Finding refuge when we are weary

Good morning. Today's scripture is: Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV) Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Maybe you can relate to David in this Psalm. You’re in a rough place, and you don’t know where to turn. No matter what you do, bad stuff happens. At times, you may feel as if you’re cursed. “Lord, am I ever going to get out of this place?” “Lord, am I ever going to get a job?” “Lord, am I ever going to lose this feeling of loneliness?” “Am I going to come up with this month’s mortgage payment when I’m already behind two months?” “I feel so worthless.” “I feel so helpless.”

David felt all those emotions, and more. The Psalms are filled with David’s prayers, crying out to God when he just can’t take it any more. David was tired of running. He hated the constant hiding out from his enemies. He was hungry. He was sleep-deprived. He was dirty. He was away from his family. The roof over his head often was the stars above him. His enemies were chasing him. Everywhere David looked was bad news. Is this ever going to end?

Yet, David never stopped crying out to God. He trusted his relationship with the Lord. He knew he could rely on God – even in the worst of circumstances. Let’s face it; few of us faced the kind of turmoil that David was up against. We whine and complain just the same. David’s heart is growing faint. He’s on the run, and everywhere he ends up, he stops and prays. He counts on God being bigger than his problems. He counts on God being his refuge. He knows his strength comes from God, and he wants that place of safety for the rest of his life. He knows he can kneel down, take a break for a minute and be under God’s protection.

We need that same feeling. No matter what comes at us, we have to be faithful and trust God. Maybe you’ve never been totally committed to God in such a way, and you’re scared of the outcome. That’s right where God wants you. You have nowhere else to turn but him. Give God a shot; it’s better than the alternative. Doing it all on our own strength just makes us weary. God’s strength never runs out. He’s always got a little more for us. We just have to take that first step and trust.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to trust you in the darkness. You are the light in everything I do. Shine a light where I need to go. Amen

How can I pray for you today? Just e-mail me and let me know. I want you to know that God cares about you and wants to hear from you.

Read my other blog at: http://jobseekerchronicles.com

Feelings of rejection

Today's scripture comes from: Psalm 60:1-3 (NIV) You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us;

you have been angry – now restore us!

You have shaken the land and torn it open,

mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

you have shown your people desperate times;

you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

Rejected is a powerful word. The Thesaurus lists such synonyms as abandoned, denied, deserted, dropped, forsaken, jilted, refused, returned, shunned. How many of us have felt abandoned, denied, forsaken, jilted, or shunned in our lifetimes. Abandoned by friends. Denied entrance to a certain college. Shunned by colleagues. Forsaken by God. We can overcome most of those situations with some time, but to feel like we’ve been forsaken by God is tough. David, the author of this Psalm, is feeling rejected by God. It doesn’t get any worse than that.

The worst part about feeling rejected by God is the aloneness. It’s a horrible feeling. It is easy in troubling time, through divorce, loss of job, the inability to get a new job, or the loss of a friendship, to feel alone. At some point, we begin to wonder where God is, or maybe if he’s even there. Has he left the building? Is God silent? Is God angry with me? Is our nation, indeed, quaking? Let’s look at what the Bible say about such circumstances?

Let’s first look at what God’s word says about those four questions. Hebrews 13:5 says “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That passage is clear that God has not left u, so abandonment is not possible. God will always be at your side, and that is a comfort in difficult times. Still, maybe God is angry with us or our actions. Look further at the passage: Be content with what you have in life and don’t desire the things of this world. Maybe God just wants your focus to be on him and not our toys.

David realizes that God is angry with Israel, but he still asks Him to “restore us!” David acknowledges that God has “shaken the land” and that it needs mending. These are desperate times, he concludes. People are staggering around him, perhaps from too much wine, which is a metaphor. Perhaps the stuff that’s going on in your life is what is bringing us to your knees, not God. Often, the natural consequences of our choices is what is flooring us. It could be something as simple as buying too many “things” on credit, then not being able to keep up with the credit card payments. The answer comes in verse 12: “With God we gain the victory.” Don’t put your faith in the world; put God first, and the feelings of rejection disappear.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, we as a nation have rejected you and put our hopes in the world. We have not put you first, and it has shaken us. Help us to turn to you for our help. Amen

Read my other blog at http://jobseekerchronicles.com

Get yourself a Nathan

Good morning. This is today's scripture for today's devotional:

Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:7 (NIV) Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! … Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.”

As I read through the Psalms, I keep coming back to Psalm 51 – David’s powerful revelation that he had sinned against God. David is now aware that Nathan knows of his adultery with Bathsheba and has murdered her husband. David has come to the realization that he has deeply disappointed God, and he cries out for mercy. In Psalm 51:10, David pleads with God to “create in me a pure heart.” He wants a new spirit. But what God David to this point of conviction?

One word: Nathan. The prophet Nathan was God’s voice in David’s ear over and over during his reign. Nathan held the most powerful man in the land accountable for his actions. “Dude, you slept with another man’s wife, then you killed her husband to cover up her pregnancy. What in the world were you thinking!” Then David realizes his mistake, and bawls his eyes out. Men, we need a Nathan in our lives. We need guys in our lives who will hold us accountable. We can’t do it on our own. Ladies, do not get involved with a man who does not have other men in their lives. The solo act doesn’t work.

Nathan was the man. David listened to him, because he had earned his trust. David knew that when Nathan spoke, it was God’s voice. Nathan was fearless, confronting David when he was full of himself. David, as king, needed someone to keep him in line. Nathan was careful in confronting David for his sin. He didn’t nitpick. Nathan wanted David to be the godly leader over Judah and Israel. Nathan was David’s most trusted confidant.

Men, as we go about our daily lives, we must find a Nathan in our lives, someone who will ask the tough questions. It may be asking us if we’ve been adequately searching for a job. It may be someone asking us if we’re going on line and looking at pornography. It may be someone who asks us if we’re being the best husbands or boyfriends we can be. If we’re dads, are we being actively involved with our kids. If you don’t have a Nathan in your life, today is a good day to start looking for one. If you have a Nathan, listen to his wisdom and thank him for being in your life. He is a true friend.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for the many Nathans in my life. Thank you for their friendship and accountability they give me. Amen

The ultimate protector

Today's scripture comes from:

Scripture: Psalm 59:9-11 (NIV) O my Strength, I watch for you;

You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

God will go before me

and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

But do not kill them, O Lord, our shield,

or my people will forget.

In your might make them wander about,

And bring them down.

In the classic movie “Caddyshack,” Carl the greens keeper tells a not-too-confident Ty Webb, that he can take care of Judge Smails before their big-money match by delicately cutting his hamstring with a knife, thereby ruining his golf game. Carl doesn’t want to kill Smails, he just wants to derail his golf game. OK, enough of the silly comparisons.

David seems to soften his tone a little with God in this Psalm, only wanting to make his enemies wander around a little before God takes care of them. Contrast that with the countless times in the Psalms when we see David practically begging God to annihilate his enemies. In this passage, David seems to be feeling a little more confident. “Don’t destroy them, Lord, just wound them a little.” Instead of death, David simply asks God to let him brag a little over his enemies.

David feels wickedness all around him, but his confidence comes from his faith in God, whom he calls his “Strength.” Because it’s capitalized, Strength is what David is calling God. David is praising God because of his continued help in trying times. David ends Psalm 59 (vs. 7) with: “O My Strength, I sing praises to you; / You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” O the beauty of David’s poetry. Fortress is a term meaning protection coming from God.

A fortress signifies that it is fortified or well protected, so David goes so far as to say all of Jerusalem is under his protection. God not only protects us, he protects our homes and our families. Being a single adult, with or without kids in the home, is not easy. It has its ups and downs, often caused by the anger of an ex spouse. It is comforting to know that we can take a deep breath and exhale slowly, knowing God is our ultimate protector.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection from my enemies. You are good. Amen

A good and faithful God

Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.

Scripture: Psalm 57:2-3 (NIV) I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness.

My confidence has its ups and downs as I search for a job. One day, I get a lot accomplished on my Todo list, and I feel great. The next day, I get a bundle of “nos” from editors for my story ideas, and my ego is crushed. The difference in how I feel at the end of the day is vastly different from how it started. How do I cope?

Let’s look at how David endures his many trials. In this Psalm, David may be hiding in a cave from Saul. David is having a bad day, having been cornered by Saul’s men. David knows he can stop running by pulling out his knife and stabbing the king who is hounding him out of pure jealousy. David knows he can end it all right then and there, but he knows that isn’t God’s purpose for his life. We can’t take shortcuts when life gets tough.

That’s the key. Look at the words again: “… to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” David knows he can’t take the easy way out by taking Saul’s life, so he sits quietly in the cave while Saul relieves himself in front of David and his men. David had to remind himself that it wasn’t his time to be king. That’s what God expects from us when we are cornered. Remember God’s plan for our lives. That’s what I have to tell myself when I receive a half-dozen “no’s” on my work. It isn’t personal. I have a plan, and I’ve asked God to bless it. My mission is to get published, any way I can. I cannot fulfill my purpose without getting published.

Like David, I know I will feel God’s “love and faithfulness” each day. Yesterday was a rough day? Today is a new day, and I can bank on God being in my corner to love me and support me. We’re OK financially, for which I’m thankful. Sometimes I have to remind myself that God is good and has a plan for my life – especially when I’m feeling bad about myself. No matter how bad it may seem, my day isn’t nearly as people I meet on my journey. That keeps me looking ahead, to fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to wait patiently for your timing. Help me to see, you every day, good or bad. Help me to remember that you are good and faithful. Amen

Doug Mead
Parenting Solo

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Vol. 4, No. 77

This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51

Watching God take over

Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.

Scripture: Psalm 54:1-2 (But please, read the entire chapter; it’s short.) (NIV) Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.

In times of trouble, it is easy to feel hurt and betrayed. Maybe you’re suddenly out of a job and wondering how to pay the mortgage. Maybe you’ve been abandoned in a relationship. Maybe you feel cornered because a creditor is hounding you. David clearly feels hurt and betrayed here, but we don’t know in what context he is reaching out to God and we don’t know explicitly who injured him.

What we see from David is the same pattern from him throughout the Psalms. David first presents his plea to God, then he turns it over to God, then he praises him for resolution. What is important for us to see is that David is confident that he can be open with God and express his true feelings and not hold back. He’s angry and he lets God know it. He isn’t angry AT God, it should be noted; he’s just angry, either at someone or just the situation.

Here’s how it looks, in order: David asks that God “save” him. He asks that his name be vindicated. He tells God the problem, as he sees it. He reminds himself that God is his helper. He remembers that God will sustain him during this tough time. He allows for God’s justice to seek vengeance for him. He is even so bold to believe that God can obliterate his enemy. (“In your faithfulness DESTROY them.” That’s way cool!). He makes a freewill offering to God. He praises God. And, finally, God delivers him from his troubles.

It’s no different today. Maybe we were let go by a merciless boss. Maybe the bank looks only at the bottom line and not you. Maybe our significant other is heartless. If we call out to God in our difficulties, he tells us he will help us. God offers us a safe haven from our strife. Being angry is OK for a little while, but eventually, we have to let go of that anger, because it leaves us bitter – and worse, stuck. God wants us to move forward. That means forgiving the offender, and turning our problems over to God and letting him deal with it. That is so much simpler than worrying about things we can’t control.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to let go of things I can’t control, like old bosses, finances, relationships. Help me to know what I should deal with and what I should give up to you. Then help me not to worry as I watch you take over. Amen

Doug Mead
Parenting Solo

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Vol. 4, No. 76

This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51

God loves fools, too

Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.

Scripture: Psalm 53:1 (NIV) The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are file,
There is no one who does good.

The dictionary definition of a fool is “a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense.” The Biblical meaning of a fool is someone who rejects God. Some religions call unbelievers infidels. A foolish man doesn’t necessarily lack intelligence; he just doesn’t see the wisdom of knowing God. On the contrary, many atheists are highly intelligent and well educated, and if you called them a fool, they’d probably laugh at you and call you stupid for believing in God and not science.

What the fool really is saying is that he doesn’t want to be judged for his sins. He would rather continue on with his life, than contemplate life with out the fun. Change is the hardest thing we do in life. If there is no God, fools think they can avoid judgment. The Bible calls such thinking folly. (I call it poppycock.) As Christians, we know we will be judged for every sin and need forgiveness. We need a savior. If there is no God, there is no need for a savior and Jesus death on the cross served no purpose.

Such folly does not mean those people will not be judged. It goes against natural law that there be no consequences for our actions. There are laws and penalties in place in society to keep order. God’s laws, too, keep order in the universe. We have rules in place in the home to teach our children how to behave and how to one day be an adult that can abide by the rules of society.

Therein lies the battle. Nearly 45 years ago, prayer was taken out of the school. Teaching evolution without intelligent design came in a package deal. Relative thinking became the norm, and not the one truth of God in the classroom. Those students became adults and one day became our educators and political leaders. Scientific thinking is behind our greatest debate in our nation: science and pro choice vs. God’s unequivocal choice of pro life. Every life matters to God. Psalms 53:2 says “God looks down from heaven / on the sons of men / to see if there are any who understand, / any who seek God.” Even though men have turned their backs on God, He keeps looking for those who want to know him. He is a god who wants to be in relationship with every human being, even the fools. Our job is to look for fools (just don’t call them that to their faces) and bring them into God’s presence and let God do his thing. Today is a good day for that.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to be open to sharing who you are with someone who doesn’t know you. Help me to be bold in proclaiming your love and goodness to a fool. Amen

Doug Mead
Parenting Solo

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Vol. 4, No. 75

This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/july.asp?version=51