One Minute Devotional Takes a Holiday

Yes, even devotional writers need a Sabbath - especially after the holidays! We will resume our devotionals together on January 2, 2012.

See you in the New Year!

Blessings,

Amelia

Waiting Quietly Before God

Merry Christmas! 

I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 1-2 NLT

How often do I wait quietly before God?

Well, I would like to say on a daily basis. I do have a morning devotional, after all.

But the truth of the matter is I am not that quiet. Between taking care of the antsy dog (wanting me to play), the begging cats (wanting me to brush them), listening to Pray As You Go, reading my own one minute devotional, saying good morning to my family and praying for my family and my Compassion International child I would say I do not really spend quiet time with God.

I am certainly not waiting on God. After all, I have things to do and people to see. I have got to keep myself on a schedule! Who has time to wait on God, especially in silence?

However, my salvation come from God. God alone is my rock and my salvation. God will never be shaken.

How often do you wait quietly before God?

God, help me to wait quietly before you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

An Inheritance

For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God's protection forever. Appoint your unfailing love and faithfulness to watch over him. Then I will always sing praises to your name as I fulfill my vows day after day. Psalm 61: 5-8 NLT

The conclusion of this psalm reminds us of the public nature of these prayers: the king himself is being prayed for. Perhaps David himself composed Psalm 60 or a writer in his household did this to honor his king. In either case, God has given the psalmist an inheritance reserved for those who fear God's name.

How real is this inheritance? What kind of inheritance can you and I expect? A king has already received his inheritance. I suppose victory over enemies would be another kind of inheritance for a ruler.

As Christians, we have already received an inheritance because of what Jesus Christ has sacrificed for us. Although that is real, it is not as tangible as physically sitting on a throne. The victory we can expect also includes a victory over death and evil. Perhaps that does not seem possible in our lives at this point but it is our inheritance. We may not have it yet but we have been promised this in the future.

God, you have given me an inheritance for those who fear your name. May I be under your protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over me. I will always sing praises to your name as I follow your will day after day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

My Heart is Overwhelmed

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61: 1-4 NLT

The sentence that stands out to me in these verses is: From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed.

Where in your life is your heart overwhelmed? What kind of help are you crying out for?

I am thinking of people I know who are overwhelmed. Illness, divorce, grief, joblessness, teenagers, separation from loved ones, pressures of work are just some of the ways these folks are burdened. At the time of year I am writing this, it is a few days before Christmas. Many people feel overwhelmed at this time of year and I am no exception. I know that sounds petty compared to what others are dealing with, but that is how it is!

What do we do when we feel this way? The psalmist appeals to God. The psalmist looks to God to lead him to a towering rock of safety where the enemy – real or imagined – can not reach them. Then the psalmist asks God to let him live there always – safe beneath God's sheltering wings.

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

With God's Help

But who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. Psalm 60: 9-12 NLT

All human help is useless. What a statement! It could mean that no one will do things my way so why do I insist on asking people for help! It could also mean that human beings are worthless and helpless so there is no reason to even try to do better or be better. Or it could mean that without God, we are truly unable to accomplish anything.

I think the last sentence is the correct one.

Without God, what can we truly accomplish? I am sure there are those persons in the world who feel they have succeeded on their own merit alone. Even if they had help along the way, it certainly was not from God. Even some Christians may feel that they have done most of the work themselves, with God just cheering them on from the sidelines.

Certainly, we could all do things without God. However, if we want to “do mighty things” as the psalmist suggests, we will need God's help.

God, I need your help! I admit that I cannot do without you. I want to accomplish mighty things but I need your help in doing them. Please lend me your strength and power! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

God's Promises for Your Struggles

Use your strong arm to save us, and rescue your beloved people. God has promised this by his holiness: “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim will produce my warriors, and Judah will produce my kings. Moab will become my lowly servant, and Edom will be my slave. I will shout in triumph over the Philistines.” Psalm 60: 5-8 NLT

The psalmist reminds us of God's claims today. When asking God for help and rescue, the psalmist remembers God's promises for God's people as well as the enemies of God's people. God claims Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah. Moab, Edom and Philistine will be under God's control and mastery. All of this is possible because of who God is, because of God's holiness.

Where do you need God's help? Are you asking for rescue today? What promises of God can you claim in answer to your needs?

I need help in feeling guilty for not doing more – more visiting, more time spent with friends, more time spent writing, more time doing the important tasks. Yet, what does God truly ask of me? The promises that come to mind are to walk humbly, to seek God, and to be with God.

