Show me, Guide me, Teach me
(NIV) Ps 25:4 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.
When I finished my physical therapy session Wednesday, I returned to the waiting room to find Larry talking to a couple. Larry said this gentleman plays a banjo. In less than five minutes I learned he has preached at the same church for 30 years. We developed an immediate kinship and in a moment we had church in that lobby.
When we actively seek after God (show me, guide me, teach me) the relationship we have with our Creator deepens. The more we have of God, the more we want of Him, and the more we must share Him with others.
Praying that as we approach Christmas of 2024 we will not tumble headlong into the holidays but instead we will slow down to savor the stories of the Star, the Shepherds, and Savior. I pray that we will relish the relationships made meaningful through both our human connections and through the Divine.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Praise His Name
(ESV) Ps 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
One thing I have learned in my lifetime is that a vital aspect of having a relationship with God is engaging in meaningful worship. I am not just referring to singing but remembering all of His great works. When was the last time you read the exodus account, or of Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites? Or of Paul’s transformation on the road to Damascus?
Do you know why it is so necessary to remember the mighty works of God? When we think about all God has accomplished, it serves to build up our faith. Even more importantly, our God is worthy of all praise. All praise! He is our Creator, He had a plan for our salvation from the foundation of the world. And when Jesus taught us to pray, He began by addressing God as our Father, saying His very name was hallowed, or holy. When we begin each day by honoring the Lord our God, then we can better face the challenges in today’s world.
May we praise Him not for what He has done, or for what we expect Him to do, but because of Who He is.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Love of God
Psalms 25:4-11
(NIV) 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.
Do you ever think of God’s steadfast love for us? Steadfast is a word we don’t use much anymore, but it means to be firmly loyal or constantly dutiful. Although God referred to David as the apple of His eye, David was not perfect. But, because David had a solid and long-standing relationship with God, he knew that one of the characteristics of God was His love. And he knew although he strayed from the pathway of righteousness that God could lead Him back to the light of his love.
So what can we learn from this Psalm?
We can see that David did not just ask for God’s help without being willing to do something in cooperation with God. When David asked for help, he also admitted his sin. David knew we can’t out run God’s love or out sin His mercy. Lamentations 3:22 says The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
May we start each day thanking God for His love which shows up in both small moments and in life-changing events. And may we be quick to ask forgiveness both from God and from our fellow man.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Sing a New Song
(NIV) Ps 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Rev 14:3 They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, but no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
As someone who grew up in the church, my twin and I sat between two aunts, one who sang alto and the other soprano. Songs like “Higher Ground,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” were staples in church and we learned all of the words by heart.
Yes, singing has always brought me joy, and one day there will be a new song AND we will be given new names. How great is that? But until then, I lean on songs that strengthen and uplift me, and you can too! There are a multitude of songs that have a scriptural basis like this one by the Gaithers.
Hold on, my child (hold on, my child)
Joy comes in the morning
Weeping only last for the night
Hold on, my child (hold on, my child)
Joy comes in the morning
The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.
Let music lift your soul out of life’s difficulties. Even more importantly, learn some scriptures of faith and speak them over and over until you are lifted in your most high faith.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Do Not Grow Weary
(NIV) Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I have always loved the thought that whatever happens in my life, if I stumble, if I fall, there is a great cloud of witnesses, those gone before, watching me and cheering me on. Who are these witnesses? Chapter 11 has been called the “Roll call of Faith” as it lists some of the great heroes of the Bible who persevered through faith alone. I think of my family and can envision them as part of this great assembly who have gather to encourage me when it seems I cannot go on.
In Romans 12:3 Paul says God gave each of us a measure of faith. It is by faith we are saved, and it is by faith we can face life’s difficulties. In ministering to older adults, I have been asked, “Why am I still here?” Their faith still enabled them to believe in Jesus as their Savior, but living in this world was becoming more challenging.
As we awake each morning, may we remain aware that whatever our journey, God has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. His promise is the foundation of our faith and because of that we can continue on.
May we be strengthened and encouraged today to walk in the faith we are given, growing daily in the grace poured out upon us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
