Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is
Monday June 29, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of
Psalm, please read chapters 23-30 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023-30&version=9
Today's Message: Don't Feel Like It
Physical
and mental pain can ruin any joy that we have, but giving praise to the
Lord, even when we don't feel like it brings powerful deliverance and
wonderful blessings.
David, who grew up a shepherd boy, now
king, saw himself nothing more than sheep being led, he was inspired by
the Holy Spirit to to write the most famous Psalm in the Bible. "The
LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in
green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my
soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the LORD for ever." - Psalm 23. No other livestock
requires more attention than sheep. Left alone, they can easily become
separated from the flock and get lost, who are also the most
defenseless and helpless animals that God has created. By nature we are
all like sheep, as long as we have the Good Shepherd watching over us
we are safe and can not fall into danger. "Then said Jesus unto them
again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep..........I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his
life for the sheep." - John 10:7,11. However, if we stop following
Him, we easily go astray, get lost and head straight for the wolf in
sheep's clothing, whom is none other than Satan himself.
After David's recovery from an affliction which had very nearly proven fatal, he wrote this Psalm. "I
will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made
my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou
hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave:
thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing
unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance
of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is
life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
- Psalm 30:1-5. David began to praise God for healing him and
encouraged all to praise Him and thank Him for His grace. Distress of
the body is common and sooner or later comes to almost everyone. This
distress was the instrument that God used to urge David to write this
Psalm, glorifying our wonderful God. David knew that God was the source
of his recovery, he prayed wholeheartedly and wholehearted prayer
always leads to praise and glory, despite what looks hopeless. We
overcome the fears of affliction when we recognize that it is not
chance but God that lifted us up.
Whatever
else God in mercy, grace, and wisdom may have in mind for His children
who experience afflictions, there is one thing very clear, the Lord is
near those who are suffering. We can not question why we are faced with
bodily pain and suffering, it's not anything that we have done or a
punishment from God, as we learned from the book of Job. Instead of
wallowing in sorrow for our suffering to end we need to praise God, the
only thing wallowing will do it make things worse. "But we had the
sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves,
but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a
death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;" -
II Corinthians 1:9,10. It is we who convince ourselves that there is no
hope, but if we put our trust in god and praise Him during every bit of
affliction we face, we can always be sure that God will deliver us our
of our pain. Praise God!
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
There
may be readers who are suffering today, but we know that You alone are
the source for healing those fragile bodies. Lord, touch them and give
them comfort today knowing that You are near and will heal them when
the time is right. Lord, we too struggle at times with suffering,
whether it is physical or even mental, help
us to rid ourselves of habits and attitudes that bring a complaining,
ungrateful or begrudging spirit. Renew us with a persistent spirit of
joyful praise, contentment, and gratitude for as long as we live. We
can rejoice in your goodness toward us and in Your steadfast love that
never ceases. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night and week.
God Bless,
Christina
P.S.
Please forgive me for being behind on posting the daily messages, I
myself have been suffering physically, but I am rejoicing because God
has delivered me from my suffering. Praise God! All should be back to
normal as of today. Thank you for being such faithful readers, I may
not even know you by name, but know that I am praying for each and
every one of my readers. If you have just found me, welcome and know
that I am praying for you too. God bless each and every one of you.
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