O That Salvation Would Come!

Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when God restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice. Psalm 53: 6 NLT

Salvation is all about being rescued.

Have you received rescue from God? Have you been restored to God and God's people?

When that happened, did you feel joy? Were you moved to shout? Did you cry out with happiness?

Perhaps you need rescuing right now. Maybe you aren't sure of your own salvation. Or you are in a really bad spot at the moment.

Come, Lord Jesus, fill the hearts of your faithful. Rescue those who need your salvation. Restore us, O Lord, and we will rejoice! Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Will we ever learn?

Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread; they wouldn't think of praying to God. But then terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before. God will scatter the bones of your enemies. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them. Psalm 53: 4-5 NLT

What an image: the evil ones who eat other people up like bread. Is this cannibalism? I suppose there are those who eat up other people. Perhaps they make money at the cost of other people's lives and/or livelihoods. I can think of many companies whose CEOs get bonuses while the workers get laid off. That is eating others up like bread. Or in other countries where certain religious or racial groups are killed and their homes and possessions taken by their enemies. Being eaten up like bread.

Do those who do such things, take advantage of others as though eating them, not pray? Do they even think about praying?

The psalmist says that God notices. Those who do such cannibalistic acts will be struck with terror that they have never known nor inflicted upon other people. When you totally reject God, God will turn and totally reject you.

God, help me to not eat others up like bread – not even a nibble. Convict me when I even get close to that kind of evil. May I always turn to you in prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

The Big Picture

God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one! Psalm 53: 2-3 NLT

How often has God looked down on the entire human race and seen no one who has real understanding or seeks God? If you think it is something for our modern times, think again.

These verses seem straight out of the beginning of the Noah's Ark story. Or the story of Lot leaving Sodom and Gomorrah. Or even the Samaritan village that wouldn't allow Jesus and his disciples to enter.

And how about the so-called Dark Ages? Or even the years prior to World War II? Time and again God must look down on the human race and we all seem pretty much turned away from God.

God, when you look down on the human race, do I seem to seek understanding? Am I seeking you? Or do you find me turned away and corrupt? Help me to seek you, to seen understanding, to do good and to turn from corruption. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims

Only a Fool

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; no one does good! Psalm 53: 1 NLT

So, are atheists all evil? Do those who don't believe in God never do good? Are they all corrupt and their actions all pure evil?

Perhaps it is better to say that they are fools. But I am a fool as well. I am a fool for Christ. Yes, my beliefs as a Christian may look foolish to others. My Christian standards may seem hopelessly old fashioned. I may seem strange in my outlook. I understand my foolish appearance and accept it for the price of following Christ.

At the same time, I am to be reaching out to those who don't believe in God. I can't say that there are no corrupt atheists. Sometimes I have my doubts about those who call themselves Christian. But I am to be open to conversation, relationships and prayers for those who are foolish enough to say that there is no God. They may have rejected God but God has not rejected them. May their goodness flourish and their hearts be strangely warmed.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims