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TerryLema

Abundant Compassion

by TerryLema

David sinned. He sinned big. He committed adultery with another man’s wife, then arranged for that man to be killed in battle. When confronted with his sin, he repented. He recorded that repentance in Psalm 51.

Now lest we think badly of David because he sinned, each of us must acknowledge that we too have sinned. Maybe it wasn’t as dreadful a sin as David’s, but sin is sin. And as David wrote, it was against God and God alone that “I have sinned and done this evil in [His] sight.” [Psalm 51:4]

David had no recourse for forgiveness under the law for the law did not provide for “willful” sin. His only hope was to go directly to God.  “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” [Psalm 51:1 HCSB]

David had one hope and He placed it in the abundant compassion and graciousness of God.

Exodus 34:6: “The LORD passed in front of [Moses] and proclaimed: Yahweh—Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God.”

Deuteronomy 4:31: “…the LORD your God is a compassionate God.”

Joel 2:13: “…return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate.”

Jonah 4:2: “…I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God.”

James 5:11: “The LORD is very compassionate and merciful.”

We have one hope when we sin. We place our hope in the abundant compassion and graciousness of God that sent His One and Only Son to open the way to forgiveness.

Thank you, Lord. Today I focus on Your abundant compassion and grace. I praise You for blotting out my rebellion through the forgiveness found in My Savior and LORD. Amen

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The Worst Form of Government

by TerryLema

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”

That quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill. There are various thoughts on why he said that, and even what he meant when he said that.

While the USA is often called a democracy, technically we are not. We are a democratic republic, which is a bit different. We elect representatives to do the will of the people. Sometimes they do what we want and sometimes they don’t.

We just had a mid-term election. Lately, watching these elections is almost like going to the circus. There are things going on in any number of rings, high flying acts, elephants and donkeys performing tricks, and of course, bring in the clowns.

Still, democracy is considered the best form of government over the others. But is it?  I think I am more inclined to a different kind. One described in Psalm 47.

“Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise! Sing a song of wisdom, for God is King of all the earth.  God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” [Psalm 47:6-9 HCSB]

Our God is King of all the earth. He reigns over every nation, over every form of government. He is seated on His Holy Throne, and no one can unseat Him. He cannot be voted out. He cannot be overthrown. The will of the people will not overrule Him. He is King. HE IS KING OF KINGS!

Thank you, LORD. Today I will focus on my God the King, seated on His holy throne. I will praise you because You reign forevermore! Amen

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Light & Truth

by TerryLema

Ever been depressed? I have. In fact, I think many of my younger years were marked by depression. Depression can be extremely debilitating. It affects how you feel, think, and behave. It can be a major mood disorder, marked by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. When people suffer with clinical depression, they often need medication and/or therapy to move beyond it.

Some of the new medications for various illnesses also carry the potential side effect of depression. Most of us at some point have probably suffered from mild depression (the blues) or even to something more intense.

The enemy of our soul loves to see us depressed. He seeks to remind us constantly how dreadful we are, what terrible Christians we are. He will dredge up our mistakes and sins and try to move our focus from our Savior. If he can convince us with his lies, depression is often a result.  That it is why it is so important to make sure that we are following our LORD and not the inclinations of the enemy.

When you read Psalm 43 you will notice that the psalmist admits his depression. Because of that acknowledgement, he asks God to “Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place. Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the lyre, God, my God.”   [Psalm 43:3-4 HCSB]

That reminds me of the fact that Jesus said He was both light and truth. As believers, we need to focus on the Light of Christ and the Truth of His Holy word. We need to let Him lead us out of the darkness the enemy of our soul wants to keep us in. When we keep our focus on Christ Jesus, and remain in the Presence of God Almighty, we will have joy! The darkness has to flee when light is present.

Thank you, LORD. Today I focus on you as Light and Truth. I thank you for leading me into the very Presence of God and filling me with joy. I will praise you God, my God! Amen

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Holler Down Instructions!

by TerryLema

I took a couple psychology classes in college. One particular one has always remained with me, that was when we studied sympathy and empathy.

Sympathy: an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other.

Empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.

Well, that’s clear as mud. And I am not sure how helpful either are when I am in deep trouble. That is why I love Psalm 40, especially verses 2 and 3.

“He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” [HCSB]

Our LORD reaches down and brings us up, sets our feet on a rock, makes our steps secure and even puts a song in our heart. He doesn’t just lean over the pit we are in and holler down instructions on how to get out!

I laugh as I think about how often I have dug myself a pit that I can’t get out of. I can see my Father in heaven looking down and saying something like, “Child, are you in that pit again? Didn’t I just get you out of it last week? All right, give me your hand – up you come!”

