For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You… You hate all workers of iniquity…. who speak falsehood;
But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness … Make Your way straight before my face. …For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:4-8, 12
Judges 20 What a tragedy: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 Israel fights the Benjamites and annihilates them. Where is the sense? The justice? And why the defense of a man with a concubine? Precisely because Israel had no king. Now we have the Righteous King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus the Christ. People born again have the indwelling Holy Spirit for counsel and comfort, wisdom and healing. May I avail myself of these gifts tirelessly every day so that I might not be “senseless” and instead live for God to reveal Himself through me more clearly!! (Revelation 19:16, John 3:3,5-6, 1 Peter 1:23, John 14:26, John 15:26)
Acts 24 16 “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” says Paul. No matter how many people were offended by the Truth of God’s Word coming out of Paul, including religious leaders and royalty, Paul feared not man, but God. And thus God changed people throughout the ages through Paul’s words, actions and attitudes. May I be this way Lord Jesus – grow me!! Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 15:33 , Psalm 51
Jeremiah 34 “But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear. 15 Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name. 16 Then you turned around and profaned My name…”
Judgment and death (of all types) come to those who turn away from God and His commands. How I see that in the lives of the people around me, and in myself, too! I am not allowed to change my mind towards my own selfishness and pride, but only towards God’s Holy Mind and heed His Word! (1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 12:1-2)
Psalm 5 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You… You hate all workers of iniquity…. who speak falsehood; But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness … Make Your way straight before my face. …For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:4-8, 12
Psalm 6 I am troubled, worn and weak. Watching evil doers consumes me, wears me out. I feel their pain, I ache for the trajectory of their demise. I yearn for their transformation by the Lord Jesus Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Watching the slow growth in Jesus Christ of those I love leaves me with less hope than is rational. What am I to do? Face Christ Jesus and Live! (Hebrews 12:2, 2 Cor 4:18) They, like I, are in process, and the Best is yet to come!! Guaranteed!! (Philippians 1:6) You showed me that Father, when I came to You!! You filled me with reasonable Hope – True Hope of You and Your Word! Thank You!!
“7 My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.” But I do not consider people my enemies but enemies of God instead. (Philippians 3:18, Colossians 1:21, Romans 5:10, 1 Corinthians 15:25) So Christ’s Love compels me to pray for their salvation (v. 8-10) and sanctifaction.
While I am sometimes in Great pain because of those around me, You, Lord God, compel me to come to You for what I deeply and truly need. I trust You Lord Jesus, for You have done the Unexpected Goodness for me continually!! >> “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20
Crystal (PsalmThirty4)
Sixty-six books in a year 