Psalm 116 ~ For you, O LORD!

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

 Praise the LORD.

James 3:17-18 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; 
then peace-loving, 
considerate, 
submissive,
 full of mercy 
and good fruit, 
impartial 
and sincere. 
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.


Sincerity.

We believe the path of God looks like the photo above.

However ...

... the truth is this is life a lot of the time. Temporary. Work. Effort. And our real attitudes - matter to God.

The first photo, used at the top of the page, is not a glorified photo of summer. We see the sky is bright blue and crops are probably already taken out of the field. Summer has been warm a long time. We are probably counting the days to cooler temperatures.

And the promises of God - for His kindness as we face - work, bills, family with expenses, poor attitudes, the daily grind, disrespect, and the routine of life -

- well the promises of God are - sure.

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

God never took His people on a magical, mystery carpet tour.

Faith.

Hebrews 11
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.


The Lord God Almighty did not leave us like a sailboat without wind in the sails. Usually - there was too much wind!!! Something He knew we could appreciate!

And when there was too much or too little - Father God, remember with me, gave tasks we could do each day. He did not leave us orphans in the storm in a Ship Called 'Oh Someday.'
Father God starts out these sailboat stories with God. Good start. Pray.

And why do we pray??? Because in conversation - God is stirred. Moved. Enthused. God told us why - we are created in the image of God.

Now, the photo is great for prayer. The colors are right. We might feel like an airplane under the clouds, but God is reaching us to move past the clouds into the brilliance of pristine whites, sunshine, leaving our cares in Faithful, Trustworthy, Loving Hands of Our Father.

Then refreshed in the mercies of God ~ We can see what God would give us - His Disciples - to do. There are so many things we could quickly become worked to death. We ask God to show us - what task would make our lives better - exercise we enjoy. Like... starting the day with a Gospel passage! And then real exercise to tell the Lord - thank You for this place - dwell here.

What person can we reach out to instead of text. I've learned in my 50s - an invitation given with kindness - really does not cost any thing. Accepted or declined. Kindness to a Child of God is given and that is the good.

And in our daily lives - what can we buy second hand to enjoy? Recycling is green and ebay is usually fun. The economy thanks you for your purchase. What task makes home better. And increases joy of, "Come see!"

Our discussions will involve politics. What really matters? That we vote. That is truly when opinions matter. What can we do daily for our Nation - Land of the Free? PRAY. Look for inventive solutions. You never know when your idea falls right into the heart of someone who can make a difference or God will offer you the opportunity to make a difference.

What else? Offer up an attitude of can do. The people who expect God? God assures us - we will find Him. We will leave a legacy of goodness and mercy as our footprints.

Father God - what can I do today for You - we want our loved ones to know how much God adores them. Remembers their years of expectation. And delight. God is our steadfast and enduring fire - inspires us and we will go forth with God.

Father God we lift up to You - small babies, old people, worried people, and people in the rut. Encourage them - You are Love would would cradle them and hold us. To know again the delight and Love You have for us. In Jesus we see He prepares His disciples to to go forth and dwells within. Father God dwell in all my aspects and help me be cleaned, renewed and inspired in You today. And always. In Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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