I'm Not Just Relieved; I'm Mad!

(This reading is based on Psalm 85 and is read in accordance witht the Rivived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of SDA)

"Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?" Ps 85: 5

We are our greatest threat; not God. I note that although this chapter starts out with an acknowledgement of God's favour to His people; it still speaks after that of God's anger. That does not add up to me. So I'd like to share two perspectives on God's anger:

Anger Perspective No. 1

Imagine this: you and your kids are at a beach. You suddenly remember that you brought a special gadget that you forgot in the car, and you decide to go back for it. Your gut feeling was that you should have the kids go back with you, but you couldn't get the words out before the protests begin; there was some real excitement going on in the water and they wanted to "watch." You relent, but insist that they do not go into the water without you. After all, they are teenagers... young yes, but teenagers - and you're not going far anyway. Still a bit uneasy, you hurry. But as quick as you were... you can imagine the rest of the story - suffice it to say that you were just in time take fetch your son who was experiencing some difficulty in the water. He denies he was in trouble, but you know what you saw. But that's not even the point; the point is, "I TOLD YOU TO WAIT ON ME! WHAT IF...?" Saving your son's life was never the issue. Although you're relieved that you were just in time, you're angry because he refused to follow your instructions that were meant for his protection.

                                        
Application

God knows the danger of sin (it brings death), and gets anxious (angry even) when He sees us toying with it - being irrationally unmindful of its danger.

Anger Perspective No. 2

The anger that is here ascribed to God could very well be coming from within us. Have you ever been angry with yourself for doing something stupid - and for no good reason at that! It gets worse when you keep doing this same stupid thing over and over again. It's only rational that God would Himself be angry with us. So sometimes we think we shouldn't even bother to seek His forgiveness, because we're going back anyway. This is a dangerous place to be; being angry with ourselves that we may even decide to pull the plug on our spiritual quest.

It's important that we know that God's mercy is available to us. His Grace is not extended to us because He knows that deep down we're good; His Grace is extended because we're NOT good; because left to ourselves we'll all drown in the sea of sin like the Egyptians.

Consecration

Father, I want to walk in Your footsteps today. I want to go wherever You go, be wherever You are, and do whatever you bid and would Yourself do. Help me I pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 85 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

In For the Long Haul

(This reading is based on Psalm 84 and is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists)

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand." Psalm 84: 10

Speculators and Investors

One of the admonitions that experienced investors, like the Warren Buffets of the world, will give us is that we have to be patient; you must be prepared to invest for a long time before you start pulling in the earnings. This is not to say that investors won't ever make a great deal of money in a short period. But real investors are prepared to wait; they don't jump at every "good deal," nor do they run every time financial challenges begin to gather on the horizon. They know they'll win some and lose some in the short term, but in the long run, they usually win more. Investors by nature take only calculated risks, and always cover their investments; they don't invest in industries that they have no knowledge of - they are always informed.

Speculators, on the other hand, are impatient by nature. They are very erratic and highly unstable; always want to make a quick buck. They make easy targets for the Maidoffs and Standfords of the world, who usually promise more than they can deliver in a sustained way. Speculators take big uncalculated risks, and are often exposed to major losses. They usually go for the highest returns - even though they have too little information to make a rational decision.

                  

Who are You?

The child of God who appreciates God's courts/house/presence is like the investor who, although assailed with challenges is not apt to run - because the initial decision to invest in God, was an informed one. This individual KNOWS that "God is, and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11: 6. They know how to wait between temporary periods of loss, because in the long run their investments, in God, will pay off.

The spiritual speculator, on the other hand, is one who is easily discouraged, and who is also apt to be "tossed by every wind of doctrine." Eph 4: 14. They go for the sensational; what appears exciting. If it feels good, then it is good. These are double minded individuals whom James describes as "unstable" (James 1: 8). These make easy targets for the Satan's Ponzi schemes.

The sons of Korah have obviously done the math. They have evaluated the market conditions and concur that although there are challenges in life, "a day in (God's) courts is better than a thousand" out of God's presence. What are you inclined to think? Are you dazzled by the 1000 carrots Satan dangles in front of your eyes, or will you be satisfied with just the one God offers? Are you an investor, or a speculator?

To read and/or listen to Psalm 84 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Free to Choose, but Subject to Judgement

(This reading is based on Psalm 82 read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conferece of Seventh-day Adventists.)

