September 30 ~ Psalm 84:1-7
1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! I've always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
singing their songs in the place where we worship.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
How blessed they are to live and sing there!
5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
When I was a little girl, I wanted to become an architect – or a ballerina! Since I never took dance lessons, I figured that was probably not going to happen (although I surely did love those filmy, frilly dresses and the satin lace-up toe shoes!). I would spend hours “designing” my dream house… sketching floor plans with massive bathrooms that rivaled any spa in my imagination. Sunken living rooms, split-level plans that were the “in” thing of that era, beautiful entryways… all became part of my portfolio.
My husband and I have been privileged to build two houses “from the ground up.” We have labored over the details of each one... should the kitchen go here or there? Are we focusing on the view? Do we need to turn the house a couple of degrees to maximize the best features of the lot? Do we cut this tree or build around it? Hours and hours and days and weeks and months of decisions and work later, we moved into our homes. And as we settled in and enjoyed watching the birds build in the trees in springtime and the welcome of a roaring fire in the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, we felt a sense of peace – and of tremendous blessing. How blessed we were to live there... how comfortable and welcome our homes felt!
Stick with me here, because I’m going to take you in a slightly different direction. While the Psalmist was probably talking about God’s “house” in terms of a physical building – most likely a temple - I want you to think about the earthly “House of the Lord” – not our Heavenly home – but the EARTHLY home in terms of our heart. Imagine how much work GOD put into preparing a place in YOU that He could dwell Spiritually. To my way of thinking, the “dwelling place of the Lord” on this earth could very well be our own hearts. God has prepared us to house His Holy Spirit... now it is up to us to welcome Him. It is up to us to make sure that the “window treatments” and the “exterior trim” is right. We must live in such a way that our “structure” holds up for the most Honored Guest of all. And in return, the Holy Spirit lives within us, and He gives us inner strength, peace, joy, and confidence. He blesses us and fills our loneliness with the music of songbirds and brimming pools that form waterfalls of joy.
There is no house I could ever live in that would be more important or more rewarding than the “dwelling place of the Lord” – the condition of my heart. I love my physical home… I am filled with joy and peace when I am there… but I could be just as happy in a pup tent, as long as the Lord Almighty is living within me. My true “home” – the house that matters – is the one where HE resides… and I want it to be spectacular – the best design ever. So I am doing all I can to keep it in top shape and maintained as well as possible. It’s a win-win situation for me. I do my best to serve and please God, and He blesses me abundantly in return!
How is your “house” holding up? Is it worthy of the most important Guest of all? Does it need a little TLC? God deserves a First Class abode... does yours need a little boost in the ratings? At the end of each episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Ty Pennington says, “Welcome home, XXX family… welcome home!” Is your “house” in the right shape for you to say that to God? Shouldn’t it be?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 29 ~ Psalm 77: 11-20
11-12 Once again I'll go over what God has done,
lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished,
and give a long, loving look at your acts.
13-15 O God! Your way is holy!
No god is great like God!
You're the God who makes things happen;
you showed everyone what you can do—
You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble,
rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16-19 Ocean saw you in action, God,
saw you and trembled with fear;
Deep Ocean was scared to death.
Clouds belched buckets of rain,
Sky exploded with thunder,
your arrows flashing this way and that.
From Whirlwind came your thundering voice,
Lightning exposed the world,
Earth reeled and rocked.
You strode right through Ocean,
walked straight through roaring Ocean,
but nobody saw you come or go.
20 Hidden in the hands of Moses and Aaron,
You led your people like a flock of sheep.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Do you know someone who seems to have a knack for “making things happen?” If you have a project or a problem – this person knows how to get moving and take action. When he/she is on the job, you know things will get done – and done right! You might refer to this person as “the man” or your “go-to girl.”
For every problem this person can solve – for every project he/she makes come together, God can do a thousand times more… and He does each and every day! He is so much more than “the man.” He is the ultimate “go-to Guy.” He can climb any mountain of trouble… walk straight across an ocean of heartache… and calm ANY storm of life.
So often, just like in this Psalm, we don’t “see” God in action. He is there… but we are so caught up in our own issues – and ourselves – that we don’t see WHO is really running the show and “making things happen.” Let’s face it… even that person you turn to in time of need is guided by God, whether even they realize it or not. The ultimate “deal maker” – the One we should run to… is God. HE can make things happen. No one is more powerful or amazing. We spend a lot of time running from God and trying to do this on our own… and making a huge mess of things. Isn’t it time we turned around?
©2008 Debbie Robus
Studies from the Psalms - Week 4
September 28 ~ Psalm 77:1-10
1 I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.
2-6 I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord;
my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right,"
I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head.
I bow my head—then wring my hands.
I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep;
I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one,
I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night,
wondering how to get my life together.
7-10 Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good?
Will he never smile again?
Is his love worn threadbare?
Has his salvation promise burned out?
Has God forgotten his manners?
Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
"Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business
just the moment I need him."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Does this passage describe you to a “T”? Are you in the middle of something so stressful or challenging that you are wondering how you will ever survive it? Maybe you are juggling a heavy college study load – and even a job on top of that – or a family – or both! Maybe you have a new job, or new or bigger responsibilities at work, and you feel like the more you do, the more the boss gives you to do, and it seems like an endless cycle. Maybe you are in a relationship that is struggling – or has broken up completely. Maybe a friend or loved one has stopped communicating with you – and you don’t have the foggiest idea how or why this happened – or how to fix it.
Maybe you are worried about the state of the world – the war and the failing economy and whether you will have enough money to pay your bills now, much less retire someday. Maybe you are having health issues – and if you are fortunate enough to have health insurance, you are worried it won’t be enough to cover your care and recovery. Maybe things are going pretty well in your life right now… but you know from experience that troubles come to everyone, and you have had your share and probably will have more.
This particular passage doesn’t end positively – you will have to read again tomorrow to see how this resolves! But let me assure you, whatever you are going through, God has NOT gone out of business! He KNOWS what is happening to you… and HE has answers and options. God will give you the strength and courage to endure – remember Philippians 4:10-14 – “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.” Another translation/paraphrase of verse 13 says, in essence, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.” And we CAN do exactly that! Let’s focus more on what God has done for us – and what He will do in the future – and less on our troubles. We CAN make it through anything in the One who makes us who we are… that is GREAT NEWS!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 27 ~ Psalm 68:19-34
19-23 Blessed be the Lord—
day after day he carries us along.
He's our Savior, our God, oh yes!
He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us.
Lord God knows all
death's ins and outs.
What's more, he made heads roll,
split the skulls of the enemy
As he marched out of heaven,
saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots,
put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
You can wade through your enemies' blood,
and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots.
24-31 See God on parade
to the sanctuary, my God,
my King on the march!
Singers out front, the band behind,
maidens in the middle with castanets.
The whole choir blesses God.
Like a fountain of praise, Israel blesses God.
Look—little Benjamin's out
front and leading
Princes of Judah in their royal robes,
princes of Zebulon, princes of Naphtali.
Parade your power, O God,
the power, O God, that made us what we are.
Your temple, High God, is Jerusalem;
kings bring gifts to you.
Rebuke that old crocodile, Egypt,
with her herd of wild bulls and calves,
Rapacious in her lust for silver,
crushing peoples, spoiling for a fight.
Let Egyptian traders bring blue cloth
and Cush come running to God, her hands outstretched.
32-34 Sing, O kings of the earth!
Sing praises to the Lord!
There he is: Sky-Rider,
striding the ancient skies.
Listen—he's calling in thunder,
rumbling, rolling thunder.
Call out "Bravo!" to God,
the High God of Israel.
His splendor and strength
rise huge as thunderheads.
35 A terrible beauty, O God,
streams from your sanctuary.
It's Israel's strong God! He gives
power and might to his people!
O you, his people—bless God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Who doesn’t love a parade?! Our team wins the World Series… the home city throws a grand parade. Ditto for the winning team in the Super Bowl. Confetti abounds, the team members ride through the throng in convertibles, waving their caps that proclaim them the best of the best (for that year, at least!) and people take time off from work and school to line the streets and cheer like maniacs.
Now go back a year or two – to the time of King David! He’s suggesting a parade, too – but not for a football or baseball team. He is suggesting we hold a parade to celebrate GOD and how He has annihilated His enemies – the agents of Satan. There won’t be cap waving and confetti, because that’s not God’s style. He really isn’t into openly boasting about all that He does. And yet, nobody – NOBODY deserves the accolades more than God!
So, how DO we celebrate the Most High God in a way that is worthy of His greatness? For starters, let’s try praising Him in our daily prayers. Tell Him how amazing He is to you and how much you value your relationship with Him. Worship in public (church) with others and sing hymns and songs of praise. If you are moved to lift your hands and wave them in adoration, go for it! If that is not your style, open your mouth and sing, or clap your hands. Credit God for His work in your life – and in the lives of others. Be a cheerful, willing servant – ready to give back to the One Who has given you everything.
I am more and more amazed every day at how quick we are to celebrate everything and everyone under the sun – just about any excuse for a party or celebration will do. But when it comes to God and celebrating Him, we’re often simply too busy. We need to “reboot the hard drive” a little and change the way we think. We need to realize that the biggest and best celebrations should be in honor of the God of the Universe. I don’t know about you, but I feel a “Holy parade” coming on… will I see you there?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 26 ~ Psalm 68:11-18
11-14 The Lord gave the word;
thousands called out the good news:
"Kings of the armies
are on the run, on the run!"
While housewives, safe and sound back home,
divide up the plunder,
the plunder of Canaanite silver and gold.
On that day that Shaddai scattered the kings,
snow fell on Black Mountain.
15-16 You huge mountains, Bashan mountains,
mighty mountains, dragon mountains.
All you mountains not chosen,
sulk now, and feel sorry for yourselves,
For this is the mountain God has chosen to live on;
he'll rule from this mountain forever.
17-18 The chariots of God, twice ten thousand,
and thousands more besides,
The Lord in the lead, riding down Sinai—
straight to the Holy Place!
You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow,
your arms full of booty from rebels,
And now you sit there in state,
God, sovereign God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I have to admit that this was one of those passages that I read and re-read in several translations. I reviewed several commentaries and asked over and over, “What does this passage mean for us?” And the answer that kept coming to me was to stay faithful… to be who and what God wants us to be rather than what MAN wants. It may not be popular, and it may not even be pleasant at times, but in the end, the only thing that matters is pleasing God.I know it’s hard sometimes to choose to follow God over fitting in with your friends. I know at times it is so tempting to just follow the crowd. After all, the media is full of messages that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” and “the coolest people drink this or that drink, as long as you ‘drink responsibly.’” We see celebrities who have been elevated to iconic heights who dress in next to nothing, partying and misbehaving and then appearing as spokespersons for the latest critical cause or global issue.
We see leaders of businesses, government and even churches who are chasing wealth and fame at the expense of everyone around them, and there doesn’t seem to be much consequence when they are “called on the carpet” for their indiscretions, greed or unlawfulness. And honestly, it may seem like the “good life” comes to this sort of people while we “honest” folks are left to struggle. You may even know someone of whom you have said, “How is it they always come out smelling like a rose, while I skimp and scrape and work hard and barely get by?”
Can I tell you something? There will come a day when God will do just what He did in this passage. He will get so fed up with the rebellion and the deceit and the lying and the sinfulness, and those who have gotten caught up in it and served the devil will have to account for all that has happened, and God will in essence “scatter them to the four winds.” Meanwhile, those who have stayed faithful – those who have followed God and served Him well and lived a life of obedience and honor to our Heavenly Father and His only Son, Jesus Christ – will be given a seat at the High Place. We will sit at the feet of God, our arms full of riches. And all of the “glory” of this earth won’t mean a thing.
So keep your “eye on the Prize” – salvation in Jesus Christ equals a rich, amazing eternity in Heaven. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but God knows – EVERYTHING – and He is the only One who matters. Those who appear to “have it all” will have to choose for themselves Who to serve. Stay faithful and obedient to God. Serve HIM, and store up your treasure for Heaven.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 25 ~ Psalm 68:5-10
5-6 Father of orphans,
champion of widows,
is God in his holy house.
God makes homes for the homeless,
leads prisoners to freedom,
but leaves rebels to rot in hell.
7-10 God, when you took the lead with your people,
when you marched out into the wild,
Earth shook, sky broke out in a sweat;
God was on the march.
Even Sinai trembled at the sight of God on the move,
at the sight of Israel's God.
You pour out rain in buckets, O God;
thorn and cactus become an oasis
For your people to camp in and enjoy.
You set them up in business;
they went from rags to riches.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t think there is a person among us who wouldn’t argue this is a great time of uncertainty for our nation – and indeed the world. Financial institutions are crashing, wars are raging, buildings are being bombed, natural disasters are plaguing the earth. This passage reminded me of a little girl whose mother deserted her and two sisters. Her dad took the family to Taco Bell one night, and as they reached the drive-thru window, this then 5-year-old girl looked at the cashier in the window and asked, “Will you be my mother?”
Such desperation is almost unfathomable for most of us, and yet who among us hasn’t wondered, “Where are we headed?” How many widows have wondered, “Who will care for me now?” How many times have we watched the nightly news and wondered, “What will become of us?”
The answer is HERE – in Psalm 68 – GOD is still in control. He pours out rain on the deserts and cares for the widows and orphans. GOD takes us from “rags to riches,” houses the homeless, and frees each of us from all types of bondage. No matter how hopeless things may appear, we must cling to these verses from Psalm 68 and be encouraged. The earth may tremble and even “break out in a sweat,” but God is still with us. He knows our every need, and He WILL meet them. I don’t know about you, but this gives me great comfort. NOTHING is so bad that God can’t fix it… I’m believing that for the long haul… are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 24 ~ Psalm 68:1-4
1-4 Up with God! Down with his enemies!
Adversaries, run for the hills!
Gone like a puff of smoke,
like a blob of wax in the fire—
one look at God and the wicked vanish.
When the righteous see God in action
they'll laugh, they'll sing,
they'll laugh and sing for joy.
Sing hymns to God;
all heaven, sing out;
clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider.
Enjoy God,
cheer when you see him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Dodgeball… do you remember that game? We lined the wall of the school building (or the side of the house), and somebody was “It” with a basketball, kickball, or some other pretty good sized ball. We watched in anticipation as “It” got ready to hurl that ball toward us with all of his/her might, and as the ball was released, we scattered away from the intended point of contact. Sometimes we didn’t quite make it, and man oh man, that ball could hurt in the hands of a really strong “It” person! This is what I thought of when I envisioned God approaching the enemies and scattering them with just the anticipation of His power.
On the other hand, think of a football game where all seems lost for our side. Down several points, we are wondering how we will ever rally. But we have hope, because we know we have a really strong quarterback and some great receivers. There isn’t much time left, but these guys don’t need much time. All they need is a good play and some missed assignments by the defense, and we will be in the lead. Everything works as it is supposed to, and we score, and the crowd goes wild! We celebrate our quarterback, the team, and the coaches. We go on and on about how amazing they are and how smartly they played and how proud we are to have them on “our side!”
These are silly analogies, in some aspects, for the enemies of God – and certainly for God’s power and amazing righteousness, and in no way do I mean to diminish or belittle either of them. But we can relate to dodgeball. We’ve all cheered at a football game. We have most likely all faced an enemy of the Lord… an agent of the devil in the form of temptation, sickness, misfortune, and sin. The question becomes, have we “partied like a rock star” and “cheered like a fan” for God? Have we celebrated Him appropriately for all He does for us? Isn’t it time we did?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 23 ~ Psalm 67
1-7 God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth's four corners—honor him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Ten years ago this very day, the morning dawned like many others in late September … humid, with the prospect of a bright sunrise. I watched out the window of my brother’s bedroom as neighbors dashed out in bathrobes to retrieve their newspapers and those who had to be at work especially early pulled up the street in front of my parents’ house. Shortly before 7:00 a.m., I woke my mother and my dad, and together with my sister and my brother’s Hospice nurse (and close friend) Ginger, we surrounded Tim’s bed and said “Goodbye.” Gently he slipped into heaven, where I know angels ushered him into the presence of God. I can still picture the events of that morning vividly… and especially the nights and days that filled the couple of weeks before Tim’s death, and it seems like they happened yesterday, not a decade ago.
So what does this have to do with a Psalm about the joy of the Lord? I’ll tell you! Recently, a childhood friend died from brain cancer. He was a brilliant surgeon – only 45 years old. At his graveside service, a dear Christian lady I know leaned over to me and said, “What a waste! I just don’t understand this.” My comment to her was this… “Take a look around at all of the people who are here to celebrate his life. Think of the countless people he touched with his surgical skills. Look at his children and his family and the legacy he has left.” Yes, it was a sad day. Yes, we will miss him and my brother… and countless other loved ones who have preceded us to heaven.
But look at the words of this Psalm again… “the whole country will see how You work, all the godless nations see how You save… You mark us with blessing.” I can’t count the people who were marked with blessing because of my brother – his engaging personality, his loving care as a registered nurse, his kindness and acceptance of others. Ten years later, God is still using him to bless others, through memories and the legacy he left us. Fellow nurses tell me that not a week goes by that they don’t refer to Tim in some manner in their conversations. And they will do the same with our dear friend and his family – and countless others. Even death cannot diminish God’s glory and His blessings. Even grief cannot hold up to the joy of God’s promises, His mighty works, and His amazing grace and power!
Please understand me… grief is not a bad thing, and I have grieved the loss of many. God understands we will be sad and ache for our loved ones… He knows what it is to suffer loss. But GOD is never lost to us… He never stops blessing… never stops working in and through us and those who have already gone to Him. He continues to mark us with His grace and blessings. So today, I will celebrate my brother by enjoying God and His awesome goodness. I will think of Tim and others who are in heaven and I will thank God and shout in my heart with happiness… and I will SMILE! Let ALL people thank and enjoy God today… and I hope you are smiling, too.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 22 ~ Psalm 63
1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Probably all of us have visited an all-you-can-eat buffet. Most certainly we have helped ourselves to a salad bar with a vast number of options. We’ve been to cafeterias where we must choose between those jiggly jello salads with the fruit or a tossed salad – the chicken or the roast beef – mashed potatoes or rice pilaf. It can almost be overwhelming at times. And often, particularly at a buffet, we want at least “a little dab” of everything we see, and we leave stuffed to the point we feel we might pop if someone bumps us!
Do you ever feel that full of God’s Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you came into God’s presence ravenously hungry and thirsty for His word and His love and you absorbed it like a sponge, poured over the scriptures, basked in the worship and the words and the prayers and walked away completely stuffed… and maybe even overwhelmed by God and His blessings? I don’t know about you, but for me, this doesn’t happen nearly often enough!
So what can we do? I believe that this experience takes effort on our part. We must place ourselves in a position to enjoy God’s spiritual buffet. We have been invited to dine… now it is up to us to show up… to open our Bibles, to pray, to go to church and engage in worship with fellow believers. We need to ignore the gossip and low-minded thinking and talk of those the devil is using to try to knock us off our game. We need to focus on finding the good in people and situations and looking at everything from the perspective of finding God in the details and the outcome.
We’ve probably all heard the story of the man who went on the cruise and took peanut butter and crackers to eat, and at the end of the cruise, the captain explained to him that all meals were included in the price… he could have dined like a king any time he chose. Yet he sat in his cabin eating peanut butter and crackers. Is that how we are spiritually? The price has been paid in full for us to dine like kings and queens on God’s blessings. But we have to “step out of the cabin” and open our eyes and ears and realize what awaits us. I know what I’m choosing… and it ain’t the devil’s “peanut butter and crackers”… what about you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
1 I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.
2-6 I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord;
my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right,"
I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head.
I bow my head—then wring my hands.
I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep;
I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one,
I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night,
wondering how to get my life together.
7-10 Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good?
Will he never smile again?
Is his love worn threadbare?
Has his salvation promise burned out?
Has God forgotten his manners?
Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
"Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business
just the moment I need him."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Does this passage describe you to a “T”? Are you in the middle of something so stressful or challenging that you are wondering how you will ever survive it? Maybe you are juggling a heavy college study load – and even a job on top of that – or a family – or both! Maybe you have a new job, or new or bigger responsibilities at work, and you feel like the more you do, the more the boss gives you to do, and it seems like an endless cycle. Maybe you are in a relationship that is struggling – or has broken up completely. Maybe a friend or loved one has stopped communicating with you – and you don’t have the foggiest idea how or why this happened – or how to fix it.
Maybe you are worried about the state of the world – the war and the failing economy and whether you will have enough money to pay your bills now, much less retire someday. Maybe you are having health issues – and if you are fortunate enough to have health insurance, you are worried it won’t be enough to cover your care and recovery. Maybe things are going pretty well in your life right now… but you know from experience that troubles come to everyone, and you have had your share and probably will have more.
This particular passage doesn’t end positively – you will have to read again tomorrow to see how this resolves! But let me assure you, whatever you are going through, God has NOT gone out of business! He KNOWS what is happening to you… and HE has answers and options. God will give you the strength and courage to endure – remember Philippians 4:10-14 – “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.” Another translation/paraphrase of verse 13 says, in essence, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.” And we CAN do exactly that! Let’s focus more on what God has done for us – and what He will do in the future – and less on our troubles. We CAN make it through anything in the One who makes us who we are… that is GREAT NEWS!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 27 ~ Psalm 68:19-34
19-23 Blessed be the Lord—
day after day he carries us along.
He's our Savior, our God, oh yes!
He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us.
Lord God knows all
death's ins and outs.
What's more, he made heads roll,
split the skulls of the enemy
As he marched out of heaven,
saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots,
put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
You can wade through your enemies' blood,
and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots.
24-31 See God on parade
to the sanctuary, my God,
my King on the march!
Singers out front, the band behind,
maidens in the middle with castanets.
The whole choir blesses God.
Like a fountain of praise, Israel blesses God.
Look—little Benjamin's out
front and leading
Princes of Judah in their royal robes,
princes of Zebulon, princes of Naphtali.
Parade your power, O God,
the power, O God, that made us what we are.
Your temple, High God, is Jerusalem;
kings bring gifts to you.
Rebuke that old crocodile, Egypt,
with her herd of wild bulls and calves,
Rapacious in her lust for silver,
crushing peoples, spoiling for a fight.
Let Egyptian traders bring blue cloth
and Cush come running to God, her hands outstretched.
32-34 Sing, O kings of the earth!
Sing praises to the Lord!
There he is: Sky-Rider,
striding the ancient skies.
Listen—he's calling in thunder,
rumbling, rolling thunder.
Call out "Bravo!" to God,
the High God of Israel.
His splendor and strength
rise huge as thunderheads.
35 A terrible beauty, O God,
streams from your sanctuary.
It's Israel's strong God! He gives
power and might to his people!
O you, his people—bless God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Who doesn’t love a parade?! Our team wins the World Series… the home city throws a grand parade. Ditto for the winning team in the Super Bowl. Confetti abounds, the team members ride through the throng in convertibles, waving their caps that proclaim them the best of the best (for that year, at least!) and people take time off from work and school to line the streets and cheer like maniacs.
Now go back a year or two – to the time of King David! He’s suggesting a parade, too – but not for a football or baseball team. He is suggesting we hold a parade to celebrate GOD and how He has annihilated His enemies – the agents of Satan. There won’t be cap waving and confetti, because that’s not God’s style. He really isn’t into openly boasting about all that He does. And yet, nobody – NOBODY deserves the accolades more than God!
So, how DO we celebrate the Most High God in a way that is worthy of His greatness? For starters, let’s try praising Him in our daily prayers. Tell Him how amazing He is to you and how much you value your relationship with Him. Worship in public (church) with others and sing hymns and songs of praise. If you are moved to lift your hands and wave them in adoration, go for it! If that is not your style, open your mouth and sing, or clap your hands. Credit God for His work in your life – and in the lives of others. Be a cheerful, willing servant – ready to give back to the One Who has given you everything.
