Psalm 136-139 God's Love Continues Even In The Deaths Of Unbelievers?

In chapter 136, it seems that the writer is telling us that God’s love for the Israelites (and for us as well) shines out in everything that happens, even in the killings of the firstborn sons of Egypt, the drowning of the Egyptian army, and in the killing of great kings of that time.  Now, from Israel’s point of view, that’s apparent.  But would Egypt and Bashan and the Amorites agree?  I’d say yes, based on the parable of the rich man speaking with Lazarus across the vast gulf that separated them during death.

For once our lives are over here, and we are faced with the eternal choice we’ve each made by accepting or not accepting the death of Jesus on the cross for us, and we see God’s goodness and our own sinfulness, we can’t help but agree with him that His judgments are fair and right.  It will be only because of His grace that we are spared.  Yes, He gave us free will on this earth, but what did we do with it?  That’s the question.

Father, if only those Egyptians killed while crossing the Red Sea could talk with non-Christian Egyptians today and let them know!  What a very different world we would live in!  Your love would even continue for them by ceasing an existence that would only lead to additional sin and greater punishment.  But in Your great love, You remove them from a sinful life that could end up only costing them more in eternity.  Your love does continue forever.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psalm 130-135 Our God is ACTIVE On Our Behalf

Last night I was helping my son with his Russian correspondence course.  The lesson was about the past, present, and future tenses of verbs.  I suppose God used that this morning to highlight what I was reading, for here’s what He showed me:

“Lord, hear … listen … forgive …. Do not reject …”

“ God says, ‘I will …. I will …. I will…. I will …. I will …. I will….’ “

“The Lord does what He pleases … The Lord defends His people and has mercy on His servants.”

I’m so thankful that we have a God who responds when we call.  He’s active.  He doesn’t do things on a whim.  Instead, He intentionally orchestrates all of our lives to weave together events that will cause us to draw closer to Him.

Father, Your power amazes me!  Your ability to use even what Satan tries to do to foil Your plans to carry out Your will in incredible!  No one can comprehend it all!  I’m so glad that I trust in You and not in anyone or anything less powerful than the Creator of the Universe.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psalm 120-129 Where My Help Comes From

“When I was in trouble, I called to the Lord and He answered me….

Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord … He will not let you be defeated. 

He who guards you never sleeps … The Lord will protect you from all dangers; He will guard Your life…

What if the Lord had not been on our side? …

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people now and forever…

If the Lord doesn’t build the house, the builders are working for nothing…

Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey Him.  You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things.”

It’s simply not enough to respect the Lord.  He wants obedience to His Word as well.  If we want His blessings, and if we want His best is this life, then we must respect Him AND obey Him. 

Father, we can’t compartmentalize our lives, boxing up our Christianity in one part “for church” while living like we’ve never heard of Christ in the other parts.  Help my sons and me to understand that and to live it out daily.  Let there be no shadow of turning from our obedience to You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psalm 119 -- LOTS of Margin Notes

I have more margin notes written in this chapter than probably any other in my Bible.  Those notes said a lot to me this morning.  It would take too long to write the verses AND the notes, so check them out for yourself!

Verse                    Margin Note:

1-2          A recipe for happiness

4              Obedience is not an option or a suggestion

5-6          Missing the mark and hating it

7              Our instinct is to not believe this.  It must be learned

14           Real happiness, not a lack of freedom, but life as it was meant to be lived

16           It takes effort because sin tries to make us forget

18-19     A prayer to remove my spiritual blindness

20           A proper hunger for something of great value

28-29     When we’re sad and tired, we’re most susceptible to breaking His rules

34           Make sure I buy into His teachings fully

36           Give me a desire that I don’t naturally have

40           But sometimes “wanting” isn’t enough

52           Like a horse gets comfortable with a saddle and a familiar rider

59-60     He made the correct choice and didn’t hesitate to start

96           There’s never a point where they don’t apply

115         Don’t hang around people who might cause you to fall

120         A healthy understanding of just who God is

176         Even though we stray, He comes looking for us

That’s just a sampling.

Father, thank You for these reminders.  They were just what I needed to hear this morning.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psam 116-118 God Reminding Me Of His Watchcare Over Me

“I love the Lord, because He listens to my prayers for help.  He paid attention to me, so I will call to Him for help as long as I live … I said to myself, “Relax, because the Lord takes care of you.” … So I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living … Lord, I am Your servant … You have freed me from my chains … All you people, praise Him because the Lord loves us very much … I was in trouble, so I called to the Lord.  The Lord answered me and set me free.  I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me.  People can’t do anything to me.  The Lord is with me to help me, so I will see my enemies defeated… They chased me until I was almost defeated, but the Lord helped me.  The Lord gives me strength and a song.  He saved me … Please, Lord, give us success … You are my God, and I will thank You; You are my God, and I will praise Your greatness.”

Father, yesterday I’d let the world creep in and cause doubts.  Thank You for gently calling me back to You.  Thank You for continuing assurance that You are there, and that You love me and want the best for me, and that You are in control.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psalm 110-115 God Has The Wheel

Words I needed this morning, Father!

“Sit by Me at My right side until I put Your enemies under Your control … The Lord has made a promise and will not change His mind … The Lord is beside you to help you … The Lord is kind and merciful … Everything He does is good and fair; all His orders can be trusted … He sets His people free … He is holy and wonderful.  Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord … Happy are those who respect the Lord, who want what He commands … the children of honest people will be blessed … A light shines in the dark for honest people, for those who are merciful and kind and good… Those who are fair in their business will be remembered.  They won’t be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.  They are confident and will not be afraid, they will look down on their enemies … The things they do are right and will continue forever … No one is like the Lord our God, who rules from heaven … The Lord lifts the poor from the dirt and takes the helpless from the ashes … The glory belongs to You, Lord, because of Your love and loyalty … Trust the Lord; He is your helper and your protection… You who respect the Lord should trust Him … The Lord remembers us and will bless us … The Lord will bless those who respect Him.”

Father, forgive me when I’ve been so absorbed with self that I’ve failed to respect You.  Thank You for reminding me this morning of Your sovereignty.  Be God in my life, Father.  Remove those things that don’t belong.  Give me Your calm assurance that You remain in control.  Let me never forget that Your hands never leave the wheel.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Psalm 108-109 Prayer In Times Of Trouble

Circumstances can get so discouraging that God is the only real hope for rescue.  When anxiety or worry begins to make life miserable, these are great chapters of encouragement.

“God, my heart is steady.  I will sing and praise You with all my being … Help us fight the enemy.  Human help is useless, but we can win with God’s help.  He will defeat our enemies.  God, I praise You.  Do not be silent…. I was good to them, but they repay me with evil.  I loved them, but they hate me in return.”

David’s been under verbal attack, and a large part of Psalm 109 lists those hateful words his enemies were saying about him.  After reciting them, he calls on God to turn their words upon them – to “do these things to those who accuse me, to those who speak evil against me.”

He cries out, “But You, Lord God, be kind to me so others will know You are good.  Because Your love is good, save me … Lord my God, help me; because You are loving, save me.  Then they will know that Your power has done this; they will know that You have done it, God.  They may curse me, but You bless me… I will thank the Lord very much; I will praise Him in front of many people.  He defends the helpless and saves them from those who accuse them.”

Father, keep my heart steadfast.  Help me not to ever stop trusting in You for everything I need.  Remove my doubts and fears.  Give me the encouragement I need.  Help me to remember the three words You uttered in 108:7 – “When I win…”  For You will, Father.  You will.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford