Songs Of Deliverance

I find it hard to adequately explain the closeness, the security, and the peaceful fellowship of walking with the Lord. David expresses it well in his 32nd Psalm.

Psalm 32:7  Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. 

In the chaos of this world, I thank God for His hiding place. He preserves me from trouble. I thank Him for that.

But it’s the songs of deliverance that lift me above the squabbling, brawling, hassling wrangle of a world bent on seizing my sanity. Thank you, Lord for your music.

In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along. . . . .

Some thro’ the waters, some thro’ the flood,
Some thro’ the fire, but all thro’ the blood.
Some thro’ great sorrow, but God gives a song
In the night season and all the day long.
---- God Leads Us Along, … G.A. Young

Abiding In The Vine

The greatest judgment God can bring to a believer is to let him have his own way. But, because God loves us, He “prunes” us and encourages us to bear fruit for His glory.

John 15:2-4   Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Your Heavenly Father is never nearer to you than when He is pruning you. Sometimes He cuts away the dead wood that might cause trouble, but often cuts off the living tissue that’s robbing you of spiritual vigor.

Pruning may involve conviction and cleansing by the Word or even chastisement. It may hurt, but we can rejoice in the fact that pruning produces more quality fruit.

Abiding in the Vine (submission) is the best place on earth to be. We are nothing without the Vine.

Faith For The Hopeless

Somehow, this poor woman with an issue of blood hears about Jesus and His healing power.  Maybe it was from the leper or that wild man across the lake, but she has to find Him.

Seeing the multitude, she forces her way through the masses, reaches out a trembling hand and touches the hem of His garment.

Mark 5:29. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 

She received what none of the doctors or their costly and painful remedies could give her.

Mark 5:33,34  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

I wonder how many people can identify with this poor woman. Maybe you don’t have her illness, but  you are filled with suffering and sorrow. Maybe you need to talk to the Lord about what’s going on in your life.

There are no incurables with Jesus --  no hopeless situations. Have faith.

The Heavenly Choir

The Apostle John takes us into Heaven and gives us front row seats at the concert of the ages. As the hosts of Heaven lift their voices in praise, the redeemed worship the Lamb of God with a new song.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

The new song is about Jesus and the brutal death He endured on the blood stained cross for our sins.

We remember where we were and what we became because of His Sin-sacrifice.

Until that day, Jesus is worthy of all the love, adoration and worship we can muster here on earth. Praise Him!

God Is My Strength And Victory

David has done it all – a shepherd, a soldier, King of Israel, a singer, and a sinner. He was nearly killed by a Philistine giant in the last battle, but his nephew saved him.  (2 Sam. 21:15-17).

Perhaps it was during those long final days in the palace that he began to reflect on the times God spared his life and gave him strength and victory over His enemies. He wrote a song about it. I like the following phrase.

2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

David’s God is the believer's God, too. He has promised to strengthen us when we are weak and nearly defeated. He still gives victory to those who trust Him.

Fear Not: The Tomb Is Empty

I  imagine the hours after the death of Jesus were a time of shattered dreams and broken hearts for His disciples and followers.

This long-awaited Messiah was to deliver them from their Roman oppressors and rule the kingdoms of the world. Where did they get ideas like that? Now He’s dead.

Where? Jesus told them He was the Son of God -- the Messiah who would bring salvation to the world and rule over an eternal kingdom.

Not sure how to remove the stone covering the grave entrance, a few sad women make their way to the tomb to give Jesus a proper burial. To their surprise they experience an earthquake, find a glowing  angel and see Roman soldiers passed out on the ground.

Matthew 28:5-6  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Thank You, Lord, for the cross and the empty tomb. My Redeemer lives! Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

To God Be The Glory

Does God owe man anything? Some people expect Him to jump through their hoops at their command.

But, that's not the God of the Bible. The God of the Bible is a God who moves first. He reaches out to us through His grace.

God owes us nothing, but we owe Him everything. Every dollar in our pockets is His gift. Every lung full of air is His blessing. Every heartbeat is His grace.

What does God want in return? Nothing more than our love which reveals itself in obedience to Him.  John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.