I am more and more amazed every day at how quick we are to celebrate everything and everyone under the sun – just about any excuse for a party or celebration will do. But when it comes to God and celebrating Him, we’re often simply too busy. We need to “reboot the hard drive” a little and change the way we think. We need to realize that the biggest and best celebrations should be in honor of the God of the Universe. I don’t know about you, but I feel a “Holy parade” coming on… will I see you there?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 26 ~ Psalm 68:11-18
11-14 The Lord gave the word;
thousands called out the good news:
"Kings of the armies
are on the run, on the run!"
While housewives, safe and sound back home,
divide up the plunder,
the plunder of Canaanite silver and gold.
On that day that Shaddai scattered the kings,
snow fell on Black Mountain.
15-16 You huge mountains, Bashan mountains,
mighty mountains, dragon mountains.
All you mountains not chosen,
sulk now, and feel sorry for yourselves,
For this is the mountain God has chosen to live on;
he'll rule from this mountain forever.
17-18 The chariots of God, twice ten thousand,
and thousands more besides,
The Lord in the lead, riding down Sinai—
straight to the Holy Place!
You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow,
your arms full of booty from rebels,
And now you sit there in state,
God, sovereign God!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I have to admit that this was one of those passages that I read and re-read in several translations. I reviewed several commentaries and asked over and over, “What does this passage mean for us?” And the answer that kept coming to me was to stay faithful… to be who and what God wants us to be rather than what MAN wants. It may not be popular, and it may not even be pleasant at times, but in the end, the only thing that matters is pleasing God.I know it’s hard sometimes to choose to follow God over fitting in with your friends. I know at times it is so tempting to just follow the crowd. After all, the media is full of messages that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” and “the coolest people drink this or that drink, as long as you ‘drink responsibly.’” We see celebrities who have been elevated to iconic heights who dress in next to nothing, partying and misbehaving and then appearing as spokespersons for the latest critical cause or global issue.
We see leaders of businesses, government and even churches who are chasing wealth and fame at the expense of everyone around them, and there doesn’t seem to be much consequence when they are “called on the carpet” for their indiscretions, greed or unlawfulness. And honestly, it may seem like the “good life” comes to this sort of people while we “honest” folks are left to struggle. You may even know someone of whom you have said, “How is it they always come out smelling like a rose, while I skimp and scrape and work hard and barely get by?”
Can I tell you something? There will come a day when God will do just what He did in this passage. He will get so fed up with the rebellion and the deceit and the lying and the sinfulness, and those who have gotten caught up in it and served the devil will have to account for all that has happened, and God will in essence “scatter them to the four winds.” Meanwhile, those who have stayed faithful – those who have followed God and served Him well and lived a life of obedience and honor to our Heavenly Father and His only Son, Jesus Christ – will be given a seat at the High Place. We will sit at the feet of God, our arms full of riches. And all of the “glory” of this earth won’t mean a thing.
So keep your “eye on the Prize” – salvation in Jesus Christ equals a rich, amazing eternity in Heaven. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but God knows – EVERYTHING – and He is the only One who matters. Those who appear to “have it all” will have to choose for themselves Who to serve. Stay faithful and obedient to God. Serve HIM, and store up your treasure for Heaven.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 25 ~ Psalm 68:5-10
5-6 Father of orphans,
champion of widows,
is God in his holy house.
God makes homes for the homeless,
leads prisoners to freedom,
but leaves rebels to rot in hell.
7-10 God, when you took the lead with your people,
when you marched out into the wild,
Earth shook, sky broke out in a sweat;
God was on the march.
Even Sinai trembled at the sight of God on the move,
at the sight of Israel's God.
You pour out rain in buckets, O God;
thorn and cactus become an oasis
For your people to camp in and enjoy.
You set them up in business;
they went from rags to riches.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t think there is a person among us who wouldn’t argue this is a great time of uncertainty for our nation – and indeed the world. Financial institutions are crashing, wars are raging, buildings are being bombed, natural disasters are plaguing the earth. This passage reminded me of a little girl whose mother deserted her and two sisters. Her dad took the family to Taco Bell one night, and as they reached the drive-thru window, this then 5-year-old girl looked at the cashier in the window and asked, “Will you be my mother?”
Such desperation is almost unfathomable for most of us, and yet who among us hasn’t wondered, “Where are we headed?” How many widows have wondered, “Who will care for me now?” How many times have we watched the nightly news and wondered, “What will become of us?”
The answer is HERE – in Psalm 68 – GOD is still in control. He pours out rain on the deserts and cares for the widows and orphans. GOD takes us from “rags to riches,” houses the homeless, and frees each of us from all types of bondage. No matter how hopeless things may appear, we must cling to these verses from Psalm 68 and be encouraged. The earth may tremble and even “break out in a sweat,” but God is still with us. He knows our every need, and He WILL meet them. I don’t know about you, but this gives me great comfort. NOTHING is so bad that God can’t fix it… I’m believing that for the long haul… are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 24 ~ Psalm 68:1-4
1-4 Up with God! Down with his enemies!
Adversaries, run for the hills!
Gone like a puff of smoke,
like a blob of wax in the fire—
one look at God and the wicked vanish.
When the righteous see God in action
they'll laugh, they'll sing,
they'll laugh and sing for joy.
Sing hymns to God;
all heaven, sing out;
clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider.
Enjoy God,
cheer when you see him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Dodgeball… do you remember that game? We lined the wall of the school building (or the side of the house), and somebody was “It” with a basketball, kickball, or some other pretty good sized ball. We watched in anticipation as “It” got ready to hurl that ball toward us with all of his/her might, and as the ball was released, we scattered away from the intended point of contact. Sometimes we didn’t quite make it, and man oh man, that ball could hurt in the hands of a really strong “It” person! This is what I thought of when I envisioned God approaching the enemies and scattering them with just the anticipation of His power.
On the other hand, think of a football game where all seems lost for our side. Down several points, we are wondering how we will ever rally. But we have hope, because we know we have a really strong quarterback and some great receivers. There isn’t much time left, but these guys don’t need much time. All they need is a good play and some missed assignments by the defense, and we will be in the lead. Everything works as it is supposed to, and we score, and the crowd goes wild! We celebrate our quarterback, the team, and the coaches. We go on and on about how amazing they are and how smartly they played and how proud we are to have them on “our side!”
These are silly analogies, in some aspects, for the enemies of God – and certainly for God’s power and amazing righteousness, and in no way do I mean to diminish or belittle either of them. But we can relate to dodgeball. We’ve all cheered at a football game. We have most likely all faced an enemy of the Lord… an agent of the devil in the form of temptation, sickness, misfortune, and sin. The question becomes, have we “partied like a rock star” and “cheered like a fan” for God? Have we celebrated Him appropriately for all He does for us? Isn’t it time we did?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 23 ~ Psalm 67
1-7 God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth's four corners—honor him!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Ten years ago this very day, the morning dawned like many others in late September … humid, with the prospect of a bright sunrise. I watched out the window of my brother’s bedroom as neighbors dashed out in bathrobes to retrieve their newspapers and those who had to be at work especially early pulled up the street in front of my parents’ house. Shortly before 7:00 a.m., I woke my mother and my dad, and together with my sister and my brother’s Hospice nurse (and close friend) Ginger, we surrounded Tim’s bed and said “Goodbye.” Gently he slipped into heaven, where I know angels ushered him into the presence of God. I can still picture the events of that morning vividly… and especially the nights and days that filled the couple of weeks before Tim’s death, and it seems like they happened yesterday, not a decade ago.
So what does this have to do with a Psalm about the joy of the Lord? I’ll tell you! Recently, a childhood friend died from brain cancer. He was a brilliant surgeon – only 45 years old. At his graveside service, a dear Christian lady I know leaned over to me and said, “What a waste! I just don’t understand this.” My comment to her was this… “Take a look around at all of the people who are here to celebrate his life. Think of the countless people he touched with his surgical skills. Look at his children and his family and the legacy he has left.” Yes, it was a sad day. Yes, we will miss him and my brother… and countless other loved ones who have preceded us to heaven.
But look at the words of this Psalm again… “the whole country will see how You work, all the godless nations see how You save… You mark us with blessing.” I can’t count the people who were marked with blessing because of my brother – his engaging personality, his loving care as a registered nurse, his kindness and acceptance of others. Ten years later, God is still using him to bless others, through memories and the legacy he left us. Fellow nurses tell me that not a week goes by that they don’t refer to Tim in some manner in their conversations. And they will do the same with our dear friend and his family – and countless others. Even death cannot diminish God’s glory and His blessings. Even grief cannot hold up to the joy of God’s promises, His mighty works, and His amazing grace and power!
Please understand me… grief is not a bad thing, and I have grieved the loss of many. God understands we will be sad and ache for our loved ones… He knows what it is to suffer loss. But GOD is never lost to us… He never stops blessing… never stops working in and through us and those who have already gone to Him. He continues to mark us with His grace and blessings. So today, I will celebrate my brother by enjoying God and His awesome goodness. I will think of Tim and others who are in heaven and I will thank God and shout in my heart with happiness… and I will SMILE! Let ALL people thank and enjoy God today… and I hope you are smiling, too.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 22 ~ Psalm 63
1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Probably all of us have visited an all-you-can-eat buffet. Most certainly we have helped ourselves to a salad bar with a vast number of options. We’ve been to cafeterias where we must choose between those jiggly jello salads with the fruit or a tossed salad – the chicken or the roast beef – mashed potatoes or rice pilaf. It can almost be overwhelming at times. And often, particularly at a buffet, we want at least “a little dab” of everything we see, and we leave stuffed to the point we feel we might pop if someone bumps us!
Do you ever feel that full of God’s Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you came into God’s presence ravenously hungry and thirsty for His word and His love and you absorbed it like a sponge, poured over the scriptures, basked in the worship and the words and the prayers and walked away completely stuffed… and maybe even overwhelmed by God and His blessings? I don’t know about you, but for me, this doesn’t happen nearly often enough!
So what can we do? I believe that this experience takes effort on our part. We must place ourselves in a position to enjoy God’s spiritual buffet. We have been invited to dine… now it is up to us to show up… to open our Bibles, to pray, to go to church and engage in worship with fellow believers. We need to ignore the gossip and low-minded thinking and talk of those the devil is using to try to knock us off our game. We need to focus on finding the good in people and situations and looking at everything from the perspective of finding God in the details and the outcome.
We’ve probably all heard the story of the man who went on the cruise and took peanut butter and crackers to eat, and at the end of the cruise, the captain explained to him that all meals were included in the price… he could have dined like a king any time he chose. Yet he sat in his cabin eating peanut butter and crackers. Is that how we are spiritually? The price has been paid in full for us to dine like kings and queens on God’s blessings. But we have to “step out of the cabin” and open our eyes and ears and realize what awaits us. I know what I’m choosing… and it ain’t the devil’s “peanut butter and crackers”… what about you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
Studies from the Psalms - Week 3
September 21 ~ Psalm 62
1-2 God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.
3-4 How long will you gang up on me?
How long will you run with the bullies?
There's nothing to you, any of you—
rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
but every "blessing" breathes a curse.
5-6 God, the one and only—
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.
7-8 My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.
9 Man as such is smoke,
woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they're nothing;
two times nothing is nothing.
10 And a windfall, if it comes—
don't make too much of it.
11 God said this once and for all;
how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes
Straight from God."
12 Love to you, Lord God!
You pay a fair wage for a good day's work!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
It seems like several times lately I have heard as many as a half-dozen stories on television news channels about people who demonstrated great courage. These folks overcame heavy odds to conquer an illness, a physical challenge, a natural disaster, or some other incredible phenomenon. Over and over, I heard a reference to their “amazing inner strength!” What amazed me was that not once did I hear anyone credit GOD for that strength. It was as if these people were so extraordinary in and of themselves that they just “willed” themselves to handle these incredible situations and circumstances.
