Sonshine!

A battle cry turned hymn of praise, this song has been used through the ages to inspire and encourage people of God in their quest for righteous endeavors. It was a favorite of Oliver Cromwell, and used by the Crusaders, and the Huguenots. Its original purpose may have been to lead the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.

God is faithful to His unbreakable promise. The plans and purposes God set in motion were designed to keep mankind from death by bringing a Savior/Redeemer from the tribe of Judah. Man is repeatedly rebellious and disobedient, but as consequences pile up, man sees God’s past love and provision and returns. God never says, “No, you have gone too far this time.” In response, He reveals Himself most beautifully as a provider and peace giver.

The warmth of human contact changes things. Man may have evolved in some unique ways, but we still need one another. We need to feel, see, hear and smell others so we know we are not alone in the battles of this life. Our God, the consummate comforter, sets the lonely in human families so that we will know His love and in turn, find strength to love others, and victoriously journey to the Throne of Heaven.

Merry Christmas,

Gretchen

Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (Psalms 124, 139)

Both of these Psalms are prayers of Thanksgiving. The first is a corporate prayer, one of the Psalms of Ascent, that people who were gathering for, or in the act or worship, sang together. Psalm 139 is a very personal and intimate Psalm acknowledging who God is. It is a thanksgiving for His all-knowing and ever present place in life.

The greatest comfort in all the world is to know that nothing surprises God!  He knows every breath, word, deed and thought and nothing catches Him off guard. I cannot unsettle Him and neither can you. No matter the ruckus, God’s got the answer.

Psalm 139 begins with a deep search of heart and mind and ends with a continuous invitation to light the dark, clean the soiled and fill the empty. My soul, just like my home, needs to be dusted out and straightened every once in a while. It doesn’t condemn my house, just makes it inhabitable for eternity.

Have a Great Day!

Gretchen

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free. Psalm 118:5 (Psalm 118 is a must read!)

Psalms 113-118 are called the Praise (Hallel) Hymns. They were used by families during the celebration of Passover. Some were sung at the beginning of the remembrance of God’s rescue, this Psalm was sung at the end as the meal was concluding. It is very probable Jesus and His disciples sang this song on the eve of the Crucifixion. (Matthew 26:30)

This Psalm speaks of God’s constant faithfulness to man’s need and a future hope, totally unknown to any human, but a day of great anticipation for the God who loves us best and sent His Son to redeem all who will believe. It was Jesus’ strength on His walk to Gethsemane. It can certainly be our foundation for determined obedience and perseverance.

God hears your cries and He WILL set you free. Man’s rejection is NOT God’s, not even slightly! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is Good, His love endures forever! (verse 29) When you sing these words, you have echoed the voice of the Prince of Peace and Blessed Savior, and His closest friends! Awesome!

Rejoice and Sing,

Gretchen

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1-2 (Psalms 93-101)

From shepherd boy to homeless king, David dwelled in the great outdoors. Under the great dome of Heaven David came to learn and depend on God’s sovereignty, goodness and the coming Messiah. From the loudest crash of thunder to the gentlest showers came a sense of majesty bringing peace, knowledge and confidence that all was not in vain. God is good, the wonders and glories of His creation reveal His love. He is worthy of our songs of faith and praise.

Have a great weekend,

Gretchen

I said to the LORD, “You are my LORD, apart from you I have no good thing.”  Psalm 16:2 (Psalms 7, 16, 4 and 58)

When I opened my Bible to this Psalm I found “This is my heart!” written in the margin with my own pen and I remembered why.  There was a time I lost all hope.  I reasoned that if there was no God, then neither was there an eternity, Heaven or hell. I had given up, but one last time I cried out and said, “God if You’re there, please show me!” He did. I know without doubt there is a God, an eternity and without Him I have no good thing.

Full and complete faith is not something you achieve, it is something you maintain. David rested his every breath in something much bigger than himself. Verse 10 is a mention of resurrection, a very primitive theology in David’s time, but he wrote it and lived it. These words are found again in Acts 2:27 as a prophecy from David, spoken to those who witnessed Pentecost, as testimony that Jesus is the Messiah.

Take a moment today and ask God to make Himself known. He will, because He is all that is good.

Have a Wonderful Day!

Gretchen

I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.  Psalm 108:3 (Psalm 16, 35, 57, 63,108)

These Psalms are from David’s fugitive years and read as battle cries, but David is moving nearer to his throne and becoming more mature and aware of God’s providence and plan.

God created Israel for the purpose of bringing a Redeemer and Savior into the world. This Holy nation was like no other. They served One God and that singular deity’s love and protection was sufficient for all they would ever need. David began to plan for his government. He would lead the people in worship and praise, making all other nations know they were the children of the One True God and the strongest nation on earth, unique in its laws and power.

A nation is not solely defined by geography, but considers heritage, culture, language, economics……..…..and kinship. Let no man doubt who your God is and why you find Him worthy of obedience, faith and praise. Where you lead, lead with praise, so that all will know!

I hope to hear you from my house!

