Author: David LaFrance

Psalm 36

Yesterday was a great reminder about Fear. Linden shared how Fear can encapsulate us. We will look at Fear again in Psalm 36 today.  My Fear right now is for Him. I’m grateful for His love and grace when I have fallen short.  The weakness I face as a human is present in many ways daily. What do you think of when we think about Fear of Him? For those who know the Lord its important to keep this fear.  As a broken human, my own weakness is the problem.  

1.Sin speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts;  They reject God and do not have reverence for him. 2. Because they think so highly of themselves, they think that God will not discover their sin and condemn it.

The selfishness we hold onto impacts our lives.  The world each day tries to throw at us problems, desires, successes, and more that make you think.  I don’t need help.  I have it figured out.  If I’m truthful, I have moments when I lose the fear and think…I got this. I truly don’t.  No affirmation, solution, or success that doesn’t include Him is a form of sin that I can sit in, wrestle with, and lead me back to my knees in repentance and a prayer to work on my obedience.  

In my obedience and sin, I know I am loved.  The more obedience and Fear I live out in connection to our Lord, the more I feel loved, protected, provided for, and insightful for His light and not my own.  

 

7. How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings. 8.We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. 9  You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

 

In short, my response is to stop looking in the mirror (self-flattery) and start looking at the mountains and the clouds (God’s faithfulness). By recognizing my own tendency to self-deceive, I become more desperate—and thus more ready—for the “abundance” He offers.

Reminder Verses: 

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

 

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

 

Peace

Today’s Reading: Joshua 1

There are many passages in the Bible that model and demonstrate God’s faithfulness.  I know that for each of us, reading this journal, you can also point to many moments along your earthly journey where God has shown up.

The question posed to us is where God shows up in Joshua 1.  For me, it was more about where He does not show up. At the death of their leader, Moses, Israel’s wonder about who would lead was answered by God.  He selected Joshua. Joshua witnessed all the promises God made to Moses and kept, and now he heard from the Lord directly that those promises were now for him.

The Lord promises to Joshua where he will go, what he will do, how he will do it, and how he will feel along the journey.  What does the Lord ask Joshua to do? Obey, meditate on His Word, and do not be discouraged.

Every believer who is doing God’s will can trust that He will never leave us or forsake us.  ( Thankfully, His grace extends past our sinful nature too) In my own life, I have seen times where I have obeyed, believed, and been strong and courageous because I could feel His presence.  The true times when I meditate on His Word, and His promises jumped off the pages, answering my questions, providing courage, strength, and love when I needed it most.  This is still true today and I trust it will be that way forever.

5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.

7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do.

9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

Today’s Reading: Psalm 114

Do you remember the following quote?

Ricky Bobby: “Dear tiny Jesus, in your golden-fleece diapers, with your tiny, little, fat, balled-up fists pawing at the air…”

Carley (Wife): “Hey, um, you know, sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don’t always have to call him, ‘baby.’ It’s a bit odd and off-putting to pray to a baby.”

Ricky Bobby: “Well, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown-up Jesus or teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus, or whoever you want.”

Ricky Bobby (later): “Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars that I have accrued over this past season.”

This scene in the movie Talladega Nights reminds me of how some people might think of Jesus around Christmas as we celebrate His birth. The baby born in the manger under a very humble beginning. 

When I first read Psalm 114, I reflected on God’s extraordinary power and our need to fear Him.  Powerful. 

The most vivid and poetic part of the Psalm describes how nature itself reacted to the presence of God leading His people:

• The Sea Fled and Jordan Turned Back: This is a reference to the parting of the Red Sea (at the start of the journey) and the stopping of the Jordan River (at the end, when entering the Promised Land). The poetic imagery suggests the waters fled in terror or respect at God’s command.

• Mountains Skipped Like Rams: This likely alludes to the earthquake at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law, underscoring God’s awesome power and majesty.

• The Rhetorical Question: The Psalmist dramatically asks the elements, “What ails you, O sea, that you flee?… O mountains, that you skip like rams?” (v. 5-6). This heightens the suspense, making the final answer more impactful.

• The Answer: The God of Jacob: The answer is given in the concluding verses: the earth must “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (v. 7). Nature bows because of the manifest, all-powerful presence of the Creator who is acting specifically for His covenant people.

Our Lord is no longer in a manger.  He is the one that, when you believe, He will meet all needs. Our Lord is powerful, mighty, and can do anything He chooses at any time. Does it mean He will solve all our Earthly problems as we desire? No. He will solve our Eternity problem, which will mean so much more. I pray you have received Him for Eternity. 

Blessings this Christmas!

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.

After an amazing Thanksgiving, there may not be many people physically hungry left.  The various types of food served during this holiday season, in homes and at parties, can leave us physically full.

But what about your soul?

Yes, our world can temporarily leave us physically full, especially during this Holiday Season, which offers a wide range of food and drink.  There are unlimited deals available everywhere you look, including on the phone, which the average person touches an average of 144 to 205 times a day. This season, there will be an unlimited amount of entertainment and business that can consume all your hours of the day if you let them.

Yet with all these things available to use from last week through the next month or so, we need to remember out of everything what will truly satisfy any of our desires.  It is our Lord.  Jesus is the one true source of all we really need to satisfy any desire.  What appears and may even fill a momentary earthly desire is nothing compared to the good that Jesus promised eternally.

Praying for this season of searching and longing for all the things to be filled with the joy and fulfillment that the Lord has for us all!    ~  Blessings 

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.

3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; were his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Today’s Reading is Psalm 100. This chapter, written by David, is a Psalm to give thanks, to come to Him, and to give praise.  Verses 1, 2, and 4 discuss ensuring we are doing this.

I landed on verses 3 & 5 to remind me that the Lord is our God who made us into existence.  That even though the world can provide many false gods, He is our Creator and our Shepherd while on this planet.  He will, when you believe, provide, protect, and guide us.  That even though our pastures may change along the way and there are many wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, we can find everything we need in our Shepherd.  Our faithfulness will endure all generations.

Have a blessed day.

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joy noise to the rock of our salvation! 2. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

What does praise look like for you?  For me, it can vary.  Yes, I love a Sunday worship service with hands raised, with the mindset of an audience of one.  There are also times when it’s a quiet moment in the morning, when a whisper of His name is all it takes to thank Him for His perfectly timed words through Scripture.

Whatever it is, give Him praise.  What do you have to give praise for? Being in His presence today or having this time right now to sit and reflect on His words.  The air we breathe each day.  The unexplainable joy you can feel knowing what eternity will be for us.  Pick any one or all of these things right now.  Whatever it may be for you right now.  Make that joyful noise to Him. He’s listening and loves us, giving thanks!

Amen