Psalm Forty - Two

There is a tendency in us all to take matters into our own hands when life brings difficulties. I can speak from experience that doing this has created more issues and prolonged the conflict than what was necessary. David teaches us a valuable lesson here.

The choices we make while in conflict is important to damage control. By asking God to illuminate David's path, he is assured to have good counsel. The same applies for us.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Forty - Two

Verse 1-2:
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Verse 11:
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

I love David's transparency before God. In the same Psalm He declares his thirst for more of God in his life and then tries to figure out why he is so downcast. I believe this is a beautiful picture of the human condition. We can tend to be like H.G. Wells' description of Mr. Polly: "not so much a human being as a civil war."

It begs the question, "If everyday with God is sweeter than the day before, why in the world is today so difficult?"

David seems to be having this challenge. I think it's important to point out that his desire for God and his emotions may be in conflict, but his heart is prioritizing what is important, and his mind is helping him down a beautiful road of reasoning. David's self-talk at the end of verse 11 brings me great comfort today.

I will put my hope in God (not man).
I will praise Him because He is my Savior.
He is MY GOD!

Psalm Forty - One

David is asking for God's mercy in a time of trouble. I find that this is different than what I typically do in similar situations. I am quick to blame and complain to God about whatever is the trouble. This rarely does anything but waste breath. God's mercy is ever present... even in times of trouble. He is working all things out for those He loves. Allow His presence to comfort and sustain you today when things don't exactly go your way.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Forty

Sometimes following God's will require seasons of waiting patiently. We don't do waiting well in our society, especially when you tack on trying to do it patiently. Much of the time, the wait can save you from unnecessary damage. I am amazed, sometimes, at how quickly I throw myself into battles prematurely. Only realizing in hindsight that the conflict was not even necessary for what I truly wanted. God has a way of working all things out for those He loves. As His child today, you are one of those He loves.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thirty - Nine

David holds his tongue until he feels he can't hold it any longer. When he decides to speak about his complaints, David takes them straight to God. There are many times in life we complain to people that have no effect in rectifying the situation. Taking your complaints, your fears, your hopes and dreams to God is the greatest way to make sense out of the emotions of your heart. Asking His Spirit to guide you will help in staying the course. God will not lead you astray.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thrity - Eight

David seems to have an understanding of what you reap, so you will sow. He believes here that he is getting what he deserves and does not cast blame on God for what he is going through. In his petition, David only asks that God would protect him from his enemies. Sounds fair to me.

We can not escape the consequences of our sins. And thought Jesus paid the ultimate price to make us right with God, we will need course corrections. God has a great plan for us. In order to achieve that plan we must follow God's path. It is important to acknowledge in times of correction that we are not being treated unfairly. God is a perfect judge.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thirty - Six

Note from Life Application Study Bible:
[Theme:] God's faithfulness, justice, and love are contrasted with the sinful hearts of men and women. In spite of our fallen condition, God pours out his love on those who know him.

This should bring us comfort and joy today. Because God's love for us is so strong and He is willing to defeat sin and death on our behalf, we experience a love that is unmatched. God is good and we are blessed.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thirty - Five

David is writing out of a state of hurt confusion. Usually his attacks came from enemies of other countries. Here, it seems the attack is coming from within - from people that he has shared life with - people that, when life was difficult for them, David went passionately to God on behalf of.

It has been my experience that an attack from a friend does more damage than an assault from an enemy. I believe the reason is that, in the former, the heart takes the most punishment.

I find great strength from David's self talk with God. He asks his Creator to affirm that He is his salvation. David decides that He will allow God to be his protector and vindicator. Then, finally, the most important moment of clarity in the chapter appears in the last verse. David chooses what kind of words will come out of his mouth. The choices are praise or slander. He chooses praise. And so should we.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thirty - Three

^"We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You."
-----Psalms 33:20-22 (NIV)

How we look at tomorrow is important as we live in today. Knowing that God is our help and our shield, the promises He has given us about tomorrow bring great joy to the hearts of believers. Since His love has no end we are assured that each day we live will be with Him in our midst.

