Lord Jesus, please teach me your ways and show me Your paths. Psalm 25:4-5 means that God is watching over all of us. God is teaching me your truth because You are My God and Saviour and Friend. You are my hope and I Love You very much. Lord Jesus, I thank You For being my Mediator between God and You. Lord Jesus, I thank You For Your understanding and presence.
Next, I Thank You for Your sense of Direction. Thank You For Your Breath of Life. I have been thinking about You all of the time. The weather might be a big factor in my personal life right now. I want to inform all of you that I am very happy to be honest and truthful with You. I am an analytical person. I am a person who is 58 years old now. I am a person who has a lot of common sense.
Further, I am a person who is highly educated and a God Fearing Man. Lord Jesus, I need to ask You a very important question. Do You think I am indecisive? A God Fearing Woman told me to my face that I am very indecisive, but very intelligent. I am thrilled to be honest and truthful with You. It has not been easy being me today. I tend to get caught up in rhetoric and issues that affect me. Lord Jesus, I have been feeling sluggish and tired physically and mentally. I really need Your Help dealing with my sense of indecision.
In Addition, I am very happy that you are showing me Your Ways and Paths. I am still learning about myself. I have a huge heart for helping other people. There is a person who is in need of prayers and financial aid. I am asking You for help right now. I have two people that I know that need Your Help. You know who they are exactly. You also know what my needs are before I ask You for anything.
Moreover, I want to inform all of you that God is always watching over all of us. We are inside of His Hands. I know that I am very happy to be clean and sober for 33 years now. I want all of you to know that I am praying for all of you. I am trying to lose weight and exercise daily. I have to stop going off on a tangent at times. Your Path is a path to righteousness. I have been feeling sleepy and I do not have any energy to do certain things. Your Truth is what I am seeking. Your Love is something that I cherish inside of my heart. This Psalm gives me an opportunity to apologize for all of my actions. My life is unmanageable at this time. I know that life itself is what I am making of it. I am being optimistic about my future right now. I am repenting of all of my sins, iniquities and transgressions.
Finally, I want You O Lord Jesus to literally teach me how to become humble and truthful with everyone. You are my Salvation right now. Whom shall I fear. You are my everything. Lord Jesus, I will always admire You and Adore You. Thank You For giving me a new heart and a heart to reach out to other people who are in need of Your Presence. I submit myself to You and You I yield to everyday of my life. I am very sorry for not responding to those who need me. The people who need me are those who have bad intentions. I am very sorry for prejudging people in advance. I have given people money in the past. These are the same people who are in need of my service. I know that you are a presence that I have craved. I am very sorry for my transgressions. I need You to Please Keep Me and hold me with Your Hands. Lord God, I need You to help me to serve Your People. Thank You For Your Understanding and Your Help dealing with my own issues. I am very sorry for hurting myself and others who are calling for You.
Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
As soon as I was born on Thursday June 24, 1965. My mother had given birth to me and my father was not around. I was living with my grandparents until I was nine years old. My grandparents took me to Church at Bethel Church of God in Christ in Dayton, Ohio. I got baptized when I was six months old. I have felt loved at my Grandma’s House. As soon as I went to my mother’s house, my stepfather tried to kill me by putting my face and body inside of a hot stove. I was born at 7:30pm at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Dayton Ohio. I was born three months after Malcom X got killed in Harlem, New York. Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21 1965. This is the reason why I had to stay at my grandparents house because it was the safest place for me. My mother lived near a Bar Called Four Aces Bar in West Dayton, Ohio. God had to save me a whole lot because my friends used to be in Street Gangs in the Dayton Ohio Area. The Lord God removed me from all of the gang infested neighborhoods. I have not been involved in Street Gangs in 34 years now. Thank You Lord Jesus for saving me from all of the bad culture.
Psalm 33:15 says: He fashioned all of their hearts individually, He understands all of their works. This means that God made all of us and He fills our hearts with understanding. The Lord God knows everything that we do in our lives. He knows our thoughts and feelings. The Lord God knows what we are capable of doing for ourselves. The Lord God knows exactly how long we are going to live on Planet Earth.
Next, I want to inform all of you that God looks down from heaven at all of us. The Lord God directs our lives from the heavenly places. The Lord God knows what kind of person we are going to become; long before we are born. The Lord God is always looking at all of us. The Lord God even knew how long it would take for me to graduate from High School and College. The Lord God knew how long I am clean and sober. I have to get clarification from my AA Sponsor on how long I am clean and sober right now. It seems like my past is coming back to haunt me. There are a lot of things that only God knows about when it comes to my overall behavior.
Moreover, I want to say that God knows me better than I know myself. This is the reason why it will take God to solve all of my problems. I really cannot tell another person what to do unless they are my child. I really appreciate what God has done for me. I appreciate His Breath of Life and His understanding. I know that I have been feeling sluggish and depressed as of late. I really cannot compare my life to other people. This is because I have the same problems that other people tend to have. My life right now is filled with unanswered questions. I also have Ups and Downs just like everyone else. Therefore I am only a Work in Progress. I am also a vapor that only lasts for a little while then it vanishes away.
Finally, I want to inform all of you that I am making progress day by day. I really feel that God has all of the answers and solutions to all of our problems. Man cannot change me nor solve all of my problems. I am only a spirit that is here for a while. I have God’s Breath of Life right inside of me. I know that I cannot do anything for myself unless God approves it. I know that man, woman, and child cannot tell me what to do. They can advise and consent. This is the only thing that another person can do for me right now. All of my personal problems are based on my own attrition. The word attrition means efforts that are applied towards the advancement of human behavior. This is also a choice on my part. Life itself is really what you make of it.
My personal beginning started at birth. On Thursday June 24, 1965 at 7:30PM. St. Elizabeth Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. I want to inform all of you that my mother was 21 years old during that time. My father’s information is not available. The only thing that I can say is that I was created through a one night stand.
Next, I remember when my mother told me that my father was older than her. I supposed that my existence came all of a sudden. I was born in Dayton, Ohio. I remember during that time that Dayton, Ohio was very popular when it came to music. Although Detroit, Michigan had Motown Records. I remember when my mother used to take me to church all of the time.
Further, I also recall spending a lot of time with my grandmothers. I was blessed to see two grandmothers and two grandfathers. I was a blessed child. The church that I was a member of was Bethel Church of God in Christ, which was located on Germantown Street in Dayton, Ohio. I remember when my grandmother told me that I was baptized when I was six months old.
Moreover, it was very nice during that time because my grandparents were working full time at the Pine Club Restaurant; located on Brown Street in Dayton, Ohio. I recall going to work with my grandmother for a few years. I want to inform all of you that I was a year old during that time when my Great Grandmother used to take me to church with her. I met all of the Deacons of the church as well as the Pastor at the church.
In Addition, I will admit that my first few years, I had spent at my grandmother’s house in West Dayton, Ohio. My grandmother lived inside of a very quiet neighborhood. My grandmother was always working just to pay the bills inside of the house. The first seven years of my life consisted of spending time with my cousins and aunt. My aunt worked during that time as well.
Also, my elders of the house were always busy. The 1970s were very interesting to all of those who used to have a musical talent. My family was small at that time. This is also the time I used to get into fist fights with other kids my age. I guess they used to pick on me because I was a very small young man during that time.
However, there were times when I used to run away from home. There were children that picked on me because I was smaller than they were. There were kids in my age group that were larger than me. I want to say that; the first seven years were very nice.
Edison Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio’s West Dayton was a very large school. I remember when I was 4 years old, I was in the Pre- Kindergarten, and I had teachers who could not handle me because I was very hyperactive during that time. One thing that my grandparents used to do; was take me to church with them. I recall having teachers who were very understanding towards all of us. I know that my mother had other children by her husband.