Can I tell you something? Whether these people know it or not, that strength did come from God, because in and of ourselves, we are nothing, and we are certainly not strong. We are extremely weak on our own. In the past, there have been news stories like this where God received the credit. Little Job McCully’s family never misses an opportunity to credit God for all He has done for them… and yes, there are others who do the same. But I know how easy it is to get self-absorbed and to start thinking we are really pretty awesome on our own… and there is a danger that we will start to credit ourselves with things for which God should be receiving the glory.
So I want us all to remember that our help and glory are in GOD. He and He alone is our safe harbor and our strength… the “Giver of Good Gifts” extraordinaire! Without God, we are nothing. With God – with the strength He sends straight to us – we are set for life! Let’s remember to give Him the credit and the glory for such a blessing.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 20 ~ Psalm 61
1-2 God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer.
When I'm far from anywhere,
down to my last gasp,
I call out, "Guide me
up High Rock Mountain!"
3-5 You've always given me breathing room,
a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
an open invitation as your guest.
You've always taken me seriously, God,
made me welcome among those who know and love you.
6-8 Let the days of the king add up
to years and years of good rule.
Set his throne in the full light of God;
post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts,
And I'll be the poet who sings your glory—
and live what I sing every day.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever gotten a “season pass” to an amusement park, or maybe your school’s athletic events? With this “pass” you do not need to stand in line for a ticket. You don’t have to “pay as you go.” You are moved to the front of the line and ushered in ahead of those who are waiting to pay. You may even be given special “perks” and privileges because you have the “pass.” Some people have life-time “passes” to certain things – maybe a lifetime membership in an athletic club or other organization. They never have to pay dues or the regular fees again, and for the rest of their lives, they are given special treatment and offered perks for their faithfulness or commitment.
These “passes” are nice, but the “pass” that I value… the only one with eternal benefits… is my salvation in Jesus Christ! Because of my commitment to Him and because I do all I can to be faithful to His word, He gives me special treatment, in the form of “breathing room” in His “safe house.” He is also preparing a mansion for me in heaven, where the Bible tells me the streets are paved with gold and the gates are made of pearls, and everything is adorned with gems like onyx, amethyst, sapphires, emeralds, and topaz! WOW!!! Now THAT is a PASS with some power and punch!
I don’t know anyone else who would even consider lavishing such things on us… and all because He loves us! Nobody makes us feel welcome like God. Nobody protects us and cares for us like He does. Who among us can turn down a deal like this? We follow God, trust Him, honor and obey His holy Word, and He gives us an “eternal pass” for riches, glory and unending love. He’s got my attention – what about yours?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 19 ~ Psalm 57
1-3 Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life.
I'm hiding out under your wings
until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
the God who holds me together.
He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
he humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
he makes good on his word.
4 I find myself in a pride of lions
who are wild for a taste of human flesh;
Their teeth are lances and arrows,
their tongues are sharp daggers.
5 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
6 They booby-trapped my path;
I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
and fell in headlong themselves.
7-8 I'm ready, God, so ready,
ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
"Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"
9-10 I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.
11 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
This has been a year for torrential rains, high winds, and the remnants of hurricanes to plague our landscape. Thankfully, technology is so sophisticated these days that we know well in advance what is possible for our area, and we have a chance to “hunker down” and collect things that might blow around before the storms come. I watched one afternoon as a thundershower blew in rather quickly and caught two squirrels unaware. They did not know which way to run or where to hide, and for a few seconds, they ran back and forth and pretty much in circles, as if to say, “Omigosh, omigosh! What do we do now?!”
God knows what storms of life will come our way, and He stands ready to shelter us and help us “ride them out.” He protects us from the “slings and arrows” – the hurts and insults that others may hurl. He steers us through the maze of trials and temptations that the devil throws our way in a lifetime. He points out pitfalls and “booby-traps” and helps us keep on the right course. We may run around like those little squirrels, losing our minds temporarily and freaking out in the process, but we don’t have to do this. God is always ready to help us – to guide us calmly through these storms.
I am totally on board with the psalmist David… I am thanking God out loud in the streets for such a love. God’s love for me runs higher and deeper than I can ever comprehend, and I am so glad He holds me together. Aren’t you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 18 ~ Psalm 51
1-3 Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down.
4-6 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen
it all, seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.
I've been out of step with you for a long time,
in the wrong since before I was born.
What you're after is truth from the inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.
7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise.
16-17 Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.
18-19 Make Zion the place you delight in,
repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls.
Then you'll get real worship from us,
acts of worship small and large,
Including all the bulls
they can heave onto your altar!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.
I have an arsenal of cleaning agents/tricks to keep laundry stain-free, dishes sparkling, and my home looking spic and span. I haven’t tried Coca-Cola as a toilet cleaner, although I hear it works (how scary is that?!), but I “erase” a lot of stains and marks with my Mr. Clean erasers. I have also soaked a filthy piece of silver, black with years of tarnish, in a pan filled with a mixture of near-boiling water, aluminum foil and baking soda, and watched the mixture literally eat away the tarnish and reveal the sparkling, shiny silver underneath. I used to try scrubbing silver with a polish, then buffing the metal to make it shine. That took forever and never completely worked. With this method, the results are amazingly good – and incredibly fast!
Wouldn’t it be great if all of our mistakes and sins could be “erased” and “eroded” that quickly? The good news is that they can! All we have to do is turn to God, confess we are in trouble, seriously promise to do better, and He will forgive us and restore our “shine!”
I really get a sense of satisfaction and pride when my laundry is all clean, neat, folded and pressed and ready to put back into the closets and drawers. In the same way, God gets a huge thrill out of restoring us, forgiving our sins and missteps, and setting us back upright and ready for another day. So what are you waiting for? Tell God whatever you need to tell Him today, and ask Him to create a clean heart in you, to renew your spirit and give you a new “sparkle and shine.” I promise, you will feel better, and you will make His day!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 17 ~ Psalm 46
1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city,
this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.
7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
8 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything."
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
As I wrote these words, Galveston, Texas, was bracing for Hurricane Ike. Long before the brunt of the storm arrived, the “rush and roar” of the ocean barreled over the sea wall on the Texas Gulf Coast. Rescue efforts were enacted to save some who “stood fearless at the cliff-edge of doom” in the seastorm. The authorities warned them to take shelter. The citizens knew where to seek refuge inland… they were told where to go and what to do for their safety and protection. Many listened… sadly, others did not.
I am so glad that we know Who is our refuge and how and where to find Him! I am so glad that in the “seastorms of life” I have a God-of-Angel-Armies fighting to keep the “seawall” high and to buffer my storms. With God as my protector, I know that I am completely safe. I am fearless against any and all enemies. God is “at our service,” fighting for us night and day.The Bible is my authority. In it I find instructions for finding shelter in God and seeking refuge with Him. I do not want to be caught in a storm because I chose to ignore the message. I am doing all I can to listen and follow God’s Word closely… what about you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 16 ~ Psalm 42
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God's presence?"
I'm on a diet of tears—
tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
people knock at my door,
Pestering,
"Where is this God of yours?"
4 These are the things I go over and over,
emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
right out in front,
Leading them all,
eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
celebrating, all of us, God's feast!
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God's prayer.
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
"Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
harassed by enemies?"
They're out for the kill, these
tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
"Where is this God of yours?"
11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Author and pastor Charles Swindoll calls this Psalm and Psalm 43 psalms of “inner turmoil.” Everybody has times when they are down. Some people have a day or two of feeling bad about something or someone… others sink into a deep depression that can last a long time. My great-grandmother Ramsey would fit this latter category. Long before I was born, Granny “took to her bed” following the loss of a baby. She stayed there SEVENTEEN YEARS! Some said she suffered a “nervous breakdown,” while others called it a “spell.” My great-aunt, now in her 90’s, says she believes her mother suffered from post-partum depression that grew into a much larger problem. While Granny was bedfast, she “ruled the roost” and ran the household from her bed, made quilts for the family, and even gave birth to another child! Yet she was unable to get up and get going… and my great-grandfather did everything humanly possible to appease her… from purchasing bottles and bottles of “Miles Nervine” (a tonic thought to “calm the nerves) to loading Granny in the wagon each weekend and taking her to visit families in the community to keep her “in the loop.”
My great-grandmother was a good Christian woman who reared five faithful Christian children. I wonder how often she called out to God and asked, “Do you remember me?” I wonder if God’s “deep” called to her “deep” and allowed her to finally break her depression and get out of bed... years before I was even born, so that I could know her in a totally different light for 11 years?
While neither Rev. Swindoll nor I would belittle depression in any way or dispute that it is a very real condition, Rev. Swindoll offers some suggestions for breaking through despair and depression and letting God’s “deep” call to yours. First, he says we should pray. No matter how dark and desperate things look, keep calling out to God. “As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for Thee” is a familiar phrase to us… and as we long for God to come to us, we must desire His presence and call on Him in prayer. Secondly, Swindoll suggests that we call on things that have lifted us or encouraged us in the past… for him it is singing hymns, and I know for me, when I get up on the wrong side of the bed, singing “This is the day that the Lord Has Made” always cheers me! It may be looking at cards of encouragement. I have a beautiful birthday card from a dear cousin that sits on my desk. The message of the card and her added comments bless me every time I read them. I also keep a photo of our “adopted son” from Ghana, Timothy Kodjo Frim, tacked to my desk just above my computer screen. Looking at Kodjo reminds me how blessed I am and how much I have to offer to others because of God. For you it may be talking to a good friend (choose one who is an upbeat Christian and not someone who will commiserate and abet your mood!), reading scriptures that speak encouragement to you, or turning on some good music and “dancing the blues away!” Whatever lifts you or calls to your “deep” and raises you, let God use it to speak from His “deep” to yours.
Finally, Swindoll suggests that we get out of our rut by doing something out of our normal routine to “reboot” the wiring. That may be taking a walk or doing some sort of physical exercise. It may be weeding a flower bed – imagining that each weed is one of your “aggravations” and joyfully ripping it out by the roots! You may go to see a funny movie or meet your most upbeat friend for a soft drink or coffee. Anything you would not normally do that could serve to lift your spirits and brighten your day will work. While you may not feel like doing this, try it anyway, and see how much better you can feel!
The last verses of this Psalm ask “Why are you down in the dumps… crying the blues?” Everyone gets the blues for awhile, but don’t let them last seventeen years… or even 17 HOURS! Focus on God and His blessings, do some things that praise and glorify Him and cheer you, and watch Him put a smile on your face again. He’s OUR GOD… be filled with His joy and let it show!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 15 ~ Psalm 40:13-1713-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.
16-17 But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you're all about
tell the world you're great and not quitting.
And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you've got what it takes—
but God, don't put it off.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I can’t say what was in David’s heart, so I don’t know for sure if he was praying for bad things to happen to his enemies, or if he was merely asking God to use whatever measures necessary to protect him from Satan and his agents. I would hope it is the latter. But we all know that we have, at one time or another, at least WISHED revenge on our “enemies.” We say things like, “I’d like to give him/her what’s coming to him/her!” We have all heard the saying that someone will “rot in hell” for what they have done.
What we have to remember is that judgment is GOD’s business, not ours. We – and I certainly include myself in this – have to be very careful that we are not asking God to intervene on our behalf in a judgmental way… in other words, by telling God how to handle the situation. Certainly, we must ask God to protect us from the evil acts of the devil and the temptations he brings our way. But HOW and WHEN God does this is up to GOD, not us!
So let’s adjust our thinking a little. Let’s ask God to help us… to give us His wisdom and strength and courage. Let’s ask God to protect us from our enemies… and from evil and temptation. Let’s ask God to forgive us – AND those who would seek to hurt us or corrupt us in any way. Let’s ask God to show these people the “error of their ways” (in HIS way, not ours) and to help them to heal, too. Let’s ask God to bless those who are a blessing to Him and glorify Him by their behavior and how they speak.