Yahweh... God all by Himself!
Without seeking to provide a commentary on whether or not what happened to Saddam Hussein was right or wrong - that he defied the court in which he was tried didn't prevent his ultimate sentencing and execution. Whether or not people acknowledge God - He is God and Judge of all... He rules - He is God all by Himself!

Free to Choose but Subject to Judgement
Being created free moral agents we enjoy a certain freedom of opinion - the merit of which will be ultimately measured against God's own utterances (the absolute truth of His Word). It seems to be within the scope of this freedom that God would acknowledge what or whom we may deem or accept as our gods. Of course, whatever deeds we do in the name of these gods will be judged by the one true God. It is common sense to humbly choose to follow the one true God.

                                       

Satan's Impending Judgement
I also see in this text a tacit reference to Satan, the god of this world (2 Cor 4: 4) who will be brought to book for all the deeds he has done. He has claimed worship. He has set up men who have themselves claimed worship. And many in their God-given freedom have acknowledged these wannabes as gods. But their destiny of doom has already been determined, and it's now only a matter of time.

Transparent Judgement
God in this chapter is quite transparent, although not exhaustive, about the basis of His judgement, which at least at this stage gives human beings the opportunity to change their course. It remains to be seen what we'll do - whether as potential gods (based on fame, fortune, or affluence), or as potential followers of these gods. Of interest too is that in many instances being gods in our own eyes, we often sacrifice justice, morality, and righteousness on the altar of self-gratification. May the God of Heaven truly help us all.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 82 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Listen... God Knows

(This reading is based on Psalm 81 and is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative fo the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists).

“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!" Ps 81: 13

Parental Ordeal

Maybe you had the experience like my mother had, who literally begged me to study during my high school years, but television was my favoured pastime - so naturally I failed high school. Thank God for second chances, and in my case for a place called Northern Caribbean University (then it was West Indies College).

Perhaps the challenge with your children isn't that they are not performing well academically; their relationships are just questionable. They stay out late, while showing a nominal interest in things spiritual - if any at all. You're afraid that they are sexually active, or dangerously close to becoming thus. And it's not just about preventing unwanted pregnancies or contracting STIs; it's about morality, having respect for God's ideals. How do you get your child to listen?

                     

You're Not Alone

Much like He did with Israel of old God shares your concern for your children - for all children (including us adults). There's so much that He wants us to experience, or avoid. We can rest assured that He will not withhold anything from those who desire to bring out the best in others, because that is what wishes for all of us - the best!  Ask His help; He'll give it.

It's Not Just Listening

Note in the passage that God doesn't just want His people to LISTEN to Him, He also wants them to WALK in His ways as well. This need to follow instructions largely informed New Testament theology as we observe in the following:

"For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom 2: 13

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1: 22

Prayer of Consecration

Our Father who art in Heaven, today we desire only to be Your obedient children.  We trust You, we trust Your words, Your counsel, Your instructions.  Grant us the power to not only be hearers of the word, but doers also, we ask in Jesus' name, amen. 

To read and/or listen to Psalm 81 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Deliverance, Death and Honour

"This reading is based on Psalm 79 read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists)

 "Come;" the Lord's Invitation
Isn't it good to know that even if we're deserving of the unpleasant things we may be experiencing, we don't have to stay in a little corner and quietly suffer through our punishment; there's always the opportunity to renegotiate our situation with God - at least for now! "Come now, and let us reason together... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool," is the Lord's invitation to us; He so wants to deliver us!.

Death Makes no Difference
Sometimes though,some situations may seem to be taking forever to be over and it appears that God has forgotten us. Like Asaph we may want to ask, "How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire" Ps 79: 5. But with the right attitude (penitent and repentant), and the positive indications that we have learned our lessons, we can rest assured that God will only be too anxious to release us. And can we appreciate that sometimes death is the way out ("Preserve those who are appointed to die," verse 11)? This passage could be a call to keep them from dying, or to keep them in dying. With God death really makes no difference in the bigger scheme of things.

                                  

A Matter of Honour
And not to suggest that He's in this simply for Himself, but God has another very good reason to want to listen to our pleas for help: as a declared God of mercy, grace, longsuffering, goodness and truth (Ex. 34: 6) His name is on the line. Asaph draws on this fact, not so much to convince God, but to boost his own confidence in his plea for help. Asaph says in verse 9, "Help us, O God of our salvation, FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, FOR YOUR NAMES' SAKE!" For God it then becomes a matter of honour that He hears our prayers.

