Bible 2016

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Psalm 22:1-2 Feeling Alone

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22:1-2

David had been crying out to God for deliverance from all of his enemies. As he cried out, he felt as though God was silent and would not answer him. The feeling was to the level of feeling like God had abandoned him. Later in this psalm, David says he will still proclaim God’s righteousness and continue to trust in Him. These are the same words that Jesus proclaimed several thousand years later as He was dying on the cross.

As people go throughout their life, there are times when they feel as though they are completely on their own, and that no one else cares. This often occurs while they are surrounded by a lot of people. There does not seem to be a connection with anyone. Many will commit suicide because they feel so alone and helpless.

Believers can feel the same way at times. They may be going through an extremely difficult time and are crying out to God day and night, with no answer. God is silent and does not appear to care.

It is not that God does not care, but that it is not time for Him to act or speak. God is still in control of everything that is happening. You must continue to trust that God knows what He is doing. Trust that God is righteous and will do nothing wrong.

Instead of focusing on the problems you are facing and that God is not answering them, focus on how good God is. Focus on telling others what Jesus has done for you and can do for them. Focus back on what God has done in the past.

As you do these things, you will be trusting God and giving God the glory and praise. Complaining will not do anything, trust will allow everything.

Even though you may feel alone, Jesus will never leave or forsake you. He is still right by your side at all times, even in your darkest hours of life.

I pray today that you will know the presence of God in your life; that you will trust God when you can’t feel Him; that God will fill you with His peace; and that you will proclaim God’s goodness to everyone.

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Psalm 20:7 Who Or What Do You Trust In?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

David had just offered a pray for all of the people. He had prayed that their prayers would be heard by God and that He would answer those prayers. Then he talks about how some people trust in chariots and horses, but that he, and those he is talking to, trust in God.

All over the world people trust in many different things each day. Trust begins the moment a person gets up in the morning and goes all the way through the day and night. As the person gets up, he trusts that the floor will still be below his feet and that the morning sun will rise up. He trusts that he still has the ability to live on this earth.

If a person gets in a car, he trusts that it will run. He trusts he still has a job to work. And the list goes on and on how people have trust each day.

Many, however, trust in the things of this world alone, and refuse to trust in God. They trust in their job to provide the needed finances. They trust their retirement fund to provide during retirement. They trust the police to protect them. They trust the doctor to cure them. Yet, they will not trust in God, because they cannot see Him.

All the things of this world may be good, but they are also temporary. Cars break down, jobs fail, retirement funds crumble, and things change. The only thing that you can fully trust in, with guaranteed assurance, is God.

God has always been there and will always be there. He will never fail in anything that He does. Put all of your trust in God. Listen to what He says and follow His lead. It may look like a dead-end path, but God knows what is best. He is the only one who is in absolute control.

Everyone has trust in something. Where is your trust today?

Is it in the things of this world?

Or is it in God?

I pray today that you will personally know God; that you will trust God in everything and for everything; that you will not fear this world; and that you will see God’s faithfulness in your life.

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Psalm 19:11 How To Get A Great Reward

By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11

In this psalm, David is talking about the laws and commands of God. He had already pointed out how they can give joy to the heart and how valuable they are. Now David says that by God’s laws a person is warned, and in keeping them there will be a great reward.

Very few people will state that they like rules and regulations that they must follow. It is always acceptable for the rules to be for the other person, but not for oneself.

Whether it is in the workplace, in a school, a home, or on the street people are always complaining about the rules. There is always a reason why the rule is bad according to someone.

Complaining about a rule is easy when one has the wrong perspective about the rule. Most often people look at rules as a negative restriction on their freedom. They do not see the real value in the rule.

Rules are a warning to a  person on what not to do. Yes, they do limit the freedom, but it does it in a good way. Any time a rule is broken there is a consequence. That consequence may not show up right away, but it will over time, and ultimately when one stands before God after death.

As a person breaks the law by speeding, there may not be a consequence at that moment, but if it continues there will come a day when either the person gets into an accident because of speed, or gets a ticket.

Obeying the laws will always bring peace of mind that you are not going to be in trouble. It brings peace of mind that you are in right standing with God.

God lays out rules to help you be the best that you can be. He does it for your protection and benefit. You must be willing to trust what God wants you to do or not do.

In the end you want to hear God say to you well done good and faithful servant.

I pray today that you will not fear God’s rules for your life; that you will see the value of God’s rules for you; that God will strengthen you to follow His commands; and that God will say that you are faithful and good servant.

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Psalm 18:33 A Solid Stand

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. Psalm 18:33

David is giving God praise throughout this psalm for His protection and provision. David gives God the credit for giving him strength and wisdom for battle, and for overcoming his enemies. He knows that he is standing firm only because God planted his feet firmly.

The example given is David was given the feet like that of a deer. Deer are amazing to watch as they run along. Regardless of the brush and unevenness of the ground the deer always seem to know exactly where to place their feet to keep moving forward quickly. Then they can, with amazing speed and agility, jump over a fence that they had been running alongside of, as though it was not even there.

Not only does say that God gave him feet like a deer, he also states that God made him stand on high places. Watching deer up on a high mountain can also be amazing. They run or stand along the edges of a deep crevice as though it was all on level ground. Some deer are also known for going down extremely steep sides of the mountain with great skill and agility.

The challenge with standing on a high place, is that it is only one step from danger. One wrong move can cause a fall, ending in a major disaster or death. A person can climb up the path of Pike’s Peak in Colorado all the way to the top at over 14,000 feet. On parts of the path it is only about five or six feet from the mountain wall to the drop off of over 2,000 feet straight down. One must watch his step or it can be a danger.

As a believer, you also must watch all of your steps. No matter where you are in your walk with God,  you are only one step away from sin. Trust in God to place your feet where they need to be.

Do not be afraid of where God is placing  you in this life. He has you there to be His witness and to build you up to be like Jesus. You may be on a high place to shine the light of Jesus to this dark world.

I pray today that you will allow God to strengthen your feet; that you will walk only where God wants you to walk; that you will be firm in your stand for God; and that God will use you to be His witness in this world.

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Psalm 17:5 Where Do You Walk?

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. Psalm 17:5

David was crying out to God to hear his prayer. His enemies were surrounding him and trying to destroy him. As he calls out to God, he knows that God hears him. He tells God that he has held to His paths and he does not stumble in any way.

David was known as a man after God’s own heart and the apple of God’s eye. For most of his life, he strived to obey all of God’s rules and serve God with his life. There were times when David had messed up and chose a wrong path, but almost immediately he realized his mistake and repented of his choice. In this way he held to the paths of God, without really stumbling.

Holding to a path means that one will stay on that path and follow it regardless of the directions it is going. There are times when a person may be traveling on a highway through the mountains that the road appears to take a wrong turn. The ultimate goal may be to get to the west side of the mountains, and suddenly the path turns south, then back east for a ways.

One may wonder why it is going the wrong way, or may wonder if he missed a turn somewhere along the way. The driver must trust the maps and the road will get him to the location desired.

In life, God is always guiding your steps, on the path He has set out for you. It may appear at times that God has left you or that you failed and are on the wrong path. Troubles will occur and it will seem that you have somehow got onto the wrong path.

You must know the path God has set out for you, and trust God completely. Hold on to the path that He has set out for you. Do not allow yourself to stumble on that path. God’s path is straight and narrow because it is only through Jesus.

Follow Jesus and you will remain on the path God has for you.

What road are you walking on today?

The world’s?

Or God’s?

I pray today that you will know the path God has for you; that God will guide your every step; that you God will strengthen your walk with Him; and that you will not fear the path God has for you.