And most of all, let’s ask God to be merciful to US… to “temper” OUR tempers with His grace and mercy… and to save us from not only the devil, but ourselves – to take the mess that we are and “make something of it.”
©2008 Debbie Robus
Studies from the Psalms - Week 2
September 14 ~ Psalm 40:9-12
9-10 I've preached you to the whole congregation,
I've kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn't keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn't keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.
11-12 Now God, don't hold out on me,
don't hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn't see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t know about you, but when I go on a trip, I overpack. More times than I can count, I have found myself lugging way to much baggage through an airport like a pack mule. When the trip is over and I repack to go home, I usually look at all I never used and wonder, “WHY did I do this?” We could easily ask the same thing about some of the Spiritual baggage we are carrying.
If you ever needed a scripture passage to confirm that you can ask God for help with ANYTHING, this is it! I think there are three keys to this: 1) You must humble yourself before God. In other words, you have to talk straight. You will not have been perfect, by any means. You may not have always shared God with others, as David did… and certainly you may not have put Him first in your life. But you can still ask for His help, and if you are humble and sincere and really, truly want to hear from God, He will answer you. God’s love IS unconditional. 2) You must wait! God WILL answer, but He will work on His timetable – not ours!
3) There is one more thing I want you to remember. There is nothing – NOTHING – that is so big or so bad or horrible that it will keep God from answering you. Even the most faithful Christian who shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every opportunity will have areas of weakness – NONE of us is perfect. But some of us have baggage in our lives that WE feel is so bad – so vile – that God would NEVER want to speak to us again. That is simply NOT TRUE! God is waiting to hear from you! He wants you to fork over the baggage to Him – to admit you need help and cannot do this on your own.
Why is it we want to continue carry our baggage like Spiritual pack mules, when God is waiting to “check” it all and lighten our load. His shoulders are big enough to hold everything we give Him. Let God “lighten YOUR load” today… and remember to give Him praise and tell others of His grace and mercy.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 13 ~ Psalm 40:4-8
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships;
The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words account for you.
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that's not what you're after.
Being religious, acting pious— that's not what you're asking for.
You've opened my ears so I can listen.
7-8 So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me."
That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever been in a situation where something – or someone – seemed so fascinating, so exciting, so “larger than life” that you just couldn’t put into words a decent description of this person or thing? Maybe it was a big event in your life, and you might have even said, “There are just not words to describe how I feel!” Now, think about God and your relationship to Him. Is your faith so magnificent and amazing that you run out of words to describe it? Shouldn’t this be the case?
God doesn’t want us to be puffed up and “holier than thou.” He doesn’t want a big show… flashy worship… “religious” symbols. It’s okay to wear a cross or put a “fish” on your car. But can you tell others WHY you wear that cross or WHY you have the Jesus bumper sticker? Do you raise your hands in worship because your neighbor does and you want to be cool and fit in, or do your hands seem to instinctively rise as you sing to God? In other words, are you the “real deal” for God? Has He entered your life in such a way that there is absolutely nothing phony about your relationship with Him?
Search your heart and your mind and make sure “your motives are pure.” Be the real deal for Jesus. He has written your name in His Book of Life… bought and paid for with His own blood. He has given you His very best – He deserves nothing less than that in return. If God’s Word has truly entered your life and your very being, then you are invited to the party to end all parties – a life spent with Him. Did you get your “letter?” Will we see you there?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 12 ~ Psalm 40:1-3
1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
At church we sing a song about Jesus taking us “from the miry clay” and setting our feet upon a rock. This Psalm was the inspiration for that song. The King James Version says in Verse 1, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Hasn’t that been each of us at least one time in our lives? The situation and circumstances are different for each of us. Maybe you have been praying for God to help you come up with the money for college, and little by little, the scholarships trickled in until you had enough to cover your first year, with prospects for more to come.
Maybe you have been waiting for a baby to arrive, and you have been praying that God will keep you and the baby healthy and safe, and the delivery date is almost here, and you are in the “home stretch.” You are believing that God will deliver a healthy child with all ten fingers and toes!
Maybe you or a loved one has suffered a long time with an illness. You know the end is very near, and you are trusting God to see you through – either your own death or the grief of the death of your loved one. You understand that in death, restoration and healing can come, too, as God sets you securely on the rock of His strength and power and helps you through the darkest days. Or maybe you or your loved one is nearing the end of a round of treatments, and restored health is within sight. God will guide you through physical healing, too, and evidence of His miraculous healings is all around us.
Or maybe you have wandered around for a few years now, doing things your own way, and generally screwing it all up pretty soundly. You’ve cried out to God to rescue you, and sure enough, He is doing just that. Maybe you have been praying for God to rescue someone you care about – a family member, a dear friend, a spouse, a co-worker… and you can see that God has heard your prayers, and He is moving in that person’s life.
Regardless of what your situation may be, God hears you. Wait patiently. Don’t give up. Keep pressing and praying and begging and believing. He will lift you out of the squishy, unsteady “clay” of your dilemma and set you firmly upon the rock of His salvation! Let go and “let God” – then praise Him every day for the mighty works He has done – and those He is yet to do!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 11 ~ Psalm 37:18-32
18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk; what they do won't soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they'll hold their heads high;
when the shelves are bare, they'll be full.
20 God-despisers have had it; God's enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time, vanished like smoke in thin air.
21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns; Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end; Stingy is cut off at the pass.
23-24 Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he's happy.
If he stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.
25-26 I once was young, now I'm a graybeard—
not once have I seen an abandoned believer,
or his kids out roaming the streets.
Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.
27-28 Turn your back on evil, work for the good and don't quit.
God loves this kind of thing, never turns away from his friends.
28-29 Live this way and you've got it made, but bad eggs will be tossed out.
The good get planted on good land and put down healthy roots.
30-31 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,
rolls virtue around on his tongue. His heart pumps God's Word like blood through his veins;
his feet are as sure as a cat's.
32-33 Wicked sets a watch for Righteous, he's out for the kill.
God, alert, is also on watch— Wicked won't hurt a hair of his head.
34 Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path.
He'll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it.
35-36 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense.
The next time I looked there was nothing—
a punctured bladder, vapid and limp.
37-38 Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life;
There's a future in strenuous wholeness.
But the willful will soon be discarded; insolent souls are on a dead-end street.
39-40 The spacious, free life is from God, it's also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil—
when we run to him, he saves us.
(Scripture from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I have worked for some great people in my lifetime. I have also worked for some real tyrants. For whatever reason, these people felt like walking all over their employees and degrading them at every turn – and even threatening them - was an effective way to lead. Chalk it up to “good raising” by my parents… or Divine Intervention or an army of angels who protected me… but I kept my dignity and never lashed back at these people. Oh, sure, I wanted to, but I knew that all I would do was create an even bigger mess, and in the end, “good would triumph over evil,” and I would be vindicated (or delivered). In other words, I always did all I could to “take the high road.” I didn’t lie, cheat, or steal to get ahead or “stay in good” with the boss. I wasn’t disrespectful or rude. I did a fairly decent job of keeping my cool – at least in public. I tried to do my job with as much decency and dedication as I possibly could, regardless of the way I was treated. And once or twice, when I had an opportunity, I took it and moved on to another position.
I wish I could say that I my “running to God” for help was always conscious and deliberate, confident that He would deliver me and strengthen me. Honestly, when I was a young adult, it was probably more an act of desperation. I ran to God, alright, but it was more like a last-ditch, “Lord, you gotta help me!” than a consistent and constant prayer life. But that is not the case these days… and frankly, I might not have even gotten into some of these jobs or situations if I had given the decision more prayer on the front end.
The good news for you is that YOU have a chance to start off on the right foot. If you feel you must accept a position, or stay in one, where your supervisor or boss or co-worker or teacher is a tyrant, you know what to do. Give this situation to God. Ask Him to protect you and to strengthen you. Ask Him to shield you from insults and difficult situations. Let God use us as an agent of change, perhaps… or at least as an example of “good folk” He keeps track of and rewards.
If you are doing what you know God wants you to do and staying close to Him, nothing or no one can truly hurt you or cause you to fail. Remember that, and remember that God will bless those who please Him – He “never turns His back on His friends!” Run to God, but not as a last-ditch effort. Stay close to Him and be patient. He will give you “a place in the sun,” and you will be greatly blessed.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 10 ~ Psalm 37:1-17
1-2 Don't bother your head with braggarts
or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
In no time they'll shrivel like grass clippings
and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.
3-4 Get insurance with God and do a good deed,
settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God, get in on the best.
5-6 Open up before God, keep nothing back;
he'll do whatever needs to be done:
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day
and stamp you with approval at high noon.
7 Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.
8-9 Bridle your anger, trash your wrath,
cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.
Before long the crooks will be bankrupt;
God-investors will soon own the store.
10-11 Before you know it, the wicked will have had it;
you'll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!
Down-to-earth people will move in and take over,
relishing a huge bonanza.
12-13 Bad guys have it in for the good guys,
obsessed with doing them in.
But God isn't losing any sleep; to him
they're a joke with no punch line.
14-15 Bullies brandish their swords,
pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They're out to beat up on the harmless,
or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—
slapstick figures in a moral circus.
16-17 Less is more and more is less.
One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings
but the righteous are God-strong.
(Scripture from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
We have all been there… something or someone frustrates us so badly we think we might explode! Your mom plans a family dinner, and the coach calls extra practices for that very hour. You get all of your classes set for the semester, and then the very one you need to fulfill your requirements gets dropped the first week of the semester. Someone says or does something that embarrasses or disappoints us in front of our friends, family members, colleagues or fellow church members, and we feel our blood begin to boil.
Because I seem to idle in “high gear,” I find myself easily frustrated. I know better, but that just seems to be my nature. I am learning to do all I can to sit back, be patient, and “cool my pipes” as it says in Verse 8, so that I do not say or do something that I will regret later. I don’t know about you, but this Psalm gives me a lot of comfort. First of all, some frustrating people and situations are not wicked or evil or meant for our harm or displeasure. Sometimes life just happens.
But when Satan uses something or someone to frustrate us, we should remember the words of this Psalm. We should take heart that God finds these people and situations to be a “joke with no punch line.” Isn’t that cool?! Recently, I was frustrated by a particular situation. I was really frustrated… and upset! I felt I needed to address it in some manner, but I just couldn’t figure out how – every idea that came to me had flaws. And then, as clearly as day, it came to me that what I needed to do was to pray. I needed to pray for the situation and those involved who had frustrated me… and that was ALL I needed to do! God would handle the rest. Just as in Verse 5, I needed to “Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done.”
Do you understand what rich and powerful advice this is? WE don’t need to do anything in so many situations. We need to give them to God and let HIM handle them… trusting that He will do just that! In the King James Version, Verse 4 says “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Stick close to God, and He will give you His best! It is such a relief that I don’t have to handle these things. It is so wonderful to hand them off to God and know that He will know exactly what to do… and He will bless me to boot!
We’re all going to have frustrations. The question is, “how will we handle them?” I don’t know about you, but I’m going to lay them before God in prayer and let Him do the rest.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 9 ~ Psalm 34:11-22
11 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don't let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won't put up with rebels;
he'll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave's freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
When you were a kid, did you ever fall so hard that you “knocked the breath out of you?” For a brief second or two, you felt like you would never breathe again, didn’t you? And then your breath returned, and you gasped and coughed and sputtered, but you were okay.
That’s how it is with our Spiritual lives. Often we fall – or falter – and for a time, it seems as if our breath is gone. We wander aimlessly, sometimes with a seemingly broken heart or spirit, and sometimes we cry out to God for help.
This is a really comforting Psalm. God IS listening. God IS right there to help us catch our breath when life (or Satan) kicks us in the gut. God IS protecting us from even as much as a broken finger. Our “heartaches” in this life are never permanent. God will restore us – give us a “lust for life!”
