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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250902
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SUMMARY:Sep-01-0502-Clinging to God in desperation
DESCRIPTION:502_Clinging to God in desperation \nPsalm 69 Save me\, O God!\n    For the waters have come up to my neck.\n2 I sink in deep mire\,\n    where there is no foothold;\nI have come into deep waters\,\n    and the flood sweeps over me.\n3 I am weary with my crying out;\n    my throat is parched.\nMy eyes grow dim\n    with waiting for my God. \n4 More in number than the hairs of my head\n    are those who hate me without cause;\nmighty are those who would destroy me\,\n    those who attack me with lies.\nWhat I did not steal\n    must I now restore?\n5 O God\, you know my folly;\n    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. \n6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me\,\n    O Lord God of hosts;\nlet not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me\,\n    O God of Israel.\n7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach\,\n    that dishonor has covered my face.\n8 I have become a stranger to my brothers\,\n    an alien to my mother’s sons. \n9 For zeal for your house has consumed me\,\n    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.\n10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting\,\n    it became my reproach.\n11 When I made sackcloth my clothing\,\n    I became a byword to them.\n12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate\,\n    and the drunkards make songs about me. \n13 But as for me\, my prayer is to you\, O Lord.\n    At an acceptable time\, O God\,\n    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.\n14 Deliver me\n    from sinking in the mire;\nlet me be delivered from my enemies\n    and from the deep waters.\n15 Let not the flood sweep over me\,\n    or the deep swallow me up\,\n    or the pit close its mouth over me. \nYears ago\, during a massive earthquake in Armenia\, a school collapsed on the children inside. One father whose little son was in the school rushed to the site. Rescue workers and the people around him assured him there were no survivors. But he refused to leave. He’d often promised his son: “No matter what happens\, I’ll always be there for you.” \nHe began digging\, carefully pulling away debris piece by piece. Hours passed\, then a day\, then two. Many called him foolish and stubborn. After thirty-eight hours\, he heard a faint voice—his son calling\, “Dad\, it’s me!” Beneath the rubble\, a pocket had formed where his son and several classmates were huddled together. “I told them\,” the boy said\, “If my dad is alive\, he will find me.” \nPsalm 69 paints this kind of picture—of a God who hears and rescues\, of a child of God who refuses to stop believing. This heartfelt psalm is also prophetic in its portrayal of one who believes against all hope that God will never abandon him. For it was fulfilled in the earthly life of God’s Son\, Jesus Christ\, who said\, “My Father never leaves me alone.” \nPsalm 69 opens with no formal preamble—just the gasp of a drowning man: “Save me\, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire\, where there is no foothold.” This man is overwhelmed by the hate of his innumerable enemies. He has devoted himself to the will of God\, in deep delight in Gods holiness. He takes God’s love for righteousness personally. He has identified himself with his Maker. But this draws down insults and reproaches on him from those who despise true religion.  \nIn this persecution\, the psalmist cannot find solid ground. Worn down by injustice\, the silence of heaven seems unbearable. But this is also the cry of every sinner aware of his sin\, unable to save himself. \nDavid speaks of being worn out from crying\, his throat parched\, his eyes failing as he waits for God. He speaks of being hated without cause\, as the Lord himself was\, for doing nothing but good. The night before His crucifixion\, the Lord said: “They hated Me without a cause” (John 15:25). David was in good company. \nIn verses 5–12\, David reveals the sting of public scorn. He believed in God’s promise and in God’s sovereignty. He would not raise his hand against God’s anointed king. He would not deliver himself from Saul’s persecution by killing him.  \nWhen the Lord came down to earth\, His passion for God’s house made him a target for the rebellious. But his zeal was not for bricks and mortar. As he pursued the moneychangers out of the temple\, he burned with zeal for God whose glory filled the holy place. “For zeal for Your house has consumed me\, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”  \nWe are God’s temple\, and His Spirit dwells in us. Let Christ’s zeal burn in us—not to drive out sellers of livestock\, but to expel everything in our hearts that defiles His dwelling place. \nIn verses 13–18\, David pleads with God: “Hide not your face from your servant\, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul\, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!” Desperate but not in despair\, he still believes that God hears and will come near. \nAnd then he writes\, “Reproaches have broken my heart\, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity\, but there was none\, and for comforters\, but I found none. They gave me poison for food\, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” Centuries later\, on the cross\, the Roman soldiers offered the Lord Jesus sour wine (John 19:28–29). The Son of God knew utter loneliness—abandoned by friends\, mocked by enemies\, and bearing the sin of the world. \nVerses 