Aug 21 Blessed be Your name

Father, I have often wondered why You singled out Job and allowed so much suffering to come into one life.  How tragic, and yet how strong was his faith in You.  It stood up to all satan threw at him.  He did not curse You, but responded with those famous words: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; may the name of the lord be praised.” 

What a testimony that he could still praise You in the face of all the tragedy and suffering!   I would not want Job’s misfortunes.  When much less has happened to me, I have heard my own thoughts turn to thinking it would have been better had I never been born.

It makes me wonder, have I made comfort and ease idols?

Father, my life is so blessed.  With so much.  And I take so much of it for granted.  Help me be more thankful to You for all You have given me.  Help me have an “attitude of gratitude” in my daily life.

Remind me to express my thanks to others, and my praise to You.  Gratitude and thankfulness are signs of my faith.  In this I do want to be more like Job.

There is a praise song by Matt Redman that expresses just this thought:

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be Your name

And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Father, let that describe me.  Amen

Job 1:1-2:13

Aug 17 Your Name, Your Word, is Power!

Father, most days I don’t feel like I’m in a battle.  I don’t see people who “seek my life,” “plot my ruin,” or who are “hiding nets” and “digging pits” for me.  Most of the time I live oblivious to the spiritual battles that go on around me.

But I believe there is a spiritual realm. 

You speak about spiritual powers: rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil, which have an effect on this world and on me.  It may be a battle to control the minds and hearts of people; or it may affect actual circumstances.

There are times I sense such calmness and peace in my spirit that does not come from my circumstances or the people around me.  And there are other times when the atmosphere seems charged with negativity, an oppressiveness that feels truly evil; spawning confusion, disunity and fear.

It’s hard to put into words.  But in those negative times, the waves of oppression are dispelled by calling on Your name: Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, Adonai, Lord Jesus Christ.

I can speak scripture and am encouraged, strengthened by the power in it; as if I’m wielding a sword, cutting through the darkness around me.  It may seem the opposition is coming from a person or circumstance.  Still, I do not pray against that person or circumstance, but against the power using or controlling them or it.

“Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.  Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.”  Psalms like this one help me actually visualize what I cannot see in this battle, which takes place in the spiritual realm.

I can see You, Father, answering my cry, sending help to take up weapons against this enemy power.  You pick up Your giant shield, strap on Your belt holding Your sword.  You swing Your spear and javelin back and forth to ward off the enemy while advancing to my aid.  These picture words help me “see” the fight that is before me, taking place in a realm I cannot yet see.

“May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away.”

There is a process of removing the dry, scaly outer husks of grain after it’s been harvested.  For the grain to be usable, this casing must be separated from it.  Pounding the harvested grain breaks the hull.  Then the sifter tosses the grain up into a light wind and the seed, the heavier, edible grain, falls free from the outer hull.  The breeze blows this outer piece, the chaff, aside, so the grain can be collected for food.

So now I can imagine these spiritual enemies, these powers that come against me, as the lightweight waste material, being blown away, tossed, whirled away from me, driven with the force of a powerful wind from You and Your angels.

“May their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.”

When a path is dark, I usually move more slowly to be safe.  And if it is slippery, I go even slower to keep from falling; trying to plant every step.  So I can see the evil enemy fumbling, slipping, falling, being hurt and defeated on a dark, slippery path because Your angels are pursuing them, chasing them down. 

“May the net they hid entangle them.” 

I can visualize the enemy placing a net so carefully to trap me, but then getting confused, turned around, falling into it themselves, becoming tangled in the cords and held fast.  Or running blindly to escape Your attack and falling into the very pit they have dug to entrap me.

When I picture these scenes as I pray, I join the battle.  I feel Your power and the defeat of the enemy.  Thank you for the peace You bring with Your victory!  “Who is like You?”  There is none.  I rejoice in You!  Amen

Psalm 35:1-10

July 26 Praying Psalm 20

Father, remind me to set aside time to read Your Word, and study to understand what it is saying, and what that means to me.  Help me understand how to apply its truth to my life, and how to be obedient to do all that it says.

Your Word in Psalms today is a wonderful prayer.  “May You answer me when I am in distress.”   Thank You Lord, that I can call on You any time.  You are never too busy to hear my cry for help.  And You can handle any kind of distress possible.

You can help me when I am physically ill, hurt, weak, or weary.   You can handle it when I am in an emotional or psychological state of anxiety, sadness, depression, worry, fear, or grief.  You can uplift me when I am in spiritual turmoil or confusion or when I am feeling tempted.

“May Your Name protect me.”  Father, there is great power in Your name.  Yahweh!  Jehovah!  Jesus!  Almighty God!  El Shaddai!  Adonai!

Your name reflects Your character: who You are and Your attributes.  There is so much power and reverence in Your name, some even avoid saying it at all, in order to not take it in vain.  They write or speak “HaShem” which in Hebrew means “The Name” referring to You alone.  May HaShem protect me!

“May You send me help from the sanctuary and grant me support from Zion.”  From wherever I am, You can send help from wherever You are.   Your help is better than any the world can offer.  It can deliver me from anything.   It can help me bear up under any circumstance or oppression.

“May You remember all my sacrifices and accept my burnt offerings.”  The sacrifices You desire are obedience and a contrite or repentant heart.  A burnt offering is one that is offered up totally.  It is completely consumed in the fire.  May my life be entirely and wholly offered to You.  May my words, actions, and attitudes all honor You.

“May You give me the desires of my heart and make all my plans succeed.”  Father, make Your desires mine.  Take away any desires I have that are not God-honoring.  Help me see Your plan and join You there.  And within this framework Father, “grant all my requests.”

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the Name of the Lord my God.”  What is considered power and might in the world are worthless compared to Your power and might.  I will not place my trust in politicians, or leaders, or in any person.  I will not trust my future to a job or a paycheck.  I will not find my sense of security in fame or position, good looks or good health. 

But I will rely on You, trust in You, depend on You.  For You alone are trustworthy.  I will shout for joy when You bring victory into my life!   And I will glorify Your Name!  Amen

Psalm 20:1-9

Aug 21 Blessed be Your Name

Father, I have often wondered why You singled out Job and allowed so much suffering to come into one life.  How tragic, and yet how strong was his faith in You.  It stood up to all satan threw at him.  He did not curse You, but responded with those famous words: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; may the name of the lord be praised.”

What a testimony that he could still praise You in the face of all the tragedy and suffering!   I would not want Job’s misfortunes.  When much less has happened to me, I have heard my own thoughts turn to thinking it would have been better had I never been born.

It makes me wonder, have I made comfort and ease idols?

Father, my life is so blessed.  With so much.  And I take so much of it for granted.  Help me be more thankful to You for all You have given me.  Help me have an “attitude of gratitude” in my daily life.

Remind me to express my thanks to others, and my praise to You.  Gratitude and thankfulness are signs of my faith.  In this I do want to be more like Job.

There is a praise song by Matt Redman that expresses just this thought:

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be Your name

And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Father, let that describe me.  Amen

Job 1:1-2:13

Aug 17 Your name, Your Word is power

Father, most days I don’t feel like I’m in a battle.  I don’t see people who “seek my life,” “plot my ruin,” or who are “hiding nets” and “digging pits” for me.  Most of the time I live oblivious to the spiritual battles that go on around me.

But I believe there is a spiritual realm. 

You speak about spiritual powers: rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil, which have an effect on this world and on me.  It may be a battle to control the minds and hearts of people; or it may affect actual circumstances.

There are times I sense such calmness and peace in my spirit that does not come from my circumstances or the people around me.  And there are other times when the atmosphere seems charged with negativity, an oppressiveness that feels truly evil; spawning confusion, disunity and fear.

It’s hard to put into words.  But in those negative times, the waves of oppression are dispelled by calling on Your name: Lord Jesus Christ.

I can speak scripture and am encouraged, strengthened by the power in it; as if I’m wielding a sword, cutting through the darkness around me.  It may seem the opposition is coming from a person or circumstance.  Still, I do not pray against that person or circumstance, but against the power using or controlling them or it.

“Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.  Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.”  Psalms like this one help me actually visualize what I cannot see in this battle, which takes place in the spiritual realm.

I can see You, Father, answering my cry, sending help to take up weapons against this enemy power.  You pick up Your giant shield, strap on Your belt holding Your sword.  You swing Your spear and javelin back and forth to ward off the enemy while advancing to my aid.  These picture words help me “see” the fight that is before me, taking place in a realm I cannot yet see.

“May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away.”

There is a process of removing the dry, scaly outer husks of grain after it’s been harvested.  For the grain to be usable, this casing must be separated from it.  Pounding the harvested grain breaks the hull.  Then the sifter tosses the grain up into a light wind and the seed, the heavier, edible grain, falls free from the outer hull.  The breeze blows this outer piece, the chaff, aside, so the grain can be collected for food.

So now I can imagine these spiritual enemies, these powers that come against me, as the lightweight waste material, being blown away, tossed, whirled away from me, driven with the force of a powerful wind from You and Your angels.

“May their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.”

When a path is dark, I usually move more slowly to be safe.  And if it is slippery, I go even slower to keep from falling; trying to plant every step.  So I can see the evil enemy fumbling, slipping, falling, being hurt and defeated on a dark, slippery path because Your angels are pursuing them, chasing them down.

“May the net they hid entangle them.” 

I can visualize the enemy placing a net so carefully to trap me, but then getting confused, turned around, falling into it themselves, becoming tangled in the cords and held fast.  Or running blindly to escape Your attack and falling into the very pit they have dug to entrap me.

When I picture these scenes as I pray, I join the battle.  I feel Your power and the defeat of the enemy.  Thank you for the peace You bring with Your victory!  “Who is like You?”  There is none.  I rejoice in You!  Amen

Psalm 35:1-10

July 26 Praying Psalm 20

Father, remind me to set aside time to read Your Word, and study to understand what it is saying, and what that means to me.  Help me understand how to apply its truth to my life, and how to be obedient to do all that it says.

Your Word in Psalms today is a wonderful prayer.  “May You answer me when I am in distress.”   Thank You Lord, that I can call on You any time.  You are never too busy to hear my cry for help.  And You can handle any kind of distress possible.

You can help me when I am physically ill, hurt, weak, or weary.   You can handle it when I am in an emotional or psychological state of anxiety, sadness, depression, worry, fear, or grief.  You can uplift me when I am in spiritual turmoil or confusion or when I am feeling tempted.

“May Your Name protect me.”  Father, there is great power in Your name.  Yahweh!  Jehovah!  Jesus!  Almighty God!  El Shaddai!  Adonai!

Your name reflects Your character: who You are and Your attributes.  There is such power and reverence in Your name, some even avoid saying it at all, in order to not take it in vain.  They write or speak “HaShem” which in Hebrew means “The Name” referring to You alone.  May HaShem protect me!

“May You send me help from the sanctuary and grant me support from Zion.”  From wherever I am, You can send help from wherever You are.   Your help is better than any the world can offer.  It can deliver me from anything.   It can help me bear up under any circumstance or oppression.

“May You remember all my sacrifices and accept my burnt offerings.”  The sacrifices You desire are obedience and a contrite or repentant heart.  A burnt offering is one that is offered up totally.  It is completely consumed in the fire.  May my life be entirely and wholly offered to You.  May my words, actions, and attitudes all honor You.

“May You give me the desires of my heart and make all my plans succeed.”  Father, make Your desires mine.  Take away any desires I have that are not God-honoring.  Help me see Your plan and join You there.  And within this framework Father, “grant all my requests.”

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the Name of the Lord my God.”  What is considered power and might in the world are worthless compared to Your power and might.  I will not place my trust in politicians, or leaders, or in any person.  I will not trust my future to a job or a paycheck.  I will not find my sense of security in fame or position, good looks or good health.

But I will rely on You, trust in You, depend on You.  For You alone are trustworthy.  I will shout for joy when You bring victory into my life!   And I will glorify Your Name!  Amen

Psalm 20:1-9

Sept 23 Do Not Fear

Father, thank You for more wonderful words of comfort and promise.  “Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” 

In the Garden of Eden You walked with and spoke with Adam.  There was a close and open relationship between the two of You.  But when Adam sinned, the next time he was in Your presence, he said “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid.” 

Fear had never been a part of the relationship before.  But now that there was sin, there was fear.  I have lived all my life in a fallen world where fear has a place. 

 

But here, You say to me “Do not fear.”  And the reason: “because I have redeemed you.”  And since Your completed work on the cross, I am in right standing with You.  I am in close relationship with You, like Adam was in the garden before sin. 

And those precious words: “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” bring such intimacy and tender closeness.  You know me.  You call my name.  I am Yours.  I belong to You. 

Along with that relationship comes a promise of care and protection.  What confident assurance it gives me!  What a sense of being loved and protected I have with those words! 

I am assured that when I face difficult times, when I am in deep waters, when I am in danger of being swept off my feet, You are there with me.  Your presence accompanies me.  And Your promise guarantees me that the waters will not sweep over me and take me away. 

Recently I have seen very dramatic pictures of the power of water: destructive, deceptively strong and damaging.  Statistics presented highlight how little moving water it actually takes to unbalance a person, a car, a house; and sweep it away.  But Your promise is sure.   The waters will not sweep over me.

Thank You for Your true promise.  Thank You for the confidence You give me in facing difficulties and hardship; that You are with me.  That I will pass through them.  That I will arrive on the other side.  With You.  Amen

Isaiah 43:1-7

May 28 Your protection

Lord God, thank You for praying for me. Thank You for looking into the future and identifying “those who would believe in You through their [the disciples] message.” 

Thank You for protecting me by the power of Your name because I am Yours.

Thank You for praying for me Yourself, personally; not to take me out of this world, but to protect me from the evil one in this world.   That includes the arrogant who dig pitfalls for me trying to entrap me by their political intrigues, their social agendas, and their false philosophies that are contrary to what You teach in Your Word.

It includes those who would persecute me because they hate You, and those who want to see me wiped from the earth. And the wicked, waiting to destroy me, my health, my finances, my relationships, and defeat my spirit. Thank You that You have the power to preserve my life and all these things according to Your love.

When I do not feel strong help me remember Your Word. Your Word is eternal. Its promises are true forever. Just as the earth You created still stands, Your truth still stands. Your faithfulness and love are steadfast and boundless. Thank You for the encouragement of Your prayer for me. And for the protection I have in You. Amen

John 17:6-26; Psalm 119:81-96