the Blahs

 Morning devotion was the ever popular Psalm 121.  

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  Will it cure "the blahs?"  
• Will it encourage the weary heart?
• Will I recover and "keep pressing on?"

Well, lets look at the few verses the Psalmist penned here:

First, the Psalmist determined to lift up (his) eyes unto the hills from whence cometh (his) help.  Anyone with sound mind and eyes is capable of "looking up" to enjoy the sights, sounds and smell of creation.  

• The sun as it breaks through the eastern sky and casts a multitude of color at the world waking up where you are.
• The many shades of blue in the sky, not to mention the ocean when viewed on the horizon; navy, royal blue, "sky" blue, azure, cyan, cobalt, denim, periwinkle, turquoise, midnight blue. 
• Who couldn't appreciate such wonder?

Then, the Psalmists recognizes that looking up causes one to understand this is from whence cometh my help.  My help comes from the Lord, which (of course) made heaven and earth. The "blahs" and downcast countenance must be encouraged, even a little, when looking up.

Second, in verses 3 and 4 we are reminded; He WILL NOT suffer thy foot to be moved: AND He that keepeth thee WILL NOT slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord does not sleep, so you can!

But what about not suffer(ing) thy foot to be moved? What does that mean? Since He never sleeps, you may rest assure that stability and protection ensure you will not be moved from your spiritual foundation or fall.

Third, we are told in verse 5, The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Like a mother cradles and protects her child from any harm, including the hot sun, so He does the same with His children. We may rest, without any apprehensive thoughts or feelings. We may feel safe, secure and protected in His arms, day or night.

Then, we are told that The Lord shall preserve thee from ALL evil: He shall preserve thy soul.  If He is to protect us and make every believer to feel safe, even our very soul, why should we worry?

Lastly, when we DO wake up, we are reminded that The Lord shall preserve thy coming out AND thy coming in from this time forth, AND forevermore.

So, as a child of God and believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I will keep my heart fixed on God that I may avoid "the blahs" and endure the burdens from this time forth, AND forever more!

God bless and keep you as you remember Him who NEVER sleeps, so you can wake up like the child in this picture.  

He is faithful

This post may seem devotional but it is the state of the bloggers heart this morning.  Any lovingkindness gleaned from this heart, is because of the Psalmist words in another place; my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. (Ps 57.7) Though I do not sing often, this heart is almost always, fixed on the most High. 

 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.         (Ps 89.33)

Many emotions find themselves crowding the inner man today. (Eph 3.16, 2 Cor 4.16) Yet the desire is to stay true to the Lord in all.  Not impossible but at times, challenging. Because we understand that a doubleminded man is unstable in ALL his ways. (Jms 1.8)  I want to be fruitful (Col 1.10) to the praise of His glory (Eph 1.6) rather than unstable to all who would observe my witness of Him. (1 Jn 5.9) 

If I did not stay fixed always on the Lord, any one of the emotions would win out over praise.  The Psalmist penned my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him (man), nor suffer My (the Lord's) faithfulness to fail.  When so many conflicting emotions are swirling about it is a comfort to know He still loves my, "kindly" and will always be "faithful" to this believer. 

Because the Lord Jesus told us that He would not leave us comfortless, (Jn 14.18), we may depend on the Holy Spirit as Comforter, Guide and Teacher. (Jn 14.26, 16.13).  This is my desire today.  Regardless of the "man emotions" swirling about, I may remain, steady, faithful and fixed on Him because He is such with me.

All that being stated, I will explain a few details about yesterday.  My heart was happy because of a joyous birthday of a sweet, wonderful, darling six year old.  The same celebration yielded of few mixed emotions from the past due to one guest.   Most of the memories of the past are put far behind and the Lord has moved me "farther on."  Daily life still includes burdens but nothing that cannot be borne.  Yesterday, many conflicting things happening at church.  Since my heart is fixed on Him, I choose to yield all to His perfect will. 

Flash forward to this blog post and several auto details need to be addressed today.  Personal prayer and bible reading is completed.  A beautiful, glorious Spring day is seen outside the bedroom window.  "Life goes on" and He is faithful.

Conclusion of todays thought:  He is faithful, are you?

God bless and keep you is my prayer.

In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

 Do you ever feel perplexed, confused, uncertain?  Of course, there are times in our lives those feeling come when we may be overwhelmed by circumstances or the wrong counsel. 

The verse above is from Psalm 71.  The next verse reads;

Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Many other verses may be found to answer confusion in a believers life.  One other comes to mind, Ps 61.2 says when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

So, where do YOU go when you feel "perplexed, confused, uncertain?  If you are a believer, you may trust in His Word(s).  If you are not a believer, you may still trust in the blessed old book, the 1611 KJB (King James Bible).

Many scholars and "learned" men, whether they realize it or not, glean much of their understanding and wisdom from the bible.  

Much of the laws we obey are based on the ten commandments.  If carnal, unbelievers, follow the "laws of the land," then it is a true statement that "everyone should." Thus, leading to sound minds and lives.  There is no confusion in the Words of God.

The path to doing the right thing?  The pattern for this blogger has been this; If you do not have to make a decision right away, don't.  Waiting often leads to an answer.  If you DO have to decide quickly, make the best choice possible based on the information available. You'll know soon enough if you did the right thing or not.

It is clear, we are imperfect beings and make bad choices. However, if your desire is to do the right thing, follow the instructions above and you'll be alright.

 

Most times, this is my desire -Then, a grateful heart

                   

 

Preaching from across the "big pond."

Bethany BC, Pwllgwaun, Pontypridd, United Kingdom