Jesus, O’my God, etc.;praise or blasphemy?
Father, the enemy does blaspheme Your Holy name. Help us never speak Your name and the name of Jesus except reverently. Your hand is not shortened that it can not both heal and destroy. We seek the healing of our hearts and minds this day that we might say, do and think that which is acceptable in Your sight.
The omnipotence of God…a fearful reality.
Help us this day, to transition from temporal, here and now fear, to a sense of security that no matter what happens, we are Your children, promised an eternity of safety, security and goodness with You.
A simple yardstick…what would Jesus do?
Where change is needed, shed Your light upon our lives and help us see what you would have us do. The words, “What would Jesus do?” give us an effective way to evaluate our choices. Help; us ask that question often. We pray that You will give us the resolve to more effectively seek You and serve you, this day.
Vanity…the pursuit of what is not for what may yet be.
Father, Solomon sees the oppressors and the tears of the oppressed, but sees no comforter. Had Solomon been a prophet, as well as the wisest man that ever lived, he would have capitalized Comforter and assured us that You, Jesus, were coming. The Scriptures refer to You, Jesus, in many ways, including Comforter, Counselor, Savior, Redeemer and Son [...]
Does it take courage to cry out to God?
Father, we see that the Psalmist cries out to You, with his whole heart. When God, have we felt such anguish, such concern? Jesus Himself talks about the times he “rose up early” to talk to You, to cry out for the needs of Your people. Here the Psalmist does the same and is sometimes awake through the entire night, meditating on Your word.
An innocent child…the perfect example of faith.
When we observe the purity and innocence of a child, You tell us that these children and their innocence are a representation of persons who will inhabit Your kingdom. How, Jesus, can we ever achieve that kind of innocence? The answer comes from You. “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
Are wisdom and prudence the greatest gifts?
Jesus, being wise and prudent would seem to be a very good thing. How is it that here You say that Your teachings are hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed to babes? We know the answer from Your word. Prudence and wisdom, of which Solomon had abundance, did not necessarily always lead to a closer walk with You.
Depraved, disappointed, disconnected; that is not God’s will.
When we yield our hearts to You, the abundant life is guaranteed to follow. We know, Jesus, that abundance here does not mean material things, although You bless us in so many ways. The abundance You provide is both eternal and right now. Your presence is our comfort, our assurance of Your love.
Fidelity an option?
Father, it is clear that fidelity to You, the Holy Spirit in us, is of utmost importance. We were bought at a great price and if we say we love You, and in fact do love You, at least for a while, and then decide to kick You out of our lives, then we have committed the unpardonable sin which You defined in Hebrews 6:4-6.