Be silent and know that I am God!

“Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT

I have always remembered the other verse that you must be still and know God. But Psalm 46 gives us a direct quote: be silent and know that I am God!

Remember when God appeared to Elijah? God was not in the thunderous storm, God was not in the blasting wind, God was not in the rumbling earthquake and God was not in the roaring fire. God was in the silence. That is when Elijah fell on his face and worshipped. [See I Kings 19: 11-13]

How silent are you for God? Right now, is it silent where you are? Or do you have music going or the television in the background? Have you ever spent a few minutes in silence with God?

Let's try this today. Find a quiet place. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Just be in God's presence, not talking to God but just being still and listening, waiting.

God may have something to say to you in the silence.

Be silent and know that I am God! Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

World Peace

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world and causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; he burns the shields with fire. Psalm 46: 8-9 NLT

Okay, these verses are a strange combination. What kind of visual is this: God brings destruction on the earth and causes wars to end. Does this mean that God's violence far outweighs ours? Now that is a frightening thought!

The psalmist says that God breaks the bow, snaps the spear in two and burns the shields with fire. All the weapons are gone, completely destroyed by God. When I prayed for world peace, I was not thinking in these terms.

But the whole section begins by saying that these works are glorious. Even though God is acting in a violent manner, the outcome of God's actions will be wonderful. There will be peace over all the earth.

Will God someday destroy all our nuclear arsenals, our guns, our knives, and our chemical weapons?

That would be the new earth we read about in the Book of Revelation. That would be a true era of peace.

Come, Lord Jesus, come! Bring glory and peace to your whole creation. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God is With You

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of the day. The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble! God thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:4-7 NLT

God is right where you are this very moment.

For the Israelites, God was in Jerusalem. And as long as God resided there, that city would always stand. Even when other nations were falling apart around them, they knew that God would protect their city.

God is with you right now. That does not mean that you will not die, nor avoid injury, illness or being hurt. But you – the inner most being you – will never be destroyed. No matter what drama happens around you, no matter how others feel threatened and lost, God will anchor you and keep you with him.

Trust God and stand firm and God's presence.

The Lord Almighty is here with me; God is my fortress. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God is our Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalm 46 1-3 NLT

Can you say that you will not be afraid whatever happens?

That is what the psalmist says to do. Because God is the ultimate protection and is always there with us, we should not be afraid. Even if we are caught in an earthquake, a tsunami or a tornado. Let nature roar! Go ahead and have bad weather – our trust is in God and God alone.

Now, the psalmist does not say to stand still and watch everything happen. You can still grab your loved ones and head to higher ground or a shelter. But don't be afraid.

What troubles are surrounding you today? Is the ground shaking beneath your feet? Do you see the waves rise up above your head? You may have to do some moving and seek shelter. But there is one thing you will not have to do: be afraid.

Do not fear. Trust in God, your refuge and strength.

God, you are our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge. We trust you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011  Amelia G. Sims

Poem for a King

Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king,for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. You are the most handsome of all.
Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies' hearts. The nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
 Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.
At your right side stands the queen,
wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir! Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
Forget your people and your family far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord. The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts.
The wealthy will beg your favor.
The bride, a princess, looks glorious
in her golden gown. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,
accompanied by her bridesmaids. What a joyful and enthusiastic procession
as they enter the king’s palace! Your sons will become kings like their father.
You will make them rulers over many lands. I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever. Psalm 45 NLT

Don't get me wrong, I like living in a democracy where I can help choose our leader. I appreciate being able to speak out when I don't like something that leader does. However, there is something about having a God-appointed leader to whom you can sing a love song.

And that is what this psalm is – a love song to the king.

So often we get caught up in criticizing our leaders that we don't seem to ever get around to encouraging them and saying nice things.

The danger is that we get so used to being critical that this same attitude can creep over into our relationship with God.

God, we love you. We don't always agree with you. We have learned to be critical of our earthly leaders. Please help us to temper our opinions with kindness. May we never let our earthly habits become spiritual. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Wake up, Lord!

Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep ? Get up! Do not reject us forever. Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? We collapse in the dust, lying face down in dirt. Rise up! Come and help us! Save us because of your unfailing love. Psalm 44: 23-26 NLT

I find it a bit presumptive that we could control God. Ever.

