Monday 14 July 2014

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Change is the only constant in life. Good or bad times may just be around the corner. What should our attitude be?


When we are tempted to worry and fret, good times may just be around the corner. Deliverance may be so close at hand. What a pity to give up hope when we could have just waited a little longer.

Have we learnt the benefits of waiting? http://bit.ly/ICfkhS

                                                                           


When we are tempted to fret and worry, the psalmist exhorts us to be still before God and wait for the fulfillment of His promises to us (Psalm 37: 7-9). Have we learnt how to overcome worryhttp://bit.ly/1dM42oI

Conversely, when everything seems to be going fine, we might become self-sufficient and complacent. We need to be reminded that the scenario might suddenly change. Misfortune may just be around the corner.

Are we aware of the dangers of complacencyhttp://bit.ly/MnmHer


Whatever our lot in life, Psalm 84 helps us to have the correct attitude and perspective:


  • Help us Lord to stay focused on You and remain humble (Psalm 84:10).



  • May we yearn to dwell in God’s presence whatever our circumstance in life (Psalm 84:2, 10).  *   



  • May we always find our strength, comfort and succour in You (Psalm 84:5). 



  • May we realise that You are a good God who will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightlyeven though the prevailing circumstances may tell us otherwise (Psalm 84:11)


As such, we will always praise and trust You as we are blessed (Psalm 84:4, 12).


Footnotes:
*   Those who love to dwell in God’s presence may find themselves passing through barren places (Valley of Weeping). But they must view adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness and grow spiritually strong.

Valley of Baka = Valley of Weeping


                                                                                     

RELATED POSTS

IS WAITING WORTH IT?
What are the benefits of waiting?


PURPOSE IN PAIN

Why does God allow pain?
http://bit.ly/KEHda3

 

FROM COMFORT TO COMPLACENCY
What are the dangers of complacency?

 

STABILITY AMID UNCERTAINTY
When circumstances are precarious, when times are turbulent, we can look to God. He is our strength. He makes us as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.


DWELLING IN HIS PRESENCE
King David had one consuming desire. He wanted to continually dwell in God’s presence and gaze upon God’s beauty.



PSALM 84: Our greatest joy is to be found when we dwell in God’s presence

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the
Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God;

    look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.



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