Psalm 146:1-2: “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

The Hebrew word for “Praise the LORD” is “Hallelujah” and is used in the HCSB version of Psalm 146. This phrase or word starts ten of the Psalms: 106, 111-113, 135, 146-150. That is why these Psalms are often called the Hallelujah Psalms. Try reading out loud one of these Psalms as a prayer of thanksgiving up to God for His greatness and goodness.

It is said that David was a man after God’s own heart. More has been written about David than any other biblical character. How do we grow and then live out to have that said about us? I wonder, will people say that about me after I am gone? I would hope that I leave that type of memory in people’s minds rather than my many shortcomings.

David had many talents. He was a shepherd, wrote 75 of the 150 psalms, skillful musician – he often played his harp for Saul, fought in battles, was a commanding communicator, a statesman, and administrator who set his standards high for future kings of Israel and Judah. David knew God intimately despite his trials in life because his training ground was spent in solitude, repetitive, and obscure. But he never gave up hope and trust in God to deliver and provide for his needs.

David faithfully sang praises to God throughout his life even though David suffered at the hands of his enemies. He experienced injustice in afflictions having three of his sons that turned against him, besides his close friend and counselor Ahithophel. But God delivered David every time as he continued to sing praises up to God.

David felt real fear, but he ultimately embraced God’s loving faithfulness, and he responded with perseverance in singing aloud of God’s righteousness.

Psalm 146 gives us some guidelines for being a woman or man after God’s own heart:

• Verses 1-4 – Trust in God and not in people. Even in sad circumstances praise the Lord. Disassociate yourself from dependence on people over – dependence on God.
• People will disappoint us, but God can meet every need of our heart – verse 3.
• Our dreams can vanish. The impact God has planned for us occurs when we are pursuing God.
• Verse 6 – God remains faithful forever. He never stops.
• Verse 7 – God executes justice so every person can trust in His righteous judgment to right where we have been wronged. Give up your painful memories to God to be free of that bondage.
• Verses 8-10 – The LORD loves, protects, provides, is faithful to all of His promises. God frustrates and defeats the purposes of the wicked.

2 Chronicles 16:9a ESV states: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” The HCSB states: “For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.”

God continuously watches and examines my inner thoughts, attitudes, and my heart to see if it is pursuing after God’s own heart. He is looking for my heart to be wholly His. For my heart to be blameless before God just as David confessed every sin before God to have his life pure and righteous before a righteous God.

Chuck Swindoll has said: “Faith is counting on Him when we do not know what tomorrow holds.” David. A Man of Passion & Desitiny.

Questions:

How can you show unconditional love to the challenging sandpaper people you come across this week? God uses people that are irritating, rub us the wrong way, and are bothersome, as part of His all-knowing plan for our life because He knows about it – strange as that may seem.

Do you realize God sees you as having value? Ps. 147:11 HCSB states: “The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.” Since you are therefore cherished by God, think about how you can praise Him more throughout  today despite roadblocks and pessimistic responses you encounter. God will show Himself strong in His support and is our ever present stronghold of refuge.

My prayer today:  Dear God, You faithfully love me no matter what. I come to you with my distresses, difficulties, and look forward to full fellowship with You. As You plead my cause I proclaim my gratitude and sacrifice of praise as You lift me up. You are my refuge, my battle fighter – Jehovah Nissi – my good shepherd, and ever-present wherever I go. I put on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair to display your splendor (Is. 61:3b). May there not be any offenses in my life that separate you from hearing my requests. Help me to grasp fully the truth found in your Word and apply it correctly in my life. I place my hope and dreams in your unfailing love and goodness as my counselor and defender. In Jesus name Amen.

Listen to Zach Williams You Tube “Old Church Choir” official lyric video as he sings “There is nothing going to steel my joy!”

Matthew 8:23-27a: “As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed . . .”

This particular passage of scripture reminds me that my trials in life come without warning just as the storm came up suddenly for the disciples in the boat with Jesus. Why am I surprised when a new ache in my heart strikes and yet I know Peter warns us in 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes up to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” My response to being swamped in turmoil sometimes goes like this: Really? Why is this happening again? Didn’t we already go through this lesson in the past and wasn’t it enough? Instead of: OK God, You are Jehovah Jireh! You will provide the solution as we go through this together! But I am working on it.

The disciples had Jesus with them in their boat that was being tossed up and down in this storm on the sea. They had just witnessed many miracles Jesus had done such as He cleansed a leper, healed the Centurion’s servant, and healed Peter’s mother-in-law.

