Daily Digest

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

This passage of Scripture has a title, The Day of the Lord, which is a phrase that we see in the Old Testament, referring to the time when God will come and intervene with judgment and/or blessing. However, in the New Testament the theme of judgment continues but is also referred to as the say of redemption.  The Hope of Jesus has changed the perspective and this is due to the fact we as Christians, thankfully, no longer live in the darkness but are children of the light.  I love that Paul directly links this with the action that as Christians we get to walk out.  We get to put on the armour of Faith, Love and Hope.  ‘Putting on’ requires intention and action.  Faith produces action, which needs to be expressed through Love and grounded in the eternal Hope.  This is the Christian walk, and our privilege. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Redemption that we have in Jesus.  That he died so that we can be in relationship with him.  Help us today to put on the breastplate of Faith and Love and the Helmet of Salvation, so that we may live in a way that reflects you to the rest of the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Written by Ps. Annique Botta

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

It is very easy for us to get caught up in wondering what the will of God for our life is. Where should we live, work, find community? Who should we marry, vote for, make friends with?

Life is full of important decisions! And we should absolutely include God in these choices, seeking His face first as we plan our steps. However, one thing I have found helpful is understanding that the will of God is found in upholding the ways of God, as I once heard a preacher say. 

This passage gives a good indication of the way God wants us to live. Loving the people around us more and more all the time. Upholding an unassuming life and not being idle. Using the skills and gifts God has given us and living in a way that draws respect from those around us. 

When we are able to submit to God like this, keeping our hearts soft to Him, we are able to be led by Him. He will show us His will for our lives as we make choices that honour who He is and the way He calls us to live. 

God, thank you that you do have a good plan for each of our lives. Thank you that you don’t hide yourself from us. Help us to remember that the best way to make sure we are following your will in our lives is to live in the ways that you call us to, day by day. Amen. 

Written by Ps. Madelaine Tarsenko

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

What a wonderful description of community. Paul is so excited to hear about these people when Timothy returns from seeing them. He talks about how much he cares about them, that he remembers his visit and that he is keen to visit again. He tells them how much their faith has encouraged him and hopes that those thoughts encourage them too. Then he prays for them – the only thing he could do given the circumstances.

How do we feel about the people God has put into our world? Do we get excited to hear how things are going for those around us? Do we talk to God about those around us – thanking Him for their influence in our lives, praying for God’s love and grace to overflow in their lives? This is a great picture for us to meditate on. God gave us relationship – with Him and those around us. Here is a picture of what He thinks that means. We can all get better at building relationships. Let’s take Paul’s example to help us focus around us and to be passionate about building community every day.

Lord thank you so much for building us for community. You know how tricky it can be for us to focus on love and grace in our relationships when things don’t go as planned or we get treated badly. Help us Lord to learn how to be focused on building people even when some relationships don’t go well. Help us every day to look for your help to build community with those You have brought into our worlds. Amen

Written by Therese Manning

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

In this book of Thessalonians, Paul writes about his ministry/work of sharing the gospel of Jesus. But just because Paul was doing God’s work, doesn’t mean it was smooth sailing. He had opposition. He writes, “We wanted to come see you again… but Satan stopped us” (v18).

Paul knew that God had entrusted this work to him (2:4). He also knew that when things didn’t go according to plan, it was because he had an adversary, an enemy – Satan. Yet Paul kept going.

But how? What helped him? Verse 20 tells us: “You are our hope and joy!” Paul focused on those he had ministered to. He remembered how the Thessalonians had received the good news of Jesus and had turned from their idols (1:9). He remembered how their work was now also prompted by faith and love (1:3). Paul focused on how their lives were impacted by Jesus.  

So when you get discouraged and wonder what kind of impact your ministry is having on those around you or you sense that the enemy is interfering, be like Paul, and actively remember those whose lives are now a little bit warmer to Jesus because of your works produced by faith and prompted by love (1:3). Maybe it was a prayer you said for them, a conversation, your kind words, a smile or generosity, etc. Whatever it was, be encouraged knowing that God is still at work through you, even though you may have opposition!

Father God, just as someone told us about the good news of Jesus, help us to keep sharing the good news with others in spite of opposition. May we remember the impact that Your gospel has on the lives of people!  

Written by Gab Martin

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

There’s two verses that touch my heart – one creates a pang of longing, the other a bright hope. 

V4…”but we (Paul, Silas and Timothy) have been approved by God to be those who preach the gospel”

I want that approval! How do I get that approval? Or is it only for the super-apostles? Is it only the Wigglesworths, the Finney’s or the Phil Pringles of this world?

There is hope…

V12…” urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

God has already called me! He’s called me and you to be effective in sharing this amazing message of God’s love and forgiveness through friendship with Jesus – the gospel. We’ve already got the approval- we just need to step into it.  It starts with how I live my life – the Godly choices I make and ends in His glory. 

