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MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
By Henry Jaegers
Day 39- 46
https://drive.google.com/file/d/186e9iKng4ayU8pCXUqz63J8Vi_lKUJiO/view?usp=sharing
A Cry from a Troubled Heart
Lord, how have they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. (Psalm 3:1)
What do we do, when such troubles come our way? What can we learn from this first expression uttered by the writer?
The very first thing that comes to mind is the honesty of this person. He has a problem, and he is not ashamed to express it to us. But most of all, he knows where to go when that problem arises. The very first word is, “Lord.” He immediately turns to God with his problem.
We are beginning to learn something about prayer. So the second thing to notice, is that prayer is an expression of the heart. Prayer is more than uttering words. It is a heart cry to God.
A friend came to me at work one day and asked me to say a prayer for someone close to her. Her request was one of concern, but she never understood, that saying prayers is not praying. But she did not know the difference. So what was the temptation that came to me to say to her? Sorry, I do not say prayers. You have to go to your priest to do that. That would be cold and cruel, and may I add, born out of self-righteousness. But what did I do? I prayed for her, I prayed for her friend, and I prayed for myself, that she would find me worthy to pray for her friend. I asked myself, why would she ask such a wretch as I, to pray for her friend? It is truly a humbling experience when I consider who she is asking.
So, as we view these very first words, we are discovering the importance of praying and having a God who listens. It is a concern taken to god and it is born out of a sincere heart
My response to all of this is, Lord, Teach me to pray. Others are counting on me, and I must be faithful. The writer of this Psalm has a message for us. Are we hearing it?
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 40
Facing the Unexpected
Lord, how have they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. (Psalm 3:1)
It is a problem that we face often. Our problems come when we are least expecting them. They always take us by surprise. That is why we must be " praying people". "Praying people" are “trusting People” When problems come our way, we know where to go. But praying people are also “tempted People. That means, that we are like those who do not pray, but our response is different. It has taken many years, accompanied often by misunderstandings and failures, but we do not give up. We cannot give up because our victory comes often through perseverance.
Think about this: Suppose God gave us a warning beforehand of impending problems. What would we do? We would do what comes naturally to us. We would devise some plan to protect ourselves from the difficulty that might arise. That is what the children of Israel did. Back and forth, back and forth, Once to Egypt and then to Assyria. But never to God. When they faced problems that were too big for them, God was the last person they turned to. When it came to the point of total desperation, they turned to God. The book of Judges is a perfect illustration of Israel's failure in refusing to turn to God.
I recall a story of two women discussing a problem. One of the ladies replied that it was something to pray about. The other lady replied, “Has it come to that?”
For some, that is what praying is all about, but really, the most effective praying comes at a point of desperation. Perhaps that is what the words of earnest, fervent praying means. The whole purpose of the Christian life is to learn how to trust. And that takes a long time to learn.
How are you doing? How are you facing those "Unexpected problems that come your way. No problem is too big or too small to take to God. He can handle them all, and give you a solution to find the answer that you need.
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 41
Facing the Pressure from Unbelieving Authorities
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. (Psalm 3:2)
The pressure that this Godly man is facing seems to come from the opinion of some who claim some kind of right to make such conclusions. The majority vote is not the source of truth. Usually, it comes from uninformed people who refuse to think clearly and find comfort in siding with those of like opinion. What right do those who reject God have to determine what truth is? It is truth fabricated out of their own mind. If there is a God in their life, he is inactive and totally unreliable.
Perhaps by making such claims, they think you to be like them; easily influenced by the majority. If you yield to this, you only give them more opportunity to build on their unbelief.
I recall King Hezekiah facing such pressure from the king of Assyria. He questioned Hezekiah's faith in God and tried to get him to cave in his faith by citing other gods who could not stand before him. Hezekiah sought the prophet Isaiah, and through prayer, his faith was confirmed as God not only confounded the pride of the enemy but also by destroying the source of that boasting. For inspiration, read Isaiah chapters 36 and 37 to read the narrative)
When God speaks, we have a reliable foundation to rest our faith upon and a Living God who makes them and follows through with action.
Do you face the opposition of the “Majority opinion?” Remember what Jesus said about them. When speaking of them living in the Broad way (the majority opinion), they are on the broad way that leads to destruction. The narrow way is the only way that leads to God, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7: 13,14.)
Do not let men judge you by their lack of understanding of God’s way. You are in the majority when God is on your side. And that is all that matters.
