Turn to Me!

 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!

Give Your strength to Your servant,

And save the son of Your maidservant.

17 Show me a sign for good,

That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,

Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.—Psalm 86:16-17

Father…Thank you for these precious verses from Psalm 86! Your lovingkindness is ALWAYS before my eyes! Blessed is the man whose strength is in You!   I so often forget who I belong to You and why I am here.  I am Your maidservant…here on this planet to do Your bidding and fulfill Your will.  Lead me in Your way and teach me Your truth.  

In my distress, I will seek You! You are my way of escape in this world fraught with trial and trouble.  Your compassionate kindness surrounds me and Your mercy and truth are my refuge and my consolation.  

Oh Father!  Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Oh, satisfy me early with Your mercy!  You are my help and my shield.  My soul will wait for You, my God. 

Encourage my heart to fear Your name. Show me a sign for good!  Make Your face shine upon Your servant. Let those who are the adversaries of my life be confounded and ashamed. Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. 

Direct my steps by Your word and let no iniquity have dominion over me!  My heart will rejoice in You because I have trusted in Your Holy name.  I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. May Your mercy be upon me, Father, just as I hope in You.  

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the LORD,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

31 But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

O God, who is like You?

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,

Shall revive me again,

And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

You shall increase my greatness,

And comfort me on every side.

I Have Named You, Though You Have Not Known Me…

 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:

All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.—Ezra 1:1b-4 (emphasis mine)

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia

Cyrus, the King of Persia came to power when he overthrew the city of Babylon. Isaiah 44 and 45 predicts this 150 years before Cyrus was even born! 

that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, 

How was Cyrus’ spirit stirred??  The same way God stirs each of our hearts…through His word.  

Now Daniel the prophet was in Babylon at the time of its overthrow. A few hours before it occurred, Belshazzar, the ruler of Babylon, was throwing a wild party and drinking from the vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem.  While the party was in full swing, a disembodied hand appeared and wrote on the wall of the room, striking fear into the heart of Belshazzar.  An interpreter was needed, and Belshazzar’s mother remembered Daniel, in whom was “the spirit of the holy gods,”.  Daniel was summoned and interpreted the writing on the wall. 

This is the interpretation: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26–28)

That very night the Medes and the Persians conquered Babylon, the city that was said to be invincible.  Many believe that after this Daniel had an opportunity to show Cyrus what the prophet Isaiah, by the Spirit of God, had written of him 150 years earlier.

Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd,

And he shall perform all My pleasure,

Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built,"

And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."'—Isaiah 44:28

1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed,

To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—

To subdue nations before him

And loose the armor of kings,

To open before him the double doors,

So that the gates will not be shut:

2 'I will go before you

And make the crooked places straight;

I will break in pieces the gates of bronze

And cut the bars of iron.

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness

And hidden riches of secret places,

That you may know that I, the LORD,

Who call you by your name,

Am the God of Israel.

4 For Jacob My servant's sake,

And Israel My elect,

I have even called you by your name;

I have named you, though you have not known Me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;

There is no God besides Me.

I will gird you, though you have not known Me,

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting

That there is none besides Me.

I am the LORD, and there is no other;

7 I form the light and create darkness,

I make peace and create calamity;

I, the LORD, do all these things.'—Isaiah 45:1-7

As I read these words from Isaiah this morning, they brought me much comfort because they reminded me that God speaks the same way to me, His daughter.  He has chosen me, named me, called me and encircled me, though I once did not know Him.  He has broken in pieces the chains of sin that held me.  It is He that upholds me, goes before me and makes my crooked places straight.  It is He who gives me treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places. The God of Israel has called me by name.  He has a plan for my life. I love Him because He first loved me. 

13 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.—Psalm 139:13-16 (emphasis mine)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.—Ephesians 1:3-6 (emphasis mine)

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.—John 17:20-23 (emphasis mine)

Plenteous in Mercy….

 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.--Psalm 86:5

Father,

I stand in awe of Your goodness toward me in Christ Jesus. Me...who was dead in trespasses and sin and still your enemy!  Me...a stubborn, vile sinner bent on her own way.  You, Lord, heard my cry and saved me!  You brought me up out of the miry clay and redeemed me....You have set my feet on a rock. Safely ensconced in your arms,  I sit in the heavenly places with You!  

You are rich to all who call upon Your name!  How excellent is your lovingkindness toward us, O God, therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.  You, Lord, are good to all and Your tender mercies are over all Your works.  Your goodness endures continually...mercy and redemption are with You.  You are nigh unto all who call on You and fulfill the desires of those that fear You.  You hear their cry and save them  You preserve those who love You. 

