How do I behave before a schemer who always seems to defeat me? When I focus on my adversary, wickedness surges up as I plan strategies to fight back. Can I surrender this person to God, lifting my eyes to Him who is my help and my salvation? If my aim is not ‘to gain … Continue reading Out manoeuvred?
‘God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight. Once we are standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.’ (Psalm 11 Message). The result the Lord is looking for as He works with us is that we would be able to relate with Him face to … Continue reading Look Him in the eye
People gain a sense of peace after they have experience of deciding to live by God’s word rather than succumb to pressure. ‘Great peace have those who love your law, nothing can make them stumble.’ (Psalm 119:165) They have learned that God is greater than any oppression, so they are not easily driven by it. … Continue reading Hope developed
The fact of God’s sovereignty does not require a resigned acceptance of difficulties as being the will of God. Moses begins Psalm 90 saying he is at home with the eternal God who, knowing his secret faults, brings all he does to nothing. Seems fair; who am I before the Holy and Sovereign God? Moses … Continue reading Partnering with the Sovereign God
The great drive of our day is outward and active in order to possess people. It is hard for the driven to stop and wait in order to be possessed by God. The national day of prayer at Wembley stadium was illustrative. The stadium was half full. Is this how God’s people value time with … Continue reading Rejecting the capstone?
I thank my Father that He cares enough to work with me for my wellbeing and character. I seem to swing between Psalm 105, learning to rely on Him to look after my wellbeing, and Psalm 106, seeing Him develop me when bad character is exposed. We are so trained to predict problems and prepare … Continue reading Count on a caring God
When I choose to ‘rest in the shadow of the almighty’, waiting for Him to intervene, then I am ‘dwelling in the shelter of the Most High’. (Psalm 91) This is not passive; it is a call to urgent prayer. I had always thought these words meant, Stay close to God and you will feel … Continue reading Rest in God’s shelter
My defensiveness towards others inadvertently rubs off on my relationship with God. If He asks something of me that I believe is unacceptable to others I will not fully receive it in case I feel embarrassed. “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come … Continue reading Head held high
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