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Posted on 09/30/2020 9:26:22 PM PDT by JustAmy
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Bible in a Year:
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
For some months now I’ve been corresponding with a young man who’s thinking deeply about faith. On one occasion he wrote, “We’re no more than teeny, tiny, infinitesimal blips on the timeline of history. Do we matter?”
Moses, Israel’s prophet, would agree: “Our days . . . quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). The brevity of life can worry us and cause us to wonder if we matter.
We do. We matter because we’re deeply, eternally loved by the God who made us. In this poem, Moses prays, “Satisfy us . . . with your unfailing love” (v. 14). We matter because we matter to God.
We also matter because we can show God’s love to others. Though our lives are short, they’re not meaningless if we leave a legacy of God’s love. We’re not here on earth to make money and retire in style, but to “show God” to others by showing them His love.
And finally, though life here on earth is transient, we’re creatures of eternity. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we’ll live forever. That’s what Moses meant when he assured us that God will “satisfy us in the morning with [His] unfailing love.” On that “morning” we’ll rise to live and love and be loved forever. And if that doesn’t create meaning, I don’t know what does.
When have you struggled with wondering if your life counts? How does Psalm 90 help?
I’m grateful, loving God, that I matter to You. Help me to share You with others.
We have some lovely little pink ones that have waited in vain for it to actually rain before they would bloom. We’ve missed them and we’ve missed the rain!
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Bible in a Year:
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
In one of Dr. Seuss’ whimsical stories, he tells of a “North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax” crossing the Prairie of Prax. Upon meeting nose to nose, neither Zax will step aside. The first Zax angrily vows to stay put—even if it makes “the whole world stand still.” (Unfazed, the world moves on and builds a highway around them.)
The tale offers an uncomfortably accurate picture of human nature. We possess a reflexive “need” to be right, and we’re prone to stubbornly cling to that instinct in rather destructive ways!
Happily for us, God lovingly chooses to soften stubborn human hearts. The apostle Paul knew this, so when two members of the Philippian church were squabbling, he loved them enough to call them out (Philippians 4:2). Then, having earlier instructed the believers to have “the same mindset” of self-giving love as Christ (2:5–8), Paul asked them to “help these women,” valued coworkers with him in sharing the gospel (4:3). It seems peacemaking and wise compromise call for team effort.
Of course there are times to take a firm stand, but a Christlike approach will look a lot different than an unyielding Zax! So many things in life aren’t worth fighting over. We can bicker with each other over every trivial concern until we destroy ourselves (Galatians 5:15). Or we can swallow our pride, graciously receive wise counsel, and seek unity with our brothers and sisters.
What are the things you’re fighting over right now? How could wise friends help you resolve your situation?
Soften my hardened, stubborn heart, loving God, so I can truly live in unity. And help me to be open to wise counsel.
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It is! That is from where I stayed when I visited MS.BEHAVIN in Maine. Lots of good memories from that trip!
My mom and I stayed by a lake in Minoqua,WI 2 years ago. I love to be by a lake. Only to be surpassed by being near mountains. Mountains + Water = Heaven !
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It sounds perfect!
Except during mosquito season. LOL
Awww...that video is no longer available. Darn!
Lovely memories, Sissy!
*HUG*
I miss you all so much!
We miss you, too, Sis! ((((hugs)))) I hope you and Mr. B are doing well!
Bible in a Year:
The one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Tough words hurt. So my friend—an award-winning author—struggled with how to respond to the criticism he received. His new book had earned five-star reviews plus a major award. Then a respected magazine reviewer gave him a backhanded compliment, describing his book as well-written yet still criticizing it harshly. Turning to friends, he asked, “How should I reply?”
One friend advised, “Let it go.” I shared advice from writing magazines, including tips to ignore such criticism or learn from it even while continuing to work and write.
Finally, however, I decided to see what Scripture—which has the best advice of all—has to say about how to react to strong criticism. The book of James advises, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1:19). The apostle Paul counsels us to “live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16).
An entire chapter of Proverbs, however, offers extended wisdom on reacting to disputes. “A gentle answer turns away wrath,” says Proverbs 15:1. “The one who is patient calms a quarrel” (v. 18). Also, “The one who heeds correction gains understanding” (v. 32). Considering such wisdom, may God help us hold our tongues, as my friend did. More than all, however, wisdom instructs us to “fear the Lord” because “humility comes before honor” (v. 33).
What’s your typical reaction when you’re criticized? In a dispute, what’s a humble way you can guard your tongue?
Dear God, when criticism strikes or a dispute hurts, guard my tongue in humble honor of You.
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