Praying that I, who have been forgiven much, will have Your heart of love towards those You have placed in my life....Your thoughts of mercy grace and forgiveness ...let them be my thoughts....let them be my ways.  I confess to You that these are not my thoughts...nor my ways.  Truly, Father, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways and thoughts so much higher than mine.  You are God!  There is none like You.  You pardon sin and pass over transgression.  You do not retain your anger forever because YOU DELIGHT IN MERCY!!!  You turned to me and had compassion on me.  You subdued my iniquities and cast my sins into the depths of the sea!  If you Lord, should mark iniquities, O God, who could stand!  You remember me according to Your mercy for Your goodness sake.   There is forgiveness with You. 

Luke 15:17, 20-24... 

“But when he came to himself, ....“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Photo by “e” ❤️

But With Us Is the Lord our God to Help Us…

 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.--Psalm 63:8

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.--2nd Chronicles 32:8

My life in time and eternity are Yours, Father.  I will walk with You in boldness because my relationship with You is unbreakable.  Nothing can separate me from Your love.

Thank you that you have NOT given me the spirit of fear but instead have given me Your power, Your love and Your mind!  These all became mine when I believed.  You have enlightened my eyes with the light of Your life and have given me understanding to know what is the hope of your calling, the riches of the glory of my inheritance and the exceeding greatness of Your power toward me who believe.  Your love has been poured out in my heart...I can love as You love...focused not on me but on You, my Father in heaven.  By your Spirit of grace I can now seek the good of others before my own. 

I don't want my circumstances to move me and cause me to react in a way that is not honoring to You .   I don't want even to consider my own life dear to me, but, like Paul, I want to finish my course with joy, testifying of you at all times and in all things.  Fear is from the enemy and walks in total opposition to Your perfect love.   It is evil and filled with self seeking.  Your word tells me that anything that is not from faith is sin.  Oh, Father, I confess I fail here so often...my first and last thoughts each and every day are of me.  Help me to walk in your perfect love that casts out fear and self seeking. Help me to surrender to what You want and put aside my fears for I have not received the spirit of bondage but the Spirit of adoption whereby I can cry Abba, Father!  I am your precious daughter and can go boldly to Your throne for grace to help in time of need. 

In You Father, I live and move and have my being.  In You, my Light of Life, I see light!  My Redeemer lives!  You have delivered my soul from the pit and released me from my fear of death.  Even when the darkness closes in, You are the light all about me.  Yay, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil because You walk with me and comfort me.  There is no fear in Your perfect love...fear involves torment.  Oh Father, make me perfect in Your love.  You are my help and my shield and my soul waits for You.  My heart rejoices in You, my Savior and trusts in Your holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon me! 

When I focus on You and draw my very life from You...when I surrender and meditate on Your word...when I seek Your wisdom and grace...when I want Your will and your purposes...when I abide in You and seek Your kingdom first all the rest is added unto me. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts."

 Father, may Your word be my treasure.  May spending time with You at Your throne of grace be where my attention and time is devoted.  Let me desire like Paul to know nothing but Your Son, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This is wisdom!  Help me to find my peace in this life in You at Your feet.  May You be my consolation and comfort in death and may I have joy forever in Your everlasting arms. 

Photo by sweet “e” flowers by God…

And the Lord Listened…

So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD.

13 Now many people, a very great assembly, gathered at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month. 14 They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars and cast them into the Brook Kidron. 15 Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings to the house of the LORD. 16 They stood in their place according to their custom, according to the Law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood received from the hand of the Levites.

17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had charge of the slaughter of the Passover lambs for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to the LORD. 18 For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone 19 who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” 20 And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.—2 Chronicles 31:10-20 (bolding mine)

For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”…

Mercy triumphs over judgment…

Owe no one anything but love…

Let your mercy be upon us, Father, just as we hope in You. 

Father…Help us today to see as You see and to love as You love.

Christ beside me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

King of my heart;

Christ within me,

Christ below me,

Christ above me

never to part.

First Things First…

 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.—2 Chronicles 29:3

Then King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. 21 And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.—2 Chronicles 29:20-21

27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.—2 Chronicles 29:27-28

Hezekiah was a first things first kinda king!   In the first year of his reign..in the first month…He opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He looked at the heart of Judah’s problem (which was spiritual) and addressed it first. Hezekiah restored true temple worship as it was practiced in the time of David and Solomon.  His goal is stated in verse 10. 

“Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.

Verses 27 and 28 (see above) are my favorites and are a good summary.  Sacrifice was made…the trumpeters began to play, the cymbals to crash and the people to sing. Then the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.

I love this because when I begin to worship God in prayer and in song, especially in the presence of  His people, my own heart begins to empty itself of me and fill with my God. Worshipping God brings joy because worshipping brings unity. Unity with God, and unity with others. In Him, we are one. 

Our faith is encouraged and strengthened as we look beyond ourselves to the God of the Universe. We are not alone.  The gracious, merciful, omnipotent and all sufficient God is with us and lives in us. He who loves us leads us and intercedes for us. He will show us the path of life.  In His presence is fullness of joy.  At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.—John 17:20-23

Beloved…May His song be heard in our hearts, in our lives and in our churches as we worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Now thanks be to our God, who always leads us in triumph! 

