Are you Listening, Lord? - Lent 5

Does God hear our prayers? 

Well, David certainly believed that God heard our prayers - that's why in Psalm 5 he cries out to the

Lord:

"Listen to my words,  Lord , consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." - (Psalm 5:1, 2)

I am sure that David's confidence in God's ability to hear our prayers stems from his personal experiences of God responding to his previous prayers. He confidently says: "you hear my voice..." (Psalm 5:3)

For me, it is not that God doesn't hear our prayers, but sometimes we wrestle with the fact that God replies in ways that confuse us. 

Yes!

No!

Wait!

All three of these answers can come from God's lips. We just need to trust in each answer.

• "Praying in faith is not an inner conviction that God will act according to our desires if only we believe hard enough.  It involves believing that God will always respond to our prayers in accord with his nature, his purposes, and his promises."- Alvin VanderGriend

So, is God hearing your prayers and what is he saying?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

How are you sleeping? - Lent 4

How do you sleep at night? (…please don’t tell me, “with my eyes closed!”)

Do you sleep Peacefully?

…Restlessly?

In Psalm 4, David concludes his thoughts by saying: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (v.8)

He sleeps in peace because he has learnt to place his trust in God and he is convinced that the Lord helps him dwell in places of safety. I am convinced that David only gets to this place in his life, because he has endured nights of restlessness and insomnia. We often recognise the gift of ‘peaceful sleep’ after months of no sleep. 

Perhaps this is why he says in verse 4, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” David spent too many nights dwelling on anger and bitterness, so now sleep is a tremendous gift to him.

So, tell me again, “how are you sleeping?”

Be at peace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Shield - Lent 3

God promises to be a shield around us - this applies especially to the times when we feel we are under attack, but also everyday of our lives.

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord." - Psalm 3:1

Take note of the word "You" in the verse. God is not promising to give us a material shield; a man- made object, made of steel or cow-hide or whatever. God is promising that He will be the shield. That makes all the difference!

When Jesus died on the cross for us, it was not some 'ordinary sacrifice' God provided for our redemption - He gave us himself! And that makes all the difference too!

"But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain." - The Message

May we know that God is a shield around us day and night. May we rest in the care of his grace and love.

Some other thoughts worth reflecting on in Psalm 3:

• God answers our cries
• The Lord sustains us
• The Lord delivers us

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Toy soldiers - Lent 2

As I come to Psalm 2:2, I immediately think of a movie like Braveheart - long lines of warriors forming up on a rugged green hillside, looking across the valley towards another motley army - all of whom are waiting for the battle cry to ring through their ranks.

"The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One." (Psalm 2:2)

Instead of quivering with fear, God responds to the taunts of the rulers and kings in an interesting way:

"The One enthroned in heaven laughs:
The Lord scoffs at them." (v.4)

So, the next time you feel as if the devil's whole army is against you, remember these verses and chuckle to yourself. May God's laughter, at their puny challenge, make you laugh out loud too!

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to remember your victory. Help me to look beyond the shouts and taunts of the enemy and to see your knowing smile. You smile because you know nothing can stand against You. May I have some of that same assurance today. Bless those who take refuge in your name. Amen.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Trees and Chaff - Lent 1

In Psalm 1 we notice a comparison between God-followers and 'the wicked.' The Psalmist argues that people that choose to follow God "will be like trees planted by streams of water", while those who choose their own path, will end up like "chaff that the wind blows away."

The trees will be rooted, established, fruitful and prosperous.
The chaff will just get blown away to all corners of the earth - never to be seen again.

We are given the choice - do you want to be like the Tree or the Chaff?
I don't see many people thinking that 'chaff' is a cool option, yet by our very decision not to follow the word/law of God, we are choosing chaff.

So, instead of asking whether you are a tree or chaff, why not ask the question:
"Do I delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night?" (v.2) You answer to this question, may just implicate you as a tree or chaff!

Any thoughts?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The beginning of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, which we know marks the beginning of lent (If you want to read a good post on this topic please read John's thoughts on Ash Wednesday.)

The big question we often ask is what should I give up this year for Lent? It is a fair question as Lent should be a time of reflection, remembrance, sacrifice and giving. However, I also like to challenge myself to 'take up' something - a good habit or discipline or practise. So this year I am committing myself to reflect on the Psalms, starting at Psalm 1. I will try to read and reflect on a Psalm a day, following the days of Lent. That will take me to Psalm 40....So, please keep me accountable and if I haven't written anything reflections for a few days, ask me why not!

What are you thinking about for Lent? Does the sacrifice of Jesus motivate you to go deeper in your faith and challenge your Christian practise? In what ways?

"Love is not a feeling of happiness. Love is a willingness to sacrifice." - 
Michael Novak

Live in the Grace of Jesus
D3LM3

Reminder of Hope

In preparing for a memorial service today I came across the familiar words from Psalm 130

"O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord
is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption." - v.7

If you read this again and substitute your name with (Israel), the verse may take on a new meaning for you. Try it.

Be blessed.

Living in grace
D3LM3