What is holding you back? What is keeping you from giving yourself wholly and completely to this amazing God of the Universe Who loves us so incredibly? No one who runs to Him loses out… so what are you waiting for?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 8 ~ Psalm 34:1-10
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Many of you are just beginning your college life. You are stepping out into the world, somewhat on your own, for probably the first time. I remember those days. Even though I left home for marriage, I could finally make my own decisions (along with my husband, of course). I could decide what to eat and when… where to go, who to “hang” with, and whether or not to go to church. Like many young adults, I was incredibly self-centered. My focus was on ME – MY college degree… MY husband… MY happiness... MY entertainment… MY future.
In my early adulthood, life was good. My husband and I both got college degrees, good jobs, and I even earned my Master’s degree, which meant a little bigger paycheck. We “traded up” from a mobile home to a duplex to a home of our own – and eventually a brand new house with a pool. We drove nice cars. We had season tickets to the in-state Razorback games – football AND basketball. We were there the lights went out in Barnhill Arena and for the first game in Bud Walton Arena. We went to bowl games and tailgate parties and pep rallies, and we rearranged our schedules at the drop of a hat to do whatever we wanted to do. And all along, we assumed that God would meet our needs and care for us… and we called on Him – when “the chips were down.”
What I didn’t do in those early years was put God first like I should. Sundays were “lay-around” days for sleeping late, doing laundry, reading the paper, and cooking a big breakfast. Bible study was reserved for times when I needed a scripture to help me with a problem or to answer a question. I prayed when I needed help or wanted something… someone was sick or in trouble, I wanted to pass an exam, or I needed an answer to a problem.
I don’t know HOW my life would have been different in my 20’s and 30’s, but I know it would have been different. Had my focus been to put God first in everything rather than farther down the list, I might have been more confident. I might have been kinder and more considerate of others, and I might have handled stressful situations more easily. I know we cannot change the past. I know there is nothing wrong with spending time and energy on my husband, my home, my career, or even the Razorbacks! But now I see that God MUST come first, and everything else falls into place.
Regardless of your stage in life, I hope you will take a look at your priorities and your focus and see where God is on your list. If He isn’t at the “number 1” position, it may be time for an overhaul. Bump God to the front of the line and “lack for no good thing!”
©2008 Debbie Robus
9-10 I've preached you to the whole congregation,
I've kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn't keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn't keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.
11-12 Now God, don't hold out on me,
don't hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn't see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t know about you, but when I go on a trip, I overpack. More times than I can count, I have found myself lugging way to much baggage through an airport like a pack mule. When the trip is over and I repack to go home, I usually look at all I never used and wonder, “WHY did I do this?” We could easily ask the same thing about some of the Spiritual baggage we are carrying.
If you ever needed a scripture passage to confirm that you can ask God for help with ANYTHING, this is it! I think there are three keys to this: 1) You must humble yourself before God. In other words, you have to talk straight. You will not have been perfect, by any means. You may not have always shared God with others, as David did… and certainly you may not have put Him first in your life. But you can still ask for His help, and if you are humble and sincere and really, truly want to hear from God, He will answer you. God’s love IS unconditional. 2) You must wait! God WILL answer, but He will work on His timetable – not ours!
3) There is one more thing I want you to remember. There is nothing – NOTHING – that is so big or so bad or horrible that it will keep God from answering you. Even the most faithful Christian who shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every opportunity will have areas of weakness – NONE of us is perfect. But some of us have baggage in our lives that WE feel is so bad – so vile – that God would NEVER want to speak to us again. That is simply NOT TRUE! God is waiting to hear from you! He wants you to fork over the baggage to Him – to admit you need help and cannot do this on your own.
Why is it we want to continue carry our baggage like Spiritual pack mules, when God is waiting to “check” it all and lighten our load. His shoulders are big enough to hold everything we give Him. Let God “lighten YOUR load” today… and remember to give Him praise and tell others of His grace and mercy.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 13 ~ Psalm 40:4-8
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships;
The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words account for you.
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that's not what you're after.
Being religious, acting pious— that's not what you're asking for.
You've opened my ears so I can listen.
7-8 So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me."
That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever been in a situation where something – or someone – seemed so fascinating, so exciting, so “larger than life” that you just couldn’t put into words a decent description of this person or thing? Maybe it was a big event in your life, and you might have even said, “There are just not words to describe how I feel!” Now, think about God and your relationship to Him. Is your faith so magnificent and amazing that you run out of words to describe it? Shouldn’t this be the case?
God doesn’t want us to be puffed up and “holier than thou.” He doesn’t want a big show… flashy worship… “religious” symbols. It’s okay to wear a cross or put a “fish” on your car. But can you tell others WHY you wear that cross or WHY you have the Jesus bumper sticker? Do you raise your hands in worship because your neighbor does and you want to be cool and fit in, or do your hands seem to instinctively rise as you sing to God? In other words, are you the “real deal” for God? Has He entered your life in such a way that there is absolutely nothing phony about your relationship with Him?
Search your heart and your mind and make sure “your motives are pure.” Be the real deal for Jesus. He has written your name in His Book of Life… bought and paid for with His own blood. He has given you His very best – He deserves nothing less than that in return. If God’s Word has truly entered your life and your very being, then you are invited to the party to end all parties – a life spent with Him. Did you get your “letter?” Will we see you there?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 12 ~ Psalm 40:1-3
1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn't slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
At church we sing a song about Jesus taking us “from the miry clay” and setting our feet upon a rock. This Psalm was the inspiration for that song. The King James Version says in Verse 1, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Hasn’t that been each of us at least one time in our lives? The situation and circumstances are different for each of us. Maybe you have been praying for God to help you come up with the money for college, and little by little, the scholarships trickled in until you had enough to cover your first year, with prospects for more to come.
Maybe you have been waiting for a baby to arrive, and you have been praying that God will keep you and the baby healthy and safe, and the delivery date is almost here, and you are in the “home stretch.” You are believing that God will deliver a healthy child with all ten fingers and toes!
Maybe you or a loved one has suffered a long time with an illness. You know the end is very near, and you are trusting God to see you through – either your own death or the grief of the death of your loved one. You understand that in death, restoration and healing can come, too, as God sets you securely on the rock of His strength and power and helps you through the darkest days. Or maybe you or your loved one is nearing the end of a round of treatments, and restored health is within sight. God will guide you through physical healing, too, and evidence of His miraculous healings is all around us.
Or maybe you have wandered around for a few years now, doing things your own way, and generally screwing it all up pretty soundly. You’ve cried out to God to rescue you, and sure enough, He is doing just that. Maybe you have been praying for God to rescue someone you care about – a family member, a dear friend, a spouse, a co-worker… and you can see that God has heard your prayers, and He is moving in that person’s life.
Regardless of what your situation may be, God hears you. Wait patiently. Don’t give up. Keep pressing and praying and begging and believing. He will lift you out of the squishy, unsteady “clay” of your dilemma and set you firmly upon the rock of His salvation! Let go and “let God” – then praise Him every day for the mighty works He has done – and those He is yet to do!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 11 ~ Psalm 37:18-32
18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk; what they do won't soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they'll hold their heads high;
when the shelves are bare, they'll be full.
20 God-despisers have had it; God's enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time, vanished like smoke in thin air.
21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns; Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end; Stingy is cut off at the pass.
23-24 Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he's happy.
If he stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.
25-26 I once was young, now I'm a graybeard—
not once have I seen an abandoned believer,
or his kids out roaming the streets.
Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.
27-28 Turn your back on evil, work for the good and don't quit.
God loves this kind of thing, never turns away from his friends.
28-29 Live this way and you've got it made, but bad eggs will be tossed out.
The good get planted on good land and put down healthy roots.
30-31 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,
rolls virtue around on his tongue. His heart pumps God's Word like blood through his veins;
his feet are as sure as a cat's.
32-33 Wicked sets a watch for Righteous, he's out for the kill.
God, alert, is also on watch— Wicked won't hurt a hair of his head.
34 Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path.
He'll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it.
35-36 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense.
The next time I looked there was nothing—
a punctured bladder, vapid and limp.
37-38 Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life;
There's a future in strenuous wholeness.
But the willful will soon be discarded; insolent souls are on a dead-end street.
39-40 The spacious, free life is from God, it's also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil—
when we run to him, he saves us.
(Scripture from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I have worked for some great people in my lifetime. I have also worked for some real tyrants. For whatever reason, these people felt like walking all over their employees and degrading them at every turn – and even threatening them - was an effective way to lead. Chalk it up to “good raising” by my parents… or Divine Intervention or an army of angels who protected me… but I kept my dignity and never lashed back at these people. Oh, sure, I wanted to, but I knew that all I would do was create an even bigger mess, and in the end, “good would triumph over evil,” and I would be vindicated (or delivered). In other words, I always did all I could to “take the high road.” I didn’t lie, cheat, or steal to get ahead or “stay in good” with the boss. I wasn’t disrespectful or rude. I did a fairly decent job of keeping my cool – at least in public. I tried to do my job with as much decency and dedication as I possibly could, regardless of the way I was treated. And once or twice, when I had an opportunity, I took it and moved on to another position.
I wish I could say that I my “running to God” for help was always conscious and deliberate, confident that He would deliver me and strengthen me. Honestly, when I was a young adult, it was probably more an act of desperation. I ran to God, alright, but it was more like a last-ditch, “Lord, you gotta help me!” than a consistent and constant prayer life. But that is not the case these days… and frankly, I might not have even gotten into some of these jobs or situations if I had given the decision more prayer on the front end.
The good news for you is that YOU have a chance to start off on the right foot. If you feel you must accept a position, or stay in one, where your supervisor or boss or co-worker or teacher is a tyrant, you know what to do. Give this situation to God. Ask Him to protect you and to strengthen you. Ask Him to shield you from insults and difficult situations. Let God use us as an agent of change, perhaps… or at least as an example of “good folk” He keeps track of and rewards.
If you are doing what you know God wants you to do and staying close to Him, nothing or no one can truly hurt you or cause you to fail. Remember that, and remember that God will bless those who please Him – He “never turns His back on His friends!” Run to God, but not as a last-ditch effort. Stay close to Him and be patient. He will give you “a place in the sun,” and you will be greatly blessed.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 10 ~ Psalm 37:1-17
1-2 Don't bother your head with braggarts
or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
In no time they'll shrivel like grass clippings
and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.
3-4 Get insurance with God and do a good deed,
settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God, get in on the best.
5-6 Open up before God, keep nothing back;
he'll do whatever needs to be done:
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day
and stamp you with approval at high noon.
7 Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.
8-9 Bridle your anger, trash your wrath,
cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.
Before long the crooks will be bankrupt;
God-investors will soon own the store.
10-11 Before you know it, the wicked will have had it;
you'll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!
Down-to-earth people will move in and take over,
relishing a huge bonanza.
12-13 Bad guys have it in for the good guys,
obsessed with doing them in.
But God isn't losing any sleep; to him
they're a joke with no punch line.
14-15 Bullies brandish their swords,
pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They're out to beat up on the harmless,
or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—
slapstick figures in a moral circus.
16-17 Less is more and more is less.
One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings
but the righteous are God-strong.
(Scripture from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
We have all been there… something or someone frustrates us so badly we think we might explode! Your mom plans a family dinner, and the coach calls extra practices for that very hour. You get all of your classes set for the semester, and then the very one you need to fulfill your requirements gets dropped the first week of the semester. Someone says or does something that embarrasses or disappoints us in front of our friends, family members, colleagues or fellow church members, and we feel our blood begin to boil.
Because I seem to idle in “high gear,” I find myself easily frustrated. I know better, but that just seems to be my nature. I am learning to do all I can to sit back, be patient, and “cool my pipes” as it says in Verse 8, so that I do not say or do something that I will regret later. I don’t know about you, but this Psalm gives me a lot of comfort. First of all, some frustrating people and situations are not wicked or evil or meant for our harm or displeasure. Sometimes life just happens.
