Tag: David

  • Beautiful people

    Beautiful People (Copy)

    “Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are”—Markus Zusak.

    Today’s society relies so much on exterior beauty as a compass for determining worth and physical attractiveness. Size matters. Fitting into a “0-1-2” is considered lovely or glamorous. If the path to accomplish this goal leads to emotional trauma and anorexia, this is not healthy or appropriate.

    When faced with a decision regarding a suitable warrior, shepherd boy David was chosen. Age was against him. He was not extremely tall or built large physically. In fact, Goliath towered over young David. Anyone could see that he posed no match for the Philistine giant. Other than battling wild animals to fend off destroying his flock, David possessed no war medals. Yet, God counted him a worthy defender of the Israelites. David’s inner strength and victory came from his commander and chief: God.

    Women and men look on the outside, but God looks on the inside. What’s beneath the surface is the stuff that equals courage. Is there evidence of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my life? (Galatians 5:22, 23)

    I want to be beautiful—beautiful on the inside; what I am not just who I say I am. To do this, my actions should reflect my words. My words reflect what’s in my heart and mind. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

    Dear God, Thank you for providing the model for beauty. You sacrificed Your only Son so that I could enjoy life to the fullest. I want to be worthy of this ultimate gift by reflecting beauty from the inside out. You are more concerned about what’s in my heart.

    What character qualities are you cultivating?

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  • Thirsting for more

    “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water…” (Psalm 63:1).

    Thirsting for something more? Something that satisfies your longing? Maybe you’ve tried filling the emptiness with a spouse, friend, child, work, exercise, hobbies. Been there and done that, but none of those ever fully quench that deep-seated hunger and thirst for something lasting. I always come up short and lacking. 

    David wrote this 63rd Psalm while in the Desert of Judah. He knew what it meant to be betrayed by family members and to betray, to lust after a woman, and even murder. Through it all, he learned to seek God—his sole source of refuge and forgiveness. God alone satisfies wholly and completely. He loves us unconditionally. He knows us better than we know ourselves; yet still loves us! That’s the most amazing news of all.

    Prayer:  Thank you, God, for being my oasis in times of drought and trouble. You are my one constant I can count on day after day.

    Ask:  Are you lonely, empty, or bitter? Have you tried seeking fulfillment with other methods and still come up empty? Isn’t it time you gave God a chance to put the pieces of your life back together?

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  • Heart check

    “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14/KJV).

    Ever want to say something so badly that you almost need to bite your tongue in order for the words not to spew out uncontrollably? I have. In fact it happened yesterday. I wanted to verbalize a few choice words so much that I obsessed over just the right presentation and choice of words. I rehearsed them over and over again in my mind to make sure I got it right the first time. Yet when I saw this person, I froze. I chose to clam up and say as few words as possible in order to maintain peace.

    This morning, I second guessed my actions of not telling the person what I thought of their past behavior. Was I right or was I wrong not to speak? I came to the conclusion (after a discussion with my husband) that yesterday was not the proper venue to verbalize my disappointments. There may come a time in the future where I can sit down with the individual and speak the truth in a loving manner.

    In Jesus’ short time on earth, there were plenty of times he chose not to speak when he had every justification to defend his actions. Yet, he chose to be silent. David’s words in the 19th Psalm came to mind as I pen these thoughts. Before I go spewing my anger out on others, I need to be sure those words are appropriate and acceptable in God’s sight. It’s not just about me.

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  • Fresh start

    “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

    Are you feeling heavy hearted or downcast like me? I blew it another time! I wonder if God will reject me and label me a big failure? Where do I start to pick up the pieces?

    I find courage and strength in King David’s 27th Psalm. If I wait on God, he will strengthen my heart and give me courage to pick myself up again. Oh God, my Rock, give me a fresh start. And before I forget it, thank you for a brand new day so I can start clean again.  

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  • Are you thirsty?

    “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 

    Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare…

     As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55). 

    Are you thirsty? I am. I crave a word from God, a sign that I’m on the right track. A sign that he’s around and knows the turmoil I feel.  I long for satisifing labor, to eat what is good, and sense delight in my soul. It seems as though I’m in a dry and thirsty land right now, with no sign of refreshment or nourishment close by. As David cries out in the Psalms, where are you God? Have you deserted me? Where can I go to find respite for my soul?

    Yet, you tell me that your word goes forth and will not return void. Your word will accomplish the purpose you desire. I long to go out in joy and be led forth in peace, to burst out in grateful song and clap my hands.

    Prayer: Dear God, I seek you now. I call on you for help and a refuge away from the storms of life. Have mercy on me, O God. I know you’ll lavish your forgiveness on me if I turn to you in my distress. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. But I trust in you even when I cannot see you or the ways you have chosen for me. I still put my trust in you. You are God, and I am not.

    Ask: Are you in a dark tunnel and cannot see any light ahead? Does it feel as though everyone and everything is against you? Can you hang on for just another day until God’s purpose is revealed?

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  • With my song will I praise Him

    “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song” (Psalm 28:7).

                King David wrote this Psalm in the midst of trouble when wickedness surrounded him. Not unlike us today. Wickedness is prevalent and trouble seems to prevail. Just listen to the news…violent and immoral relationships, high unemployment with companies shutting their doors, fires, flooding, fighting and wars. There are very few places that provide rest, unity, or peace.

                Yet, this verse reminds me there is someone I can turn to for strength, protection, and help. This being is my Lord God who never slumbers nor sleeps. God is always on the job, even if I can’t see Him work or measure the progress. Because of this knowledge, I can freely leap for joy knowing God has ALL things under control.

    Prayer: Thank you, God, for your very presence. Thank you for being patient with my impatience and desire to set things right in my timing. My thoughts are not Your thoughts, or Your ways my ways—for this I am thankful!

    Ask: Is there a part of your life where you do not feel protected or safe? Can you openly confess that area to God in prayer? Do you believe God can bring you out of that place of doubt or despair? Will you trust Him to do it for you right now?

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