Edison Elementary School was located on 228 North Broadway Avenue in Dayton, Ohio 45407. I knew the address because my mother used to read to all of us as children. My grandparents used to read to me as well. I remember when my mother was gifted educationally because she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961. My mother used to help my Uncle with his homework, and he graduated from Dunbar High School in 1960.
My cousins were gifted in school. They were earning As and Bs in school. I remember earning all Cs in school. I know that I could not stand math in school. I did very well in other classes except math. My math teachers were very understanding and very genuine. I used to have problems doing algebra in school. I had a problem completing word problems as well.
As a result, I ended up earning all average grades in school. I do recall earning above average grades in Science and Social Studies. I had a lot of fun during that time. I did very well in English classes in school. I do recall attending Summer School when I was in the 4th grade and 7th grade.
Yet, I still had problems dealing with word problems in math. I read everything the proper way, but I still got the answers wrong on the test. My sisters were very intelligent in school. The 1970s were challenging for me because I had to transfer to a school that was 8 miles from me in 1977.
They started sending African American children to schools inside of European American neighborhoods in 1976. It was not very easy because I remember getting called names because of my color of my skin during that time. After all, I got along well with everyone except for a few students, who lived across the bridge from me. I do remember going to the neighborhood laundry mat, which was located on Riverview and Williams Street in Dayton, Ohio. It was less than a half a mile from my grandmother’s house.
At the same time, I was very nervous going inside of that neighborhood because of the street gangs that we had in the city of Dayton, Ohio during that time. I am not going to mention the gangs that were inside of the neighborhood because these street gangs are advanced in their own technology.
Praise The Lord Saints!! Praise The Lord!! How are you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want to ask everyone a very important question. The question is: How can we become doers of the word?
The answer to this question is simple. We have to have both a behavioral change as well as a spiritual change within ourselves. I know for me personally, I have changed a whole lot behaviorally and spiritually right now. For example, I do not use any vulgarity anymore. An example of this is in Proverbs 15:1 says: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife. This is my model Bible verse because it enables me to actually think before I act on all things.
Next, I want to ask how we can become doers of the word. First, we need to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ. I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior. How can we all do this; is by confessing our sins to Jesus Christ. I know that I am only a Work in Progress.
What is a Work in Progress? A work in progress is an unfinished project that is still being added to or developed. “The book itself is still a work in progress” (in accounting) the total value of the materials and labor for unfinished projects. “The board had estimated the value of its work in progress”. What does it mean to be a work in progress?
Work in Progress. Being a work in progress is a wonderful thing. It means you are never “finished” which means that you always have the chance to improve yourself and become something and someone better than who you are already.
Further, I want to inform all of you that my life has changed for the better because it enables me to imitate Jesus Christ. I also have to read His Word and share the Gospel of Peace with everyone. I also help others as well. I have always helped others by sharing with them the things that Jesus Christ has done for me.
I also give things away that I do not need. I humble myself each day of the week by being honest as a person. I demonstrate how to become a doer of the word by my actions. I feel at this time that listening to worship music and church sermons have enabled me to be a doer of the word. I know that it is a whole lot more to it than that in order to become a doer of the word.
Moreover, a doer of the word is a person who lives according to the Word of God. I have come so far in my life by improving my relationships with other people. I know that my life has changed because I wanted to make some positive changes in my life. God likes it when we can keep a very good attitude about life, our relationship with Jesus Christ, and connecting with others in a positive manner.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” –James 1:21-25
1. Prepare your heart and be open.
It’s so easy to get into the daily Bible grind and never, once, truly pounce on what we’re learning or reading: get up, pour a cappuccino (or three), personal devotional of fifteen minutes, write down some thoughts, put Bible on shelf, carry on with the morning . . . is this really what we limit ourselves and God to? Are we missing out on multiple opportunities because we haven’t prepared our hearts to be open and receptive? Shy away from a daily spiritual grind, seek God for opportunities to become a doer and invest in the lives of those around you.