But when Satan uses something or someone to frustrate us, we should remember the words of this Psalm. We should take heart that God finds these people and situations to be a “joke with no punch line.” Isn’t that cool?! Recently, I was frustrated by a particular situation. I was really frustrated… and upset! I felt I needed to address it in some manner, but I just couldn’t figure out how – every idea that came to me had flaws. And then, as clearly as day, it came to me that what I needed to do was to pray. I needed to pray for the situation and those involved who had frustrated me… and that was ALL I needed to do! God would handle the rest. Just as in Verse 5, I needed to “Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done.”
Do you understand what rich and powerful advice this is? WE don’t need to do anything in so many situations. We need to give them to God and let HIM handle them… trusting that He will do just that! In the King James Version, Verse 4 says “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Stick close to God, and He will give you His best! It is such a relief that I don’t have to handle these things. It is so wonderful to hand them off to God and know that He will know exactly what to do… and He will bless me to boot!
We’re all going to have frustrations. The question is, “how will we handle them?” I don’t know about you, but I’m going to lay them before God in prayer and let Him do the rest.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 9 ~ Psalm 34:11-22
11 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don't let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won't put up with rebels;
he'll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.
20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave's freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
When you were a kid, did you ever fall so hard that you “knocked the breath out of you?” For a brief second or two, you felt like you would never breathe again, didn’t you? And then your breath returned, and you gasped and coughed and sputtered, but you were okay.
That’s how it is with our Spiritual lives. Often we fall – or falter – and for a time, it seems as if our breath is gone. We wander aimlessly, sometimes with a seemingly broken heart or spirit, and sometimes we cry out to God for help.
This is a really comforting Psalm. God IS listening. God IS right there to help us catch our breath when life (or Satan) kicks us in the gut. God IS protecting us from even as much as a broken finger. Our “heartaches” in this life are never permanent. God will restore us – give us a “lust for life!”
What is holding you back? What is keeping you from giving yourself wholly and completely to this amazing God of the Universe Who loves us so incredibly? No one who runs to Him loses out… so what are you waiting for?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 8 ~ Psalm 34:1-10
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Many of you are just beginning your college life. You are stepping out into the world, somewhat on your own, for probably the first time. I remember those days. Even though I left home for marriage, I could finally make my own decisions (along with my husband, of course). I could decide what to eat and when… where to go, who to “hang” with, and whether or not to go to church. Like many young adults, I was incredibly self-centered. My focus was on ME – MY college degree… MY husband… MY happiness... MY entertainment… MY future.
In my early adulthood, life was good. My husband and I both got college degrees, good jobs, and I even earned my Master’s degree, which meant a little bigger paycheck. We “traded up” from a mobile home to a duplex to a home of our own – and eventually a brand new house with a pool. We drove nice cars. We had season tickets to the in-state Razorback games – football AND basketball. We were there the lights went out in Barnhill Arena and for the first game in Bud Walton Arena. We went to bowl games and tailgate parties and pep rallies, and we rearranged our schedules at the drop of a hat to do whatever we wanted to do. And all along, we assumed that God would meet our needs and care for us… and we called on Him – when “the chips were down.”
What I didn’t do in those early years was put God first like I should. Sundays were “lay-around” days for sleeping late, doing laundry, reading the paper, and cooking a big breakfast. Bible study was reserved for times when I needed a scripture to help me with a problem or to answer a question. I prayed when I needed help or wanted something… someone was sick or in trouble, I wanted to pass an exam, or I needed an answer to a problem.
I don’t know HOW my life would have been different in my 20’s and 30’s, but I know it would have been different. Had my focus been to put God first in everything rather than farther down the list, I might have been more confident. I might have been kinder and more considerate of others, and I might have handled stressful situations more easily. I know we cannot change the past. I know there is nothing wrong with spending time and energy on my husband, my home, my career, or even the Razorbacks! But now I see that God MUST come first, and everything else falls into place.
Regardless of your stage in life, I hope you will take a look at your priorities and your focus and see where God is on your list. If He isn’t at the “number 1” position, it may be time for an overhaul. Bump God to the front of the line and “lack for no good thing!”
©2008 Debbie Robus
Studies from the Psalms
September 7 ~ Psalm 30
1 I give you all the credit, God— you got me out of that mess,
you didn't let my foes gloat.
2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm God's favorite.
He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces.
8-10 I called out to you, God;
I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!"
11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever been deliriously happy? You know… the feeling that you want to just dance and sing and shout – a feeling like your heart might burst through your chest? Maybe it was the winning of a big game in which your team was the underdog or the battle was hard fought. Maybe you were the winner in a beauty contest or talent competition – think of those who have been selected for “American Idol” and how emotional they become when they hear the news. Maybe you are recalling your wedding day or the birth of your children. For each of us, what moves us to sheer joy of this magnitude is different.
Let me ask you something… when you thought of these events, did anything related to your relationship with Jesus come to mind? Why is that? Why are we so often not joyful to this extent over things that, quite honestly, matter the most? Why did we (and I include myself here) not mention first and foremost the moment we gave our heart to Christ? Why didn’t leading another to Jesus come to mind for us?
It’s a little skewed, isn’t it? We can recall moments of tremendous joy over a Super Bowl, Final Four, or “American Idol,” but events that will seal our eternity in Heaven and determine the “stars in our crown” are not on our radar screen. We can recall moments of tremendous sadness – the “weeping that comes for a night” – illness, death, loss, natural disasters and more – yet when was the last time we actually wept over the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? When was the last time we mourned over sin and cried out to God for His healing power?
The psalmist David had it right – he wasn’t perfect, but in this instance, he had his priorities straight. We’ve veered so far off track it’s not even funny. We’ve lost our focus, and now, many times we mourn and celebrate the most insignificant of things. It’s time for a “radar check,” don’t you think? It’s time we remember Who brought us to this point and Who is in charge of our destiny. And it’s time we celebrated the things of God, mourned the losses that matter for eternity, and thank Him for bringing us through it all. I’m ready for a “Extreme Makeover” of my priorities – are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 6 ~ Psalm 27
1 Light, space, zest— that's God!
So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
2 When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.
3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.
4 I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.
7-9 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now!
9-10 You've always been right there for me; don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me; you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.
11-12 Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again: Stay with God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever felt like someone turned their back on you? It hurts, doesn’t it? Maybe it was a parent, maybe it was a relative or a dear friend. Maybe it was a coworker. Sometimes you know what happened to cause the split… sometimes you don’t, and either way, it can be agonizing. You may feel like your heart will literally break into two pieces. Can I tell you something? As painful and sad as this situation may be, there is Someone who will NEVER abandon you or turn His back on you.
No matter how bad things may seem, God will still be with you, sharing His goodness, lighting your way, protecting you from those who would hurt you - giving you strength and courage and joy for another day. Even when we feel things are never going to be the same – when everything from the buzz of traffic to the abandonment by someone we love begins to weigh us down – God’s goodness is still evident all around us.
Remember the last verses of this Psalm. Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit – God has always been right there for you… He will never abandon you – don’t abandon HIM! Take heart – don’t quit – STAY WITH GOD!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 5 ~ Psalm 24
1-2 God claims Earth and everything in it, God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations, laid it out on River girders.
3-4 Who can climb Mount God? Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed, only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat, women who won't seduce.
5-6 God is at their side; with God's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens to God-seekers, God-questers.
7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city! Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8 Who is this King-Glory? God, armed and battle-ready.
9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city! Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10 Who is this King-Glory? God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
If parts of this Psalm sound familiar, it may be because we sing a song at church based on these words. “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!” Do we stop to consider the strength of God? Do we think of Him in terms of being armed and battle-ready to take on Satan? We talk often of Satan’s army standing ready to try to defeat us, but do we remember that God has an even bigger army of angels battle-ready to avenge the devil’s attempts?
Recently, a national event occurred that caused me to feel incredibly uneasy. I prayed for several days prior to this event that God would surround those involved and provide protection against evil forces. I asked that He surround every person involved with heavenly protection, and that any acts of evil or harm would be diverted. I’m serious when I tell you that I prayed long and hard over this situation.
As I watched this national event unfold on television, I know it sounds crazy, but I could almost hear a roar overhead. I could sense that God had indeed covered those involved with a host of angels who were sounding the warning to Satan and any who would do his bidding to back off! I can’t say I was able to totally relax, but I did feel so much more relieved and comforted. I KNEW that God was in control. I knew He was armed and ready… and I gave prayers of thanks and praise to the King of Glory for His protection.
The God of the universe – the God who protected a national event, stands ready to call upon His angel army to protect us in any and every battle with the devil and his agents. We need to realize that God is always with us – ready to enter into battle on our behalf – and we must never hesitate to call upon Him to help us. Nothing is too great or too small for our God! “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty!” Remember to call on Him – and to praise Him for answering!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 4 ~ Psalm 23
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Last year a group of college students and I studied several Psalms using a book by Charles Swindoll, Living Beyond the Daily Grind. In the study of Psalm 23, Swindoll explained several things about a shepherd and his sheep, and we gained a lot of insight into how God, our Great Shepherd, cares for us. Surely we can take comfort in the first lines of this Psalm, knowing that with God as our Shepherd, we really don’t need a thing.
Did you know that sometimes when a sheep will not stop wandering, the shepherd has to break its leg and carry it until the leg heals in order to teach it not to stray? Isn’t that just what happens to us sometimes? We wander away so often that God allows some pretty drastic things to happen to us, and then He uses them to get our attention! But the best part of this is that, just like a shepherd, God then carries us in His arms until we heal and learn our lesson. God loves us and knows each of us as surely as a shepherd knows his flock – even better! And He will never leave us… even when we face challenges, enemies, or even death.
I don’t know about you, but when I need a lift in my daily routine, I stop and pray the first few lines of this Psalm… “The Lord is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” In other words, with God in control, I don’t need a thing! Now THAT is awesome news, isn’t it?!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 3 ~ Psalm 19
1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren't heard,
their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
10 God's Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Sometimes when my husband and I travel, he will say to me, “Watch for the signs. Read some streets and numbers to me.” He knows where we are going, because he is an excellent navigator. On the other hand, I am terrible at reading maps, and I would have us lost in very short order. The lines and names on a map all seem to simply run together in a blur when I try to decipher them. If ever someone needed GPS navigation to guide them, it would be me!
When it comes to things of a Spiritual nature, I know exactly how to read the map! I know where to look, how to listen, and Who to ask if I happen to veer off course. God’s directions ARE plain and easy on the eyes. His directions are always clear and right. All I have to do is “tune in” to God and let Him show me the way. If I temporarily take a wrong turn, He not only puts me back on course, He also clears away any traces of my misdirection… He washes me clean and gives me a fresh start!
I can’t imagine trying to navigate without God. I heard someone say recently that those bumper stickers that say “God is my co-pilot” have it all wrong. God is our PILOT – or at least He should be! If He isn’t driving YOUR “car,” don’t you think it’s time He did?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 2 ~ Psalm 16
1-2 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
3 And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!
4 Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names.
5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with God;
I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell— that's not my destination!
11 Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever watched one of those shows before an award ceremony, such as the Oscars, Emmy’s, People’s Choice Awards, or the Grammy’s? The announcers greet the celebrities and their “dates” and one of the first questions asked is, “Who are you wearing tonight?” The clothing designer gets a huge “plug”, and should he/she be an unknown, this free publicity can catapult their creations into stardom and produce instant public demand for these designs. For days after the awards ceremony, the press goes on and on about who wore “who” and whether it “worked” or not.
In our Spiritual life, people are watching and wondering “Who” we wear. I am so glad to be able to say, like the psalmist David, that for me, there is only one “label” – only one Designer. I’m not shopping for a god who is fashionable. God Almighty – the God of the universe – is my only choice. He is my first and only. I am His choice – and His heir… destined for Heaven and not hell because of His greatness and His mercy. This is amazing, incredible, fabulous news. Because of my God, I sleep easily at night, secure in His love and redemption.
