Wadi Muses (Moses) flows through Petra
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God!
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Recently, I was traveling to Church when a car ran a red light and hit me very hard. Both cars were totaled. The EMT, the Police and the 15 volunteers and the witness were very, very kind to the woman driver going by ambulance to determine why she fainted and they were good to me. Especially the Aggie Police Officer who collected the insurance information as we walked away following the ambulance departure.
Cold spring weather can lead to the doldrums and complaining.
Moses and the Children of Israel were very uncomfortable.
And this is a Prayer of Moses - Very Real and Complaining. His story was very considered even in the Iron Age as the Psalms were being written down. The 8 Qumran Caves almost always contain the works of Moses in Scripture, but not this particular Psalm.
Moses was complaining some. Very possible this Psalm is recorded from the 40 years of wandering in the desert. And Moses knew he had been blessed because he started out this journey at age 80. The Septuagint - 70 scribes recording the Scriptures in Alexandria - also point to the perfectly recorded Scriptures. And the archaeology. Moses was living a very unique life and We AreThe Generation Realizing This In Archaeology - this is true story.
Jeremiah thought about the recorded history of Moses. He said when a culture is falling to upheaval - like many divorces - there are signs in the culture. Like History is suddenly bravely reinterpreted to be enlightened instead of the way the people living the era and recorded.
Jeremiah 23
7“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ 8but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where hea had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”
God says very little is new under the sun. Like being Politically Correct to say Holidays instead of Christmas. In order to accommodate whom? We don't even live in a country where people are jumping up and down about freedoms encroached by Christianity. Almost a mythical - "Why isn't this allowed anymore?" Like a great huge it says - No - No to Nativity Scenes. No to a Bible carved in a Court House. No to prayer at football games. People usually and in a majority - want this to Continue not be eroded and still - why does this happen???
Father God in the Holy Spirit - help us. Amen.
There are complains the Ancient Greek Philosophers record about the indiscretions of youth. This is different. What are we to say that is hopeful?
Jeremiah points out earnestly wanting to know Scriptures - as we are - is a sign of hope. When we admit we are not perfect people and need Jesus to be our righteousness. There is hope. When we see people have changed denominations looking for the Scripture to be preached as an Authoritative Word of God - this is wonderful and this is - This Generation.
Think about this as an idea - if we put all of this to a popular vote. 92% of Congress professes Jesus is Lord. What Changes we could bring to please God. Pray! Why doesn't more effective change happen. Good question. If you could secretly poll the brain of all the congress people - they would all like more positive changes to bring the lasting hope of God to the People of the United States. They just don't want to be the squeaky geek to lead the charge. Looks ineffective. It's risky to stand up like that in front of your colleagues. Pray for us all to have personal courage. Because really there are good people willing. If they had the Shepherd to pull them together.
Lord Jesus is willing - help us to be willing. In His precious name. Amen.
Our country, has more adoptions per 100 births than any other country on earth. People want to love children. God tells us in the Gospel - this is a good and godly aspect.
When we say that marriage does matter. Loyalty and vows. Covenant is rare, but marriage is covenant. You are rarely asked in Church to stand up and vow your life before God. We put the interests of our Word and Promise to God as something needed. That is important! This is very basic structure to our framework of our existence as a People. People who need God.
We need to make sure we are the generation that doesn't shrug away what the Word of God says. Even as we understand that the Law of Jesus is Spirit to worship in our heart knowing what He says is Love. The Spirit of God is for Peace. The Spirit of God makes a Path to bring forward the way He gave each of us with His Plan and Gifts.
Isn't it great that Moses had a recorded prayer saying what it's like to live uncomfortably? Moses believed with depending on God like Billy Graham. He had seen the last Chapter and knew it was going to turn out ok.
Let's turn out ok, ourselves, and bring this chapter to a Higher Path for Him. Love is going to be a peacemaker and a blessing for those who call upon Jesus, believe in their hearts and profess with their mouths. Jesus will be our righteousness. Jesus help us take our lives and others to a Higher Path.
So, I could do as I do verbally and draw the car accident into many words and emotions. Instead I will say what I have taken away as a life memory from this accident. As the policeman and Scripture say,
" In the twinkling of an eye it will be changed."
The flash of color of the car impossibly coming towards me gave my mind a split second to deny what I was seeing. And then the impact. The noise. And I knew Death was near. In the car with me. So I decided to hold on to the wheel and wrap my toes around the brake through my shoes. And as I Clung - I thought - "Father God, I believe You. I expect You. I go to You. I am Yours." And there was peace.
Even as the car was hit again. During the second hit as I swung over another lane into where oncoming cars or pedestrians could have been - it was clear. And as the car neatly parked over the sidewalk, the grass, resting comfortably next to the iron bar traffic signal - as if I had chosen to park next to it like a parking space. (Those traffic signals do kill people who hit them. I know, I once saw a fatality.)
I realized in my soul - again - God has more for me to do. And coming that close to understanding the impossible color and how it could be there - I got out shaken - but with a clear conviction. God Loves Me. When He wants me I will go. Peace. God is Love.
Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul
Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
1 Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Thank You, Father God, for the gift of life. Help us to know the peace You provide in times of crisis. Let us continue to call upon You and You are so Good to hear us. I want my life to please You. How Joyful to feel that it does please You. And welcome. Help me to make Life meaningful for me and the ones You have given me. Your love was there for all of our many conversations, Father God. I am still finding the Wonders in Life unfolding around me. Thank You for Your mercy and Your Love as an assurance. Thank You, Father God, for my blessings. Lord Jesus Christ!!! Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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