Tune My Ears

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 4. Here is what I learned.

O you sons of men, how long will you turn my honor and glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and futility and seek after lies? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 4:2 (AMP)

How long will you people insult me? How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false? Psalm 4:2 (GNT)

How long will you sons of Adam steal my dignity, reduce my glory to shame? Why pine for the fruitless and dream a delusion? [pause] Psalm 4:2 (VOICE)

"Love Vanity." Men's affections are according to their principles; and every one loves that most without him which is most suitable to somewhat within him: liking is founded in likeness, and has therefore that word put upon it. It is so in whatsoever we can imagine; whether in temporals or spirituals, as to the things of this life, or of a better. Men's love is according to some working and impression upon their own spirits. And so it is here in the point of vanity; those which are vain persons, they delight in vain things; as children, they love such matters as are most agreeable to their childish dispositions, and as do suit them in that particular. Out of the heart comes all kind of evil. Thomas Horton, 1675 

“I like the sound of that!” So often, the “sound” is pleasing, and we don’t care if the message is true or not. The sad part in that, is that the sound soon fades and we are left with emptiness —the bubble has burst, so to speak. 

I need to remember that when I hear something, I need to compare it to God’s truth, to see how it measures up. God’s truth is absolute, it cannot change. If I want to make sure I’m not living or striving after a delusion, I need to make sure that I ignore the “good sounds” and listen to the “truthful sounds”!

To create a positive day, I need to tune my ears to hearing God’s truth, and not empty promises or delusions that simply sound good. 

Keep a Very Important Appointment

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 67. Here is what I learned.

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!— Psalm 67:1 (AMP)

God, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] us and bless us and ·show us your kindness [make your face shine on us] ·Selah [Interlude]. Psalm 67:1 (EXB)

Selah: pause, to lift up, exalt

Selah. Take time to reflect and praise God. 

All our calendars are full of activities, appointments. Seems that we are taught if we aren’t busy, than we are lazy. However, being too busy to take time to reflect on God’s mercy and grace is wrong in so many ways. 

Taking time to pause, reflect on God’s mercy and grace as a way of putting things in the proper perspective. So often, we are overwhelmed by life and all the things we think we must do, that we miss the really important factors in life. 

Perhaps it is time to “make appointments” to pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace. If it’s “on the calendar” perhaps we will not only have the time to pause, but we will actually do it. And once we begin to pause to reflect on God’s mercy and His goodness, it will be so inspiring and encouraging that it will be come a necessary habit. 

To create a positive day, I must keep a very important appointment—pause and reflect on God’s mercy and grace!

“Pinch me, I must be dreaming!”

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 126. Here is what I learned.

When the Lord brought back the captives [who returned] to Zion, we were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal]. Psalm 126:1 (AMP)

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. Psalm 126:1 (MSG)

We were like them that dream, etc. In the lapse of seventy years the hope of restoration to their land, so long deferred, had mostly gone out in despair, save as it rested (in some minds) on their faith in God's promise. The policy of those great powers in the East had long been settled, viz., to break up the old tribes and kingdoms of Western Asia; take the people into far eastern countries, and never let them return. No nation known to history, except the Jews, ever did return to rebuild their ancient cities and homes. Hence this joyous surprise. Henry Cowles, in "The Psalms; with Notes," 1872

“Pinch me, I must be dreaming!” A phrase said when something just too wonderful happens which we can’t believe it’s true. 

I have to say that I’m often surprised and need to pinch myself, how God takes care of me. God has used many unique and creative ways, to supply money for bills, prescriptions, general needs, and people to help in many ways. 

On one hand I shouldn’t be surprised or amazed when God takes care of my needs, yet, on the other hand, His goodness and creative ways cause me to be in awe. 

God keeps His promises, and although it may seem too good to be true, it’s not! 

To create a positive day, no need to “Pinch me, I must be dreaming!”—I simply need to accept God’s gracious gifts and thank Him for His goodness. 

Enjoy with Confidence

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 92. Here is what I learned.

How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5 (AMP)

Your works are marvelous, O Eternal One! Your thoughts are unfathomable. Psalm 92:5 (VOICE)

"Thy thoughts." The plural of מחשׁבת, from the verb חשׁב, to meditate, to count, to weave; and this last word gives a good idea of what is here made the subject of admiration and praise, the wonderful intricacy and contrivance with which the Divine Mind designs and executes his plans, till at length the result is seen in a beautifully woven tissue of many delicately mingled and colored threads.  Christopher Wordsworth

