S--Psalm 116
O--God hears and listens to our pleas, distress, anguish, tears, struggles, and afflictions. That is the initial reason for our love for Him. Fear comes from focusing on our sin and the ultimate payday for a life of sin. But God is trustworthy in His grace, and merciful. He reaches us in our lowest moments and saves us. As God weaves Himself into our lives, we are drawn to devotion. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" is something we hear a lot at funerals. And I think it fits. But I think in light of the content, we could more rightly say that the true "death" comes while we are alive. Dying to the sin, the desires straight from the hand of the enemy, our own thoughts and fears. Only when we lift up our cup to be filled with salvation and call on the name of the Lord can we truly walk before Him in the land of the living. Only God can dry our tears and keep us from stumbling; only God can loose us from the things that tie us down. A relationship that began with a listening ear leads to a sacrifice of thanksgiving and a vow of praise in the presence of all God's people, in the temple, in the city of God. Praise His Name.
A--"It's addictive the minute you let yourself think, 'The things that I say just might matter to someone.'" (Lyrics from "You Matter to Me" from Waitress) When we realize that God not only hears but LISTENS (there is a difference), what a thrill that is!!! I LOVE Him for that. But it is the answers from those prayers that leads me to a living devotion. This chapter changes me in verses 10-11 "I believe, even when I spoke: 'I am greatly afflicted'; I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars'." How often I believe what I say to myself!!! I think it, then I say it out loud, and that makes it truth in my mind. But all that leads to is a mind filled with the traps and painful emotions that sin brings. I will renew my mind by putting painful, useless thoughts to death through the deliverance of Christ Jesus and I will walk with God in new life!!!
K--I will call upon your name as long as I live, because You alone hear AND listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment