Tag: trust

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good

Music From Heaven

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When I got in the car after leaving mom in her room at the rehab center where she is recovering from her broken femur and spinal injury, I sat for a moment in the silence of the dark night sky. Tears beckoned to fall again, prayers of praise were whispered for how well the conversation went – considering I had just told my mother that she isn’t going to be able to come home yet. I sat staring, hurting for my mother and missing my father and brothers, trying to pray – yet no words came – so I started the car and began the drive home in silence. After a difficult day of information and emotions – I chose to turn music on to drown out the fiery darts that were beginning to assault my mind with fears and worry and sorrow. Typically, when I press play my Spotify opens and begins playing the mix where I left off, but this time another app, one that I never use any more, actually one I’m not sure I’ve even seen before, opened and started in the middle of Lauren Daigle’s, “Trust In You”. I started to change it but realized the song was exactly what I needed to hear, as were all that followed it and serenaded me for the 25-minute car ride home, a complete playlist centered on trusting God, clearly this was His doing, It was what He knew I needed to hear, just as the quiet office day, and Angela’s words of encouragement, and Barbara’s aptly timed phone call, and all of the other text or messages throughout the day were what He knew I needed. I drove in tears and surrender as Heaven came down and His presence and peace not only filled my car but every essence of my being. Check it out and tell me if you don’t think this was a music interlude from heaven – I know it was the sweetest I’ve ever heard.

The first song picked up in the middle of “Trust in you”, by Lauren Daigle, I confess I hit replay on this one at least twice and sang and cried along with it, surrendering all of my apprehensions to what I know to be His perfect and loving control.

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want, Lord, and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You

This was followed by “Amen”, by I Am They – The exact expression of my thoughts just moments before and so often over the past two weeks …

I have no words to say
Don’t know what I should pray
God, I need You
God, I need You
O Lord, my faith is tired
And tears fill up my eyes
But I will trust You, I will trust You

The next one was just a short stanza but what a beautiful reminder to “Turn [My] Eyes Upon Jesus”, by Hillsong

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full, in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace

Next up was, “I won’t be shaken”, by Building 429 and this needful phrase that is still playing in my mind –

I know You go before me
and I am not alone
This mountain rises higher
The way seems so unclear
But I know that You go with me
So I will never fear
I will trust in You

and finally, as I rounded the bend to home, “Carry Me”, by Josh Wilson started playing.

I try to catch my breath
It hasn’t happened yet
I’m wide awake in the middle of the night scared to death
So I prayed God, would You make this stop
Father please hold on to me, You’re all I’ve got

Carry me, carry me, carry me now
From my sinking sand to Your solid ground
The only way I’m ever gonna make it out
Is if You carry me, carry me, carry me now
God carry me, carry me, carry me now

Jesus calm my heart
Come near me please
Lord don’t let these worries get the best of me
Oh I believe, that You’re still here with me
Cause You meant what You said when You said You’d never leave

So carry me, carry me, carry me now
From my sinking sand to Your solid ground
The only way I’m ever gonna make it out
Is if You carry me, carry me, carry me now
God carry me, carry me, carry me now

Beautiful, right? They may not have been on my Spotify playlist before but, I can promise you, they are at the top of it now. Whatever caused that app to open, whatever caused those particular songs to play in that order – they were without question a blessing from God to me. I pray they will be a blessing to you as well, for regardless of what fills your life right now – mountain top experiences or valley deep trenches – trusting God is the key to walking by faith and not by sight and trusting God is the key to being light in the darkness around us.

