Psalm 61 ~ from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Israel has deserts, lakes, beaches, mountains, rivers, arid places, lush forests and farms. David knew most of the places in Israel from travel, work as a shepherd, worked for King Saul as a warrior or musician & fleeing as if he were a criminal. He came to know Israel as a King and Father.

David knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner and to stay there. He knew a lot of trouble in life, God called David to know something Greater. Wherever David was, whatever the situation, David knew the comfort of God's plan being in place. The House of God, was merely a tent, but the promises of God are a mighty fortress. David would honor the ways God had for him to walk in, David would uphold the Word of the Lord.

My Grandmother Anita said when we feel oppressed. Rise above this.

Max Lucado was on the radio, today, saying that if you invent the tool to send pizza, real pizza by email you might become a billionaire. But even so we have something - all of us - in common. Troubles. Difficulties, Problems. No one is granted a trouble free life.  What we do with faith and trust with our difficulties - makes us bitter or better. Worrier or trust in God. When we have crushing difficulties - where we loose heart and hope - this will define us - how we solve, overcome, endure, pray and go forth in the Eternal God.

My father told me when I was in my late thirties - I'd begin to worry about aging and decide I was old. Now, when my forties arrived - by the end - I would know some age. Not to worry. My mother told me on her 72nd birthday where she felt young and vital - that at age 52 she had worried life was ending in old age. Her advice was stop worrying about being old. Good advice -  enjoy life and be grateful and blessed. Nehemiah 8 with the Joy Jesus tells us He does have. The feast Jesus spoke of about His expectations in God.

Recently, we have known a 44 year old friend of Edward's to feel numb and go to the hospital and die in just 3 months. We know of a two year old very adored daughter who died peacefully in her bed. We know a man in his 50s who just quit breathing as he slept and is in the hospital now. Recently I've heard of 3 strokes. And a mother who died unexpectedly at age 42. There is rarely a guarantee of life like David. We have prayed for a family who lost someone in their 20s.  Almost all since September. I've never had such a season of all ages can pass on.

Psalm 103
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

This Psalm is a good one to remember as we see His tender mercies renew each day.  We need the Grace of God every day and to live with gratitude.

Psalm 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Chronicles 29:28
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.



Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.




Father God, when we do not see all of our path, help us to remember the comfort of David. We trust in You and we have Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ.

We will do what You call us to do. Do the right thing. Tell the Truth. Trust in Jesus as Lord. 

The Most Constant Promise we have. From You Father God - we have access to God every time we pray. This is not seen. Is not always felt. We can boldly come to Father God because of Jesus. We can be exactly like Aaron - ourselves - in the Holy of Holy. Because You are Abba - Father.

And bring the ones we love to You exactly like the man who came through the roof. And we can expect to finish our prayer heard. We give you the ones we Love, our communities, our culture, our neighborhoods where others Yell out Good News, our Churches and Nation. Knowing placing our cares in Your Hands is worthy, enduring, an honor, pleasing to You, Joy, Encouragement, Faith, Hope and Love. Thank Jesus.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †