God is there for us

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we
will remember the name of the LORD our God." Ps 20:7

The Psalmist is saying how some people put their trust in the weapons of war to get them through the battle.

He, on the other hand, has learned that the name of the LORD is a stronger force than man's weapons. He has learned by experience to trust God, who gets him through life's battles.

Have you and I learned this?

Start a journal, in which you make a note of the times God brings you through the crises of life. You will be surprised, and encouraged, as you look back and review the way He helps you along life's road!

God is with you

"The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." Ps 121:6

The sun brings life and warmth to our planet. In a process known as photosynthesis, plants use the energy from sunlight to produce usable chemical energy (plant sugar), at the same time releasing oxygen, which we all need to sustain life.

We also need a little sunlight on our skin daily to give us a measure of vitamin D. But prolonged exposure to the ultra violet rays can damage our skin.

The moon, on the other hand, is a reflector, bouncing the sun's photons off its surface toward earth, thus illuminating our planet by night. The moon's reflective light rays cannot damage the skin. Unlike the sun, which shines every day, the moon goes through phases, sometimes disappearing from sight totally.

At creation, God created the sun and the moon, setting the sun in orbit to rule the day, and the moon to rule the night.

The Hebrew word "strike" means slaughter, slay or wound. At the end of time God brings seven plagues upon the wicked. The fourth of these is the sun scorching men with extreme heat.

In the context of this Psalm, I believe the Psalmist is telling us that troubles (as big and fiery as the sun, or smaller, like the moon) may come upon us. They may come during the day, symbolized by the sun, or they may come during the night, symbolized by the moon, but God will not allow them to crush us or take our lives, for He is our Keeper and our Shade (verse 5).

Today, remember there's One at your side who will support you and carry you through whatever difficulties may come your way.

Jesus will return!

"For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay." Hebrews 10:37

In just a very little while - Paul is here speaking about a brief span of time. You and I know what a rush life is, most of the time. Time is a commodity we'd like to replenish, if we could, when it's in short supply. You've heard the phrase "Time flies." This seems to be especially true in these times.

He who is coming will come - Jesus promised to return (see John 14:3). Paul writes about the certainty of His coming, using the definite article "will come", in today's verse.

And will not delay - sometimes it seems as if the Lord is delaying His coming. We see conditions on earth becoming worse and we wonder "how long until He comes?" Here's a thought: what if Jesus was delaying His coming just so that your name was listed on a page of the Book of Life?

Today's verse is written, not to put fear into us, but to encourage us. Jesus' own words, after He had described the signs pointing to the end of the world, are: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." [Luke 21:28]. Today Paul gives us the same encouragement - when you can't hold on any longer, when the struggles of life get you down, take courage: in a little while Jesus will come!

I hope you find these thoughts both encouraging and refreshing.

God is not limited

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." 1 Samuel 14:6

It was a desperate time in Israel. The enemy Philistines had seen to it that the Hebrews had no weapons. They had eradicated every blacksmith from the land, and, to sharpen any agricultural implements, the Hebrews had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith. We are told that only king Saul and Jonathan, his son, had sword and spear.

The oppression had become so bad that the unarmed Hebrews had lost courage and were hiding in holes and caves. Saul had only six hundred men with him, and he himself was sitting under a pomegranate tree, without courage.

Jonathan decided that something should be done about the situation, so he and his armor bearer slipped unnoticed from king Saul's camp and bravely made their presence known to the enemy garrison at the top of a steep cliff. The Philistines taunted the two, and told them "come up to us, and we will show you something", so Jonathan led the way up the narrow pass. The climbers had the advantage in the narrow pass, and quickly took out twenty men. Then, to honor their faith, God stepped in and produced a great earthquake. The enemy fled in terror, and when the Hebrews saw what was happening, they gained courage and joined the battle. "So the LORD saved Israel that day."

Has the enemy at times surrounded you, leaving you defenseless and without courage? Move ahead in faith, and leave God to scatter the forces of darkness.

The LORD - Builder and Watchman

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." Ps 127:1

Two concepts are mentioned: that of building and that of watching, or keeping guard. Also, two items are listed: the house and the city.

The house is the dwelling place of the family. The house is built by laying brick upon brick, with good mortar joints in between. There are other components: adequate foundation, doors, windows, a roof, plumbing and electrical systems, furnishings etc.

If the builder does a good job, the house will stand for many years. But the Psalmist is not referring to the skill of the builder. He's saying that, if God is in the blueprints, the building will remain. If the house builders invite God to be the Construction Superintendent, including Him in all aspects of the construction, the end result will be a building that will stand the test of time.

The ancient city was surrounded by a wall, and had large, strong gates, all for the protection of the residents. At night the gate would be shut and secured, and a watchman would be on guard on the wall to see that no enemy was intruding. Inside the city walls were many houses. There was a market place where commerce was conducted, there were places of worship and also a building where food from the harvest was stored. And so the city was the center of communal life.

We are all builders. Every day we add something to our lives. The Psalmist's good advice is applicable to us, who live in the modern world: Make sure God is at the center of all that we do.

We have been set free!

"You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today." Deut 15:15

Today's verse is an extract from Bible history. The children of Israel were about to settle the Promised land. There were several things their leader, Moses, rehearsed with them before they entered their inheritance. One of these appears in today's verse as "this thing". Masters were to free all the servants whom they had bought over the years. The servant was to serve their master for six years. In the seventh year the master was commanded to set them free.

In freeing their bondmen, masters were to remember where they came from. They were all slaves in Egypt, a foreign land, and God redeemed them, setting them free. The word "redeemed" is translated from the Hebrew to mean sever, ransom, release, deliver. Verse 18 says, once the slave was released, "Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do."

Surely there is an application in this for us today - we were all slaves to sin at some point in our lives, and Jesus delivered us - He paid a price to set us free. The price He paid was "to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45). In gratitude, we would do well to tell others about One who can break their bonds.

God is, and all is well

"The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand." Psalm 121:5

The LORD is - The Psalmist mentions this twice in verse 5. The LORD - this is Jahweh, the Self-existent One, the Eternal One. God is, and all is well !

Your keeper - It's personal. But what is a keeper? The Hebrew word means to hedge about, as with thorns; to guard or protect. God puts a thorny hedge around you, to keep out the enemy.

Your shade - We all know how refreshing it is to stand in the cool shade of a tree on a sweltering hot day. To my amazement, I found that the word 'shade' occurs only once in the Bible. The Hebrew translates it as defense , as in 'to hover over'.

Excuse me for being visual, but do you get the picture? The guys are pinned down by enemy fire. Just at the crucial moment of desperation the gunship arrives. As the helicopter hovers overhead, spraying the enemy with fire-power, the guys scramble aboard and are airlifted to safety. You are one of the guys. What is your gratitude level, at that moment?

Maybe a weak illustration, but are we not engaged in a very real battle - the battle between good and evil? This verse paints a picture of God hovering over us as He defends us from Satan, our enemy. He spreads His shadow of defense over us.

Your right hand - Right, in the Hebrew, denotes the stronger, more dexterous. Biblically, the word "right" is quite an in-depth study. It often depicts God's favor, as in Zechariah 3:1 "…and Satan standing at his (Joshua's) right hand to oppose him." Satan wanted to crush Joshua's strength, his connection with God.

Or Luke 1:11 "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him (Zacharias), standing on the right side of the altar of incense." This angel brought good news.

Your right hand is symbolic of your connection with God.

Go into this day, knowing the Eternal God is overhead, and you are safe in His shadow.

God sees you - He knows your need

"Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:4

Verse four is a continuation of verse three - "He who keeps you will not slumber."

But the Psalmist broadens God's watchfulness to include Israel - at that time, the whole nation of Israel; in our time, the whole world - all who believe on His name. The name "Israel" was given to Jacob after he wrestled with the Angel of the covenant. The name literally means 'the one who has struggled with God and with men, and has overcome'. How are you doing in your struggle?

Behold, He - Look! Our attention is called to God; Look at the One who is. He said of Himself "I AM." Because God is, was, and will be, His children are secure - we are in Good Hands. We do not need to fear what lies ahead, because He has led us from the past to the present!

Who keeps Israel - The Hebrew word 'keeps' means to hedge about (as with thorns). What an awesome illustration of God's protection, so that the enemy cannot get to us!

Shall neither slumber - To slumber is to drift off, from drowsiness. Have you been driving on a long trip? After several hours at the wheel you tend to become drowsy. Then you realize the danger, and pull off the highway at a rest area and get some sleep. All of us know what it is to be tired. We seem to never get enough sleep. But God does not get tired. (Read Isaiah 40:28.) He is awake and alert at all times.

Nor sleep - Sleep: the taking of several hours of deep, entire physical rest, as when the body lies comfortably on a bed. Sleep restores the physical and mental powers. We all need a daily dose of sleep. God does not need to sleep.

So, our verse can be written: Look at God, the One who has put a hedge of protection around His people so that the enemy cannot harm them. He will be alert at all times to their every need.

Go confidently into this day, knowing that the Great I AM sees you, knows your circumstances and takes care of you.

He keeps your foot from slipping

"He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3

The original word "moved" in Hebrew means to waver, to slip, to shake or to fall. That gives meaning to the first part of our verse: He, the LORD, will not allow your foot to slip. If you stand firmly on the sure Rock, He will see to it that you don't slip and fall.

The same word "moved" is used in Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

A further application can be made: If you decide to do what is right, He will help you to stand firm in your decision.

He who keeps you will not slumber: God is awake at all times - He sees everything that takes place in His great universe. He keeps His hand over you, guards you. He keeps your feet in place, so that you do not slip.

With the promise in verse 3, go into this day with confidence!

The Sustaining Meal

"Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." 1 Kings 19:7

Today's verse comes from the story of Elijah, the day after he, along with the king and nation of Israel, had seen and experienced God's incredible victory over idolatry on Mount Carmel. The hearts of the people had been drawn back to God. Upon Elijah was bestowed the highest honor God can give to one who labors for Him - to see people giving their hearts to the Lord. But, just when Elijah was riding the crest of the wave of spiritual adrenalin, it crashed on the shore (ever been there?) as he heard the terrifying news that the wicked queen Jezebel wanted his head. And so he "ran for his life." (verse 3)

Arise and eat - Elijah, weary from running into the wilderness, was awakened by an angel, who had prepared a second meal for him. The message was simple, the same one the angel had spoken at the first meal he prepared: wake up, get up and eat. Have you noticed? - there's something about mealtimes that just makes life more pleasant. When you're tired from your labors, and you're eating a meal you didn't prepare, your spirits are revived and life is good!

The journey is too great for you - We must remember that the journey Elijah had embarked upon was not mapped out by God. It was the result of unbelief and fear. He was running away from what God had called him to do. He was at such a low ebb that he prayed that he might die (verse 4). It was the same journey another prophet (Jonah) had taken, when God told him to go and preach to the people in the city of Nineveh.

Elijah had left his servant at Beersheba and was 'traveling light.' Yet God sent an angel to sustain Elijah as he was fleeing. There was no rebuke, no scolding, no finger of God in his face. The angel said, "the journey is too great for you. You cannot attempt it without eating." Sometimes in life we take the same path as that of Elijah. We find ourselves running from the tasks we should be doing, traveling into a dry wilderness. But the Eternal God is patient with us, and sends heaven's resources to assist us, even when we are consumed by fear. What a God!

Today you are challenged to get up and eat. He has food for you. God says, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10.

My help comes from the LORD

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2

The psalmist makes a bold statement, for he has learned by experience where his help comes from.

My help comes from the LORD - The psalmist uses the word "my". He has personally been helped in every need. This is the answer to the question in verse 1: "From whence comes my help?" It's as if he wants each one who reads this psalm to experience God's help for themselves.

Who made heaven and earth - The psalmist expands on the word LORD; this is the One who created heaven and earth. ("For He spoke, and it was done - He commanded and it stood fast." Psalm 33:9) The Creator, the One who brought everything into existence is the One to whom we can turn for help.

Do you need help today? Go to Jesus, the Source of all help. You can boldly write your name in place of the word "my" in verse 2. Is that not awesome!

Where does my help come from?

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help?"  Psalm 121:1 

This Psalm is noted to be "A song of ascents." These songs were sung by groups of pilgrims, as they came up (ascended the hills at Jerusalem from the surrounding lowlands) to observe the various annual feasts.

I will lift up my eyes - To lift the gaze from the ground to a higher plain. Have you ever climbed a mountain? As you start the climb, you look up at the mountain and think of the challenges you will face on the way up. You contemplate the view from the summit. There's something solid and timeless about a mountain - it beckons the climber to stand on the summit!

It seems fitting, then, as the pilgrim travelers would sing this psalm, that they would lift their eyes to the hills of Jerusalem, looking forward to reaching the top of the range, knowing that the blessing of God's presence awaited them at the feast to which they were journeying.

Psalm 123 gives further reference to the lifting up of the eyes: "Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us." Ps 123:1 & 2.

to the hills - Does the writer look to the hills, themselves a symbol of strength and longevity, to see God in this way, symbolically? I believe he does. And yet, there is more to it - the hills were places of sacrifice to God, as we notice in the story of Abraham, who journeyed to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac, in obedience to God's command; and the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel.

From whence comes my help? - This is a question, rather than a statement that the writer looks to the hills from whence his help comes. The question is asked, and the answer is given in verse 2: "My help comes from the LORD". There is no other source of help.

Be certain, friend, your help comes God, from the One who made heaven and Earth. Today, as you realize your need, go to Him - there's where your help is found!

Check your balance

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2

The apostle John is writing to his friend, Gaius. This is not just a casual acquaintance of his, but he addresses him as beloved. Gaius is John's special friend.

It's John's prayer that his friend Gaius may prosper in all things. We usually see the word 'prosper' on cards bearing New Year's wishes, such as "We wish you a prosperous New Year."

What does the word Prosper mean? The Old Testament has four dozen references for the word prosper, but it appears only once in the New Testament, in today's verse. The Greek renders it 'to help on the road', as in 'to make progress', or 'to succeed in reaching'. The suggestion is that one moves ahead with success, helping others on life's road and reaching one's destination or goal.

Prosper in all things - this suggests balanced prosperity; success in the material, mental, social and spiritual realms of life. I omitted one (on purpose). John adds 'and be in health'. Healthy living is essential to being successful (prosperous) in the other realms. It appears that Gaius was doing well in the spiritual realm (from the words 'just as your soul prospers'), but John noticed that he needed a balance, with special attention needed in the physical realm.

Sometimes we get caught up in the race of life, and we exert all our energies and attentions in one direction, to the neglect of the other spheres. John reminds us that balance is important. Today, check your balance.

I wish you a balanced prosperity today and every day!

Run life's race with patient endurance

"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can
you contend with horses?" Jeremiah 12:5a

The footmen - these are symbolic of the little issues, the little trials and challenges we face each day. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the footmen - they wear you out. Solomon says 'The little foxes spoil the vines.' We all know that the little dogs, biting at one's heels, are a constant nuisance. Isaiah tells us, "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…they shall run and not be weary." (Is. 40:31)

The horses - these are the larger issues of life, the "artillery" in the battle.
So Jeremiah is likening life to a battle, and asks the question: If the little issues in this battle are wearing you out, how are you going to cope with the big issues, when they come?

So be patient in your run with the footmen this day; then when the horses arrive, you'll be muscle-toned to cope.

Blessings to you in the battle.

God has saved us from our enemies

"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those that hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever." Psalm 44:6-8.

I will not trust in my bow - The word 'trust' in the Hebrew means to be bold, confident, secure or sure. The warrior was familiar with his weapons. He had practiced with the bow, until his arrow could hit the mark every time. When he rode into battle he was confident that his skill with the bow could save his life. The psalmist, though skilled in the use of the bow, says he cannot trust in this weapon.

Nor shall my sword save me - The warrior had trained tirelessly in sword-fighting. The sword was used in close one-on-one combat. When the archers had shot the arrows, and the opposing forces drew closer together, the battle shifted to hand combat with the sword. When I was little I believed a sword was so sharp it could cut through the trunk of a tree with one swipe. Reality sets in and I learned that swords were not used to fell trees. Though very sharp, swords were limited in their ability to cut. The psalmist states that his sword will not save him.

But You have saved us - The psalmist acknowledges that the bow and sword, his own life-saving devices, cannot save him. No matter how skilled he may be in their use, he states that his weapons cannot save him in battle. It is God who saves. The writer uses the words "have saved" to indicate that the battle is over and God has won the victory on his behalf.

from our enemies - Enemies are not only those we face on the battlefield in a real-war situation. Enemies can be of the spiritual kind also - after all, we fight in a spiritual battle on a day-to-day basis, don't we? Our enemy, the devil, assails us with doubt, discouragement, fear, unbelief. These are our enemies. In this battle we cannot trust our own life-saving devices. It takes faith to throw down our weapons and trust in a higher Power than ourselves.

and have put to shame those that hated us - Consider the following picture: you are engaged in battle and find yourself cornered, and your enemies closing in. You have your back to the rock face of the canyon. The situation looks hopeless. Then God's hand reaches down and draws you up, away from those who seek your life. They are powerless to harm you; they have been put to shame - and you are now safe. This is what it means to be saved from our enemies.

May you experience God's hand of rescue today. May you boast of God's goodness both during the battle and at the battle's end.

Be content with what you have

"Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " Hebrews 13:5

Content. What does the word mean?

The Greek word means enough, sufficient - to have enough for your needs.

In its context, today's verse is talking about money. The same Greek word is used by John the baptist when addressing the soldiers who had come to hear him in the wilderness, "…and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:14).

Paul is saying, Let your life be lived without the love of money.

Look around you. Count your blessings - and know where they come from. God is the kind Benefactor of His earth-born children.

May you rest content, knowing that Jesus will provide your every need.

Jesus travels the road of life with us

"And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'" Luke 24:32

This verse springs from Jesus' walk with two of His followers late in the day on the Sunday He rose from the tomb. These two were in the shadow of gloom when Jesus showed up to journey with them. The words of our verse are a question spoken by one of the two, as he turns to face his traveling companion, after they have returned with joy to Jerusalem and the other disciples.

Did not our heart burn within us? - This is the fire Jesus lights within us by His Spirit. There are three things typical of fire: Fire is light, fire is warmth, and fire consumes. Have you watched the start of a fire? First there's the struck match, the small flame. Then the flame gradually spreads to the surrounding combustible material, until the whole is ablaze.

Out of our deepest gloom comes His burning fire that gives light, consuming the darkness; warmth, consuming the chill; and is itself the consumer of our despair. Jesus knows our need; that's why he wants to travel with us.

While He talked with us on the road - Life is a journey. Jesus sees our need and draws near, to talk. He speaks to us daily through so many avenues. Are we listening?

And while He opened the Scriptures to us - Without the Spirit's help and guidance, the Scriptures remain closed to our understanding. When Jesus opens the word to us, what a meal! (By the way, as I read this story - verses 13 through 27 - I picture the speaker in our verse being so excited and hope-filled, that the question mark is replaced with at least three of these: !!!)

Have you experienced spiritual heartburn lately? Jesus is the answer to whatever is on your heart. Let Him walk and talk with you. He longs to draw near and travel with you. (verse 15). He's waiting enthusiastically to strike the match.

Consider Jesus

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:3

Consider Him - Study His life. Paul, the author of Hebrews, tells us in verse 2 to "look to Jesus". This is not the same as "look at". To 'look to' means to expect Him to do something for one who is helpless. It's like a cry for help! There's an expectancy, a hope of being helped. Our helplessness is His strength.

Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself - the word Endure is used at least three times in the passage. The word is translated from the original Greek to mean "to remain, stay behind, have fortitude, bear trials, persevere, take patiently." The New International Version renders the word hostility as oppression. Jesus pressed on, persevered, going so far as to make Himself the sacrifice for sin and sinners, even though He could have turned His back on our situation and walked away.

Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer of the last century named the expedition ship The Endurance, borrowing the name from his family motto: By endurance we conquer. You see, Shackleton and 26 others planned to cross the Antarctic on foot - something that had not been done before. But his ship became ice-bound at the start of the winter. The party abandoned the ship, which later was crushed by the ice and sank, and hauled the lifeboats across the ice to get to open water. By enduring the bitter Antarctic winter in difficult circumstances, Shackleton saved himself and his men. Had he given up, they all would have perished. Jesus demonstrated to the universe that by "staying behind", not giving up on His mission, He conquered the enemy on our behalf.

Lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls - Weariness and discouragement come to all of us. We are admonished to fight against these two forces by looking at the life of Jesus. Because He never gave up on us, we are encouraged to endure also.

To encourage us further, in verse 4 the writer states that, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Jesus did. Today, consider Him!

Be still and know that I am God

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Be still - the word 'still' is translated from the Hebrew root word meaning 'to slacken'. It is further translated as 'cause to heal, repair, make whole'. This gives new meaning to God's admonition to be still. When circumstances around me drive me to the point where I feel like erupting like a volcano, God says 'be still, slacken the tension in your rope, and let Me heal'. When the climber is on the vertical rock face, everything is in tension: his rope, his harness, his muscles and his mind. But, after the climb, when he reaches level ground at the bottom of the cliff, the rope is slack and he can relax. God is telling His children, living in a busy world, to 'be still'.

And know that I am God - this is the experience of inner knowing. You cannot know until you have quieted down. You cannot experience peace until the wind, the earthquake, the fire have ceased. Then you will be able to hear the still, small voice of God. (See 1 Kings 19:11,12). The great "I AM" is speaking.

Our world is a busy place. It's easy to get caught up in the hum-drum. That's why we need to take time to get out of the rat-race, to pause and know that He is God. It is only in stillness, when every other voice is hushed, that we can hear the voice of God. Be still, and know.

Recipe for Victory

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:7, 8a

In the context of today's verse, the word "therefore" is used by James to indicate a better way to deal with human pride. Because the human heart is proud by fallen nature it steers away from dependence on someone else.

In the previous verse James quotes Proverbs 3:34: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James continues: "Therefore submit to God." The Greek word 'submit' is translated as obey, be subject to. So, if we are humble and see our need of Jesus, He will give grace (and more grace, as we need it. Verse 6). Grace is a small word, but what does it mean? The Greek renders the word grace as the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. Grace is heaven's gift to help us cope with sin and the problems of life. Grace is His presence when the going gets tough.

