Reading: Psalm 49-51

QUESTIONS
  • Psalm 49: How often do you pray for wisdom? Remember that God answers our prayers and gives good things to those that love Him! Ask God to grant you and your family solid, biblical wisdom from Him in all things.
  • Psalm 50: How is your heart when it comes to duty? Do you do what you are supposed to do to check it off a list? Because you truly love the Lord and desire to do His will? Or do you do your duties for other reasons? Search your heart today and talk to the Lord about it!
  • Psalm 51: Ask God to show you your sin, especially if you have trouble seeing your own sin. Then, take the time to confess it before the Lord, asking for His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
DEVOTION

Turning 70 in December along with many other events that have happened over the last couple of years in particular, have made me acutely aware that my time is limited on this earth.  One such event was the death of Ruth Ponsonby, a great friend to so many of us. During some of these times I struggled with anxiety or fear.  Psalm 49 along with other scriptures make it clear that we will all face death unless Christ returns first.  We are all on a level playing field with respect to death, it will happen to all of us.

During these times of struggling with anxiety or fear, God has been so merciful to me when I go to Him with my struggles and I am totally aware that His mercy is undeserved.  In Psalm 50:14-15 it says “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,  and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”  How many times does our deep thankfulness to God come after He has delivered us from times of trouble, not before.  Yet God is worthy of gratitude at all times no matter what is happening and I have to admit that is not always my reaction.

The Holy Spirit overwhelms me during these times of trouble by the amazement that the God who created and rules the universe would show us this kind of mercy and love, especially in the act of sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and pay the penalty for our sins.  In 1 John 3:1 scripture reminds us “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God…” to which our response could only be total gratitude.

May we always remember the great things God has done and be grateful and praise Him for who He is no matter what is happening to us.  May we also remember to ask God to create a clean heart in us and renew a right spirit in us.

– Nancy Van Sickel