2. Be willing and available.
Part of extending your hands in compassion and love is actually having a willing heart. Unfortunately, having a heart willing for love and sharing the Gospel isn’t just an “on/off” switch. It has to be transformed and cultivated by the same Gospel. If you are serious about becoming a doer and an action man/woman, pray for a willing heart.
We all know that person, or perhaps we are that person, who has great intentions of ministering to others, but is far too busy with a complex schedule to be available. There could be any number of reasons for a lack of availability, but I think we’re all thankful that Jesus didn’t turn away the paralyzed or the ill because of a conflicting schedule or a lack of availability.
Such an attitude might have caused trauma to His ministry—so if you’re serious about Christ and your serious about acting upon your faith—make yourself available. Reach out and mean it—don’t just say it. If you offer to meet a struggling peer for coffee to talk, do it. If you see someone in need, address the problem or find the right person to address the problem (i.e. pastor, carpenter, doctor).
3. Prepare to be uncomfortable.
Just know that being a doer can be difficult, confusing, unpleasant, and uncomfortable. It can mean getting messy, seeing the side of people that is unpleasant, experiencing sadness, seeing the dirt and the sins of humanity, and become all too aware of our personal shortcomings. I’ll never forget the first time I went to Haiti on a missions trip, I was never more aware of my ever growing list of shortcomings. Often, while doing Kingdom work our capacity of comfort, faith, and humility are tested—it’s like a game of Survivor with an eternal focus. We have to become prepared to be uncomfortable in some shape or form, but not allow it to deter us from carrying on in faith. However, there are great joys and luminous revelations while being a doer, but we must be prepared to hold out for those moments while in the midst of being uncomfortable.
4. Don’t wait.
Being doers can mean traveling across the globe to extend compassion and the love of Jesus or it can mean traveling to your backyard to the neighbor who is battling cancer. It’s not about the distance, it’s about the Message. Location isn’t relative, the issue at hand is that we are demonstrating compassion and spreading the Gospel. We’re called to share Christ’s love and we’re called to glorify Him (Matthew 28:19). We’re called to care. We’re called to protect, defend, and care for the defenseless, the poor, and the abandoned. It doesn’t matter where.
Demonstrating love and compassion can be done right now—the opportunities are limitless. We live in a world of darkness, just take a look around and be stunned by the abundant opportunities that await you.
Being a doer starts in the home. It starts in the work place. It starts in the Church. It starts with relationships. It starts with the grumpy neighbor, disgruntled cashier, or the unpleasant individual who just stole my parking spot (while I had my blinker on, I might add!). It starts here. Compassion starts now. If we think that we have to travel overseas to extend compassion or love, I’m afraid that we’re missing out multiple opportunities that are staring us right smack in the face.
People are people. We all need the same thing, we all need Jesus desperately. You can make a difference here, and you can make a difference there. It’s not really relative to where you are geographically, God’s love and compassion needs to be spread just as much in Baltimore City as it does in India. His love needs to be spread in a nursing home just as much as it does in an orphanage. Don’t wait for an opportunity, just because you don’t think it’s the opportunity you would choose. Don’t become discouraged when you feel like your impact isn’t as great as you would hope—it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Don’t waste an opportunity to become a doer out of pride—take a leap of faith.
5. Listen and love.
Be a hearer and a doer. It’s far easier said than done, but it’s a goal worth aiming for. Many of the people I know have come to Christ from visually seeing the works of Christians in action. We can talk all day long using Christianese and spiritual terms, but until there is evidence in our lives that we mean what we say, we might find we have trouble connecting with others in an effective manner. Become amazed at how God can work in your life when you give Him a heart ready for action.
For around a hundred years, “form criticism” has provided the dominant approach to interpreting the psalms.
In this approach, the first step is to identify the “form” (German: Gattung) of a psalm. The belief here is that a crucial step — indeed, an essential step — in the task in interpreting a piece of literature is the task of understanding its form, its shape, its genre. The “form” provides the literary context for making sense of the words. The “form” of the piece of literature then helps you understand what the smaller phrases and words mean in context.
