Misplaced Trust

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 146. Here is what I learned.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Psalm 146:3 (AMP)

Do not put your ·trust [confidence] in princes or other people, who cannot ·save you [give you victory]. Psalm 146:3 (EXB)

Do not put your trust in the rulers of this world—kings and princes. Do not expect any rescue from mortal men. Psalm 146:3 (VOICE)

Yesterday, I held an “Apartment Sale”. I spent the last 2 weeks preparing for the sale. Pricing the items, organizing the clothes, posting signs, etc. I was SURE I’d make “LOTS” of money to help me pay some bills. I mean, this was the perfect way to earn some money! But I only sold 2 things and the first person bought the items BEFORE the sale day, the other person bought a set of storage units, and she was at the sale to help me with the sale. 

So, actually, no one came to the sale. I was frustrated. I thought for sure this was a great way to get some money. But then this morning I read Psalm 146:3...... Do not put your trust in other people.... for there is no help! 

God is NOT limited to a 2 hour window of selling items. God is more creative than an “apartment sale” to supply my needs. I have to remember that God is wiser and has unlimited ways to care for me. 

Do not trust in other people...... for the supplier of my needs. I’m to trust in God ONLY! For only God knows my needs and can supply exactly what I need at the time needed. 

So, what a bout the “Apartment Sale”? I do believe that God would have me do what I can to sell the items. So, I’ll try a few more times. But even if I don’t sell anything else, I know that God can and will supply my needs, for my hope and trust is not in other people. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I don’t have misplaced trust—people cannot help me—God is the only true and honest source of help. 

VICTORY LANE

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 146. Here is what I learned.

Do not put your ·trust [confidence] in princes or other people, who cannot ·save you [give you victory].

Happy [Blessed] are those who are helped by the God of Jacob [another name for Israel]. Their hope is in the Lord their God.  Psalm 146:3, 5 (EXB)

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146: 3, 5 (AMP)

I won tickets to the Chicagoland Speedway for the weekend. Today, I arrived at the track early, to pick up the tickets and enjoy watching the trucks practice. Those were MY plans!

Had a great trip to the Track, including meeting some nice people at Dunkin’ Donuts! I arrived at the track and parked in the most perfect spot. Big different between Truck race days, and Nationwide and Sprint Cup days. Not many people attend the Truck races. 

I went to the Will Call booth to pick up the tickets. However, they could not find the tickets. I called the contact person who told me I won.... she was in a meeting.

So, I slowly returned to the car to wait. Met some nice people along the way. I reclined in the car and read Psalm 146. As I read verses 3 and 5... I laughed. 

Do not put your trust in man.........there is no help. Happy is the man who is helped by God. As I reclined in the car, I simply smiled. As humans, we make mistakes, and there are those who we know cannot be trusted. But God is a constant and never changes. He is steadfast and sure. 

As I looked up from reading Psalms, I noticed the “Lost and Found” sign waving nearby. I laughed out loud. Yes, the tickets were LOST, and there was nothing I could do to find them. I had to wait. 

About an hour later, I received a phone call, that the Representative would meet me at Will Call. I arrived and was given my tickets.

Why did God have me wait and miss some of the truck practice? Not sure exactly why, but I did learn that even when I carefully plan my day, God can change it to make it fit His plan. During that waiting time, I was able to talk with some EMTs and other people so, the time was not wasted. Plus, the wait allowed me time to let my pain level lower from the ride to the track. 

To create a positive day, I need to not trust in man..... rather keep my trust and hope in God, for He will provide the real VICTORY..... or to put it racing lingo—I’ll be in VICTORY LANE! 

Entirely Under God’s Control

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 146. Here is what I learned.

The Lord protects and preserves the strangers and temporary residents, He upholds the fatherless and the widow and sets them upright, but the way of the wicked He makes crooked (turns upside down and brings to ruin). Psalm 146:9 (AMP)

The Lord ·protects [guards] the ·foreigners [sojourners]. He ·defends [supports] the orphans and widows [the socially vulnerable], but he ·blocks [frustrates] the way of the wicked. Psalm 146:9 (EXB)

