Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Exceeding Joy

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. - Psalm 43

Doesn't your heart just break for the psalmist here?  He was having more than just a typical bad day.  It sounds more like he had a bad life!  Discouraged.  Defeated.  Oppressed.  Yep, we are definitely reading the diary entry of one miserable person.  However, in the midst of such a dark hour, we find another title for God:  my exceeding joy.

Despite what many dictionaries and thesauruses say, the words "happiness" and "joy" do not mean the same thing.  They are not interchangeable.  Sure, on the surface they seem to be the same thing.  Happy, joyful, in a good mood, free of sadness.  But there is one significant contrast that makes all the difference in the world.  Happiness is based on circumstances.  The psalmist who wrote Psalm 43 was not happy.  His circumstances were grim, and so was his attitude.  Joy, on the other hand, is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather on the Lord.  If we have Jesus in our hearts, then we have joy, and nothing that happens in our lives can change that.

In Hebrew, the phrase "exceeding joy" is "simchah giyl."  Interestingly enough, both "Simchah" and "Giyl" mean "joy or joyful," so, in essence, the psalmist is saying, "God my joyful joy."  I can think of no better place in the Bible for this name than right here in the midst of the psalmist's dark hour.  Its placement here distinguishes real joy from mere happiness.  Many things can make us happy, but only God can give us joy because He is joy Himself.

"Note the holy rapture with which [the psalmist] regards his Lord! He is not his joy alone, but his exceeding joy; not the fountain of joy, the giver of joy, or the maintainer of joy, but that joy itself." - Charles Spurgeon

Bad days will come.  Trying circumstances will arise.  Happiness will flee.  But joy is here to stay.  Didn't God promise He would never leave us nor forsake us?  So if God is joy and He never leaves, that means joy is ever-present.  No matter what life throws our way, we can have everlasting peace through God our Exceeding Joy!

Who Do You Think I Am? - The Living God

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? - Psalm 42:2

I wasn't planning on covering the titles within the Psalms that contained the words "God" or "Lord," as in "God Most High" and the like.  Mostly because these terms (like "most high") have already been covered in one respect or another, but also because I didn't want the series to run too long.  However, when I came across today's title, I could not skip it. Of all other religions, not one can claim to serve a living God.  Their gods are dead and buried.  Their idols are lifeless.  And as such, their "gods" can't do anything for them.

Our God, on the other hand, has conquered both death and hell.  He has always been alive and will always be alive.  He is the living God, and because He lives, we have hope.  Hope that He sees our needs.  Hope that He can intercede on our behalf.  Hope that He can meet our needs and solve our problems.  Hope that He can protect us.  A dead god can't help his people.

I'm reminded of a story told by a missionary to Africa.  He was struggling to get the village leader to understand the difference between his idol god and the one, true God.  Finally, he broke down and asked this question, "So, if your hut were to catch on fire, would your god save you, or would you have to save your god?"  His point was made, and eventually, the village leader surrendered his life to Christ.

We first see the term "the living God"  when the children of Israel are standing on the banks of the Jordan River, waiting to see if they could take the land before them.  They'd been down this road before.  They had walked across on dry land as the Red Sea was parted for them after they had escaped from Egypt.  They had seen God's provision, yet the thought of fighting the "giants" of the land scared them to where they forgot all God had done and all that He could do.  And so they were left to wander.  Now, here they are, facing a familiar scene.  An uncrossable river.  A land filled with enemies.  A decision to be made.

So before giving the orders, Joshua gives the people a little pep talk, and in the midst of it, he reminds the people that they serve a living God.  And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. (Joshua 3:10)  Within moments, the entire nation once again defies nature by walking across the Jordan River on dry ground.  Only a living God can make the waters stand still.

We see the phrase again when King Darius sneaks out to check on Daniel after the man of God had been thrown into the lion's den the night before.  After seeing that Daniel was unharmed and that God had delivered him from the lions' mouths, the king said, I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. (Daniel 6:26)  Only a living God could have delivered Daniel from those hungry lions.

Those are not the only times the title is mentioned.  In fact, the Bible has quite a lot to say about the living God, but what does it mean for us?  For starters, it means that we serve a God who is both worthy and able to receive our praise.  It also means that we can take great comfort because our cries will be heard, our joys will be seen, our requests will be considered, and our hearts will be loved.  Our God is alive, and because of that, He can do for us what no other could do.  He's watching.  He's paying attention.  He's always awake, always alive and always available. He lives for us.  Is it too much to ask that we live for Him?

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Trust

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. - Psalm 40:4

Trust, like the word "stay" we discussed earlier in the series, is often used as a verb rather than a noun, as in "I trust in the Lord."  But with Psalm 40:4, "trust" is most definitely a noun—specifically a noun referring to the Lord.  But notice the difference here from all the other terms we've discussed thus far.  Every other term has been phrased "The Lord is. . ." or "You are. . ."  They tell us that God is this and that no matter what.  He is our hiding place, refuge, shelter, salvation, and so on.  But here, the wording is different.  David doesn't say God is our trust but rather that we can make God our trust.  Interesting!

The psalmist is telling us that God is able and willing to be our trust, but ultimately, it's up to us whether we're prepared to accept Him as such.  According to the online dictionary, a trust, regarding a person, is one in whom confidence is placed.  Not one who is confident, but one in whom we place our confidence.  In other words, we have to trust God to be our trust, and that's often easier said than done.

In this world, it's easy to place our confidence in other things like money, jobs, families, health and the like, but the truth is we can't count on these things.  They are temporal.  They are fickle.  They are fleeting, ever-changing and unreliable.  But God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He has always been faithful and always will be.  He sees the beginning and the end, and we can place our todays and tomorrows in His capable hands and breathe easy knowing He is in control.

Go back to our verse again and notice the first word:  blessed.  In the Bible, the word "blessed" means "happy."  Do you want to be happy?  Do you long to smile through your tears and to find joy no matter the circumstances?  Would you like to wake up every morning with a spring in your step rather than a knot in your stomach?  If so, the recipe for happiness is right here:  make God your trust.  Place your confidence in Him.  Let go.  Stop trying to micromanage every facet of your life, and leave it in God's hands.  He can be trusted with every problem, every decision and every heartache.  So, give it all over to Him.

Oh, and just in case you weren't aware, this isn't a one-time thing.  It is possible for God to be your trust today but not tomorrow.  It's completely up to you.  Having God as our trust means making the daily decision to put our faith in Him no matter what we face or how bad things may look.  The decision is ours, and as the Bible attests, our happiness depends on it.

How Do We Abide in Christ?

This morning, I have been pondering abiding in Christ.  For that reason, I feel the Lord would have me share with you an excerpt from my personal journal this morning.  I pray it will be a blessing to you.  Lord willing, we'll get back to our study through the Psalms tomorrow.

I am always a bit confused by the thought of abiding in Christ. To abide is not to do but rather to be. Being has always been much harder for me than doing. By nature, I'm busy. Productivity seems to be the benchmark by which I judge my faithfulness to the Lord, yet I always find myself lacking.

According to Max Lucado, abiding is the process of being at home. When I am at home, I feel safe and protected. I am comfortable and know I can be myself. No costumes or disguises are needed—just plain me. There is also great familiarity. Despite my lack of direction, I need no map within my home. I know where to go and which way to turn to find what I need or what I seek. Safe. Comfortable. Familiar. This is what it means to abide in Christ.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - John 15:4-5

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Hiding Place

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. - Psalm 32:7

When I pondered what it means that God is my hiding place, I immediately thought of this story by an unknown author I read just a couple of days ago.

A young soldier found himself in a heated battle during the Scottish Reformation. The enemy was defeating this young man's army. He and his comrades hastily retreated from the battlefield in defeat, running away in fear of their lives. The enemy gave chase. This young man ran hard and fast, full of fear and desperation, soon found himself cut off from his comrades in arms.

He eventually came upon a rocky ledge containing a cave. Knowing the enemy was close behind, and that he was exhausted from the chase, chose to hide there. After he crawled in, he fell on his face in the darkness, desperately crying to God to save him and protect him from his enemies. He also made a bargain with God. He promised that if God saved him, he would serve Him for the rest of his days.

When he looked up from his despairing plea for help, he saw a spider weaving its web at the entrance to the cave. As he watched the delicate threads being drawn across the mouth of the cave, the young soldier pondered its irony. He thought, "I asked God for protection and deliverance, and he sent me a spider instead. How can a spider save me?"

His heart was hardened, knowing the enemy would soon discover his hiding place and kill him.

And soon he heard the sound of his enemies, who were now scouring the area looking for those in hiding. One soldier with a gun slowly walked up to the cave's entrance. As the young man crouched in the darkness, hoping to surprise the enemy in a last-minute desperate attempt to save his own life, he felt his heart pounding wildly out of control.

As the enemy cautiously moved forward to enter the cave, he came upon the spider's web, which by now stretched completely across the opening. He backed away and called out to a comrade, "There can't be anyone in here. They would have had to break this spider's web to enter the cave. Let's move on."

Years later, this young man, who made good his promise by becoming a preacher and evangelist, wrote about that ordeal. He wrote:

"Where God is, a spider's web is as a stone wall. Where God is not, a stone wall is as a spider's web."

I have no idea if this is a true story, but I see no reason it couldn't be.  My God is a God of miracles.  David understood what it was like to be on the run, fearful of losing his life, but he also knew what it was like to find peace knowing that God was his hiding place.  A place of shelter, refuge and protection.  A secret place known only to those who know how to find Him.  Impenetrable to the enemy.  Hidden from the eyes of the prowling foe.  A place to rest and regain strength for the continuation of the race.  Yes, God is our hiding place, and we can find shelter in Him today as long as we are running to Him and not away from Him.

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our 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

I don't know about you, but I don't like the dark.  It's not that I'm afraid of the dark, but rather that I'm afraid of things that may lurk about in the dark.  Just last night, I heard a scratching sound in the bathroom.  I know it's not uncommon for critters to find their way inside our walls, especially the bathroom walls, but I knew I wouldn't be at ease until I verified there wasn't something actually in the bathroom.  I crept toward the door, listening for the sound of scratching.  As I pushed the door open slowly, I reached in and flipped on the light.  With the room lit, I then felt comfortable to go in and explore. . . but not in the dark, never in the dark.

Speaking of dark, I recall a vacation Jason and I took to Pigeon Forge several years ago.  We were staying in a cozy little cabin, but the first night we were there, the power went out.  Now, I don't know if you've ever been tucked back in the woods of Tennessee, but let me tell you, it's an entirely new level of dark.  There was no light anywhere.  No street lamps.  No moonlight, for it was overcast.  No light from electronics because the power was out.  The darkness was stifling.

I first discovered the power outage as I stumbled, feeling my way along the walls to the bathroom early in the morning.  I found the bathroom door and then the light switch.  I flipped the switch, but nothing happened.  So I did the most logical thing I could think of—I flipped it again and again.  Strangely, each time I flipped the switch, a new sense of panic welled up inside me.  It was dark.  I was in an unfamiliar place.  And I was getting scared.  Of what?  I have no idea, but darkness does that, you know.  It creates fear for no reason at all.  That's why I'm glad I know the Lord as my light.

No matter how dark our path may get, we will never truly be in darkness as long as our eyes are fixed on the Lord.  He is our Light.  He offers shelter from the impending darkness as well as peace from the fear it evokes in us.  It is that Light that guides us by illuminating the paths we should take along our journey.  Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)  And it is that Light that serves as a beacon of hope when situations look grim, and we feel like giving in.

Do you know what else?  Nothing, and I mean nothing, can extinguish His light.  No power outage can diminish His glow.  No cloud coverage can block out His rays.  He is an ever-present Light, and because of that, we need never walk in darkness.

As for our cabin experience, I've since made a habit of carrying my cell phone to bed with me when abiding in unfamiliar territory.  That way I know light is within my reach.  Something about the knowledge that instant light is waiting on the nightstand allows me to rest peacefully and even to enjoy the darkness.  It's strange, I know, but darkness brings out peculiar behavior.

Funny, they say darkness is the absence of light, but if God is our Light, and He is never absent, can there truly be darkness?  How's that for a thought to ponder today?

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1

I could spend months talking about the Lord as our shepherd (and I have—just ask my ladies' Sunday School class), but for the sake of continuing our study through the book of Psalms, I'll try to reduce my thoughts to this one post.

As I understand it, shepherds have a personal relationship with their sheep.  Not only does a shepherd know each sheep by name, but he is also aware of the personality, weakness, and quirk of each sheep.  He knows them better than they know themselves.  And as the shepherd, he has a huge responsibility to care for those sheep because, let's face it, sheep can't exactly take care of themselves.  They're not the brightest animal among God's creation, now are they?  (And of all the creatures God could relate us to, which one does He choose?  That doesn't say much for our intelligence, now does it?)

The fact is that sheep are helpless.  Unlike many other animals, sheep have no natural means of protection.  No claws or sharp teeth or stink spray.  Not only that, but they are navigationally challenged (like myself), making it difficult to find good pasture or clean water.  They don't have any enhanced senses, so they are preyed upon by wolves and other wild animals.  Helpless, completely helpless!  And yet, anytime I see a field of sheep, they look so content and peaceful.  Why?  Because they are.  As long as the shepherd is nearby, they feel safe, and a good shepherd never leaves his sheep.

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar Bible passages of all time, and it paints a beautiful picture of the Lord's role as the Shepherd in our lives.  Penned by David, a man who knew a thing or two about shepherding, this psalm begins with today's name:  "The Lord is my Shepherd."  And on the heels of that statement, David proclaims, "I shall not want."

As a young child, I was confused by that verse, for in my immature understanding, I took the verse to mean that David didn't want the Lord as his shepherd.  I was too young and uneducated to realize that the word "want" here is not defined as "desire" but rather as "need, require, or lack."  So, in fact, what David is saying is this:  "Because the Lord is my shepherd, I need nothing else.  There is nothing I lack."  And then he explains that statement in great detail:

vs. 2 - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. - The Shepherd provides rest.
vs. 2 - He leadeth me beside the still waters. - The Shepherd provides refreshment.
vs. 3 - He restoreth my soul. - The Shepherd provides salvation.
vs. 3 - He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. - The Shepherd provides guidance.
vs. 4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. - The Shepherd provides peace and safety.
vs. 4 - For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - The Shepherd provides companionship and correction.
vs. 5 - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. - The Shepherd provides nourishment.
vs. 6 - Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. - The Shepherd provides blessings above and beyond what we can ask or think.
vs. 7 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. - The Shepherd provides the fruit of the Spirit by which we can live our lives.
vs. 7 - I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. - The Shepherd provides hope for the future.