I am no different than the disciples. God has answered all sizes of trials in my life and He has amazed me too in the past.

The disciples were trained and experienced sailors. They recognized they could all drown and this was out of their control. They couldn’t make this treacherous event of nature stop. They were naturally afraid. Who wouldn’t be? But they didn’t remember that God had created the wind and the sea and He could control His creation and did!

Jehova Nissi, one of the OT names for God, means – battle fighter. Therefore that means God will provide justice, protection, and provide the right legal solution for every wrong.

If you are feeling fearful right now at the beginning of a hard circumstance that is out of your control, rest your head on your pillow tonight. Know that if God can create all the stars in the galaxy, pump 3000 gallons of blood per day through your body, and gave you a human brain that has 10 billion nerve cells interacting in coordination to allow you to function as you do, God is in control of the outcome of your troubled heart.

Hold onto your hope. Tell God exactly how you feel in the storm, and as Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 17:20b: “. . .if you have faith, as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Questions:

1. What is in your boat today? Cast all your anxiety on God (1 Peter 5:7). He cares for you.
2. Why is our memory of passed answers to prayers often shortsighted when a new and different crisis hits?
3. Have you noticed your faith may be lacking when you are lacking sleep and not eating healthy?

My Prayer today: God, you are my stronghold. I praise you forever and ever for your magnificent power, grace, goodness, mercy, love, and constant presence. You are my refuge. Speak to me the truth found in your Word and help me then to reflect your image of peace in my heart and mind. Any success or failure is under your providence. In the ordinary concerns of life I direct them all up to you. I lift up my voice in joyous praise because I am assured you will direct my steps and light my path one day at a time. In Jesus name Amen.

Psalm 145:16 & 19: “You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”

What are your desires and dreams? The word desire is repeated in these two verses in Psalm 145. The first involves the creation, “every living thing,” that God fulfills each creature’s every need.

In Psalm 145:8-9 depicts God supplying – for “all that He has made:”

• Covers heavens with clouds.

• Prepares rain for the earth.

• Makes grass grow on the hills.

• Gives food to the animals – wherever there is a mouth, God fills it with food.

The second occurrence of the word “desire” is found in verse 19 – God fulfills the desire of the righteous:

• Longings
• Dreams
• Ernest requests
• Hunger and thirsting after righteousness

Proverbs 10:24 declares: “What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.”

Then in John 9:31 is a promise: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”

We all have wants, wishes, and expectations. But we have to examine what is the intent, what is the root of our longing desire? Is it righteousness (holy in heart, virtue, integrity, uprightness, being acceptable to God)? That is the desire that God will surely fulfill. But sometimes it takes Him emptying our lower wants first. He unloads us to fill us. He gives us Jesus Christ himself who is all sufficient for our every need.

I have dreams. I have desires. Some are immediate, and others are in the future. How about you?  I have to ask myself the following in examining my desires:

1. Do I desire His presence? Psalm 145:18 tells us “The LORD is near to all who call on Him.” All means all.
2. Am I in need in a plea of protection from any enemy or spiritual trouble? Ps. 34:7 states: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.” He is our battle fighter – Jehovah Nissi.  Ps. 145:19b states He is our protector -“He hears their cry and saves them.”
3. Do I have a thirst for God? Psalm 42:1 declares: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” I need to pause and meditate on God’s kindness and love He has shown to me in the past and fill my dehydrated soul with His Word, which is better than drinking pink lemonade on a hot and sunny day.
4.  Am I seeking to receive more spiritual knowledge – to go deeper? God delivers His secrets to us as it says in Psalm 25:14 NIV: “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”

Your turn – Questions

How do your desires line up with seeking after righteousness? Is there any conflict?

Do you desire holiness and seek passionately knowing God better above anything else?

Do you view God more than merely as a Santa Claus or a Genie in a bottle? The world tells us to follow our dreams and wish upon a star. So often we have to get back to the basics in obedience to God one day at a time.

Our primary desire must first be to grow strong in our faith as we give glory to God regarding His fame of His abundant goodness. We must then integrate our faith into our aspirations and desires and keep our head in the kingdom. It isn’t always about the outcome (oh how I have to remind myself of that) but in our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God is enough.

My prayer for today: God I praise you for your greatness, goodness, graciousness, compassion, and unmeasurable splendor in your mighty works. Take away any fear, unrealistic expectations, anxiety, and fill it up with your abundant peace. Give me a vision beyond myself. Help me to stand firm in my faith, love, and purpose, in good times and in bad. I wait for your execution of justice. I choose to give you praise and bless your name forever and ever. In Jesus name Amen!

