Monday, July 30, 2018

Pastor's Ponderings, July 30, 2018

It Is Time To Encourage Ourselves In The Lord

In the book of Samuel, an enemy of David, the Amalekites, raided David’s town called Ziklag and took all the residents.  Because his men spoke of stoning him, David became distressed. However, he then encouraged himself (1 Samuel 30:6).  In spite of the challenges of loss of family, possessions, and respect from his soldiers, David turned to God in his time of worry.

Today, we are living in stressful times. Wildfires in California, political turmoil in Washington, and lead in the water in Flint may cause many to wonder what catastrophes lie ahead.  We hear of dire predictions that our current national deficits may lead to cuts in healthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.  Ruth Caye Jones wrote a song with the lyrics, “In times like these, we need a Savior. In times like these, we need an anchor. Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock. This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one…”

Many may trust in other people, their friends, our government, strong institutions or our financial system.  However, throughout history, everything that mankind has depended upon has failed at one time or another.  Jesus Christ, our solid Rock, never fails (Psalm 18:2). God knows what He thinks about our glorious destiny (Jeremiah 29:11). He created us to be His sons, holy, and blameless (Ephesians 1:4-5). Let us choose to encourage ourselves in the one true God knowing that others may leaves us, but He will never leave us.  Others may use and misuse us, but we can depend upon Him who loved us so much. 

1 Samuel 30:6
New International Version (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Psalm 18:2
New International Version (NIV)
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Ephesians 1:4-5
New International Version (NIV)
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—






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