Let's face it, the psalmist could have simply said, "The Lord is my Shepherd.  'Nough said!"  But he didn't.  Instead, he made sure that there could be no misunderstanding.  He spelled it out so that even the most ignorant or naïve among us could understand.  If the Lord is our Shepherd (and if you're saved, He is), then He's all we need.  No matter what comes our way, He will provide.  Just like the shepherd, God loves His sheep and will do everything in His power to care for us.  We've already established that there is no limit to His power, so what does that mean for us?  It means there is no need too great, no situation too dire, no foe too frightening, and no wanderer forsaken.  It means we're taken care of.  It means the Shepherd is all we need!

Who Do You Think I Am? - The Governor of Nations

For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations. - Psalm 22:28

Strong's Concordance defines "governor" as "one who rules or reigns; one to whom is given power and authority."  Yep, that's our Lord.  He rules.  He reigns on high.  He has all power and authority.  The Bible makes this abundantly clear.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. - John 5:27

And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. - Ephesians 1:22-23

So, how does this affect us?  In what ways can we find comfort in the fact that God is the Governor of nations?  For me, it brings peace when I think of all the turmoil in our world.  Wars and rumors of wars—yes, we're living in the last days.  Peace on earth seems like wishful thinking.  But no matter how chaotic things may appear, we can trust that God is in charge, and one day, everyone will answer to Him.  He has the final say.  He always has and always will reign supreme.

The Way It's Supposed To Be

Lord willing, we'll return to our study of the names of God in the Psalms tomorrow, but this post has been on my heart, and I felt I needed to share it with you.

Last week, I was watching a show on television.  The youngest of three daughters had her heart set on going to West Point to become a soldier.  Her attitude was right.  Her motives were pure—to serve God and country.  But in the end, her application was denied, and she was heartbroken.  As we often do when we're hurt, she lashed out at others, particularly her dad.  When he questioned why she was mad at him, her response was something akin to this:  "You taught me wrong.  You said if I did right, worked hard and played by the rules that things would work out for me.  But you're wrong.  That's not how life works."

Oh, how I can relate.  I, too, have lashed out at my Father (the Heavenly One).  I recall when our first dog, Tessa, had to be put down because of cancer, I struggled to find something to fill the void in my heart.  Unfortunately, what I grasped hold of were anger and bitterness.  I felt just like the daughter in the show.  I felt I had been duped.  I served God, lived right and tried my best to follow His commands, even when they made little sense, and this was my reward?  Yes, the bitterness gripped me hard, and I'm sorry to say it held me for years.

In fact, I thought I had it firmly at bay until a couple of years ago when we had to put our second dog, Tippy, down.  Suddenly, all of those angry thoughts and bitter feelings came back with a vengeance.  Why was God being so cruel?  Didn't He love me enough to keep things like this from happening. . . again?  I'll be honest, I've spent the past couple of years trying to deal with this bitterness.  I knew it was wrong.  I knew God was good, but I was struggling to get my head and heart in sync.

Fast forward to last week.  Mitch's tumor had been growing at an alarming rate.  We knew it was only a matter of time before we'd have to make that horrible decision that no "parent" should ever have to make.  Then, without further warning, we were in the midst of heartache and despair.  The decision had to be made, and even though Jason and I both knew it was the right thing to do, we didn't want to do it.  It was too hard.  We loved him too much to let him go, but at the same time, our love for him was too great to allow him to suffer.  So, we did what was best for him and grieved.

As I cried off and on over the weekend, I had a realization.  I was sad, almost hollow inside, but I wasn't angry.  I didn't feel bitter or resentful.  In fact, I even thanked God for various things and praised Him in the midst of the storm.  And at that point, a small smile interlaced with my tears.  I've grown.  I've matured spiritually.  Somewhere along the way, I've finally come to believe that even when things are bad, God is still good, and He still loves me.

And you know what I think had an enormous impact on me?  The study we're going through on who God is.  It's no coincidence that I've been studying and writing on God as our refuge, strength, help, high tower, deliverer and so much more.  Through this study, I've been able to learn more than just what God does.  I've learned to appreciate Who He is and to understand that He never changes.  This knowledge has helped me through these troubling times.  Yes, it hurts.  Yes, I'm still sad.  Yes, I still feel Mitch's loss, and I know I will for some time.  But this occasion, unlike all the rest, I find myself able to turn to God for comfort rather than turning to Him in accusation.

I don't know what you may be facing, but perhaps you're in a situation where you're saying, "God, I've done right, played by the rules and lived according to your Word. Why is this happening?  It's not supposed to be like this!"  I remind you that even in the darkest hour, God is good.  He is kind and loving and does not enjoy seeing His children suffer.  But what I've come to understand that it is in these most challenging times that we grow the most.  God is molding us to become more like Him, and that molding is often painful but always worth it.  Don't be afraid to cry.  There's nothing wrong with tears.  You can rejoice in the Lord while you sorrow.  But in the midst of that difficulty, watch out for anger and bitterness.  They can creep in unaware and, like the most stubborn weeds, they're difficult to get rid of once they've taken root.