Picture by sweet “e” .  Rose by God. 

Blessed is the Man…Psalm 84

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.--Psalm 84:6-7

These are some of my most favorite verses in Scripture.

The blessings of being in the presence of our God and worshiping Him during our earthly pilgrimage here are not for the divided or half-hearted. No, the blessings come to those whose heart, mind, soul and strength are completely surrendered to Him...whose life is full of His ways.  This is the man whose heart can be filled with joy and can find refreshment even as he walks through the most difficult times here on this earth. This is the man who can look back over the difficult valleys that he has passed through and can see the beauty the Lord has wrought through them by his surrender. This is the man who finds His all in His God and can comfort others with the comfort He Himself has received. His eyes are on His God and His strength also  is spent there. The path shines ever brighter as he walks. His hope is in His God who will receive Him when his time here is done. He will awake in His likeness and will see His face in righteousness and his joy will be unending.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,

Blessed is the man who trusts in You!—Psalm 84:11-12

Photo by “e” flower by God

He Has Shown You…

 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.—Proverb 21:3

Beloved…God sees our hearts and desires that they be wholly devoted to Him.  Our outward acts of obedience and worship are meaningless and abhorrent when the heart behind them is empty and hypocritical. God wants all that we do and say to be motivated by the love that His Spirit has shed abroad in our heart. 

6 With what shall I come before the LORD,

And bow myself before the High God?

Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,

With calves a year old?

7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

Ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?—Micah 6:6-8

Right behavior is produced by a heart that is  right with God.  This is the heart Jesus describes in Matthew 22…

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Love is of God. Love fulfills the law. 

One of His Sheltered Ones…

 Do not keep silent, O God!

Do not hold Your peace,

And do not be still, O God!

2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;

And those who hate You have lifted up their head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,

And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.—Psalm 83:1-3

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:3

As a believer I am one of God’s “sheltered” ones.  I am in Christ.  I stand forgiven…permanently in His unmerited favor. 

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.—1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

Colossians 3 tells me that my life is hidden with Christ in God.  My shelter is in my Jesus.  Beloved…we, as believers, walk through this life under His covering blanket of security.  Our God is in sovereign control...no one can snatch us from His hand.   Enveloped in the lovingkindness and care of our God, we live and move and have our being. 

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”—Luke 6:37-40

As a true child of God, Jesus holds one of my hands and God, my Father, the other. They are united in purpose and in action. (I and My Father are one.”) My safety and security is their priority. To get to me, you have to go through God first. He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His flock. I am His lamb…I BELONG to Him!  He has  hedged me behind and before and has laid His hand upon me. The eternal God is my refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms. 

Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.—Psalm 116:7

5 For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.—Psalm 27:5

I WILL…

King Jehoshaphat sought the Lord with godly reverence and fear.  Read these verses from 2 Chronicles 20 and make them Your heart today. 

Do this work in me, Father!  Today, by Your precious Spirit who dwells in me and is always with me...

I WILL...

Keep my eyes on You...

Seek You in all things..

Remember that the battles I face are not mine but Yours...

Remember that I am weak and powerless, but in You I am strong and courageous. 

Remember that wherever I go and whatever I face, Your Presence goes with me and You are FOR me...

Believe You...I will believe Your promises to me in Your Word knowing that You who called me is faithful.  

Know that I am more than a conqueror in You who loves me.  

Praise You before the battle, in the midst of the battle and after the battle has ended. 

Father...Your steadfast love toward me never ceases.  All power, all glory and all honor are Yours, now and forever!  Amen. 

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:14-16

❤️1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,

And strengthen you out of Zion;

3 May He remember all your offerings,

And accept your burnt sacrifice.

Selah

4 May He grant you according to your heart's desire,

And fulfill all your purpose.

5 We will rejoice in your salvation,

And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

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❤️

The Precious Heart of God for Each of Us…

 ❤️I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.❤️

“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!--Psalm 81:10-13

Here is God's heart for each of us.  He wants us to find our full satisfaction in Him. Open your mouth wide and He will fill it.  Only God can satisfy the longing in our hearts. But the Israelites (like us), thought they knew better. God's response was to let them walk in their own counsels. The following are to my mind some of the scariest words in all of Scripture. 

So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. 

The word "gave" in the Greek has the meaning of to deliver up one into custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death.  It is the wrath of abandonment.  God will abandon man when he consistently abandons Him.  He will remove His hand of restraint and give him over to eat the fruit of his own ways.  He will allow his sin to run its natural course which will end in death. 

Beloved…God wants you to find your complete satisfaction in Him in total surrender to His will. He wants to be your portion.  He will allow us to go our own way but of course it is always at our own risk...our own peril.  There is a way that seems right to man but its end is the way of death.  Open your heart to Him today...