Psalm 34:15 NLT, Psalm 34:17-18 NLT
[15] The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. [17] The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Someone once said that when we sail through life without a trial or a sorrow, we may slide by without knowing Jesus, but in our suffering, we discover true fellowship with him. God never promised us a problem-free Christian life, but this psalm gives us several assurances about how God responds to us when troubles come. He promises his watch care, his attentiveness to our cries for help, his closeness, and his deliverance. Even the fact that we are counted among “those who do right,” or “the righteous,” and are thus eligible to receive this promised assurance is a result of the finished work of Christ on the cross. No matter what we are going through today, these are powerful reasons for praise. So speak to God, for he hears you. And remember, when your heart is breaking, he is most close to you, and he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
My Prayer:
Dear Father thank you so much for telling me in your Word you care deeply about my life! I’m so grateful you hear everything I say in prayer. I always have two choices to make when troubles come into my life.
1) I can become anxious and worried and let these trials take away my faith and start a mustard seed of fear to start growing.
2) Or I can get on my knees cry out to you in prayer because you hear me. You promise to rescue me from troubles if I promise to keep you as Lord. You allow me to become broken-hearted so I can become stronger in perseverance and faith as you promise to lead me out of my trials always with a valuable eternal lesson. I love you God. Please give me wisdom and discernment to become a better servant to you, a better husband to Sonja, and a better father to Chase and Cassidi and a better minister to my Orlando church family.
Thx for your kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and discipline in my life. I am humbled to know you, God.
In Jesus name, I am blessed to speak to you directly, amen.
GOD PUTS HIS EAR SO CLOSELY DOWN TO YOUR LIPS THAT HE CAN HEAR YOUR FAINTEST WHISPER. IT IS NOT GOD AWAY OFF UP YONDER; IT IS GOD AWAY DOWN HERE, CLOSE UP—SO CLOSE UP THAT WHEN YOU PRAY TO HIM, IT IS MORE A WHISPER THAN A KISS.
Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902)
Hebrews 13:5-8 NIV
[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [6] So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” [7] Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
What a gift it is to have access to read God’s Word and pray each day!
Much Love from an unworthy servant,
Preacher, Minister and average guy striving to finish the race to eternal life.
Never stop growing!