Good day dear friends.
We continue our study into the mark of being triumphant both here and now and then and there, meaning, living a life fully entrusted to the Lord now and when called into the presence of the Lord we can continue to trust that God is there for us.
Here is our study guide for today:
Tuesday: Read Psalm 20. Read each word with the faith that inspired David to write each one. Read it as a letter of hope from home. Given all we’ve seen from our sisters and brothers from New Orleans and the other states hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, what would God have you share after reading this passage?
1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. (Selah) 4 May he grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your plans. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. 7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright. 9 Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.
This was my grandfather's favorite passage from the Bible. His favorite verse from this Psalm was verse 7. In Spanish it read right into his heart. In Spanish "chariots" could be heard and translated as "cars," so it spoke to him; "Some trust in cars, others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
David's faith was a living faith. Every word he wrote he had experienced. Not everything is positive because that's just how life is. But in the ups and downs of life, God is the same, God's power and presence is constant. And in the ebb and flow of life it makes sense to hold onto that which can steady us and hold us and keep us from going off into the deep.
Given all that we've seen this past week and what we will continue to see from the devastation of the Gulf states, we will have opportunities to share with so many our faith in He who remains the same in spite of what life has brought our way. Be triumphant in sharing your triumphant faith. Remind all that we may have misplaced our trust at times in things that are no longer here, but God will always be here and there, now and then.
PRAYER: O God of constant love and stength, speak to us right now those words we need, especially as we help others make sense of what has happened and changed our world. Let our faith be a triumphant one, that shares with others the conviction that You are always with us and that You never change. Use us as we pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day.
e.v.