So why does the psalmist try to act like he can wake God up? Would God really be asleep? That seems to human to be God.

The psalmist has just said that God knows our hearts and our secrets. Would God then be looking the other way? If God looked the other way, we certainly could get by with more than we do now.

The psalmist is really trying to manipulate God. And God can't be manipulated. Certainly we can take our supplications to God and explain our situation fully. But to constantly insist we have done nothing is to be like Job and not realize the extent of God's sovereignty. We can't think like God nor understand why God does what God does. We certainly would like to so that we can be god.

We can't explain our suffering and we can't change God. We can complain, fuss, rant and cry out. God hears us. We can then fall into God's arms, exhausted, pressing in our God's mercy and love.

We can be a people who simply trust.

God, sometimes we just want to wake you up and get you to do what we want. But that is not what you are about. Forgive us when we attempt to manipulate you. Help us to trust instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Die to Self

All this has happened despite our loyalty to you. We have not violated your covenant. Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path. Yet you have crushed us in the desert. You have covered us with darkness and death. If we had turned away from worshipping our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep. Psalm 44: 17-22 NLT

In the previous verses, it is obvious that God's people are suffering from the sin of pride. Yet, they cling to what they think God is expecting of them: following the rules. They continue to defend themselves against every move God has made to change them and help them repent.

Do you suffer from the sin of pride? Do you think more of yourself than you ought to do?

Are you good at following God's rules? What rules would those be?

Do you think you have strayed from God's path? Why or why not?

God, you know our hearts. You know our weaknesses. You know who we really are. Help us to see when we worship other gods. Help us to know when we spread our hands and worship ourselves or money or influence or any other foreign god. For your sake, may we die to ourselves every day so that we can live like you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

We are Shamed

You have caused all our neighbors to mock us. We are an object of scorn and derision to the nations around us. You have made us the butt of their jokes; we are scorned by the whole world. We can't escape the constant humiliation; shame is written across our faces. All we hear are the taunts of our mockers. All we see are our vengeful enemies. Psalm 44: 13-16 NLT

The psalmist's complaints have changed from being valued as nothing in God's eyes to being ridiculed by the enemies.

Perhaps that is the biggest deal for the psalmist: being shamed in the eyes of other people.

God's actions have hurt them. But the bigger hurt comes from the enemies and the surrounding neighbors looking on.

The neighbors mock us. We are an object of scorn and derision to the nations around us. YOU make us the butt of their jokes. We are scorned by the whole world. We can't escape the humiliation. We are ashamed. All we hear are taunts. All we see are our enemies.

Pretty self-absorbed if you ask me. Is the whole world really looking in scorn at God's people? Are they truly the butt of their neighbors' jokes?

Sounds like the worst thing is the injury to the peoples' pride.

God, we are more proud than we let on. We don't want our neighbors and coworkers to joke about us or look at us with derision. So we depend on you to keep us from these situations. Deep down, Lord, we know that you want us to be changed and more dependent on you. Help us, Lord, as you mold us into who you want us to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

You valued us as nothing at all

But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor. You no longer lead our enemies to battle. You make us retreat from our enemies and allow them to plunder our land. You have treated us like sheep waiting to be slaughtered; you have scattered us among the nations. You sold us – your precious people – for a pittance. You valued us at nothing at all. Psalm 44: 9-12 NLT

You valued us as nothing at all.

Well, someone is having a pity party at God's expense. You have tossed us aside. You no longer lead us but those who have it in for us. You have switched teams! You make us turn in our resignations and you cause us to lose our homes to foreclosure. You act like we don't matter to you anymore. You are trying to make us homeless and helpless. Not only that, but you have sold us into a kind of slavery and for what? Nothing. We are less than worthless to you.

Have you ever felt this way, as though God didn't value you at all? When has there been a time in your life when you felt valueless in God's eyes? How did you get through that time or have you?

I suppose we think that God will always give us the kind of victory that we are looking for. God is going to come through and save us so that we will be respected and powerful and well-off. But God is constantly molding us into being the people God wants us to be. God does value us – just not in the ways we tend to value one another. God values us in the price of love through his son, Jesus.