This makes perfect sense. And most of us do this many times every day. Some examples.
When you read a recipe for sugar cookies, you automatically register the literary form as “recipe” and you treat it as such. When the recipe says “a pinch of salt” you know that it is literal and prescriptive: it tells you what to do. You are to reach into the salt cellar, pinch your thumb and finger around some sea salt (you only use sea salt, because you have class), and throw it into the mixing bowl.
When you read an obituary, you register it as such and contextualize the words and dates as about a deceased person. If the obituary describes a man as having had “a pinch of salt,” you know that this word is metaphorical and descriptive: it tells you who the man was. He had an edge to his personality.
Literary genres are important. They are patterns of language. They signal intention and they create literary expectations. And most of the time — as long as the reader has a sufficient degree of cultural literacy — literary genres make the task of human communication easier.
The trouble, however, is that sometimes genres don’t work as well as others. Sometimes, the urge to categorize, apply labels, arrange things in drawers, line them up neatly, just doesn’t work that well.
Consider Psalm 32.
If you know a bit about the forms of the psalms, you probably are familiar with the following psalm genres:
Prayers for Help (also called Lament psalms)
Praise Psalms *(also called Hymns)
Thanksgiving Psalms
Trust Psalms
Royal Psalms
Wisdom Psalms
Creation Psalms
Historical Psalms
If you know a lot about psalms, you might be even know about:
Imprecatory Psalms
Psalms of Innocence
Penitential Psalms
Torah Psalms
Enthronement Psalms
Dirges
Songs of Zion
Acrostic Psalms
Festival Psalms
And the ever-dreaded “Mixed-Type Psalm” (sort of the adolescent, middle child of the Psalter)
But if you read Psalm 32, you are going to get mixed signals.
Is this a wisdom psalm? Verses 1-2, 8-10 sound a lot like wisdom:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
Is this a prayer for help? Verse 5b sounds like it:
“I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them
But other verses sound like a song of thanksgiving. See verses 3-5a:
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
But verse 7 sounds like a Psalm of Trust:
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
And verse 11 sounds like a Praise Psalm:
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
And as if that isn’t enough, the Western Church has defined Psalm 32 as one of several penitential psalms because of the psalm’s emphasis on confessing one’s transgressions to the Lord and on the forgiveness of the Lord.
Good grief! Is this a thanksgiving psalm, a lament/prayer for help, a trust psalm, a penitential psalm, a wisdom psalm, or a praise psalm?
The great German father of form criticism, Hermann Gunkel, labeled Psalm 32 an individual psalm of thanksgiving with wisdom elements — but not as a penitential psalm.1 Beth Tanner describes the psalm more accurately as a “celebration of forgiveness.”2 Tanner’s title, while not one of the formal categories, is to be preferred.
Psalm 32 is a poem. It celebrates the joy of one who has personally experienced the forgiveness of God. The ancient poet who reached for language to give voice to this joy found it necessary — or, at least, suitable — to borrow language from many different categories of Israelite theology: wisdom, prayer, thanksgiving, praise, penitential thought, and trust. For this reason, the psalm moves a bit awkwardly from phrase to phrase:
sometimes addressing God (“your hand was heavy upon me,” “let all who are faithful offer prayer to you,” etc.)
sometimes addressing what seems to be a distant, literary audience (“happy are those to whose transgression is forgiven”)
at one point remembering words that were addressed to the self (“I said [to myself], ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’”)
later speaking words of advice (“do not be like horse or mule, without understanding”)
and at the finale speaking a call to praise as if to a community that has gathered for worship (“be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous!).
As such, the poem may seem slightly awkward, perhaps even, dare one say, derivative — its lines seemingly cobbled together from the leftover phrases of other poems.
But this is not a poetic weakness, but an artistic strength. Psalm 32 is like that impromptu feast that a grandma serves when a beloved grandchild shows up unannounced. She rifles through the fridge, the cupboards, and the breadbox and pulls together a feast of favorite morsels. Or, as Beth Tanner has it, a celebration of forgiveness.