Prayer of Commitment

Father in Heaven, we have not been altogether faithful as we should, and there is no good reason why.  Consequently, we are not where we should be. And unfortunately also, some of us are contented in the prisions of an illicit relationship, an ostentatious lifestyle, a morally unsound job situation that has us violating rules of ethics and other biblical truths - including the Sabbath.  Lord, please put it within us to want to be where You want us to be, to do the things You want us to do, to be the people You want us to be.  All this and more we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 79 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

 

No More Needles; No More...!

(This reading is based on Psalm 77 which is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists).

"Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?" Ps 77: 9

Some of the reasons for my anxiety about getting an injection at the doctor's is that I'd often worry about the needle breaking off in my arm, and then they'd have to cut the arm open to take out the needle fragment that was left inside. And then I'd also just simply worry about the pain the prick of the needle will cause.

The fact is though that I have literally lost count of the number of injections I've gotten in my lifetime. Never once was a needle broken inside my arm and the pain was never as overwhelming as I've always feared it'd be. My experience to date has in no way justified my fear of the needles... yet I continue to be wary of them. Nevertheless, these days when I visit the doctor, or go to a blood bank I try to be gong ho about the needles. But should I really be resigned to needles? Not sure. I know though that I thank God that in the earth made new, we'll be perpetually healthy - AND WE WON'T NEED THE NEEDLES ANYMORE; NO NEED TO FEAR!!!

                               

In a similar way, we won't have to put up with the many other troubles of life with which we have to contend at the present. And, as also with the track record of the needles, God has always come true on His promises, and has always been faithful His watch/care over us. The uncomfortable things He permits to happen to us - those little pricks of the needle - are always for a greater good than is often seen to be served when we're actually going through those crucibles. And when those dark days come, we must note the track record of God's dealings with us, and know "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. 1: 7. The writer of Hebrews in 12: 11 says, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." In the end we can all look back and say, "It was worth it!" And what's more, in the earth made new we'll be eternally happy - AND WE WON'T NEED THOSE CRUCIBLES ANYMORE!!!

So there's no need to worry anymore; no need to feel sorry for ourselves; no need to wallow in self-pity. Instead, let us remember how faithful God has been and let's remain faithful and always praise the LORD!

Share in this beautiful song, Remind Me Dear Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-eSX1lbaOc.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 77 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Old Brooms Know the Corner

(This reading is based on Psalm 71, read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists).

"Now also when I am old and grayheaded, o God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation; your power to everyone who is to come. Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, you who have done great things; O God, who is like You?" Ps 71: 18, 19

When I Get Old
Recently at work I had an interesting peak into what my future may actually look like from the perspective of work. A deliberate effort was made to invite our retirees to share in our annual colloquium exercises to start the new school year. Not only did they attend, but were allowed to also participate in the discussions. Seeing that, I wondered how I may be treated by a future generation of leaders, and what wisdom I may actually have to share with the young. It often takes the old among us to bring us back to the reality of should be our core concern.

                                  

Jamaican Proverb
A Jamaican proverb says, "New broom sweep (sweeps) clean, but ole (old) broom know di cawna (knows the corner). Ever notice how old brooms tend to be bent into a shape that allows them to reach certain areas more easily? This is like a person who not only knows what is to be done, but understands why it is to be done, and why you cannot cut corners, but must preserve the integrity of what is being done. To cut corners is to leave critical details unattended to. So the passageway of a room is squeaky clean, but the corners are full of dust, and this means the room is not clean.

Sharing Wisdom
Reaching the dust in the corners of a room is like understanding how God completes us individually. David, now gray-haired, wants to be able to tell the younger generation of God's strength, power, and righteousness. He wants to tell them about the vanity of life without God. His son, Solomon captures it well, "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." Eccl. 1: 14.  Our Saviour, the epitome of wisdom, counsels us, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..." Matt 6: 33.  In other words, sweep the corners first; the rest of the room is easy.

Commitment Prayer
Father in Heaven, we don't just want a clean passageway; doing things so people won't be alerted to our challenges.  Instead we desire a room that is wholly clean (corners and all); we desire that in our inmost beings we're true to you. Amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 71 and to read other related blogs please click here. 

Traffic Spikes and Ripped Tires

(This reading is based on Psalm 70, read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)
As I grapple with the harsh reality borne out in these Psalms of desperate pleading for God's intervention I have to wonder about the import of being anointed by God for a purpose. Why is it that when I'm working with One of limitless resourcefulness I'm so often seemingly left hanging in such desperate suspension? Is it that in the context of the Great Controversy Satan is allowed to rig the road to doing God's will with traffic spikes - an apparatus installed on a roadway to enforce a one-way traffic flow? This seemed a common thread throughout Old and New Testament stories:

1. Abraham was promised to become the father of a great nation, yet it wasn't before he and his wife lost the vigor of youth (or maybe until they learned to not measure God by what they receive from Him, but to trust Him notwithstanding) that they received the child of promise (Isaac).

2. Joseph, destined for greatness as assured by God through dreams from his childhood, was hated and almost murdered by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, but triumphant at last.

3. Here David, though anointed as the next king of Israel, succeeding Saul was hated by his predecessor and was constantly pursued for his life. But it got worse, because even in his own household, among his very sons, he still had to be looking over his shoulder. Notwithstanding these struggles David became the model king of Israel, hence Jesus being referred to as the Son of David.

Jesus indicated that this trend of unending struggle (tire-shredding) would not cease - even for us, we can expect. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. And as indicated in the last phrase of this passage, as also evident in the scenarios above, although there will be struggles triumph is assured. Indeed those who seek God will rejoice and be glad in Him (ripped tires and all).

To read and/or listen to Psalm 70 and to read other related blogs, please visit here.

A Dip in the Nick of Time

(This reading is based on Psalm 69, read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)

 "I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me." Ps 69: 2

A few years ago I almost drowned. We were playing Frisbee in the sea at the famous Duns River Falls. The sea was fairly calm that day. Now, I'm no swimmer, but somehow that day I was in different mind space. The Frisbee was thrown outside the circle we had create, and was being pulled by the current out into the deep. I started to "swim" for it. But as a good Seventh-day Adventist when I'm in the water, I'm typically 1-2-3-4-5-6-rest with my strokes in the water. Only this time when I decided to rest; I was in too deep; the water covered my head. A good thing though, was that I was able to stand. But I had nothing left inside to put up a struggle, so I started to immediately rehearse my life - starting with that very morning how the bus had left me, and I got a ride to chase down the bus....

                                     

But no sooner than I had started the review process God sent a wave that created a dip in the water; just enough depth for the water to fall below my nostrils, so by the time I was to take in a fresh supply of breath I took in air instead of the water I dreaded was to have been my fate. I was afterward able to take just a few steps back to shore and my head was completely and safely above the water.
Now as it turned out it is possible that the top of my head could still have been out of the water, but I had no idea; consequently, I was immediately resigned to the thought that I was about to drown. How often do we hit the panic button without knowing all the facts, but more so without noting that our God is able to create a dip in the water when it would otherwise smother us to death?

Lessons:
1. Even if you're in over your head God is able to create a dip so you can breathe
2. Although it appeared I was quick to surrender to drowning, that mindset allowed me sufficient calm to immediately note the help God had sent my way.
3. Sometimes we're too busy struggling to help ourselves to note that God is trying to help us.
4. God will stop us at just the point where we can still stand.
5. Most times, perceptions are way worse than the reality
6. Isaiah 43: 2 is still true, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." Just replace "overflow" with overpower.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 69 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Be Still My Soul

(This reading is based on Psalm 65 read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)

 "You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. " Ps. 65: 7

This verse is laced with prophetic overtones:

Jesus Calmed the Sea

1. As I read this verse I was immediately taken the scene where Jesus would calm the sea that fearful night when the demons would have killed Him had they gotten that chance, "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4: 29.

Water Symbolizes Peoples

2. I thought it not a coincidence also that in this same verse of stilling the noise of the seas and their waves, God is also stilling the "tumult of the peoples -" because in prophecy water symbolizes people, "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Revelation 17:15.

Reassurance

As Jesus spoke calm into the boisterous waves, He can speak a calm into our souls; He can bring peace between troubled factions. "My peace I leave with you," says Jesus, "My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27. With this reassurance we can readily heed God's bidding in Psalm 46: 10, "Be still and know that I am God."

This classic hymn, "Be Still my Soul," captures well the essence of the message of what God desires to do for us:

Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end....

To read and/or listen to Psalm 65 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Lethal Tongue

(This reading is based on Psalm 64 and is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)

 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."  Ps 19: 14

Words are piercing; they come from deep within one individual (Ps. 64: 6) and they penetrate to the depths of another's soul.

