God's Faithful Love in History

When they decrease in number and become impoverished through oppression, trouble and sorrow, the Lord pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands. But he rescues the poor from trouble and increases their families like flocks of sheep. The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent. Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord. Psalm 107: 39-43 NLT

Can you see the faithful love of God in your own history? 

Sometimes we think we have to have a dramatic redemption story like Saul of Tarsus in order to see God’s love in our past. God is often more subtle in our lives. But God is there all the same.

What about seeing God’s faithful love in the stories of others? The psalmist says that when the poor are rescued and blessed, the godly are glad while the wicked are struck silent. Are you happy when you hear of what God had done in the lives of others? Or are you jealous? Feel left out? Wonder why you don’t have such a dramatic turn around in your own life? What is preventing you from feeling joy?

God, thank you for rescuing the poor from trouble. Help us to be glad when we see you acting in the lives of others, not just our own lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

God can do mighty things

He changes the rivers into deserts, and springs of water into dry, thirsty land. He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands, because of the wickedness of those who live there. But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water. He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities. They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops. How he blesses them! They raise large families there, and their herds of livestock increase. Psalm 107: 33-38 NLT

God can do great and mighty things. God can make what is a dry and desert place into a healthy and fertile land. God can also take what is bursting with life and make it an arid wasteland. When you are being blessed, God will change where you are into a place where you can grow and prosper. 

We often think that we have to move to a better neighborhood, change jobs or even leave our spouses in order for life to improve. But God is the God who can change even the driest landscape into a blooming field. Perhaps God is waiting on you to change your perspective on things. Have you prayed to God about your situation? Have you asked God to show you what you can do to help turn things around? Are you willing for God to change your attitude? Have you asked God to bless you where you are? 

God, you are the God of supernatural change. You know what my life is like and where I am right now. I am asking you to bless me. Bless me where I stand in my work, my home and my relationships. You are the one who can turn things around. Help me to know what I need to do as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Praise God in front of Witnesses

Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation. Psalm 107: 23- 32 NLT

It is not enough to praise God. We must praise God for what God has done in our lives before others, before the congregation or family of God (Sunday school class counts!), and even before the leaders of our cities, states and our country. In other words, don’t keep what God has done to yourself.

The sailors go off to sea to make their fortune either for themselves or someone else. While on the sea, they witness God’s power. The winds and waves put them at the mercy of the sea. They cry out to God to save them. God saves them from the storms and calms the sea. They realize it is only because of what God has done that they make it home safely. Now they lift their voices in praise to God, especially before others.

What can you praise God for in the midst of your congregation? Your coworkers? The leaders in your workplace and your community?

God, may we not only praise you but praise you in front of others for all you have done for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Lord help: the fool

Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins. They couln’dt stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts. Psalm 107: 17-22 NLT

I may not personally know a homeless person or a person in prison but I know plenty of fools. 

How about you? 

I myself could be considered a fool from time to time. I admit I have done foolish things in my life. I have rebelled. I suffered from the things I did, the choices I made.  Even as much as I love to eat, there have been times in my life when the thought of food made me ill. I don’t know how close to death I came -- perhaps close than I think.

In any case, I have been a fool and I know some fools as well. 

But even fools can cry to God. 

And God will hear the cries of even the biggest fool you know: yourself.

Lord, help! Please hear my cry when I am in trouble. Rescue me from my distress. Then I will praise you for your great love and all the things you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Lord, help: the prisoner

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He let them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron. Psalm 107: 10-16 NLT

I have never been jail. But I am close to a family who has a relative in a maximum security prison. They have told me a few stories of what life is like in prison. Although there are no real chains nor are prisons today dark dungeons, there are certainly metaphorical chains and darkness. The general feeling seems to be that a person is cut off from one’s family or anyone who would love them. When they fall, it seems like no one is there to help them. Sure, there are those in prison who could care less. At the same time, there are those who are in perfect misery. 

I do know about misery. I’ve experienced it in my own life. I have suffered from depression. I have come home from work to cry tears of hurt and hopelessness. I have had to face bravely face those who wield a great deal of power over my life and challenge them. I know darkness and gloom. I am sure some of you have even darker and gloomier stories in your own lives. 

The good news is that God hears our cries and saves us from distress. In my own life, I see God’s hand at work and know that God continues to save me from the pitfalls. I give God praise and glory!

Lord, help! Please hear my cry when I am in trouble. Rescue me from my distress. Then I will praise you for your great love and all the things you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Lord, help: the homeless

Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfied the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107: 4-9 NLT

I assume that most of you who are reading this have never been homeless. In fact, I would imagine that this scripture sounds very real to those who stay at the local shelter downtown. But I have spoken to many people lately who look a lot like me who are in danger of loosing their home. Loss of employment, health issues, and a bad economy are causing folks to come closer to being those who are lost and homeless.

But even if you don’t fit in that category, I am sure there have been times in your live when you have been lost. When I graduated from college, I moved to a big city and worked for the government. I didn’t know many people and had a hard time adjusting. Although I had a place to live, I was definitely lost. I had gotten as far away from my home -- and from God -- as I could. It took some wandering and a chance meeting with my future husband to get me back to God. 
God satisfied my hunger and my thirst and filled me with good things -- way beyond what I could hope or imagine.

Lord, help! Please hear my cry when I am in trouble. Rescue me from my distress. Then I will praise you for your great love and all the things you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

God's Faithful Love Endures

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. Psalm 107: 1-3 NLT 

Has the Lord redeemed you? Has God literally paid the price for your freedom? Has God freed you from slavery? 

Of course he has! Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God has paid the price for your freedom. Through Jesus, God has freed you from slavery. You have been redeemed.

So, don’t keep silent about this! If God has truly redeemed you, then speak out! Tell your story. Tell God’s story. Tell about Jesus and his sacrifice. 

This isn’t some ancient text on a library shelf. This is right this very instant good news. This is real. This is happening. And this can happen to those around you, too.

God, we give thanks to you for you are good. Your faithful love endures forever! Thanks be to God in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012