Journey Through the Psalms - 1

FaithWalkDaily January 8, 2009

To begin this new year, my soul desires to take a walk through the Psalms. We may spend the next year or more on this exciting road. The Psalms speak dearly to me at this stage of my life, when so much has changed and the "world" reels out of control in its quest for self gratification. The more liberal the world becomes, the more difficult it is to follow our compass due north. I pray you will be blessed as we hike this trail together.

~Psalms 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 2 But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

4 But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

When I was young, due to circumstances beyond my control, life was lonely and frustrating. I'd already begun to contemplate suicide by the age of nine. As a result, I lived much of the time in a fantasy world just to survive. When I finally found a friend who really seemed to want to be with me, she led me into a circle of companions who were all outcasts, just like me. I finally fit in and felt like I belonged. These kids were the chaff, lawless and unholy. Our existence was dominated by mind altering substances. We survived by escaping deeper into non-reality.

I can only praise God with all my heart that He rescued me from certain death. I often wonder what's happened to all those other lost souls and pray for their salvation, if they're still alive. Some have been found living tormented lives, resigned to a fate of misery. One claims to be a Christian but her life is ruled by an abusive conniving husband. Another is into spiritism and crystals.

When we're in that lost world, we don't know what we don't know. Do the wicked have any idea about their fate? Would they seriously continue on the path they've chosen if they really believed their destination was eternal suffering? Have they not suffered enough here on earth? They not only don't know, they don't want to know, and they keep themselves well numbed so they never have to think about it.

When I emerged from an alcoholic stupor nearly 20 years ago, there was an emptiness in my soul that hungered to be filled. That hunger was the desire to know God. When the wicked tried to draw me back into the darkness, I experienced the joys the psalmist speaks of in verse 1 when I turned toward God instead. There has always been a certain affinity with the wayward that requires me to be on my toes at all times. This is why daily devotion, prayer and writing about my spiritual journey is so important for me.

This is my life goal: to delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night and think about his law. To be like a tree planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail, with leaves that never wither, prospering in all I do (reaping God's blessings.)

The path is ever upward and winding through unknowns,
Sometimes it is a narrow cliff side way;
It is rocky, often risky, even perilous,
So often we must stop to rest and pray.

The steep ascent will level, it gives way to gentle slopes,
We dance and sing out praises to our King!
We revel, now rejoicing, even carelessly;
Disregarding this is not the end we seek.

As we gather in our revelries, the enemy sneaks in,
Ever vigilant, he aims to take us down;
He's devious and clever, the relentless one;
How quickly we forget that he's around.

Holy Spirit, blessed counselor, gently prods us on the way.
Revived now, we're alert, and armor clad;
Our faithful guide will lead us toward our home again,
Where sorrow is forgotten with the past.

Come Friends who love the Savior, join this journey now,
Don't stop, though there be times when you might rest.
Steer clear of those who can't or will not help you,
Fore go the joys of earth to pass this test.

May we be filled with God's blessings as we travel this marvelous road into the Psalms together this year. In Jesus' name, amen.

Harder Than I Thought

FaithWalkDaily September 26, 2008

2 Cor 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. NIV Please read all of chapter 11.

I'm a writer by nature. Writing comes with little effort for me. I find it easier to write than to talk. That's not to say I really love writing, more that I'm driven. Most of the time I write when I feel like it, I'm compelled. I'm not forced to do this.

I decided to share my thoughts in writing with the world, whoever should chance to read them. It seemed that perhaps the Holy Spirit had promted this venture and if that's the case, it's not about what I want to do but what I must do. And I decided at the time that I should blog daily for continuity, create a day to day devotional using Scripture. I've always got a fresh flow of thoughts pouring out of my head and I love God's word so it seemed at the time it would be easy. It isn't. A commitment to anything requires obedience. Having already missed a number of days, I always feel badly that I've failed to stay on track.

As I was reading 2 Corinthians 11 just now and reflecting on the many times Paul talks about his struggles, I realize we're not so very different. Did he really love spending all that time writing to the churches (with a quill pen and ink, not a fancy computer keyboard?) Or visiting them to preach (walking, taking long tumultuous trips in sailing ships, perhaps a few uncomfortable camel and donkey rides along the way?) It probably seemed like great fun in the beginning. Gee, I'll get to travel, see new places, make new friends...

...Be locked up in prison for the faith...

When we're asked to do something, or are told by our boss to get a job done, we do it for them. But when the Holy Spirit asks you to do something, it's usually much harder and requires a deep level of self discipline. I'm so grateful to read of Paul's struggles and perseverence. I'm not alone! No matter how weary or discouraged I become, I can always get back on the road.

What does Holy Spirit prompt you to do that you've been procrastinating or ignoring? Be still, listen to that voice in your heart. God will speak to you if you're willing to listen. Ask Him, by the power of Jesus in you, for the strength and boldness to be obedient.

Are we daily concerned for the body of Christ? Are we moving according to God's Spirit in those concerns?

Heavenly Father, we are humbled as always, by Your power and presence. You are amazing God - the One who created everything in existence also cares for every person on earth who has not heard the gospel. Your word tells us it's not Your desire that any should perish but for all to have the knowledge of Your saving grace. You are patient beyond measure to wait until we get off our laurels and go according to Your will. Lord, would we be especially attentive today to hear Your voice. Would You grant us the strength and boldness to go as prompted, to utter Your words, to glorify You. May we be the light of Jesus today in this dark world. In His precious name we pray, amen.