Life-Giving Words

Words sometimes convey the tidings of life that inspire hope and solace. Jesus says in John 6: 63, "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are LIFE." Job 4: 4 says, "Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees."

Lethal Words

Words sometimes kill. And although words can sometimes lead to one's physical death, there's a death caused by words though is often worse than conventional death. Words can kill joy, hope, purpose, the essence of life, the very motivation to go on. And all this happens while a person is still breathing and feeling. It's like watching some wild life documentary where predators begin eating the flesh of their prey while they are yet alive. It's bad enough when they kill their prey first, but it's way worse to watch and imagine that the prey is feeling every devouring rip of teeth into its flesh.

Warning

For those of us who would speak evil of others (the innocent), "Who sharpen their tongues like a sword," we would do well to remember that, "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb 4: 12. God will speak on the behalf of the innocent/the vulnerable. And to the evil speakers the word is, "But God shall shoot at them with an arrow," (Ps 64: 7). So be warned, when you shoot your words, God will be shooting back.

Resolve/Prayer

Father, we join David in an earlier prayer, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer," (Ps 19: 14). Amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 64, and to read other related blogs, please click here.

Sweating it; the Blessing of Eustress

(This reading is based on Psalm 63, read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)

"My soul thirsts for You... in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water." Ps 63: 1

The expression , "No sweat" is one that is used to suggest that an existing situation is not a stressor to the individual facing it. This could either mean that the implications of the situation are immaterial, or that the requirements of the circumstance can be easily met. So we say, "no sweat!"

Psalm 63 voices David's insatiable yearning for God - consistent with his desire for something real and substantial. This desire is compared to a deep thirst as can be experienced in a desert journey. Well, I've never experienced a desert trip, but I have worked and played hard in the sun and dripped sweat like morning dew from a banana tree. Those experiences can sure work up a major thirst. 

The search for truth/for substance/for reality is one that is initially motivated by a basic, innate desire (thirst) that intensifies as the search progresses; the more we experience God, the more we desire Him. We are drawn both by an intense love and admiration for Him as well as by a compelling desire to become more like Him. And because the closer we get to Him the more sinful we appear in our own eyes - the more intense then becomes our desire to be like Him. Hence, our thirst for God intensifies - even as we seek fresh springs of water to quench this thirst. This is a matter of substantial consequence that produces a healthy level of stress (eustress) and resultant sweating.

Eustress

Eustress describes that healthy level of motivation(stress) to relate to a matter with the due importance that it carries for our lives. The situation is material, it is of consequence, and we must handle it accordingly. When we neglect to treat these important situations responsibly they may develop into circumstances of grave distress (an unhealthy level of stress). In his search for purpose David is satisfied that the path of the wicked leads to a dead-end; to a state of distress, so there's no point in going that route. He instead seeks a relationship with God. He declares, "Your lovingkindness is better than life" (verse 3). He's in effect saying, "If living is without You, I'd rather not live. Dying for You is better than just living."

                                                  
Jesus had come to the crossroads of choosing between just staying alive and doing God's will, which would bring death; He chose the will of His Father. We would also recall that that very situation (His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane) was one that produced great amounts of sweat - as if they were great drops of blood ("And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground," Luke 22: 44). This could have easily become a distressful situation, but Jesus handled it well... He prayed.

Sweating

Sweating is one of nature's ways of expelling waste from our bodies; it is a healthy bodily function. It is sometimes deemed inconvenient however - hence the high incidence of antiperspirant deodorants and air conditioning units being used. Ones physical environment or activities can produce sweat. So also can intense mental processes. Jesus' sweating in the Garden was primarily a mentally initiated one.

The idea of sweating in our spiritual walk is not a far-fetched or an outrageous one. It is very consistent with biblical metaphors used to describe our pursuit of a relationship with God. Jeremiah 29: 13 says, "You shall seek and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart." That sure sounds like a sweat-producing endeavour. Then the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of running a race to admonish the Corinthian brethren to persevere, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Cor. 9: 24.  In Hebrews 12: 1 (the last part) we're told, "...and let us RUN with patience the RACE that is set before us."  When in Eccl. 9:11 the wise man Solomon says, "The race is not to the swift," he would really want to tell us that this race is not a sprint; it's a marathon.  

Father in Heaven what a wonderful privilege it is that we have You to fill this void inside each of us.  Today we recommit to having You dwell within us. Please come in and never leave we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

To read and/or listen to Psalm 63 and to read other related blogs, please visit here.