Thank you, LORD. Today I focus on Your amazing love that lifts me out of those pits I often find myself in. I praise You for pulling me up, setting my feet on My Rock, and making my steps secure. I lift my song of thanksgiving and praise to You! Amen

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by TerryLema

Oh to be wise! I look around at our society today and I often wonder where “wisdom” went. I see advertisements for some reality shows that just leave me speechless, often asking aloud, “can people really be that dumb?”  Apparently, they can.

The Bible is a wonderful guide to wisdom. The entire book of Proverbs is devoted to wisdom, and so is David’s Psalm 37, titled in my Bible, “Instruction in Wisdom.” One of the best-known verses is verse 4. “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” [HCSB]

As I often remind people, that verse does not mean God gives us everything we want. You may want that Lamborghini; you may even think you need that Lamborghini, but this verse does not guarantee that you will get that Lamborghini.

What it does mean is that when God gives you that new heart in place of your old heart of stone, it comes complete with the desires He wants you to have. Now your desires are His desires.

There are two other wisdom instructions in Psalm 37 that thrill my heart. Verse 18 promises, “The Lord watches over the blameless all their days, and their inheritance will last forever.” [HCSB]

God is watching over me. I used to be afraid when people told me God was watching me, but that was before I knew God for Who He is. To know now that God watches “over” me brings a reassurance and security that cannot be found anywhere else. And He is also watching “over” my inheritance – nothing can touch what I have placed in His care.

Finally, verses 23 and 24 promise that “A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.” [HCSB]

As I have aged, falling is a very real hazard. I have to be so careful of every step. And when I do fall, it is almost impossible to get up without help. Spiritually, however, I am extremely secure! God has established my steps, He leads me on level ground. And if I should deviate from His path, and fall, the instant I turn to Him, He lifts me up.

Thank you, LORD. Today I focus on the delights you give my heart. I praise you for watching over me, for keeping my inheritance, for establishing my steps and holding my hand! Amen

 

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Heartbroken

by TerryLema

Have you ever been heartbroken? The dictionary defines heartbroken as suffering from overwhelming distress, being very upset. Synonyms are anguished, devastated, inconsolable, crushed, shattered, miserable, sad, dejected, just to name a few. There are more.

I am sure that most of us could grab one of those synonyms and say, “That’s me!”

I have been broken hearted a few times in life. When we left our baby in the ICU on her first birthday with a hot bacteria. When I left our 17 years old son in California for his senior year as Bob and I moved to Idaho. When my dad died. When we lost the home that we built and had to move into rentals. When my body was overcome with two auto-immune diseases and my strength disappeared. There have been many other times when life has left me distressed, miserable, sad, or dejected.

And yet I am not a distressed, miserable, sad, or dejected person. Why? Because God’s favor lasts a lifetime. As God’s child, “weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.” [Psalm 30:5 HCSB]

Our God can take the harshest of days and make them bright. He can turn the bleakest of trials and circumstance into something for our good. [Romans 8:28]

As the writer of Psalm 30 puts it, “You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.” [Psalm 30:11-12 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD. Today I will focus not on the lament or sackcloth but on the dancing and gladness. I will sing my praise to You forever. I will not be silent. Amen

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My Stronghold, My Strength

by TerryLema

Psalm 27 is titled “My Stronghold” in my Bible and its beginning is a roar.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold [strength] of my life—of whom should I be afraid?” [vs 1 HCSB]

It is attributed to David. I picture him standing on a mountain top shouting to the skies just Who God is. Then I see him looking down the mountain and asking himself – whom should I fear, whom should I be afraid of – and responding with a resounding “No one!”

Later on in the psalm we find that God is also our “shelter” and “cover,” and that he is our “helper” and will never leave nor abandon us. [vs 5, 9]

But it is that opening verse that captures our hearts with that one word translated “strength” in many translations and “stronghold” in others. The word in the original language means a place or means of safety and protection.

Everything around us is geared to generate fear. Politicians love to create fear, so we keep thinking we must depend upon them to overcome all the issues they keep highlighting. News broadcasters love to highlight fear, so we keep tuning in to see if there is any relief on the horizon. Big companies create fear. Stock market analysts create fear. Inflation creates fear. Recession creates fear.  The world is one big fear-monger.

But God is our “stronghold” and when we trust Him, He is that place of safety and protection.  What or whom should we fear?  Nothing, No one.

