Lord, please save us!

Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Psalm 118: 25 NLT

This one verse is here among all these praises to God for victory. Is that victory not so sure? Is the outcome still up to God? What do the people need saving from if God has already won the battle? What  else does God need to do?

I understand in some ways. I suppose I am constantly asking God for many things. I am praying several requests at once, so even when one is answered, I still have more to ask.

Right now my prayer requests include the following:

Discernment, especially for church leaders
Protection for someone in prison
Healing for someone in pain
Healing and joy for someone who is depressed
Encouragement for my son
Guidance for God's priorities in my daily life
The Holy Spirit in my church
Protection from the evil one for my church
For God's structure in my days
For God's guidance each week
Balance of good boundaries in all my relationships
Guidance for writing
Blessings on my marriage
Wisdom in my parenting

Some of these are ongoing prayers. Others may be answered within the next day or so. Even when one is answered, I will still ask for ones unanswered. Perhaps the psalmist still had a battle to overcome and needed the Lord's help.

Take time right now to list some of your prayer requests. Ask for God's help, salvation and God's gift of success.

We will rejoice and be glad in it

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory! The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 19-24 NLT

These verses almost read as if this is a conversation.

Psalmist (approaching the door to the church): Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord.

Gatekeeper (with authority): These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.

Psalmist (not waiting to get in): I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!

Gatekeeper (amazed at what he sees): The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone!

Psalmist (admitting God's help):This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see.

Gatekeeper (beginning the call to worship): This is the day the Lord has made.

Psalmist (in worshipful response): We will rejoice and be glad in it.

God, sometimes I am that gatekeeper. I am trying to keep everyone else from you. At other times I am the psalmist, trying desperately to get to that space where I can praise you. Help me to not keep those who need to be near you far from you. Help me to praise you wherever I am. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

The Strong Right Arm of the Lord

My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die. Psalm 118: 13-18 NLT

When I pray for victory or for help in defeating what the world attacks me with, I think in terms of coming out whole and hearty. I think God will utterly defeat my enemy or enemies but I will be unscathed. I imagine I will remain unchanged.

Obviously, the psalmist did not come out his victory without scars. His enemies did their best to kill him. Yet, he did not die. Instead, God let him live so that he could tell of God's work. God did punish him but did not take his life.

In my imagination, I see someone who has lost a limb or an eye. Perhaps they are bedridden or now unable to fight or work. Pictures of veterans of the Civil War come to mind. Did the psalmist fight but came out permanently scarred? Did he see his wounds as God's punishment? What had he done to deserve such punishment?

Yet, even with his scars, the psalmist continues to praise God.

God, may I praise you even when you save me from situations that scar my body, mind or heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

The Authority of the Lord

Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. Psalm 118: 10-12 NLT

What is this "authority of the Lord" that the psalmist refers to?

Permission to destroy?

License to kill?

Power from above?

When I think of having authority, I think of being given knowledge as well as some kind of commissioning to act on behalf of someone else. So, perhaps the psalmist destroyed his enemies but he didn't do it on his own. God gave him the knowledge and commissioned him to do so. In other words, the psalmist was not on his own.

How many times do we take the authority to do things on our own when we really shouldn't? And how many times has God given us the authority but we only see our own power and abilities at work?

The psalmist was surrounded by hostile nations. His enemies surrounded him like bees and blazed around him like a crackling fire. This does not sound like he could have defeated them without some major help. And the psalmist repeats three times that he destroyed them with the authority of the Lord. He gives God the credit.

God, sometimes you give us authority and we don't acknowledge your part. Sometimes you want to give us authority and we are afraid to take it. Forgive us for our weaknesses and our selfishness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

What can mere people do to me?

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118: 5-9 NLT

These verses address the sovereignty of God verses the limitations of people. 

Who can we go to when we are in distress? We pray to God and he will answer us, setting us from from our anxiety. 

Whose presence with you do you need to feel no fear? God’s presence.

What can mortals do to you compared with what God can do to you? So, whom should you really fear?

It is better to trust in God, take refuge in God than to trust other people or even government leaders (those sworn in to protect the people). 

Who is better -- other people or God? 

Take sometime today to think about those in your life that you can trust. Then compare that with how much more you can trust God.

God, you are for me, I shall have no fear. What can mere people do to me? You are for me and you help me. It is much better to take refuge in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

God's Faithful Love Endures Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let all Israel repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let all who fear the Lord repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 118: 1-4 NLT

I don’t know where you are when you read these one minute devotionals. However, I have an assignment for you today that you may need some privacy for.

I would like for you to take one minute repeating the phrase:

God’s faithful love endures forever. Just get in a place where you can see a clock or set a timer and repeat that phrase over and over until the minute is up.

Then, I want you to say this phrase to yourself throughout the day. Let it enter you bones and resonate in your mind. Say it aloud and silently. Repeat it as you walk or shout it as you drive. 

Maybe it will sink in by the end of the day.

God’s faithful love endures forever! Amen!

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Praise Him!

Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.  For he loves us with unfailing love;  the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117 NLT 

Praise is not just something we should do in our cars at a stoplight. 

Praise to God should not be limited to a worship service. 

Praise to God is not just for television evangelists or revival tours. 

Praise should be national and worldwide.

Not very politically correct, huh?

Yet, God loves the whole earth. We sometimes forget that when we quote John 3:16. This verse announces that God so loved the WORLD -- not just a particular country, culture or religion. God’s love is for everyone. So, shouldn’t the world praise God? 

Maybe someday that will happen!

God, you love us with an unfailing love. Your faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! 

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

The Lord Cares Deeply

The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.  O Lord, I am your servant;  yes, I am your servant, born into your household;   you have freed me from my chains.  I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving   and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord  in the presence of all his people— in the house of the Lord  in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! Psalm 116: 15-19  NLT

The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.

Yet, how often we have told a bereaved friend that it was just their time to go or that God wanted another angel in heaven? How often to we explain inexplicable deaths by somehow pointing a finger at God? You and I have both been guilty of saying things we don’t really mean because we are unsure of what to day. 

The psalmist is clear that God does not want us to die. God cares when we do die. We know this because God frees us from our chains and has done great things for us, even though we are no more than servants in God’s household. 

What greater reason do we have than to praise God? And let others know that God cares deeply that their loved one died. 

God, you have freed me from my chains. Although I am your servant, born in your household, you give me freedom and mercy. I will call on your name and give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving in the presence of your congregation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

I believed in you

I believed in you, so I said,  "I am deeply troubled, Lord." In my anxiety I cried out to you,  "These people are all liars!" What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation  and praise the Lord's name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the Lord  in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:10-14 NLT 

On the one hand, there is nothing you can offer to God for all God has done for you. God doesn’t want your payment or work. 

On the other hand, there are some things that God does want. 

God wants your heart. God wants you to praise God. God wants you to keep your promises that you make to God in front of witnesses. These things are not in payment for what God does for you. These are in response for all God has done for you. God hears you when you are deeply troubled and surrounded by liars. God wants you to praise him despite your anxiety and those who are around you. 

God, I will praise your holy name for saving me. I will keep my promises to you in the presence of your people. I love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

How Kind the Lord is!

How kind the Lord is! How good he is!  So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith;  I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again,  for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death,  my eyes from tears,  my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord's presence  as I live here on earth! Psalm 116: 5-9 NLT 

What good is God, anyway?

God is kind. 

God is merciful.

God protects those with childlike faith. 

God saves us.

God is good to us. 

God saves us from death.

God removes our tears.

God keeps us from stumbling. 

Will you walk in the Lord’s presence as long as you live here on earth? 

God you are good, kind, merciful, and loving. You have offered us salvation through Jesus Christ. You keep us from stumbling and from sadness. We love you. In Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Lord, please save me!

Death wrapped its ropes around me;  the terrors of the grave overtook me.  I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord:  "Please, Lord, save me!" Psalm 116: 3-4 NLT

This sounds like a visit to a haunted house: death wrapping its ropes around you, the terrors of the grave overtaking you. However, the image is probably meant to be more serious than a Halloween prank. The fear of death is very real to the psalmist. 

I was trying to think when I have felt afraid of death. A couple of times I have been afraid of being hurt. Perhaps there was a fear of death. Certainly, traveling on an airplane makes me afraid of dying but it probably has more to do with the knowledge that it is beyond my control (and at least in a vehicle you have a better chance of walking away). 

But others have probably been closer to that fear than I have. I think about those people who have been diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness. I think about those with whom I have visited and prayed as they lay on their deathbed. Even the calmest of believers can be scared of death. 

Yet, the psalmist has one last ace in his hand: asking God for help. “Lord, please save me!” The plea is earnest, heartfelt and heard. I know of those who have defied the medical statistics or truly walked away from a horrible accident. Do they feel more faithful than those who did not survive? Were their prayers answered and others were not? I don’t have an answer. All I know is to pray  to God regardless of the outcome. 

Lord, please save me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

I will pray as long as I have breath!

I apologize for the lack of devotionals these past two weeks. Hopefully, there will be something in today’s devotional that will speak to your heart. Amelia

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen,  I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116: 1-2 NLT

Why do you pray to God?

