1 Kings 16; Colossians 3; Ezekiel 46; Psalm 102

A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord.

¹ Lord, hear my prayer!
    Listen to my plea!
² Don’t turn away from me
    in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
    and answer me quickly when I call to you. (Ps 102:1-2) NLT

The introduction of this Psalm caught me off guard. For some reason, I think the Lord wanted me to remember a time when my heart was breaking and there were no words to speak as I found myself kneeling beside my bed, weeping—possibly wailing—before the Lord. These were the unspoken words of my heart. Hear me Lord, please listen to me. I need you! I needed God for comfort, I needed him so much. His face was the only one I wanted to see, his voice the only one I wanted to hear. In my mind, I pictured myself with my head on his lap and his hand stroking my hair. That picture in my mind was what got me through that night. I felt his love for me; I felt the calm come over me. He didn’t turn, he heard. He bent down and listened.

²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23-24) NKJV

I’ve had to make this verse a mantra. Working has certainly brought a vast array of personalities into my life. What I learned from this is how God used the challenging co-workers to show me weaknesses about myself, character traits he wanted to change in me, and to trust his purpose for putting me in a specific place working for a specific person. It was difficult for me to see it when I was walking through it, and there were times I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. There was a season where every day I had to tell God, “I’m doing this for you.” But the blessing was a deeper walk with him and a better understanding of who he created me to be.

³⁴ In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun. (1 Kings 16:34) NKJV

I couldn’t remember what Joshua had spoken so I looked it up:  “Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.” (Josh 6:26 NKJV)”

God was serious about the city of Jericho being left as a reminder that he was the one who had destroyed this city. Those were harsh words with a heady promise attached to them. I really wish the bible said more about this. I had so many questions. It’s obvious Ahab was not following the Lord as the previous verses tell us he did more to anger the Lord than did all the kings before him.  But I wonder if Hiel was aware and knew the price he would pay to obey the king by once again fortifying Jericho’s walls. This was work—but certainly not unto the Lord!

Heavenly Father, I saw such a depth to who you are in these verses. You are the Tender Comforter, the Teacher and Gardener pruning the unhealthy branches from me, and the God of Judgment whose word stands. Thank you for allowing me to know even a small part of you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Cindy (gardnlady)

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Daniel 9, 10; 2 John 1

Daniel prays and his words reach out to grab and grasp at God. Hear your servant’s prayer … listen as I plead … lean down and listen to me. There is desperation and urgency and need.

“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive.” Daniel 9:19a, NLT.

God answers prayer in a variety of ways. He sent Daniel a messenger.

¹² Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” Daniel 10:12, NLT.

I’m thankful that the God of Heaven hears prayer.

His answer to Daniel had me glaze over once all the math stuff and calculations started. But in my own life, his answers have been things I can recognize: a refrain of his Word … a friend to help … a meal delivered when I was sick … and even the unexpected change in another’s heart. His answers bear his signature, and I know he is near. I know he has heard me. His answers aren’t always what I expect, and sometimes his answer to my fervent pleading is no.

Lord, thank you for your patience and listening. Thank you for answers and thank you for nearness.

Courtney (66books365)

Psalm 22-24; Acts 20:1-16

David’s psalms have a flow, especially the ones where he’s hurting or scared–he goes from helpless to hopeful before the last note sounds. Sometimes the rhythm changes, but they have a variation of these elements (more or less):

• This is my now.
• This is how I feel.
• This is who You are, God.
• And I will praise You.

In anyone’s life, the now and the feeling will change. But God does not.

Reading through Psalm 23, I grab these words (a noun, and many verbs): shepherd, gives rest, leads, renews, guides, protects, comforts, prepares, honors, pursues. He is an active God, even when it seems he is far off. I watched David wrestle with that in Psalm 22.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
    Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
² Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
    Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Psalm 22:1-2, NLT

I deeply appreciate his honesty and vulnerability. How many real-life examples offer up this intimate glimpse into their hearts?

Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship,
    and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
    give glory, you sons of Jacob;
    adore him, you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down,
    never looked the other way
    when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
    he has been right there, listening. Psalm 22:22-24, The Message

In my walk with the Lord, even the daily stuff, I can keep it simple. I can say, “God this is my now, and this is how I feel.” I can clutch his word and hold it up to him and declare, “This is who you are, and I will praise you.” It is how to hold hope in the midst of helplessness.

Thank you, Lord, that you are right here, listening.

Courtney (66books365)