GOOD MORNING, LORD!

 

Thursday, October 17, 2024

 

GOOD MORNING, LORD!

 

Ps 5:1-3

5 To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, [Nehiloth is a flute] A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

 

          Morning seems best for my devotional meditations. Often, I rise before anyone else so that I may be alone with my thoughts and my God without interruption. David seemed to prefer the mornings as well. In the scripture above, we may see an awakening prayer.

 

          The word “meditation,” in verse one is the word hagiyg which means “to murmur or to complain.” Grumblers, like me, may take courage knowing that God considers what we are considering. Those deep, perhaps disappointing, thoughts are intercepted by a listening God. We bring the fretful unfinished projects of yesterday and the daunting challenges of today to a considerate God.

 

          David moves on to the word “cry” in verse two. This word is the Hebrew word sheva’ and is basically a “haloo.” Moving from murmuring thoughts, David now directly addresses God with a hello! Formal communication is initiated, and a response is earnestly expected. Hello, Lord!

 

          In verse three the two words “my prayer” are not present and are italicized in your Bible. The entire meaning is wrapped up in the word “direct” which is the word ‘arak which means “to set things in order.” Now we see the list appear. On this list are written all the things that challenge and trouble me. I now have God’s attention! He is aware of my emotions, and I have engaged Him in direct communication. Now I offer Him my list of complaints and requests.

 

          In verse two David, the king, acknowledges God as King of Kings. He says, “thou art my king and my God.” Authority and Majesty are wrapped in worship. He rules the affairs of my life, and His power is a comfort to my weakness.

 

          Finally, in verse three, David “looks up” expectantly. He has groaned while God listened. He has formally addressed the Lord with a hello and given a detailed list of complaints. He has acknowledged God as King and God and now he looks up expectantly. It’s time to begin the day knowing that God now knows what is troubling me. Throughout the day I will be watching for God’s intervention.

 

             A quote from Benjamin Franklin seems appropriate here: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?”

 

Dear Lord, acquaint yourself with my pains and my problems. Provide both ointment and remedies. I acknowledge your authority and majesty. As I lay my list before you, I can look up expectantly for answers. All day long I will watch for your intervention. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

A MOST UNCOMFORTABLE PLACE

 

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

 

A MOST UNCOMFORTABLE PLACE

 

2 Peter 2:6-8

6 [God turned] the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

 

          The true story of Lot’s sojourn in Sodom can be found in Genesis chapter 19. He had made a fleshly choice and had suffered a miserable consequence. Ultimately Sodom became a most uncomfortable place belying its original attraction of plentiful water and green pastures.

 

          Our world is becoming a most uncomfortable place for those who have been made “righteous” by the blood of the Lamb. Since our redemption, we no longer fit the thinking and the culture.

 

          The word “vexed,” used twice in our text is from two Greek words. One is kataponeo which means “to wear down” and “en” which means “altogether.” So, living in Sodom was not the utopia Lot had imagined. Day by day it wore him down … altogether.  The conflict within his soul slowly became real conflicts as he, too late, began to object to the way things were. His wife had abandoned the fight and had assimilated. His daughters had become bargaining chips with perverts. It was time for angels.

          A devotional does not provide sufficient space for all the lessons we can learn from this story. However, one encouraging lesson can be found in the following verse.

 

2 Peter 2:9

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 

 

Lord, we living here are worn down day by day but we are encouraged by knowing that you know how and when to deliver us. Thank you for strength to endure and hope for rescue. AMEN

 

THE SIN OF BEING SELF-WILLED!

 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

 

THE SIN OF BEING SELF-WILLED!

 

Titus 1:7

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

 

2 Peter 2:9-10

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

 

          F. B. Meyer said: “Man’s fall, whatever else it may have been, resulted in a complete change in the centre of his being. He was made in the likeness of God, and God’s nature is absolutely selfless.” Man and woman were naked in the garden without shame and the reason was that they were not “self-conscious” of their nakedness. In fact, one of the first questions asked of them was “who told you that you were naked?” They were not aware that their nakedness was a problem until the fall.

 

          The conflict between Cain and Abel was a problem of self-centeredness. Cain, through the fall, had developed a pertinacious [holding firmly to an opinion or course of action; stubborn] focus upon himself. A self-willed person is spiritually and emotionally immature, if not dead. A newborn is totally focused upon himself. When he is hungry or wet, he cries loudly without regard to the comfort or convenience of anyone else. Later he develops an awareness of mother and then of others. As he matures, he learns to be courteous. Too many have failed to develop courtesy as a sign of maturity. They are self-willed.

 

           Stubbornly and arrogantly insisting on one’s own way is specifically forbidden in bishops or pastors. How can one devote his life to the service of God and others while the center of his focus is himself? Every character flaw listed in Titus 1:7 is a result of self-will. The anger, the brawling, the drunkenness, and the love of money are all a result of a wrong focus. “Self-willed” is translated from the Greek authades which means “self-pleasing, arrogant and overbearing.” The man of God can’t be guilty of this.

 

          Perhaps an illustration is needed to open a window to our understanding. A cold wind was howling, and a chilling rain was beating down when the telephone rang in the home of a doctor. The caller said that his wife needed urgent medical attention. The doctor was understanding. "I'll be glad to come, but my car is being repaired," he said. "Could you come and get me?" There was indignation at the other end of the phone as an angry voice sputtered, "What, in this weather?"

 

Matt 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, [say no to his wishes and comforts] and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

Dear Lord, please change the focus of my heart. Help me to think first of you and then of others. AMEN