Some designers are so widely recognized that people know in an instant, “that is Armani or Sean John or Vera Wang.” When people look at me, I want them to know that MY Designer is the Most High God. “I’ve got a good thing going, and I’m not letting go!” Thanks be to God, in Whom everything makes sense!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 1 ~ Psalm 8
1 God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name.
2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.
3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?
5-8 Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.
9 God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Lately I have been reading the Psalms, and the amazing messages of comfort, encouragement, wisdom and praise seem to be just what I need when I need it. As fall approaches and the seasons change, I want to take several weeks and study selected Psalms and see what God will say to us through them. While The Message translation makes things easier to understand sometimes, there is a definite “cadence” to the Psalms in the King James Version and/or the New International Version (NIV), and I encourage you to dig a little deeper each day and re-read the passages in one of these versions. You will find phrases that are very familiar to all of us, as in this passage, where verses 3-4 say “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.)
My husband and I recently watched a really neat little docudrama, In the Shadow of the Moon, about the Apollo space program and our country’s quest to explore the moon. Several of the astronauts from Apollo missions were interviewed, and more than one talked about how he felt as he looked back at our planet from space. These men talked about the vastness of space and how tiny the earth appeared. More than one of them gained a new perspective on how miniscule each of us is in the grand scheme of the universe.
A few years ago, a group from our church attended a Chris Tomlin concert. Together with Matt Redman and Louis Giglio, Tomlin presented his “Indescribable Tour.” Giglio used photos from the Hubble telescope of “stars” and nebulae light years away from the tiny “blue dot” that is our earth. His point was that a God who formed these beauties also knows how many hairs are on our head. We who are seemingly insignificant in the scheme of things are the “apple of God’s eye.”
Why DOES God bother with us? Why does He love us and care so deeply about our every thought? I don’t have an answer for that, but I’m awfully glad He does, aren’t you? When you consider how magnificent, how powerful, how far-encompassing God is… even to the farthest reaches of outer space… and yet he cares for us, how can we do anything BUT glorify His name and give Him the praise He so deserves?! God’s name echoes around the world and throughout the universe, and still He loves us! WOW!!! That truly IS “indescribable!”
©2008 Debbie Robus
1 I give you all the credit, God— you got me out of that mess,
you didn't let my foes gloat.
2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm God's favorite.
He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces.
8-10 I called out to you, God;
I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!"
11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever been deliriously happy? You know… the feeling that you want to just dance and sing and shout – a feeling like your heart might burst through your chest? Maybe it was the winning of a big game in which your team was the underdog or the battle was hard fought. Maybe you were the winner in a beauty contest or talent competition – think of those who have been selected for “American Idol” and how emotional they become when they hear the news. Maybe you are recalling your wedding day or the birth of your children. For each of us, what moves us to sheer joy of this magnitude is different.
Let me ask you something… when you thought of these events, did anything related to your relationship with Jesus come to mind? Why is that? Why are we so often not joyful to this extent over things that, quite honestly, matter the most? Why did we (and I include myself here) not mention first and foremost the moment we gave our heart to Christ? Why didn’t leading another to Jesus come to mind for us?
It’s a little skewed, isn’t it? We can recall moments of tremendous joy over a Super Bowl, Final Four, or “American Idol,” but events that will seal our eternity in Heaven and determine the “stars in our crown” are not on our radar screen. We can recall moments of tremendous sadness – the “weeping that comes for a night” – illness, death, loss, natural disasters and more – yet when was the last time we actually wept over the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? When was the last time we mourned over sin and cried out to God for His healing power?
The psalmist David had it right – he wasn’t perfect, but in this instance, he had his priorities straight. We’ve veered so far off track it’s not even funny. We’ve lost our focus, and now, many times we mourn and celebrate the most insignificant of things. It’s time for a “radar check,” don’t you think? It’s time we remember Who brought us to this point and Who is in charge of our destiny. And it’s time we celebrated the things of God, mourned the losses that matter for eternity, and thank Him for bringing us through it all. I’m ready for a “Extreme Makeover” of my priorities – are you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 6 ~ Psalm 27
1 Light, space, zest— that's God!
So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
2 When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.
3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.
4 I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.
7-9 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now!
9-10 You've always been right there for me; don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me; you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.
11-12 Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again: Stay with God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever felt like someone turned their back on you? It hurts, doesn’t it? Maybe it was a parent, maybe it was a relative or a dear friend. Maybe it was a coworker. Sometimes you know what happened to cause the split… sometimes you don’t, and either way, it can be agonizing. You may feel like your heart will literally break into two pieces. Can I tell you something? As painful and sad as this situation may be, there is Someone who will NEVER abandon you or turn His back on you.
No matter how bad things may seem, God will still be with you, sharing His goodness, lighting your way, protecting you from those who would hurt you - giving you strength and courage and joy for another day. Even when we feel things are never going to be the same – when everything from the buzz of traffic to the abandonment by someone we love begins to weigh us down – God’s goodness is still evident all around us.
Remember the last verses of this Psalm. Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit – God has always been right there for you… He will never abandon you – don’t abandon HIM! Take heart – don’t quit – STAY WITH GOD!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 5 ~ Psalm 24
1-2 God claims Earth and everything in it, God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations, laid it out on River girders.
3-4 Who can climb Mount God? Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed, only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat, women who won't seduce.
5-6 God is at their side; with God's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens to God-seekers, God-questers.
7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city! Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8 Who is this King-Glory? God, armed and battle-ready.
9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city! Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10 Who is this King-Glory? God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
If parts of this Psalm sound familiar, it may be because we sing a song at church based on these words. “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!” Do we stop to consider the strength of God? Do we think of Him in terms of being armed and battle-ready to take on Satan? We talk often of Satan’s army standing ready to try to defeat us, but do we remember that God has an even bigger army of angels battle-ready to avenge the devil’s attempts?
Recently, a national event occurred that caused me to feel incredibly uneasy. I prayed for several days prior to this event that God would surround those involved and provide protection against evil forces. I asked that He surround every person involved with heavenly protection, and that any acts of evil or harm would be diverted. I’m serious when I tell you that I prayed long and hard over this situation.
As I watched this national event unfold on television, I know it sounds crazy, but I could almost hear a roar overhead. I could sense that God had indeed covered those involved with a host of angels who were sounding the warning to Satan and any who would do his bidding to back off! I can’t say I was able to totally relax, but I did feel so much more relieved and comforted. I KNEW that God was in control. I knew He was armed and ready… and I gave prayers of thanks and praise to the King of Glory for His protection.
The God of the universe – the God who protected a national event, stands ready to call upon His angel army to protect us in any and every battle with the devil and his agents. We need to realize that God is always with us – ready to enter into battle on our behalf – and we must never hesitate to call upon Him to help us. Nothing is too great or too small for our God! “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty!” Remember to call on Him – and to praise Him for answering!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 4 ~ Psalm 23
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Last year a group of college students and I studied several Psalms using a book by Charles Swindoll, Living Beyond the Daily Grind. In the study of Psalm 23, Swindoll explained several things about a shepherd and his sheep, and we gained a lot of insight into how God, our Great Shepherd, cares for us. Surely we can take comfort in the first lines of this Psalm, knowing that with God as our Shepherd, we really don’t need a thing.
Did you know that sometimes when a sheep will not stop wandering, the shepherd has to break its leg and carry it until the leg heals in order to teach it not to stray? Isn’t that just what happens to us sometimes? We wander away so often that God allows some pretty drastic things to happen to us, and then He uses them to get our attention! But the best part of this is that, just like a shepherd, God then carries us in His arms until we heal and learn our lesson. God loves us and knows each of us as surely as a shepherd knows his flock – even better! And He will never leave us… even when we face challenges, enemies, or even death.
I don’t know about you, but when I need a lift in my daily routine, I stop and pray the first few lines of this Psalm… “The Lord is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” In other words, with God in control, I don’t need a thing! Now THAT is awesome news, isn’t it?!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 3 ~ Psalm 19
1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren't heard,
their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
10 God's Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Sometimes when my husband and I travel, he will say to me, “Watch for the signs. Read some streets and numbers to me.” He knows where we are going, because he is an excellent navigator. On the other hand, I am terrible at reading maps, and I would have us lost in very short order. The lines and names on a map all seem to simply run together in a blur when I try to decipher them. If ever someone needed GPS navigation to guide them, it would be me!
When it comes to things of a Spiritual nature, I know exactly how to read the map! I know where to look, how to listen, and Who to ask if I happen to veer off course. God’s directions ARE plain and easy on the eyes. His directions are always clear and right. All I have to do is “tune in” to God and let Him show me the way. If I temporarily take a wrong turn, He not only puts me back on course, He also clears away any traces of my misdirection… He washes me clean and gives me a fresh start!
I can’t imagine trying to navigate without God. I heard someone say recently that those bumper stickers that say “God is my co-pilot” have it all wrong. God is our PILOT – or at least He should be! If He isn’t driving YOUR “car,” don’t you think it’s time He did?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 2 ~ Psalm 16
1-2 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
3 And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!
4 Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names.
5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with God;
I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell— that's not my destination!
11 Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever watched one of those shows before an award ceremony, such as the Oscars, Emmy’s, People’s Choice Awards, or the Grammy’s? The announcers greet the celebrities and their “dates” and one of the first questions asked is, “Who are you wearing tonight?” The clothing designer gets a huge “plug”, and should he/she be an unknown, this free publicity can catapult their creations into stardom and produce instant public demand for these designs. For days after the awards ceremony, the press goes on and on about who wore “who” and whether it “worked” or not.
In our Spiritual life, people are watching and wondering “Who” we wear. I am so glad to be able to say, like the psalmist David, that for me, there is only one “label” – only one Designer. I’m not shopping for a god who is fashionable. God Almighty – the God of the universe – is my only choice. He is my first and only. I am His choice – and His heir… destined for Heaven and not hell because of His greatness and His mercy. This is amazing, incredible, fabulous news. Because of my God, I sleep easily at night, secure in His love and redemption.
Some designers are so widely recognized that people know in an instant, “that is Armani or Sean John or Vera Wang.” When people look at me, I want them to know that MY Designer is the Most High God. “I’ve got a good thing going, and I’m not letting go!” Thanks be to God, in Whom everything makes sense!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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September 1 ~ Psalm 8
1 God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name.
2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.
3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?
5-8 Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.
9 God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Lately I have been reading the Psalms, and the amazing messages of comfort, encouragement, wisdom and praise seem to be just what I need when I need it. As fall approaches and the seasons change, I want to take several weeks and study selected Psalms and see what God will say to us through them. While The Message translation makes things easier to understand sometimes, there is a definite “cadence” to the Psalms in the King James Version and/or the New International Version (NIV), and I encourage you to dig a little deeper each day and re-read the passages in one of these versions. You will find phrases that are very familiar to all of us, as in this passage, where verses 3-4 say “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.)
My husband and I recently watched a really neat little docudrama, In the Shadow of the Moon, about the Apollo space program and our country’s quest to explore the moon. Several of the astronauts from Apollo missions were interviewed, and more than one talked about how he felt as he looked back at our planet from space. These men talked about the vastness of space and how tiny the earth appeared. More than one of them gained a new perspective on how miniscule each of us is in the grand scheme of the universe.
A few years ago, a group from our church attended a Chris Tomlin concert. Together with Matt Redman and Louis Giglio, Tomlin presented his “Indescribable Tour.” Giglio used photos from the Hubble telescope of “stars” and nebulae light years away from the tiny “blue dot” that is our earth. His point was that a God who formed these beauties also knows how many hairs are on our head. We who are seemingly insignificant in the scheme of things are the “apple of God’s eye.”
Why DOES God bother with us? Why does He love us and care so deeply about our every thought? I don’t have an answer for that, but I’m awfully glad He does, aren’t you? When you consider how magnificent, how powerful, how far-encompassing God is… even to the farthest reaches of outer space… and yet he cares for us, how can we do anything BUT glorify His name and give Him the praise He so deserves?! God’s name echoes around the world and throughout the universe, and still He loves us! WOW!!! That truly IS “indescribable!”
©2008 Debbie Robus
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