Lord God, please help me live a life that’s worthy of you and Your wonderful Gospel and speak as one who is approved.   Amen. 

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. 2 The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. 4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” 5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” 6 When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. 7 All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, 8 “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. 10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, that I may repay them. 11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. 13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Our Lord God longs for us to be whole again. Wholeness in body, spirit, mind. This psalm speaks to me of God’s unfailing desire, his yearning for me to be whole so I can stand in his presence, knowing I am loved. “You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence, so I can look you in the eye.”(MSG v 12)

God is our great healer. Lots of other things are said to help us heal – time, refreshment, inner strength. He is above them all! He restores our bodies (v3), he restores us emotionally (v7, 9 and 10), and spiritually (v11-12). From a feeling of being alone and beaten, like everything is out of control and collapsing around me, as I’m sure the writer David felt during difficult periods in his life, I know he will hold me together (v12 MSG). It’s as if he lifts me up and hugs me close. All I can do is cling to him.

Ps 30 v 2-3 from The Message is such a powerful encouragement – “God my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out.”   Amen

Written by Claire Moore

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. 1 I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” 2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; 3 my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. 9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. 10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath. 12 “Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. 13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

We have little control over when we die, and death may come long before we may think it should.  Having a younger brother die suddenly two years ago and my mother die earlier this year this Psalm rings a loud gong in my heart and mind!  The middle part of the psalm asks for our willingness to acknowledge our lack of control in life.  We must face up to our mortality, and it is important that this is not too late so that it surprise us.  God’s life is eternal; our life has a beginning and will have an end.  Compared with God, our life is like something just a few centimetres long compared with something that is kilometres long.  It’s like a breath.  People may look as if they are standing firm and could live forever but suddenly drop dead, like my brother – who was otherwise very healthy except for his heart.

So when was the last time you reviewed your life in the light of your mortality.  Are you fulfilling God’s call and purpose on your life?  Are you living for His glory, receiving His accolades or are you living for yourself.  I have found myself asking and re-asking these questions over this season of my life and they have caused adjustment, reflection, repentance and grace to flow to and through me.

Father – may You give us grace to face our mortality and weigh our lives in the light of Your call on our lives.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

Of David. 1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. 12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. 29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. 31 The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. 32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; 33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial. 34 Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. 35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. 38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. 39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Injustice is a real issue. This psalm tells us how to respond to it, and repeatedly tells us to see what God is doing and will do.

God is making the whole creation right again. He’s reconciling all things to himself in Christ, and he’ll bring it all to completion when Christ returns. He’s doing some things to bring justice to the world now, and he will complete it in the future.

A common reaction to injustice is either to worry or get angry. Both are natural but counterproductive reactions. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” (v8) Jesus didn’t overcome the darkness by being greater darkness; he overcame it by being the “light of the world” (John 1:4-5). Romans 12:9-21 spells it out: “cling to what is good. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

So, how is God turning injustice around? One way involves the “body of Christ” – us. The psalm repeatedly tells me to “trust in the Lord and do good” (v3). In contrast to the wicked who “borrow and do not repay”, “the righteous give generously” (v21). God asks me to not only actively bring justice to the world but to go beyond that in generosity that costs something. “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

But God will act to destroy the wicked. He tells us his preferred way and again it involves us: “All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.” (2 Co 5:18, GNB).

Lord, thank you for acting decisively to bring justice and compassion to the world. I’m sorry for where I’ve neglected my part, and worse: where I’ve added to injustice. Thank you that you’ve turned me around from being your enemy to become your child and thank you for the part you give me in your continuing reconciliation of all things.

Written by David Cornell

Of David. 1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. 2 Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. 3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” 4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. 5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; 6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. 7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, 8 may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. 10 My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” 11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. 12 They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved. 13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, 14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. 15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing. 16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. 17 How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. 18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. 19 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. 20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. 21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.” 22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. 23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. 24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me. 25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.” 26 May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. 27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” 28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

Where does my justice come from?

My name, Justin, is derived from the Latin Justus, meaning right and just. I don’t know if it is because of my name, or some other natural personality trait, but I have been interested in the concept of justice from a very young age.

In hindsight, as I look back, I was predominantly interested in the justice that was to my own advantage! In particular, if I felt wronged, I looked for opportunities to take justice into my own hands to set things right. I didn’t fight with my fists, but I fought with words and procedures to try to bring those who I thought had done wrong to justice.

David, is interested in justice here too, but something stood out to me as I read this passage tonight: Even though he is very capable of taking on others – he had substantial personal skill with weapons, as well as an ability to command an army – David appeals to God for justice.

As I noticed this in the passage, it reminded me that ultimately, the only true and perfect justice belongs to God. Any attempts I might make at justice may align with God’s will, but I need to remember that earthly justice is imperfect, even when it is restorative and well delivered.

