God is Good!

Asa was king of Judah (which consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) during a time when the Hebrew people were divided. There was a separate group (the other 10 tribes) who were led by the king of Israel. Friction developed between the two kingdoms. They both had a common enemy in Syria. Israel tried to tamper down Judah's movement. Asa went to the King of Syria with money from of the Lord's house and the king's house treasury to get him to help him against Israel. The prophet Hanani then

paid Asa a visit to Asa with some words from God: 

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. II Chronicles 16:9

Hanani reminded Asa of God's help in the past. In the conflict between Judah and Israel, Asa should have consulted God for the right solution. He hadn't checked in with God. Asa walked himself right into a position vulnerable to more and more wars as a result. God didn't inflict him, he set it up the dominoes for himself. 

God is all good. He desires the best for people and loves to bless those that follow him and recognize his son Jesus Christ. and the reason he came into existence. In the book of James, it is quite clear that God is good to his people and not evil:

13 Let no man say when he is tempted (challenged to not do right), I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

Asa chose to do things the way he decided they should be done.  He had started out as a good ruler by taking down the idols in Judah.  In the frictional relationship between Judah and Israel, God had a bird's eye view into the present and future consequences of making deceptive alliances with the enemy. Asa lived during the Old Testament Covenant.  We have greater resources today through Jesus Christ and the gift of the spiritual connection which has given us the tools of walking in God's superabundant power:

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 4:16-17

God loves all people, but he can only help those who want his help. He is not the cause of evil in our lives and we should never blame him for the stuff we may bring on ourselves by accepting deception from other sources. 

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin (of ignoring him), and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

These are not words that we can just plaster all over the internet to warn each other with during this unprecedented time in our own history. We need to take this seriously.  We need God's viewpoint and his wisdom. Only then can we act with complete confidence and be truly happy. This is what being 'woke' should really mean. 

Let This Mind Be In You

 

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4 

In verse three, we are warned about doing things from strife or empty pride. We are encouraged to act humbly toward others. Jesus Christ, as God's son, could have claimed a huge right to status but he didn't. 'He made himself of no reputation'.  He was a humble man and became a servant to to others. He spoke the truth as a servant of God. Humility is not weakness, it is the  exact opposite. Humility emanates from the ultimate godly source of strength. It reveals God's love and power and sound mind available to everyone.

The word 'also' in verse 4, is inclusive. We not only look on our own things but also the things of others. Human love has limitations, but divine love explodes those limitations.

God's love is spelled out in I Corinthians 13. In the context of chapters 12 and 14, love propels the work of the spirit of God available to each of us. We are able to love at a higher power source than human love. These three chapters of Corinthians embody the gold of the  'higher powers' described in Romans 13. (For those who think Romans 13 is a civic lesson, check the context of Romans 12 and Romans 14. God didn't put the chapter markings in any of these books; man did it. Context is everything).

The Greek word for 'charity' represents the love of God, not what we give to the United fund or the Red Cross as the word is used today:

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.

4 Charity suffers long (patient), and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts (boasts) not itself, is not puffed up (arrogant), 5 Does not behave itself unseemly (inappropriately), seeks not her own, is not easily provoked (offended), thinks no evil (does not begrudge nor contain resentment or evil);

6 Rejoices not in iniquity (injustice), but rejoices in the truth;7 Bears all things, believes (entrusts) all things, hopes all things, endures (awaits) all things. I Corinthians 13 1-7

I Corinthians 13:8a

 

 

 

God's Feet Are Busy

Recently I made a claim that I found my 'happy place'.  Last night, however, when I was sitting on a plane full of a lot of travelers after a layover in Charlottesville,  and a long wait on the tarmac as a result of a double trip through the plane de-icing pad, I experienced an exhilarating whoosh up through the clouds and into the pre-dusk skies. I realized the 'happy place' was still around.  It was either in my carry-on or in my head and heart. Hallelujah! When I looked below, the houses and factories and highways got smaller and smaller. I love flying; it gives you a proper perspective on life. That is where I realized my happy space was everywhere and it followed me everywhere I went.

Looking out the window of plane, I became entrenched in chasing the clouds and capturing them on my cell phone. When I got home, I decided to read a little before I went to sleep so I checked in to the book of Nahum in the Bible. I have been continually drawn lately to this little book in the Old Testament. Low and behold, in the first few seconds of reading I read: 'the clouds are the dust of his feet'. My first guess as to what is meant would be that clouds can remind us how busy (feet=movement) God is at work as a loving and just God. Just before landing there were seemingly clear skies. Clear skies are good too! It's just all good!