The theology of forgiveness — especially the Christian, Pauline doctrine of forgiveness — is certainly well known to Working Preacher audiences. There is no need to go into it at length here. But two quick words are worth saying.
First, there is grace and forgiveness in the Old Testament. Some Christians may have been raised on the false diet from the mistaken Old-Testament-equals-law-and-judgment while the New-Testament-equals-grace-and-forgiveness theological table. So it may be good to signal that the theological underpinning of the biblical doctrine of forgiveness is the character of God. And as the Old Testament repeatedly says, the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.
Second, there is a role for the community here. The forgiven sinner culminates this poem by calling the community to rejoice. Rejoice! For one a sinner has found forgiveness!
That is a very counter-cultural notion. Our culture doesn’t celebrate forgiveness. We revel in Schadenfreude — enjoying the punishment of others. When some is forgiven or gets away with something, we grind our teeth.
The psalm reminds us that we have a role to play when someone is forgiven. We are to rejoice! To take joy in the new life of the pardoned! In such a way we welcome back one who had been lost to us.
The Christian community is to be a foretaste of heaven. And remember that Jesus said there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 who never went astray (see Luke 15). So that’s our communal job when someone is forgiven. Rejoice! Happy is the one — and the community of that one — whose transgression is forgiven.
Notes:
1 Herman Gunkel, Einleitung in die Psalmen, pp. 135 and 21.
2 From Beth Tanner’s introduction to Psalm 32 in an unpublished manuscript of a psalms commentary to be published in 2014 (NICOT; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).
I can reduce clutter at home by throwing away things that I do not need. I can go inside of my closet and get rid of clothes that I am not wearing anymore. I can throw away old mail that is taking up space inside of my apartment. I will take my old paperwork and shread it professionally. I will thoroughly clean up my windows and tables. Like they say that The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
Psalm 27 Meaning is very important to me and everyone else. The Lord is My Light and My Salvation whom shall I fear. The Lord is The strength of my life to whom shall I be afraid. Whenever I think of Psalm 27, I get the impression that God is talking directly to me. I am a person who is 58 years old now. I have been feeling guilty of myself as of late. I want to be honest by saying that God is saying to me that I will protect you and show you my Salvation. My salvation is my personal life that I am spending with The Lord God. God protects us from evil. God is already pleased with me. Lord God, do You still love me? Whenever my enemies approach me to confront me, it is You Lord God who is fighting all of my battles for me. A faith sharing experience is an opportunity for me to release all of my negative emotions and feelings. Lord God, I am very sorry for committing all of my sins, iniquities, and transgressions. It is Your Voice that I hear each day of the week. I used to hear voices that are not benevolent. I hear Your Voice through Your Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. I also hear Your Voice while I am sleeping in my bed.
Further, I know that You are with me all of the time. Lord Jesus, I love you very much. The sheep are called by their name. The sheep hears His Voice throughout their Journey. Please hear me Lord Jesus because I am needy and poor. I am also Fatherless. Lord Jesus, please have Mercy on me. I am only a sinner who is in need of Your Grace and Mercy right now. The Lord God is Good and His Mercy Endures Forever. Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd of my life. Lord Jesus I need You in my life right now. Lord God and Jesus Christ, Both of You are in Charge of my life right now. I cannot do anything without You.
Moreover, I will sing praises to You. I will meditate on Your Words day and night. Wait on The Lord God and Jesus Christ the Son of God. Be of Good Cheer. He shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord God. Inside of Your Pavilion, You shall hide me and protect me from all harm and danger. Please alleviate all of my current sicknesses. The Lord God is Saying to me Fear Not For I am with you. I am holding you by your right hand. The Joy of The Lord Shall Be Your Strength. It is Israel Holy One. The Lord God wants me to hang in there by Holding His Hands For Guidance.
