And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En–gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.--1 Samuel 24:1-7
Saul, back from fighting the Philistines, places his focus on David once again. Sigh. Poor David. I am sure his wish was that Saul would just forget about him...but that was not to be the case. Saul was a relentless enemy. This is so much like life. When we finish with one battle there is always another one right on its heels. What a blessing when we understand as the song says "that we have nothing to bring but empty hands." The battle is the Lord's. Stand back...hold your peace...allow the Lord to fight for you. This is what David did...what a lesson to be learned in this chapter of 1 Samuel!
The chapter begins with Saul entering the cave where David and his men were hiding. Saul goes in to the cave alone (or so he thought) to attend to his needs or as the King James says to "cover his feet." (Saul had to go to the bathroom) I have to stop here because I love this part of the story...God arranged the timing and the place of Saul's "personal" need at exactly the cave where David and his men were hiding. God arranged Saul's "goings" to meet with His own plan. You gotta love that! This was not a coincidence but a test from the Lord to show David all that was in his heart. David passed the test. He refused to touch Saul, the Lord's anointed King of Israel.
What wisdom on David's part...what strength of character. What a tender conscience we see. David had been given a very clear opportunity here to kill Saul, who was seeking his life, but refused to to take the fleshly way out of his trial. Instead, he continued to trust that His God would deliver him out of the hand of Saul. Listen to the humble words he used to restrain his men:
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way
Here is the next portion of Chapter 24:
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. The LORD therefore be judge, and judgebetween me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
Again, such beautiful words of humility from David. I love this part in particular...
"The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee."
David strengthened himself in His God that day and showed himself to be a man ( a king) after God's own heart...a man ( a king) submitted to the will of His God David was willing to wait and allow God's purposes to be worked out. God had told him “You will inherit the throne of Israel.” David believed God. Saul was in the way of that promise, but David understood that it would be disobedient to kill Saul. God had placed Saul in authority, therefore, it was His job to remove him, not David's. David wanted to be King of Israel but not at the expense of making it so by his own disobedience. David believed and understood what he himself penned in Psalm 69:
But as for me, my prayer is to You,
O Lord, in the acceptable time;
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.
David knew both how to wait upon His Lord and wait for His Lord. We also see that David gave his anger and bitterness to the Lord...he did not store it up. David had mercy upon his enemy. David brought his heart and soul to the Lord and allowed His God to right his heart daily.
As for Saul...he had a momentary interlude of sanity. The word tells us that he lifted up his voice and wept telling David that he was more righteous and that he, Saul, had rewarded David's good with evil. He also said that he knew well that David would be king of Israel and that the kingdom would be established in his hand. Unfortunately, Saul's interlude of sanity did not last long. Emotions and feelings change from moment to moment. Saul's tears meant nothing...his sorrow was not godly and his heart remained unchanged. Repentance looks like something...when our heart changes our actions will follow our heart. Our word and our deed will match. We will do an about face and go in the opposite direction of our sin. Saul, as we will see, after this brief interlude continues to follow his own destructive path.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Fear of Man Brings a Snare...
David begins his days as a fugitive here in Chapter 21 well....he goes first to the house of the Lord. Things went downhill, however, from there. Ahimelech, the priest, was afraid when he met David and asked him why he was alone. David's next move was a lie....which makes it clear that David was not trusting His God to protect him. The fear of man had brought a snare. To be fair David probably had two motives for lying here....to protect himself and to protect Ahimelech from getting caught up in the feud between him and Saul. David's lie is understandable from the human perspective. Saul was insane.
Despite David's lack of faith...God as always is faithful. We see His hand here in the sanctuary through Ahimelech...trying to get David's attention. Ahimelech gives him the showbread to sustain him...putting David's need before the ordinances of God. Ahimelech also gives him the sword that he used to cut off Goliath's head...but remember that is not the weapon that killed Goliath. The weapon of faith was David's slingshot...that is what brought the giant down. David's faith at that time had been strong and his trust wholeheartedly in His God...his fear at this moment has weakened him greatly and was very much affecting his judgment. David went to the sanctuary of God for comfort...but not with a right heart. If his heart had been right before the Lord, he would have been convicted of his sin and confessed his lie to Ahimelech. Instead, he left God's sanctuary with Ahimelech's kindness and good gifts in hand, the lie still on his heart and went of all places to his enemies the Philistines.
So here we find David going into the Philistine territory...in fact, to Goliath's home town of Gath to find rest from his enemies. When you look into all the symbolism, the irony here is very great. David, the man after God's own heart, the anointed King of Israel, sustained by the holy bread from the Lord, and carrying the sword of Goliath looks for sanctuary among his enemies. Things just get worse from here...the fear of man was once again bringing a snare.
Verses 11 and 12 read this way:
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
David went to Gath hoping for anonymity. THAT was not going to happen. In fact, Psalm 56 tells us that the Philistines not only recognized him but captured him as well. Notice also that the pagans recognized David's as the king of Israel. The song "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands was the victory song sung after David had killed Goliath. David was carrying Goliath's sword. Pretty sure David had much reason to be afraid here. David needed to remember his God...his protector, sustainer and deliverer, but his fear had overwhelmed him and very much clouded his judgment...like fear will do to each one of us in our own lives if given its way. Things get worse...
David was afraid...just how afraid is evident in his action. Once again the fear of man brings a snare. David feigns madness before the King of Gath. Scripture tells us that the noble, anointed King of Israel, scratched on the doors of the gate and let saliva fall down on his beard. Fear had turned David into a fool. God protected him...even though he behaved foolishly but I am pretty sure that God had a better plan in all of this had David placed his trust in Him. Hindsight, however is 20 to 20. One of the reasons I love the bible so much is its utter transparency. David's sins are not hidden from us...neither are his accomplishments...they are all there for our learning and our comfort. Fear has made each one of us act foolishly at one time or another. How comforting it is to know that even David, God's anointed King, acted badly...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Psalm 56 is penned with this time in mind and helps us understand David's mindset. The title speaks to David's capture and the events that prompted the writing of the psalm.
I LOVE THIS....AS DAVID POURS OUT HIS HEART BEFORE THE LORD HIS VISION CLEARS AND HE BEGINS TO SEE ALL IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. WHY? BECAUSE HE IS NO LONGER LOOKING TO HIMSELF...HE IS LOOKING TO HIS GOD!!!