Instead of examing the situation, look to God.  Remember Who He is.  Note how much He loves you.  Then turn to Him for comfort.  He'll see you through!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. - James 1:2-4

What a Great Comfort!

We are going to take another short break from our study on the terms of God found in the Psalms, though technically what I want to discuss today is another term for God.  I share with you this post because of a current tragedy at our house.  Most of you know that we have a twelve-year-old dog named Mitchell, and some of you may remember that Mitch has been dealing with a growing tumor/cyst on his left back leg.  Until the past couple of weeks, despite the growing mass, Mitch had been his normal wild and crazy self.  He loved life and enjoyed hiking as much as possible.

Recently, he began to suffer from more weakness in that leg, but still, his excitement for life lingered.  This week, however, things have been different.  A portion of the tumor burst open and began bleeding.  Over the past few days, we've dealt with the bleeding, which is off and on depending on how much he messes with it.

Unfortunately, that isn't the only thing that has changed.  Mitch is not Mitch anymore, and Jason suspects he may have had a mild heart attack.  He is very lethargic and dazed.  We took him out for a hike (which we both suspected would be his final one), hoping that he would regain some of the "Mitchell bounce" we were used to.  He could only walk about ten steps without collapsing to the ground and panting wildly.  We quickly abandoned the hike and simply allowed him to enjoy the car ride (another favorite on his list of things to do).  As of now, he is still not himself, and the tumor is growing worse.

Tomorrow, the plan is for Jason to take Mitch to the vet, at which point, we will likely be saying goodbye to our precious pup who has given us over a decade of joy, laughs and love.  We've known for months that this day was near, but that doesn't make it any easier.  Words cannot describe how difficult this is for us, and so, for today's devotion, if you'll allow me, I want to focus on God as our comfort.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. - Psalm 94:19

If you look up the word "comfort" in the dictionary, you will find the following definition:
1. strengthening aid, assistance, or support; 2. consolation in time of trouble or worry; 3. a feeling of relief or encouragement; 4. contented well-being; 5. a satisfying or enjoyable experience.

So, what comfort do you think this verse might be talking about. I have a few ideas:

God's grace
God's mercy
God's love
God's kindness
God's goodness
God's gentleness
God's patience
God's care
God's compassion
God's faithfulness
God's Word
God's peace
God's understanding
God's generosity
God's guidance
God's provision
And on and on and on. . .

In the midst of troubled times and turbulent thoughts, don't focus on the circumstances that surround you. Instead, focus on God, who is the Comfort of all comforts!

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Redeemer

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

I told you yesterday how salvation has been on my mind lately.  Interestingly enough, today's term for God (the next one I came across, I promise) is our Redeemer, which gives reference again to salvation.  To redeem means "to buy back" or "to offer a ransom."

Before salvation, not only are we dead in trespasses and sins (as we discussed yesterday), but we are also prisoners.  We are in bondage to sin and death with no way of ever getting ourselves free.  But Christ paid a high price on Calvary so that we could have the opportunity to be free.  He died a horrible death and paid the ransom for our deliverance.  Now, it is up to us whether or not to accept His great sacrifice.  The debt has been paid.  Salvation is ours if we'll only accept it.

For the Christian, the term "Redeemer" carries with it much more weight than the price paid on Calvary, though that would certainly be enough for which to praise God.  I think the best explanation for a Christian's view of our Redeemer can be found in the popular song, Because He Lives.  "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know Who holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives."

Our Redeemer died for our sins, but now He lives.  He sits on the throne and controls all things.  He knows all, sees all, and hears all.  Nothing eludes Him or escapes His attention.  He is never otherwise occupied to the point that He's absent from our lives.  He is ever-present, all-powerful and all-knowing.  He loves and cares.  He counsels and comforts.  He is our all and all, and because our Redeemer lives, we can face tomorrow and the tomorrow after that.

Do you know the Redeemer today?  Have you experienced His great power in your life?  If not, I beg you to accept Him into your life before it's too late.  He's waiting for you!

For those of you who have met the Redeemer, are you trusting Him with your physical life as you have with your eternal one?  What does it mean to you to know that our Redeemer lives and how does this give you hope?

Who Do You Think I Am? - The God of Our Salvation

The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. - Psalm 18:46

The God of my salvation.  Praise the Lord!  I've been thinking a lot about salvation lately.  Maybe it's because of all the natural disasters that have rocked our world recently.  Maybe it's because of the other signs of the times that remind me that Jesus' return is imminent.  I don't know what it is, but salvation has definitely been on my mind.

Perhaps that's why our pastor's sermon on Sunday morning took a different turn in my brain.  He was speaking on the raising of the dead son of the widow of Nain found in Luke 7.  During the message, the pastor mentioned how Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead on her deathbed.  Then, Jesus raised this boy during the funeral procession.  Later, He raised Lazarus after he had been dead and buried four days.  The point our pastor was making was that nothing is too hard for God, and there's no such thing as "too dead."

