Forgetfulness

“Papa,” he asked in the innocent voice of a four-year-old, “how long will it take you to forget something?”

Puzzled and intrigued, I responded, “Well, Keller, I’m not sure. Sometimes I forget right away and sometimes I think about things for a long, long time.”

Just as puzzled and intrigued as I was, he then asked, “When you were a little boy did you ever break something and hide it? And when your Papa found it and got mad how long did it take him to forget that you broke something?”

“Oh my, Keller, I’m not sure I remember. Did something go wrong?” I asked.

“I broke Nonie’s cup and hid it under the bed and I want her to forget about it and not be mad at me,” came his answer.

David was aware that his sin had damaged his relationship with God. He sensed God’s displeasure with him and his feelings of guilt overwhelmed him which added to his problem. He knew why God “hid His face” from him.

But those feelings changed. Why? He repented, cried for God’s mercy and knew that he was forgiven. When he had God’s mercy he said, “You turned my wailing into dancing...and I will give You thanks forever.”

We all have experiences like Keller and David. We do something wrong, feel guilty, are filled with fear and want to know how long it will take to enjoy God’s blessings once again. Like David, ask, pray, repent and receive His forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, please give us the confidence to come to You for the forgiveness we need that will restore our joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 30:10 Hear LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”

The Power Of A Command

“The way a command is given affects the way the movement of the unit is executed,” is the opening sentence in The Drill Pad. The importance of giving a proper military command is further described in The Army Study Guide: “A correctly delivered command will be understood by everyone...and demands willing, correct and immediate response.”

One wonders if the writers quoted above read what David wrote in Psalm 29: “The voice of the Lord is powerful...and...majestic!” Throughout this Psalm the results of “the voice of the Lord” are staggering. That phase – “the voice” – occurs seven times in this Psalm and coincides with the number of times that the same phrase appears in Genesis 1. Both passages of Scripture express one theme: “The glory, power and majesty of our God rest upon all of His creation.” His might can be seen everywhere: the skies, the seas, on land, in the wilderness; in the mighty mountain ranges, the terrible results from bolts of lightning when they strike the earth. His power is seen when animals give birth to their young. He can even be seen in the desert regions! The glory of God is revealed wherever man looks!

Some may refuse to hear His voice or have no desire to respect the power in that voice. Those of us who do, however, are blest. Yet, we are left with two nagging questions: Why have we been chosen to see the power and majesty of God while others cannot see Him? And then, what is our obligation to God and to them? Because He loves us and has called us to serve Him.

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for choosing us to hear Your voice. May we share its message with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The Wonder Of Worship

“Is worship an act or an attitude?” asked the Old Testament professor.

As soon as the question was asked a fierce debate erupted among the students. There was more heat than light in the classroom as positions were defined and reinforced with passages of Scripture and definitions from a dictionary. There was little disagreement about the fact that the end of worship was to show deep, profound and extravagant respect and devotion to God. But the when and where seemed to be a problem.

Many Christians place worship on their weekly schedule as something “to do” on Sunday morning at eleven o’clock. It is an “event” that has been part of their lives since they were children and one they will continue to “practice” as long as they live.

However, worship in Psalm 29 is something we are to do because of what God has done for us. We are to ascribe or bow down before Him in an “act” of humility and sincerity that reflects our “attitude” of submission.

When there is a parade that honors Queen Elizabeth II we see people bow as she passes before them. We hear them shout, “Long live the Queen” and they address her as “Your Majesty.” These acts reflect an attitude of submission to her as their Queen. They are openly demonstrating their devotion to her.

Can we do less for our Lord? Says the Psalmist, “Worship – bow down in submission to – the Lord in the splendor of His holiness! Wherever we look we can see God if we open our eyes to His glory. And when we see Him at work, we are to bow in worship to our King.

Prayer: Father, may we bow before You with grateful hearts and worship You in humility and devotion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

When God Is Silent

\The second grade teacher stood before her noisy class, raised her voice and shouted, “I want you to be so quiet that you can hear a pin drop!”

Silence suddenly prevailed. When Danny could no longer contain himself, he shouted, “Let ‘er drop!”

It’s not unusual to have an attitude like that toward God. We pray and wait. Then pray again. Then wait a little longer. Still, nothing happens. It seems as though we are waiting for “the pin to drop.”

Psalm 28 begins with the “silence of God.” In fact, He is so silent that the Psalmist becomes impatient and shouts, “If you don’t answer soon, I will be like those going down to their grave – abandoned!”

The subtle message from David was that if God did not answer his prayer his enemies would rejoice. “They,” he reminds God, “care nothing for what You have done or what Your hands have made.” In other words, “God, I don’t want You to be embarrassed. I don’t want people to ridicule You. I’ve laid my life and Your reputation on the line and if You are silent, if You let me down, they will believe that You are untrustworthy!”

David was not afraid to present his case to God and demand help. He did not want “unbelievers” to look at his situation and say, “I told you so. Your God is no more dependable than ours. He’s not even listening!”

Not so. David looked at them and said, “I praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy.” David prayed. God answered. And everyone saw God “at work.”

Prayer: Father, when You seem silent may our faith never falter knowing that You will hear, help and heal. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 28:6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 

Why Twelve?

Why did Jesus choose twelve disciples? Was there some significance in that number? Could it have been because there were twelve months in the Jewish calendar, or because they divided their day into twelve hours or because there were twelve tribes of Israel? Not at all.

We find the answer in Mark’s gospel: “that they might be with Him!” Jesus wanted His “friends” to be with Him and learn from Him. Psalm 24:14 says, “The Lord is a friend to those who fear Him. He teaches them His covenant” – His plan of salvation.

Someone once said, “A friend is a person who knows you and likes to be with you in spite of your faults.” This seems to go beyond “love.” Love is “doing” something for someone because as Christians it is our obligation.

It is a gracious thought to know that God wants us to be His “friends.” The picture represented in this verse is that of two friends sitting on a couch having a confidential conversation. What a wonderful way to think of our relationship with God: sitting next to Him and quietly talking to Him about eternal life – His covenant with His people – His friends!

How amazing it is to think that we can share every thought with God as a friend. What an opportunity He offers us: to sit with Him as a friend and ask Him to teach us what His covenant is all about: His promises, His presence, His protection, His provisions, His peace – His plan for our salvation.

We can do this – be with Him – by reading His Word and talking with Him in prayer and meditation.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being our Friend and Teacher and willingly sharing Your salvation with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.