22–28 call for God’s justice. “Let their dwelling place become desolate.” The Lord Jesus echoed these words in His lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:38)\, and Peter applied it to Judas in Acts 1:20. David doesn’t seek revenge\, instead\, he places his case in the hands of God\, the righteous Judge. In his eyes\, justice entails the consequences of rebellion being visited on the unrepentant-being blotted out from the book of the living. \nAnd yet\, the psalm ends with a song: “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Amidst grim opposition\, David’s faith takes hold of God’s promises. They assure him that the humble has taken hold of God’s promises. They will be glad\, the seekers of God will be revived\, and the needy will be heard. \nThe final verses rise from the pit of despair to the heights of hope. Heaven and earth\, the seas and all that moves in them\, will join in praise. David looks beyond his own lifetime to the restoration of Zion\, when God’s people will dwell securely in His presence. Those who love His name\, he says\, will live there forever. \nThis is a prophetic glimpse of the ultimate restoration described in Zechariah and Revelation\, when all nations will come to worship the living God. David’s confidence rests not in his own strength\, but in God’s unchanging faithfulness. \nPsalm 69 teaches us that clinging to God in desperation is not weakness—it’s just faith. Desperation says\, “If You don’t save me\, I am lost.” Faith says\, “And I believe You will.” Jacob wrestled with the angel throughout the night\, refusing to let go until he received the blessing. The widow in Jesus’ parable kept pleading in court until the judge acted. The father at the earthquake site kept  digging in the rubble until he found his child. \nWe live in a world that prizes self-reliance and despises neediness. But in God’s kingdom\, neediness is the doorway to strength. When we come to Him with empty hands\, He fills them. When we call to Him from the deep\, He pulls us out. And when we cling to Him in desperation\, we discover that He has been holding on to us all along. \nSo if we find ourselves today in water up to your neck\, if the mire of injustice and oppression and misunderstanding is pulling us down\, let us take the words of Psalm 69 as your own prayer. Don’t polish them up or make them sound religious—pray them as David did\, with the honesty of a drowning man calling for rescue. And believe that the God who heard David\, who raised Jesus from the dead\, will also hear you. \nWe can let our desperation drive us to despair\, or we can let it drive us to God. The first choice ends in hopelessness; the second ends in praise. But those who love His name will dwell with Him forever. Let us cling to him. The Father is digging through the rubble even now—and when He comes\, we will all see that he never stopped seeking us.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-01-0502-clinging-to-god-in-desperation/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250902
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250903
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250901T182957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250830T042426Z
UID:4795-1756771200-1756857599@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-02-0503-The confidence of the believer
DESCRIPTION:503_The confidence of the believer \nPsalm 70 Make haste\, O God\, to deliver me!\n    O Lord\, make haste to help me!\n2 Let them be put to shame and confusion\n    who seek my life!\nLet them be turned back and brought to dishonor\n    who delight in my hurt!\n3 Let them turn back because of their shame\n    who say\, “Aha\, Aha!” \n4 May all who seek you\n    rejoice and be glad in you!\nMay those who love your salvation\n    say evermore\, “God is great!”\n5 But I am poor and needy;\n    hasten to me\, O God!\nYou are my help and my deliverer;\n    O Lord\, do not delay! \nGeorge Müller\, was a man of God who ran orphanages in England during the 1800s. Müller cared for over ten thousand children in his lifetime\, but what stood out was not just his generosity—it was his unwavering trust in God. One morning\, the children were ready for breakfast\, but there was no food in the pantry and no money to buy any. The staff grew anxious\, but Müller calmly said\, “Let the children be seated at the table.” He prayed\, thanking God for the food He would provide. Moments later\, there was a knock at the door. It was the local baker\, who said he couldn’t sleep the previous night and felt compelled to bake bread for the orphanage. Shortly after\, the milkman’s cart broke down right in front of the home\, and he offered all his milk before it spoiled. The children ate their fill. Müller’s confidence was not rooted in circumstances. He sought the Lord with all his heart and had learned that God never fails those who trust Him. \nPsalm 70 is an urgent prayer of David that reflects the same confidence. The heading says\, “To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance.” This is not just a casual note; it’s a reminder that this psalm was to be sung\, remembered\, and taken to heart. In fact\, much of it echoes Psalm 40:13–17. These words were meant to be imprinted in the minds of God’s people\, equipping them for times of need. \nDavid’s prayer begins: “Make haste\, O God\, to deliver me! O Lord\, make haste to help me!” You can feel the desperation. It’s the cry of a man cornered\, who knows that unless God intervenes quickly\, he is finished. Those who seek the Lord do not hesitate to call upon Him in every trouble. They know He is their only source of help. \nDavid then paints a contrast between two very different groups of people. The first group is those who seek his life. These are not casual enemies; they actively plot harm\, seeking to destroy him both physically and emotionally. They mock him\, delight in his troubles\, and whisper plans to ruin him. David prays that God\, his judge\, will put them to shame\, turn them back in confusion\, and ensure their plans come to nothing. Not mere vindictiveness\, this reflects the strong desire for God’s justice to be seen—that evil should not triumph over righteousness. \nThe second group has an entirely different spirit. David says\, “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation say evermore\, ‘God is great!’” This is the heart of the psalm. He begs the Lord to come to the relief of those who trust in him. Those who seek the Lord should be marked by joy\, not by fear or scheming. They are glad in Him\, despite life’s trials\, because God anchors them in his goodness and faithfulness. They love and wait for His salvation—both in this life and the life to come. And from their lips comes a constant\, heartfelt confession: “God is great!” This is not empty religious talk; it is the language of lived experience\, knowing that God’s provision is certain. \nThe difference between these two groups—the enemies and the seekers of God—is as stark as night and day. The first group chases selfish gain and power\, and actively plots to harm others. The second group pursues righteousness\, peace\, and love. They are waiting eagerly for the salvation of the Lord to be made evident in their lives. Thus\, they can endure difficult circumstances\, trusting fervently in the unchanging character of God. This joy is the inheritance of all who love Him\, a wellspring that remains full in the driest season. \nAnd then David pleads with the Lord: “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me\, O God!” This is no act of false modesty. David was a king\, yet he knew his poverty before God. When in need of help\, God is our only refuge. This is what the Lord commends in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit\, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who acknowledge from their hearts that they bring nothing to God but our need realize that all they have depends on His mercy. \nDavid’s cry echoes the prayer of Hannah\, who sang\, “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.” Mary\, the mother of Jesus\, also praised God for this very truth: “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things\, and the rich He has sent away empty.” \nAnd so David ends his prayer: “You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord\, do not delay!” Without hedging his bets\, David confesses from his heart that God alone is both able and willing to save him. \nThis psalm is more than a cry for help—it declares the direction of our quest for joy. Surrounded by enemies and danger\, David still counts himself among those who seek the Lord. He is “a man after God’s own heart.” His prayers are not merely for personal safety or comfort; they are bound up in the purposes and glory of God.  \nSo he seeks God\, not with a casual\, occasional interest\, but an urgent longing for His will to be done in us and through us. And for all such\, God has reserved the joy of his deliverance and his salvation. Their eyes are fixed on God’s glory\, and their hearts find delight in His redemption.  \nLet us not be like those who seek their own gain at the expense of others. Let us be among those who seek the Lord with all our hearts. Let us live in His presence daily\, love His salvation\, and testify continually\, “God is great!” Let us turn to Him first in every need\, humbly admitting our dependence\, and finding joy in His faithfulness regardless of what is happening around us. \nWhen we feel weighed down by trouble\, unsure of how we will make it through\, let our spirits cry out as David did\, “Make haste\, O God\, to deliver me! O Lord\, make haste to help me!” Then we shall join the chorus of those who love His salvation\, saying\, “God is great!” \nThis was the confidence of George Müller\, giving thanks as the children sat around an empty table\, trusting that God would fill it. It is the confidence of David\, hunted and mocked\, yet boasting of the great power and love of the One who was his help and deliverer. Let this be our confidence today as we seek the Lord with all our hearts. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-02-0503-the-confidence-of-the-believer/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250903
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250904
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250902T182920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T042529Z
UID:4801-1756857600-1756943999@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-03-0504-Faith that grows stronger with age