"The way of the wicked he turneth upside down." He overturns their plans, defeats their schemes; makes their purposes accomplish what they did not intend they should accomplish. The Hebrew word here means to bend, to curve, to make crooked, to distort; then, to overturn, to turn upside down. The same word is applied to the conduct of the wicked, in Psalm 119:78 : "They dealt perversely with me." The idea here is that the path is not a straight path; that God makes it a crooked way; that they are diverted from their design; that through them he accomplishes purposes which they did not intend; that he prevents their accomplishing their own designs; and that he will make their plans subservient to a higher and better purpose than their own. This is the eleventh reason why those who put their trust in God are happy. It is that God is worthy of confidence and love, because he has all the plans of wicked men entirely under his control.  Albert Barnes

“He has all the plans of wicked men entirely under his control.” So, often I wish I could “play God”, for I’d “zap” those wicked men into submission. If they were holding a rally to promote an ungodly or immoral idea, I’d make it rain and storm. I’d find ways to mess up their plans. But I’m not God! So, I have to realize that even those that go against God’s Word are under His control... and that God’s mercy and love is available to them as well. 

Sometimes it’s easy to think that I’m “above” others, for their sin must be worse than mine. But as I’ve stated before, God is holy and sin is sin. There is no distinction between sins—to a holy God, all sin is despicable. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember that yes, the plans of the wicked are entirely under God’s control, and then I need to acknowledge God’s grace and mercy in my own life. 

The Great Calm

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 146. Here is what I learned.

He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. He ·remains [keeps; observes; guards] ·loyal [faithfulness; truth] forever. Psalm 146:6 (EXB)

Who created the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that lives within them; Who stays true and remains faithful forever; Psalm 146:6 (VOICE)

"Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is." Wisely may we trust our Creator, justly may we expect to be happy in so doing. He who made heaven can make a heaven for us, and make us fit for heaven. He who made the earth can preserve us while we are on earth, and help us to make good use of it while we sojourn upon it. He who made the sea and all its mysteries can steer us across the pathless deeps of a troubled life, and make it a way for his redeemed to pass over. This God who still makes the world by keeping it in existence is assuredly able to keep us to his eternal kingdom and glory. The making of the worlds is the standing proof of the power and wisdom of that great God in whom we trust. It is our joy that he not only made heaven but the sea; not only things which are bright and blessed, but things which are deep and dark. Concerning all our circumstances, we may say the Lord is there. In storms and hurricanes the Lord reigneth as truly as in that great calm which rules the firmament above. "Which keepeth truth for ever." This is a second and most forcible justification of our trust the Lord will never permit his promise to fail. He is true to his own nature, true to the relationships which he has assumed, true to his covenant, true to his Word, true to his Son. He keeps true, and is the keeper of all that is true. Immutable fidelity is the character of Jehovah's procedure. None can charge him with falsehood or vacillation. The Treasury of David 

“Concerning all our circumstances, we may say the Lord is there. In storms and hurricanes the Lord reigneth as truly as in that great calm which rules the firmament above.” The Treasury of David 

God did not create and abandon. No matter how rough and severe the storms are, God is the great calm. Dealing with unknowns can cause storms to arise and the storms can become severe if I allow the fear of the unknown and the darkness of storm to overwhelm me. Or I can look to God, the great calm, and see the beauty of the storm. The power of the lightening strikes, the dark swirling clouds, the trees blowing in the strong winds.... they don’t have to create fear or dread, rather they can be displays of God’s power and assurance that the Great Calm, is watching over me. 

The Great Calm is known best in the midst of the storm, for that is when I see God’s power and that I realize I need Him most. To create a positive day, no matter if it’s a stormy day or peaceful day, I only need to take comfort and find rest in the Great Calm. 

Now and on the Day I Die

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 146. Here is what I learned.

·When people die [Their spirit goes out], they ·are buried [return to the ground]. ·Then all of [On that day] their plans ·come to an end [perish]. Psalm 146:4 (EXB)

When they breathe their last breath, they return to the ground. On that day their plans come to an end. Psalm 146:4 (GW)

As soon as their breath leaves them, they return to the earth; on that day, all of them perish—their dreams, their plans, and their memories. Psalm 146:4 (VOICE)

Last night a NASCAR driver was killed in a Sprint Car dirt track race. Only 37 years old. Sad. But it’s a reminder that death can happen at anytime. It’s often unexpected and not in our plans. 

At the time of death our plans, dreams, etc, won’t matter. What does matter is our relationship with God. He doesn’t look at “how good we’ve been”, or “all the good things we’ve done”, because no matter how “good” we think we are, compared to a Holy God we are just sinners. 