The downward spiral has stopped! David's feet are now once again on God, his Rock. Psalm 34 was also written with this time in mind. It is David's declaration of joy having escaped Gath with his life! The key verse being this one:
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Do not rely on your own resources...you will only wind up looking foolish. Look to Him...the full reading of Proverbs 29:25 is this:
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
Here is Psalm 34...also in its entirety...I will close with it.
Despite David's lack of faith...God as always is faithful. We see His hand here in the sanctuary through Ahimelech...trying to get David's attention. Ahimelech gives him the showbread to sustain him...putting David's need before the ordinances of God. Ahimelech also gives him the sword that he used to cut off Goliath's head...but remember that is not the weapon that killed Goliath. The weapon of faith was David's slingshot...that is what brought the giant down. David's faith at that time had been strong and his trust wholeheartedly in His God...his fear at this moment has weakened him greatly and was very much affecting his judgment. David went to the sanctuary of God for comfort...but not with a right heart. If his heart had been right before the Lord, he would have been convicted of his sin and confessed his lie to Ahimelech. Instead, he left God's sanctuary with Ahimelech's kindness and good gifts in hand, the lie still on his heart and went of all places to his enemies the Philistines.
So here we find David going into the Philistine territory...in fact, to Goliath's home town of Gath to find rest from his enemies. When you look into all the symbolism, the irony here is very great. David, the man after God's own heart, the anointed King of Israel, sustained by the holy bread from the Lord, and carrying the sword of Goliath looks for sanctuary among his enemies. Things just get worse from here...the fear of man was once again bringing a snare.
Verses 11 and 12 read this way:
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
David went to Gath hoping for anonymity. THAT was not going to happen. In fact, Psalm 56 tells us that the Philistines not only recognized him but captured him as well. Notice also that the pagans recognized David's as the king of Israel. The song "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands was the victory song sung after David had killed Goliath. David was carrying Goliath's sword. Pretty sure David had much reason to be afraid here. David needed to remember his God...his protector, sustainer and deliverer, but his fear had overwhelmed him and very much clouded his judgment...like fear will do to each one of us in our own lives if given its way. Things get worse...
David was afraid...just how afraid is evident in his action. Once again the fear of man brings a snare. David feigns madness before the King of Gath. Scripture tells us that the noble, anointed King of Israel, scratched on the doors of the gate and let saliva fall down on his beard. Fear had turned David into a fool. God protected him...even though he behaved foolishly but I am pretty sure that God had a better plan in all of this had David placed his trust in Him. Hindsight, however is 20 to 20. One of the reasons I love the bible so much is its utter transparency. David's sins are not hidden from us...neither are his accomplishments...they are all there for our learning and our comfort. Fear has made each one of us act foolishly at one time or another. How comforting it is to know that even David, God's anointed King, acted badly...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Psalm 56 is penned with this time in mind and helps us understand David's mindset. The title speaks to David's capture and the events that prompted the writing of the psalm.
Psalm 56
New King James Version (NKJV)
To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.
Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;
Fighting all day he oppresses me.
My enemies would hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
Fighting all day he oppresses me.
My enemies would hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
All day they twist my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather together,
They hide, they mark my steps,
When they lie in wait for my life.
Shall they escape by iniquity?
In anger cast down the peoples, O God!
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather together,
They hide, they mark my steps,
When they lie in wait for my life.
Shall they escape by iniquity?
In anger cast down the peoples, O God!
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word),
In the Lord (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word),
In the Lord (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You,
For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living?
I will render praises to You,
For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living?
I LOVE THIS....AS DAVID POURS OUT HIS HEART BEFORE THE LORD HIS VISION CLEARS AND HE BEGINS TO SEE ALL IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. WHY? BECAUSE HE IS NO LONGER LOOKING TO HIMSELF...HE IS LOOKING TO HIS GOD!!!
The downward spiral has stopped! David's feet are now once again on God, his Rock. Psalm 34 was also written with this time in mind. It is David's declaration of joy having escaped Gath with his life! The key verse being this one:
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Do not rely on your own resources...you will only wind up looking foolish. Look to Him...the full reading of Proverbs 29:25 is this:
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
Here is Psalm 34...also in its entirety...I will close with it.
Psalm 34
New King James Version (NKJV)
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
But A Step Between Me and Death...1 Samuel 20:3
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.--1st Samuel 20:3
During this very difficult time in David's life, he lived very conscious of his own mortality. Saul and his armies were hunting him like an animal. David stood in jeopardy with each passing hour...day and night his life hung in the balance. What was the result? David drew near to His God and learned to depend on Him. He began to understand with heart knowledge that his life was truly in His Father's hands. He began to understand, also, I am sure, that his sufficiency was not of himself but from HIs God. David lifted up His soul to Him who was able to save him not only from earthly death but from spiritual death as well. He put His trust in the One who was and is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!
This is true for every one of us alive today. All of us have the sentence of death in our bodies. When God's hand of protection is removed, our life here on earth is over. None of us knows how long we may have left. There is much "wisdom" in acknowledging this and living our life accordingly. If you are not a believer, there is much wisdom in searching out the things of God and finding out for yourself whether or not they are true. The wisest man on earth, King Solomon, David's son, said this:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Solomon also penned many of the Proverbs...
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding....He preserveth the way of his saints."
Each one of us are in the hands of the Lord...His hand of protection keeps us. Do as David did in life...draw near to your God...learn from Him...depend on His counsel and His strength. Live your life with your eyes on the eternal rather than the temporal. Our permanent dwelling place is with our God in heaven...our days here on earth are numbered...our days in heaven are eternal. Colossians 3 speaks beautifully to how we are to live as believers here on earth...I will close with it.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.--Colossians 3:1-17
During this very difficult time in David's life, he lived very conscious of his own mortality. Saul and his armies were hunting him like an animal. David stood in jeopardy with each passing hour...day and night his life hung in the balance. What was the result? David drew near to His God and learned to depend on Him. He began to understand with heart knowledge that his life was truly in His Father's hands. He began to understand, also, I am sure, that his sufficiency was not of himself but from HIs God. David lifted up His soul to Him who was able to save him not only from earthly death but from spiritual death as well. He put His trust in the One who was and is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!
This is true for every one of us alive today. All of us have the sentence of death in our bodies. When God's hand of protection is removed, our life here on earth is over. None of us knows how long we may have left. There is much "wisdom" in acknowledging this and living our life accordingly. If you are not a believer, there is much wisdom in searching out the things of God and finding out for yourself whether or not they are true. The wisest man on earth, King Solomon, David's son, said this:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Solomon also penned many of the Proverbs...
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding....He preserveth the way of his saints."
Each one of us are in the hands of the Lord...His hand of protection keeps us. Do as David did in life...draw near to your God...learn from Him...depend on His counsel and His strength. Live your life with your eyes on the eternal rather than the temporal. Our permanent dwelling place is with our God in heaven...our days here on earth are numbered...our days in heaven are eternal. Colossians 3 speaks beautifully to how we are to live as believers here on earth...I will close with it.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.--Colossians 3:1-17
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Perspective - 1 Samuel 19 and Psalm 59
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.--1st Samuel 19:11
In First Samuel 19 we find Saul trying to kill David yet again. These years were obviously very difficult ones for David, but it is very helpful for us (me) to remember that some of David's most beautiful psalms were penned during this time. As we read them and hear the depths of David's heart, we too, cry out with David and turn out hearts upside down before our God.
Psalm 59 was written during this time in David's life. As you read it, you can hear his desperation and his desire on his enemies. He begins very distressed...but as I have always found in my own life when I bring my troubles to my God, my attitude begins to change as I lift my eyes to His throne. My problems so often overwhelm my heart but they never overwhelm my God. These low points in our lives give us the greatest opportunity for faith. All we need do is go to Him and pour out our heart. He does the rest.
As I pray through all my troubles and focus on Him my perspective changes....just as David's did. At the end of my prayer I am seeing God more clearly and my problems have dimmed in the light of His glory and grace. I begin to praise Him even though nothing has changed in my circumstances. Something has changed in my heart. I have beheld Him and have been transformed just a little bit more into His likeness. I then can praise Him as David did at the end of Psalm 59:
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.--Psalm 59:16-17
In First Samuel 19 we find Saul trying to kill David yet again. These years were obviously very difficult ones for David, but it is very helpful for us (me) to remember that some of David's most beautiful psalms were penned during this time. As we read them and hear the depths of David's heart, we too, cry out with David and turn out hearts upside down before our God.
Psalm 59 was written during this time in David's life. As you read it, you can hear his desperation and his desire on his enemies. He begins very distressed...but as I have always found in my own life when I bring my troubles to my God, my attitude begins to change as I lift my eyes to His throne. My problems so often overwhelm my heart but they never overwhelm my God. These low points in our lives give us the greatest opportunity for faith. All we need do is go to Him and pour out our heart. He does the rest.
As I pray through all my troubles and focus on Him my perspective changes....just as David's did. At the end of my prayer I am seeing God more clearly and my problems have dimmed in the light of His glory and grace. I begin to praise Him even though nothing has changed in my circumstances. Something has changed in my heart. I have beheld Him and have been transformed just a little bit more into His likeness. I then can praise Him as David did at the end of Psalm 59:
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.--Psalm 59:16-17
Monday, March 5, 2012
Once Fast Friends...Now Enemies
1 Samuel 18 is the turning point for David and Saul's relationship...once fast friends, here in 18 we read they became enemies continually. God had surrounded Saul, the Bible tells us, with valiant men whose hearts He had touched. God had also brought David into Saul's life. David was a man after God's own heart. David loved Saul....and the word tells us that Saul had loved David greatly. What happened to cause the change of heart on Saul's part? We read this in Chapter 18:
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.† And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.--1 Samuel 18:5-9
David was getting lots of attention...Saul did not like it. From this point on there were continuous attempts by Saul on David's life. Further down in Chapter 18 we read:
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. --1 Samuel 18:12-16
and by the end of the chapter we read this:
And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.--1 Samuel 18:28-30
David who at one time was a beloved, faithful and loyal servant to Saul had now become his enemy continually. WHY...because Saul knew that the Lord was with David. How sad! Saul's turning away from David says much about where Saul's own relationship was with his Lord. David's godly obedience must have pierced him to the heart causing Saul to see what could have been in his own life if he had obeyed God. His sin and failure must have loomed large when David was in view.
The same is true for us when we turn away from the godly people God has placed in our own lives and instead begin to surround ourselves with the world. Sure, we will have lots of reasons for doing what we do, but whatever the reason, the overruling reason is that their godliness confronts us with the sin in our life that we do not want to see. Our downhill slide has begun. Turning away from our godly friends, however, was not the first step in this slide. The first steps were those taken in the opposite direction of our Father in Heaven.
This passage should serve as a warning to each of us. Examine your heart...keep it with all diligence. If you have drifted off course, draw near once again to your God, confess your sin and do an about face. Ask Him to show you what you are running from...what are you loving more than him?
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.--Hebrews 2:1
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”--Isaiah 30:15
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.† And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.--1 Samuel 18:5-9
David was getting lots of attention...Saul did not like it. From this point on there were continuous attempts by Saul on David's life. Further down in Chapter 18 we read:
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. --1 Samuel 18:12-16
and by the end of the chapter we read this:
And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.--1 Samuel 18:28-30
David who at one time was a beloved, faithful and loyal servant to Saul had now become his enemy continually. WHY...because Saul knew that the Lord was with David. How sad! Saul's turning away from David says much about where Saul's own relationship was with his Lord. David's godly obedience must have pierced him to the heart causing Saul to see what could have been in his own life if he had obeyed God. His sin and failure must have loomed large when David was in view.
The same is true for us when we turn away from the godly people God has placed in our own lives and instead begin to surround ourselves with the world. Sure, we will have lots of reasons for doing what we do, but whatever the reason, the overruling reason is that their godliness confronts us with the sin in our life that we do not want to see. Our downhill slide has begun. Turning away from our godly friends, however, was not the first step in this slide. The first steps were those taken in the opposite direction of our Father in Heaven.
This passage should serve as a warning to each of us. Examine your heart...keep it with all diligence. If you have drifted off course, draw near once again to your God, confess your sin and do an about face. Ask Him to show you what you are running from...what are you loving more than him?
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.--Hebrews 2:1
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”--Isaiah 30:15
Friday, March 2, 2012
But They Have Rejected Me...
And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.-- 1 Samuel 8:7
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.--1 Samuel 8:19-20
These are some sad words we find in 1 Samuel 8...so much like ours today. It was God's desire to rule over his people. The children of Israel rejected His rule and forfeited the blessings of both His rule and His kingdom. When we reject God's rule, we are doomed to be ruled by men. God had told the people what it would be like to have a king...describing a huge government bureaucracy that someone (the King's subjects) would have to pay for. Taxation would increase and they would see less and less of the fruits of their labors.