DESCRIPTION:504_Faith that grows stronger with age \nPsalm 71 In you\, O Lord\, do I take refuge;\n    let me never be put to shame!\n2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;\n    incline your ear to me\, and save me!\n3 Be to me a rock of refuge\,\n    to which I may continually come;\nyou have given the command to save me\,\n    for you are my rock and my fortress. \n4 Rescue me\, O my God\, from the hand of the wicked\,\n    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.\n5 For you\, O Lord\, are my hope\,\n    my trust\, O Lord\, from my youth.\n6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;\n    you are he who took me from my mother’s womb.\nMy praise is continually of you. \n7 I have been as a portent to many\,\n    but you are my strong refuge.\n8 My mouth is filled with your praise\,\n    and with your glory all the day.\n9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;\n    forsake me not when my strength is spent.\n10 For my enemies speak concerning me;\n    those who watch for my life consult together\n11 and say\, “God has forsaken him;\n    pursue and seize him\,\n    for there is none to deliver him.” \n12 O God\, be not far from me;\n    O my God\, make haste to help me! \nAn old man owned a stout\, weathered walking stick. It wasn’t fancy—just a sturdy piece of wood\, smoothed and darkened by years of use. Whenever he went on walks with his grandson\, he leaned on that stick—not just for support\, but almost as if it were an old friend. His grandson once asked him why he didn’t buy a newer\, lighter one. He smiled and said\, “This stick has been with me for many years. It’s carried me through uneven paths\, steep hills\, and slippery ground. It’s not just a stick—it’s part of my journey.” \nThe child didn’t understand his grandpa’s statement at the time. As he grew\, he realized that the old walking stick was more than a tool—it supported his grandpa’s confidence in his mobility. In the same way\, the psalmist in Psalm 71 leaned on God as his unfailing support through every stage of life. And as he grew older and weaker\, his dependence and his confidence only deepened. \nPsalm 71 testifies to the righteousness and strength of God. It is the song of one who had walked with God for a lifetime and found Him faithful at every step. As the old man looks back\, he remembers God’s steadfast care. Yet his words are not just reminiscences of the past—they are the confident prayers of one who knows that the God who carried him through youth will not abandon him in old age. \nHe begins in trust: “In you\, O Lord\, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.” As his strength faded and his enemies threatened his life\, it would have been natural for him to feel vulnerable. As we age\, we may lose confidence in our abilities. We may even need others to take care of our daily needs. That can be humbling—sometimes painfully so. But the psalmist does not cling to self-sufficiency; he clings to the promise of God\, who said in Isaiah 46:4\, “Even to your old age I am he\, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made\, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” \nTo the one who trusts God\, he is not distant. He is a rock\, a fortress\, a refuge—unchanging when everything else changes. Such a man comes to God continually\, not just in crisis but as a habit\, a way of life. As he faces opposition in his declining years\, there are those who mock him\, who believe that God has abandoned him. Yet he is not consumed by self-pity. He knows his God\, and therefore\, “My mouth is filled with your praise\, and with your glory all the day.” \nYet he prays earnestly: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.” Amidst the unpredictable troubles of age\, his trust is in the presence of God. Faced by ridicule and injustice\, he appeals to God’s righteousness as his defence and shield. With faith he declares\, “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” \nThis is how we live when we refuse to let hardships define the final chapters of our lives. Our remaining days become an opportunity to proclaim God’s mighty deeds to the next generation. As the psalmist says\, “O God\, from my youth you have taught me\, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs\, O God\, do not forsake me\, until I proclaim your might to another generation.” \nWhat a goal—not to just fade comfortably out of life\, but to glorify God to the end by demonstrating the power of God through one’s entire life\, until the very end! This man has learned that trials are not wasted. He acknowledges that God has allowed him to “see many troubles and calamities\,” but he knows that God will “revive me again.” Experience has taught him that God’s purposes run deeper than the pain\, and His power is able to lift him up from even the lowest point. \nThus\, the psalmist sings with joy for God’s righteous help. He uses multiple instruments – the harp\, the lyre\, his voice of praise – to extol God’s righteousness in helping him.\nThere is no bitterness\, no regret—only gratitude. His faith has not withered with age; it has ripened\, grown fuller\, richer\, and more resilient. \nIn a world that often sidelines the elderly\, treating them as burdens or ignoring their wisdom\, this psalm is a reminder that God values every season of our lives. His glory in our lives does not vanish when our hair turns gray or our steps slow down. Often\, those who have walked longest with Him often have the deepest testimonies to share. As we become weak and forgetful\, and often incompetent\, with age\, let us remember His works of grace and still praise him. Let us cultivate a spirit of constant thankfulness in the days of our youth. Then it will continue to fill our hearts with praise as we grow older. \nAs Paul wrote in Philippians 2:14-15\, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing\, that you may be blameless and innocent\, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation\, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” The habit of gratitude and trust in youth becomes the strength and song of our old age. \nIf we want to grow in faith as we grow old\, we must start leaning on God now. Just as the old man’s walking stick was worn smooth by years of faithful service\, our trust in God must be shaped and strengthened by daily use—through