Listen to Phil Wickam’s YouTube song “Thirst Lyric Video”

Genesis 22:13: “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket, by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide;” as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

Day Spring, a Christian woman’s cards, and gift site had a coffee mug with the Hebrew names for God on it, for sale during December. I bought two with the idea of using this particular mug when having a woman over for coffee or tea in my home when having fellowship together. This mug has had specific importance and meaning to me as I read each name for God, reflecting His nature, character, and power. The following names featured are:

• Jehovah Rophe – Healer
• Jehovah Rohe – Good Shepherd
• Jehovah Shalom – Giver of Peace
• Jehovah Shammah – Present One
• Jehovah Tsidekenu – Righteousness
• Jehovah Nissi – Battle Fighter
• Jehovah Jireh – Provider

The last two names for God have had particular importance and impact to me recently. I used to concentrate on using the name Jehovah Jireh, in primarily asking God to provide for individual financial needs. But recently I have seen this expanded to include providing and supplying needs in other areas besides just money such as:

• While out grocery shopping, unexpectedly running into a needed friend to pray with me for an immediate need. That is Jehovah Jireh at work.
• Receiving wise counsel.
• Provision of protection and rescue which leads to Jehovah Nissi – God being our battle fighter.

 

• Genesis 22:8: “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering my son.” God did! Jehovah Jireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by supplying a substitute, the ram, for the sacrifice of Isaac. God provided due to Abraham’s complete obedience and trust in the Lord. Jehovah is translated here as “to become known.” This denotes a God who reveals himself unceasingly. This account in Genesis for Jehovah Jireh, only occurs once but is powerfully significant.

The purpose of any testing is to strengthen our character, stretch our endurance, and deepen our commitment to God and His perfect timing. I am not saying it is always easy.

In reviewing these names for God, it helps us understand how He cares for us. Literally, the name Jehovah Jireh means The Lord Who Sees or The Lord Who Will See To It. God will see to it that my need is met in just the right time as He did for Abraham back in the Old Testament. He will supply.

Psalm 37:5 declares: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

Psalm 37:25 further states: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” This tells me God does not abandon those who put their trust in Him and provides so why should I fret (?) – no “begging for bread.” He sustains and will provide the solution. He is in control of the outcome.

Questions:

Do you have a battle you need God to fight for you in right now? Write out your prayer to God plainly in requesting His justice and provision. Then ask God to impress you with His presence.

Do you have someone you need to forgive from the past?

Are you in control of the outcome –  or is God in control when facing trials? We know the answer to that question, but to really live it and be free of the fretting part takes effort and resilience. It involves some grit.

When needing a buffer, a time to breathe in, exhale, and breathe out, reflect, and re-center your thoughts on the LORD, read a prayer from  The Valley of Vision book on Puritan prayers. I like how this prayer is stated from this book: “I rejoice to think that all things are at thy disposal, and it delights me to leave them there.”

My prayer: “Jehovah Jireh, I commit and trust that Your righteousness will shine like the dawn. I wait patiently for You in trusting Your faithfulness to rescue, restore, and shepherd. I walk with You in humble trust. You are my stronghold and fortress as You have brought me safely through in past trials. The outcome is in Your almighty and powerful hands. Thank You for your righteousness and constant presence, and the expectation of Your fulfilling peace in the midst of any storm. I place my faith and trust that You will see to it as You are my stronghold. In Jesus Name Amen.”

Listen to Colton Dixon’s song on YouTube – “Through All Of It. (Audio)”

Colossians 1:9-10: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

In this passage, Paul was exposing a false belief, similar to Gnosticism, in the church in Colossians. His prayer for the believers was:

• They would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
• They would grow in the knowledge of God to receive direction.
• Their life would reflect the Lord by their integrity, to show evidence of their relationship with Him- bearing fruit.

You know how your computer or cell phone and App’s always have upgrades to download? It doesn’t stay the same for long. Same with our walk with the Lord. We need to reflect, examine, and search within us how we can become closer in our relationship with the Lord and “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.”

I ask myself the question: How would I rate my time spent talking to the Lord during say an average eight to 10 hours of my day? I must admit I fall way too short in this area. I need to do a personal download upgrade in this area. As we spend time with a person, we get to know them better. It doesn’t happen instantly. The more time we spend with them our understanding of that person expands and grows. The same is true with our relationship with the Lord. True intimacy with God results from studying His Word,  and talking to Him frequently and on a regular basis.