Blessings – from the InsideOut

Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

The Brothers Go Down to Egypt

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WEEK 5, DAY 1 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 42 (SOAP – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.  2 Corinthians 7:9-10NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA: The Brothers Bow Down

The famine was severe in the land of Canaan but Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt so he sent his sons, except for Benjamin, down to buy grain. Because Joseph was the ruler of the country, the one who sold grain to all the people, it was him that they appeared before with their request and him they bowed down to. Years had past but Joseph still recognized his brothers, however they did not recognize him, most likely because he would have been dressed like an Egyptian and addressed by his Egyptian name. Scripture says, he did not disclose his identity but acted like a stranger and treated them harshly. I imagine that the harshness was most likely in some ways his true emotions spilling out toward those who had betrayed him but perhaps also an attempt to keep his identity a secret not know knowing what they would do if they found out he was alive and well. He was undoubtedly curious too as to the condition of his father and other brother so he asked questions prompting the information. Unsatisfied with, or untrusting of, their answers – he sends all but one of them back to Canaan, keeping Simeon as a prisoner to be released upon their return with his brother Benjamin.

Back in Canaan they explained the events to their father but after much conversation and promises to protect him he refused to let Benjamin go.

Other Notable Observations:

  • Joseph originally had all of the brothers imprisoned for three days while he considered what to do.
  • Joseph had cried out to his brothers for mercy before they sold him into slavery.
  • At one point he turned away from them and wept because he had understood their language and their conversation about what they had done to Joseph. (They did not know Joseph had understood them because they were using an interpreter.)
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

In a previous letter Paul had rebuked the Corinthians for a particular sin. He had been concerned that his rebuke would have angered them but instead learned that they had repented – which is the best outcome to any rebuke. God intends for knowledge of our sins to make us sorrowful and lead us to repentance, which is to stop whatever worldly behavior we’re doing and choose instead to follow Him. Whether it is a repentance of the lost that leads to salvation or a repentance of the believer that leads to a right relationship with God – repentance is always best. This is what we saw with the brothers after their trip to Egypt – even before they knew that they had bowed before Joseph, they, specifically Reuben, realized the wrongness of their actions and the debt they owed.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, help us to live with yielded and repentant hearts – In Jesus’ name, amen.

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • How does sadness lead to repentance and salvation ?
  • Have you experienced the sadness of God?
  • Did it lead you to repentance?
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Fruitful In Suffering

WEEK 4, DAY 5 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 41 (SOAP – Genesis 41:51-52)

Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” 52 Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”  NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA: PHARAOH’S DREAM

Two years after the cupbearer was released from prison and returned to Pharaoh’s service, Pharaoh had a dream but none of his ‘diviner-priests’ or any of his ‘wise men’ were able to tell him what it meant. BUT… the chief cupbearer, whose dream Joseph had interpreted, finally remembered Joseph and made mention of him to Pharaoh, telling him how Joseph had interpreted his dream and the dream of the royal baker exactly as it had happened.

Because of this, Joseph was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and he was brought out of the dungeon and taken to Pharaoh. When they met Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream and there is no one here who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.” Can you imagine the hope this must have given Joseph? Perhaps this is why his reply to Pharaoh wasn’t simply, ‘yes I can,’ but rather one of clarification that it was not within his power to interpret dreams – but that God would speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.

God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.

ME-From the Inside-out

Pharaoh seemed unfazed by the response and proceeded to tell Joseph the dream. Joseph’s explanation and revelation from God made sense to Pharaoh (37), and he placed Joseph (an Israelite) in authority over all the land of Egypt. God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.

TODAY’S FOCUS VERSEs (also week four recap)

To truly appreciate the emphasis of these verses let’s recap one more time. Joseph was placed in a pit by his brothers, then with a change of greedy plans he was taken out by the brothers and sold for profit, ultimately he became a slave in the house of Potiphar. He was faithful in all of his duties and even in the proposition of Potiphar’s wife. Because of her actions and accusations against Joseph he was thrown into the prison, finding favor with the guard things went well for him but years passed despite hope of release following the interpretation of the cupbearer’s and royal baker’s dreams. Finally, the day came when he was released to interpret the dream of Pharaoh and as we’ve just read, the rest of the story is somewhat like a fairytale. Joseph, the Israelite, becomes second to none under Pharaoh and benefits more than he could have imagined as a 17 year-old teenager betrayed by his brothers. Yet even in all, beyond all the doubts that I imagine he had and all the heartache of the betrayal of his brothers, and all the disappointments where hope was risen and dashed to the ground, and even after all he had gained Joseph had not forgotten the God of his fathers. So when he is blessed with two sons he chooses names that honor God by recognizing His presence with him through it all.

APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

Clearly, Joseph remembers that God is with him even in the “land of his suffering”. He may have ruled Egypt but by this reference it appears he didn’t consider it home. He didn’t forget his God and as we will see in the coming week, he didn’t truly forget his family. All of these are good examples for us … While we may not actually be ‘happy’ about our hard circumstances of life or truly forget family or friends that have betrayed or hurt us – we will find that God often brings good things, seasons of hope, and even joy in the difficult times. I have often found it helpful to make note of God’s goodness in the past and to look for His goodnesses even in the present affliction. For remembering whose we are and that He is always with us is essential in the dark and difficult days of our life that bring fear, doubt, and pain.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, thank You for Your presence with us – especially in the difficult seasons or moments of life. Thank You for using these times to prepare us and position us for where you want and need us to be. Help us to be alert to Your presence and to see Your fingerprints even in times of troubles, that we might remember You are direct ing our paths – so that we do not doubt and lose hope.

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • When has God been faithful to redeem you from a season of suffering?
  • If you are enduring a season of suffering right now, what can you do to remind yourself of His faithfulness?
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How Long LORD?

WEEK 4, DAY 4 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 40; Psalm 13 (SOAP – Psalm 13:5-6)

Determined to Trust
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.  NLT
Observation:
The Genesis Saga: The Cupbearer and Royal Baker

So , not only was Joseph a dreamer – apparently he was also an interpreter. sometime after Joseph was put in prison Pharaoh had two of his officials, a cupbearer and a royal baker, put in prison. As God would have it, they were placed in the same facility where Joseph was being kept and he was made their attendant. While they were there the cupbearer and royal baker both had a dream that left them noticeably depressed. They shared the dreams with Joseph and they (well, at least the cupbearer) were delighted that he was able to interpret them. Joseph was most likely delighted as well – since it gave him hope that they would mention him to Pharaoh and he would release him. Unfortunately, while things went just as Joseph had predicted from the dreams, his name was not mentioned and he remained in prison.

TODAY’S FOCUS VERSE

David wrote this Psalm in a very emotional state. He spills out frustration, confusion, fear of his enemy, desperation, great sorrow, hunger for God’s attention, worry, suffering, shame, and embarrassment. “BUT…” (you have to love the ‘buts’ of God’s Word – right?). After spilling out all of these emotions he responds to his own rant, breakdown, or what I would call a panic attack with the expressed determination and declaration, “But I trust in Your faithfulness.” His trust was so solid that he even declared a time of rejoicing, certain that God would both deliver and vindicate him. Don’t you love this? I do. I love that David open and close relationship with God, especially knowing that God refers to David as “a man after My own heart”. Don’t you see, God wants to have this kind of relationship with us – one where we are open and honest, not hiding our hearts from Him but laying them open before Him – truthful of our doubts but so confident in Him that trust and praise always win out.

But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ NLT

Acts 13:22
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

While we shouldn’t doubt God, when doubts arise – and they will – we should cry out to Him like David did. We should also follow-up our questions and concerns with declarations of His faithfulness, His goodness, and our trust in Him to ‘deliver’ or meet whatever need we have expressed. When we do this praise is sure to follow and overwhelm the emotions of doubt.

Doubt brings sorrow; faith brings praise

BibleRef.Com
PRAYER: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

Father, help me never doubt you. Surely I have seen Your goodness and faithfulness all the days of my life. Help me in the throes of suffering and trials of this life to trust You, to remember, to call out to You, and to look for Your deliverance, and to praise You when it comes! – In Jesus’ Name – amen and amen.

