David

The Right Perspective {Psalm 9}

12:00 AM


Scripture reading: Psalm 9

Are you a, “half empty” or “half full” kind of girl when you look at things going on around you? I’ll admit I used to see things half empty, but I’ve changed and believe I’ve learned the secret to keep from growing discouraged in this life. 

When David wrote this Psalm, he was dealing with the Philistines, probably his most powerful enemy at the time, yet he knew that God reigned supremely and had everything under control. Notice:
The Lord reigns forever;
    he has established his throne for judgment.
 He rules the world in righteousness
    and judges the peoples with equity.
 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 
(Psalm 9:7-10)

What, or who are the enemies you’re dealing with today? Is there a situation in your life that seems hopeless? Are you feeling down or discouraged about anything at the moment?  If so, then know you’re not alone.

The news media tells us that suicidal rates are up in this country among all ages. We’ve all heard of celebrities, who appear to be living the American dream ending their lives and we’re left wondering why.  

 I think all of us can think of a time or two when we’ve been discouraged, especially when going through hardships, loss, or illnesses. What’s important to remember, though, is that we shouldn’t let these feelings control us for very long.

Here in Psalm 9, David demonstrates for us what we all need to be doing during these times, and that’s gaining the “big picture” or whole picture. My guy taught me this concept years ago and since I’ve seen it on display over and over throughout God’s Word. You see its John’s job to run companies or large areas made up of many different divisions and there’s rarely a time that all divisions are running "trouble-free" all at once. His managers might start stressing out, and that’s when John would stop and allow them to see the larger picture by going through each different area to see how each were functioning at the moment and usually it was just one or two areas struggling and the rest were running fine.

That is often the case in our lives as well; we may be struggling with sinus issues due to allergy season, but we have our health, our marriage is going great, family is super, church, etc. It’s just this congestion that has us down and out! (I’m speaking from experience here)

Paul also knew the secret to not allowing his circumstances get him down, for the entire book of Philippians was written when Paul was in prison, yet he is focused on joy throughout! In fact, he encourages his readers to "rejoice always!" He essentially said the same to the church of Thessalonica in 1 Thes 5:16-18, “Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing! In all things give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!”

Not all things are praiseworthy all the time, but I bet if we search hard enough we can find things to rejoice over in every situation! Mainly, as David testified of in Psalm 9:7, “Our Lord reigns forever…”. He’s got this!

If you are struggling through a challenging time right now I want to encourage you to go to Him and His word. He will not only sustain you during the crisis, but will also improve your perspective. And before taking another step give everything to the Lord, and then sit back and watch Him work things out on your behalf just as the great men did in the past.

God's perspective

A Mind Set On The Spirit {Romans 8}

12:30 AM


Monday May 13

Romans 8

I’ve always been a bit of a daydreamer and as such have been told a time or two, “Get your head out of the clouds and come back to earth!” But earthly thinking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The Apostle Paul tells us that as Christians, instead of on the things of the world, our minds should be set on the things of the Spirit. “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (vs. 5) 

Once we were in chains, slaves to our sin and burdened under the Law of God which we were unable to obey. But Jesus died to free us from bondage. He became the perfect fulfillment of that Law, and because of His sacrifice not only are we reconciled to God and declared righteous, no longer do we have to lead lives driven by the sinful desires of the flesh. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (vs. 1) The moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. And through the power and strength the Spirit provides, we can take captive earthly desires, urges, and thoughts that keep our focus from where it belongs, on God. 

Having minds set on the Spirit allows us to have the spiritual mindset of God Himself, and to concentrate on the things which are pleasing to Him. Things like love, fellowship, praise, worship, and obedience. And once our minds our set, our bodies will soon follow. For, “whatever the mind is minding, that is what we will walk after. If the mind is minding the flesh, we will walk according to the flesh; if the mind is minding the Spirit, we will walk according to the spirit.”...Watchman Nee

Why should our perspective on life be one of maintaining a spiritual focus? Because as vs. 6 tells us, “the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.” Not only do we have the assurance of eternal life, but also life in the sense of one filled with the love, hope, and joy that comes with having a close, personal relationship with the Lord. And once hostile to God, unable to please Him, we can now have peace. No longer His enemies, forgiven through the blood of Jesus, we have “received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!"(vs. 15) Matthew tells us that it’s impossible to serve to masters. (Matt. 6:24) We can either have a mind set on the flesh which leads to death, or a mind set on the Spirit which leads to life. Which will you choose?

We need to continually rid ourselves
Of every lofty thought
And everything that sets itself up
Against Jesus Christ, our Lord

For if we don't, we can't move on
To where God wants us to be
And walk in Jesus' love and grace
And to truly be set free

Satan comes and attacks our minds
To stop what God wants to do,
We shouldn't listen to his constant lies,
For in him, there is no truth

Our thoughts should be on the things of God
That builds us up in our faith,
Singing His praises and worshipping Him
And upon His word, meditate

For this is how we can actively take
Every thought captive to Christ,
By filling our minds with the things of God
And to do what we know is right

Despite what the world around us says,
We need to guard our minds
And refuse to give in to its worldly ways,
Nor allow it the chance to bind

For Christ did come to set us free
From the way we lived before,
So we may always walk in that freedom
With our faith and trust in the Lord.
                 .......lM.S.Lowndes