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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 26 November 2023:
Note: Here is a short video overview of the book of Micah: https://youtu.be/MFEUEcylwLc
Micah 1:2 – Pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
God is calling out to the whole world, to anyone who will pay attention.
Micah 1:8 – For this I will lament and wail.
Neither God nor God’s people want to see anyone condemned. However, God gives everyone freedom to choose.
Psalm 137:9 – Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!
The above verse is shockingly, brutally harsh, not something you would think should be uttered in prayer to God. You might be shocked to hear someone in a small prayer huddle utter such a thing. However, God wants you to share your bitterness and resentment of others with Him and turn it over to Him. Remember, God know what is happening to you and remains in complete control. In fact, If you are God’s child, it is not happing “to” you, it is happening “for” you, to conform you to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Vengeance belongs to Him and not you. Be honest with God in your prayers, for your sake, not His. Praying to God is not like speaking to another person. You can’t hide what is really on your heart – He knows your heart far better than you do. When you are honest with God in prayer, it might be the only time you are truly honest with yourself. This confession is good for your soul. Remember, in prayer, you are in the presences of the Omniscient, Almighty, Holy God. Present to Him the full sacrifice of self in prayer. Only pride causes you to pray vanities and platitudes. It takes total humility to freely expose the whole ugly you to Him, and it takes confidence in His love, mercy and grace.
Psalm 137:1-6 – By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion….
There are two pains: the small daily pains of disciplined obedience or the crushing pain of regret while reflecting upon what you have lost to sin. Choose the path of the disciple who is willing to live the disciplined life for the Glory of God and to experience the fullness of joy. The life of obedience is the light load Jesus talked about, avoiding the heavy weight of carrying the unnecessary burdens of sin.
Psalm 138:1 – I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart.
Half-hearted worship is unworthy worship. Give thanks to the Lord will you whole heart.
Psalm 138:6 – For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
God being Spirit is not subject to distance in the physical sense. Nearness or farness from God relates to fellowship, love, and obedience. The prideful, disobedient, and unrepentant are far from God spiritually.
Psalm 138:8 – The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
No matter what you are going through, you can have complete confidence in the fact that God will fulfill His purpose for your life. Trust and obey Him through all things.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 26 November 2023: Today trust and obey. Trust God in your circumstances and trust Him with the outcomes. Don’t cause unnecessary problems in your life through disobedience but rather experience the blessings which only come through obedience. Be patient and wait upon the Lord through hard times. Remember Romans 8:28-29.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 