"O Lord, how great are thy works!" He is lost in wonder. He utters an exclamation of amazement. How vast! How stupendous are the doings of Jehovah! Great for number, extent, and glory and design are all the creations of the Infinite One. "And thy thoughts are very deep." The Lord's plans are as marvellous as his acts; his designs are as profound as his doings are vast. Creation is immeasurable, and the wisdom displayed in it unsearchable. Some men think but cannot work, and others are mere drudges working without thought; in the Eternal the conception and the execution go together. Providence is inexhaustible, and the divine decrees which originate it are inscrutable. Redemption is grand beyond conception, and the thoughts of love which planned it are infinite. Man is superficial, God is inscrutable; man is shallow, God is deep. Dive as we may we shall never fathom the mysterious plan, or exhaust the boundless wisdom of the all-comprehending mind of the Lord. We stand by the fathomless sea of divine wisdom, and exclaim with holy awe, "O the depth!" The Treasury of David

God owes us no explanation of why He does what He does. He is God. Even if I can’t figure out or even imagine what God is doing, or why He allows what He does, I do know that God is God and He has purpose that is far greater than anything I could imagine. 

I often wonder, why I think I can figure out what God is doing. I can’t even grasp the beauty of a sunrise, or understand how a bird can fly. So, why do I even begin to think I know what God is doing... or why He’s doing it? 

To create a positive day, I only have to enjoy with confidence that God’s way are much greater than mine, and trust Him as He accomplishes His plan. 

Stay Put

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 91. Here is what I learned.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. Psalm 91:1 (AMP)

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” Psalm 91:1 (EXB)

He who is dwelling In the secret place of the Most High, In the shade of the Mighty lodgeth habitually, Psalm 91:1 (YLT)

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High." Note, he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High is not he that conjures up one or two slight and fleeting acts of hope in him, but the man that places in him an assiduous and constant confidence. In this way he establishes for himself in God by that full trust, a home, a dwelling-place, a mansion,... The Hebrew for he that dwelleth, is ישׁן, that is, dwelling in quietude, and resting, enduring and remaining with constancy.  Le Blanc

The truth is that I need to be dwelling in that secret place long before “trouble” comes. How many times have I forgotten God in my daily life to remember Him when trouble appears? 

When I’m sitting down—staying put—in the secret place... during the “good times”, I not only enjoy God’s presence, but I learn more about God and am already safe when troubles come. 

Job, was a man who was dwelling in the secret place BEFORE he lost his family, riches, etc. He had already taken the time to know God BEFORE anything ‘bad’ happened. And since Job knew God was worthy of praise and honor, simply because HE was GOD—Job was confident that no matter what bad things happened, God would remain God! 

Resting, staying put, in the presence of God should be a  constant—during good times, so when the bad times come, I already am safe in secure knowing that God is still God, worthy of praise and honor. 

To create a positive day, I must first stay put in God’s presence, and take the time to get to know God—that will prepare me for whatever may come on any given day. 

His Decisions can be Trusted

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 33. Here is what I learned.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. Psalm 33:10 (AMP)

The Lord ·upsets [frustrates] the ·plans [counsels] of nations; he ·ruins [foils] ·all their plans [the plans of the peoples]. Psalm 33:10 (EXB)

The cause of God is never in danger: infernal craft is outwitted by infinite wisdom, and Satanic malice held in check by boundless power. The Treasury of David

I’m a planner. I like to think through every aspect before I make a decision. However, I’ve learned that no matter how much I plan... there are always unknowns, or changes in circumstances for which I cannot take into account as I plan. 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor? Romans 11:33-34 (AMP)

When God changes my plans, I need to remember that although I may not understand why, His decisions are to be trusted! 

To create a positive day, I need to accept God’s plans, knowing that because of God’s wisdom His decisions can be trusted. 

Down Time

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 121. Here is what I learned.

The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:6 (AMP)

The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night. Psalm 121:6 (GNT)

"The sun shall not smite thee by day," etc. A promise made with allusion unto, and application of that care which God had over his people, when he brought them out of Egypt through the wilderness, when he guarded them from the heat of the sun by a cloud by day, and from the cold and moistness of the night and moon by a pillar of fire by night. David Dickson

Whether the sun is shining or the moon is out, God’s protection doesn’t stop. God doesn’t quit working when the sun goes down—there’s no “down time” for God. Rather God provides true 24/7 protection. 

As I read Psalm 121:6, I thought how can the moon hurt me? But then I read this: 

"Nor the moon by night." In the cloudless skies of the East, where the moon shines with such exceeding clearness, its effects upon the human frame have been found most injurious. The inhabitants of these countries are most careful in taking precautionary measures before exposing themselves to its influence. Sleeping much in the open air, they are careful to cover well their heads and faces. It has been proved beyond a doubt that the moon smites as well as the sun, causing blindness for a time, and even distortion of the features. C. W., in "The Biblical Treasury"

24/7 protection from God. God cares for His people in ways that we don’t understand or comprehend. No matter what happens, God is fully aware and allows only what will accomplish His purpose. 

To create a positive day, it is about knowing that God’s protection is 24/7 without any “down time”