’s own heart.” (Acts 13:22)
They are on friendship terms. This is why it doesn’t seem irreverent to say, “Wake up!”
Who hasn’t woken up a good friend? In this case, of course, God isn’t sleeping. He’s just not working on David’s schedule.
Good friends are patient, too…
When you are frustrated with a friend, what is the best approach to let the know?
4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen
What was I thinking as a young child as I was saying that nighttime prayer?
“Good night mom, if I don’t croak I’ll be seeing you tomorrow morning.”
Not surprisingly, newer versions of this prayer leave out the dying part. For instance,
…Angels watch me through the night and wake me in the morning light. Amen
Indeed, angels do watch over us and I know God does have me wrapped in his loving arms, so I am ready for anything. Even a good nights sleep.
If you are having trouble sleeping, try thanking God for filling you with peace and expect it to happen.
3:6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
Either this guy is naïve, Jett Li or River Tam, or he knows something we all do well to learn.
‘When God is for me, who is against me?’
Where do you need courage in your life today?