Thank you, LORD. Today I focus on the stronghold you have provided for those who love You. Thank you for being our light, salvation, strength, shelter, cover and helper. Amen

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#23

by TerryLema

When I dock my Kindle at night, it will occasionally ask me if I want a bedtime story to help me fall asleep. I tell it I do not need one as I have my own “bedtime story” that I tell myself every night. I repeat Psalm 23, paraphrasing it, and visualizing it in my mind.

“The LORD is my Shepherd.” My Shepherd. MY Shepherd. I am His and He is mine. (You are His and He is Yours.)

“I shall not want.” Every … EVERYthing I need is found in Him.

“He makes me [some versions say He lets me) lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” Sometimes I come to Him for rest, other times, He reminds me I need to “come away with  Him to a quiet place to rest”. And the place He takes me is green and peaceful with living water that revives my soul.

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” He is in front of me, marking my way. He does that so that I honor Him in my walk. I think of His Names … Almighty God, Savior, Sustainer. First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End. My Provider, My Righteousness, My Peace. Resurrection, Life, Light. On and on His Names flood my soul.

“Yes, though I walk through [THROUGH!] the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” I see my Shepherd walking beside me, holding the hand of me as a little girl (a child of God). He has his staff in His Hand and His Rod in His belt. And He is the light when darkness  is all around me.

“You set a table before in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [healing] oil. My cup overflows.” The table before me contains everything I could ever need to nourish my soul. My Shepherd anoints my head with oil that saves and heals. My cup is flowing with the water of life.

“Surely, goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.” Goodness and Mercy follow me. They are attributes of My Shepherd. They are my rearguard. Nothing of my past can rise up to pull me down. Everything is under the goodness and mercy of my God.

“I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Amen

Thank you, LORD. Today, I will focus on all my Great Shepherd provides. Thank you, LORD, for my eternal “bedtime story.” Amen

 

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Rescue & Reward

by TerryLema

Enemies – we all have them. I remember my mother telling me once when I was a teenager that no matter how great and wonderful I was, there would always be people who did not like me. That has proven true through the years.

I have acquired some enemies because of my own careless or hurtful words or actions. Others became enemies through no fault of my own but because I am a Christian.

Psalm 18 was written by David when he was rescued from his enemies, namely King Saul. It begins with a wonderful section of praise for God’s rescue.

“I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies.” [Psalm 18:1-3, 20 HCSB]

Wow, look at that list of attributes of this LORD we love so much.  Strength. Rock. Fortress. Deliverer. God. Mountain. Refuge. Shield. Salvation. Stronghold. Savior.

Have you known the God of Rescue as David did?  I have. Have you had times in your life when God brought His strength to bear while you were overcome with weakness? I have. Have you been hidden in the rock, in His fortress, on His mountain, in His stronghold in times of danger? I have.

But notice when you read David’s song of rescue the interesting turn in verse 20. There He acknowledges not just rescue, but reward. “The Lord rewarded me ….” [vs 20]

The LORD rewarded David. It isn’t enough for God to rescue us. In His faithful love, He also rewards us – not because of our righteousness remember, but because Christ died for us and gave us His righteousness. Blessings upon Blessings. Rescue & Reward.

Thank you, LORD. Today we focus not just on rescue, but also on that marvelous inheritance you provide for us in Christ Jesus.  We thank You for both rescue and reward. Amen

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Nothing Good Besides You

by TerryLema

I have been in the Psalms for a number of days. The Psalms contain a great deal of truth about Who God Is, and who we are in Him. They teach us to praise. They remind us about thanksgiving. If we allow them, they will burrow deep into our thoughts where they will spring up when we most need them. One way to read the Psalms is to simply read one each day. Another way is to read five each day of a month, saving Psalm 119 for months that have 31 days. I have done both.

I have favorite Psalms. One of them is Psalm 16. It is titled “Confidence in the LORD,” and I love that beginning verse. “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to YAHWEH, ‘You are my LORD; I have nothing good besides You.” [HCSB]

I have some “good” things in this life, people who love me and whom I love, a nice home, a good doctor, a few mementoes, clean water, food for the day. But when I survey those things, I know that in a moment they could all be taken from me. And then what would I have?

I would have my LORD. David in Psalm 16 tells us what that means.

Vs 5: “LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.”

Vs 6: “…I have a beautiful inheritance.”

Vs 7: I have “the LORD who counsels me.”

Vs 8: I have the LORD “at my right hand.”

Vs 11: “in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

Those are the “good” things that can never be taken from us. He is our All in All.

Thank you, LORD. Today we focus our praise on all the good we have in You. We thank you for being our portion, our cup of blessing, for holding our future and giving us a beautiful inheritance. We thank you for Your counsel, for remaining close to us, for your abundance joy and eternal pleasures. Amen

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