*2 Chronicles 20:22; Joshua 6:20; Acts 16:25-40

YOUR TURN:Personal reflections
  • How was God’s faithfulness shown to Joseph in prison?
  • How have you seen God show His faithfulness to you when you were in a season of despair?
WANT MORE?

(I’m sure that I’ve shared this before but the highlighted portions came to mind when I was reading/writing and I couldn’t resist sharing again – I encourage you to read the lyrics and then take some time to sit [or dance] before God in worship.)

Blessings Lyrics [this song and its rights do not belong to me]

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if the thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us
And when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It’s not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if the thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

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Choosing God Instead of the World – Recap of Week-2

A Love God Greatly Study

Reflections

This week, through the continuing saga of Jacob and his family we have learned the wisdom of setting our mind on Things Above instead of things on the earth that tend to draw us away from God. We have learned how God wants us to honor Him with what He’s given us, even when we aren’t completely satisfied with what that is. We’ve seen the difficulty and yet the benefits of loving others in the way we live and not just by the things we say. Without question, we have seen how we must trust God’s promises if we are going to choose His ways over the ways of the world, especially in times of fear and difficulty. On our final day – probably my favorite – and a great summation of the week – we witnessed God giving Jacob a new name and we learned that sometimes even when we walk away limping from a battle, prevailing can be determined by how long we stay in the battle. Those who hold on to God and don’t let go receive the blessing.

Preview

During our third week we will dive into Genesis 33 and wind up the week in Genesis 37 with the story of Joseph’s dream. , We will hear from authors of the New and Old Testaments along the way – as we continue to explore the ways and benefits of Choosing God Instead Of The World .

If you missed any of the posts you’ll find the links below.

Keep on seeking: https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2022/08/14/7563/

Honor The LORD: https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2022/08/15/7580/

Love Defines Us: https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2022/08/16/7598/

Standing on the Promises: https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2022/08/17/7607/

Israel, A New Name: https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2022/08/18/7620/

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Standing On The Promises

Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1-21; Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11; (SOAP: 56:3-4)

When I am afraid,I trust in you.4 In God—I boast in his promise—in God I trust; I am not afraid.What can mere men do to me?  Psalm  56:3-4  NET
Observation

In today’s Genesis’ passage we see Jacob prepare to meet Esau by setting a plan into motion that involved inviting Esau to meet him. Then Jacob prayed with bold honesty, telling God of his fears, remembering God’s faithfulness, goodness, and promises. He lays his fears before Him and they were overcome by all that He knew to be true about His God, the God of Abraham and Isaac. He stood on the promises of God and made plans to meet Esau rather than run – this is evidence of His trust.

We see the same thing in our focus passage from Psalm 56:3-4. Like Jacob the Psalmist had or was experiencing fear but chose to trust in God and to boast in the promises of God rather than cave to the fear what man could do to him. To boast in something is to put our confidence in it – to stand on what we know to be true of a person, place, or thing. What a great lesson to put into action in our relationship with God and the world.

*Note on Jacob’s strategies… Some would say that Jacob didn’t really trust because he came up with a plan even after praying for God to rescue him. Perhaps this is a right interpretation, however, I believe praying in faith and believing God is going to do something does not negate the need to act or plan wisely. After all, don’t forget it was God who let Mordecai hear the plot of Haman to kill the Jews, just as it appeared to be God who allowed Jacob to hear the conversation of his brothers-in-law – revealing how Laban felt, and for that matter Rebekah hearing Esau’s plan to kill Jacob. In all of these circumstances the people acting wisely upon what they heard represented their trust in God.

Application: How Then Should I Live?

