Scripture: Ps 70, 71, 74; Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28; Romans 2:12-24; John 5:19-29
Scripture standout: Ps 71: Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,"
Morning thoughts: This was one of the few cheery, encouraging messages from today's readings. And true too — with every grey eyebrow hair I discover each morning, this is definitely my prayer. The rest of the scripture readings today? Well, they sure do make God out to be a mad, vengeful being. And while I can relate to that, it's not exactly inspiring to me. I feel mad and vengeful sometimes when the kids don't listen to me or when they talk back, or when don't do what I've asked them to do repeatedly — or when they say "yuck" to something I've put down for dinner. I know how that feels when you're so mad and frustrated that you want to shake the walls and break something. But since I'm still on a staycation with my little perpetrators miles and miles away, I choose to forget those thoughts today. Begging for God to not forsake me seems like a much happier alternative.
Jesus said "I will never, never, never leave you or forsake you." My old preacher used to say "Sometimes this is a promise -- Sometimes this is a threat."
ReplyDeleteHe is the Hound of Heaven. He will lovingly hound you all the way to heaven.