May God help you see what promises shed light on your struggles this day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Looking for a Rallying Point

You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor. You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks before it completely collapses. You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling. But you have raised a banner for those who honor you – a rallying point in the face of attack. Psalm 60:1-4 NLT

Things have been bad, very bad. In fact, it seems as though God is allowing bad things to happen in order to punish wicked behavior and drifting away from God's purposes. It is God, not the enemy, who has broken the defenses and put a crack into the very foundations. It has seemed as though God has been angry and very hard on everyone.

We can only ask that God restores God's favor. We can only appeal for a seal to these cracks before everything collapses. We simply ask for a banner, something to rally around in the face of all this calamity.

God, we appeal to you in the midst of very bad things happening in our lives and to us and our loved ones. Where are you? Are you trying to punish us? Where have we gone wrong? What do we need to do to fix our relationships with you and one another? Give us a hope to rally around this very day, Lord. In your name we pray, Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Snarling Like Vicious Dogs

My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied. But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59: 14-17 NLT

What an image! The enemy comes out at night, snarling like a vicious dog, prowling the streets, sniffing at the garbage, looking for something to eat. However, they go to bed when morning comes still hungry. The enemy is not victorious! The enemy has found nothing on which to feed. Therefore, the psalmist is able to sing about God's power, shout for joy because of God's unfailing love each morning.

Have you ever pictured your enemy or even the Enemy prowling around at night trying to feed off of you? Can you wake up in the morning knowing you have fed no enemy? Can you sing with joy and praise God because of it?

God, I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

I'm Not God

Don't kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord, our shield. Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses and their lies. Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Psalm 59: 11-13 NLT

So, should God kill the wicked or just make them suffer? Should God bring them down so that others will learn from their punishment? Or should God completely destroy them from the face of the earth?

This psalm is almost as if two different persons are doing the writing/praying. One wishes that God would make an example of those who have done evil. If they are killed off, no one will remember what happened and the cycle will begin again.

The other one is all for them being destroyed by God's anger. Perhaps it is their own anger rather than God's that is speaking. However, they believe that the destruction of the wicked will let the whole earth know that God reigns in Israel.

So, what shall it be? Should the wicked by punished as an example or wiped off the face of the earth?

God, even though we think we know what should happen to bad people, it is you who are in control. Only your anger is righteous and only your punishments are just. Help us not to play at being you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Watch your mouth!

They come at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths, the piercing swords that fly from their lips. “Who can hurt us?” they sneer. But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations. You are my stregnth; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my place of safety. In his unfailing love, my God will come and help me. He will look down in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 59: 6-10 NLT

Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths. I have been amazed to hear young children use even the “f” word in church! Children, not teens! Of course, I am sure they hear worse at home and at school. Even the cutest movies these days get a PG rating because they use “colorful” language. I have had to work with my own ten year old to help him find appropriate words when he is frustrated. I probably need the same type of help!

What kind of words come out of your own mouth when you are angry, startled or frustrated? Would you be embarrassed if your pastor was present? How about your children?

In the psalm those who say filthy things also sneer that no one can hurt them. Yet, it is clear that God can hurt them. Words are powerful things. When we say bad words, we give our words rather than God more power than they ought to have. Give God power rather than your own words.

God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Rescue Me from my Plight!

Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, though I have done them no wrong, O Lord. Despite my innocence, they prepare to kill me. Rise up and help me! Look on my plight! O Lord, God Almighty, the God of Israel, rise up to punish hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Psalm 59: 1-5 NLT

This sounds like a prayer from the bush after a heated battle. Perhaps from a boy or young girl who have had nothing to do with the fighting and cannot protect themselves. Yet, the enemy will come and kill them regardless. The prayer is desperate: where is God, does God not see the trouble they are in? God, they need your help!

This sounds like a prayer of someone going through divorce. And the spouse, who has broken their own vows of trust, is being truly vindictive. The innocent spouse is now the victim. Does God not hear their anger and frustration? Where is God in the courtroom and during the visitation days?

This sounds like a prayer of someone like you. In your situation, where is the enemy, who is the enemy? Do you see your self as falling into an ambush? Do you need God to rise up and help you?

Let's pray:

God, rise up and help me. Know my innocence. Know that I have done nothing wrong to those who are trying to hurt me. Look at my plight, O Lord! Rise up and help me! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Justice

Justice – do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No, all your dealings are crooked; you hand out violence instead of justice. These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. They spit poison like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play. Break off their fangs O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands. May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun. God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats on an open flame. The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” Psalm 58 NLT

Do your rulers know the meaning of the word justice?