How do we resist the devil? By prayer and study of the Word, just as Jesus resisted the devil in His wilderness temptation. When you pray and claim God's promises in His word, the devil runs! Think of resistance as you, building a wall to keep the enemy out. The thicker and higher the wall, the harder it is for the enemy to break through. The building blocks you use for the wall are verses of scripture, and the mortar in the joints is prayer. It takes effort to build the wall, to resist the devil. But we aren't left to build alone.

James continues: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. All it takes is you, praying in the crisis, "Lord, I need You." And He's there, in a flash! He stands at your side, and the enemy cannot advance. He has to flee.

And so we have a threefold recipe for victory in the battle of life: submit to God; resist the devil; draw near to God. Take courage, we cannot lose!

God specializes in man's impossibilities

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14

Today's verse is in the form of a question. God had personally come to visit the aged couple Abraham and Sarah to tell them that they would have a son. Sarah was in their tent and heard the LORD speaking to Abraham. She laughed to herself as she thought about such an impossibility, since she was well advanced in years and past the age of childbearing.

But God heard her laugh and asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'" Then God went on to ask Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

In your life, do some things look impossible? Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [Matt 19:26]

Turn your impossibilities over to God - this is His special area of expertise!

Caleb drove out the giants

"Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak." Joshua 15:14

The Anakim were giants - men of great stature and strength. These were the giants seen by the twelve spies forty-five years earlier; the giants that had made ten of the spies tremble in their boots.

Caleb not only said he would, with the help of the LORD, drive out the giants, but he actually did drive them out - an old man, 85 years of age. I wonder what it looked like, to watch the battle.

This just shows us what can be accomplished if we have faith in God.

Are there giants in your way, preventing you from moving forward? Pray and ask God to give you the strength to drive them out. Then get on with the task!

God is our source of strength

"Here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in." Joshua 14:10b & 11.

When we investigate the source of Caleb's strength-filled statement in verse 12 ("Give me this mountain") we notice that he said of himself "but I wholly followed the LORD my God."

He (forty years old, at the time) and Joshua had been part of the band of twelve spies whom Moses sent to spy out the land of promise. They came back with their report.

Ten spies had negative reports, saying that they were not able to take possession of the land, due to insurmountable obstacles. But Joshua and Caleb brought positive reports and urged Moses to move ahead and occupy the land.

Forty-five years have passed, and Caleb now talks to his leader, Joshua. He reminds him of Moses' promise to the two faithful spies, that they would inherit the land they spied out. He tells Joshua that he is presently eighty-five years old, and is as strong now as he was on the day that Moses sent them. He is strong and ready for battle - and that's why he asks for the mountain where the giants live.

Caleb did not plan to sweet-talk the giants off their hill fortress. He was ready to fight! He was ready to go out to battle and to come in (to return in victory). He trusted God for his strength.

May God grant us the strength and grace, whatever time span our days may have, to wholly follow our Lord, and be ready to battle the enemy at each stage of our lives.

Lord, give me this mountain

"Now therefore, give me this mountain." Joshua 14:12

This was the mountain of the giants. Caleb was making the request of Joshua, when it came to dividing the inherited Promised Land. He had seen them before - forty years before, when he was one of the twelve spies. And he was eager to drive them out and take over their mountain.

Are there mountains you and I face?

This can be our prayer, as we go forth in the battle of life: " Lord, give me this mountain."

To Him who washed us from our sins

"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood … " Revelation 1:5b

The book of Revelation reveals the love of Jesus for a sin-saturated people living on Planet Earth!

The more we study this book, the more this theme is revealed.

Our verse today is part of a greeting. John (the penman of the book of Revelation, and the disciple "whom Jesus loved") writes a message to the seven churches in Asia. The message brings heaven's grace and peace to us, the people of earth.

Verse 3 of Revelation chapter 1 pronounces a blessing on those who read, as well as those who hear the words of this prophecy.

So the message of grace and peace is for all, and comes to us, firstly, from God the Father, then from the Holy Spirit, mentioned here as "the seven Spirits who are before His throne", and lastly, from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler over the kings of the earth (see verse 5).

Our verse, in its entirety, reads: "To Him who loved us and washed (freed) us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

From being degraded, devastated and polluted by sin, Jesus embraces us, washes us from our sins in His own blood, and raises us to positions of honor and dignity. Stop and think about this.

In gratitude and humility, all we can say is "Amazing grace!"

Call upon Me in the day of trouble

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me." Psalm 50:15

Call upon Me - The Psalmist tells us 'my help comes from the L

ORD, who made heaven and earth.' (Psalm 121:2) Our help is from the Creator of the Universe. When there's no one else to whom we can turn, He is there for us.

In the day of trouble - We live life one day at a time. Jesus tells us each day has enough trouble of its own. The Hebrew word 'trouble' in today's verse is translated 'a tight place.' If any of you have been caving, you will know there is usually at least one place in the cave that is a tight place - a difficult place to get through. It may be a tunnel, or a chimney, or a difficult spiral in the pathway. If you have a guide, someone who's familiar with the path, they will be able to advise you how to position your body, and where to place your feet, to successfully negotiate the tricky obstacle. The above illustration gives us a better understanding of the word 'trouble'. The word is further translated to mean adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation. Life is full of these troubles. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, says: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I will deliver you - The word 'deliver' appears more than 260 times in the Old Testament, with various meanings, but in only 5 places, including its appearance in today's verse, is it translated from the Hebrew to mean: equip for a fight, strengthen, draw out. This portion of the verse now takes on a new meaning. God is speaking: I will equip you for the fight, I will strengthen you to fight, and if the fighting gets too tough for you, I will draw you out of the battle. Is this not awesome! Jesus taught us to pray, Deliver us from evil. In this verse the Greek translates as 'rescue'. So, whatever way we look at it, God is making victory available to us.

And you shall glorify Me - Note the positive! You shall glorify Me (honor, NIV) This is my response when He delivers me. I give Him the glory, the praise.

Remember, if you should find yourself in a tight place today, call on Jesus. He will never turn a deaf ear!

The Eternal God is your refuge

"The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy!' " Deuteronomy 33:27

Our verse today is part of a final blessing pronounced upon the tribes of Israel by Moses before his death.

The Eternal God - The God who has no beginning, and no end. Jesus said of Himself, 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Rev. 1:8). This is the God who is our refuge; the One we can run to for safety and shelter!

Underneath are the everlasting arms - This gives the thought of being held from beneath. When you want to fall, His arms are there, holding you. His arms never fail; they are everlasting - always there for you.

He will thrust out the enemy from before you - The Hebrew words "thrust out" are translated 'drive out from a possession, expel, cast out, drive away.' The Hebrew word "enemy" is translated 'adversary, hating (as to hate one of an opposite tribe or party).

In the context of our verse, Moses indicates that those who came to God for shelter would see Him drive out the enemy from before them and make a safe place for them to live. What a picture of a defeated foe!

And will say, 'Destroy!' - the thought is of God commanding His army of angels to destroy the enemy. This application is for all time.

If the enemy is standing in your path today, turn him over to the Lord to thrust out from before you. Rest in the strong Arms that are there to carry you.

Do not be anxious about anything

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything - It seems so easy to sit and worry! This is the same anxiousness that Martha had when she asked Jesus to tell her sister to help her serve the guests in her home. It is translated as worry or distraction. In Martha's case, Jesus invited her to choose rather to sit at His feet and learn, as her sister Mary had. Paul, in our verse, is admonishing us to turn to God in prayer, instead of worry about the distractions of life.

by prayer and petition - To pray and to ask. Jesus said "ask and you will receive."

with thanksgiving - Remember the one leper of the ten, who returned to say thank You? We have so much for which to be thankful. Our requests to God should be made in the spirit of thankfulness.

the peace of God - Jesus tells us about a peace that only He can give. (See John 14:27)

will guard your hearts - Literally, God's peace will stand guard at your heart and mind, so that evil cannot enter. No wonder prayer is so powerful!