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 42
Knowing Where to Find Help.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Psalm 3: 3)
For those who are just starting out in this journey of faith, sometimes we must face some difficulty before we can rest securely in God’s promises. Growing in our faith is somewhat like building up our bodies. Through exercise, our bodies become stronger. In like manner, so does our faith.
Do you remember how it started with Jesus in Matthew chapter four? It tells us that immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. If the captain of our Salvation needed to do so, why should we be surprised when our faith is tested?
What do these words of the Psalmist tell us? That God is his shield, that which protects him. It is where he finds refuge from the darts of the enemy. The shield can come in the form of promises from God, given to us when we need them, and they result in God being glorified.
The verse also states That He is the lifter up of his head. That means through trust in God, he finds the confidence to keep trusting Him.
And those qualities are developed over time. Faith requires, testing, time, patience, and perseverance (and sometimes failure along the way.) But remember failure is not the time to give up., It is through failure, we learn our greatest lessons.
I recall the words of G. Campbell Morgan saying before there can be progress, there must be the failure that motivates us to faith.
So, today we have a lesson on faith. It is not instant, although it starts out that way, it is designed to grow. How are you doing today? Take heart, today, will be yesterday and tomorrow is in God’s hands. Today is what is most important.
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 43
The Joy of Answered Prayer
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. (Psalm 3: 4)
Note the words, “I Cried” and “He answered.” The Psalmist makes it sound so easy. Is that what He is trying to say?
It is a short Psalm, and looking back is an easier matter. But in the process of God answering our prayer; sometimes there are various factors to consider. Sometimes the time when we pray has something to do with how, when, and the way that He answers. When we pray outside of His will, it does not mean that we stop praying. Maybe the time is wrong because there are other things that must take place first. Maybe spiritual growth is necessary for us to gain an understanding of God. And maybe there are relationship problems with others that need to be resolved before we can press on.
Do you remember what happened to Joshua after God promised him Victory? In chapter 7, he suffered defeat at Ai, because there was sin in the camp that needed to be recognized and resolved. After he took care of the sin, progress returned, but the sin in the camp caused unnecessary deaths.
Then, recall the words of Jesus when he said, If while you are offering your gift to God, and he reminds you of a broken fellowship, he instructs that man, to first be reconciled to his brother, and then afterward offer his gift. (Matthew 5; 23,24)
But unanswered prayer may not be the result of sin. It may be just a closed door, that God may open at a future tie. There are so many factors involved in how and when God answers prayer.
But as I close, think of this to get you motivated. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I John 5: 14,15)
And although this verse doesn’t give us everything we need to know about answered prayer, it is a good place to start as we progress in this “School of Prayer.”
I recall the Words of Jim Elliotb(One of those Martyred Missionaries in Ecuador) saying, "Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but laying hold of His highest willingness." God Loves to hear us pray, and He also loves to answer them. Don't forget that!
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 44
A Cure for Insomnia?
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. (Psalm 3:5)
The significance of these verses was the phenomenon of being able to sleep when there was so much threatening him from without. When that happens there is a tendency to worry, thinking inwardly that we can solve the problem while staying awake.
I recall such a time while traveling with some friends on a missionary endeavor. The wife of the other man was afraid and was unable to sleep. She kept watching the door expecting something to happen, and she was worried. The next day, she shared the experience with us. As she tried to sleep, the thought came to her, “Do you think God needs your help to answer your prayer for protection by staying awake?” After that, she decided to trust the Lord, and she finally went to sleep.
Many times our sleepless nights come from Anxiety. And although there are other reasons, God gives us some reasons to not be anxious. In Matthew chapter 6, he tells us that He takes care of the Birds and flowers who are never overcome by anxiety, and because we are more valuable to Him, He always has our best interests at heart.
This is another area that takes time to learn. It seems to come naturally to the Birds. It is the same God who takes care of us, why should we be anxious?
God does not only promise to take care of our daily physical needs but He also is concerned about what causes us to worry.
Is trusting God enough? Does He need us to help Him?
The story comes to mind where the Prophet Elijah needed to get out of town in a hurry. After Jezebel threatened to take his life the following day, Elijah decided that it was not time to sleep. During the night when everyone was sleeping, Elijah ran as far as he could and as fast as he could to save his own life.
Some have criticized Elijah for not trusting God in that situation. Do you agree? Suppose you were Elijah, what would you have done?
It appears that God did not criticize Elijah for not having faith. Maybe his faith operated in another way. Maybe he thought that to stay around was to tempt God.