Or are they more familiar with the words money, fame and power?

Do you know the meaning of the word justice? True justice is color blind, socio-economic blind and even gender blind. Where in your life have you been more likely to be defanged and dissolved into slime? How can you be more just in your own life?

God, you are just for everyone, not for me alone. Help me to be fair in my own life as you are fair to us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

A Confident Heart

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, O my soul! Wake up, O harp and lyre! I will waken the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57: 7-11 NLT

How can you sing praises in the midst of the storms of your life? What would make it possible for you to praise God when it seems like you should be suing the pants off somebody? When in your life have you been so confident in God that you are not afraid to get up in front of a crowd in order to give God the praise and glory?

The palmist is able to do all that and more. This is because his heart is confident in God. When can say we trust in God. We can understand what that means. But until are hearts are confident in God, until our inner most being is trusting God, all this praising may be beyond our capability.

God, change my heart so that I have deep and inner confidence in you. Wake my soul to sing to you. May I praise you in front of my church, in plain sight of all the world. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

No Mouth!

I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey – whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Psalm 57: 4-6 NLT

My dog bites. And I don't mean strangers that come to the door. I am talking about me. My dog bites me. Usually, she isn't biting hard but there have been some really painful occasions. Maybe it is because she was weaned too soon from her mother. Maybe it is her personality. Perhaps it is my personality. I probably have to give the correction, “No mouth!” more than any other, even “No feet!”.

So when I hear the psalmist speak of lions white teeth that pierce like spears and arrows and tongues that cut like swords, I can almost feel those sharp piercings. But I don't think saying, “NO MOUTH!” is going to cut it with those fierce lions.

Yet the psalmist immediately starts talking about God. God, may you be exalted as high as the sky. God, may your glory shine over the entire earth so everyone will know what I am talking about.

Maybe that is instead of saying, “Ouch!” or “No Mouth?”

Then the psalmist continues on what traps the enemy has set. The good news is that, even though the psalmist is weary, God is going to make sure the enemies fall into their own pit.

Next time you feel trapped or being eaten by lions, try praising God. You may be surprised at what you will discover.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Have mercy on me

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me, rescuing me from those who are out to get me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 57: 1-3 NLT

That is a comforting image – hiding under God's wings until the violent storm is past.

When in your life have you found yourself in the midst of a violent storm? Was it beyond your control? Did you have some help in getting it started or keeping it going? How did you cope? Would thinking about hiding under God's wings until it past have been helpful imagery for you? Why or why not?

The explanation to go with that same imagery is that when we cry out to God, God will rescue us and fulfill God's purposes for us. The rescue may not be the rescue we imagine that we need. Nevertheless, God will continue to love us and be faithful to us.

Can we not be loving and faithful to God in return?

God, you are the eagle under whose wings we can find shelter. You are the parent who will be waiting to welcome us as we come down the road. You are the one who will always love us. Thank you for your unfailing love and faithfulness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Walking in God's presence

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light. Psalm 56: 12-13 NLT

I do not see these verses as a thanksgiving for God having saved them from the enemy troops, referred to at the beginning of Psalm 56. This is more like continuing to honor and worship God during a time of stress and uncertainty. Nothing will stop the one in need from constantly giving praise to God.

God has helped the psalmist in the past and God does continue to help the psalmist. The one who is in distress can still walk in God's presence, can still be in God's life-giving light. You don't have to be free from trouble to worship God or to be in God's presence.

When you are in distress or stressed out, follow the psalmist. When you feel like the enemies' troops have surrounded you, don't just cry out to God. Go to church. Worship. Give God glory. Listen to praise music and sing along, meaning every word whether you can carry a tune or not. Walk in God's promises and God's incredible grace.

Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

What can mere mortals do?

On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. Yes, Lord, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56: 9-11 NLT

What can mere mortals do to you compared with what God can do?

I don't mean what harm God can do to you – although a healthy dose of the fear of God is part of this understanding. What I mean is, what are human beings to be afraid of? They can kill the body but not touch the soul. They can wreak havoc in your life, they can hurt you or your loved ones.

But it is ultimately God who saves. God holds our souls. God gives us love. God forgives our faults. God provides courage when even all we had seems washed away.

With God on your side, what do you have to be afraid of?

God, this I know: you are on my side. I call to you for help, my enemies retreat. I praise your word. I trust in you. Why should I be afraid? What can people really do to me? Thank you for your love, God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

It is okay to cry

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56: 8 NLT

I grew up learning to suppress my tears. I suppose I was brought up more like a boy than a girl – or at least not like a girlie girl.

It took some work for me to accept my tears and to even let them fall when in front of other people. Actually, it was during a requirement for ordination that I was able to let my tears flow in front of a small group of pastors. From that point on, I came to see my tears as a blessing, an offering to God.

Psalm 56:8 gives us a biblical mandate for crying. God sees our sorrows. God counts our tears. God stores up all our tears in a bottle. God knows when our hearts are breaking and when we are overwhelmed with sorrow. Our tears are not something to hide: God accepts each and every one.

God, help me to express my sorrow to you – and to others. Help me not be afraid to cry. Teach me that my tears are a blessing and that you record each one – not to punish me but to remember my sorrows. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Wonders Never Cease

O God, have mercy on me. The enemy troops press in on me. My foes attack me all day long. My slanderers hound me constantly, and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?What can mere mortals do to me? They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting ways to harm me. They come together to spy on me – watching my every step, eager to kill me. Don't let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, throw them to the ground. Psalm 56: 1-7 NLT

For some reason, I have this image of a factory worker. The set up of the conveyor belts is poor. Injuries are common. The foreman is all about those of his own race. The two people on the left and the right speak little English. The eight hour shift is agonizing. But it is a job and the worker is loathe to quit. Then there is a miserable family life to come home to. Here is what they say:

O God have mercy on me. I am surrounded by awful things and I am filled with fear. I am desperate and hopeless.

But wait, why am I so worried? Why am I so afraid? I need to trust God. God will see me through.

Everyone at the factory is out to make my life miserable. If they don't talk about me or complain about me to the supervisor for things that I didn't do, then I will find myself missing a finger or falling on the damp floor. There doesn't seem any way out of this misery.

God, I trust that you can handle these for me! In fact, God is going to make sure someone sees how unsafe our working conditions are. That foreman will lose his job. The two ladies on either side of me will become friendly. Wonders will never cease, even at home.

God, no matter where we may work, we ask for mercy when we are surrounded by enemies. Help us to not be afraid but to trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

I am trusting you to save me

But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murders and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me. Psalm 55: 23 NLT

Often the psalms will end with this little punch line, warning evil doers and verifying the psalmist's own faith.

Psalm 55 ends no differently.

God will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. In the psalmists' day that was simply down to death, not hell as we might assume. Everyone is going to go down there to what was referred to as Sheol. However, according to the psalmist, God would send the evildoers early. That is why they next line says that murders and liars would die young. Of course, if you are going around killing people and telling lies it is pretty certain that you will get your comeuppance sooner rather than later.

The last part of this verse reinforces the good guys: I am trusting you to save me. God, I am trusting you to keep me from dying too young. I am trusting that you will keep me from being a murderer. God, I am trusting that you will keep me from being a liar. It will not be my hands that save but yours.

God, I am trusting you to keep me from dying too young. I am trusting that you will keep me from being a murderer. God, I am trusting that you will keep me from being a liar. It will not be my hands that save but yours. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Give your burdens to the Lord

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55: 22 NLT

I like the image of giving your burden over to someone so that you will not fall. We do that many times with young children. Even with my ten year old, I often will take what he is carrying from him if it is particularly heavy or breakable.

God wants to do that for us. God wants to take all the heavy weight that has settled on our shoulders. God wants to carry our burden for us. God knows that if we continue to carry this, we will fall. If we would just let God take it from us, then we will not slip.

But it is so hard to let go! We say we will give up our baggage to God, but it is merely just words. We hold on to what we are carrying, even if the weight is way more than we can handle.

We are going to slip and fall. It is just a matter of time.

God, I lift up my burden to you. Take it, God, take if from me, take all of it! I do not want to slip and fall. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

As for this friend of mine...

As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he broke his promises. His words are smooth as cream, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! Psalm 55: 20-21

I think of Jesus when I read these verses. I especially think of Judas. According to scripture, Judas was so close to Jesus that he sat beside him at the last supper. They dipped their food in the same bowl of sauce! Judas was in charge of the money – obviously he was highly trusted and responsible. Judas must have also had a caring heart because he protested when the woman broke the jar of perfume over Jesus. This was one of Jesus' closest friends.