But thankfully, God provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven. 

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (AMP)

I know that when I die, I will enter Heaven, because I’ve placed my faith in God and accepted His gift of salvation. That’s an assurance that is comforting. 

As I live my life, I need to keep in mind, my plans and activities will come to an end. I need to sure that I’m involved in “eternal work”, work that will last, things that matter to God. “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.  Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal.  Your heart will be where your treasure is. Matthew 6:19-21 (GW)

My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (GW)

Knowing that I’m saved for all eternity, and doing God’s work, will create a positive day.. now and on the day I die. 

Right in Front of Me

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 146. Here is what I learned.

He makes the blind see. He lifts up those whose backs are bent in labor; He cherishes those who do what is right. Psalm 146:8 (VOICE)

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are brought down. The Lord loves those who are right and good. Psalm 146:8 (NLV)

"The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind." Jesus did this very frequently, and hereby proved himself to be Jehovah. He who made the eye can open it, and when he does so it is to his glory. How often is the mental eye closed in moral night! And who can remove this dreary effect of the fall but the Almighty God? This miracle of grace he has performed in myriads of cases, and it is in each case a theme for loftiest praise.  The Treasury of David

So, often I feel as though I’m in the dark about what is happening in my life. Yet, as God opened the eyes of the literal blind, He can open my eyes to see His way very clearly. 

I remember driving home from work in my first IL snowstorm/blizzard. The cars were traveling at a snails pace. I found that when I tried to look too far ahead, I was “blinded”. I couldn't see the road, or landmarks, just blowing snow. However, when I focused on the road RIGHT IN FRONT of me, I could see very clearly. In fact, I could see the tracks of the cars that went before me, making a clear path for me to follow. 

Just as I needed to look at the road directly in front of me, the same is true in life. I need to only focus on what God has for me right now. I don’t need to look into the far future... God has that under control. When I follow the path God has clearly marked for me, I’ll arrive at the destination God has chosen and will enjoy the wonderful blessing along the way. 

To create a positive day, I need to stop trying to see the future, and simply follow the path God has placed right in front of me. 

Short-Term Memory Loss

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 146. Here is what I learned.

I will praise the Lord ·all [with] my life; I will ·sing praises [make a psalm] to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2 (EXB)

I want to praise the Lord throughout my life. I want to make music to praise my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2 (GW)

While (as long as): yet, again, besides, henceforth, continuance, repeatedly, still more —again.

The best way to remember something is to talk about—and talk about it often! I have to say, that I’m thankful for my blog. For without my posts, I think I would forget most of the amazing things God has done for me. 

Sadly, when it comes to thanking and praising God for His love and mercy, I have short-term memory loss. I thank God, and then quickly go on about my day..... all to often forgetting the amazing grace and love God provides. And if I don’t stop and praise God, that short-term memory loss turns into long-term memory loss, and I find myself totally forgetting to praise God. 

If I really am to praise God with all my life, throughout my life, as long as I live—then it begins here and now. Praising God isn’t to be only on Sundays, or only on the special holidays. I am to be constantly praising God with my speech, my actions, my attitude. The more I praise God, the more the reasons of praise will “stick in my mind,” and I won’t suffer from “reasons for praise short-term memory loss.”

To create a positive day, and cure my reasons for praise short-term memory loss, I need to be praising God all day, every day!

Short-sighted

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The thirteen of each month, I'm studying Psalm 146. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Do not trust influential people, mortals who cannot help you. Psalm 146:3 (GW)

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. Psalm 146:3 (NLT)

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. Psalm 146:3 (NIV)

Not: nay, neither, never, no, nor, not, nothing.

Trust: be bold confident, secure, sure, careless one, put confidence, make to hope.

Princes (powerful people): Generous; hence, magnanimous; willing hearted.

Help: deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory,rescue.

Looking to people to help me, give me security is short-sighted! Why rely on people, when I can look to Almighty God? Why trust in mere mortals, when I can trust the Creator? Why put my hope in people who although may have money, will someday die, when I can place my security in an eternal God? 

Looking to people for happiness, security, hope is being very short-sighted! 