After hearing all these warnings the people "nevertheless" wanted a king anyway. They were willing to put themselves into bondage in order not to have God rule over them. God let them have their way...this was and is never a good thing.
God still desires to reign in the hearts and lives of His children. So many of us reject his offer and choose instead wells without water...things that are vain and do not profit. We choose to NOT be set free from the penalty and power of sin and unbelievably live under the horrible bondage of all sorts of other masters, enduring pretty horrific consequences rather than be ruled by God. Pride is not rational and sin makes us stupid. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in His Son. Take His free gift. Allow Him to rule and reign in your heart. He wants to bring you out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. He has so much more for you and desires to do in your life exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think. Ask Him right now to lift you up out of the miry clay...to deliver you from bondage that you are in and set your feet upon the rock that is Christ.
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.--1 Samuel 8:19-20
These are some sad words we find in 1 Samuel 8...so much like ours today. It was God's desire to rule over his people. The children of Israel rejected His rule and forfeited the blessings of both His rule and His kingdom. When we reject God's rule, we are doomed to be ruled by men. God had told the people what it would be like to have a king...describing a huge government bureaucracy that someone (the King's subjects) would have to pay for. Taxation would increase and they would see less and less of the fruits of their labors.
After hearing all these warnings the people "nevertheless" wanted a king anyway. They were willing to put themselves into bondage in order not to have God rule over them. God let them have their way...this was and is never a good thing.
God still desires to reign in the hearts and lives of His children. So many of us reject his offer and choose instead wells without water...things that are vain and do not profit. We choose to NOT be set free from the penalty and power of sin and unbelievably live under the horrible bondage of all sorts of other masters, enduring pretty horrific consequences rather than be ruled by God. Pride is not rational and sin makes us stupid. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in His Son. Take His free gift. Allow Him to rule and reign in your heart. He wants to bring you out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. He has so much more for you and desires to do in your life exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think. Ask Him right now to lift you up out of the miry clay...to deliver you from bondage that you are in and set your feet upon the rock that is Christ.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.--Hebrews 2:14-15
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Deliver Me From Fear...
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.--1John 4:18
Father,
How often does my mind go down wrong paths? Paths of unbelief that lead to fear, grief and torment. Paths where I worry about "evil tidings" lurking down the road...paths that lead me to be anxious and apprehensive rather than peaceful and serene. Sometimes Father I am so afraid of what might lie ahead for me and for my loved ones...so afraid of pain and grief overtaking me and being unable to bear up under it.
Deliver me speedily, Father, from this kind of fear. I never want to doubt Your promises to me or Your faithfulness. I don't ever want to insinuate that You could forget one of Your children or withdraw Your hand of mercy. As a believer I have been set free from this kind of fear. You are my God and You are with me....I place my trust in You...in You I am confident. I know that whatever may occur in my life, You, Father, will overrule it for good for me, your child. Your word promises me this. I do not have to be afraid of "evil tidings". My heart is steadfast...fixed and trusting in Your mercy. I am surrendered to Your will...Your desires for me, Father, are my desires. I have learned that Your paths and Your ways are perfect. I have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but I have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby I can cry out, Abba Father! You, my God, have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
You are my God of love who dwells in me and perfects Your love in my heart as I, abide in Your word and surrender to Your will. Your will for me comes from Your heart of love...I will not fear. I am confident that You who have begun a good work in me will continue it until it is finished when Your Son Jesus returns.
Do as seems good to You in my life Father...I trust You. I leave it all in Your hands of love. Make me perfect me in Your love...
Father,
How often does my mind go down wrong paths? Paths of unbelief that lead to fear, grief and torment. Paths where I worry about "evil tidings" lurking down the road...paths that lead me to be anxious and apprehensive rather than peaceful and serene. Sometimes Father I am so afraid of what might lie ahead for me and for my loved ones...so afraid of pain and grief overtaking me and being unable to bear up under it.
Deliver me speedily, Father, from this kind of fear. I never want to doubt Your promises to me or Your faithfulness. I don't ever want to insinuate that You could forget one of Your children or withdraw Your hand of mercy. As a believer I have been set free from this kind of fear. You are my God and You are with me....I place my trust in You...in You I am confident. I know that whatever may occur in my life, You, Father, will overrule it for good for me, your child. Your word promises me this. I do not have to be afraid of "evil tidings". My heart is steadfast...fixed and trusting in Your mercy. I am surrendered to Your will...Your desires for me, Father, are my desires. I have learned that Your paths and Your ways are perfect. I have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but I have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby I can cry out, Abba Father! You, my God, have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
You are my God of love who dwells in me and perfects Your love in my heart as I, abide in Your word and surrender to Your will. Your will for me comes from Your heart of love...I will not fear. I am confident that You who have begun a good work in me will continue it until it is finished when Your Son Jesus returns.
Do as seems good to You in my life Father...I trust You. I leave it all in Your hands of love. Make me perfect me in Your love...
Sunday, February 26, 2012
I Will Bless You My God...
Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.--Psalm 66:8-12
I will bless You, my God, and make my voice of praise be heard! You preserve my soul here in life and do not allow my feet to be moved. It is You, O Lord, who have tried me and tested me. It is You who brought me into the net and laid affliction upon me. But through it all, Father, You have been my help...You have been with me. You who keep me do not slumber. You lead me on right paths and make me to lie down in green pastures. You order my steps and delight in my way. You deliver me out of it all because I have put my trust in You.
I will sing of Your wonderful name because You, O Lord, have dealt bountifully with me. You have used my affliction to draw me nigh unto You. You have used it to mold me and make me more like you. Someday I will awake in Your likeness!
You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night and tried me. I have purposed in my heart to obey Your word...You alone do I worship. You uphold all my goings and delivered me from wrong paths....my footsteps have not slipped. Hear my cry now, O God of my strength! Incline Your ear to me and show me Your marvelous lovingkindness. Save me by Your right hand from those that rise up against me. Keep me as the apple of Your eye and hide me under the shadow of Your wing.
Help me to see the trials of my faith as precious...more precious than gold that perishes. My desire, Father, is that my faith might be found unto Your praise and Your glory at the appearing of Your Son, Jesus.
Praise to my God, who has regarded my lowly estate and brought me into His kingdom of light and made me His own.
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.--Psalm 66:8-12
I will bless You, my God, and make my voice of praise be heard! You preserve my soul here in life and do not allow my feet to be moved. It is You, O Lord, who have tried me and tested me. It is You who brought me into the net and laid affliction upon me. But through it all, Father, You have been my help...You have been with me. You who keep me do not slumber. You lead me on right paths and make me to lie down in green pastures. You order my steps and delight in my way. You deliver me out of it all because I have put my trust in You.
I will sing of Your wonderful name because You, O Lord, have dealt bountifully with me. You have used my affliction to draw me nigh unto You. You have used it to mold me and make me more like you. Someday I will awake in Your likeness!
You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night and tried me. I have purposed in my heart to obey Your word...You alone do I worship. You uphold all my goings and delivered me from wrong paths....my footsteps have not slipped. Hear my cry now, O God of my strength! Incline Your ear to me and show me Your marvelous lovingkindness. Save me by Your right hand from those that rise up against me. Keep me as the apple of Your eye and hide me under the shadow of Your wing.
Help me to see the trials of my faith as precious...more precious than gold that perishes. My desire, Father, is that my faith might be found unto Your praise and Your glory at the appearing of Your Son, Jesus.
Praise to my God, who has regarded my lowly estate and brought me into His kingdom of light and made me His own.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fear Not...
Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.--Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not, for I am with thee...
Father,
You hold my right hand as a Dad does a child saying, don't be scared...I am right here with you. You, Father, are my strength and my salvation. You have created me, redeemed me and called me by name....I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me.... I am precious in Your sight. You are the One who comforts me....You are my shield and my exceedingly great reward. You go before me and make perfect all that concerns me. You fight my battles. You will not fail me nor forsake me. Therefore, I take your hand and rest...I lay down in peace. You my God keep Your promises...You my God have a plan and it is perfect.
Fear thou not, for I am with thee...
Father,
You hold my right hand as a Dad does a child saying, don't be scared...I am right here with you. You, Father, are my strength and my salvation. You have created me, redeemed me and called me by name....I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me.... I am precious in Your sight. You are the One who comforts me....You are my shield and my exceedingly great reward. You go before me and make perfect all that concerns me. You fight my battles. You will not fail me nor forsake me. Therefore, I take your hand and rest...I lay down in peace. You my God keep Your promises...You my God have a plan and it is perfect.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Remember Me...
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.--Psalm 25:6-7
Father,
Remember me, O LORD, according to thy mercy...remember Thou, me, for thy goodness' sake. You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort! You regard my affliction...you hear my cry...you remember me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. You remembered me in my lowest estate and made me your beloved daughter. Your mercy, O God, endures forever.
I want Your lovingkindness and truth to continually preserve me. So many evils surround me and my heart fails...be pleased O Lord to be with me and deliver me. In the acceptable time, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me...bring me up out of the mire. Keep me from sinking, Father!
Despite the wickedness of my heart, You, Father, have delivered my soul from the pit of corruption and cast my sins behind my back. You are my God that blots out my transgressions and remembers my sin no more. Help me O God and save me for Your mercy's sake. Make Your face shine upon me...I have called upon You...let me not be ashamed. I am accepted in Your beloved Son, Jesus. Through Him I have obtained redemption by His blood...in Him I have forgiveness of sins...in Him I have an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, that will not fade away...reserved in heaven for me!
Father,
Remember me, O LORD, according to thy mercy...remember Thou, me, for thy goodness' sake. You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort! You regard my affliction...you hear my cry...you remember me according to the multitude of your tender mercies. You remembered me in my lowest estate and made me your beloved daughter. Your mercy, O God, endures forever.
I want Your lovingkindness and truth to continually preserve me. So many evils surround me and my heart fails...be pleased O Lord to be with me and deliver me. In the acceptable time, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me...bring me up out of the mire. Keep me from sinking, Father!
Despite the wickedness of my heart, You, Father, have delivered my soul from the pit of corruption and cast my sins behind my back. You are my God that blots out my transgressions and remembers my sin no more. Help me O God and save me for Your mercy's sake. Make Your face shine upon me...I have called upon You...let me not be ashamed. I am accepted in Your beloved Son, Jesus. Through Him I have obtained redemption by His blood...in Him I have forgiveness of sins...in Him I have an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, that will not fade away...reserved in heaven for me!
Monday, February 20, 2012
My Everlasting Light...
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?--Psalm 27:1
Father,
You are my everlasting light....You are my God of glory....my sun and my shield. You give grace and do not withhold anything from me that is good. As I walk with you, trusting in You, I am blessed! You, O God, enlighten my darkness. You are my light and my salvation...I will not be afraid. The light of Your glory surrounds me! Even when I sit in darkness, it is light about me for Your light encompasses me. Your Son, Jesus, is my light...He is the One who stepped down into the darkness of this world. He is the light that opened my eyes and made me see. When I follow You, my God, I do not walk in darkness but have the light of life always with me...my path shines as the sun and ever brighter until that perfect day that I am once again with You.
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. Thou are my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer....my shield and my high tower. I will call upon Your name....my cry will come to Your ears. You will deliver me because You, my God, delight in me!!! Your grace is sufficient...Your strength is made perfect in weakness. When I am afraid I will trust in You. You are on my side....there is nothing that man can do to me. If You are for me, who can be against me? You spared not Your own Son for me...You WILL give me all that I need. My God lives!! Blessed be my Rock and may the God of my salvation be exalted!!
Father,
You are my everlasting light....You are my God of glory....my sun and my shield. You give grace and do not withhold anything from me that is good. As I walk with you, trusting in You, I am blessed! You, O God, enlighten my darkness. You are my light and my salvation...I will not be afraid. The light of Your glory surrounds me! Even when I sit in darkness, it is light about me for Your light encompasses me. Your Son, Jesus, is my light...He is the One who stepped down into the darkness of this world. He is the light that opened my eyes and made me see. When I follow You, my God, I do not walk in darkness but have the light of life always with me...my path shines as the sun and ever brighter until that perfect day that I am once again with You.
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. Thou are my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer....my shield and my high tower. I will call upon Your name....my cry will come to Your ears. You will deliver me because You, my God, delight in me!!! Your grace is sufficient...Your strength is made perfect in weakness. When I am afraid I will trust in You. You are on my side....there is nothing that man can do to me. If You are for me, who can be against me? You spared not Your own Son for me...You WILL give me all that I need. My God lives!! Blessed be my Rock and may the God of my salvation be exalted!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
My King and My God....
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.--Psalm 45:10-11
Father,
I am here....Your daughter is listening. Help me by Your grace to put aside those weights, snares and distractions that cloud my vision and keep me from Your love and Your purposes for me. I want to desire only You and what You want for me. I want to cease to care about my circumstances. They change daily and You are in them all. Father, I do not want to be irresponsible in this or unloving ...I want to face them all in a way that knows and understands that You, my Lord, are sovereign...that You truly have it all under control. My job is just to hear and obey...help me to leave the results in Your hands of love.
You are calling me to arise and come away. The winter is over...my time of weeping is done. The birds sing and the flowers bloom. My joy in You is full. My soul takes delight in You, my God. All Your ways are pleasant and Your paths peace. Your wisdom is peaceable and pure, gentle, willing to yield. It is full of mercy and good fruits and is without partiality or hypocrisy. You have lifted my burden. I have taken Your yoke which is easy and Your burden which is light. Your Son, Jesus, is my teacher....I learn from Him. He is meek and lowly in heart....in Him , my soul finds rest.
You my King, my Lord and my God, greatly desires my beauty. A gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in Your sight. As I look to You I am transformed into Your image...from glory to glory, by Your Spirit. I become radiant and shine from the inside out. The light of Your countenance upon me makes me beautiful. You love me with a jealous love. You desire only my good. You rejoice over me as bridegroom rejoices over his bride. You, my Lord and my God, are in my midst...I will rest in Your love and glory in Your presence. You will rejoice over me with singing and quiet me with Your love.
Your throne, O God is forever. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your Kingdom. You are my Maker....You, Lord, are my husband. You have called me out of the darkness and into Your marvelous light. You called me when I was in despair...grieved, forsaken, and in much trouble. You gathered me to yourself with great mercies and in Your everlasting kindness have redeemed me and made me Your precious daughter.
I will worship you my God. I will kneel before the Lord, my Maker. I will give you all the praise glory and honor. Without You, I would have perished in the way. You have clothed me in Your righteousness and covered me with Your love. You are the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David....You are God over all. You alone have prevailed to open the scroll, the title deed to the earth, and loose its seven seals. Your kingdom is forever. Blessed are all those who put their trust in You.
Father,
I am here....Your daughter is listening. Help me by Your grace to put aside those weights, snares and distractions that cloud my vision and keep me from Your love and Your purposes for me. I want to desire only You and what You want for me. I want to cease to care about my circumstances. They change daily and You are in them all. Father, I do not want to be irresponsible in this or unloving ...I want to face them all in a way that knows and understands that You, my Lord, are sovereign...that You truly have it all under control. My job is just to hear and obey...help me to leave the results in Your hands of love.
You are calling me to arise and come away. The winter is over...my time of weeping is done. The birds sing and the flowers bloom. My joy in You is full. My soul takes delight in You, my God. All Your ways are pleasant and Your paths peace. Your wisdom is peaceable and pure, gentle, willing to yield. It is full of mercy and good fruits and is without partiality or hypocrisy. You have lifted my burden. I have taken Your yoke which is easy and Your burden which is light. Your Son, Jesus, is my teacher....I learn from Him. He is meek and lowly in heart....in Him , my soul finds rest.
You my King, my Lord and my God, greatly desires my beauty. A gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in Your sight. As I look to You I am transformed into Your image...from glory to glory, by Your Spirit. I become radiant and shine from the inside out. The light of Your countenance upon me makes me beautiful. You love me with a jealous love. You desire only my good. You rejoice over me as bridegroom rejoices over his bride. You, my Lord and my God, are in my midst...I will rest in Your love and glory in Your presence. You will rejoice over me with singing and quiet me with Your love.
Your throne, O God is forever. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your Kingdom. You are my Maker....You, Lord, are my husband. You have called me out of the darkness and into Your marvelous light. You called me when I was in despair...grieved, forsaken, and in much trouble. You gathered me to yourself with great mercies and in Your everlasting kindness have redeemed me and made me Your precious daughter.
I will worship you my God. I will kneel before the Lord, my Maker. I will give you all the praise glory and honor. Without You, I would have perished in the way. You have clothed me in Your righteousness and covered me with Your love. You are the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David....You are God over all. You alone have prevailed to open the scroll, the title deed to the earth, and loose its seven seals. Your kingdom is forever. Blessed are all those who put their trust in You.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
My Very Present Help...
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.--Psalm 46:1
O Precious Father,
I so need to remember this...My heart finds so much comfort in the "very present" part. You are nigh unto me, always. You do not stand aloof at my trouble or my tears. You fulfill the desire of them that fear You...You hear my cry and save me. In You I live and move and have my being. You are my refuge and my strength. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you my God are my portion forever.
I will trust in You at all times and pour out my heart before You. You are the strong tower that I run to when I am afraid. I will dwell in Your secret place and abide under the shadow of my Almighty God.
Lord, I flee to you...I lay hold of the strong consolation I have in Jesus, Your Son. He is the anchor of my soul...The One that is sure and steadfast...the One who goes before me in righteousness...the One who intercedes for me without ceasing.
You are my Lord of hosts...the One who fights for me. I will be still and know that You are God. You, Father, are in my midst, I will not be moved. You are on your throne...You reign. All that happens to me, Your beloved, is for my good and Your glory. As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness. Until then I will look to You and in the light of Your countenance, I will be radiant...unashamed and unafraid.
O Precious Father,
I so need to remember this...My heart finds so much comfort in the "very present" part. You are nigh unto me, always. You do not stand aloof at my trouble or my tears. You fulfill the desire of them that fear You...You hear my cry and save me. In You I live and move and have my being. You are my refuge and my strength. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you my God are my portion forever.
I will trust in You at all times and pour out my heart before You. You are the strong tower that I run to when I am afraid. I will dwell in Your secret place and abide under the shadow of my Almighty God.
Lord, I flee to you...I lay hold of the strong consolation I have in Jesus, Your Son. He is the anchor of my soul...The One that is sure and steadfast...the One who goes before me in righteousness...the One who intercedes for me without ceasing.
You are my Lord of hosts...the One who fights for me. I will be still and know that You are God. You, Father, are in my midst, I will not be moved. You are on your throne...You reign. All that happens to me, Your beloved, is for my good and Your glory. As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness. Until then I will look to You and in the light of Your countenance, I will be radiant...unashamed and unafraid.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Heart's Desire...
