Soul – Page 13 – Praying Pint

God our Heavenly Father

“ O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.”

Psalms 65:12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalms 104:10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

Job 38:28 “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

Acts 14:17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

How many times do you hear someone reference “Mother Nature” in the course of a year concerning weather? I hear “Mother Nature sure has been good to us” and “Mother Nature sure seems to be angry” or a host of other references to her without thought of God. It is common to not hear reference God in things of nature. It is also common to not hear reference to God in things of everyday life which shows the condition of man’s heart. How many times have you heard someone talking about God outside of church or home? God is not to be set aside for special occasions or needs. He is to be praised, honored, worshipped, obeyed, glorified, and set in a place of awe and reverence in our heart and mind continually. God is our heavenly Father and creator of all there is. What kind of children neglect their father or pay no attention to his council and wisdom? What kind of children allow life to get so busy that they consider their father only on fathers day and their birthday? What kind of love would you say these children have for their father? Wouldn’t you say they were ungrateful, negligent, self-seeking, and just plain bad children. How much more BAD is it for us to neglect God in our everyday life? Commit to spend time in His word. Seek to know and love, honor and obey Him more. Keep Him alive in your heart, mind and soul. Praise Him!!!

Delusional

Psalms 62:4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Job 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

2 Chronicles 33:10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention.

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

Proverbs 1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

Mark 8:17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Luke 24:25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Foolish, hardened hearts, ears that do not hear, not remembering, not seeing, not perceiving, not understanding, hating knowledge, choosing to not fear God, refusing to listen, paying no attention, and putting trust in riches are all given in today’s scriptures. They describe the heart of man and we must be mindful of the natural inclination of our heart and mind. We are instructed to desire God with all our heart, mind, and soul. We are instructed to love Him more than things of this world. We are instructed to confess sin. We are instructed to repent/turn away from sin. We are instructed to humbly serve Him, honor Him, follow Him, listen to Him, and obey Him. We are instructed to give generously. We are instructed to be in unity. We are instructed to put others first. We are instructed to pray. We are instructed to cling to, rely on, and trust in Him alone. We are instructed to cherish His word and to meditate on it night and day. We are instructed to be set apart and be an example. We are instructed to make disciples. We are instructed to not be angry. We are instructed to encourage the weak, help the poor, give to the needy. We are instructed to keep our eyes on Him. We are instructed to listen to Him speak to our heart. We are instructed to keep our eyes focused on Him and eternity. We are instructed to be kind. We are instructed to not have trust in our power or our riches or the might of others. I fear we look at these instructions as recommendations that can or can not be lived in our lives. I fear we think more about God’s grace, love, and mercy and forget about His wrath. I fear we don’t do what is instructed because we choose to live outside of the knowledge and understanding of them. I fear our christian walk has been diluted to thinking that nothing more is expected of us rather than going to church on Sunday. I fear so many are delusional, lukewarm, and living apart from what God has instructed for those who are called to Him. For certain we need to examine our heart and mind and life in light of His word, and the instruction, promises, and warnings contained in it. We have a choice to serve Him with our whole heart, mind, and soul. We have a choice to honor, follow and obey Him. We have a choice to place Him first in our life. We have a choice to be used by Him. Choose to commit to a humbly live serving, honoring, following, obeying Him. Choose to read His word, meditate on it, believe it and proclaim it.

Instant Access

“Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?”

“ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

Psalms 62:1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalms 25:5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalms 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psalms 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.

Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

James 5:7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Waiting patiently is hard. Trusting and waiting patiently is harder. Knowing, Trusting, and waiting patiently is faith. Our faith is something that grows (or should grow) based on knowing God in our lives. Our faith grows as we read His word and believe it. Our faith grows as we seek God and He reveals Himself to us. Our faith grows as we learn to hear His whispers of guidance into our lives. Our faith grows from clinging to His promises. And our faith grows when we patiently wait for Him. Our culture and technology lead us down a path where everything is available nearly immediately. We have grown to expect instant response to our wants and needs. Instant response to many things is not bad. We can instantly find almost anything at our finger tips. Many times this seems to help us function and does. It helps us make decision, take proper care in these decisions and shows us how to accomplish a task unfamiliar to us. Instant access, instant information, and instant response seem to the way we are wired right now. However, in light of the scriptures above, technology seems to draw and pull us away from seeking, hearing, knowing, and serving God. Technology seems to have replaced God. We seem to have lost sight of our need for Him in this world of instant self reliance. We are instructed to seek Him with all our heart, mind and soul. We have instant access to His word but neglect it. We are instructed to desire Him but choose to desire things of this world above Him. We are instructed to serve, honor, follow, and obey Him but have shut our ears to listen for His guidance. We are told to rely on, trust in, and cling to Him alone but have choose to rely on self. Our lives will always be in shallow satisfaction apart from being in His purpose and plan. What disaster or misfortune must come your way before you see need for God? Choose now whom you will serve. Choose now to deny self. Choose now to seek Him. Choose now to confess self-reliance and turn away from it. Choose now to spend time in His word each day. Choose now to humbly serve Him. Choose now to honor, follow and obey Him. Choose now to want to know Him and His plan and purpose for your life. Choose now to never want to hear at your entry into eternity “Depart from Me, for I never knew you”. Choose now to purpose each day for God alone.

