Scripture: Psalm 34 Click here for the reading
Observation: In all the ups and downs in life, God is a steady presence worthy of praise.
Application: I will praise the lord at all times. That Phrase "at all times" struck me this afternoon. Taking a break from Facebook interactions and debates, one sided arguments arguing with other sided arguments. And the psalmist says "I will praise the Lord at all times. Not just when things and arguments line up in my own view. Not just when things are going well for me. Not just when life is hunky dory. But I will praise the Lord when my viewpoints are challenged by other people and other viewpoints. I will praise the Lord when scripture and God bring new challenges to the way life is. I will praise the lord when all I have is nothing. I will boast only upon the Lord.
As Christians, I believe this is worth applying to all those we are called to witness to and love in the midst of deep debate and deep controversy, mainly the SCOTUS ruling on marriage that seems to have divided people all over the place, not just politically but religiously.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
These words apply to us in how we talk about things we may disagree. The way we debate and disagree might say more about how we live God's word than political maneuvering that seems to be more the norm. In the midst of this controversy how are we searching for peace (God's peace), and working to maintain it?
Prayer: Lord bring us back to the place of praising you at all times. At all times!
Application: I will praise the lord at all times. That Phrase "at all times" struck me this afternoon. Taking a break from Facebook interactions and debates, one sided arguments arguing with other sided arguments. And the psalmist says "I will praise the Lord at all times. Not just when things and arguments line up in my own view. Not just when things are going well for me. Not just when life is hunky dory. But I will praise the Lord when my viewpoints are challenged by other people and other viewpoints. I will praise the Lord when scripture and God bring new challenges to the way life is. I will praise the lord when all I have is nothing. I will boast only upon the Lord.
As Christians, I believe this is worth applying to all those we are called to witness to and love in the midst of deep debate and deep controversy, mainly the SCOTUS ruling on marriage that seems to have divided people all over the place, not just politically but religiously.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
These words apply to us in how we talk about things we may disagree. The way we debate and disagree might say more about how we live God's word than political maneuvering that seems to be more the norm. In the midst of this controversy how are we searching for peace (God's peace), and working to maintain it?
Prayer: Lord bring us back to the place of praising you at all times. At all times!
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