The psalmist prays to God because God listens. God hears the psalmist’s voice. The psalmist knows this because when the psalmist ask for mercy, God grants him mercy. God bends down to listen to the psalmist. This image reminds me of an adult bending down to hear what a small child might say. The child’s voice is small and quiet but the adult values what the child has to say. For the psalmist, God is like that. So, the psalmist is not going to stop praying as long as he is alive.

Have you ever had a time in your life when you simply could not pray? Perhaps you were feeling distant from or angry at God. Maybe your words seemed meaningless, as though they were simply spoken to empty air. Or you requested something from God and God did not answer in the way you wanted God to answer. After that you may have felt like you didn’t want to pray at all. 

This is the psalm to meditate on when you feel like you cannot pray! God hears our pleas for forgiveness and mercy. God does listen to our prayers. Like any adult, God may not have the answer that we want. But God always listens. 

God, hear my voice and my pray for mercy. I will pray to you as long as I have breath! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

You Are Blessed!

The Lord remembers us and will bless us.  He will bless the people of Israel
and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly. May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity. The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord,
for they have gone into the silence of the grave. But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord! Psalm 115: 12-18 NLT

Do you feel like God has blessed you?

God has!

You live on this earth which God has created for you - you are blessed! You are reading this email, so God has given you the ability to comprehend what I am writing. What a blessing! You are searching or praying so that God has blessed you with the ability to want Him. Jesus Christ has died for your sins and God raised him on the third day to give you eternal life: you are indeed blessed!

God has blessed you!

Spend some time right now thanking God for at least five other blessings you can quickly recall. 

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

To God Be the Glory

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Why let the nations say,  "Where is their God?"Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk,  and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them,  s are all who trust in them. O Israel, trust the Lord!  He is your helper and your shield. O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!  He is your helper and your shield. All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. Psalm 115: 1-11 NLT

As a pastor, it is so easy to take the glory for yourself. As a member of a blessed congregation it is so easy to accept the glory in the name of your church. As a Christian whose life is falling into an honored place, it is simple to take the glory for yourself. 

But the glory belongs to God.

That is why verses nine through eleven speak to the people, the priests and individuals, reminding that God is their helper and their shield. 

God, not to us, not to us but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. You are my helper and my shield. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

God gives your heart's desire

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—the land of Judah became God's sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom.
The Red Sea* saw them coming and hurried out of their way! The water of the Jordan River turned away. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs! What's wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way?  What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away? Why, mountains, did you skip like rams?  Why, hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. He turned the rock into a pool of water;  yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock. Psalm 114 NLT

What do you think God can do to give you your true heart’s desire?

Do you not think God can do as God says? Won’t even the deepest waters be parted? Won’t the mountains metaphorically skip out of the way? Won’t even the rock literally pour forth water? 

If the earth can tremble in the presence of the almighty God, then why do you doubt? 

If God has given you the deepest desires of your heart, why do you waste so much time rationalizing why it will never happen?

God, your presence can do mighty things. Take away my doubt and fill me with trust! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Thinking we are God

Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens.  Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!  He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord! Psalm 113 NLT

Who or what can compare to God?

I am sure that there are some people who think of themselves as god. But God is higher than any country (yes, even America) and God is even higher than heaven. God is more than we can ever accomplish ourselves.

Yet, why do we spend so much time trying to do for ourselves when we should be asking God to do for us? Why do we think it is up to us when it is up to God? Who do we think we are? 

We tend to think we are god. May God forgive us of our presumptions!

God, I spend too much time thinking I have to do it all. Help me to depend on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

The Secret

Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy,  and their good deeds will last forever.Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously  and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless  and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.  They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated.  They will grind their teeth in anger;  they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. Psalm 112 NLT

What is the secret to living a God-filled and blessed life? It is to fear God and delight in obeying God. Then your deeds will be remembered. Then your children will also be godly people. Then you will be generous and compassionate. Then you will lend graciously and conduct business fairly. Then you will not be overcome by evil nor will you fear bad new. You will trust God to take care of you. You will be confident, fearless, face your foes triumphantly and have influence and honor.

You just have to fear God and obey God. 

God, help us to not get ahead of ourselves and be all those other things we want to be. Help us to begin with the basics: fearing you and following your commandments. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

God is ....

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works.  How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! Psalm 111 NLT

This is a psalm for worship. In this psalm, God is praised and thanked as the congregation comes together. Everyone is encouraged to spend time thinking about God and God’s wonderful works. The congregation recalls God’s mercy, grace, righteousness and power. God’s good deeds are mentioned and remembered. The commandments and the covenant are lifted up. God’s name is given due praise. 

And all of this reminds the worshipping congregation that to fear God is go obey God’s commandments. The result will be that everyone will grow in wisdom.

God, you are amazing, gracious, merciful, giving, powerful, trustworthy, holy, awesome, and full of integrity. We praise you forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012