prayer\, through obedience\, through moments of finding refuge in his righteousness and power\, even when we cannot stand on our own. \nOne day\, each of us will face the reality of fading strength. Before that\, if we learn to lean on God all the time\, then\, when the harder days come\, leaning on Him will not be a strange or desperate act—it will be the most natural thing in the world. \nLet us\, then\, cling to Him now. Let us treasure and care for the elderly people of God among us. They are not just people at the end of their journey\, but those who carry years of God’s faithfulness in their stories. Let us live so that when we look back\, we will find no regret—only joy in proclaiming His righteousness to those who come after us. It is in his righteousness that he delivers us. He counts our faith to us for righteousness’ sake. This God is our God. He who carries us in youth will carry us to the very end\, and beyond.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-03-0504-faith-that-grows-stronger-with-age/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250904
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250905
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250903T182956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T043900Z
UID:4808-1756944000-1757030399@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-04-0505-The glory of the coming King
DESCRIPTION:505_The glory of the coming King \nPsalm 72 Give the king your justice\, O God\,\n    and your righteousness to the royal son!\n2 May he judge your people with righteousness\,\n    and your poor with justice!\n3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people\,\n    and the hills\, in righteousness!\n4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people\,\n    give deliverance to the children of the needy\,\n    and crush the oppressor! \n5 May they fear you while the sun endures\,\n    and as long as the moon\, throughout all generations!\n6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass\,\n    like showers that water the earth!\n7 In his days may the righteous flourish\,\n    and peace abound\, till the moon be no more! \n8 May he have dominion from sea to sea\,\n    and from the River to the ends of the earth!\n9 May desert tribes bow down before him\,\n    and his enemies lick the dust!\n10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands\n    render him tribute;\nmay the kings of Sheba and Seba\n    bring gifts!\n11 May all kings fall down before him\,\n    all nations serve him! \nThe coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was among the greatest events of the century. It was broadcast to millions across the world—an unprecedented moment in television history. London streets overflowed with people\, banners waved in the wind\, and the sound of trumpets filled the air. Dignitaries\, royalty\, and leaders from around the globe gathered in Westminster Abbey to watch as the young queen received her crown. Yet\, for all its grandeur\, she was still a mortal\, a monarch who was nevertheless subject to death. It was but a faint shadow of a greater coronation still to come— when the King of kings will take his power and reign\, not over a single nation\, but over all the earth. \nPsalm 72 describes that momentous time\, with prophetic vision. Introduced as David’s psalm “Of Solomon\,”  it quickly becomes clear that its vision is too vast\, too perfect\, too enduring to be fulfilled by Solomon alone. Solomon’s reign began with promise and was marked by matchless wisdom\, enduring peace\, and dazzling prosperity. Yet he\, like every human ruler\, was flawed and finite. This psalm stretches beyond him to the only King who embodies the righteousness and justice that are the very foundation of God’s throne\, as Psalm 89:14 declares. \nThis great psalm begins: “Give the king your justice\, O God\, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness\, and your poor with justice.” Solomon’s prayer closely resembled this\, when God asked him\, in a dream\, what he desired most. At that time\, he begged for neither wealth nor long life\, but for wisdom to judge God’s people in righteousness. God was pleased with his prayer. For righteousness and justice are not merely admirable traits in the leader of the people. Rather\, they are the reason he rules as a representative of God’s kingdom.   \nSolomon ruled with justice and mercy. He foreshadowed the coming King who would defend the cause of the poor\, deliver the needy\, and crush the oppressor. He would be impartial\, and immune to mere appearances or hearsay. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Him in words that shimmer with hope: “With righteousness He shall judge the poor\, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth\, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:4). This is no ordinary ruler—this is the Messiah\, the Son of God. He is clothed with wisdom\, understanding\, counsel\, might\, and the fear of the Lord. \nThe psalm moves to the scope of His reign: “May He have dominion from sea to sea\, and from the River to the ends of the earth!” No kingdom in history – not even the empires of Babylon\, Persia\, Rome\, or Britain –  has matched such boundaries. But this King’s dominion will be absolute and everlasting. Rulers will bow before Him; nations will serve Him. His reign will stretch across continents\, cultures\, and centuries. “All kingdoms brought presents and served Solomon.” … “All the earth sought to Solomon\, to hear his wisdom\, … and they brought every man his present”\, so much more will all the earth seek the greater Son of David.  \nAnd why did all the earth seek Solomon? Because he used his great wisdom to achieve justice for the poor and protection for the weak. The Son of God\, Jesus Christ\, uses all his peerless authority with a heart that is tender toward the vulnerable. “He delivers the needy when he calls\, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy\, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life\, and precious is their blood in His sight.” Here is divine kingship—unmatched power paired with unparalleled compassion. He is the defender of the defenseless\, the rescuer of the forgotten\, the Father to the fatherless\, and the protector of widows. \nWhere the Lord sees righteousness and justice\, where his fear abounds\, blessings flow. So it is under this King’s rule—abundant provision\, flourishing communities\, and peace without end. And therefore the psalmist prays: “May His name endure forever\, His fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in Him\, all nations call Him blessed!” The reign of the Son of God will be forever. His fame will not fade with time; His blessing will not be limited to a region or a people group. In him all nations will be blessed.  \nThe psalm ends in a burst of admiration for the marvelous works of the living God: “Blessed be the Lord\, the God of Israel\, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!” For the glory of the coming King will fill the whole earth. \nThe New Testament and the final pages of Scripture bring this hope into the sharp lines of certainty. Christ Jesus\, the greater Son of David\, will return\, no more as the suffering servant\, but in splendor. He will ride on the clouds\, crowned with many crowns. Malachi foresaw that day: “For behold\, the day is coming\, burning like an oven… But for you who fear My name\, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings.” (Malachi 4:1-2). For the rebellious\, it will be a day of stern reckoning; for the faithful\, a day of joy and restoration. \nHabakkuk adds one more layer: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14). There is no dark corner where his light does not reach\, no valleys forgotten by his mercy\, no nation ignorant of his glory. Every tongue will confess that he is Lord\, every knee shall bow before His Majesty.  \nYet Psalm 72 is not just a prophecy to marvel at; it is a calling to obey the commandments of the reigning King. His throne is founded on righteousness and justice; therefore\, those who belong to Him walk in righteousness and justice in their own spheres. He is the defender of the needy – often through his people. His reign brings blessing\, and therefore we are called to walk as heirs of blessing\, always ready to pass it on.  \nWaiting for his kingdom is not a passive act but an active anticipation. Longing for his reign to be revealed\, we live in obedience and reverence for the true King\, reflecting his kingdom until he comes. Every act of compassion\, every stand for truth\, every sacrifice made for the sake of the gospel heralds His return. We feed the hungry\, mirroring our merciful King. We speak truth\, not to win a debate but because he is the truth. We forgive\, not because it is easy\, but because mercy is the language of His kingdom. \nOne day\, the trumpets will sound for the Lord of lords returning to reign. The heavens will split\, the nations will see the glory of the coming King. No longer will it be a promise—reality will be manifested at last. And in that day\, those who have lived under His reign by faith will enter into it by sight\, sharing in His joy. \nUntil then\, let our lives echo the prayer of Psalm 72. As Joseph Benson comments\, “With this let our prayers\, like the prayers of David the son of Jesse\, be ended: and with our last breath let us say\, Come\, Lord Jesus\, come quickly!” Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-04-0505-the-glory-of-the-coming-king/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250905
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250906
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250904T182957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T044830Z
UID:4813-1757030400-1757116799@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-05-0506-It is good to be near God
DESCRIPTION:506_It is good to be near God \nPsalm 73:1-6 Truly God is good to Israel\,\n    to those who are pure in heart.\n2 But as for me\, my feet had almost stumbled\,\n    my steps had nearly slipped.\n3 For I was envious of the arrogant\n    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. \n4 For they have no pangs until death;\n    their bodies are fat and sleek.\n5 They are not in trouble as others are;\n    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.\n6 Therefore pride is their necklace;\n    violence covers them as a garment. \nVs. 23-28 Nevertheless\, I am continually with you;\n    you hold my right hand.\n24 You guide me with your counsel\,\n    and afterward you will receive me to glory.\n25 Whom have I in heaven but you?\n    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.\n26 My flesh and my heart may fail\,\n    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. \n27 For behold\, those who are far from you shall perish;\n    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.