Refuge / Rock / Shelter

“ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”

Psalms 61:1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Psalms 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Psalms 55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,

Deuteronomy 4:29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalms 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalms 18:46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation

Psalms 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

What keeps us from calling on God and seeing Him as a place of refuge and our fortress? Could it be we don’t see a need for Him in our life? I wonder if our need for God is a direct correlation to amount of time we spend in His word. Scripture clearly tells us to seek Him, desire Him, obey Him, believe Him, trust Him, rely on Him, love Him, hope in Him, sing to Him, have peace in Him, praise Him, pray to Him, and listen to Him. When we spend time in His word the more we hear His quiet voice leading us down paths that bring honor and glory to Him. How can we call on someone we hardly know? How can we hold on to His promises if we don’t know what they are? How will we know sin in our life if we can’t compare our actions with what is expected in His word? We become passive, complacent, lukewarm, and have an appearance of being close to God but in reality our substance is shallow words without action. Action from the heart that leads us to repentance, action from the heart the leads us to give, action from the heart that allows us to forgive, action from the heart that leads us to praise, action from the heart that leads us to confess, action from the heart that allows us to be wronged, action from the heart that runs to God. We would do well to spend time in His word, listen for His whispers of guidance, follow and obey Him.

Fortress of Faith

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalms 21:13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Psalms 106:8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.

Psalms 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Psalms 31:7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 61:2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

2 Corinthians 1:10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

These verses just lift your soul don’t they? It is very easy to be overcome with the trouble at hand. Even if we have a relationship with God it seems the only way to know how strong our faith is, is when we have exhausted all of our personal power and strength, and have no where else to turn. Things outside of our control can and do affect us. Try as hard as we can we simply do not have power to control much of it. However God has control of it all. He has a purpose and plan for each of us. His plan never fails. His plan and purpose is perfect. He can do all things. And above all of this He loves us and will lead us. It is easy to say all of this but in the time of trouble our heart and mind find it hard to let go and say “God is in control and I am content”. These times will show the weakness of the fortress of our faith. This is life and our walk with God. Precept upon precept, line upon line, we grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. Peter put it this way: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” We all have room to grow – let it start with praise and commitment to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God.

The Great Contrast

“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,”

“ For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.”

“His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.”

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

“ But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.”

Psalms 52:1 ”Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalms 103:17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,

Psalms 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

The contrast of those who deny God and only seek self satisfaction and those who patiently wait for the Lord is very evident in scripture. Those who take for themselves, who oppress the weak, who are greedy for more, who are sexually immoral, who lie, cheat, and rob, and who hardens their heart against God have no peace or place of rest for their soul. I imagine, at times, we look at those who live like this with disgust. That is so wrong for us to do. We too were like this but for the grace of God our heart was opened to His grace, mercy, and love. Think about how long suffering God is. If we, who believe and have a glimpse of His holiness, look at the wicked with disgust think about God and in His Holiness withholds His wrath and anger, offering grace and mercy. The contrast is seen in the book of John; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” God’s anger and wrath are Holy and are reserved for those who neglect this offer of salvation. In this time of reservation there is hope for the lost just as it was for us who once was lost but now are found safe and secure in His grace, mercy and love. To humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God is to be an example and light to all those who are lost. God is long suffering not wanting any to perish and we too need to have our heart and mind filled with compassion for the lost.

I have found a ransom

“What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?”

“His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, and he is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Psalms 49:15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

Psalms 31:5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Psalms 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Hosea 13:14 I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Psalms 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

It is clear that those who are redeemed by his might, mercy, and grace will not see the death reserved for all mankind – Sheol(Hell). The question is asked – “What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?” No man can live and not see death. This is our end. But the question more important is who can deliver us from hell? What are the requirements for this deliverance? That too is clear. Believe in the redemption in and through Christ. Too many stop at this and say I believe but there is no deliverance in the way they live other than going to church once per week. They are consumed by the things this world has to offer and so easily lose sight of humbly serving, honoring, glorifying, following, and obeying God each day. Little time is spent in His word, meditating on it, or listening to Him speak through His word into their heart, mind, and soul. Ask yourself how much do you want God into your daily life. if the answer is more – then commit to spend more time in His word and living each day as He directs.

Forfeit his soul

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

Psalms 49:1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

We often have thoughts about people and their success on the wealth they have don’t we? We even have some thoughts about wanting the same or at least part of the same things they have. We get envious and soon are not content. This Psalm does make clear the impotence of wealth, the trust in it and the final reward for this trust – eternity in Hell. We leave all behind in this life – nothing is ours – we only have use of it for this side of eternity. If only we have clear understanding of this. Would our giving be greater? Would we be more content with what we have and stop seeking more and more of what this world has to offer? Seeking after more and more replaces thoughts of humbly serving, honoring, and obeying God. Our heart and mind get consumed with everything that is temporal at the cost of that which is eternal. This should not be so. Check your giving, generosity, contentment, and how much time is used getting verses giving. We all can do so much better in our focus for honor and glory to God.

Strengthened Himself

“Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.”

“But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.“

Psalms 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalms 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalms 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalms 55:4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

Psalms 61:2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Psalms 142:2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalms 56:11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Lamentations 3:24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Romans 4:20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

Psalms 91:15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

There times we all hit a wall of despair, worry, and our heart is troubled. Life this side of eternity will throw this at us when we least expect it. We have God’s promise that when we call to Him He will answer. When we are in trouble He is with us. He will rescue us. Do not allow unbelief to sink in. Hold firm, trust God, and wait for His steadfast love to lift you up. Not everyone is going to be able to strengthen themselves. We each have opportunity to be used by God to help lift up those who are in times of trials. Keep your ears open to His leading and be willing to listen and obey. Being used by God to encourage others in times of trial is what our walk with God should include. Knowing His word and rightly applying it helps us to encourage and support others with His honor and glory in focus.

As a Deer Pants

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”

Psalms 119:62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalms 42:1 AS a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Psalms 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalms 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Psalms 63:6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalms 84:2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalms 143:6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Isaiah 26:8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Psalms 130:6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.