The message struck a chord with me, but rather than thinking of physical death, I was thinking of those who are dead in trespasses and sins.  Yes, the Bible says that if we're not saved, we're the walking dead.  But as I listened to the message Sunday morning, I was reminded of a glorious truth.  There's no such thing as "too dead" for the Lord to save.  No one is too far gone.  No matter how stubborn or sinful they may be, God can save anybody, anywhere, anytime.  He is the God of our salvation, and He has rightfully earned that title.

If you have not asked Jesus to be your Savior, I plead with you to do so today before it's too late.  If you don't know God, you have no idea what it's like to truly live.  You may think you're living it up, but until you've experienced life in Christ, you ain't seen nothing!  Jesus is life.  He is peace.  He is the answer to every question and the solution to every problem.  You need Him, and He wants you.  Ask Him into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from your unrighteousness.  Invite Him to be the Lord of your life.  He won't turn you away.  No matter who you are or what you've done, He is mighty to save.  Give Him the chance to prove it.

For those of you who are saved, perhaps there's someone in your life for whose salvation you've been praying.  Don't give up on them.  God longs to see them saved even more than you do.  Keep praying.  Show God you mean business.  And prove to that someone just how much you love them.  They are not "too dead" to be made alive by the power of Christ.  Do your part and trust God to do His.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17

The Storm's A'Comin' - A Repost

With Hurricane Irma being the main topic of discussion over the past several days, I felt it appropriate to share this older post.  It reminds us that storms will come and it's best for us to be prepared.  I share this post in honor of all those who are currently being affected by storms, whether physical or spiritual.  I pray it will be a blessing to you.

Regardless what many nonbelievers think, the Christian life is full of storms.  Yes, to describe the Christian life in simple terms, one could say it is a journey where the traveler is either going through a storm, heading into a storm, or has just come through a storm.  The truth is that storms will come.  There's no doubt about it.  The question is whether or not we're ready for them.

When I saw the weather forecast was predicting rain for the middle of this week, I made a decision.  On Monday and Tuesday, I brought firewood in from outside and stacked it in the box we have inside.  Load after load, I brought the wood in, even though the weather outside was most pleasant.  Why? Because I wanted to be prepared for the storm.  With the wood stove being our only source of heat, I knew we would need dry wood.

On a larger scale, when a hurricane is predicted to hit certain areas, those areas usually take precautions.  They board up windows and secure doors.  They supply their emergency shelters with food, water and other necessary supplies.  Many times, people flee to safer areas until the storm has passed.  Whatever the case, they prepare themselves for the storms.

I think we, as Christians, often fail to prepare for the storms.  When life is good, we're busy living it up.  We forget to read our Bibles.  We don't feel the need to pray.  We forsake our daily review of God's promises.  Then, when the storms hit, we're completely unprepared.  We run to our Bibles for answers, but are too unfamiliar with its passages to find the help we need.  We turn to God in prayer but feel as if we're talking to a stranger because it's been so long since we last spoke to Him.  We reach in vain for God's promises, only to realize we don't remember what they are.  And so, we face the storm unprepared and quickly lose hope of making it through.

Consider this your warning--the storms are coming!  If you want to make it through, here are the steps you need to take:

1.) Be sure you're on a solid foundation.  If you have not yet put your trust in Christ, now is the time.  Today is the day!  You're going to face the storms either way.  Wouldn't you rather face them with the One who can calm them?

2.) Be prepared.  As my pastor likes to say, "Make sure you're prayed up."  Keep fellowship with God at all times, not just during the tough times.  Keep in the Word, allowing God to fill you with daily strength.  And finally, rehearse God's promises.  Make sure you know exactly what God has said so that you can later find comfort in His truth.

The storm's a'comin.  Are you ready?

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! - Psalm 107:29-31
SaveSave

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Stay

They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. - Psalm 18:18

The word "stay," in its noun form, is not one we use frequently.  When we think of "stay," our minds envision the command we give to our dogs when we want them to remain where they are, and in a sense, that well indicates the definition of this word "stay."  It bears the meaning of solidity, sustenance and stability.  Its most basic definition is "a support," but if we study it out, it goes far beyond that.  It's like an anchor, a rock and strength all rolled into one.

As our stay, God keeps us from being swept up by every passing whim and from being overwhelmed by the enemy.  He helps us to stand firm, to be strong and unwavering.  His unending support keeps us moving forward when we long to quit.  His sustenance provides for us when it's all we can do just to get up in the morning.  His stability keeps us from falling when we grow weak or weary.  No matter what befalls us, He is our stay.

I can't help but think of the lyrics to the old hymn, The Solid Rock.  "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay." Have you ever taken the time to ponder that line?  What an awesome proclamation!  When everything else fails, God won't.  When everything seems to be falling apart, we can rest in God's sure grip.  When all seems hopeless, God is our hope and stay.  I don't know about you, but that gives me a good case of glory bumps!

