Why Should I Be Afraid?

February 26, 2009

Eddie Fear, Perspective, Promises 1 Comment

 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  I praise God for what he has promised.  I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me? – Ps 56:3-4

A tremendous passage of assurance!  Here’s why:  In the previous verses, the writer says his enemies “hound” (NLT) him.  My how true that is at times!  Sometimes life just hounds us!  Whatever it might be…when I am afraid (not “if”, for we WILL have rounds of fear from time to time) , I will put my trust (confidence) in the Lord.  How does the writer have that resolve when he is afraid?  I believe it is because of the next statement:  I praise God for what he has promised.  Those promises are found in His Word.  Go treasure hunting for some gold nuggets just for you!  treasure

With God’s promises firmly in mind, the writer makes the bold statement, I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me?   I realize that my enemies, (be it “life”,  work, health, thieves, government, etc.) can do nothing to me unless God gives the permission.  What if He does?  I still trust Him because He has allowed it for my good and His glory!  It is always a win-win situation!  The difference is where am I putting my trust?  For me to get to that place of confidence, I must have His promises in my heart and mind.  Go treasure hunting for your promises.  They are in His Word.

Cry for Rescue

February 24, 2009

Eddie Rescue Leave a comment

 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.  Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.  Ps 55:16-17

“But signifies a change in direction.  Before the “but” David was hand_reachingtalking about death stalking his enemies and the grave swallowing them — evil taking up residence within them. 

We need to keep the “but’s” close-by, because it means we need a change in perspective.  Our enemy is Satan and his imps.  It isn’t the economy, unemployment, and uncertainty.  Satan uses fear to overwhelm us.  “But” when I look to the Lord, He is my rescuer!  He is there for me when I cry out anytime of the day:  “Cancer!”   “Lost job!”  “Finances!”  “My family!”  “My soul!”  He knows.  He cares.  He’s there!

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

February 21, 2009

Eddie Cleasing from Guilt, Revival Leave a comment

Oh, give me back my joy again;  you have broken me— now let me rejoice.  Don’t keep looking at my sins.  Remove the stain of my guilt.   Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  Ps 51:8-10

renewalLost joy, broken spirit, shame, a filthy feeling.  These feelings were not advertized when David was tempted by Satan with Bathsheba!  Yet, this is the payoff!  it always is with sin.  That’s how Satan does business!  As Charles Stanley has stated, “you reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.” 

We know David would never say, “Well it was worth it!”  It tempers the feelings toward those who arrogantly flaunt their sin.  For one day they will come to the same point of realizing the payoff is counterfeit!

For the believer who gets to this point, there is a longing to rejoice again, to be cleaned and to be renewed!  Did it happen?  Oh yes!!  Grace prevailed in David’s life!

Purge Me with Hyssop!

February 19, 2009

Eddie Cleasing from Guilt, Forgiveness Leave a comment

 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.   Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Ps 51:6-7 (ESV)

hyssop

Hyssop Plant in Israel

As David is coming to the point as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6, he realizes that purging comes from God’s altar.  He begins by acknowledging that God desires truth beginning deep down.  In the context of David’s heinous sins,  He has revealed the truth in his confession.  Some never come to this point.  They blame others or their circumstances or their upbringing.  I don’t think, based on what is being said here, that purging can begin until truth finds residence deep down in one’s heart.  Only then can one expect to be purged (purified).  Hyssop was used in the OT in connection with purification.  “Purge me with hyssop” = “Purify me.”

Broken by Sin

February 19, 2009

Eddie Brokenness, Sins Leave a comment

 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.      Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion;  it haunts me day and night.   Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;  I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.  For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.   Ps 51:1-5

brokennessA man broken by sin.  A man who is “after God’s own heart.”  His cry for God’s mercy and removal of sin stain is based on God’s unfailing love and compassion. 

Sin makes you feel dirty and so David asks God to bathe Him; to wash away the guilt to purify him from His sin. 

Then, David moves to a powerful confession:  I recognize my rebellion;  it haunts me day and night.   Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;  I have done what is evil in your sight.  Brokenness will bring about real confession – agreeing with God about ME!  I am unfit, undone, and my sin is against God!  Anything less that this is not being broken over sin.   David gets it!  Too often we get it when it’s too late!  He identifies His sin as rebellion.  He acknowledges he can’t get away from it day or night.  

The climax of the confession is in verse 4 when David realizes that sin is ultimately against God–evil done before God.  Anything less than this is NOT brokenness.

God Our Refuge & Strength

February 17, 2009

Eddie Protection, Strength Leave a comment

 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!  Ps 46:1-3

The first portion of the passage is foundational.  It is the basis for my ability to react in the way the rest of the passage explains.  cave

When I think of refuge, I always think of a cave.  A place of protection from all elements.  God is that!!! He protects me from all that life might throw at me!

I notice that God is ready to help in times of trouble.  He is my refuge and strength, but I have a choice as to let Him be!  To let Him be my refuge, my strength, He will certainly be my help in time of trouble. 

When I let Him be that for me–I mean really let Him, I will not fear!  Earthquakes…crumbling mountains…deafening sound of oceans’ roar causing mountains to tremble.  We could translate those phenomena to …”finances”…”relationships”…”sounds of coming crises”, etc.  It is no different.  God is my refuge and my help in times of trouble.  I will not fear because I know Who is my refuge, strength and help.  I will let Him be!!

Joy in Doing God’s Will

February 16, 2009

Eddie Joy, Obedience 1 Comment

“ I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” - Psalm 40:8

There are many things that can give me joy – I mean deep down when even circumstances surrounding my life may be very trying.  I think of when I just sit back and watch my grandchildren.  Noticing how they explore something new or interact with each other.  It really brings me joy.  Oh, and when they run up to me with open arms to offer a hug and kiss!  I would have joy in that experience even if my life were crumbling around me.  california-high-sierra

However, there is no greater joy than that which is experienced when I have don what the Lord has instructe me to do!  Those instructions which have come from His Word to my heart, framed by experience over the years.  That is premiere joy!  It is the opportunity to show my love to Him in obedience!

Many Apologies for Delay in New Posts!

February 16, 2009

Eddie Uncategorized Leave a comment

A personal note of apology to those who had been blessed by these meditations and came here and there were no new updates.  Look for more frequent updates in the future.  – In His Name, Eddie

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