Get Out of the Night

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 Twenty-second of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 30. Here's what Treasure I found today.

For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 (ASV)

This is the literal translation: "For a moment in his anger. Lives in his favor. In the evening weeping may lodge: but in the morning exultation." Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

As I read Psalm  30 this morning, I had to stop and re-read this verse several times. As I studied it, I found much comfort in the last part of the verse, “Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.”

Weeping is a temporary visitor. The weeping, the sobbing, the complaining with tears is temporary. There is an ending to the crying. 

The morning. Just at daybreak as the sun begins to rise. At the first hint of light in the dark night sky, there is a SHOUT, jubilation of JOY! The painful sobbing has been changed into gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, singing, and yes triumph!

I guess this verse hit home because living with  chronic pain, there are many nights I literally cry myself to sleep. I am overwhelmed by pain, and “never-endingness” of the pain. Yet, as the darkness of night begins to change to the sunshine of day, even though the pain is still present, there is a sense of peace and joy. 

Phillips, Craig and Dean have a song called “Little Bit of Morning”. Here is a video of that song. 

To create a positive day, I need to ‘get out of the night’ and give a SHOUT of triumph to God Almighty. The temporary of sobbing, gives way to everlasting JOY. The triumph that God is still God. He is the ALMIGHTY and He is my hope and my salvation. God is my source of Joy, and that is greater than any pain; therefore, I will ENJOY a Morning of proclaiming and shouting about my Great God!

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! 

Fear Eraser

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 Twentieth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 27. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NRSV)

The Lord is my lightening, and mine health; whom shall I dread? The Lord is defender of my life; for whom shall I tremble [for whom shall I quake]? Psalm 27:1 (WYC)

Light: as source enlightenment & prosperity; light & salvation; from the word meaning “God Himself-He is Light”.

Salvation: deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare.

Fear: be afraid of. 

Is the defense: a place or means of safety, protection, stronghold, from the word meaning to take or seek refuge.

Dread: be in dread, trembling fear, be in the state of fear, dread. 

FACT: God, of deity Yahweh, is the absolute light; the very source of life and light. In contrast to darkness. Physical darkness, or “being in the dark”, not knowing can create fear. I need to recognize that God is Light, Himself, and therefore, there is nothing to fear. God is in control.  

FACT: Because God is in control and my source of life and light, is there anyone of whom I should be afraid? God is the ALMIGHTY. No one compares to Him. Therefore, there isn’t anyone I need to be afraid of, or fear.

FACT: Yahweh is the not only provides a place of security, but a means of safety and protection. I need to understand that when I  am afraid I can find security and rest in God. 

FACT: Fear is real. Fear is powerful. Being so afraid that one trembles, or dreads something so much it causes physical reactions, is a reality. 

FACT: If I truly believe that God is the very source of light and life, that He is in control, that He is the Almighty God, then there is no one, or thing, of which I need to be afraid. I have a safe place to go and find peace. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember that circumstances, people, things, do not have the power that God has. God is my security. God is my safe haven. God is my “fear eraser”.

Desire

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 15. Here is what I learned.

Psalm 15 begins with two questions. Who can spend time with God today? Who can spend time with God for all eternity? 

As I read Psalm 15:1, the first thoughts that came to mind were

The Desire

The Direction of Desire

The Duration of Desire

To ask a question, one must want to know the answer. The desire is spending time; allowing someone to have an impact in my life. 

The direction of desire is God, and the Name used is Yahweh. This is God’s proper name, a name signifying deity. 

The duration of desire has two parts: one temporary and immediate (temple; tent) the second permanent (holy hill). 

Do I have a desire for God

to have an impact in my life

on a daily basis and for eternity?  

With whom do I want to spend time? Friends. I want to be in the company of people I enjoy. I like to be with like-minded people. 

Psalm 15 starts with the Desire to be with God. Do I have that desire? Many of us want to “spend eternity” with God. But do we want Him around daily? If He is around daily, does that put a damper on my speech? my activities? my thoughts? my attitudes? That’s the meaning of Psalm 15. 

If I want to spend eternity with God, then I should want to spend each and every day in God’s presence. Remember, God is present. It is just do I acknowledge that fact and allow it to have an impact on my life? 

What is my desire today? Do I want to have fellowship with God and enjoy His presence? That doesn’t mean that I sit around reading the Bible all day. Rather, that God presence should have an impact on how I live. The rest of Psalm 15 gives examples of the impact of the desire to spend time with God should have in my life. 

To create a positive day, I need to check to see what (or Who) is the attention of my desire. If my desire is greater for things or people, rather than God, then I need a “desire adjustment”. Only if my desire is wanting God to have a daily impact in my life, will each day be positive. 

Multitude of 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 Eighteen of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 1. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Can a person really find true happiness? The answer is “yes”, if that person is looking in the right place.

Look at Psalm 1:1.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. (AMP)

The word for “blessed” embraces all that is supposed to constitute real happiness. It’s the fullness of happiness. And this word is plural, so it means “blessednesses” —multitude of happiness is available! 

How do we get this “multitude of happiness”?  Psalm 1:1 gives a list of where happiness CAN NOT be found! 

“Walks not”. That is the “happy person” does not make it a habit to follow the conduct, or lifestyle of the ungodly -- those people without God. 

“in the counsel of the ungodly.” Don’t take advise from those who don’t know God. Period. 

“Nor stands”. Has the same attitude; or in this case.. does not have the same attitude.

“of sinners”. Remember we are all born sinners. But those that trust God, should not be continuing in their sinful ways. The mind set should not be to continue in sin. 

“nor sits down”. Take up dwelling. 

“where the scornful gather.” “Scornful” means those who mock, deride, scoff; those who treat virtue and religion with contempt.  

Notice the progression here. First, follow or take on their lifestyle, want to “look like” the ungodly. Next, comes the attitude. The mind set of the ungodly. Then you move in... and take up resident with the ungodly. It happens slowly. Next you are surrounded by those that mock God and his absolute standards. 

The Psalmist is warning... don’t DO IT! Those that do not know God do not have “multitude of happiness”.  Those that don’t love God and follow God may “seem” happy, but they are searching for happiness in things and people and are always disappointed. The only true happiness and abundant happiness is found in the true source of joy—God Himself.

A multitude of happiness creates a positive day, and I need to make sure I’m searching for it in the only place it can be found—God and God alone.