God Is Everywhere (Psalm 17:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:3

One of our Lord's attributes is that He is omnipresent. He is everywhere at all times. This is a mystery beyond our comprehension, but I believe it to be true.

I have several favorite psalms, and one of my favorites, the 139th, reminds me of God's constant presence. The psalmist writes:

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
(MSG, vv. 7-10)

He is everywhere.

Now, this might make some of us cringe. He sees us all the time, so even when no other human is with us, we're not alone.

Think about it. What do you do when you're alone? Are you one person in public and another when no one else is around? When you're with your friends, do you act differently than when you're in church?

God sees. He sees everything. Every thought, every word, every action.

If you're convicted by this reminder, then perhaps you need to get down on your knees and ask the Lord to help you be whom He wants you to be.

Everywhere. All the time.

Rewards ... and Judgment (Psalm 17:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:1-2

I'm very blessed. Very, very blessed.

Sometimes, though, even with all the many blessings God has given me, I cry out to Him. I cry out in pain. I cry out for others who are suffering. I cry out for justice for those who have been wronged.

There is so much wrong with this world. As the cancer of sin continues to spread throughout this rapidly-decaying planet, corruption and disease and perversion wreak havoc.

It's enough to make the strongest among us want to crawl into a hole and hibernate.

I still have hope, though. I know that those of us who have been hurt in so many ways will one day be vindicated. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, the Righteous Judge will one day reward those who have chosen to follow Him ... and call down judgment on those who have rejected Him.

One day, this world will be no more. Its pain and suffering and injustice will be wiped from our hearts and minds. We will live in the light of our Lord and Savior.

As the old hymn says, "... what a day of rejoicing that will be!"

Fullness of Joy (Psalm 16:11)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:11

A few days ago, I wrote about hearing God's voice. He really does speak to us when we call on Him. So many verses state that we can call upon God, and He will answer (Jeremiah 29:12; Psalm 91:15).

God will show us His plans for our lives. If we focus on Him and desire His will, He will "show [us] the path of life ..." He will give us what we need and what we desire because what we desire will be what He desires for us.

When we follow God's uniquely-designed paths for each of us, we will find joy—true, deep-in-the-heart joy. In fact, I submit that we can't find that true joy apart from Him. One of the topics about which I speak is entitled "Arresting the Joy-stealers." I talk about how this world is full of things that want to steal our God-given peace. I often say something like:

We who know God experience the greatest joy possible because we are able to stand in the presence of God Himself, and as the psalmist wrote, in His “presence is fullness of joy.” Our hearts can’t be truly joyful apart from God.
When we come to know God through the salvation of His Son, Jesus Christ, He promises that we will be filled with joy. The apostle Paul wrote that followers of Christ are given the Holy Spirit to help us walk through every day, and the Spirit helps us to live lives of joy: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23a).

God designed an incredible world for us, His beloved children. Flowers and sunsets, fluffy clouds and gentle rains, majestic mountains and calming seas. Beauty is all around us. Family and friends and children. God provided people to love and to love us. In these things, in these people, we find joy. Sometimes it’s the big things that bring us joy: weddings, graduations, holidays, reunions. Other times, it’s walking along hand-in-hand with our favorite person or seeing the wag-tailed welcome from our favorite pets. We can find joy anywhere . . . if we only seek it.

Yes, joy is everywhere, but again true joy cannot be found without God. True joy is found when we know that we have been saved by God’s grace through the acceptance of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. Throughout the Scriptures, we see evidence of the joy that comes by knowing God.

Do you live in that kind of joy? Are you confident walking God's "path of life" in "fullness of joy"? Submit your life to Him. Give Him everything.

He will fill you with true, deep-in-the-heart joy. Really. He will.

My Hope Is in the Lord (Psalm 16:9-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:9-10

Hope.

What brings you hope? I challenge you to stop reading right now and ask yourself this question.

What brings me hope?

Do you find hope in relationships? In your career? In your home? In your stuff? And what happens when that relationship ends? When the pink slip comes? When your house burns down (and yes, I've had friends who have lost their homes this way ...).

Where then do you find your hope?

For a long while, I found my hope in what I could do. I strove to accomplish everything in my way with my strength with my skills. Then, through bouts of depression and a lengthy struggle with infertility, I realized that I had no strength ... I had no hope.

I finally realized how hopeless I was, and it was only then that I found true hope in God.

I find hope in the confidence He has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and that plan is to bring Him glory and me good (Romans 8:28). I find hope in the knowledge that I'm not alone (Hebrews 13:5) and that the Holy Spirit is my Helper, interceding for me (Romans 8:26-27).

Most of all, I find hope in the security of eternity with my Lord (John 14:1-3). One day, I'll live with Him in the new heaven and new earth with no pain, no sorrow (Revelation 21:3-4).

My hope is in the Lord, and I can rest ... 

Be Still ... and Listen (Psalm 16:7-8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:7-8

I've never been one who hears an audible voice when God speaks, but I have heard Him. Usually, He speaks in that "still small voice" we read about in 1 Kings 19:12. Many times I have prayed for something, and I've heard His voice in my heart. He counsels me to do those things that please Him. He guides me down paths that lead to His purpose. He reveals His will to me.

Hearing God's voice, though, requires one thing, though. We need to focus on Him, without distractions:

The most important thing about listening for God’s voice is that, in order for Him to be heard, you must be silent. God doesn’t want to compete with the world’s noise, nor should He. We know God, we hear His voice, in the stillness, in the quiet. God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). King David said with confidence that “the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him . . . Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:3-4). (The Best Laid Plans © 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

When we focus on God and truly listen to Him, He speaks to us. So, as The Message paraphrases verse 8 of today's scripture:

Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

All I Want ... (Psalm 16:5-6)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:5-6

I've written this many times, but I have to say again: I don't know how those who don't know God live ... seriously. Without the confidence that He is in loving, gracious, merciful control of my every day, I'd just want to crawl into a hole and die.

Seriously.

However, because I know He loves me and has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11), I can surrender everything ... everything.

The Contemporary English Version paraphrase of today's verses especially touches my heart:

You, Lord, are all I want!
    You are my choice,
    and you keep me safe.
You make my life pleasant,
    and my future is bright.

Not only is God "all I want" in this life, knowing Him assures me that I have eternity with Him to look forward to. He protects me now and gives me strength each day, and one day, my "bright future" will be in the new heaven and new earth ... in His presence, forever and ever.

Lord God Almighty, be my all in all. Be my only choice. Use me as You will. And one day, usher me into your kingdom. Amen.

The Cares of This Life (Psalm 16:4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:4

So many people "hasten after other god[s] ..." The god of success. The god of pleasure. The god of wealth.

They put relationships and things and careers above the one true God. They think, "If I can just get this promotion or marry that person or have a solid retirement fund, I'll be fine. I don't need anything but [fill in the blank]."

The thing is ... none of that matters. No one will find true joy or peace pursuing these gods. In fact, as the psalmist writes, "Their sorrows will be multiplied ..."

Now, you may be reading this and think, "Nope. I have lots of stuff and good friends and take really good vacations. I don't have any sorrow. I'm doing just fine without that 'one true God' you mention."

Well, maybe that's true. Maybe you're living a happy, care-free life. But I wonder. Does the pressure to have the stuff, to have "enough," cause you to work more hours? And do those hours keep you from those you love?  Or does the stress of making certain you have a nice, big bank account keep you up at night?

Maybe, just maybe, your sorrows (the cares of this life) are multiplying, and you don't even realize it.

Something more than the "sorrow" you may feel on earth, though, is the sorrow that will multiply—beyond description—in eternity. If you spend this life pursuing other gods, you'll miss knowing the God of the Bible, the one and only God. If you miss knowing Him now, you'll miss knowing Him forever.

That's true sorrow.

Highs and Lows (Psalm 16:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:1-3

The last few weeks have been a mix of highs (a wonderful 30^th anniversary trip and being a part of our niece’s wedding) and lows (a couple of significant health flare-ups). All—blessings and pain—caused my soul to say to the Lord, "You are my Lord."

I know I've said this before, but I honestly don't know how people survive without a personal relationship with the one true God. Whom do they thank when things go right? And to whom do they run when things go wrong?

As I was mediating on today's verses, I looked at a couple of other paraphrases and translations. I was particularly taken with both The Message and Contemporary English Version's take on verses 1-2:

Keep me safe, O God,I’ve run for dear life to you.I say to God, “Be my Lord!”Without you, nothing makes sense. (MSG)
Protect me, Lord God!I run to you for safety,and I have said,"Only you are my Lord!Every good thing I haveis a gift from you.” (CEV)

Because I know that my loving, gracious, merciful God is in control of my highest highs and lowest lows, I can trust Him to keep me safe and protect me. I can be confident that everything has a purpose.

Indeed, with Him, I can rejoice on the mountaintop and seek refuge in Him in the valleys ... for without Him, nothing does make sense.

On the Holy Mountain (Psalm 15)

Today's scripture: Psalm 15

Wednesday, I wrote that I rarely try to cover one psalm in one day. How ironic because, today, we're going to take a one-day look at a small, but mighty psalm. I usually meditate on either the New King James Version or the New American Standard Bible, but today, I'm going to focus on the Contemporary English Version, a paraphrase I often use to emphasize or explain.

This psalm begins by asking a very important question:

Who may stay in God’s temple
    or live on the holy mountain
    of the Lord?

Honestly, the initial answer to this question is "no one." No person is worthy to stand in God's temple. We are all sinners, and Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Ah, but Holy God is also a God of love, and He is a God of mercy.

However, the psalmist gives a true and profound answer to his own question: "Only those who obey God and do as they should."

He then goes on to describe what "doing as they should" means: speaking the truth; not spreading gossip; treating others fairly; and not saying cruel things.

Well ... as I read this list, I have to ask myself, "Do I do as I should? Do I do—or not do—these things?" I certainly try, but I often fail.

Then I read on. One who obeys God also shows respect for "all who worship the Lord." She also "keeps her promises, no matter the cost."

Hmmm ...

Convicted much?

I want to be a woman whom God looks at with pleasure, with pride. I want my Abba to smile when He sees my actions. I want to be one who obeys God and His word. I want to do all those things listed above.

And so I pray for strength to be Christ-like, for conviction when I fail.

Because, more than anything, I want one day "to live on the holy mountain of the Lord."

The Fool Has Said ... (Psalm 14)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 14

It’s rare that I cover an entire psalm in one posting, but when I read this psalm, I’m always reminded of a play that we discuss in the course I teach for Liberty University Online: Everyman.

It’s an ancient morality play in which the title character represents all men. Another character, Death, is sent by God to inform Everyman that he is to face judgment because God is distressed by the way Everyman lives. God says:

I perceive, here in My majesty,
How that all creatures be to Me unkind,
Living without dread in worldly prosperity.
Of ghostly sight the people be so blind,
Drowned in sin, they know Me not for God …

These words echo the psalmist’s:  

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

And today? I think we could say the same. Very few of the created follow the Creator. In fact, too many don’t even acknowledge that He even exists.

I often wonder how and why God still lingers. Why hasn’t Christ returned to bring everlasting peace to the new heaven and the new earth? Why does sin abound? Why are there so many that say, “There is no God”?

I don’t know. I do know that I don’t want to be one of the “corrupt” that breaks God’s heart.

This psalm is a great reminder of what I don’t want to be … No. I want to live for Him and bring glory to Him.

Rejoice Bountifully (Psalm 13:5-6)

Today's scripture: Psalm 13:5-6

We've talked a lot about mercy lately, so I'm not going to focus on the first part of verse five. Instead, I'm going to focus on two words: rejoice and bountifully.

The psalmist writes, "My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation" and "Because He has dealt bountifully with me." Now, I know, in context, the because is tied to "I will sing to the Lord ..." However, I think it's safe to say that I can rejoice because how bountifully I am blessed.

See where I'm going with this?

Rejoice means to "feel or show great joy or delight." Joy is a state of being; it is finding contentment no matter the circumstances. Even in the difficult times I can rejoice because I know God has a plan and a purpose.

Today, though, we're tying rejoice and bountifully together.

Every person who has committed his or her heart and life to Jesus is already blessed. Forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. Never-ending love. Eternity with our Lord.

But I submit that we who follow Christ in the United States are bountifully blessed. If you're reading this you either own or have access to a computer or some other device. Which means you have electricity. Which means you have some kind of income ... probably significantly more than many throughout our world ...

We are blessed with relationships, with material goods. We are blessed with health (well, most of us are ...).

So, how can we not rejoice? How can we not lift hands and hearts in praise to our amazing God?

How can we not rejoice in our bountiful blessings?

Today, echo the words of the psalmist: "I will rejoice because I am bountifully blessed."

Truth Never Dies (Psalm 13:3-4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 13:3-4

In 1882, Frederick Nietzsche wrote the now infamous words, "God is dead. He remains dead. And we have killed him." In the over 100 years since, atheists and agnostics have argued against the existence of the God of the Bible.

He doesn't exist, they say. They say Christianity is, in fact, dying. A simple Google query on that question has over 15 million results. Those who are anti-Christian seem to think they're "prevailing" against the faith.

Well, as a "religion," perhaps Christianity is dying. Statistics indicate that many, especially young people, are leaving the church. But guess what? Being a Christ-follower isn't about following a religion or attending a certain church. Being a follower of Christ, being a child of the one true God, is about a relationship with the Savior of the world.

I know, I know. You've heard that before.

But the real point is that Christ is alive, and those who follow Him are alive in Him—now and for all eternity.

So, we cannot die. Our beliefs cannot die. The truths of the Bible cannot die.

Our enemies will never prevail against us. Never.

How Long, O Lord? (Psalm 13:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 13:1-2

I almost hate to read or listen to the news these days. In so many places, the enemy seems to be winning. Persecution. Ridicule. Suffering.

So many Christ-followers throughout the world are facing pain and sorrow and devastation of all kinds. There are times when even the strongest Christian wonders if God has forgotten her ... Many of us cry the same words of the psalmist:

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?How long will You hide Your face from me?

I have faced moments when everything seems dark, when I feel so lonely, when I feel so much pain ... and I wonder if God has forgotten me. My cries sometimes have seemed to go nowhere, just echoing back time and time again.

I've lived through seasons where the enemy takes a foothold and whispers lies: God has forgotten you. He doesn't care. In fact, no one cares.

Maybe you've lived through similar seasons. Maybe you're living in one now.

I'd like to assure you of two things: God hasn't forgotten you, and the enemy will never win the war.

The God of the universe, the God of the Bible, loves each and every one of His children. He is, indeed, love itself (1 John 4:8). And because He loves us so very much, He promises to never leave or forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). He also promises to take everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and use it for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

No, God never forgets His children.

And even though it really does seem like the enemy is winning a battle or two—or three or four—we know that our Lord Jesus Christ has already won the war (John 16:33).

It's okay to cry out to our Lord. The psalms make that very clear. We just need to remember God's promises throughout His word to us.

He'll answer our cries and assure of His presence—and His victory.