Do you want heaven's peace? Come to Jesus in prayer right now.

Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD

"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Genesis 6:8

This is the first time "grace" is mentioned in the Bible. The original Hebrew word comes from a root word, meaning "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior".
But Noah found grace - The word 'but' tells us something had happened prior to this verse in the story of Noah. When we go back and read the preceding seven verses of chapter 6, we see a documented history of what people had become at the time Noah lived. Verse 5 tells us that God saw the great wickedness of man, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. This seems incredible! Only 10 generations from perfect Adam and Eve to the days of Noah, in which people had all but forgotten God. God shared with Noah His plans to destroy the earth with a flood, and indicated the part that He intended Noah to play.
Noah 'found grace' - The original word means "to attain, to acquire, to take hold on." Grace is something that's given. God stoops in kindness to an inferior and makes an offer.
In the eyes of the LORD - Everything is open to the eyes of the LORD. He sees all that's done in His entire Universe. But what are God's eyes like? There is grace (kindness that leads God to do incredible things for His creatures) in His eyes.
It is of interest that Noah is one of three mentioned by God in the Bible as being righteous. Ezekiel 14:14 tells us of a time when God named three righteous men: Noah, Daniel and Job.
At the end of the flood, we read in Genesis 8:1, "Then God remembered Noah." He stooped in kindness to one of His creatures. Could it be that Noah understood the meaning of grace?
Amazing grace!

A worker who does not need to be ashamed

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Who are you trying to please? So often we look for man's approval of our work, but Paul's advice to Timothy was to live in such a way that God approved of his lifestyle.

Have you ever done a job well, and looked back on the task with satisfaction? We have each been given our work for today. Do it in such a way that you will not be ashamed.

And then, when it comes to God's word, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study. Then share what you've learned with others, again asking the Spirit to give understanding of the Word to your listeners.

Go forth into this day with confidence - you are a child of the King!

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…" Hebrews 12:2

Today's verse is part of a section in which Paul challenges us to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

We're all runners on the track of life. There are things that hinder and entangle as we run.

Paul tells us to throw them off, get rid of them, just like the pilot of a passenger jet, who, when making an emergency landing, dumps the excess fuel while in the air to make the landing safer. Fuel is necessary for flight, but at that moment it's a hindrance to getting the plane down safely, so it is dumped.

There are so many things in life grabbing for our attention. Some are urgent, others are important. Don't let the urgent things of life consume you, and crowd out the important issues.

Life's a race, not a ratrace. Today, as you run the race, fix your eyes on Jesus.

By His wounds we are healed

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Jesus was pierced - so that we could be cleansed of sin.

Jesus was crushed - so that we could be set free from the slavery of sin.

Jesus was punished - so that we could walk away from the penalty of sin.

Jesus was whipped - so that we could be healed from the disease of sin.

What made Him walk the path to His death?

Love. Love for a world that had little love.

It is hard for us to understand this kind of love. The songwriter says:

"When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride."

When you think you can't go another step, look to Jesus. Gaze at the cross and let His incredible gift sink into your mind. Something happens when we look at Jesus. Surely He taught us the meaning of love!

Fear not, for I am with you

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Fear not - This was Jesus' watchword. When His disciples were in a storm on the lake, He walked to them on the water. When they saw His distant form and were terrified, He said to them, "Don't fear, it is I."

For I am with you - Jesus is the Great "I AM" of scripture. He said, "I am with you, even to the end of the world." His name is Immanuel, God with us. We find this golden thread all through the Bible: In the fiery furnace of Babylon He was with the three men who stood faithful to Him.

Don't be dismayed, for I am your God - The Hebrew word dismayed is translated: to gaze about for help; to be bewildered. When it seems as if there's no one to help you, when earthly support has failed, God has promised to be with you, come what may.

I will strengthen you - If you are in need of strength today, He has promised to strengthen you.

I will help you - If you can't see your way through the storm, He will help you.

I will uphold you - If you are sinking, He will hold you up.

Take courage, God is with you!

My God shall supply all your need

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

The verse can be written this way also: And my God shall supply all your need (according to His riches in glory) by Christ Jesus. Our need is supplied by Jesus - from God to Jesus to us.

Paul had traveled much and heard about and seen many gods. The church at Philippi had taken Paul "under their wings", so to speak, during his ministry to them. He reminded the church at Philippi that his God, their God, is above all other gods. Sometimes we need to slow down and be reminded from whence our strength comes. Is He your God?

Psalm 50:10 says, "For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."

Think about this: How rich is God? How needy are you? He has enough to supply ALL your need.

Thus far the LORD has helped us

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.' " 1 Samuel 7:12

The stone that the prophet set up was a memorial in remembrance of what God had done for the nation. Especially that day had they seen His hand working on their behalf to save them from their enemies, the Philistine army. Ebenezer literally means "Look what God has done for us up to this point!"

We, too, set up memorials, usually made from some permanent substance like granite, or bronze, so that time and the elements do not erode them. Their messages are etched for us to remember.

At the start of this new day, may you set up a memorial, a reminder, as you look back and say with the prophet of old, "Up to this point God has helped me." And Ebenezer reminds us that we can go forward, because He will continue to help us and be with us.

May this day bring you courage and hope from Him who says "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

Do not let your hearts be troubled

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:1-3, 27.

Jesus' words "do not let your hearts be troubled", in verses 1 and 27, are like two bookends of comfort on either side of the story of redemption. In between the bookends He talks about heaven, a real place, with a room for each redeemed soul who puts their trust in Him. Jesus talks about the Father, to whom He will return, after His sacrifice for sin. He talks about the Holy Spirit, Whom He will send to the Earth, and the work of comfort and teaching that the Spirit will do. And then he adds, to the words in verse one, as a benediction and reminder "and do not be afraid."

We have nothing to fear - Jesus is near.

Sir, You have nothing to draw with

"Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep." John 4:11

Today's verse is part of a discussion between Jesus and a Samaritan woman, whom He met at a well. Read the entire story, verses 4-42.

Sir, You have nothing to draw with - When we think of a well, we usually picture a shaft with a spool of rope and a crank-handle, suspended over the mouth of the well. A bucket is attached to the rope, and you help yourself - it's all there. Apparently, at the wells of those days, you brought your own rope, tied it to the neck of your water jar, and let the jar down into the water to be filled. You then drew it up and went your way, rope and all. Often, a large flat stone was laid upon the mouth of the well, to keep debris etc. from entering. This is why the Samaritan woman looks at Jesus and tells Him He has nothing - He has no rope; He has no water jar; she tells Jesus that He is not able. From all outward appearances, He can do nothing, He is helpless to help her. (Lord, forgive me for taking You at face-value, without looking into Your face!)

And the well is deep - This further amplifies, in her mind, the impossibility of Jesus getting any water. She's reminding Jesus, "the water is far away from You." He isn't able to climb into this well and get the water, as He may have done, had the well been shallow. We view the difficulties around us in much the same way. Sir, the well is deep - Jesus, the obstacle is too great. You can't help me!

If we would sit with Jesus, we would find out what He is able to do.

Today, take time to sit with Jesus at your well. Have a conversation with Him. Tell Him you long for just a sip of the water that He has.

Have a spiritually thirst-quenching day!

But David strengthened himself in the LORD

"Then David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

Then David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him - David was "between a rock and a hard place", so to speak. The reason for his great distress was this: David and his 600 soldiers, fleeing from Israel's king Saul, had defected to the king of Philistia. They had taken with them their wives and children, and were temporarily living in the city of Ziklag in Philistine territory. The Philistines were preparing to go to battle against the Israelites. David and his men were ready to fight alongside the Philistines, but the princes of the Philistine nation urged their king to send David back to his city and families. When David and his warriors arrived at Ziklag, they found the city burned and their wives and children taken captive by another invading army, the Amalekites. The Bible says the men "lifted up their voices and wept until they had no power to weep." No wonder David was in trouble; his own warriors wanted to put him to death, blaming him for the capture of their families and the loss of their possessions.

But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God - there was nowhere else to turn. David had not a friend in the world, and his life was in danger. And so, instead of panicking, He turned to the only Friend he had…the One who had been his support in life. There are several ways to strengthen yourself in the Lord: prayer is one way. Another is to recall the way God has lead you along the path of life in past years. Yet another way is to do something about the situation. I'm sure David did all three. The story has a happy ending…David rallied his soldiers, chased after the enemy and regained all they had lost. Great rejoicing followed.

Do you find yourself in a desperate situation today? Turn to the Lord and He will strengthen you, and show you a way out of the situation. When all earthly support is gone, don't forget the Heavenly support!

God has not given us a spirit of fear

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7

The spirit of fear comes from God's enemy.

The power comes from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Love is the first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Gal. 5:22.

The sound mind is self-control, which comes from God being in control, which is also the last fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22.

May your day be bright. Put the power of this verse to work for you.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You

"From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I" Psalm 61:2

From the end of the earth - When you feel have reached the end; when you cannot go another step; when you are utterly down; when you feel you possess no more reserves.

I will cry to You - The psalmist likens his experience to that of Jonah, when he prayed from the fish's belly: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me." This cry is not just a call for help. It is like the cry of Jesus to His Father from the cross. There's anguish of soul; you cast yourself at His feet.

When my heart is overwhelmed - The heart is the seat of emotion. The overwhelmed heart is flooded with anxiety, fear, despair, dread. These are the things that threaten to sink the vessel, like the experience of Jesus' disciples in a boat during an incredible storm.

Lead me to the Rock - When I don't have strength to walk, lead me; When I'm tempted to run away from You, lead me gently back; When I'm blinded by the circumstances of life, take me by the hand and lead me; When I try to walk along my own path, lead me to Your way. Lead me to Stability…the Rock, the place that is firm, solid and strong. This is the essence of discipleship - to be led. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

That is higher than I - Someone to look up to. Oh, how we need the upward look when we're downcast.

The good news is God hears every such cry. He meets you in your emergency. He offers you a place of refuge. Our God is a God who hears His earth-born children when they cry for help. Take courage today!

Enoch walked with God

"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Genesis 5:24

We don't know much about the man Enoch - he is mentioned in a few verses in Genesis, from which we learn that his father was Jared. Enoch had a son, Methuselah, in the sixty-fifth year of his life. He lived three hundred more years, after his son's birth, during which time he "walked with God" and had other sons and daughters.

I wonder if he walked with God before Methuselah was born? Or did the birth of his firstborn bring him into a closer relationship with his Maker? Did he perhaps look at his helpless baby boy, and realize that he was the one entrusted to bring this baby to manhood; to instruct this son in the ways of God; to instill in him lessons of integrity that would help him cope in a wicked world? And in so doing, did he see himself in a similar relationship with God; his helplessness and God's sufficiency?

Did the birth of his other sons and daughters strengthen his walk with God? Probably so.

He is not mentioned in the list where God names three righteous men (Ezekiel 14:14), as we might expect. Luke's gospel mentions him in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:37).

But we do know that he "walked with God" - Genesis 5 says it twice, in verses 22 and 24.

And we know that he was translated - he went to "walk with God" forever, without seeing death.

Hebrews 11:5 gives us another glimpse of this man: "By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, 'and was not found because God had translated him', for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

And Jude adds that Enoch spoke to (warned) the people living in his day about a future day of God's judgment. (Jude 14 & 15).

What does it mean to walk with God? When two walk together, they are in step with one another - they agree, there's unity between them. (See Amos 3:3). So it is when we journey with God.

There's an element of faith needed to walk with God. He is so much higher than mortal man, and we must hold His hand in faith, when we can't see the entire journey plan, knowing He knows best.

To walk with God is to take one step at a time - in His strength to gain victory over the smaller issues of life, and then, as we do so, to be victorious over the larger ones as well.

It was said of Enoch that he pleased God. This is an incredible statement from God, when we think that God, the Father, said this of His Son Jesus. (See Matthew 3:17).

God wants all His earth-born children to please Him - to wake up to each new day, and be able to say, "Today I want to live in such a way as to please my Father in heaven." What an aspiration! What a life worth living! And there's all the power in the universe to help us attain that goal.

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them

"Don't be afraid", the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 2 Kings 6:16

Don't be afraid - The prophet Elisha was speaking to his servant. The king of Syria had sent his army to the city of Dothan during the night because he wanted to capture Elisha. (Read verses 8 - 23.) The prophet's servant rose early the next morning and looked from the city walls to see that an army had surrounded the city. That meant only one thing: this was an enemy, and the people of Dothan were doomed. Terror filled his heart, and he hastened to tell his master. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" The prophet reassured his servant. There was no need to fear. There were more on their side than on the enemy's. From purely a physical aspect the servant wondered how could this be? Looking down from the city walls he could see that the occupants of the city were outnumbered. But then Elisha prayed to God to open his servant's eyes so he may see. God opened the man's eyes, and when he looked, the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire. Guess who came to their rescue? God sent His forces to surround the surrounding enemy. Can you hear the servant exclaiming, "Wow!", as he looks to the hills.

So it is with you and me. God's forces, though unseen, are around us each day. If you are surrounded by an army today, whether an army of fear, or worry, or a pile of bills that need to be paid, or sickness, or rejection, or loneliness, or loss - remember: those who are with us are more than those who are with them. The enemy is outnumbered. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see His forces surrounding you. Their presence assures us that victory is certain!

Let us not become weary in doing good

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Today's verse is written by the apostle Paul as part of his letter to the church at Galatia. He reminds them of their hope in Christ, and encourages them not to turn back to their old lives.

Let us not become weary - Paul includes himself, as he uses the word "us." This advice is for the ministry, as well as for the laity. We're a team. The word "weary" is translated from the Greek as "to fail in heart." Paul's advice is aimed at our spiritual and mental stamina, rather than physical stamina. And yet, to become weary is natural. If you feel weary in any way, there's regenerating power in Isaiah 40:29. Read it.

in doing good - We've been put on this earth to do good. Doing good usually doesn't lie within us. The natural person doesn't go around doing good. We are far too selfish to do that. It takes a daily anointing with God's Spirit to place us in a position to do good. Jesus set the example: "…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up - The farmer sows the seed, but has to wait for the harvest. He has no control over the growth of the plant. It's all about patient endurance. Reaping is the reward for all the hard work of crop farming. In this fast-paced world patience is a declining commodity. Where does patience come from? Obviously not from within us, or we'd be able to generate it as needed. Paul lists it as one of the fruits of the Spirit, in Galatians 5:22. Patience is a gift from God.

We will be among the reapers if we endure and don't give up. How's your endurance level?