Yet Judas betrayed Jesus to the religious leadership. Talk about your smooth words becoming words of war or being like lotion yet full of daggers! Judas broke his promises. Judas betrayed his best friend. I don't think we will ever know figure out why.

But we all can relate to the idea of someone we trusted – whether a friend, a co-worker or a person in office – betraying us. Whether we gave our trust to the wrong person, or they were overcome by greed or temporary insanity, we found ourselves deeply hurt. This kind of hurt is not something we can get over quickly. It will take a long time for us to trust again. And it certainly would take quite a bit of time to be able to forgive our former friend.

God, sometimes we are hurt most by those we trust and love. We depend on you to be the one constant in our lives who will never betray us and will always love us. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

I will call on God

Let death seize my enemies by surprise; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them. But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He rescues me and keeps me safe from the battles waged against me, even though many still oppose me. God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them. For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not fear God. Psalm 55: 15-19 NLT

Even when others are following their own evil ways, I will call on God.

My enemies refuse to change because they don't fear God.

I changed and God is my king forever.

Now I call on the Lord and he hears my voice. Now I plead with God 24/7. God hears me. God rescues me. Even from the deepest dark or the bloodies battle, God rescues me from all who oppose me. God rescues me and humbles others.

Will you turn back?

Will you fear God?

Will you call on God morning, noon and night and allow God to save you?

Is God your king forever?

God, you hear my voice and rescue me from all my battles. Thank you for your loving kindness and swift grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Instead, it is you

It is not an enemy who taunts me – I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you – my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. Psalm 55: 12-14 NLT

I could bear it if it was an enemy who made fun of me. If the people I hate are hating me back, I can handle that. But it is my best friend, my equal, my peer who is insulting me. What happened to our companionship in the church? What happened to our friendship? Why is this person who I considered my closest companion being so mean to me?

I am the kind of person who has a hard time making and keeping friends. Sure, I have a lot of good acquaintances but few good friends. The good friends that I do make often move to other states! I have had times when I have had a falling out with a friend and I can admit my part of the misunderstandings. However, I haven't had a so-called friend make fun of me since elementary school. So, while I can feel for the psalmist and his deeply hurt feelings, I can't exactly claim a similar experience.

How about you? Have you ever had a good friend become an enemy of sorts? Did you ever wonder what happened to your friendship or do you know the moment you were no longer friends? If you had to relive that friendship over, what would you do differently? Do you think they were the taunter or were you?

God, you give us friends as gifts. Help us to find a friend who will be as loyal as Jonathan was to David. If we already have such a friend, help us to treat them as a precious gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Violence in the City Streets

Destroy them, Lord, and confuse their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. Murder and robbery are everywhere there; threats and cheating are rampant to the streets. Psalm 55: 9-11 NLT

Gated communities pop up all over our town. Sometimes they are in the most unlikely places! But I often wonder what they are trying to protect themselves from. What about all the bad things the people who own property there are already doing? Does living in a gated community really keep you safe?

The psalmist looks at his own city and sees the fortified walls and the constant guards. But looking around him he also sees high crime and injustice. The real danger is within rather than without.

Sometimes I think I am like that in my personal life. I am on my guard against others who do and say wicked things. But what about my own thoughts and actions? Are they really that good or that godly? While looking at the world, I may try to protect myself against certain things but I am missing the rotten things within.

God, help us to look inside ourselves for our own wickedness and depravity. Then we can be better protected against what threatens us within and without. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

I can't stop shaking

My heart is in anguish. The terror of death overpowers me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can't stop shaking. Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape – far away from this wild storm of hatred. Psalm 55: 4-8 NLT

Anyone remember the old commercial for a women's bubble bath product? “Calgon, take me away!” Well, here is the biblical version.

My heart is in anguish. The terror of death overpowers me, fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can't quit shaking. If only I had wings and could fly away to the quiet of the wilderness and be at peace!

Surely there has been a time when your heart was full of anguish or you were filled with terror. Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you could not stop shaking? Has life sometimes been so overwhelming that you wish you could just get in your car and drive away, leaving it all behind?

There have been times in my life – I don't know if I was full of fear or terror – when I certainly did not feel up to facing my inner or outer demons. Would anyone miss me if I just kept driving? What if I didn't take that turn or that exit and just kept going in this direction? Of course, I know that is not a solution but it certainly makes us feel like we know the psalmist.

God, sometimes I just want to fly away and leave all this behind. You know it, Lord. You see me at my best and my worst. Help me to hang in there and see this through. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims