Lean On

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.

From this day forward, offer to God the right sacrifice from a heart made right by God. Entrust yourself to the Eternal. Psalm 4:5 (VOICE)

Offer just and right sacrifices; trust (lean on and be confident) in the Lord. Psalm 4:5 (AMP)

And put your trust in the Lord: not in your strength, in horses and chariots, and numbers of men; nor in wise counsels, nor in riches, nor in fleshly privileges, nor in works of righteousness, or sacrifices of righteousness: for though they are to be performed, they are not to be trusted in; nor in your own hearts. And while the psalmist is striking at the false confidence of the sons of men he is addressing, he may at the same time be thought to be encouraging those that were with him to trust in the Lord, Jehovah, the Son of God, before spoken of by him as the object of trust, Psalm 2:12; to trust in his person for the acceptance of their persons and sacrifices of righteousness; and in his righteousness for justification; in his blood for pardon; in his sacrifice for expiation of sin; in his fulness for daily supplies; and in his power for protection and safety. And it is right to trust in him at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and desertion: he is always the same; in him is everlasting strength; he has an heart as well as an ability to help and succour, and none ever trusted in him and were confounded. Such have peace and safety, and can want no good thing. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Lean on and be confident in the Lord. God can handle us leaning on Him... He’s strong enough to support us, He won’t break. But often, I know that I’d rather try to stand on my own, and sadly to say... that never seems to work out! 

I use crutches to walk any distance due to nerve damage in my leg. I tried using a cane, but that didn’t provide the support necessary and I found myself falling. There are times, when I set my crutches aside, especially in the apartment (there are things I can grab onto if needed). But I’ve learned over the past 12 years, that when my leg is tired, it supports me less, therefore, I do better using a crutch or two even in the apartment. I’ve learned that my crutches are stable enough to support me. When I use the crutches I’m able to get around without the fear of falling, and it makes getting things done easier. The crutches remove my fear of falling, because over the years, I’ve learned that when I use them, I have the ability necessary to move about. 

Leaning on God is NOT a crutch! Rather God provides the needed support, stabiliy, and help to accomplish His will. When I face an unknown or start to worry about things out of my control, I’m standing on my own and am sure to fall. But when I lean on God, He provides exactly what is necessary to move about freely and safely.

To create a positive day, I need to lean on and be confident in the Lord and what He is doing. 

Consult Wise Counsel

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 13. Here is what I learned.

How long must I make decisions alone with sorrow in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:2 (GW)

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:2 (NASB)

How long - This refers to the third aspect of the case, or the third phase of the trouble, that is, that he was perplexed and embarrassed, having a deep and heavy sorrow in his heart, and he asks how long this was to continue. "Shall I take counsel in my soul." This refers to the methods which he endeavored to devise to escape from trouble. He was perplexed, persecuted, and apparently forsaken; and being thus apparently forsaken, he was constrained to attempt to devise some plan for his own deliverance, without interposition or help from on high. He was under a necessity of relying on himself; and he asks "how long" this was to continue, or when he might hope that God would interpose to aid him by his counsels, and thus to deliver him. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Make decisions alone. That can lead to wrong choices, wrong thoughts, and making wrong decisions. Thankfully, I don’t HAVE TO make choices alone. First and foremost, God provides wisdom and council throughout His Word. Secondly, if I listen, the Holy Spirit gives guidance. And lastly, God has provided some amazing godly friends whom I can ask for help. 

Most often the times I choose to make decisions alone, is when I have already decided the outcome I want. It’s easy to justify a decision when I want to control what I do. Yet, when I have to live with the consequences of that decision... I only have myself to blame. 

Make decisions alone... is a choice that can lead to disastrous results. To create a positive day, I need to consult wise counsel before making decisions starting first with God, then consulting the friends God has provided to help keep me on track!

God’s Silence Does Not Mean I’m Forsaken

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 28. Here is what I learned.

Unto You do I cry, O Lord my Rock, be not deaf and silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit [the grave]. Psalm 28:1 (AMP)

Rock: A cliff, solid support and defence.

Deaf: silent, to let alone, leave off speaking.

Become like: be like, similar, be the same as.

Go to the pit: decend to depths of Hell, out of the presence of God.

Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications. Psalm 28:6 (AMP)

Blessed: abundantly praise worthy, God is the blessing.

The Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Because: that, when.

Heard: to hear, attentively, carefully, certainly, consent, consider, to hear intelligently with implication of attention.

The voice: my cry, my sounds, the human voice. 

Suplication: earnest prayer, intreaty.

Silence can be deafening. Silence can cause dispair and hopelessness. Psalm 28:1 begins with this hopelessness of living in dispair and silence.  But first and foremost, look where the David went—to God, his support, his defence, his rock. David KNEW that even though God seemed to be silent and ignoring David—just when David needed God most—God was still the solid foundation of safety and security. 

Look the contrast from Psalm 28:1 to Psalm 28:6. David now praises God for attentively hearing David’s voice of earnest prayer. 

As I think over Psalm 28:1, and 6, I can learn some very important truths.

1. God is God no matter the situation or circumstance I find myself.
2. My prayer life shoud be more than “grace” before a meal, or a list of wants. There are times when I need to pour out my heart before God and earnestly seek Him.
3. I need to take assurance, that even when I think God is silent and I seem to be left alone, God is still listening and right there. He NEVER leaves and He will not forsake me.
4. God is worthy of praise and honor, no matter how, when, or if He answers my prayer. My circumstances do not change Who God is, or His character. God is God. 

To create a positive day, I need to change my perspective from my hopelessness to the Almighty God! Even though God seems to be silent, He is still at work.  God’s silence does not mean I’m forsaken—and that is why I can create a positive day!