Today and Forever: A Narrative Coloring Book, Out NOW!
A new series from Debra Hill: Psalms In Your Palm.
Tune in every Sunday to read a passage of scripture, hear Debra’s personal thoughts on the reading, and then relate and reflect on the words as you write them into your palm and into your heart.
I live in a world today where I am surrounded by frightening news of wars, diseases and economic turmoil. If I dwell on what I see and hear, I can be overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness. But, like David, I want to look to Jesus. He knows what is going on. God said He is our very present help in times of trouble.
This leads me to ask the question of myself, whether or not there have been times when I remained silent in the face of wrongdoing. I ashamedly admit that a few times came to my mind. Why was I afraid to intercede for someone being bullied? Why did I not come to the aid of a friend who was being unjustly maligned? I ask God to forgive me and to remove any fear from my heart to stand up to evil.
The world is watching, as we face enormous tribulations and trials, to see how we react. Will we run and hide in fear? Will we curse God and blame him for our misfortunes? No. Like David we will declare that all power in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus. That we find refuge in His love, mercy and truth. Whether in a cave or on a mountaintop we will lift Him up, exalting His name forever.
It was only my trust in His word and knowledge that He is on my side that I could come to a place of peace. It was only my trust in the truth that God is in control that I could be still and know that He is God. If you ever face a time of great fear, you too, as a child of God, can know that many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them out of them all. Hallelujah!
David resolved his anguish by turning to God and trusting in Him. He reminds us that we can bring all our burdens to Him. I pray that in those times I feel overwhelmed with pain or disappointment, that I reach out to the Lord to save me. I can look to Him morning, noon, or night.
The scripture says “many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). I, too, have a testimony of God’s love, grace, healing and power that has strengthened me many times in my life. I love to share my testimony in words and songs. I thank God for His faithfulness and immeasurable joy which strengthens me, especially in times of trouble. Surely, He is able to carry you through.
here are many logical reasons to believe in God. Just look around at His glorious creation in the skies and all of nature. Also, look inside yourself, inside your eternal spirit and know there is something connecting you, the real you, to a loving Creator.
Before reading Psalm 52, one should acquaint themselves with the full context of this story found in 1st Samuel Chapter 22.
I also recall the joy I felt when the person I harmed showed love and kindness toward me. I made amends, and the relationship eventually was restored. All of these feelings abound in David as he comes before God in Psalm 51 with a contrite heart. Like him, the greater hurt for my sin was that I had disappointed God with my sin. I ask the Lord to continuously, each day, forgive my sin and restore a right spirit in me. He alone can cleanse and change my heart.
God wants a personal relationship with us. He delights in our praise and worship. He says if we love him we will keep his commandments. And he commands us to love our brother, our neighbor as Christ loves us. God, help me to daily give my heart to you, committing to seek to glorify you first with a holy life.