Short-sighted: stupid, not thought through, backward, batty, birdbrained, blockheaded, boneheaded, brainless, crazy, dumb, feeble-minded, foolish, harebrained, idiotic, ignorant, ill-conceived, imbecilic, impractical, indiscreet, moronic, poorly planned, retarded, senseless, short-sighted, silly, slow, sophomoric, underdeveloped, unformed, witless.

No matter how you phrase it—short-sighted is just plain DUMB! So why do I do it? Because I begin to look around for how I can fix things. I want to “do it myself”. I want to prove that I know best. But time and time again, God patiently teaches me that trusting in people is futile—short-sighted, just plain dumb! 

I need to “just say no” to looking for security, hope in people, and simply trust God Almighty—He is very trustworthy and provides eternal hope! 

To create a positive day, I need to stop being short-sighted and place my hope and trust in the God of eternity!

Heaped up in Happiness

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The thirteenth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 146. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Blessed are those who receive help from the God of Jacob. Their hope rests on the Lord their God. Psalm 146:5 (GW)

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5 (AMP)

Blessed: be blessed, happy, how happy!

God: the Almighty, power, strong, God of thy fathers.

Jacob: a son of Isaac.

Help: Protect or aid.

Hope: expectation—hope, by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience).

In: according to, after.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

God: Elohim, supreme God, mighty God.

Think of what this verse is saying: The almighty God, the supreme God, the all-powerful God, is my protector and helper, my hope is secure in the one-true God and that fact creates an overflowing abundance of happiness and joy.  

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help." Heaped up is his happiness. He has happiness indeed: the true and the real delight is with him. He is happy in help for the present and in hope for the future, who has placed all his confidence in Jehovah, who is his God by a covenant of salt. Happy is he when others are despairing! Happiest shall he be in that very hour when others are discovering the depths of agony. We have here a statement which we have personally tried and proved: resting in the Lord, we know a happiness which is beyond description, beyond comparison, beyond conception. O how blessed a thing it is to know that God is our present help, and our eternal hope. Full assurance is more than heaven in the bud, the flower has begun to open. We would not exchange with Caesar; his sceptre is a bauble, but our bliss is true treasure. The Treasury of David

I like that phrase, “heaped up in His happiness”. Happiness piled so high.... well there is no end. Reminds me of a pile of leaves... as you run and jump in and the leaves fly everywhere, and anyone nearby enjoys a deep belly laugh. That’s one thing about being “heaped up in his happiness”— those around you want to enjoy the happiness too!

But unlike that pile leaves, the source of true happiness is God, and He is eternal, so our happiness doesn’t depend upon the Season, or upon ourselves. Rather, our happiness and joy is from the Almighty, Eternal, Supreme God!  

O for a heart full of joyful gratitude, that we may run, and leap, and glorify God. The Treasury of David

When my heart is full of joyful gratitude, when I’m heaped up in happiness, that creates a positive day indeed!

Who & Actions

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 146. Here is what I learned.

Praise ye Jehovah.

Praise Jehovah, O my soul.

While I live will I praise Jehovah:

I will sing praises unto my God

while I have any being.

Psalm 146: 1, 2 (ASV)

This psalm is a general psalm of praise which might be used at any time, containing thoughts such as are appropriately suggested by a contemplation of the character of God, and his dealings with people. The idea is that of the blessedness of trusting in God; the security of those who do it; the superiority of this confidence and peace over any which is reposed in princes; and the evidence that it will be safe to trust in him, furnished by his merciful interpositions in behalf of the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the blind, the bowed down, the righteous, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As I read through this Psalm, I realized it was packed with reasons God deserves my praise. I like alliteration outlines, so I created this outline of Psalm 146.  

The purpose of praise is God. (vs 1)
The plan of praise is all my life. (vs 1)
The practice of praise is in song. (vs 2)
The prolongation of praise is eternity. (vs 2)
The perverse direction of praise is to people. (vs 3)
The proof of inadequacy of praise to people. (vs 4)
The premium for praising God—happiness. (vs 5)
The principle of praise is that God is faithful forever. (vs 6)
The help for the pauperized is praise-worthy. (vs 7)
The penitent peoples’ reason for praise. (vs 8)
The love of God is provocation for praise. (vs 9)
The persistence of praise. (vs 10)

What I learned today from Psalm 146, are specific examples of God’s character—Who He is, is why He does what He does. And because of Who God is and His actions, He is worthy of praise and honor. 

To create a positive day, I need to recognize Who God is and take notice of His actions and care in my life.