Jenny, an elderly donkey, failed to show up for her daily serving of grain. After several days I decided to search for her. I walked acres of pasture with the hood of my jacket pulled tight under my chin. I repeatedly called her name then paused to listen for her distinctive brae. I thought of Jesus as I trudged along, when he told the parable of the shepherd who leaves the flock of sheep to search for the missing lamb—an illustration of God searching for the lost.
My Mother's favorite flowers were violets and she grew them outside along our picket fence near the edge of the sidewalk. These small purple blooms sat low to the ground, vulnerable to careless feet that might trample them unnoticed. However small, humble things are often the most profound!
The underlying message resounded clearly. Do I matter to anyone? Does anyone care enough to stick with me? Will I ever be loved? What is wrong with me?
A repeated command found throughout the Psalms is, Sing a new song to the Lord. 'A new song' refers to a song that is not common to this world. In other words, the follower of Jesus learns songs that the world cannot teach.
esus wants to give us perfect peace. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5a). Can't you just see Jesus standing guard over us with His mighty arms crossed and a look on His face that says, "Just try it!" as our enemies cower into the shadows? With our Great Shepherd watching, what do we have to fear? We are free to rest, eat slowly, and know we are protected.
The widow was out of money and her creditor was threatening to enslave her sons. She turned to the prophet Elisha, who asked her what she had at home. She responded that she had nothing except a little oil. Nothing, except... I have used those words. Have you?
Would you describe yourself as spiritually strong? There are many times in my past I have been spiritually weak. I lacked courage to speak truth. I focused on the "impossible" and was hesitant to move forward in faith, or I allowed difficulty to halt my spiritual growth. Can you relate?
After fifteen years as a stay-at-home mom, I entered the workforce a few months ago. I feel like I live in the land of "I don't know what I'm doing" much of the time. That sort of feeling wears on my confidence. It makes me doubt my skills and results. It makes me tentative and unwilling to take risks and try new things. It makes me waver and lean toward whatever opinion my ears hear.
The truth is, I am a “regretter” We regretters have nets that we can cast wide and deep to dredge up something we said or did a week or a lifetime ago, then we fret and regret , chew and stew. Trust me, such a mindset is not the product of a sensitive conscience or a tender heart. Such foolishness comes from a particularly insidious form of legalism that believes that the kingdom of God is dependent on our flawless performance rather than God’s power through us.
As I reflected on the story I wondered if I had ever really asked God to comfort me. Sure, I had prayed and asked Him for help with whatever situation I found myself in, but had I ever actually asked Him to comfort me through it?
The week had been unusually busy. As each day passed, I was painfully aware I hadn't started work on the Bible study I teach on Sunday. However, when I got up Thursday morning, I thought, At last I'll have time to work on my lesson plan. Then the phone rang.
Micah, the prophet, poses the question, “Who is a God like you...?” This question is asked at the end of his short book to emphasize the truth he has clearly portrayed: There is no God like the Lord God.
In Micah 6:8, God says we are to “love mercy.” Showing mercy when I’ve been slightly wronged isn’t very difficult. But extending forgiveness to someone who has deeply and grievously wronged me is profoundly challenging. Can you relate?
And so, Lord, if there are aspects of your character that can only be revealed in the valleys, then lead me to the valleys. Use those valleys to refine me and make me more like you. Use those valleys to strengthen my knowledge of you, my faith in you, and my dependence upon you.
One of my earliest memories is of a teacher at my church named Gus. I was four years old, but I still remember this big man with a big smile and a big hug. When I walked into his class, he engulfed me with his arms—a hug that went straight to my heart.
The phrase “the hand (or the gracious hand) of God was upon him” is repeated numerous times in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. God’s “hand” refers to God’s blessing and His active, sovereign engagement in the lives of people. Recently, our family has experienced the gracious hand of God upon us.
Did you know that I am privileged? I really am. And, lest I sound arrogant or prideful, did you know you are privileged too if you believe and trust in God?
What brings you delight? Can you even say the word “delight” without a getting a smile on your face or in your heart? I feel delight when I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Certain people bring me delight. Yes, even a delicious meal can delight me. Of course, spending time with God also proves delightful.
Have you ever hidden something and forgotten where you put it? Not only did you conceal it from others, but also yourself. How frustrating! Not so with God’s Word. When memorizing and cherishing his word in our hearts, accessing it brings quite the opposite. It brings victory and peace.
Fallible human, infallible God -- while we may not achieve perfection, Psalm 119:1-7 assures us we can live blameless lives by “walking according to the law of the Lord, seeking him with all of our heart, praising him, and learning from his righteousness.”
