“God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel. His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. There He shatters the bow’s flaming arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭76:1-3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Before you step out of your house in the morning, before you even have that first cup of coffee, the God of creation has been fighting spiritual battles on your behalf! Yes, while you were sleeping, the enemy’s fiery arrows were thwarted and the charge was halted! Are you looking ahead at a confrontational day, shaking your head, doubting your readiness for overcoming the assault? You have everything you need, fully equipped by the same God who already fought and won! Peace and victory be with you today, my friend.

 
“I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.
Do not lift up your horn against heaven 
or speak arrogantly.’”
Exaltation does not come
 from the east, the west, or the desert
for God is the Judge:
He brings down one and exalts another.”

Psalm 75:4-7

Those beloved Fightin’ Texas Aggies boldly sing their fight song’s chorus, “Saw Varsity’s horns off” referring to their biggest rival, The University of Texas at Austin’s longhorn mascot. Why saw off their horns? Cattle and oxen raise their horns in a show of pride and power, especially to resist having a yoke put on them. A yoke is used to have oxen work together in pairs to help carry a load. The ox might raise its horns and stiffen its neck to fight against the master rather than submit to the unwanted demand. If the Aggies win the game, they “saw Varsity’s horns off–short” by cutting their pride to the quick.

When was the last time you got a stiff, arrogant neck with God? You shook your fist at Him in disdain and yelled, “I don’t need You! I’m doing this my way!” Maybe you were more subtle and quietly, sweetly disobeyed through omission while dressing up, going to church, and taking communion on Sunday.

God has no use for contemptuous self-promotion or passive-aggressive rebellion. Submit your plans, desires, and dreams to Him and take on the yoke He has custom-designed to carry with you.

“He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.”
Proverbs 3:34 GNT

“When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the One who steadies its pillars.” Selah
Psalm 75:3 HCSB

Earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes all cause us to kind of shake in our boots. Whether you are hunkered down in a storm shelter, forted in a safe room or have evacuated to higher ground, you can’t help but respect the amazing strength of the storm, knowing full well you are powerless to change it.

Similarly, when foundations upon which you have built your life — church, finances, government, job, or even family– are threatened by strife, division, and instability, your own power is limited. But God. He is the one who reaches in to calm the seas, to steady the waves; in the eye of the storm He is in control. Find rest and strength in Him.

“When I choose a time,
I will judge fairly.”
Psalm 75:2 HCSB

9-11. A day forever etched into the hearts and minds of most Americans. We knew evil existed because we heard about it on the news, but most had not personally identified with atrocity the likes of which we saw that day. To be sure, evil acts are nothing new. History has witnessed the holocaust of Jews, mass murders by wicked dictators and terrorists bludgeoning entire villages.

In an age of evil lurking at seemingly every turn, how does the Christian respond to injustice? Where is God? Why does He seem to be silent?

“If judgment were left in our hands, we would probably let it flash out against anything that displeases us whenever we see it. But God lets evil go unchecked sometimes for a rather long time, knowing that he has appointed a proper time when it will be brought down.” (Boice)

God tells us to leave this issue of justice to Him. In due time, according to His power, justice will be executed.

“Stop your fighting—and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 HCSB

Why have You rejected us forever, God?
Why does Your anger burn
against the sheep of Your pasture?

Remember Your congregation,
which You purchased long ago
and redeemed as the tribe for Your own possession.
Remember Mount Zion where You dwell.

Make Your way to the everlasting ruins,
to all that the enemy has destroyed in the sanctuary.

Psalm 74:1-3 HCSB

Have you ever cried out to God in frustration when it feels as if He is absent? You may have felt guilty as you complained to God, since most Christians have been taught it is wrong to do this. However, in Psalms we frequently see the writers pouring out their hearts, wailing in grief as they remind God of God’s love for His people. This psalmist even asks God to hurry because of the direness of the situation.

God desires us to pour out our hearts to Him, to go to a deeper level in our walk with Him. He already knows the problems before we do this, but praying changes us, allowing us to acknowledge our sorrow so that we can then reach a place of peace and joy. He renews our spirits. What do you need to take to Him today?

“When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward You. Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:21-24‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Your best friend died. Your spouse deserted you for someone else. You lost your home and everything in it to a fire. Where was God?

In the worst of times, when grief is an ocean as deep as the mountains are high, bitterness can threaten to drown us as we shake our fists at God because He did not spare us from the storm. Even then, He is right there with us, holding our hands, navigating us through the turbulent waters. Hold tightly to Him.🚦

Friday, September 7, 2018

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord , is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Amen and amen.”

Psalm 57:5, Psalm 72:18-19 , 1 Chronicles 29:11, Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

“I have become an ominous sign to many, but You are my strong refuge. My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:7-8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Have you been through a season of one trial after another such that friends start to avoid you, not wanting to ask how you are doing for fear of hearing about your most recent calamity or hardship? Even those you considered your closest confidants do not answer calls or texts because the transparency is too much for them. In a day and age that reveres positivity and “good vibes” one can be shunned for being honest and forthright with their pain, ridiculed with a message that their negativity is causing their problems.

In the midst of the rejection God remains faithful. He is ALWAYS there, ALWAYS our refuge, and ALWAYS worthy of our praise. No matter what is going on in our lives mentally and physically, God has saved us through the shed blood of Christ Jesus who then conquered death to rise again. He offers us this same rebirth each day. Will you choose Him today?

“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, “God is great! ” I am afflicted and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭70:4-5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

When was the last time you did NOT bring a request before God because you thought it too small compared with all the worse problems others are dealing with? It is a privilege to be able to bring our requests to the God of the universe, and we do so with praise and a heart of gratitude. Our creator wants us to come to Him with the problems and issues. He’s big enough to sift through the fluff we present in feeble blubbering to the heart to discern our needs better than ourselves; He even knows our needs before we bring them to Him. He longs for connection with us through our prayers and gladly receives them. His answers are often different from what we expect since He knows the true needs better than we ourselves do, and the results are always spot on.

“Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck. I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and a flood sweeps over me. I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69:1-3‬ ‭HCSB

Who HASN’T been here? The stress level is up your nose, and you are about to drown. The kids are fighting each other or others. The bills are greater than the bank account. Health issues. The boss is breathing fire down your neck. WHERE IS GOD?!

The ironic thing is that we don’t doubt God’s presence when we are coasting along when things are mostly smooth. We are “#blessed.”  As independent creatures we often have to be taken to that point of having zero control, no footing and barely able to breathe to fully rely on God as our only source. This spot spiritually is exactly where God wants us when life is not so challenging. He wants us to recognize that no matter the season He truly IS our only source.

Are you willing to let go of self-reliance and let creator God take over, fill the voids, and guide your next step? This is the #blessedlife.