No...

She obeys no one,
            she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the LORD,
            she does not draw near to her God.                           Zeph. 3.2

Originally written against Jerusalem, these words could apply equally today to many nations and individuals.

The independent spirit is all too obvious in the present world. God has largely been dispensed with. He is not needed. Humanity has made its own way. And what a mess it seems to be making!

I thank God that He came to me when I was in the midst of messing up my life doing it my way. I praise Him for the sweet rescue operation He mounted. I was humbled to accept His reaching out to me.

Even now, I do not do everything without fault or failure, but I most certainly trust Him – whatever the outcome.

I choose to walk with my God. I try to be obedient, and I ask Him to bring correction when it is necessary. I endeavour, as James encourages me, to draw near to God. I yearn for His drawing close to me.

Holy Lord,

I grieve for the nations and individuals in this world who have turned from You. I pray that You will draw them back to You in Your divine power. I thank You again for the day when You took me back.

I surrender completely to You. I endeavour to obey You and ask You to bring speedy correction when I am out of order. I place my trust in you yet again. I know this present trust is incomplete. I ask You to help me to release my full trust to You. I draw near to You and I firmly receive and believe James’ word that as I do so You will draw near to me.

Lead me on, precious Saviour, in intimate relationship. May I travel only those paths that will please You. And may You be my constant companion in the journey, in Jesus; name I ask.               Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

 

A royal song

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.                                                              Psalm138.1

Psalm 138 is described by the NIV Study Bible as: A royal song of praise for God’s saving help against threatening foes.

The “gods” referred to are likely pagan kings or the gods that they worshipped and claimed to represent.

The royal psalmist had cause to praise God so forcefully in the presence and under the threat of his enemies:

               When I called, you answered me;
                        you made me bold and stout hearted. (v3)

He knows the constant protection that God gives:

               Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
                        you preserve my life;
                        you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
                        with your right hand you save me. (v7)

Just at present I’m not surrounded by fearful foes, yet I know that trouble and calamity can threaten at any time. The God of the psalmist is my God, and I thank Him that He is unchanging. What He was yesterday, He is today and for ever. The God who both protected and strengthened the psalmist does the same for me. I have no reason to fear anything, save this wonderful God who loves and cares for me. With the psalmist I am assured that:

               The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me. (v8a)

Mighty and Loving God,

I raise my voice with that of the psalmist and I praise You with every fibre of my being. I thank You for the love You have for me that strengthens and emboldens me in times of trouble. I thank You for the amazing love with which You envelop me and nurture me.

I give myself fully to You for Your purpose to be fulfilled in me. Have Your way, Lord, freely, in who I am and in what I do. Lead me Your way through this day, and through my life, in Jesus’ name I ask.                        Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

 

Full trust

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;                             Psalm 31.14, 15a

I sense that recent years have been a time when God has been particularly calling for, and working on, my trust of Him. By this, I don’t mean passing lip service, but full trust. Just yesterday, a crossword clue of “full trust” yielded the answer, “faith”. This resonated well with me.

If I am to consider myself a man of faith, then I really must place my full trust in God. I rely on Him for all things; I look to Him in everything. I know this is the only way to go, yet it is hard to let go, to give over control to Him, and to be willing to go His way – every time.

Am I there? I like to think so, but I’m not really sure. The action I think is to take one day at a time. Today, I give myself to Him. This is likely most acceptable to Him for He tells me to live for today, and not to concern myself about tomorrow.

So, here goes. I place myself in His hands.

Lord God,

I thank You for the way in which You have been growing trust in me in recent times. I believe I am getting there. I surrender myself continually to You for Your work in me.

I give the day ahead to You. I invite You to have Your way in all that I do. I submit my timetable to You and offer myself for any changes You might care to make. I pray that in all that I am today and in everything I do, You will be honoured.

My desire is to live in the fullness of Your will, to please and delight You. Take me and make me wholly Yours. This is my simple prayer.

I look forward to journeying through this day with You. May we enjoy each other, whilst achieving whatever Your plan is.

Receive this prayer, with my love, in Jesus’ name.                    Amen.

When afraid?

When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?                                                 Psalm 56.3, 4

I can see how, in times of trying and fear, it is understandable to cry out to God in desperation, and to trust Him because there appears to be no alternative. But this is what I would label the God of desperation.

Against this, I propose the God of devotion. This is the God with whom I walk every day. I trust my God at all times. Why should I reserve God for only those times when I am in need and likely in utter despair?

There is so much in God to be enjoyed. The richness of relationship with Him is inestimable. This relationship may certainly grow during my times of urgent need, but it surely will blossom in peace and in times of joy and freedom.

Yes, this is my God! He is ever there for me. I certainly remember this when I have a need. But I walk with Him. I trust Him also when I have no pressing “want” from Him. This is when I can truly enjoy Him, and pray that He enjoys me.

Holy God, Dear Friend,

I pray that I will not forget You ever. I wish to walk with You, and to trust You – at all times.

I especially think today of those “normal” times when nothing in particular sets itself against me, pressing me to seek You out. These are times of calmness and joy, maybe even happiness. I want to spend such times with You.

When life goes well, I wish to remind myself that You are the source. Your love for me rescues me from the pit, but also leads me beside still waters.

May I enjoy You, Lord, at all times? And may You, likewise, enjoy me? I ask this in Jesus’ name.          Amen.