NUMBERING OUR DAYS!

 

Sunday, August 29, 2021

 

NUMBERING OUR DAYS!

 

Ps 90:10 & 12

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

 

           The older we get the more we understand that life is brief and moves very quickly along. Seventy years seems such a very long time when we are children and that same seventy years seems such a short span when we are nearing the end of it. So much has been done and placed into the treasure of memories and so much has been left undone that we have a store of regret.

 

           Someone asked George Bernard Shaw this question: “If you could live your life over and be anyone you wanted to be – who would you choose to be?” The answer came quickly: “I would choose to be the man George Bernard Shaw could have been – but never was.”

 

           Wisdom accompanies the numbering of our days. Projects must be prioritized according to importance. We must resist those things that claim urgency and replace them with those things that are truly important because we know there is not time to accomplish both! We assign urgency to the truly important things.

 

           As youngsters, “strength” was taken for granted. We were young and we could do. Now our strength requires effort and sorrow. The Old Testament word for “sorrow” means “to pant with effort.” We wish we hadn’t wasted our strength on unimportant things.

 

           At last, there is good news! At the very end or our days “we fly away!” The phrase “and we fly away” is translated from only one small Hebrew word. The word “‘uwph” even means “to cover with wings; to shine forth.” Ah, that will be the joyful end when we take flight and shine forth!

 

Dear Lord, help me to wisely apply my heart and my strength to the truly important things today. Amen

BUT THOU, O LORD!

 

Saturday, August 28, 2021

 

BUT THOU, O LORD!

 

Ps 3:2-4

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

 

           It doesn’t matter who, or how many, doubt God’s help -- as long as you keep the faith! David looked around and realized that things were bad and getting worse. “For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.” Ps 31:13-14

 

           He is my Shield! The storms of life and the fiery darts of the Wicked One assault us in many forms—demonic oppression, illness, financial worries, weaknesses of many kinds. But our great Shield protects us from them all. Just as at the cross, Christ stands in for us and is able to take the fierce onslaught of all evil, sin, and death.

 

           He is my Glory! He is the source and cause of all my honor. I am nothing and have done nothing to deserve the attention and accolades that I receive. Even my most brilliant success is only evidence of His power working in me.

 

           He is the Lifter up of my head! The circumstances of life and the opposition those who should be friends may discourage me but he gently reaches down and lifts my chin with His tender hand. He looks deep into my eyes and then gives me an approving smile. I hear Him say: “I’ve got this! It will be OK!”

 

           Think about it! Warren Wiersbe comments on the strange little word “Selah.” “This is the first use of "Selah" in Scripture (vv. 2, 4, 8); it is used seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk 3. Hebraists aren't agreed whether it comes from words meaning "to lift up" or "to be silent." If the first, then it might be a signal for louder voices or the lifting and blowing the trumpets, perhaps even the lifting of hands to the Lord. If the second, it could signal a pause, a moment of silence and meditation.

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

 

Dear Lord, be my shield today. You are my glory. You encourage me when I am cast down. Let me think about this all the day long. AMEN

FROM WICKED TO WORSHIPER!

 

Friday, August 27, 2021

 

FROM WICKED TO WORSHIPER!

 

2 Chron 33:10-13

10 And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11 Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.

 

           Manasseh was arguably Judah’s worst king! “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzi–bah. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. 2 Kings 21:1-2. He burned his children as sacrifices to an idol. He reigned 55 years and died ay the age of 67.

 

           Something bad yet good happened to Manasseh. During a conflict with the Assyrians, he got caught in a thorn thicket. The enemy captured him and put him in prison in Babylon. That was bad, but the afflictions of prison caused him to pray to the One true God. That was good! God heard him and ultimately allowed him to return home a changed man.

 

           There are important lessons to learn from the life of Manasseh. Never give up on a wicked person. You may abandon your efforts, but never discount God in the process. When something bad happens to you, remember that God is in control and may be forming a wonderful result.

Dear Lord let me not be discouraged by the actions of the wicked. You may yet convert them – perhaps in prison. Never let me abandon hope regarding my own circumstances. You may yet turn mourning into laughter. AMEN