The following is what I know so far about the book of Nahum. It centers on Nineveh, a city in Assyria. Jonah was sent to Nineveh years before to cry against it. Nineveh was an enemy of Israel and Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and save it. Finally after a trip through the belly of a very large fish deep at the dark bottom of the sea, Jonah was revived and made the decision that God needed him to go confront Nineveh and Nineveh turned to God. Fast forward to many decades, Nineveh slipped into its old ways again when it had risen to its high position as an empire. It is always wise to be thankful when everything is going good and continue to believe God. Many people at that point forget about God and other things sneak into their lives that are not so great. Nahum prophesied to Nineveh of its coming doom because as a nation it had forgotten to continue to believe God. This must have brought comfort and consolation to the people who loved God that God was at work.

The name, Nahum, means 'compassionate or consoler'. The book of Nahum represents 'God's stronghold in time of trouble'. In these recent years, I would say there is plenty of trouble in our atmosphere to push down on all of us. It will be an interesting to work the cloud phrase which I will do to get a clearer picture of what is meant! It is nice to remember God's work in our lives when it's cloudy or clear.

The key verse for those who love God in the book of Nahum is in chapter 1:7:

7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

The Old Testament gives us a peek into the New Testament and the meaning of Jesus Christ in our lives. He is our place of safety in the day of trouble because he has connected us to the power of God through the spirit. 

 

"Jesus Loves Everybody"

Recently I have heard many politicians reminding people that 'Jesus loves everybody'.  Jesus does love everybody. He sacrificed his life for every human being that has ever lived on this planet. With this in mind, we also have to  understand of how biblical love is defined by truth. It is not  to be misconstrued for the purposes of manipulation and politics. Man is not the author and definer of love.

Jesus spoke the truth in love. Love is inseparable from truth. All one has to do is read the four gospels that record the comings and goings of Jesus, to know that he loved people with the truth. He loved people when he confronted the Pharisees and called them 'whited sepulchers' and told them they were of their father, the devil.  He spoke the truth in love to the woman caught in adultery (John 8) when he drove away her accusers and told her then to 'go and sin no more'.

 

One incident that I love in the gospels is when he walked through the temple throwing over the money-changer tables because they were merchandising God:

                                                         

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.Matthew 21:12-13

He didn't mince words and his 'zeal' in this record is encouraging. It was a big deal.

Almost on every page of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, there are admonitions and warnings about how to stay out of the proverbial soup. He spoke teaching and guidance not legalism. He knew God's word and he spoke it.

There is no love that is greater than God's love. It is only God's love that satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.

Righteous Confidence

When a person has righteous confidence, the reaction to fear, criticism, gaslighting, mockery and disrespect all seem to become more and more insignificant. Yes, there are gray areas where we wobble at times. but there are tools like truth and believing that help us to push them away.

 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved (made complete, whole spiritually, mentally, and physically). For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:1-3

It is important that we get our sense of what is right from the best source. There is no source better than God; the whole creation testifies to his goodness and love. Our minds can deceive us as to what we imagine to be right especially when we try to develop our own rules. The things we want to happen may not serve us well. Certainly we can learn from experience and watching others; but these practices can also engender pressure and deception. 

God's word is pure and helps us to focus on the fair, just and right way of doing anything. When we understand God's love and faithfulness, we get assurance that exceeds anything we could imagine. Confidence, when it is right or even if it is based on small details or on 'least commandments' have significant importance in our success in life:

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:18-20

In belonging to a kingdom, a person has the rights and privileges of that kingdom. Certainly, we want the privileges and rights that only God can give. God's grace through his son has given us the opportunity to be in a relationship with the Creator of the universe!

During the time that Jesus walked this earth, the law was fulfilled by his sacrifice and resurrection. His ascension brought forth a new contract with God through the action of the gift of holy spirit in each individual life that believes.   

The religious leaders at that time had other agendas. The scribes studied the law and the Pharisees taught the law and it was in their elite position of the authority of the law that they increased their power and literally 'stuck it to' those under their authority. That is not what God had in mind. God had grace in mind.

When Jesus said those words in Matthew 5:20, he wasn't setting up a competition between the believer and the Pharisees to see who was better able to do the law. He was calling the believer to the grace walk of completeness in righteous confidence. When a person has that type of confidence, God is his authority and he lives a life of peace, unfettered by what goes on around him. There's a common idiomatic expression we use today about being 'comfortable in your own skin'. The love of God goes way beyond its meaning. It's about being comfortable in your own mind, body and spirit and produces a truly beautiful peace.

Good reading on this: The 3rd Epistle of John

Politics and Religion and the Public Square

 The two subjects not to be talked about in polite conversation are politics and religion. Jesus Christ was not a political figure. He was sent by God  to redeem Israel, but he was viewed as a threat to the politics in his time as well as the religion of the day. He was a thorn in the side of the religious elite Pharisees and also to the political Herodians. The Romans were the rulers of the area, but the Herodians had their section of rule that they wanted to maintain. The Herodians and Pharisees were diametrically opposed to each other, but when Jesus developed a following among the people both groups united against him. It was a strange union but they had a common enemy due to their ambitions and desire for power.