God, thank you for the precious gift of Jesus. We tend to think of other ways to be valued by you but you have paid the biggest price on our behalf because you do value us very much. We honor and thank you. In His name we pray. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

I do not count on my sword to save me

You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. It is you who gives us victory over our enemies; it is you who humbles those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Psalm 44: 4-8 NLT

I love these words: I do not trust my bow, I do not count on my sword to save me.

How many of the folks you know have been counting on their jobs, their work skills to “save” them, yet find themselves unemployed? Many who have lost their jobs also lose to despondency and depression. Their skills and their work was their life. Where is God in all this?

The psalmist teaches us that it is God who does the commanding, the hiring, and the firing. God is the one who gives the victory and the humility. God gives us the power to push back our enemies and trample on our foes – including unemployment and recessions.

Perhaps all of us – employed and unemployed – should be praying this prayer:

You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust my skills; I do not count on my relationships and contacts to save me. It is you who gives us victory over unemployment, unfair wages and scheming supervisors; it is you who humbles those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

By your power

O God, we have heard it with our own ears -- our ancestors have told us of all you did in other days, in days long ago: You drove out the pagan nations and gave all the land to our ancestors; you crushed their enemies , setting our ancestors free. They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them. Psalm 44: 1-3 NLT 

Does your family have a story about how they got where they are today? Perhaps you remember your father telling a story about how his parents overcame the depression or moved across the country. How is the story told? Have you ever thought about the fact that it was because of God that your ancestors overcame adversity?

The story in my family that comes to mind was when my grandfather, a produce buyer for a large grocery company, lost his job just before being eligible to retire. Because another company bought his grocery store out, he lost his retirement. The only thing that saved my grandparents in retirement was that my grandfather had saved a large amount and saved well.

Do I feel like it was coincidence that my grandfather saved? Was he just lucky? No, I feel like God's hand was with him to help him prepare for just such a circumstance. Certainly, I could brag on my grandfather's ability to prepare for an unknown future. But wouldn't it be much more powerful to brag on God's infinite ways of providing for us all?

God, we have heard it with our own ears, what our ancestors accomplished. It was by your power, not their own, that they were able to accomplish these things. We give you all the credit and the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Send out your light and your truth to guide me

O God, take up my cause! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in darkness, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Psalm 43 NLT

Have you ever felt lost or alone? Has something in your life happened that made you feel like a piece of trash tossed aside? Did you find yourself supporting a lost cause? Were you ridiculed because of your convictions? Have life ever felt like you were wandering around, lost in the dark?

If none of these can be applied to your life, I can almost guarantee they will happen at some point.

We can all ask God to send out God's light and truth. We can let God guide us. We can be led to God's holy mountain, to where God resides. God is the source of true joy and when we are in God's presence we can praise God with song and instruments. God is where we put our hope.

God, send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my joy. I will praise you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Why have you forsaken me?

“O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forsaken me? Why must I wander in darkness, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Psalm 42: 9-11 NLT

Where is this God of yours?

What proof do you have that God even exists?

How do you know God is working in your life?

Don't you believe in coincidences?

Why can't you give yourself more credit for all you have accomplished?

God has just left you alone. God can't be trusted anymore.

Aren't you angry at God?

Didn't we get rid of God back in the 1960s?

The taunts continue. They pierce you like a fatal wound.

Why are you so sad? Why so discouraged?

Put your hope in God.

God, I praise you. You are my Savior and my God! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Give God Praise and Glory

Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42: 8 NLT

God pours God's love on his all throughout the day.

So we should spend each night singing songs to God and praying to the one who gives us life.

God has poured such kindness and mercy upon you and your life. Have you been spending enough time praising God? How is your prayer life? Just reading this devotional is a beginning not the entire time to spend with God! How has God shown love to you? Are you grateful? Do you know any songs to sing to God?

Take time right now to pour out your heart to God, giving God the praise and the glory...

Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Our Hope is in God

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness – from Mount Hermon the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. Psalm 42: 5-7 NLT

Psalm 42 must have been written in a time of drought. In previous verses, the deer was panting for the streams of water. Now it looks like the source of the Jordan, near the magnificent Mount Hermon and the little hill of Mount Mizar, has not been producing enough water.

And the psalmist's own life is just as dry and barren. He has become discouraged and sad.

Yet, the hope of the psalmist is in God.

Just like the source will produce flowing water to the Jordan and the Jordan will flood into the Dead Sea, so God's love and life will flow and surge like the tides over the psalmist's head.

Where are you dry in your relationship with God right now? Do you need the tumult of the raging seas and the surging tides to sweep over you?

God, we will put our hope in you. We will remember your kindness. We will no longer be discouraged but optimistic, all because of you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

From the Cross

Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me saying, Where is this God of yours? My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshippers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks – it was the sound of a great celebration! Psalm 42: 3-4 NLT

When reading these verses, my mind immediately goes to the cross. Typically, I should be thinking of Jesus on the cross when I read verse nine. However, when I hear that the enemies are taunting the one speaking, I think of Jesus being taunted while he hung on the cross. “Where is this God of yours? If you are the Messiah, get down from there! Why doesn't God come and help you?”

Then he thinks of just the other day, coming in with palm branches waving and the people shouting “Hosannah!” He was leading the procession to the house of God. Everyone was giving thanks and shouting for joy. There was a great celebration.

How quickly does our situation change! Have you ever gone from Palm Sunday to Good Friday in your own life journey?

God, we remember how it used to be – whether years or even days ago. Our situation in life can change in an instant. We are grateful that you are with us wherever we are and whatever our situation becomes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

To Hunger and Thirst for God

As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, for the living God. When can I come and stand before him? Psalm 42: 1-2 NLT

Thirsting and hungering for God is a familiar theme in the Psalms.

Being hungry and thirsty must have also been a familiar life experience when these psalms were written.

I don't know if I have a real grasp or understanding of what it means to be really hungry or desperately thirsty. I have never seen a deer panting for water. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when I have been physically in a drought.

However, I have been in spiritual droughts. I have been starving in my relationship with God. Although God was offering me food, I kept ignoring the offering. At least one of these time, I was to the point of panting for God. I desired more than anything to come before him and stand in God's presence.

If only I could feel that way about being in God's presence each day.

God, create in me a desire to seek you, a passion to find you and a hunger to know you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Bless the Lord

Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives forever from eternal ages past. Amen and amen! 

Psalm 41: 13 NLT

Bless God today.

Give God glory. Give God praise. Give God a blessing.

Just as we tell folks when they sneeze, “Bless you” or “God bless you” why can't we just bless God? Tell God out loud that we bless him.

I know it sounds like a foreign concept to you but try it. The scripture is full of times when people bless God rather than the other way around. Sometimes I think instead of saying God bless America we should say, America, bless God!

So, today, instead of thinking, “God bless me!” try saying, “God, I bless you!”

Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives forever from eternal ages past. Amen and amen!

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Lord, heal me (so I can pay them back)

Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back! I know that you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemy triumph over me. You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever. Psalm 41: 10-12 NLT

Make me well again so I can pay them back!

What kind of thinking is this? I want to be healed so I can exact revenge? Does God really honor that?

The psalmist seems to think so. The psalmist knows that God is pleased with him because the enemy has not completely done him in. The psalmist understands that God knows he is innocent because his life has been preserved.

Being innocent, knowing that God has your back, seeing God's saving grace as part of your relationship are all good things. But I am not so sure about this plan of revenge. Shoudn't we either let God take care of those people or should we be about forgiving them? Certainly, Jesus did not condemn us. Should we condemn others?

God, sometimes scripture is so hard to understand. When the Old Testament rubs the New Testament the wrong way, help us to struggle with these opposing ideas and show us your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

The Church: Hotbed of Gossip

But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask. They visit me as if they are my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst for me. “Whatever he has, it is fatal,” they say. “He will never get out of that bed!” Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalm 41: 5-9 NLT

I think the church is one of the worst places for gossip.

Perhaps it is because church is a place where some of us feel comfortable to let our hair down and really tell others about what is going on in our lives. At the same time, I think the church invites people who really need God but don't know how to accept God in their lives. They deal with their own pain and misfortunes by talking about others – that is how they relieve their own anxieties. These two things are not a good mix.

So, folks act like our friends to our face and then go to someone else and talk about us. Usually not in a positive manner.

How can we avoid being the one who gossips?