This week I want to make it a point to allow God's promises for my tomorrow to outweigh any trials that may come my way. In turn my "hope" for tomorrow has much more optimism.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Thirty - Two

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah "
-----Psalms 32:5 (NIV)

Acknowledging our sin is important. But being totally honest is vital in eliminating the barriers sin creates in our lives. By not covering up his iniquity, David shows God that what is going on inside is more important than outward appearances. We can learn an important lesson from this.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah Seven

"Work miracles for us, Lord, as you did in the days when you brought us out of Egypt."
Micah 7:15 (TEV)

We seem to believe that miracles are not possible in this day and age. I contend that maybe we don't see them as often as scripture makes it appear is because we don't eagerly await them enough. God has split seas, defeated armies single handily and raised people from the dead. I think we have become so self functioning that we don't have the reliance for miracles that only God can perform.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah Five

As the chapter starts about the coming King, I am reminded of just how fortunate we are and how much God loves us. Because our sin created a chasm that was unjumpable, God chose to give us another chance by sending His Son. It is easy (at least for me) to allow each day go by not recognizing what Jesus has done for me. I can get lost in the busyness, the laziness, and the activeness of my day.

All the while forgetting:

"Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.
My sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah Four

Verses 6 and 7 speak about what God will do at the end of days. I love reading these words. The Holy Spirit that lives in me leaps for joy when I ponder these words.

Ever have a day when right out of the gate you find yourself in frustration and conflict? I have found myself here today. As I write, I realize I have two options. Dwell or press on. The attitude I choose will navigate the emotions and actions of my day. Today, as I press on, I will make it a point to find beauty in God's creation. I will think about the good that this world has to offer. I will give my God my very best effort. He deserves nothing less than that. Love wins when we choose to wear it as our clothes.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah Three

Two verses leapt from the pages today:
v1
"Listen, you leaders of Jacob,
you rulers of the house of Israel.
Should you not know justice,"

Leadership is a stewardship in which the leader is held accountable by God. At the time of Micah's prophesy, the leaders of the nation had led their people astray. Corruption was severe and justice was on hiatus. They treated God like a magic genie, able to be used whenever they wanted. God, however, refused to be their puppet. The same applies for us. God takes great delight in his children because He knows that His presence is the greatest place for us to be.

v6
"As for the prophets
who lead my people astray,
if one feeds them,
they proclaim 'peace';
if he does not,
they prepare to wage war against him."

These prophets were prone to accept a bribe for a favorable proclamation. They must have thought that no one would notice and if their prophesy did not come true that they would make up some excuse to get them off the hook. Their problem is that God was aware of their actions. They may have played the part on the outside, but on the inside they were something dramatically different. This is where the Holy Spirit plays a powerful role in our lives. Serving as a moral compass, He reveals the right path. What we have to be committed to is following through.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah Two

Notes for 2:12,13 ---- Life Application Bible Notes
Micah's prophecy telescopes two great events — Judah's return from captivity in Babylon, and the great gathering of all believers when the Messiah returns. God gave his prophets visions of various future events, but not necessarily the ability to discern when these events would happen. For example, they could not see the long period of time between the Babylonian captivity and the coming of the Messiah, but they could clearly see that the Messiah was coming. The purpose of this prophecy was not to predict exactly how this would occur, but that it would. This gave the people hope and helped them turn from sin.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Micah One

As God speaks through Micah it is evident that He does not take sin lightly. There is a balance between our willingness to sin and His need for us to be reconciled. When we do not attempt reconciliation then He brings His judgement. This is not unfair, for He is the ultimate judge and His ways are perfect. Sin is serious because it does not just effect one person.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Acts Twenty-Seven

I find it interesting that during this crisis, the one who is leading is also the one that has hope. The storm seems to be going on for much longer than it should. Paul steps up and affirms the men.

This is a valuable lesson in leadership. Sometimes in the middle of the crisis, the leader has to calm the emotional storms of those that are follow him/her. In doing this the team is refocused and granted an extra portion of strength for the journey.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Acts Twenty-Six

Paul has once again found a way to tell the story of what Jesus did for him. I believe we make telling our story much more complicated that what it should be. Paul breaks it down in this chapter into two parts. Part one is Jesus changing his life on the inside. Part two consists of Jesus telling him what to do with this new freedom.

Sharing your story with the world that is around you should be attractive to both you and others. I believe we fail when we attempt to hide the hope we have inside of us because of the fear of how we will be perceived. God has placed inside you the hope of the world. This is not a matter to take lightly. You have the influence you have with those around you for a reason.

God is good and we are blessed.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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