FINDING TRUE NORTH!

 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

 

FINDING TRUE NORTH!

 

Heb 13:8-9

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.

 

Ps 119:89-91

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

 

Suppose you decide to make a trek to the North Pole. You can't catch a plane there. So instead, you pull out your compass, watch the needle swing northward and plot a path, right? Wrong. To get to the North Pole, or true north, just following your compass needle won't work.

 

If you want to get from a point at the bottom of a map to one at the top, you need to head true north. True north is a geographical direction represented on maps and globes by lines of longitude. Each line of longitude begins and ends at the Earth's poles and represents direct north and south travel.

 

True north tells us to provide for our family, to save wisely, and to give cheerfully to those in need. Magnetic north pulls us to the world. True north points us to God.

 

Rev 3:1-2

3 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

 

Dear Lord, often our electronic gadgets often drive us in circles but you are an established and unchanging landmark. Help us today to find true north. AMEN

DAVID’S PLEA FOR LIGHT!

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

 

DAVID’S PLEA FOR LIGHT!

 

Psalms 43:1

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 

King David was in distress, was on the run, and hiding in the wilderness. He was being pursued by his enemies. He prays and asks God to send out His light to clarify this present darkness, to send His truth to stand against confusion and uncertainty in his heart and mind.

 

We may not be running from an enemy in the wilderness but there is much confusion and darkness in our world today! Our peace is disturbed, our present is troublesome, and our future is uncertain. We need God’s light and truth to guide and to comfort us. We long to return from the wilderness and to worship in God’s holy hill. David longed for the house of worship because he had been driven from it.

 

Liars make no effort to disguise their falsehood and violence has replaced justice. Threats and pressure direct our culture and our rule of law. Lunacy has thrown wisdom to the ground. We need the truth! The path that seems so familiar is full of shadows. Like David, we need God’s light to see the way clearly.

 

Dear Lord, we are never disappointed in you. Guide us today with Thy light and truth. Cause us to hope, and may today be filled with praise. AMEN

THE DESIRE TO RUN AWAY!

 

Sunday, September 27, 2020

 

THE DESIRE TO RUN AWAY!

 

Ps 55:5-7

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

 

           This Psalm was likely written early in Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom had his half-sister’s rapist killed and David had banished him. David ultimately allowed him to return but the relationship remain strained. It was in this climate that Absalom built a rebellion.

 

           David knew that he was at fault because of his adultery and the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. This was part of Nathan’s curse on his family. The sword would never leave the house of David.

 

           We are all equipped with a “fight or flight” mechanism whenever there is trouble. It is normal to try and simply run away and avoid trouble if possible. When we are cornered, we fight.

 

           David did flee Jerusalem (2 Sam 15:14 ff) and lodged in the wilderness across the Jordan River at Mahanaim but war with his own son was inevitable because of Absalom’s heart. David begged his soldiers to spare Absalom but Absalom got his lovely hair caught in an oak tree and his mule kept walking. Joab comes along and thrusts three javelins through his heart. Then ten others “struck him” that he died. He was buried in a pit in the wilderness.

 

           Perhaps your problems are smaller than David’s, but you still feel like running away. If so, then run to Jesus! David’s throne was in danger, but God’s throne is secure.

 

Ps 55:16

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

 

Dear Lord, whenever we are afraid, let us run to you for safety. AMEN