Finally, I want to inform you Lord Jesus that I Love You very much. You are The Captain of my ship. Lord Jesus Christ I need Your Help with All of My Affairs right now. Lord Jesus, Please keep me inside of Your Hands. I really need Your Help with All of my financial services and situations that occurs in my life right now. Lord Jesus Christ, Please Keep me from All Harm and Danger and Cure All of My Sicknesses that I am hampered with Right Now. Lord Jesus, I have a Stumbling Block that is inside of my Path. Lord Jesus and God The Father, Please Keep me from getting hit with the fiery darts from Satan Himself. Please shield me from all forms of wickedness. I truly appreciate Your Breath of Life right now. I want You to Please Hold Me. I am Missing My Father’s Love. It is You who are fighting all of my battles from all of my enemies and adversaries. Please pray for anyone Lord Jesus whose Life is in Despair. I Trust You Lord Jesus. I really appreciate Your Creation. It is Time for Me To Come Home to Be A Part of Your Kingdom. In Jesus Name I Pray Amen and Amen!!
Psalm 56:8 says: You number my wanderings put my tears inside of your bottle, are they not inside of Your Book? My wanderings are within your eyesight. You also count my years. I know that I am not perfect, but I am a person who is honest and truthful. My life is unmanageable. No matter if I am a success or not; You are the only one who determines how long I am going to live on Planet Earth. My life belongs to you. I will admit that I have cried for a long time. I guess I have been crying since childhood.
Next, I know that I am going on a tangent right now. Lord God, it is You that make me happy all of the time. For I shall not eat the labor of Your Hands. Lord God, I cannot take advantage of You. It shall be well with You. I have a distinct understanding of You. I really feel that my life right now is slowing down. This is a Commentary that I am expressing myself to You. My tears are precisely inside of Your Bottle. My tears, feelings, and emotions are inside of Your Book.
Finally, I want to inform You Lord God, that I belong to You. O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man, who walks to direct his own steps. My steps are ordered By The Lord. I remain faithful because You are faithful. Lord Jesus, I thank You For being my Friend and My Personal Saviour. Thank You For Being My God and You are My Everything.
◄ What Does Psalm 56:8 Mean? ► You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle Are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8(NASB)
Verse of the Day The Scriptures are filled with lovely examples of the tender compassion that God extends to the people of Israel and to those that are part of the Body of Christ corporately. But He also displays His gentleness and sensitivity towards individuals as well. People who may have thought themselves insignificant to God. People like Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Jairus, the leader of the synagogue; the widow of Nain whose son was raised from the dead; sweet Mary of Bethany who was wrongly accused of gross extravagance by the disciples; people like you and me.
But is there a more beautiful illustration of the Lord’s great tenderness and His gracious mercies towards each of His children, to you and to me, than is seen in the intimacy that is glimpsed in this lovely Psalm? For we read that the Lord takes account of all our sadness and all our pain, all our weariness and all our wanderings, all the salty teardrops that flow from our eyes and all the silent groans that rend the inner parts of our secret being. Indeed, we read in this precious verse that He has collected every single teardrop that has wet our lashes and recorded every single silent groan of our hurting heart, and He has placed each single tear in His bottle of remembrance and recorded each hurt in His book, because of His great love for each of His own.
Remember, He has scheduled every day of our lives and knows the tears that will result from the afflictions of His people. Our times are in His hands and we have a God Who knows and loves and cares for everything that causes His children pain. And even in these times of deep sadness and distress, we can, like our Saviour, gain a closer intimacy with our Father through the things that we suffer in obedience to His will.
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And the wonderful thing is that through it, we will gain a closeness to His heart of love and a depth of understanding of our God that we never imagined possible (as did Job), for God has promised that the day is coming when sorrow will be turned into joy and tears will be turned into laughter. A day when He Himself will wipe away every wet tear from our eyes.
My Prayer Father God, thank You for Your compassionate mercy toward me. Thank You that You care so deeply about everything that causes me pain, that You have put my tears in a bottle. Thank You that You know so intimately about everything that causes my tears and that in You, I can find my true source of comfort. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
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