When we are afraid we are to put our trust in God. In this way we will not fear the circumstances of our life nor the men who make us afraid. The key to this, throughout all of Scripture is standing on the promises of God. When the fears of the world assault us we must choose to trust in God.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for teaching me to trust in You more than I fear what man can do. Thank You for Jacob’s example of remembering Your promises – and speaking them out loud to You. He boasted in You and counted himself as unworthy of Your faithful love. Thank You for showing me You incomparable greatness, not only in Your Word and the history of Your people but in my life. – Oh how I praise You – Amen!

It’s Your Turn
  • In what areas of your life do you often ask God for deliverance but then create your own rescue plans?
  • What would happen if you waited on God for deliverance?
  • Do you believe waiting on God for deliverance means do nothing more than have faith?
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Reflections of Week 4, Beautifully Surrendered

Beautifully Surrendered, God’s Heart for His Daughters is a Love God Greatly Study

The women we’ve studied this week revealed stories and lives of surrender in the face of many different situations. Mary, a virgin, surrendered to the unexpected and unbelievable news that she was pregnant. Abigail and Esther both faced incredible danger and possible death and yet with eyes on God they showed us both courage and humility in the way they responded to their specific challenges. While Moses’ mother and the poor widow shared vastly different stories they both revealed not only courage but great faith in God and selfless love. There is much that can be learned from these beautiful stories. They are worthy of reading to ourselves, our children, or our grandchildren many times throughout the year. Lest we forget how God works miracles and blesses those who, by faith, follow Him even though it may mean danger or sacrificing their desires for His.

Trusting God isn’t always easy. He allows things in and around us that don’t make sense and that often cause us to wonder where He is. However, as we see through each of these women and those we have studied before them – He is faithful, loving, protective, kind, compassionate, understanding, and purposeful in His care for us.

Consider these stories and their truths often so that you do not grow weary and lose heart. Fix your eyes on Him and not the circumstances of Your life and surrender, even as Christ did in the garden, saying, “Not my will but yours be done”, or as Mary said to Gabriel, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me according to your word”.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding;

6 think about Him in all your ways,

and He will guide you on the right paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

Romans 8:28 NLT

If you missed any of this week’s devotions from me you’ll find them at this link

If you missed any of the Love God Greatly Blogs for week 4 you’ll find them at these links:

https://lovegodgreatly.com/fully-surrendered/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/faith-in-the-face-of-death/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/giving-our-all/

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The One Worthy of Praise!

Every day I will praise you.
I will praise your name continually.
The Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise.
No one can fathom his greatness.

Psalm 145:2-3
Praise is a choice

Praise is a choice, a way of life. It has a focus and a reason and when the focus and reason are good and right, when they are the LORD and His greatness, when they are real – then the praise will never end – for God will never cease to amaze us, even in the midst of our suffering.

How then should I live?

It is good to read and even pray through the Psalms but to truly apply them we must seek the relationship with God and the knowledge of God that the Psalmist has. Otherwise our focus will be only words on a page – quickly forgotten or laid aside because they hold no real value.

My Prayer Response

Father, truly no one can fathom, or understand, Your greatness! But from the time I was given even a glimpse of Your greatness I learned to say – with or like the Psalmist – LORD, You are great and worthy of PRAISE; and I am certain I will praise Your name and deeds forever!

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Praise the LORD

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116 (SOAP verse 48)

The Lord God of Israel deserves praise,
in the future and forevermore.
Let all the people say, “We agree! Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 106:48
A Recounting

This is one of those readings that make it tempting to skip right to the soap/focus verse – but as always I encourage you to read the whole passage. It’s actually a beautifully written cliff notes version of God’s people during the exodus and the conquest. While it opens and ends with the Psalmist praising the LORD, much of the chapter focuses on repentance through a recounting of Israel’s failures. We can certainly learn a lot from it – such as failure to appreciate and remember God’s work and love for us leads to rebellion (7) and the importance of God’s reputation (8). We read of how they praised God and then would quickly forget what He had done (12-13). They resented their Spiritual leaders, Moses and Aaron (16) and did evil in the sight of the LORD – like making and worshiping idols and rejecting their true and living God (19-21). Even after His mercies were shown to them they still lived in rebellion (23-25). Because of these things God would eventually make them die in the wilderness (26-27), again and again they angered God by their hideous and rebellious deeds (29-40) so “He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them”(41). He delivered them many times but their attitudes were still rebellious (43). Yet, “He took notice of their distress when He heard their cry for help and relented because of His great loyal love” (44-45) – Because of the recounting of these things and because of all of God’s mighty acts the Psalmist acknowledged that God was worthy of praise now and forevermore and he encouraged the people to praise Him.