The theme for the upcoming ladies' retreat in the UK at which I'm scheduled to speak is "Stand fast, me hearties," based on Philippians 4:1.  To stand fast, according to the online dictionary means "to firmly remain in the same position or keep the same opinion."  How is that possible?  We're swayed by every passing fancy.  Our sinful flesh is drawn this way and that.  Our moods swing wildly like monkeys in the treetop.  So, is God giving us an impossible command?  If we're acting in our own strength, then yes, the direction is impossible to follow.  However, if we, like David, cling to the power of God as our stay, we can stand fast against any enemy or any storm that comes our way.  Shiver me timbers!

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our High Tower

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. - Psalm 18:2

Have I ever told you I dislike heights?  Okay, that may be putting it mildly.  I hate heights!  I'm fine with standing on top of a mountain and looking out at the horizon, but please don't ask me to look down.  Terrible things happen when I look below from an uncomfortable height.

I recall many years ago when our senior class took a trip to Chicago.  During our week's vacation, we visited several interesting sights like the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and even FAO Swartz.  And what Chicago trip would be complete without a visit to the Sears Tower?  I can remember standing at the base of the building and tipping my head back as far as it would go.  I still couldn't see the top, but no worries.  Before I realized what was happening, we were making our way to the top floor, of which the walls are made almost entirely of glass.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, I knew I was in trouble.  There was nowhere to turn.  Not only did the floor-to-ceiling windows make it impossible to ignore the view, but the odd tilt of the windows ensured that viewers saw both out and down.  Thanks for that!  I spent the next twenty minutes hiding in the bathroom.  Let's just say I felt much more comfortable with the sharks in the aquarium and the mummies in the museum.

Fortunately, when referring to God as my high tower, I feel no fear at all.  I love this title because it seems to merge the terms refuge, fortress, rock and most high into one collective phrase:  my high tower.  Not only is God above all things, but He offers me a place of protection above all things as well.  In His care, I am out of the reach of the enemy, and I am also provided a view unlike any other.  The giants that seemed so tall at ground level are mere ants in appearance from this lofty height.  The problems that loomed so wide are nothing more than a thin vapor.  Seeing things from God's perspective is a sure remedy for anxiety and stress.

As our high tower, God offers us a place of refuge far beyond the reach of our enemies.  He has a vantage point that is unlike anything we can fathom as He tells us in Isaiah 55:9, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  And with such a perspective, He sees what is coming long before we do.  He knows when trouble is on its way, and He calls us into the safety of His embrace.  He is a tower that cannot be breached much like the tower that imprisoned Rapunzel.  The only way the enemy is getting to us is if we allow him in or fail to run to the shelter of the tower.  We have a choice!

Who Do You Think I Am? - The Horn of Our Salvation

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. - Psalm 18:2

In the Bible, the word "horn" here implies strength, power, honor and victory.  That the Lord is the horn of our salvation, therefore, means He is our saving power, and success is guaranteed.  In contrast to many other terms of the Lord we've discussed, this one carries with it the implication of a weapon of offense rather than defense.  It goes beyond protection and takes the battle to the enemy.

My mind draws up images of medieval combat where the combatants were encouraged to choose their weapons.  Some would choose swords while others preferred the mace.  Some knights were most skilled with the lance while others excelled with the bow and arrow.  With good sense, the warriors would choose the weapons of which they were the most familiar and skilled.

We have been given a similar opportunity.  We are in a battle.  There is no question there.  The inquiry lies in what weapons we are using.  Are we fighting in our strength with words, efforts and any other means we can come by, or are we relying on the power of the Lord?  Are we fighting hoping we will win, or are we fighting in Christ knowing victory is already ours?  Think about it.  What difference would it make in the battle if we knew for sure we would win?  Would it change our attitude?  Our effort?  I believe it would change everything.

Now, let's apply that to our everyday lives.  When we acknowledge Christ as the horn of our salvation, we are turning the battle over to Him.  Victory is assured, and we will feel much less stressed and anxious.  Our hearts will be lighter and our eyes brighter.  The world will be a much less scary place if we only allow God to fight in our stead as He longs to do.

David understood this.  He had lived it.  As he stood boldly before the giant, Goliath, he declared, And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. (I Samuel 17:47)  He knew the battle was God's.  He knew he couldn't win any other way.  And through his statement in this Psalm, he wants us to know the same.

The phrase "Let go and let God" comes to mind.  It may seem like a cliche, but in all honesty, it ought to be our daily motto.  The battle is not ours, and we need to stop stressing ourselves out trying to fight it alone.  God is the horn of our salvation.  He is power, might, honor and so much more, and with Him, victory is guaranteed!

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Buckler

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. - Psalm 18:2

I love how David continues in his descriptions of the Lord.  He could have simply named one or two of these titles, but instead, he felt the Lord was worthy of as many titles as he could come up with.  Naturally, some of the terms overlap somewhat in their definitions, but that doesn't make them any less spectacular.  Such is the case with our word today:  buckler.