One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.--Psalm 27:4
Father,
Let this be my desire. Let all my desires and affections be bound up in this one desire...to seek you that I may live always in nearness to you. To behold your beauty and to inquire of You. Let my life, O Lord, be all about You. Let all I do and all I say glorify Your precious name.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.--Psalm 26:8
Enable me to, like Mary, choose the good part, the one thing that is needful:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.--Luke 10:42
Help me to look forward...not back and always keep my eye on the the hope that is in You.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, php.3.14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.--Philippians 3:13
Keep my heart steadfast and undivided in its affections.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.--Psalm 57:7
I want to seek You Lord with my whole heart...to set my face unto you in prayer and supplication...to seek your kingdom first always. Help me Father to pray..to do good and not grow weary. Let my strength be in You and let me be satisfied with the goodness of Your house and the overwhelming awesomeness of Your presence. Allow me to behold your beauty and to search out the many deep and wonderful truths in Your word. Be my sun and shield...
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.--Jeremiah 29:13
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,--Daniel 9:3
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.--Matt 6:33
As I do this Father may you establish the work of my hands and may your beauty be upon me!
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.--Psalm 90:17
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.--2nd Corinthians 3:18
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given useverlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.--2nd Thessalonians 2:16-17
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Saturday, February 11, 2012
Arise O Lord!
Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.--Psalm 44:22-26
Father,
I am delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that His life might be made manifest in my mortal flesh. Death is working in me, but life in those who see Your life in my life. Your Son, Jesus, was as a lamb led to slaughter and as a sheep before its shearers is silent He opened not His mouth. You, Jesus, were obedient to death, even the death of the cross. No one took Your life from You. You gave Your life willingly for mine. My life, Father, is in Your Son. May I do as He did here on earth...give my life away freely.
Blessed am I, then, if I am persecuted, reviled and spoken of evilly and falsely for Your sake. I will rejoice and be exceedingly glad! Let me, Father, be salt and light here on this earth while I live. Give me that single minded desire for You and Your power and presence in my life. Oh, that others would see Your light and glorify You, my Father, in heaven.
But even so, I am so weak and so in need of You. Your word tells me that You will not forget me....that you will have compassion on me. I am engraved in the palms of Your hands...I am continually before You! Awake! Arise to help me! Do not hide your face from my affliction. My soul is bowed down to the dust. Arise for my help....redeem me, rescue me, deliver me for Your mercies sake! Be not far from me, my King and my God.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.... For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.--2nd Corinithians 4:7-18
Friday, February 10, 2012
Make Haste to Help Me!
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.† They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.--Psalm 38:12-15
My hope is in You, Lord. I wait for You. You, my God, are my earnest desire. As I seek You, You will keep my way and prosper my pursuit with many blessings. I will trust in You and do good. As I journey here on this earth I will walk by faith and feed on your faithfulness. I will delight myself in You...knowing that it is in You that I will have all the desires of my heart fulfilled. I will commit my way also to You and You will bring it to pass. I will be glad and rest in You, my God.
Hear me now, Father, lest my enemies rejoice over me when my feet slip and they magnify themselves against me. Let my prayer for them that hate me and are my enemies be the same as my prayer for myself....Mercy...always mercy. Father, I am trusting in Your mercy and rejoicing in Your salvation. To You belong vengeance and recompense. The foot of my enemy will slide in due time...for the day of their calamity is near...even at hand and the things that will come upon them make haste.
But as for me, Father, I am ready to halt...I am limping, stumbling....I am in adversity. My sorrow is continually before me. How comforting it is to remember that You were despised and rejected of men....You were a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. You bore my griefs...You carried my sorrows. You were stricken, smitten of God, afflicted for my sin....and I esteemed You not! You were wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquity...the chastisement of my peace was upon You and by your stripes I was healed. Yea, the iniquity of us all was laid on You.
And yet, it pleased my God to bruise You and put You to grief. He made Your soul an offering for sin. Oh Father....HERE is the key....BUT the pleasure of His God shall prosper in His hand. Your pleasure and His ....my Jesus.....was the salvation of mankind. Your will prospered in His hand. You saw the travail of Your Son's soul and were satisfied because by the knowledge of Your Son many would be justified and made righteous.
All this here on earth that we go through, Father, THIS is its ultimate purpose...to draw more to come to the knowledge of You through Your Son, Jesus and be saved from an eternity of torment. You brought me up out of the horrible pit and set my feet upon a rock. You established my goings. God it was You who put a new song in my mouth...praise unto You...may many see it and trust in You. Oh Father, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that You will reveal in us. May Your pleasure prosper in my life!! May I one day look upon the travail of my own soul and be satisfied. May I see the fruit that You, and You alone, wrought when the darkness covered me and Your billows went over me and be glad!
Let me pray for those who would desire to see me fail. Open the eyes of my enemies....your enemies, really....to see Your glory, grace, and truth in the face of Jesus.
My enemies are lively, Father....and they do hate me wrongfully. They render evil for good to because I follow the One that is good. Forsake me not, make haste to help me. Use my travail for my good and Your glory. Bring my enemies to You.....Make haste to help me....BUT Father, make haste to help those who do not know You....make haste to bring them into Your kingdom of light.
My hope is in You, Lord. I wait for You. You, my God, are my earnest desire. As I seek You, You will keep my way and prosper my pursuit with many blessings. I will trust in You and do good. As I journey here on this earth I will walk by faith and feed on your faithfulness. I will delight myself in You...knowing that it is in You that I will have all the desires of my heart fulfilled. I will commit my way also to You and You will bring it to pass. I will be glad and rest in You, my God.
Hear me now, Father, lest my enemies rejoice over me when my feet slip and they magnify themselves against me. Let my prayer for them that hate me and are my enemies be the same as my prayer for myself....Mercy...always mercy. Father, I am trusting in Your mercy and rejoicing in Your salvation. To You belong vengeance and recompense. The foot of my enemy will slide in due time...for the day of their calamity is near...even at hand and the things that will come upon them make haste.
But as for me, Father, I am ready to halt...I am limping, stumbling....I am in adversity. My sorrow is continually before me. How comforting it is to remember that You were despised and rejected of men....You were a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. You bore my griefs...You carried my sorrows. You were stricken, smitten of God, afflicted for my sin....and I esteemed You not! You were wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquity...the chastisement of my peace was upon You and by your stripes I was healed. Yea, the iniquity of us all was laid on You.
And yet, it pleased my God to bruise You and put You to grief. He made Your soul an offering for sin. Oh Father....HERE is the key....BUT the pleasure of His God shall prosper in His hand. Your pleasure and His ....my Jesus.....was the salvation of mankind. Your will prospered in His hand. You saw the travail of Your Son's soul and were satisfied because by the knowledge of Your Son many would be justified and made righteous.
All this here on earth that we go through, Father, THIS is its ultimate purpose...to draw more to come to the knowledge of You through Your Son, Jesus and be saved from an eternity of torment. You brought me up out of the horrible pit and set my feet upon a rock. You established my goings. God it was You who put a new song in my mouth...praise unto You...may many see it and trust in You. Oh Father, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that You will reveal in us. May Your pleasure prosper in my life!! May I one day look upon the travail of my own soul and be satisfied. May I see the fruit that You, and You alone, wrought when the darkness covered me and Your billows went over me and be glad!
Let me pray for those who would desire to see me fail. Open the eyes of my enemies....your enemies, really....to see Your glory, grace, and truth in the face of Jesus.
My enemies are lively, Father....and they do hate me wrongfully. They render evil for good to because I follow the One that is good. Forsake me not, make haste to help me. Use my travail for my good and Your glory. Bring my enemies to You.....Make haste to help me....BUT Father, make haste to help those who do not know You....make haste to bring them into Your kingdom of light.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
You Are Light About Me...
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.--Psalm 39:12
Hear my prayer, Father...I am a stranger here on this earth. I don't know how to come in or go out without You. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Don't hide your commandments from me...Your statutes are my song during my pilgrimage here. My true home is with You in heaven. Here on this earth I walk by faith and not by sight. I need your directions and your guidance. I need your right hand to lead me and uphold me in the right way. When the darkness covers me, You are light about me.
Do not hold your peace at my tears...my sorrow, Father, is continually before me. You keep all my tears in a bottle. Have mercy on me, for I am weak. I am your beloved...he who touches me touches, the apple of your eye. You are gracious and merciful. I have been brought low, but You, O God, help me. I will rest under the shadow of Your wing because You have and will deal bountifully with me. You have delivered my soul from death and my eyes from tears.
Hear my prayer, Father...I am a stranger here on this earth. I don't know how to come in or go out without You. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Don't hide your commandments from me...Your statutes are my song during my pilgrimage here. My true home is with You in heaven. Here on this earth I walk by faith and not by sight. I need your directions and your guidance. I need your right hand to lead me and uphold me in the right way. When the darkness covers me, You are light about me.
Do not hold your peace at my tears...my sorrow, Father, is continually before me. You keep all my tears in a bottle. Have mercy on me, for I am weak. I am your beloved...he who touches me touches, the apple of your eye. You are gracious and merciful. I have been brought low, but You, O God, help me. I will rest under the shadow of Your wing because You have and will deal bountifully with me. You have delivered my soul from death and my eyes from tears.
A Prayer to the God of My Life
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life. --Psalm 42:8
You are my King and my God...at Your word my deliverance comes. You command Your blessings....even life for evermore....upon me. You daily load me with benefits. Your kindness towards me reaches to the heavens. Your tender mercies are always with me. You do not stand aloof at my tears. Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. I will bless You and lift up my hands to You. My soul shall be satisfied with your goodness.
At night Your song is with me. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble and You, my God, surround me with songs of deliverance. I will remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. I will sing aloud of Your goodness and be joyful in Your glory. You alone give me gladness of heart and in the shadow of Your wings I rejoice. I will follow hard after You and Your right hand will hold me up. My soul waits upon You only, for my expectation is from You. You are the God of my life. My rock, my refuge and my strength. In you I live and move and have my being.
You are my King and my God...at Your word my deliverance comes. You command Your blessings....even life for evermore....upon me. You daily load me with benefits. Your kindness towards me reaches to the heavens. Your tender mercies are always with me. You do not stand aloof at my tears. Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. I will bless You and lift up my hands to You. My soul shall be satisfied with your goodness.
At night Your song is with me. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble and You, my God, surround me with songs of deliverance. I will remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. I will sing aloud of Your goodness and be joyful in Your glory. You alone give me gladness of heart and in the shadow of Your wings I rejoice. I will follow hard after You and Your right hand will hold me up. My soul waits upon You only, for my expectation is from You. You are the God of my life. My rock, my refuge and my strength. In you I live and move and have my being.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Waiting Upon My God...
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.--Psalm 34:5
Father,
Thank you for this verse...shame disappears when I look at you because in You there is neither darkness nor fear. In You even the night is light about me and Your perfect love casts out fear. I look to You, Father, and I am helped. You look upon the humble and contrite heart...you save those who seek Your face in sincerity and truth. When I focus my gaze on You, Your light continually flows to me and I am radiant. You, O Lord, put Your light in my heart.
As a maid servant looks to her mistress, let my eyes wait upon You until You have mercy on me. You alone are God and there is no other besides You. I will look unto You, my Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. I will look unto Him who endured the cross for the salvation of my soul, despising the shame! Help me Father, not to grow weary or faint...Bring to my remembrance the hostility Your Son faced...Help me to recall that I have not yet suffered to bloodshed as He did, striving against sin. Help me to press on knowing that You have a purpose in all my trials and tribulations. What a joy and a privilege if someone might see Your light in my life and look to You and be changed....
Father,
Thank you for this verse...shame disappears when I look at you because in You there is neither darkness nor fear. In You even the night is light about me and Your perfect love casts out fear. I look to You, Father, and I am helped. You look upon the humble and contrite heart...you save those who seek Your face in sincerity and truth. When I focus my gaze on You, Your light continually flows to me and I am radiant. You, O Lord, put Your light in my heart.
As a maid servant looks to her mistress, let my eyes wait upon You until You have mercy on me. You alone are God and there is no other besides You. I will look unto You, my Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. I will look unto Him who endured the cross for the salvation of my soul, despising the shame! Help me Father, not to grow weary or faint...Bring to my remembrance the hostility Your Son faced...Help me to recall that I have not yet suffered to bloodshed as He did, striving against sin. Help me to press on knowing that You have a purpose in all my trials and tribulations. What a joy and a privilege if someone might see Your light in my life and look to You and be changed....
Jesus...the Voice of Wisdom
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.--Psalm 40:7
This is wisdom...fearing God and finding your delight in His word and doing His will. Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom. Colossians 2 tells us that in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. JESUS PERSONIFIES WISDOM. Read Proverbs 8 and hear the voice of Jesus. Hear His will for you...
"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
This is wisdom...fearing God and finding your delight in His word and doing His will. Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom. Colossians 2 tells us that in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. JESUS PERSONIFIES WISDOM. Read Proverbs 8 and hear the voice of Jesus. Hear His will for you...
"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
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