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10

I am the LORD your God - The first time we encounter the "I am" of the Bible is in Genesis, where He appears to Abram, and says, Don't be afraid, I am your shield. (Gen. 15:1). Notice that, first of all, He's the LORD. When capitalized this way, God's name is translated from the Hebrew to mean Jehovah, the self-existent or eternal One. Then the verse goes on to say He's "your God". We discover a theme that recurs throughout the Bible: God wants to be personal. He wants to be your God.

Who brought you out - a picture of deliverance. God is pictured many times in scripture as the One who brings us out, who delivers. I once went caving. There are several rules that apply to caving: you need to either know the cave well, or have a guide with you. Each person needs to carry an extra flashlight. If you go as a group of people, the group must not be large, and you must stay together. We had traveled fairly deep into the cave. When it was time to turn around, the group sat down and turned out all the flashlights. The darkness was enveloping! We sat there for several minutes, discussing what it would be like if we had to find our way out of the cave without a light. There were several who expressed fear, as they remembered the vertical tunnels we had encountered in the pathway on the way in. Then we turned our lights on, and our guide brought us out. Two things were apparent as we exited the cave: we were grateful for our guide, and it was a relief to see daylight again. God reminds us that He is our Deliverer, the One who brought us out.

of the land of Egypt - after more than 400 years of slavery, the descendants of Jacob, who would later become the nation of Israel, were delivered from the bondage of Egypt. The word "Egypt" was loathed! It was equated with everything that had stripped them of freedom. We, too, have had our "land of Egypt" experiences. But we don't have to remain enslaved.

Open your mouth wide - the picture is of someone being fed. Have you watched an infant being fed? Until they can handle a spoon well enough to nourish themselves, they are dependent on the one feeding them. All they need to do is open their mouth each time the spoon arrives. It demonstrates trust. This is our part.

And I will fill it - this is God's part. Notice that He fills the open mouth. I will not lack anything; I will have abundance! With what will He fill your mouth? With food. Whatever food you need, He will supply. He says, "I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20)

We've got to recognize who God is, and what He's done for us in delivering us from the slavery of sin. Once we do that, then we can trust Him, and He fills our mouths.

Today, are you content with just the aroma of food? Do you want only a taste of food? Or do you want a mouth full of food? God is waiting, spoon-in-hand.

The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light

"The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:16

Our verse today is quoted from Isaiah 9:2, as Matthew writes his account of the life of Jesus, who came and brought light to Capernaum by the sea at the start of His ministry on earth.

The people who sat in darkness - Isaiah renders it "the people who walked in darkness." There's quite a difference between sitting in darkness and walking in darkness. You and I can find ourselves in either condition, and both are quite hopeless, if one stops to think about it. To be sitting in darkness brings to mind a picture of one who has given up entirely. Darkness has swallowed this person up and they have stopped moving - all they can do is sit. To be walking in darkness presents a picture of one who is groping around, feeling their way in the dark, bumping into objects and trying to go somewhere, without success.

Saw a great light - The time before Jesus came was a time of gloom and darkness. It was similar to the state of things at the creation of our world, when all was dark. Then God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light. When Jesus arrives, there's always light. Thank God for the One who brought Light to a sin-darkened world. It is again a time on earth before Jesus returns. There's lots of darkness. People don't have hope, because they don't have Jesus.

If you've been sitting or dwelling in the region of darkness - the shadow of death - lately, look at the eastern horizon: Light has dawned - what a blessing!

May the Light of heaven shine on you and on your path today.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

Remember what we noticed in verse 1 of this Psalm: it is a personal account of what Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has done for His flock - you and me. It's all about Him, and His incredible love for us, demonstrated by what He does for us. With that before us, we conclude the Psalm.

Surely - Not maybe, or perhaps; this is an exclamation of the definite!

Goodness and mercy - these are God's attributes. When Moses asked to see God's glory, the LORD said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you…" Exodus 33:19. And when God passed in front of Moses, He said, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, patient and full of goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands … " Exodus 34:6,7. What a God! (Write the words "goodness" and "mercy" on a piece of paper, then put as many meanings to these two attributes of God as you can come up with. You'll be amazed at what you find out about God!)

Shall follow me - The Shepherd walks ahead of His sheep. God's goodness and mercy, like a rear guard, follow the flock. The writer of the Psalm has learned, by experience, to trust God. And so he makes the statement that God's goodness and mercy shall (future) follow him. We have nothing to fear for what lies ahead, because we can look back on everything Jesus has already done for us along life's road.

All the days of my life - my allotted time; for as long as I have breath in my nostrils. It is a sure thing that the goodness and mercy of Jesus will accompany us throughout our earthly journey.

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever - This is both a hope for the future (by use of the word "forever"), and a conscious decision on our part (will dwell). "Dwell" is an interesting word; it means to live with, remain with - as a continuous presence.

Finally the sheep have a home. No more do they need to experience the shepherd locking them up safely for the night when he goes home. They are with Him forever! And there is no more night!

As a sheep, I anticipate looking out across the flock, to see you there one day - by His grace!

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over."

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over." Psalm 23:5b

The Psalmist David knew about shepherding sheep. At the end of the day it was customary for the shepherd to station himself at the door of the sheepfold, where he would examine each sheep as it passed. He would especially examine the head for injuries. When he noticed a sheep with an injury on the head, he would pour a little oil on the wound, thus anointing it. The oil had healing properties, and the sheep would soon be well again.

You anoint my head with oil - After the banquet table, mentioned in verse 5a, there's something the Good Shepherd does for the Psalmist - he anoints his head with oil.

Anointing the head was done for prophets, priests and kings, this act symbolizing the setting apart of the individual for special service. So, in a sense, the Psalmist moves from dining at the Lord's table to serving Him in some capacity. David was anointed king several times during his life.

Further, it can be said that the Psalmist receives the oil from the Shepherd to help heal the wounds inflicted by his enemies (the enemies mentioned in verse 5a) - and David had many enemies!

My cup runs over - David receives so many blessings from the hand of the Shepherd that his cup overflows with blessings. It's good to count one's blessings every now and then. Are you counting yours today?

You prepare a table before me

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies …" Psalm 23:5a

This is the time of rejoicing, after the valley experience. This is when the psalmist walks out of the valley, and into the Light and Sunshine! He starts climbing out of the valley, to the heights of the mountain. It is then that he notices the table!

But it's not just a bare table. This is the banquet scene - the Good Shepherd has prepared a loaded table, to which He invites David. Can you picture it? The tablecloth, the silverware, the plates and dishes, the glasses, the bowls full of delicious food.

The banquet is prepared, and God is the Host - He's the One who does the serving!

This reminds us of another table, later in time, in an upper room in Jerusalem, where Jesus did the serving. First he washed the disciple's feet, even those of Judas, thus teaching His disciples lessons of humility, service, and heaven's gracious love. Then He served the meal.

It's one thing to sit at a table full of good food - but it's quite another to dine in the midst of one's enemies! It's as if God shows the enemy what He's doing for His sheep!

And one day, when our journey on earth is over, we will be ushered in to a banquet hall in heaven, where Jesus again will serve His redeemed people. He said, in the upper room, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:29)

Are you making plans today to be at that table?

"Yes, even though I walk through the valley . . . ."

"Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear any evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Leaving the tranquil world of green pastures, quiet waters, restoration and paths of truth, the Psalmist moves to the turbulent and painful experience of death. He mentions the "valley of the shadow of death".

Why a valley? A valley is a low spot in the topography of the earth. To get to a valley, you walk downhill.

Why a shadow? In order to see a shadow, one must have a light source and an object; something that gets in the way of light. Have you ever walked through an exceptionally dark place? There's a phobia associated with such a place, and you want to get out of there!

Combining the valley and the shadow, two good metaphors, we have the low experience and the absence of light one feels at the time of the loss of a loved one.

I will not be afraid - Fear makes people worry and lose sleep. David knew what fear was. For several years King Saul and his soldiers had hunted him like a wild animal. David had come close to death a number of times. But his triumphant statement was that he would not be afraid of evil.

For You are with me - He, the LORD, has done several things for the sheep, in verses 1, 2 and 3. Now the Psalmist shifts from "He" to "You". I have no fear of evil, for You are with me. Jesus has been by our side during the walk, so there's no need to fear. When on earth, Jesus' oft-repeated words were "Do not fear; don't be afraid" because He was there. The Source of light is still there! God's presence is close - we are not alone; that's why there's no need to fear.

Many of us have walked through this valley - we've lost a loved one to death. The experience has been low and it has been dark. But notice that the Psalmist walks through this valley - he doesn't stay there; there's an exit, a way out. He anticipates both walking out of the valley and walking into the light on the other side of the valley.

The Shepherd's rod and staff bring comfort to David. Why was this?

There were two ends to the staff of the middle eastern shepherd. One end had a crook (a bend or hook), that was used to guide the sheep. The shepherd would place this end of his staff over the sheep's head and around its neck and guide it where he wanted it to go. In this way, he was able to train and restrain a sheep.

The other end was the straight part, or rod, used to defend the sheep against predators. The shepherd could skillfully beat off the enemy with his rod.

David saw the Good Shepherd as his guide and defense, hence the comfort.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the One who walks by our side when a loved one dies. He guides us along the road of life. He defends us against our enemy. Are you comforted by His presence today?

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23:3b

This is the second part of verse 3.

He leads me - This implies that I have the choice to follow. If you want to really live life, then follow the Shepherd. His path is a better one than that of our own making - His ways are so much higher than ours (see Isaiah 55:9). Jesus tells the story of a sheep that didn't follow, but went another way and got lost - see Luke 15:1-7. The story has a happy ending though, thanks to the shepherd who went out to look for the lost one.

In the paths - A path is formed as many feet walk along a specific route. Perhaps you've been hiking along a marked trail and noticed, at a switch-back, how somebody once took a shortcut, instead of following the trail. Other feet followed, and a path has formed, where one was not intended. Eventually, the Park Ranger has to drive fence poles into the ground across the path of the shortcut, and post a sign saying "Keep to the marked trail."

Over the centuries, so many "sheep" have followed the Shepherd, that there is a well-defined path; and He is walking in it, going ahead of the sheep, leading. We are safe as we walk in the path with the Shepherd.

Notice the plural (paths) - there is more than one path. As the shepherd takes the sheep to different areas during the day, so there are many paths, but all for a purpose: to get the sheep to the specific destination, whether it be grazing, watering or the sheepfold.

This is not to say there are many ways to the Kingdom, for Christ said of Himself "I am the way …" (John 14:6), but rather that people from all walks of life have become followers of the Shepherd. (It's like the fish; "some of every kind" mentioned in Jesus' parable in Matthew 13:47). He calls His sheep from all peoples of the Earth.

Of righteousness - The Psalmist is not talking about ordinary paths. This is not the hustle-and-bustle of our daily lives. The paths of righteousness are the ways of obedience - doing what is right. He uses the plural (paths) to indicate different ways of obeying Jesus. Here are just a few: surrender (giving self to Him - we all battle with this one!); communication with Him; following in the way He directs.

For His name's sake - Why does He lead me the paths of righteousness? So that He will get the glory. It's for the sake of His name. Rev19:11 tells us His name is "Faithful and True."

Do you want Jesus to lead you through this day?

He restores my soul … " Psalm 23:3

Today's verse is the first part of verse 3 and is composed of only four words. We will look at each word, and then summarize by assembling the mosaic.

He - there is only One who can restore my soul - He is the Shepherd, the LORD of verse 1.

Restores - the Hebrew word is rich in meaning: to bring back; to bring home again; to build again; to recover; to refresh; to relieve; to rescue. Wow! Each of these words is applicable when the Psalmist talks about soul-restoration.

My - this is personal. The Psalm is written about me, about you.

Soul - the Hebrew word means a breathing creature; it is used in the sense of body and mind; also person, or self. Our breath is our life. Have you ever had your breath knocked out? For a few moments it's a scary experience. Then your breathing is restored to normal, much to your relief.

Let's assemble the mosaic:

When I've tried every other avenue of replenishing my exhausted body and mind, to no avail, I learn by experience that the Good Shepherd is the only One who can rescue me from the miserable situation in which I find myself.

He refreshes the fatigued fabric of my being.

He helps me to recover what is lost - to breathe again.

He re-builds the ruins of my broken-down system.

He carries me home again on His shoulders. It's good to be a sheep!

In this rapid-paced life with all of the stress, deadlines, financial and personal worries, we need soul restoration.

Think about where you are at present: if your very self is collapsing and you're stressed out, if your legs have given way and you need support, if you are broken down and need re-building again, or if you need to be brought home again - call to Him - He'll come and get you, right where you're lying. Spend time with Him - this is how He restores the soul. After all, He is an Expert with sheep!

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters." Psalm 23:2

Today's verse is the beginning of a list of seven things that the LORD, our Shepherd does for us.

Firstly, He 'makes me to lie down.' This is not the same word as 'forces' - it implies that the shepherd allows the sheep to rest when they are weary. He notices that they need rest, so he takes them to a place where he sits down, and the sheep gather near Him to rest.

When you've had an extremely busy day, it's so good to lie down on your bed at night and start to relax! We need to take time to escape the busyness of the world, and lie down near the Shepherd. Note that this rest is for the individual, as well as for the group - usually the entire flock lies down in the field together.

Also, nothing is mentioned of immediate food in the Psalm. The first thing sheep usually do, after spending a night in the sheepfold, is to find grazing. But, by using the phrase 'lying down in green pastures', the psalmist implies that the sheep have already grazed and are content to lie down.

Note: they lie down in green pastures. Food is all around them - there is no shortage (which points us back to verse 1: "I shall not lack.")

The term 'green' indicates fresh, new grass. The Shepherd always feeds us with fresh, living food, indicative of the meal we have from His word.

Secondly, 'He leads me beside the still waters.' The shepherd leads; the sheep follow. If they don't, they stray and are lost or in danger.

Still waters: here's a picture of peace - let your mind form a picture. The sheep drink from pools, where the water is still. Still waters - symbolic of calmness, serenity and sanity!

Are you willing to let the Good Shepherd lead you into this new day; to give you rest when you are weary, and cool water when you thirst?

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

Our verse today is the first verse of what is known as the Shepherd's Psalm. Only nine words, but incredibly rich in meaning.

The LORD

(when written in the Bible in upper-case letters) is the self-Existent, Eternal God, Jehovah. He depends on no-one else; His creatures (that's us) depend on Him for every breath we take.

The shepherd, in the Middle-East is everything to the sheep. He comes to get them at the start of the day. He calls them from the sheepfold, where they have spent the night in safety. They hear his voice and follow Him instinctively.

David wrote this Psalm. He knew every aspect of shepherding sheep. He noticed how dependent the sheep are of the shepherd - for food, water and safety. He saw himself as one of God's sheep, and, in the light of that fact, wrote the Psalm about himself. He had learned by experience that God had provided for him, and would continue to do so. All he had to do was follow as God went before, leading him.

We can put ourselves in his place, applying the words to ourselves. Because the LORD is my shepherd, I will not lack anything!

You can go into this new day, confident that nothing is going to come your way, except as it is providentially directed by the Shepherd!