One day Jesus entered into the synagogue and saw a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees watched Jesus to see if he would heal him on that sabbath day. Any work or action done on the sabbath was considered contrary to Judean law. They wanted to catch him and accuse him publicly. Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand and told him to 'Stand Forth'. Let's just say his sense of loving righteous justice was elevated. Then he said to all those around him:

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" But they held their peace (remained silent).
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:4-5

Yes, Jesus at times got angry and experienced inward grief. Their hard hearts bothered him. It was love to confront them and expose their conspiratorial thinking. Then he did the one thing that proved what God is all about, he told the man with the withered hand to stretch it out. The man was emboldened to do just that, and as he did, his hand was healed.

So the Pharisees jumped for joy and praised God and realized the truth about the sabbath. No! They didn't! They got angrier!  Their sabbath was really about law and not the grace that God had in mind:

 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Mark 2:27

It was a day of rest.  In fact take the 'Chapter 3' heading out (chapter markings were added by man and weren't in the original texts) and this verse provides some context for Mark 3:1-4.

The pharisees then joined with the  Herodians to go after Jesus. It was an 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' sort of relationship. Two opposing parties united to go after a common enemy, Jesus. 

It happens all the time and is very common today. People like to pull people to their side against some  cause. It is all over social media and extremely prevalent on FaceBook and Twitter.  God does not work that way. There is a great record (Joshua 5:13-15) about when Joshua was about to enter the promised land with the Israelites and when he faced opposition, an angel of the Lord with a sword appeared to him. Joshua asked the angel: "Are you for us or our adversaries?" God is faithful to his word. That is where he is. He has one side and it is truth. We all need to keep that in mind. I know I have to constantly remind myself of that. Jesus talking to the Pharisees is a great example of using truth as a basis for conversation. The Pharisees wanted to be the righteous ones, but Jesus directed them to God's wonderful grace and truth. When they took council against him, he withdrew himself. Those that followed him received the benefits of truth.

The Plain Path

Recently I dropped my husband off in Chicago and then drove home in busy Chicago traffic. I realized I had not done that in a long time. He usually is the one that drives. It is nice to sit back in the passenger seat and let someone else do the driving. However, I do enjoy driving. There is a sense of freedom being behind the wheel weaving in and out of traffic and trying a different route.

When things are presented to us and we don't have to go look for them, we can get a little lazy. Sometimes it may happen in one of two areas of our lives or in maybe many areas. For several years I was involved in a biblical group that taught tools on how to mine the Bible for its precious gold. I learned those lessons well and then because of how much I really enjoyed what I was learning, I wanted more. When God sees your heart to know him, he does not hold back. The whole idea of providing the gift of holy spirit in each one of our lives connects us to God individually and truly learning is a magnificent wonderful adventure.

During Old Testament times holy spirit was upon certain men and women to lead God's people. God connected with people through a leader who was endowed with God's spirit. With the coming of the New Covenant, established by the life, death, ascension and resurrection of Jesus Christ, any one who believes could have a connection with God.

 'Christ' was not Jesus's last name, it was a title conferred to him regarding his mission from God as a savior. He was a rescuer to bring true freedom to mankind. It still is his position and function.  He inaugurated a new kind of leadership style that put each individual in the driver's seat to carry out God's own personal mission for his or her own life. God has enabled us to handle anything that comes our way and can provide the GPS to help us route our path.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

The 'plain path' refers level ground and a smooth path free of being dragged down by obstacles. This word has been used to describe plateaus and geographical plains. This world is full of obstacles but God can help anyone  weave through them smoothly. He can also keep us above the things that try to drag us down. 'Enemies' refers to those who lie in wait. God can prosper and provide safety and comfort even during the craziest times.  Each of us has to take the wheel and steer and trust God's way (his heart, his manner) that he has provided.

The Forgiving Father

There is a great parable recorded in Luke 15:11–32. The record itself has been titled in a number of ways: The Parable of The Two Brothers, The Prodigal Son, The Lost Son, The Loving Father and The Forgiving Father to name a few. I guess the title is in the eyes of the beholder added by man. For me, The Forgiving Father works as does The Loving Father.

According to Webster, a 'prodigal' foolishly spends money or time.  We are all prodigals; I know I am at times. I know there are also times I have looked at things with a mindset like the oldest of the two brothers in the parable. This record reflects God's heart as a father and that is what is important:

A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

At tis point the son realized that life was not easy when he tried to live it the way he thought he wanted to. Life back where he came from was better even as a servant in his father's house than what he had encountered living as his desires pushed him:

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father.

His admission as to his wrong thinking helped him wake up and smell the roses! This is healthy guilt. Shame is a deeper feeling of unworthiness and self-deprecation. It leads to fear and condemnation both of which are unnecessary burdens to carry when one makes a correction in direction. Look at how the father reacted! 

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Just like this parable, God's heart jumps for joy when we realize that God's heart and hand on our lives brings peace and strength! Worldly thinking will tempt us to question freedom, but true freedom is experienced in living without fear and its burdens.

The other son needed some help too:

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

He had some issues in his thinking: 

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:11-32

A parable is meant to teach a simple lesson. This parable is about God's love and not about the either son missing the mark. The center of the target is God's huge love that never stops. He does not withhold love but we often lose sight of it and that is when we miss out.

The other day I was at a shooting range and was having trouble lining the sights of the gun. Each eye gave me a different picture. God gave us two eyes that provide depth when used together.  It is when we focus with both of them that our brain actually does the seeing without conflict. Our spiritual eyes do the same thing. We see one thing with one eye and another image with the other. Opening both eyes brings focus.  Looking at both stories of the two sons at the same time shows us greater depth of the enormous love of the the father toward both sons.

Yes You Can!

Religion is man-made. It is how man approaches something he/she worships.  I'm not a fan of religion  because it is man deciding how to reach God. God is dynamically loving. He's bigger than the human mind. Man is puny in comparison, but God does not see 'puny' when he sees us. He sees us through the spiritual genetics of his son. His desire for each and every person is strength, wisdom and success and victory over our messes. He reaches down gives us all the tools to do just that. Our job is acceptance and belief.

Jesus called the pharisees 'whited sepulchers'. because they maintained a facade of whitewashed piety. There is no life inside a sepulcher. The pharisees were the ultimate experts in the fine art of 'virtual signaling'. 'Virtual signaling' is a buzzword in our digital culture referring to the practice of propounding or rather pounding moral correctness into the megabyte airways of our society. It is a sneaky way to get people to adhere to moral law pushing and obfuscating grace right out of out of view. 

 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 

There is no human being that ever lived or is alive today that can dispute this. We all sin!

Being justified freely by his grace (downward action of God) through the redemption (lifting us up) that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance (patient endurance) of God; Romans 3:24-25 (Romans 3 is such a great chapter!)

It is the difference between God's righteousness (grace) and self-righteousness (works) that we need to understand. What a relief it is when we finally get it! Religion, when based on self-righteousness is tiring, boring, self-defeating and an ultimate path to burn-out. Grace encourages, loves, lifts the heart, soothes, calms, enlightens, patiently endures with expectation of victory. It is the basis for:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

*A great record to read about works and grace is John 8:1-12

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?"

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" She said, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

Seeing the Word Take Hold of Any Situation

God protects us through his word.  It is more than just reading a few appropriate verses and going about our merry way. It is all about making it a reality in any situation we face. Psalm 91 can be lived to the fullest in facing adversity.  Even if we may have made a few mistakes or two and gotten into a bit of a mess, God is there when we call on him. Life is messy. God isn't. He loves us, forgives us and helps us set things in order when we go to that special place in our minds where he can abide.

91 1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High (Elyon) shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty  Shaddai). 2 I will say of the Lord (Yahweh), He is my refuge and my fortress: my God (Elohim); in him will I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

I wrote out the Hebrew words in the parentheses because when we look at these 4 names of God and connect him to these promises in Psalm 91, it is breath-taking. The rest of Psalm 91 is filled with more wonderful promises that rest in God's signatures.

First of all we can dwell in the secret place of the most High.  'Elyon' is a name of God. Its root word has the meaning "to go up " or "be high". This name of God refers to God's supremacy, he is above that all that exists. 'Shaddai' refers to God as the Almighty. This refers to God's great power. His power doesn't control us; he leaves that up to our own choice but we can call on that power in a split second.

The third name of God listed in this Psalm is 'Yahweh'. 'Yahweh' emphasizes God's relationship to us and his creation. God is a refuge or shelter and a fortress to us. No one can help us like God can.  He is our  highest, almighty stronghold. 

The last name listed here is Elohim, the God of creation. It is in the God of creation that we confide or trust in. The physical creation shows us his faithfulness.  All around us are constant reminders of God's faithfulness through his creation. The sun rises and sets everyday without fail. Gravity is constant. We don't have to even think about whether gravity will fail us. It is faithful everyday and night. Birds fly, fish swim and flowers grow. All of these things are faithful blessings to us.  There are so many examples of God's faithfulness in the universe.  We have clear evidence of a God that we can confide in and trust.

The language in Psalm 91 is beautiful and reassuring. It is a good psalm to memorize and say out loud. As we do, the words exert a powerful force in our thinking because the God of the universe stands behind its words.