In studying the Psalms these past several months I have appreciated David’s prayers and hymns that are contained throughout this book of the Old Testament. What an example of his verbal communication skills to almighty God! We are given a pattern of how to pray to God during times of sadness, fear, grief, regret, blessings, feeling ashamed, forgiveness, meeting our needs, and gratitude for God’s constant loving faithfulness to His children one day at a time.

Do you happen to need someone to be praying for you right now?

As you read this devotional, know that I am already praying for you in the following ways:

1. I am thankful for your faith and how God is perfecting you in Him.
2. I am asking God to show you what He wants you to do.
3. I have asked God to give you in-depth spiritual understanding.
4. I have asked God to give you more knowledge of Himself.
5. I have asked God to fill you with peace in knowing nothing is impossible with God.
6. I have asked that God fill you with thankfulness and joy, despite being stretched with learning endurance.
7. I have asked God that your life will bear fruit and be a testimony for Him in your integrity.

I had the pleasant surprise of receiving a call a week ago, from someone who told me when I had mistakenly included his name in an email of our Small Group’s prayer requests (same first name as a man in our group) three or more years ago, that it pointed him to the gospel and opened up the door to seek answers to his needs from above. Today his daughter, who back then when he called to let me know my mistake, and asked me actually to pray for his 16 yr. old daughter that had been just diagnosed with type one diabetes and was in serious physical danger, is now following in a growing walk with Jesus. He has seen such a change in her life that he wants for himself. He emphasized that my unintentional mistake was not a mistake. It was the beginning of their family turning to the Lord. They had not done this previously. That was a WOW God moment!

Sometimes we wonder how to pray for missionaries and friends and family. Paul had never met the Colossian believers, but that didn’t stop him from praying for them. All believers have the same basic needs. I have these needs too. You are not alone my friend.

Questions:

1. How does looking at past blessings encourage and give you confidence in holding onto the faithfulness of God?
2. What is your go-to verse when facing life’s trials or overflowing with gratitude?
3. Who is your Eli or woman of faith you admire? Are you able to be that for someone else?
4. How would you rate your current time spent in prayer this week?

“God does not answer vague prayers. The more specific your prayers are, the more glory God receives.” Mark Batterson.

Listen to Matthew West’s song “Broken Things.”

 

 

Psalm 25:14 NIV: “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”

“But the bent knees that lead to the wet eyes that result from a broken heart come from the isolation of the soul. The most important transactions take place alone; absolutely alone! That is the time when you are able to comprehend, to really grasp what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of Christ.” Jill Briscoe.

The LORD confides in us when we search diligently and intently for answers from His Word. God’s Word transforms our soul. It enlightens our hearts.

I have a very select few friends and family that I confide in when I have a massive burden. Don’t you do the same? So often verbally talking things out helps us figure out what the right answer needs to be as we analyze all possible options. Opening the wound to expose the thriving thorn, to lighten our load requires that listening empathetic ear of wisdom. A good listener is of high value. Often we women really are not seeking our confidant’s solution, but just a listening ear.

When I have to make decisions that need to be made and are required of me, God’s answers are waiting for me to discover to  hear him say: “This is the way. Walk in it (Isaiah 30:21).”

I hate making mistakes. I often overreact and feel like a total failure if the outcome turns out in a disappointing, frustrating, and non-perfect result. How I stew in churning over the turmoil. The trap of insecurity then gets me stuck in its net, and it is oh so sticky!

God’s covenant is made known to us as we have intimate personal communion with Him from spending time in prayer and reading scripture. The Holy Spirit seals our souls with security, righteousness, graciousness, and excellence in abiding in God’s sovereign divine guidance and grace. He gives us CPR as He restores our soul (Psalm 23:3) from reading His precious promises to us all found inside our Bible.

The HCSB says of Psalm 25:14: “The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.”

God will never leave us looking foolish for trusting Him. His presence is constant. The load may make us stagger, but God never misses a beat.

Hold onto your HOPE for He is faithful!

Questions:

God has a blueprint for your life. What do you see is God’s specific purpose for you to fulfill in this season of your life?

What have you discerned to be God’s voice involving your path in life? What verse of scripture has stood out to you in this regard?

My prayer today: God, I need your secret counsel today. I ask for your guidance and direction. Transpose and transform my thoughts to be holy, humble, and may they mirror your likeness. Confide in me of your high and all-powerful wisdom as I lift up my soul to you with high hands! Even though my week has been staggering, You have been my intimate and faithful savior and  friend. In Jesus name Amen.

Listen to the YouTube song from Graham Kendrick, “To You Oh Lord I Lift Up My Soul (Psalm 25).”

Ephesians 5:6, 8 (HCSB): “Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

How do we walk as “children of light?” There are many smooth, gregarious speakers today that publicize their seminars and conferences on how to be successful in life. They tout you can have it all and then some. They seem to make sense. However, their core beliefs are not Biblical. They speak more about happiness than about dealing with sin. They may teach just enough truth to mask their heresy and often add to scripture. This is just what was going on in Corinth that Paul had to warn and address with the church as he stated in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4: “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the Serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”

I was involved in two separate conversations recently where the person sitting across the table from me stated their opinion that the Bible was not interpreted correctly from the original Hebrew language. In one instance it was disputed about a certain word used to prophesy in the Old Testament how Jesus would appear as the Messiah. I went home to do my research to properly answer this correctly since I have never run into this precise argument before. Up popped a well-known and trusted Biblically based resource organization and a woman named “Jeanie” appeared to the side of the screen to “chat.” She asked me how she could help. I explained the question I needed to be answered to properly speak truth to both of these opportunities. Jeanie put it very simply: “It is a smokescreen; a way to avoid talking about his sins forgiven by Jesus. It really is all about Jesus.” Then she pointed me to “gotQuestions?org” besides their website that contains more concise facts based on Scripture to answer these questions and others further. It was just what I needed.

What do you do with Jesus? That is the simple question and answer.  It all goes back to Jesus Christ.

Don’t believe someone just because he sounds like an authority on any philosophical subject. The Bible should be our authoritative guide. The Bible is God’s infallible word. Anyone teaching anything different is misleading and mistaken no matter how sincere they may be.

Paul was not a spellbinding speaker. But he was a brilliant thinker. Paul had not been trained in the Greek schools of oratory and speechmaking as the false teachers in his day had been. Same goes for you and me. Don’t we always worry we won’t sound intelligent or good enough during progressive, opposing conversations regarding spiritual matters with someone who may be an atheist or agnostic? But we can absorb the truth found in God’s word, and be ready to speak the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit, who will guide our mouths in speaking the right words. It is not all up to us. Content is more important than presentation.

Questions:

1. What does Isaiah 7:14 and then Matthew 1:18, 22-23 prove?
2. How can you walk in the light that God has revealed to you today?
3. What answers to prayers can you share with someone who is not a Christian? You have a story to tell, and it is your story that Jesus is carving out in His purpose for your life.

Have Hosea 13:4a close at hand when facing impossibilities or feeling intimidation of others strong words questioning your faith in God: “But I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt.” In your devotional journal write out the following: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of ______________.” Hold that close when Satan tries to whisper those lies of doubt as he has done to Eve and up through today.

Ask God to help you see your life the way He sees it. That will help remove the mystery and replace discouraging pangs of inadequacy with joy and increase your hope and faith in our all-powerful God, the great I AM. How I need to do that again and again.

My Prayer: O dear Lord, I feel so ineloquent. I am a deep thinker but not a quick talker. May the Holy Spirit use His words to speak truth through me in conversations to bring glory to Jesus Christ and turn on the light bulb with someone I am conversing with throughout my day regarding my faith. Help me to see your hand print in every person I encounter. In Jesus name, Amen.

Search out Casting Crowns song “Voice of Truth” on YouTube to listen to today after reading this devotional.

Jeremiah 39:18: “For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.”

There is a hero in the Old Testament that is not very famous. I had not remembered who this man was by the name of Ebed-Melich. But Ebed-Melech was used to save the prophet Jeremiah’s life in one of the bleakest moments in his entire life. This high-ranking official in King Zedekiah’s court, risked his life and career to rescue Jeremiah from being held in a muddy cistern that was a murder plot against Jeremiah. Ebed-Melech did not let fear keep him from his pursuit of justice. Jeremiah could have drowned, die of exposure, or starve to death in this tank. The cistern was dark, damp, and Jeremiah sank into the mud (Jeremiah 38-39).

Cisterns in Bible times were used to store water. They were usually pear shape and were 15 to 20 feet deep. They were large and were even used as hiding places for fugitives, burial places, and even prison cells, such as happened to Jeremiah.

