I'll send an SOS to the world, I hope that someone gets my Tears in a bottle Day 27

Please read Psalm 56:8-11 and Luke 18:9-14.

For years, I have been wishing to meet this one person and talk to him. He is not a famous movie star, or a politician or even a famous theologian. He is one of the first ‘Christian’ online writers that I came across in the early 2000s. I can’t recall the name of his short-lived website, and in fact, I don’t even remember his name. He claimed to be born again, but everything he wrote was about himself. He argued as a born again Christian he no longer sinned. (Hmmm what about 1 John 1:8?)  Almost every other sentence had the words ‘I and my’, and I was reminded of the Pharisee from Luke. (With his words “¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get”, the Pharisee is essentially reminding God of his own good works, as if God does not know or God can’t remember.)  The man knew his KJV Bible, but all his writings were about himself and not about God or His Grace. And here’s the kicker – the man believed that God did not know (any) man’s future plans or actions, AND could not remember what man has done. His best and most repeated illustration/argument – I am going to wave my hand right now and God does know how the number of times I am going to wave my hand, and will not remember.

In today’s text, we encounter something that sounds strange to our 21st-century thinking, “⁸ You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.” Tears in a bottle? We read of people sending messages in bottles; heard Sting’s song “Message in Bottle”; but tears in a bottle?

Well, the truth is, tear bottles have been around for millennia. Archeologists have dug up a lachrymatory (tear bottle) or two. You can even buy one these days – here is a link - http://tearcatcher.com/tear-bottles/. (I guess after Pet Rock - http://www.petrock.com/- there are no more surprises).  

When David writes about his tears it makes sense. You and I cry when we are hurt or desolate. After some time, we cry again -remembering the time(s) we cried. And then, we cry - even more, thinking no one remembers, cares, or knows our pain. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3) remembers. He cares. Also, he knows your pain, because he too “was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). Our loving God, full of mercy and grace, ‘catches YOUR TEARS in HIS bottle.’

So once again dear ones, let us turn to God and find comfort in Him, His deeds for us and His Word. Remember, David writes,  “¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, ¹¹  in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”

Abba, Father, I thank you for sending Jesus - remembering me, my sins, the resultant tears, and my inability to save myself. I am grateful that you no more remember my sins because of Jesus. Help me to always remember these truths, trust you and be unafraid of anyone or anything. Amen.

In God we trust! Day 26

Please read Psalm 56:1-7.

In 1 Samuel 21, David flees a vindictive King Saul and goes to a place called Gath. It is the last place we expect David to go and live, because of its most famous (deceased) resident, who is introduced in 1 Samuel 17:4- “a champion named Goliath of Gath”. David realizes the danger to his life in Saul’s kingdom, yet trusts God to live in Gath the city of Philistines, his enemies. In Gath, David writes Psalm 56, with the title/superscription, A Miktam* of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

Unlike other psalms with imprecatory language, where David begins making a case against his enemies, he begins this psalm with an appeal to God for His Mercy. And then he asks God to protect him from enemies. Three times he praises God’s word that comforts him, and three times he writes that he trusts God. (The exact phrase “In God I Trust”(v. 4) is the source for the official motto of USA. Interestingly, at least for me, the phrase from Psalm 56 has been adopted in 1956.) First, he says “in God I trust;” and then affirms his faith and trust in God by writing “ I shall not be afraid.” In verses 5 and 6, David shows that he knows his enemies very well and their unrelenting zeal to kill him. In spite of that, he says “What can flesh do to me?” because he trusts God and His Word.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you and I might not have mortal enemies like those of David but we do have an adversary as Peter warns, “the devil (who) prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”(1 Peter 5:8)”. Yet we should not fear because Jesus is with us.

Thank you God for being a wall of fire all around me and that your light, love righteousness and glory dwell in me. Equip me and lead me so that people will see my good deeds and praise you in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Mi casa es Su casa! Love, God. Day 25

Please read Psalm 23.

Today we look at the last two verses of Psalm 23. In the first four verses, David likens himself to a sheep, shepherded by God. In verses 5 and 6, we see a shift of scene and characters. The sheep living outside the house is now a permanent dweller in the house of the Good Shepherd, and the shepherd of the sheep is now the owner/builder of the greatest mansion ever built.

I am sure of one thing- God’s mansion for us will be greater and grander than any mansion or home built by humans. It will be a mansion where you and I will be safe forever. The normal hazards that exist in earthly homes will not be around and no evil person will be around to snatch us away from the house that Jesus built for us.