Keep your mouth shut and be willing to walk away. Be adept at changing the subject to a completely different and safe topic. Talk about yourself instead of someone else. Say a prayer for help. Stop the other person and say, “Let's pray for them right now!”

God, help me to not be a gossip wherever I am. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Have mercy on me

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.” Psalm 41: 4 NLT

It is funny but even though I don't believe we are punished with ill health because of our sins, I do believe in God providing wholeness to our bodies, minds and emotions. So, why don't I think about asking God for forgiveness when I get sick? I am more interested in drinking lots of fluids, taking ibuprofen and getting rest. But when do I sit down and think about what I have done against God? Do I even consider when I have offended my creator? Shouldn't admitting our faults and asking for forgiveness be part of our attempts to get well? Have you ever thought about including confession in your get-well repertoire?

The psalmist makes asking for healing and asking for forgiveness part of the same sentence. For the psalmist, these two things are very interrelated. Although you and I may think the psalms go overboard in asking for forgiveness of sins, perhaps we are being too negligent in our own admissions of guilt.

Perhaps next time we get sick – whether the flu or a cold – we should have a prayer of confession as part of our medicine.

God, help us to confess our sins to you on a regular basis. Help us also to be able to see our faults as you see them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

The Joys of Being Kind to the Poor

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The Lord rescues them in times of trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort. Psalm 41: 1-3 NLT

Well, there is a concept we don't think about too often here in America: oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor.

We are better at crushing the poor or at least stepping on them while we take care of our own needs and wants over anyone else. We are too focused on those people who get free handouts at our expense.

But isn't that what it means to be kind to the poor? Isn't helping the poor giving free handouts?

What kind of reward will we get in helping those who don't have enough?

God will rescue us in times of trouble, protect us and keep us alive. God will give us prosperity and rescue us from our enemies. God will nurse us when we are sick and ease our pain and discomfort.

But we don't need those things. We have our jobs, our health insurance and our courts.

God, we have a funny way of looking at the world in America. We don't seem to get your way of seeing things. Help us to be kind to the poor without complaining. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God is thinking about you right now

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40: 17 NLT

The Lord is thinking about you right now.

Does that make you feel good?

Or are you uncomfortable with that concept?

As I am writing this, I am very comfortable with the thought that God is thinking of me right now. That doesn't mean my life is perfect or I am complete right with God this very moment. But it simply feels right and gives me courage. I may not be where God needs me to be but I know that God will guide me there. And God won't forget about me or give up on me at any time.

God, you are my helper and my savior. May all who read this devotional be filled with the knowledge of your presence in their lives at this very moment. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Please, Lord, rescue me!

Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We've got him now!” But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” Psalm 40: 13-16 NLT

Please, Lord, rescue me.

I have probably prayed that to God on many occasions, some more serious that others. I know I have wanted those that I perceived to be my enemies to be humiliated and shamed, to be turned back and disgraced. I wanted them to be horrified that they had even shouted their triumph over me.

But was I really searching for God in the meantime or just focusing on revenge? The point in these verses seems to be the ones who search for God being filled with God's joy and gladness. Instead of shouting triumphally over their enemies, God's followers should be shouting repeatedly, “The Lord is great!”

I tend to get stuck in the first few verse without ever making it to verse 16.

How about you?

God, may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” Lord, you are great! Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Trouble Surround Me

Lord, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness. For troubles surround me – too many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage. Psalm 40: 11-12 NLT

Today, my spouse was running late and feeling overwhelmed. Being in a bad mood just doesn't begin to describe what was happening. At one point he turned to me, lifted his hand high about his head and said, “Things are just piling up to here right now!”

He was like the psalmist in these verses.

Troubles had piled up so high that he couldn't see his way out.

Are you feeling that way right now? Is your to do list so long that you need and index? Are all your family members expecting multiple things from you right now? Are you overwhelmed at work? Are your finances looking gloomier than ever? Are your troubles more than the hairs on your head?

Have you lost all your courage?

Then, let us pray:

God, don't hold back your mercies from us. Our only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness. Give us courage, dear Lord, and take these feelings of being overwhelmed away from us. Show us your way and what is truly important. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Say It Out Loud

I have told people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 40: 9-10 NLT

In this politically correct day and age, how often do you speak of God's faithfulness and saving power? I don't mean just acting nice or Christ-like. How often do you say it? Out loud?