In short, a buckler is a shield, but it's interesting to note that bucklers were over four feet long and covered the entire body.  No part was exposed.  No portion was left unprotected.  In that way, God is our buckler.  We've already discussed His protection as our refuge, shield and fortress, so I'll try not to overlap too much, but I find it interesting that David came up with so many terms regarding protection.  My guess is because that was foremost on his mind.  After all, his life was full of events where he needed shelter from something or someone.  And in that frame of mind, David examined the myriad of ways that God offers protection to His children.

With a refuge or fortress, we see safety from within God's embrace.  When we look at God as our shield and buckler, we see how God provides security from without.  It is said the buckler, in particular, was formed in such a way that arrows and darts glanced off of it.  Isn't that what we're up against?  Fiery darts of the devil.  Isn't it good to know God has us covered. . . literally?  Not only does He offer us security, but He provides Himself as that protection.  He doesn't simply give us a shield or buckler; He is the shield and buckler.  He stands between our enemies and us and offers a complete defense against the deadly darts hurled our way.

Praise God for His ultimate protection!

Want to find out some of the fiery darts for which you should be on the lookout?  Discover ten deadly ones in my book, The Deadly Darts of the Devil.  You may be surprised by some of the things that make the list!

Purchase your copy here.

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Deliverer

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. - Psalm 18:2

The Bible contains account after account of God's deliverance of His people.  He delivered Israel from Egyptian captivity.  He delivered Daniel from the lion's den.  He delivered Jonah from the belly of the whale.  He delivered David from the giant and the three Hebrew children from the flames.  Over and over again, we see God interceding on behalf of His children.

The word deliverer, in the Hebrew, means to (cause to) escape; to carry away safely.  David, the author of this psalm, had a first-hand knowledge of God the deliverer.  He had many enemies in his life, including wild animals, giants, kings and even his own family.  He knew all too well what it was like to be betrayed, forsaken and in danger.  Despite the fear and depression that followed him around like Mary's little lamb, David could cling to the truth that God was his deliverer.  When he faced Goliath, the young boy thought back to how God had delivered him from the lion and the bear.  When he met up with his blood-thirsty son, he remembered how God had delivered him from Saul.  In David's mind, if God had delivered him once, He could surely do it again.  And God proved Himself faithful.

We, too, have a history of deliverance.  For those of us who are saved, we can declare that, by God's grace, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin.  We have been delivered from difficult circumstances throughout our lives.  At times, God has even delivered us from messes of our own making.  Why?  Because He is good, and He loves us.  It is in His very nature to be protective of His children and to always do what is in their best interest.

Whatever you are facing today—whether physical or spiritual, emotional or mental, relational or financial—remember that God is your deliverer.  He's gotten you out of tight spots before, and He can do so again.  While you may not see His hand at work now, if you'll look carefully, I guarantee you'll see His heart.  Don't trust in your own strength or abilities, but rather believe in the character of God.  He is the great Deliverer, and He will deliver you!

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Fortress

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. - Psalm 18:2

Today, we will talk about how God is our fortress.  According to the online dictionary, a fortress is a military stronghold, especially a strongly fortified town fit for a large garrison; a heavily protected and impenetrable building; a person or thing not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.  Being a lover of all things medieval, I was familiar with the first two definitions.  After all, what's King Arthur without a fortress, right?  (Funny thing, in most of the shows and movies, though Camelot is stated to be invincible, it is forever being broken into or assaulted in some way or another.  Not my point today, but just thought you might enjoy that little tidbit.)

Anyway, when we think of a fortress, our minds envision solid rock walls, iron bars or railings and lots of guards, right?  Mine does, so when I read the last definition, I had to stop and say a quick "Hallelujah!"  Not to say it's not impressive that God is our stronghold, but in a sense, we already covered that when we discussed Him as our refuge.  In His grip and by His grace, we are safe from anything He does not want to allow through.  He is the One in control, and that's what makes the last definition such an encouraging thought:  a person or thing not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.

Nothing, and I repeat nothing, can sway God.  He is not affected by our faith or lack thereof.  He is not limited by any circumstances.  Never has a situation arose where He stepped back and said, "Well, I didn't see that coming.  Now I must rework my plan."  He knows all, sees all and understands all.  He knows when and how we will fail and has already worked those things into His will.  No matter how badly we mess up or how ugly things get, it is impossible to "throw off His groove."  He is on the outside looking in, unaffected by outside influences or disturbances, which means He doesn't panic, fret or have second thoughts.  His way is sure, and we can take comfort in that.  He will never lead us astray.

In a world where things are changing and moods swing wildly from one extreme to another, isn't it great to know God is the same yesterday, today and forever?  Never changing.  Never undecided or uncertain.  Always confident in what is best for us and always willing to allow us into the safety of His arms.  He is our fortress, and if anything or anyone wants to get to us, they have to go through Him first.  Good luck with that!