daily IMPACT by selahV today

TROUBLE IS NEAR

It’s odd to read Scripture sometimes and see how often the saints of old faced trouble and difficulty.  They often complained and cried out to God–just like me.  The psalmist wrote over and over again of the adversaries he faced in life.  God didn’t give us His holy Word and paint rosey pictures of history.  He gave us men and women of faith, courage, failure, fraility and fear.  He gave us those who denied Him and those who argued about Him and those who followed after Him to the death.  And they cried,

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near there is no one to help.” Psalm 22:11

Can you just imagine if there were no one to help?  If we had no God to call upon?  What a horrible state of life that would be!  So often as Christians we feel as though the battles we face in life are insurmountable.  We reach impasses with one another and can see no way to bridge the gaps.  Christ died that we might all be reconciled to Him.  But He died that we might all live in union with Him, also.  And He charges us to be at one with one another because He is working out in us His perfect completion for the day of His redemption.

There is truly ”none to help.”  None but Jesus.  We cannot fight this battle alone.  We must rest in His unchanging, unfailing grace to meet the needs of the moment.   Are you wrestling against principalities and realms of darkness?

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you]; send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion.” Psalm 20:1,2.   selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

THOSE WHO BELIEVE

My grandson loves to ride motocross.  Each race he wins (which is most every time he races), he receives a trophy.  Sometimes he doesn’t even take the trophy because he has so many.  He rides for the points and seeks to be the best in his class in the state of Oklahoma.  He is diligent to practice.  He is diligent to keep his motorcyle in tip-top condition as he services it after each and every race.  It’s important to have clean oil and filter and fuel cleanser.

Christians are like that.  We need to constantly be servicing our minds, body and spirit.  We do that through reading God’s Word, caring for our temple, and communicating with God in prayer.

“But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.” Hebrews 10:39.

We have it all.  Nothing has been left out.  We have all we need to run the race of life.  And in the end we have perfection, completeness, everlasting reward.  However, we won’t want to give up our trophies when Jesus returns.  We will want to lay them at His feet, for He is the Victor, He has overcome the world.  And faith in Him preserves our soul.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

DON'T FLING IT AWAY

Discouragement sits on every corner.  It lurks in the shadows of joy, waiting for the opportune time to jump out of the darkness and wipe out all the goodness in a moment’s achievement, success, or blessing.  It’s sole purpose is to impede forward progress.  It is born of negative thinking and leads to apathy and uselessness.

Many times discouragement is carried into the rooms of our hearts by friends who linger too long at the well of negativity.  But we need to take heart and not allow it to attach itself to our lives and destroy our confidence, hope, and faith.

“Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.” Hebrews 10:35

Our confidence can be thwarted and our courage quelled when we allow the stones of discouragement and arrows of despair to penetrate the armor of God.  We must hold fast and cling to our fearless confidence in the Redeemer and Protector of our faith.  He sits on His throne and His enemies are His footstool.  Nothing can harm us, nor override His plan for our lives when we rest in His presence and power.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

IT WASN'T THAT WAY WITH ME

There are many times in a person’s life when they are met with adversaries. Many things can come folks way that try to break their spirit, and test their faith. The last few weeks, I’ve met a few adversaries, been sorely disappointed and had my faith tested. But I was not alone.

David felt like this so many times. Over and over he cried out to God because of the reproach of man—indeed, his own friends and beloved King.

“You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor; my adversaries are all before You [fully known to You]. Insults and reproach have broken my heart; I am full of heaviness and distressingly sick. I looked for pity, and there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.” Psalm 69:19,20

Just a few moments ago as I was writing, my granddaughter came to me and told me she couldn’t sleep because she was dreaming bad dreams. She said she was being sucked up in tornadoes. I pulled her into my arms and held her close and comforted her. I sang her songs about Jesus.

Recently as I’ve gone through some rough times the Lord has brought me people who have metaphorically pulled me into their arms and comforted me. I have sung songs unto the Lord for His greatness. I have not felt alone.

“I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving….And it will please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs.” Ps. 69:30, 31a.

Much better are the songs of praise we give to God than the sacrifices we offer. It’s a joy to sing praises to my Lord. May you find yourself singing Jesus Loves Me all day long today. selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]