Scripture interprets Scripture.
And it's all about being redeemed.
Your redemption is closer.
For every single believer, Luke 21:28 holds true: Your redemption is drawing near. It's one day closer than it was yesterday. One minute closer than when you opened this blog.
So, "watch yourselves less your heart be weighed down with the cares of this life," even the blessings of this life---and no one wants to hear that. We can become so tripped up in seeking the blessings of this day, this life. It's a trap. A snare.
God's Eyes are toward you this day. (Psa 34:15)
Your cries fall upon God's Ears.
Look to Him not to ambition. (Psa 34:5)
Your redemption draws so near.
In I Samuel 21, there's a horror of a tale of a son and his father: Saul and Jonathan.
The father chased after ambition, recognition, success---at the expense of his family.
One little statement in 21:11 about David slewing 10,000 while Saul heralded 1,000---
and Saul's rage turns into a mission of death.
And the question for me is this: What will I do with ambition? How did I get to this place where I am today? Do I truly believe my redemption draws nigh? That changes things for me.
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Ps. 34:1) Even when I am feeling lost, disappointed, betrayed and it seems to be hopeless because, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." (vs 4) Today Your Word promises deliverance, rescue and blessings in refuge. I thank you that You are ever near to me in my brokenheartness and crushed spirit. You lift my head, help me to be on guard and give me strength to stand.
ReplyDeletePsalm 34: 8-10 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
ReplyDeleteBlessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."
"Pray for the strength to escape these things...to stand before the Son of Man."
ReplyDeleteI so want to finish well. Heck, I'd settle for starting well yet again.
I am so enjoying David's Psalms as he struggles and fears. I'm so thankful that Scripture records these insights. No wonder God was drawn to David's heart. Some of David's Psalms are my absolute favorite for "dealing" with life stuff!
Annette, what a beautiful verse for me---the one you wrote. What is the reference? I so need strength to escape this moment. I so want to stand not crawl into the Presence of the Son of Man.
ReplyDeleteFeel like crawling today. Struggling so with being a failure. Weeping. Confused. Love Him so!
I needed that today, too, Bev. It's Luke21:36 "But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
ReplyDelete