\n28 But for me it is good to be near God;\n    I have made the Lord God my refuge\,\n    that I may tell of all your works. \nA girl who freshly graduated\, was in her first year working at a large company. She was diligent\, honest\, and often stayed late to finish her work. She assumed that hard work and integrity would be noticed. But when promotion season came\, the recognition went to a colleague who\, in her words\, “spent more time flattering the boss than doing actual work.” This colleague cut corners\, took credit for others’ ideas\, and seemed to play the system perfectly. She said\, “I didn’t just feel overlooked—I felt foolish\, like maybe I was the one doing life wrong.” \nThat deep ache when the world seems upside down is exactly where Asaph finds himself in Psalm 73. This psalm was written by one of King David’s chief musicians\, a man who was not only skilled in music but also reflected deeply on the ways of God. The problem he addresses is as old as humanity itself: Why do bad things happen to good people\, and why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer? \nAsaph begins with a confident declaration: “Surely God is good to Israel\, to those who are pure in heart.” He knows the history of his nation and the faithfulness of God\, even in times when the people were unfaithful. But almost immediately\, he admits to a personal crisis of faith: “My feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.” Why? “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” \nEnvy has a way of twisting our perspective. It always begins with comparison—measuring our lives against someone else’s—and it is very dangerous. The first murder in history – when Cain killed Abel – was born of envy.  So was the greatest injustice in history\, the crucifixion of Jesus\, driven in part by the envy of the religious leaders. \nAsaph’s envy began with his seeing the untroubled prosperity and health of those who had no regard for God. “This is what the wicked are like\,” he observed\, “always free of care\, they go on amassing wealth.” Unlike their weak victims\, they were proud and apparently untouchable\, speaking with arrogance and mocking God Himself: “Does the Most High know anything?”  \nHis stream of thought brought him only discouragement and despair. In contrast to the wicked\, his own life was filled with hardship\, though he carefully aligned his life with his conscience each moment\, in his quest to remain pure before God. “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure\,” he laments. “All day long I have been afflicted\, and every morning brings new punishments.” Asaph forgot that “whom the Lord loves\, he disciplines\, and chastens every son he receives.” \nAnd to make matters worse\, he could not express his feelings openly\, for such doubts and questions might\, he feared\, harm the faith of God’s people. Happy is the man who remembers his duty to his fellows even when racked by personal anguish.  \nThis inner wrestling continued until something happened that changed everything: “Until I entered the sanctuary of God.” And there\, in God’s presence\, his perspective shifted. His eyes began to see the reality of the danger in which the wicked lived. From God’s vantage point\, their apparent security was a mirage—they were walking on “slippery ground\,” one step away from disaster. In an instant\, all they had could be swept away\, and their end would be one of ruin. What looked enviable from a distance was\, in truth\, deeply unstable. \nThis realization broke through Asaph’s bitterness. He confessed\, “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered\, I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a brute beast before You.” Envy and bitterness had reduced his thinking to an animal level—concerned only with comfort\, ease\, and immediate satisfaction—forgetting the eternal purposes for which God had made him. \nThen\, like sunlight after a storm\, a deeper truth filled his heart: “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel\, and afterward You will take me into glory.” No longer did he envy the temporary ease of the wicked. He both enjoyed and looked forward to something infinitely greater—God’s presence\, His guidance\, and the hope of eternal glory. \nAnd with this realization he exclaims with exceeding joy and contentment:  “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” Corrie ten Boom would echo this centuries later when she said\, “You may never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” For even in his weakness\, Asaph now knew the joyful assurance that God Himself would be “the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” That was his unshakable security.  \nAsaph no longer questions whether serving God is worth it. Instead\, he sees clearly: “Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me\, it is good to be near God.” That nearness is not just a comfort for those who love God and his ways—it’s the very foundation of all goodness in life. \nAnd now he lifts up his voice. Once he kept silent out of misgivings and bitterness. But now he proclaims with confidence: “I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.” The gnawing envy that once silenced him is now replaced with the complete satisfaction and contentment of being in the presence of God his refuge and his goodness. And this is naturally reflected in joyful testimony and praise. \nWe are on the same journey. When life feels unfair—when we see the dishonest promoted\, the arrogant applauded\, and the selfish rewarded—it’s easy to wonder if integrity even matters. But Psalm 73 invites us into the sanctuary\, into the presence of God\, to see things through His eyes.  \nThere we realize afresh that we are still far from home\, that the real story has not yet begun. And yet\, we are surrounded and protected by the presence of God. Knowing this\, we can rest in the most unfair circumstances.  \nWhen we feel overlooked\, or when doing the right thing seems to cost too much\, let us not surrender to envy. Let us quiet ourselves in the holy place\, resting in God’s presence. He will remind us that He is our portion\, our strength\, and our ultimate reward. And so we too will be able to say with Asaph\, “It is good for me to be near God.” This will not be a forced statement of faith\, but the settled conviction of our hearts.  \nFor our God is a God of wisdom and love and justice. On the day when he judges the earth\, we will see that nothing we gave up to walk with God was wasted. And everything we gained in Him will last forever. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-05-0506-it-is-good-to-be-near-god/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250908