The Recounting Results

A “recounting” of God’s ‘mighty acts’ will always lead us to praise Him. Praise Him not only for the present but for the future and forever. The Psalmist not only realized that God deserved praise but he encouraged all the people to agree with him and praise the LORD.

How Then Do I Live?

I should be faithful to “recount” God’s mighty acts. I should be quick to realize and always be aware that God is worthy of my praise. I should also encourage ‘others to see and agree and praise the LORD’.

Why does it matter?

Because others will ‘see and agree’ only when we are faithful to recount and actively praise Him – sparking a fire in those around us and for generations to come.

Prayer Response

Father, help me. Help Your people to notice Your mighty acts. To remember them from days of old. And to recount them faithfully as edification and encouragement for ourselves and others to PRAISE You. For truly You are worthy, both now and always! Help us not only to learn to PRAISE You from the recounting but may the recounting also be a warning and reminder of where rebellion and discontent and grumbling and forgetfulness lead us. Thank You for Your loyal love and faithfulness to forgive – to relent. All Your deeds are praiseworthy – this we know and give you praise. Let all the people agree. – Amen!

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Celebrating His Deliverance

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116 (SOAP 116:12-13)
Lord I Love you

The Psalmist declares his love for the LORD. Why? Because the Lord heard his plea for mercy and listened to him. Not only does he declare his love but he says, for as long as he lives, he is going to call on the Lord whenever he needs help. I get it. It’s an awful feeling to talk to people who you think – or worse yet – who you know don’t hear you or just aren’t listening. I get the sense by the Psalmist’s response, that this is how he had been feeling but notice how – when he realized he had been heard – everything changed.

Everything Changes When it becomes personal

When our relationship with God becomes personal everything changes. His testimony becomes one of praise and declaration of God’s mercy and fairness, of His compassion and protection. Now, because he knew, first hand, these things about God He knew he could rest in Him and what He had done. He tells how God rescued him from death, kept his eyes from tears, and his feet from the wrong path. So, in response, the Psalmist declares that he will serve the LORD and wants to know how he can repay Him for all His acts of kindness.

How Then Should I Live?

Like the Psalmist, when he truly realized the truth of all God had done, our hearts should be moved to seek a way to repay Him for all of His kindnesses and, as the Psalmist said, “to celebrate the deliverance” the LORD has given us and call on “the name of the LORD”. The LORD, our God, has delivered us from the power of sin and death and while we can never repay Him for what He has done – His word does give us a hint as to how we can show our love and appreciation. In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me keep My commandments”, defining, in Mark 12:29-31, that the greatest commandment is loving the LORD our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is equal to the first and it is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Remember, God isn’t after our burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as Samuel said to Saul, He simply wants our hearts. The same applies to us today.

May we be moved to give Him our heart.

“What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.”

1 Samuel 15:22
Prayer and worship Response

Lord, I give You my heart! For all You have given me. For all of Your kindness. For Your deliverance from sin and death, for Your faithfulness to me through the years, Your healing hand that I have seen, Your provisions that I have needed, Your love and guidance that I would be lost without. – I will praise You and seek to walk in Your ways all of my days! – Oh yes LORD, I give You my heart! – In Jesus’ Name +

I’ll Give Him My Heart

(I do not own this song)
More Insight

Want more on this Psalm and “Celebrating His Deliverance”? Visit the link below –

Love God Greatly Blog Post