Or do you keep it to yourself, scared that someone might get their feelings hurt or you might lose your job? Or better yet, that someone will make fun of you for being all religious do-goody?

God knows. God knows when you are too afraid to speak out. God knows when you are embarrassed and keep silent. God knows when you keep what God has done for you to yourself.

Do you think God is pleased about your silence?

Perhaps now is the time to open your mouth and praise God – in front of other people.

God, I am afraid of praising you because of the possible consequences. Help me to see the consequences with our relationship if I don't speak out. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

What God Wants from You

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand – you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.” Psalm 40: 6-8 NLT

What does God really want from you?

Does God want you to go to church regularly? Pay your tithes? Fast? Give up the things that can lead you to sinful behavior? Do mission work? Give to the food pantry?

None of the above.

What God desires is for you to do his will. And you will when God's law is written on your heart. You might then do those other things but those are not the most important.

That is why Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with everything we have and our neighbor as ourselves.

God, you take no delight in my sacrifices or my tithing. You want me to hear what you really want: my heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God's Wondrous Deeds

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud, or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. Psalm 40: 4-5 NLT

The psalmist says that if we tried to recite all of God's wonderful deeds, we would never come to the end of them.

But why not take a stab at it today? In fact, let's just think about what God has done for you just this very day – whether you have just gotten up or are ready for bed. List in your mind or on paper some things you can think about that God has done for you.

What miracles or wondrous deeds can you recite?

God, I trust in you. I am not proud or conceited. I know who has done miracles and wondrous deeds in my own life just this day. I thank you for all of them and all the plans you still have for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Out of the mud and mire

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40: 1-3 NLT

I love the image of God pulling us out of the muck and mire. Can't you just hear the mud pop and the slime oozing from our legs and feet? How about the sense of freedom and relief from being saved from what has held us captive? Then the image of being set on solid ground but needing help as our legs are really too weak to carry us around. Once we are on solid ground, what more can we do but give voice to our praise for the God who has done so much for us?

And the result of our praise is that others will come to trust in God just as we have.

God, you turned and heard my cry. You lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. You set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. You have given me a new song to sing, a song of praise to you. May all who see and hear about what you have done be astounded and put their trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God's Guest

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don't ignore my tears. For I am your guest – a traveler passing though, as my ancestors were before me. Spare me so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more. Psalm 39: 12-13 NLT

In my church, we call our visitors “God's Guests.” I am assuming these verses are where that phrase came from – although I know that term did no originate with our church.

We are all God's guests. We are travelers in this life just as our parents, grandparents and other relatives have been before us.

When we ask for assistance, we want God to be our host. We ask for God's own hospitality, not punishment or denial. We simply want to smile before our time is up. Is joy and gladness too much to ask?

What prayers are on your lips today?

God, hear my prayer. Listen to my cries for help. Don't ignore my tears. For I am your guest – a traveler passing though, as my ancestors were before me. Spare me so I can smile again before I am gone. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Thank you, Jesus

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion, for even fools mock me when I rebel. I am silent before you; I won't say a word. For my punishment is from you. Please, don't punish me anymore! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline people for their sins, their lives can be crushed like the life of a moth. Human existence is as frail as breath. Psalm 39: 7-11 NLT

Hope in God but don't please, God, don't punish me anymore? What kind of language is this? What is going on here? Do I really want to hope in a God who punishes by spanking or hitting me?

Breaking down these verses, I see first that the psalmist's only hope is in God. Their hope is not in other people nor in themselves. I am good with that although I know my own weakness of hoping in people alone.

The second thing I see is that the psalmist asks for God's rescue from rebellion. Is this rebellion against other people or God? Certainly, the psalmist says he is silent before God. I think the prayer is that God keeps him on the straight and narrow. The request is that the psalmist does not stray or rebel against God by saying anything, either to other people or to God.

The third point is that the only punishment to fear is punishment from God. Others might mock or even physically hurt you but God is the one who can really punish for sins.

The good news for us is that Jesus has taken this punishment for us. God still disciplines but does not punish. Jesus took that for us.

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims