Today’s reading:  Psalm 4 and 1 Thes. 4:13-18

I am so grateful for God’s Word, and especially that we can run to the Psalms as a guide for us to enhance our prayer life, our worship and praise to our Heavenly Father. Whatever need we may have, here we find the “right” and powerful words to express our heartfelt thoughts to God!

In this Psalm David has the assurance that he can boldly and confidently come to God and express his troubles and fears (4:1-2), and he reminds himself:

 -The Lord set apart the godly for himself. 

He continues on, with a deep meditation: (4:4-5)

“ Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude  -Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.”

With all the ungodliness and enemies around him, David had many reasons to be angry and even frustrated, but he decided in his heart that he had no reason to sin. He reminded himself to not sin in his anger, and to find a refuge and His peace through meditation before the LORD.

Many of us during our day to day also have challenges to face; trials, doubts and ungodliness around us (enemies), just like David. But at the end of the day as he meditated on his bed he had decided he could fully surrender it ALL, even his own self as a living sacrifice into God’s care! (Romans 12:1-2)

At the end of this Psalm, David could confidently express:

Even though his life was not perfect, and sometimes doubt would cross his mind, he would immediately remember ALL of God’s blessings in his life, and this would bring back the joy, peace and confidence in his heart! His God was a place of safety and rest!

So let me ask you:

- What challenges are you going through right now that you are trying to “fight” on your own? Which are the thoughts you are focusing on? Are they taking away your sleep?

Dear Heavenly Father:

You know exactly all our troubles and we want to come to your throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16) with a childlike faith, confessing each one of our cares and doubts. Thank you for setting us apart for yourself and for assuring us that you will answer us when we call on you (4:3) and all of this through the Saving Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ! Who promised that He would give us rest (Matt. 11:28) taking all our burdens! Thank you Father for you promised to never leave us nor forsake us, now and through eternity! (Heb.13:5b-6) In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!

Blessings,

Mari

Jesus knew exactly why this was asked: mankind is usually seeking for privileges and eager to “shine” in this world, but in Him and as His disciples we are not to pursue our own glory, on the contrary He set the example of a little child before them assuring, that unless they renewed the spirit of their minds (Romans 12: 1-2) and made like little children, they could not enter His kingdom!

Jesus continues to speak to them about the terrible fate of those who become stumbling blocks in the faith of others, carelessly despising them, since our Father deeply cares: “^][For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.], because “¹⁴ So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones be lost.” (18:10-14)

As we continue to study this chapter I´d like to focus on the following verses regarding prayer. During Jesus´ ministry He was a living example of the power in prayer, and even the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. (Luke 11:1-13) Here in Women in the Word on a weekly basis, take the time to pray for our ministry in this group and each one of you who are part of it, are also included in our prayers -as well as any specific prayer you might request on our Bulletin Board- We may not remember each one of your names, but He surely does!! We firmly believe in Jesus´ affirmation:

“Again I say to you, that if two ^[h]believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” (18:19-20)