Whatever the conclusion that could be had, God gave Elijah the strength to run, offered him the protection and provision that he needed, and promised him a continued ministry. Elijah did finally sleep, and God was with him while he did. and think about this, He didn't even have to worry about dying, because God took care of that as well. Now that's something to think about!
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 45
Faithful Unto Death
I will not be afraid of ten thousand people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Psalm 3:6)
What do you do when you are outnumbered and death or suicide seems to be the only way of escape? There are times when we must face such situations that cause us to think that way. Even Christians face that possibility, so we must reserve our criticisms.
I had a friend who suffered physically and financially at the same time. He asked me. Since he was now a Christian if suicide was now an option because he knew that when he did he would go to heaven. That was a real temptation for him. I advised him against doing that, and he decided to take my advice.
But coming back to our verse: Do you think that David may have entertained the idea of death rather than facing what his enemies might do to him if they ever caught him? we do not know that, but his faith became strong enough at that time that he chose to be faithful and trust god over a possible easy way out of his dilemma. God has done it before and he can do it again. It was David's past experiences of God’s faithfulness that caused him to face any obstacles. And as we examine his life, we have a living testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Does this cause you to want to be like David and find out for yourselves, the “Big Things” that God is able to bring you through? But it begins with the “Small Things.”Are you there yet?
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 46
Faith in Action
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. (Psalm 3:7)
I recall the time when Israel faced an impossible situation shortly after leaving Egypt. It looked like certain destruction. Before them was the Red Sea, and behind them was the approaching Egyptian army. If ever there was a dilemma, here it was. What shall they do? they had no resources to protect themselves, but they had God and that was enough. God's word was for them to do nothing. They had no choice, but God's word was for them to "Stand still, and see the Salvation of the Lord. That is not an easy thing to do for people inclined to take action when they face a difficulty. But they obeyed God and their trust was rewarded.
David’s cry was a cry of expected deliverance. What made him so confident? His expected victory was based on past victories from God and once again He stood still and watched God work.
Sometimes God’s work is not as dramatic as David’s. Once again I must refer to the prophet Elijah while He was on the mountain of God. God showed him the various powers available in the earthquake and the wind and said, that God was not in these. Elijah was a man who experienced great miracles in the past, but now God was showing Elijah a different way of experiencing his presence, through a still small voice.
And sometimes we must learn to listen to that voice as He often speaks to us today through His word. If we fail to take time to listen, we deprive ourselves of great blessings.
As a Christian writer, I am totally dependent upon God to give me His word each day. Since I do not use commentaries to receive His word, I have found that meditating on His word is the best way to hear “that still small voice each day. Sometimes I find passages of scripture too difficult for my mind to comprehend, But as I have learned many times, I must wait until God makes it clearer. And He always comes through. Not at the time I expect, but sometimes while I am doing some menial task not relating to my study time.
David like Moses stayed still and experienced the salvation of Jehovah. Maybe we are too busy to take time to hear God speak to us, and we miss out on seeing Him work. We see Faith at work when we experience His presence. And hopefully, these meditations may open that door for someone today. That is my prayer.
MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS
Day 47
So Great a Salvation
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalm 3: 8)
Salvation began in the Heart of God, long before he created man. Salvation is more than what God does. It is who He is. Jesus, His son, shared in that creation and later became that salvation that would restore fallen Man. The Name “Jesus”, means “The Salvation of Jehovah” and He has become “Our So Great Salvation.
When God created man with free will, there was built into that man a potential that he might someday use that free will in an act of rebellion, so God placed the opportunity for man’s restoration through this salvation.
I wonder if this is what this verse is telling us. That salvation is from God as a blessing to His people. When we think of it that way, how can we restrain ourselves from singing His praise, and overflowing the blessing to others?
So maybe we can think about why this salvation is so great.
First, it is great because of the one who gave it to us is great.
Second, it is great because it is offered to us as a free Gift.
Third, it is great because we do not deserve to have it.
Fourth, it is Great because of the Love that made it possible, both on the part of God and because of His son.
Fifth, it is great because it is the source of true happiness.
Sixth, It is great because another person of the Godhead is placed within us, and through that presence, greater things than what Jesus did is available to us. Jesus finished the work that was necessary, but the Holy Spirit now lives within us, helping us to achieve the purpose that God originally [planned for us to have: Abundant life while we live on earth and Eternal life when we leave it. And we have just skimmed the surface in our understanding.
Are you enjoying and taking advantage of this blessing that He is telling us about in this verse?
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