Ebed-Melech was a man of integrity. He was an officer in the royal palace. He used his position to serve God. Jeremiah had repeatedly been persecuted for proclaiming the truth of God and warning against rejecting His authority for 40 years. He was beaten, ignored, threatened, lied about, jailed, and forced to leave his homeland. But God used his faithful friend, Ebed-Melech, who feared God more than men, and courageously spoke to King Zedekiah on Jeremiah’s behalf about this outrageous injustice that had happened to Jeremiah. He was so persuasive that the king reversed his previous decision of arranging Jeremiah’s death. The king instructed Ebed-Melech to take thirty men to help lift Jeremiah out of the cistern “before he dies (Jeremiah 38:10).” So Ebed-Melech took these men and went to the king’s closet in a storehouse, and took old rags and worn-out clothes to make them into a rope. Ebed-Melech rescued Jeremiah by having him use these as pads under his armpits, and they pulled him up with the ropes they had made, and lifted him out of the cistern. And we think we have fallen into a sunken pit in life!

When we are at the bottom and don’t know what to do, remember, God is in control. We never know who God will use in our life to help council, give words of comfort, act in boldness and not give into fear on our behalf, and be part of the astounding solution. When you are treated unjustly or unkindly, pray for an Ebed-Melich to be sent your way, on your behalf, by the God who is all-powerful, the good shepherd, provider, ever-present, and the giver of peace.

Remember, God does not forget those who take a stand for Him. The places God puts us in are opportunities to be a courageous voice for the truth of the gospel.

Questions:

Who has been an example to you of having courageous faith?

Have you been reminded recently that this world is not your home? How has it affected your thoughts and actions?

I need to remember that God is always standing right in my corner. Ebed-Melech was Jeremiah’s defending miracle provided by God, due to his boldness and faith in God. Ebed-Melech did not go along with the crowd. He was boldly used by God in saving Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah faced constant set-backs all of his life. But he kept on keeping on warning people against the consequences of sin and the hope that God offers.

Don’t let anyone steel your joy! Chris’s love was proved to mankind on the cross. Live according to your convictions. Keep trusting God. He who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until Christ returns (Philippines 1:6).

Listen to Matthew West’s “All In.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zechariah 4:6, 7 (NIV): “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘What are you O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Zerubbabel needed constant encouragement. He allowed problems to halt the rebuilding of God’s temple. He encountered resistance and gave in to criticism from a few men that complained about the temple of being smaller in comparison to Solomon’s grand temple. Then some enemies of the Jews tried to use political pressure and bribery to infiltrate the workforce and stop the building. Men reacted out of fear. Their courage turned to despair. That always is the result when fear takes over. So the construction ceased for sixteen years.

Zerubbabel was a leader and descendant of David. These obstacles caused Zerubbabel to become depressed, discouraged, and hardened with hopelessness.

God then sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage and uplift Zerubbabel and give him godly counsel. They confronted the opposition and comforted their anxieties. With renewed focus the temple was completed in four years. But God had to be recognized again for being in control and then the building was able to be completed. God is always in control. God’s sovereign plan did not allow Israel’s enemies to stop the construction. We sheep get distracted by Satan’s attacks of panic, fear, and doubts, and fall into a woe is me attitude all too often. I raise my hand – I am frequently guilty of just that myself.

Sound familiar at any level in your life? I can understand why Zerubbabel would feel like quitting and was overcome with a period of dismay and depression. The battle is unavoidable in many areas of leadership. Satan delights in getting people discouraged. He wants discord and will do all he can to keep us from experiencing the abundant life God has intended. He plants seeds of doubt as he did back in the garden with Eve. That is when more than ever we need to activate our spiritual armor in prayer and hold onto our hope, for He who promises is faithful. Hebrews 10:23.

The opposition will try to intimidate, accuse unjustly, and demotivate going in the right course of direction God has intended.

Do you need a Haggai and a Zechariah in your life right now? Does your success depend on your individual ability? Ask God to show you how to overcome the obstacles.

Sometimes we need to pause and then pivot. Do we need to make a change? Or do we need to get back on course in what God has purposed us to do, and maybe in a new way?

The right word received at just the right moment is exemplified in Proverbs 25:11 HCSB: “A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.” Who can you encourage today? Who can I encourage today?

Questions:

What causes you to be discouraged?

Which weapon is Satan tempting you with when in a setback: Guilt, shame, frustration, worry, or feelings of failure?

Are you a leader or a follower in times of conflict? How can you be more of a leader?

Listen to Zach Williams song “Old Church Choir.”