Gretchen

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Psalm 140:12 (Psalm 13, 17, 31, 54, 140)

David, though anointed king, knew absolute, abject poverty. Thanks to the reigning and jealous king Saul, David experienced food insecurity, homelessness and lived in a marginalized state for quite some time. I am sure David cried out over the injustice more than once. But with each obstacle and obstruction he drew closer to God rather than forlorn and hopeless.

In Psalm 31:7 David says, “I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.”  Never questioning God’s providence or plan, David clung to the things he knew; God is good and just.

Justice means establishing a state of correct status and treatment. God does hear the cries of the hungry, cold, weary and forsaken.  If you think that David’s word are irrelevant and do not speak to your need and God’s ears, understand Jesus spoke the words of Psalm 31 from the cross. Psalm 31:5a Into your hands I commit my spirit. God is where your tears have fallen and He is not ignoring you. Be glad and rejoice. No matter your mess, help is on the way.

Love,

Gretchen

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:4 (Psalm 34, 141, 142)

On the run from Solomon, David escaped to Nob where a priest fed him and gave him Goliath’s spear. David then continued to Gath where he was recognized by the locals. To disguise himself David pretended to be a madman. There was nowhere David could find peace and rest except the heart of God. Every difficulty took him directly to God in petition and prayer and every deliverance drove him to praise and gratitude. In Psalm 34:8 David says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”  David found his emotional and physical rest and strength in the goodness and righteousness of God.

The 141st Psalm dwells on vengeance and evil, which conflicts with the love and perfect justice of a Sovereign Lord. David dwells a great deal on the prospect of a terrible end for his enemies. However, the Law of Israel put boundaries on retribution, an eye for an eye, no more, no less and David’s message is pointedly focused on a righteousness and evil that cannot dwell together, so evil must be dealt with. David is not asking for retaliation, which is man’s response to an offense, he is walking firmly in the knowledge that the threat to good will be done away with.

David recognized the lure of satisfaction in taking the law into his own hands, and as king, he had the right, but he understood to act was to sin. Jesus’ prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” was prayed by David 1,000 years earlier because God can lead us away from all harm/sin and onto the path of righteousness.

Love,

Gretchen

Monday, December 16, 2024 I will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints. Psalm 52:9 (Psalm 35, 52, 64)

There are two ways to assault someone, physically and verbally. The first requires at least two people to be within arms length or shooting distance. Wounds and scars can be seen, validated and healed. Verbal attack can be done from any place on earth, with unseen wounds and a character so maligned it might never fully recover. David was victimized by both.

All three of these Psalms speak of man’s words, sharpened and used like a weapon, meant to inflict injury. Even in times of peace, the words of those with hidden agendas continued to stir discontent and trouble for David’s throne. David remained confident in truth.

There is no pain like betrayal. Thinking you had a friend and defender, only to find they were the enemy, leaves the heart broken. Because God is the very definition of Truth, there is safety from lies and snares evil people spread. Punishment will come in full measure, to those who manipulate their earthly existence for personal gain. So, do as David did, rest well in the company of an all knowing Sovereign God who will take care of the cheats and liars.

Love,

Gretchen

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:4 (Psalm 34, 141, 142)

On the run from Solomon, David escaped to Nob where a priest fed him and gave him Goliath’s spear. David then continued to Gath where he was recognized by the locals. To disguise himself David pretended to be a madman. There was nowhere David could find peace and rest except the heart of God. Every difficulty took him directly to God in petition and prayer and every deliverance drove him to praise and gratitude. In Psalm 34:8 David says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”  David found his emotional and physical rest and strength in the goodness and righteousness of God.

The 141st Psalm dwells on vengeance and evil, which conflicts with the love and perfect justice of a Sovereign Lord. David dwells a great deal on the prospect of a terrible end for his enemies. However, the Law of Israel put boundaries on retribution, an eye for an eye, no more, no less and David’s message is pointedly focused on a righteousness and evil that cannot dwell together, so evil must be dealt with. David is not asking for retaliation, which is man’s response to an offense, he is walking firmly in the knowledge that the threat to good will be done away with.

David recognized the lure of satisfaction in taking the law into his own hands, and as king, he had the right, but he understood to act was to sin. Jesus’ prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” was prayed by David 1,000 years earlier because God can lead us away from all harm/sin and onto the path of righteousness.

Love,

Gretchen

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked. Psalm 7:9 (Psalms 7, 25, 26)

God knows your heart. When the world is writing an incorrect narrative of your actions, motives and desires, God is not! He is truth and knows the authenticity of you! David took tremendous comfort in this given and let it lead him back to the heart of God, over and over again. The wicked will fall to the trouble they created, but those who seek God will prevail.

David was not a saint.  He was guilty of serious crimes and left a tsunami of tragedy in the wake. Not oblivious to the action/reaction he was responsible for, David was known to have his seasons of depression, but he knew grace! He asked to be forgiven and rescued from the destruction of his iniquities for himself, his family and his nation. God answered with love.

Psalm 26, contrasting the lament for sins in Psalm 25, is a celebration of forgiveness. We are made clean by the Holiness of God and His son’s sacrifice. This foundation is solid, invincible ground. Find me standing on the Promises of truth, inside and out……with David, and every other sinner saved by grace.

Love,

Gretchen