Be a Messenger

When I am down, don't know where to turn, or just agitated, I try and quiet myself to listen for God.  That may be through a song, through His Word, or through someone being his messenger.  Today, I think we do not hold much regard for messengers of God, AKA prophets.  But As we learned in the beginning of the year through the spiritual gifts lessons, you can be a prophet.  You may not hear God's voice telling you exactly what to say, but you may be able to talk to them about what they are going through using God's Word or your own experiences.  This makes verse 50 of Psalm 119 interesting to me.  God's word can comfort us and renew our spirit.  Your words of encouragement can be used to lift someone up. 

Psalm 119:50
⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.

God's Word is Trustworthy

This section of Psalm 119 is personal and made me think of speaking out for God.  Do you do that?  When you see a wrong or something that you know is not the right way, do you speak up?  Do you do the right thing when given the option, or do you go with the flow?  These verses tell us that the author seeks God and his truths.  I am at fault with not opening my mouth because I don't want to argue.  I also always think I don't know enough to have a good "argument".  I need to be more like verse 42; So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.  Do you trust in God's word?  That is a goal, to always trust in his word, no matter what.

 ⁴¹ May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O LORD,
Your salvation according to Your word;
⁴² So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
⁴³ And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.
⁴⁴ So I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
⁴⁸ And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Psalm 119:1-8

This is the single longest chapter in the book of Psalm and in the Bible.  I have debated on how to look at it.  I don't want to do what I've done with the rest of the chapters and find a verse that speaks to me (though I want the verses to jump out at me).  I think I will take it in the sections and see what God tells us.

Psalm 119:1-8
 ¹How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
         Who walk in the law of the LORD.
    ²How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
         Who seek Him with all their heart.
    ³They also do no unrighteousness;
         They walk in His ways.
    ⁴You have ordained Your precepts,
         That we should keep them diligently.
    ⁵Oh that my ways may be established
         To keep Your statutes!
    ⁶Then I shall not be ashamed
         When I look upon all Your commandments.
    ⁷I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
         When I learn Your righteous judgments.
    ⁸I shall keep Your statutes;
         Do not forsake me utterly!

Oh that I would be blameless!  Oh that I always observe His testimonies, though I try.  Oh to be righteous always.  To be blessed in those ways is something that I strive for.  No matter what, I will not be ashamed, I will give thanks, and always strive to keep God's laws.

Lows and Highs

This has been a rough week around the Fox house.  Suffice it to say that Allie is now single.  After eight months of being a couple, she is now single.  At first, she was devastated.  She cried and cried.  But soon she realized that maybe that was okay.  Then she found out the drill team advisor had to step down.  More sadness. And, add to that that our neighbor announced to Allie that she is pregnant, what a heartbreaking beginning to this week.  (Side note:  pray for that family.)

Then came last night.  Last night was the final band concert and awards.  The concert was good.  Allie played the bells and looked great.  Then the awards came.  Most of these are passed down from older marching band members to the younger ones.  The first award was the Spirit Bee award.  This a huge stuffed Bee, that an incoming senior will give to an incoming junior that shows strong pride, spirit and loves band.  The boy who had this gave it to Allie!  We were shocked, but I was glad for her. 

This year the drill team had it's share of drama.  There was the senior, four sophomores and three other underclassmen.  There will be no seniors with experience on the drill team.  It was one of the sophomore's first year, Allie's second year and the other two girl's third year.  The senior usually gives the drill team mascot, "Kermietta" to the next in line that will be the head of the drill team.  The senior picked Allie, with a nice letter of why she picked her.  It was such a nice letter about how Allie was strong, worked harder than anyone else and never complained.  It was touching.  This doesn't necessarily mean that Allie will be in charge, but it boosted her confidence and got her going with ideas of how she would like the team to go.  I am so proud of our girl.  She has shown leadership and perseverance.  We will find out the second week of June who is leader and I know she will handle everything with grace.  What an honor.

So we went from a very low beginning to a very high this week.  I love the saying that says, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window."  That has happened this week.  We can't dwell on the awful things.  We have to show that God is in control and he will give us that sense to do what is right.  I am thankful that in school, where I do not see as much of Allie's actions and reactions, that it seems she is still the same no matter what.  I pray that God will help her stay that way.

Psalm 118:5
    ⁵From my distress I called upon the LORD;
         The LORD answered me and set me in a large place

Truth

Psalm 117

  ¹Praise the LORD, all nations;
         Laud Him, all peoples!
    ²For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
         And the truth of the LORD is everlasting.
         Praise the LORD! 

Telling the truth is always important.  But God's truth is never going to change.  It will always be the same and pertinent.  Thank the Lord for that.

Because He Hears.

<sup>Psalm 116:1

1</sup>I love the LORD, because He hears
         My voice and my supplications.

Sometimes, we just need someone to really listen to us.  There are those times when we think that no one else understands and no one is really listening.  It's during those times that this verse can be a comfort and a reminder.  If no one else is listening, then stop and talk to the one who always hears you.

Praise Him!

Psalm 115:18
But as for us, we will bless the LORD
         From this time forth and forever.
         Praise the LORD!

Right now, I cling to these words. Sometimes I just feel down and I need the praises of Psalms to lift me up and remind me of what I need to keep doing.  This feeling passes, but sometimes it seems bigger than me.

"Lord, take me through" is the words I think.  I try to change.  I wait.  I hope. I praise.  I pray my actions will be a blessing to Him.  If it is a blessing to Him, it will be a blessing to others.

God Delivers

Just as God heard the children of Israel and delivered them from the Egypt Pharaoh, He will deliver you from whatever is troubling you.  Have faith, don't turn away. Keep trying, even when you think you will never be good enough for the situation.  God will deliver you.

Psalm 114:7 - 8

   ⁷Tremble, O earth, before the Lord,
         Before the God of Jacob,
    ⁸Who turned the rock into a pool of water,
         The flint into a fountain of water.