Lord, help me to trust You, that You will deliver justice because you are a just and righteous God

Written by Ps Justin Ware

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

This is such a joyful psalm: Sing! Make music to Him!

“For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to His promises, His word can be trusted and everything He does is reliable and right” (v4 TPT).

It goes on:

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made (v5 NIV)

For He spoke and it came to be, He commanded and it stood firm (v9 NIV)

I love this!

Your Word is powerful and certain! I believe it. I can see the evidence of Your word: the starry night skies and all living creatures. There is no doubt. I will sing Your praise Lord!

As I read this psalm, I see another theme emerge: Your unfailing love.

Yet strangely for me, there’s not as much certainty about this. Sure, Lord, I have felt Your love but I struggle to be convinced of it. My doubts remain. Somehow, I think Your love towards me is based on my moods. That if I am feeling down and I think I am in trouble with You, then You don’t love me so much.

But the truth is Your love for me is not based on me and my changing nature.

Your love towards me is based on who You are and Your unchanging, unfailing nature!

For this, I am truly grateful Lord.

So when I see the starry night, and am reminded of how You spoke them into existence Father, may it also remind me of the certainty of Your unfailing unchanging love towards me. 

Written by Gab Martin

For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. 6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. 9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13 For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. 14 But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. 19 How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. 21 Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. 22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. 23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Somewhere in my experience of growing up in a Christian family and attending church I picked up the idea (probably not explicitly taught) that expressing strong “negative” emotions was not really acceptable in God’s eyes.

As I grew older, reading the Psalms was one of the things that helped me to understand that God is able to handle all of the range of human emotions, and in fact, encourages our honest expressions in prayer. The very presence of such prayers in Scripture is a sign that He understands human emotions. He knows how we feel and speak when we are desperate.

Psalm 31 is filled with a huge range of emotions from, “I’m dying from grief…my body and soul are withering away…” to  “I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.”

The point is not whether the Psalmist is actually dying and withering away from grief, but rather that it’s ok to say those things God. He is not shocked or perturbed by unfiltered raw emotions. This understanding has brought a depth and richness to my relationship with God, and a freedom that I had not previously experienced when I felt I needed to filter my emotions before talking to God.

How grateful I am to know that I am loved and understood by You, God, in all of my faults and frailties, and that you desire honesty, not perfection.

Written by Shelley Witt

A psalm of David. 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. 11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

The voice of the Lord is so present and powerful in this Psalm, seven times it is spoken of.  Being over and thundering, powerful, majestic, breaking, striking with lightning, shaking the earth, twisting and striping … it’s a gigantic picture of God in all his glory being enthroned and King over it all. 

Yes, God’s voice can be in all these things, and yet, we can hear His voice still and small, the story of Elijah comes to mind (1Kings 19) and the gentle whisper.  I have heard God’s voice (not audibly) both in the powerfulness of nature and in the inner whisper … the thread that runs through is when we do hear his voice, it will give us strength and will bring peace v11.  Hearing his voice can change us in a moment, give direction and reassurance, calm our minds or bring peace to a tumultuous year. One thing is for sure, God is in control and over it all.  Perhaps take some time to hear His voice today and let it strengthen you and bring you peace.

Father, we come today, let us hear your voice, we give you all the Glory!

Amen

Of David. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. 7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

“One thing” says the psalm.  We hear that phrase from Jesus and Paul as well.  These declarations about ‘one thing’ vary, but all recognise that there are moments when we have to focus.  We’re so used to multitasking – it’s almost an Olympic sport.  We think we can keep adding one more thing to our schedules without asking what we are going to abandon to create the room, and we aren’t very good at standing back and asking what has priority. It’s hard to perceive the moment when you have to focus, and it’s hard to do the focusing.

The psalm says more however, “one thing I have asked for”.  What we ask for says a lot about us.  We could give so many answers to this question.  The psalmist says it is about living in God’s presence.

I wonder today as you read this – what you are focussed on and if God asked this question of you what are you asking for.

Father, we ask that you would both purify our motives and bring our focus on You as we go about today living in Your presence, doing Your will and bringing glory to You.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

Of David. 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. 14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. 18 Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. 19 See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you. 22 Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

David begins this Psalm with declaring his commitment to God, giving his life to God and trusting him. He asks God to show him the way, to teach him, because no one who trusts in God will be disgraced.

But there is a change beginning in v16 when he says that he is alone and in deep distress. His problems go from bad to worse.

And this change is a reminder that even when we trust in God, when we humble ourselves and submit to God’s ways and teachings, that things don’t always go the way that we would like. Sometimes we will still have enemies, sometimes people will hate us, we still need protection and rescuing, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is God who protects us, it is God who rescues us. Our hope is always in God, no matter what troubles we go through.

Only God is our hope.

Father I thank you for the reminder that you alone are my protection and you do rescue us. Instead of focusing on my troubles, I choose to follow you and ask like David, that you lead me and guide me in your ways.

Written by Andrew Martin