- araratchurch
- Jun 11, 2022
- 2 min read
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
Psalms 86:5 NKJV
Have you ever known someone, been in a relationship with someone, who seemed to be always poised to jump on any mistake or offense in the relationship? Many times, these same people will—while berating concerning the current offense—spell out every past supposed offense in the relationship. Now, I’m not sure that any relationship can survive long wherein one or both of the people are always looking for a reason to berate the other.
Some people are always ready to jump on someone else’s offense because it keeps them in a position of power, of having something to hold over the other’s head. That way, the other is always trying to “earn” their forgiveness.
Sometimes, the predisposition toward jumping on an offense is to manipulate. For example: to provide a ready reason to not do something they didn’t want to do anyway.
Sadly, I have actually known situations where one person in a marital relationship would punish the other—making them really grovel—over some indiscretion, all the while knowing that they (although their spouse did not know) had done something similar or even worse.
Aren’t you glad that the Lord doesn’t treat us the way we often treat one another?
Now, some people have a very distorted view of the Lord. They see Him as being that person who is looking for a reason to zap you. Think about it, if that were the case, all He would’ve had to do is to leave things the way they were; we were under the penalty of sin with no way to redeem ourselves. Yet, while we were still in our sin, through Jesus Christ, He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. And, if He was still keeping a record of all that we have ever done, how could we stand before Him in judgment without already being condemned?
“If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?”
Psalms 130:3 AMP
In our portion from Psalms today we see David declaring that the Lord is “ready to forgive.” In other words, it is His desire to forgive us; and He doesn’t make us jump through all kinds of hoops to receive the forgiveness. Additionally, having been forgiven, He definitely doesn’t hold our sin over our heads! It only takes a penitent heart to trigger the forgiveness God is already predisposed to give.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities…”
Psalms 103:2-4a NKJV
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord is ready to forgive.
- araratchurch
- Jun 10, 2022
- 3 min read
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.””
Psalms 71:9-11 NKJV
The feeling of vulnerability is not a good feeling. I have seen people, once mighty and powerful, through the ravages of old age, becoming extremely frail and dependent on others for even their basic physical well-being.
If it isn’t bad enough to be vulnerable, it’s made worse by the fact that we live in a scary world. Sadly, we have all seen those horrifying images of evil people hurting and abusing vulnerable souls.
Sometimes we know why we feel vulnerable. As previously mentioned, it could be because of diminished strength brought on by age. But even things like feeling inferior to others can make you feel vulnerable. Additionally, there are actually times when we might feel vulnerable without knowing why we feel that way. But, whatever the reason for the feeling of vulnerability, it always produces the same emotion: fear. Sometimes that fear can become overwhelming.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
The above passage of scripture from Isaiah has been a comfort to me for as long as I can remember. You see, the Lord Isn’t looking for us to show Him how strong we are; He is looking for us to allow Him to show Himself strong through us.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT
In our portion from Psalms today we see David beseeching the Lord to not leave him now that he is old and weak. The fact that he was feeling vulnerable because of his age, was magnified by the fact that there were those who were waiting to destroy him. But, as at so many other times, he turns from fear and despair and affirms his trust in the Lord.
“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.”
Psalms 71:20-21 NKJV
For whatever reason you may be feeling vulnerable, just not up to your challenges, remember that the Lord does not forsake us when we are weak. Rather, He waits to show Himself strong on our behalf!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord won’t forsake you when you are vulnerable.
- araratchurch
- Jun 9, 2022
- 3 min read
“Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.”
Psalms 71:3-4 NKJV
There are a variety of ways in which people who are in positions of authority can extend relief to individuals finding themselves in trouble.
In the United States, our governmental system, gives the president and governors, the authority to offer sentence relief for those convicted of a crime. The relief offered can vary from commutation of a sentence to complete pardon. But—no matter what remedy is issued—it is binding. It doesn’t matter how many people may disagree with a particular pardon or remedy issued, the remedy stands.
Sometimes, American citizens get caught up in the operations of war and end up being held prisoner by other countries. Additionally, there are people who are taken captive for a variety of reasons by different countries or groups. But, however the person found themselves in such a situation, if the President of the United States authorizes an operation to extract those people, it will be done. Now, sometimes those operations fail. Ultimately, the command to be saved is only as good as the authority of the one giving it and the ability of the one giving it to back up the command with the necessary resources to make it so.
“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.””
Romans 10:11-13 NKJV
Did you know, did you realize, that the Creator of all things has issued a decree for us to be saved? By the sacrificial blood of His own Son, He has obtained a pardon for all who call upon His name as Savior. And, whereas governments may not have the clout to make good on their promises or decrees, God has no such difficulty.
Throughout the word of God we see people calling out to the Lord for His salvation. Time and time again, He heard and answered those who put their trust in Him.
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob.”
Psalms 44:3-4 NKJV
In our opening portion from Psalms today we see David, in the midst of severe trouble, commenting that God had given the command to save. Repeatedly, we see David expressing his complete trust in God‘s power to deliver His own.
The decree of the Lord, the command sent from His holy throne, cannot be thwarted nor overturned. And—as mentioned earlier—whereas other authorities may lack the ability to cash the checks they write, God’s irrevocable word, resting above His undefeatable name, will save you to the uttermost! Additionally, every moment of your life, the Lord is ready to make good on His promise to answer your urgent cry.
“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:24-25 NKJV
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
For those who trust the Lord for their preservation, the command has already been given for their salvation.