By writing “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”, David is telling us it is God who does everything. Also, Jehovah Jireh (our provider) will set the table that will lack no provision, as David explains – “you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Why does God invite us to his house? Because of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. And because of Jesus, we are no longer sheep; we are no more sinners; we are God’s own sons and daughters, and Paul affirms this calling us “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). And we’ll have every right as sons- and all of this is “by grace” (Ephesians 2:8).  No longer “unworthy servants”(Luke 17:7-10) that cannot join our master at the table - we set for Him, we will be sons joining our Heavenly Father at His table – and that is the good news!

Also, there is great news!  We “shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” FOREVER!

God, I thank you for Jesus, who with His blood made this unworthy sinner - worthy in your sight. Thank you for adopting me as your child. Thank you for inviting me to your home saying, ‘this is yours -make yourself at home’.  Amen.

But it hurts! Day 24

Please read psalm 23

Today we revisit verse 4 of Psalm 23. The verse goes “ ⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Yesterday we looked at David telling us not to fear evil while walking “through the valley of the shadow of death.”

Today we will look at the other phrase in verse 4 “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  King David tells us he fears no evil because he knows God is with him. Then he says God provides comfort. So how does God provide His comfort? With His rod and staff.

So what is a rod and what is a staff? Shepherds have used them both for centuries. Since it is more familiar than a rod, let’s look at a staff first.   Here is a picture –

https://img.clipartfest.com/fd2c07caf16a488317327dfe130e5d19_shepherds-crook-54-inches-shepherd-staff-clipart_383-1405.jpeg

A shepherd carries his staff in his hand. Whenever he wants to control a stubborn sheep, he uses it as an extended arm. The crooked/curved end serves to catch the sheep by its neck and guide it to wherever the shepherd wants it to be or go. So it used as a guide to get a wayward sheep back on track and does not cause pain to the sheep.

On the other hand, a rod is there to inflict pain. A shepherd carries his rod, which is much shorter than a staff, tucked at his waist.  A rod is a heavy piece of solid wood. It has an enlarged knob on one end. The shepherd uses it as a weapon to drive away wolves and robbers who prey on sheep. Some shepherds can actually hurl a rod to strike and hurt robbers or wolves or even to scare the sheep.  Here is a picture of my shepherd’s rod-

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:  today we learn that a shepherd uses his staff to guide and control the sheep without causing any pain, but uses the rod to inflict pain.  Coming to us, Jesus - our good shepherd- knows you and I, His sheep (John 10:14). And He knows what is the best for us in our lives. So Jesus, God Himself, uses either a rod or staff to provide us the comfort we need.  You and I might not realize it- but sometimes our sovereign God in His wisdom uses trials to guide, lead, and comfort us when we walk the narrow way.  

Dear heavenly Father: continue to guide me according to Your grace and mercy and according to your will. Please help me to always keep my focus on You through Jesus. Amen.

I am not Alone! Day 23

Please read psalm 23

I don't have to tell you about Psalm 23. The well-loved psalm, written by King David, provides comfort to many Christens all over the world. During funerals, I have seen people burst into tears at the reading of the psalm.  Even non-Christians are familiar with the psalm.

Today we will look at a part of verse 4. The verse begins with " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…". I have used this phrase to comfort and counsel people, especially those who think they are in trouble and wonder if God left them. I ask them to read Psalm 23 aloud and then ask them to read verse 4 again. I then point to the "I will fear no evil, for you are with me", part and then I say something like this---

Let's say you are on the top a hill. At one time the hill had been green but is now dry and barren. Standing on the hill you see a higher, verdant hill. Wondering how you can leave the barren, dry hill you ask God to take you to the taller hill. You might ask God to magically take you over to the other hill. What does God do? He does not do that. Then you ask Him to give you wings to fly over. Again God does not answer your prayer. Then you beg for a bridge or cable car, but God provides neither. Then in desperation, you decide to go to the other hill. So you get off the dry, barren hill and you encounter ‘the valley of the shadow of death' between the hills. You have been warned about the valley. The valley might look cool and shady with the grand, tall trees and green foliage, but the valley is full of vicious animals and robbers who are waiting to take your life. You are walking thinking you are alone, but the truth is as David tells us -God is with you. Also, note and be comforted, you are not going to be forever in the ‘the valley of the shadow of death', you are walking through the valley.

Dear brother and sister in Christ: wondering right now or have you ever wondered why you are in a valley and God is nowhere to be seen? Verse 4 is there to comfort you that you are just walking through the valley and God is walking with you holding your hand. So praise this God about whom Joshua teaches, "He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Dear God: whenever I am in a valley, I tend to focus on the darkness, drudgery, and doom. Also, I forget that You are with me, holding my hand, and at times carrying me as You lead me to a higher, safer hill. And after I reach the hill, I do not thank You and sometimes ignore You. Please forgive me for the sake of Jesus. Amen