Book of Remembrance…

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.  "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."--Malachi 3:16-17

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,

These two verses are so beautiful.  God is making Himself a scrapbook...a book of remembrance for those who fear Him and are loyal to Him...for believers like you and me!  He will spare us, bless us..we shall be His and He will make us His jewels. We, who believe, are very dear to our Father in heaven.  

What does it say God will remember...our meditations on His name.  He will remember our conversations and meditations that were centered on Him.

The King James says this: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it."

Hearkened means He perked up His ears and listened....like a parent does when his child says something he wants to remember.  I am sure God did not write it down like we do because He was afraid He would forget.  I believe He wrote it down so that when we arrive in heaven, He could sit down with us and we could share all those memories He recorded together.  Similar to what a parent might do with an adult child who stops by for a visit while he is cleaning out his attic.  In looking through the memories that the parent saved, the child will be reminded of just how special he was and is to his parent.  I am sure that there would be much shared by the parent that the adult child would no longer even remember.  I believe it will be the same way when we get to heaven.  We will be amazed at the memories and conversations that Jesus saved and cherished in our regard and will revel in His love!

What will not be recorded in those scrapbooks is our sin...they are remembered no more. 

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us--Psalm 103:12 

David’s All in All…

 Psalm 63

1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it,

Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword;

They shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;

But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

God was David’s all in all. He was what David “drank” in to satisfy his parched soul.  He was what David “ate” to nourish his “hungry” heart. The “shadow of His wing” was where David made his home. He was who David followed. He was to whom David clung. 

Beloved…we were made to know God.  We were made to love Him, to worship Him, to serve Him, to enjoy Him and live with Him forever. 

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.—Jeremiah 9:23, 24

Verse 3 tells us that God’s steadfast love…God’s faithful, loyal love and lovingkindness toward those that belong to Him…was for David better than life itself.  The strength of David’s life was God’s faithful, sacrificial love.  David understood with heart knowledge that God would never give up on him.  God would love him the end.  Beloved…All we need to do to know and prove what David knew by faith and divine inspiration is to look to the cross of Christ. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.—John 3:16-17

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8: 31-39(emphasis mine)

Our Desired Haven…

 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man

to batter him,

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;

my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his work.—Psalm 62

Beloved…God is not just our hope and security when we die, but He is also our hope and security while we dwell here on this earth. Place all that you are and all that you have into His hands of perfect love. Allow Him to be your all in all….your deepest, firmest and truest refuge.  Trust Him with every thought, every need, every desire and every anxiety.  Lay them all out before Him and allow them to lead you to your only secure trust….Your desired haven…the Lord Himself. 

28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,

And He brings them out of their distresses.

29 He calms the storm,

So that its waves are still.

30 Then they are glad because they are quiet;

So He guides them to their desired haven.—Psalm 107:28-30

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;

 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22-23

O For Grace to Trust You More…

1 Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For You have been a shelter for me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Selah

5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;

You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

6 You will prolong the king's life,

His years as many generations.

7 He shall abide before God forever.

Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever,

That I may daily perform my vows.—Psalm 61

Be not far from Me,

For trouble is near;

For there is none to help.—Psalm 22

Sometimes when my own heart becomes faint and overwhelmed, I panic because in times of trouble when I need God do draw near, He can “feel” very distant. I become afraid that He will not hear my cry…that He won’t answer me when I call. 

Here is the thing though.  Over the many years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes of walking with Him, there has never been a time…not even one…when His comfort and sustaining grace have failed me in my time of need. His grace has ALWAYS been there and it has always been sufficient. Even when all His waves and billows have gone over me, the LORD has commanded His lovingkindness in the daytime, and at night His song was with me.  He is ever and always faithful. I don’t need to fear the darkness that might be ahead because my God who is the same yesterday, today and forever…my Emanuel…will be with me.  His love has never and will never fail me. It is steadfast and sure.

Father…When I am in distress, remind me to cling to what I know has been true of You over the course of my life as David does here in this Psalm. You have been my Shelter and my Strong Tower in every trial and in every circumstance.  Praying today for the grace to trust You more…

"'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus"

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

Just to know, "Thus says the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

Jesus, Jesus how I trust you

How I proved you o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh for Grace to trust Him more

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

O for grace to trust Him more!

Jesus, Jesus

How I trust Him! 

Lessons from Nature…

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard.—Psalm 19:1-3

Observing nature is something I love to do so as I read these verses I felt a certain kinship with Agur. 

24 There are four things which are little on the earth,

But they are exceedingly wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk,

Yet they make their homes in the crags;

27 The locusts have no king,

Yet they all advance in ranks;

28 The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,

And it is in kings' palaces.—Proverbs 30:24-28

Sometimes very little and seemingly insignificant things can teach us very big, significant lessons.  Each of the four creatures spoken of here reveal the wisdom and majesty of our great Creator and imply that His wisdom is better than might. 

The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

The ant has a very teeny brain and yet it knows enough to prepare for winter by being diligent in the heat of the summer. Ants seem to be always working…always preparing…always diligent. You never see an ant just hanging around doing nothing.

Prepare to meet your God, the prophet Amos says, in Chapter 4. First Peter begins with the author telling us to to keep close watch on our personal lives. The Christian life demands diligence in pursuing Christlikeness.  Beloved…God is faithful to use the Scriptures we read daily and the time we spend in communion with Him to prepare our hearts to face the trouble of that day and the trials that still lay ahead of us.

The rock badgers are a feeble folk,

Yet they make their homes in the crags;

I have never seen or observed a rock badger but from what I understand they are fast but lack endurance. They tire easily. Thankfully, they are also wise enough to know their limitation and weaknesses so in defense they make their home in the safety of the rocks. 

Beloved…Our Rock is Christ. We are also weak and without defense against the strong enemies that assail us, but In Him…in Christ..we are strong, safe and secure. 

1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;

Let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness.

2 Bow down Your ear to me,

Deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.

3 For You are my rock and my fortress;

Therefore, for Your name's sake,

Lead me and guide me.

4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,

For You are my strength.

5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.—Psalm 31:1-5

Agur also mentions the locusts and the spider, but thinking I will save those lessons for tomorrow morning. 🙂

His Steadfast Love Will Meet Me…

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

protect me from those who rise up against me;

2 deliver me from those who work evil,

and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life;

fierce men stir up strife against me.

For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,

4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Awake, come to meet me, and see!

5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.

Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;

spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

6 Each evening they come back,

howling like dogs

and prowling about the city.

7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths

with swords in their lips—

for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them;

you hold all the nations in derision.

9 O my Strength, I will watch for you,

for you, O God, are my fortress.

10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;

God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;

make them totter by your power and bring them down,

O Lord, our shield!

12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,

let them be trapped in their pride.

For the cursing and lies that they utter,

13 consume them in wrath;

consume them till they are no more,

that they may know that God rules over Jacob

to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 Each evening they come back,

howling like dogs

and prowling about the city.

15 They wander about for food

and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength;

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress

and a refuge in the day of my distress.

17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,

for you, O God, are my fortress,

the God who shows me steadfast love.—Psalm 59:16-17 (emphasis mine)

Steadfast love refers to God’s covenant loyal love toward those that are His. His loving, merciful kindness never ceases. He is faithful even when we are not.  Meditating on our God’s steadfast, merciful love is where the Lord has me of late. Thinking on it brings me great consolation in the manifold trials of life.  One of the trials that I daily face could, if I allowed it, tempt me toward  bitterness. 

There is pain that each of us face in this life that is self-inflicted…either by willful sin or by our own less than godly choices.  Like David, however, there is probably some pain in each of our lives that we walk through that is no fault of our own. What do I do when the wounds from others threaten to bring me into a downward me, myself and I, bitter spiral?  

I remember the gospel.  I remember His forgiveness. I remember my God’s undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor and grace. I remember that I have deeply offended Him and He definitely did not deserve it!  I remember that He died for my sin and offenses, when I was yet still His enemy. I remember that, even as I am tempted to slide into that “woe is me” kind of bitterness, He is interceding for me. He is on my side.  His grace and mercy always and forever surround me.   

Beloved…Remember the cross.  Think on the gospel of His undeserved grace.  Turn your eyes toward Jesus. Look full into His wonderful face. The things that you are offended by will fade and grow dim in the light of His glory and grace. 

Great is Our LORD…

 1 Praise the LORD!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars;

He calls them all by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite.

6 The LORD lifts up the humble;

He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

Sing praises on the harp to our God,

8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

9 He gives to the beast its food,

And to the young ravens that cry.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy.—Psalm 147:1-11

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite.

Beloved…Jesus describes Himself in Matthew 11:28-30:

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

My Jesus is meek.  He is gentle and lowly but also great and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.  What does our God do with His power?  

—He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds

—He lifts up the humble and casts the wicked to the ground. 

—He covers the heavens with clouds

—He prepares rain for the earth

—He makes grass grow in the mountains

—He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing

Today,  Father, may Your Spirit encourage my heart to acknowledge my need for You moment by moment. You, who hung the stars and call each one by name, will hear my cry…You will reach down and lift up the light of Your countenance upon me. I am so thankful that you are not impressed with what impresses man. You take pleasure in those who fear You…in those who hope in Your mercy. 

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8 They have bowed down and fallen;

But we have risen and stand upright.

9 Save, LORD!

May the King answer us when we call.—Psalm 20:7-9

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,

Nor shall evil dwell with You.

5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;

You hate all workers of iniquity.

6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;

The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;

In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;

Make Your way straight before my face.

11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name

Be joyful in You.

12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.—Psalm 5:4-8; 11-12

46 And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

55 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever."—Luke 2:46-55