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250909
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250907T182906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250906T042237Z
UID:4819-1757289600-1757375999@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-08-0507-Longing for the glory of His temple
DESCRIPTION:507_Longing for the glory of His temple \nPsalm 74 O God\, why do you cast us off forever?\n    Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?\n2 Remember your congregation\, which you have purchased of old\,\n    which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!\n    Remember Mount Zion\, where you have dwelt.\n3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins;\n    the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! \n4 Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place;\n    they set up their own signs for signs.\n5 They were like those who swing axes\n    in a forest of trees.\n6 And all its carved wood\n    they broke down with hatchets and hammers.\n7 They set your sanctuary on fire;\n    they profaned the dwelling place of your name\,\n    bringing it down to the ground.\n8 They said to themselves\, “We will utterly subdue them”;\n    they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. \nVs. 12-17 Yet God my King is from of old\,\n    working salvation in the midst of the earth.\n13 You divided the sea by your might;\n    you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.\n14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan;\n    you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.\n15 You split open springs and brooks;\n    you dried up ever-flowing streams.\n16 Yours is the day\, yours also the night;\n    you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.\n17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;\n    you have made summer and winter. \nVs. 22-23 Arise\, O God\, defend your cause;\n    remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!\n23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes\,\n    the uproar of those who rise against you\, which goes up continually! \nThere was a priceless painting that hung in a cathedral in Europe. The artwork had been admired for centuries\, not merely because of its beauty but because it represented deep faith and devotion. During an act of vandalism\, someone walked in and slashed the canvas with a knife. In a matter of seconds\, what had taken the artist months to paint and what generations had cherished was marred almost beyond recognition. When people saw the damage\, they were heartbroken—not just because of the financial value lost\, but because something sacred\, something that represented their shared heritage\, had been violated. The good news was that skilled restorers later worked painstakingly to repair it. But in that moment of destruction\, the grief was overwhelming. \nThat kind of anguish is what Israel felt when the sanctuary of God was destroyed. Psalm 74 captures this raw lament. It is a psalm attributed to Asaph\, though commentators are divided on the exact historical setting. Some suggest it was written when the Babylonians tore down the temple in Jerusalem; others believe it might go back to the loss of the tabernacle at Shiloh in 1 Samuel 4. Whichever event it refers to\, the heart of the psalm is clear—it is a desperate cry for God to look upon the ruins of His sanctuary and act. \nThe psalm begins with piercing questions: “O God\, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?” (v.1). The psalmist knows that no enemy can touch God’s sanctuary unless God permits it. This devastation was a sign of divine displeasure. Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness had brought about God’s anger\, and the consequences were tragic. The psalmist pleads with God to remember His congregation\, to remember His sanctuary\, and to act on behalf of His people. \nFrom verses 4 to 11\, the psalmist describes the horrific destruction in detail. The enemy stormed God’s house\, erected their own symbols\, hacked down the carved works\, and set the holy place ablaze. What had once stood as a visible reminder of God’s glory and presence now lay in smoldering ruins. The enemies scoffed\, boasting that they would subdue everything. Israel was left humiliated\, not only stripped of their temple but also bereft of prophetic guidance. “We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet\, and there is none among us who knows how long” (v.9). Their despair seemed endless. \nBut then the psalmist takes a turn in verse 12. He lifts his gaze from the ashes of the sanctuary to the eternal throne of God: “Yet God my King is from of old\, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” Though the temple was destroyed\, God remained sovereign. His power was not diminished by the ruin of stones and wood. The psalmist recalls God’s mighty acts—how He divided the sea\, crushed sea monsters\, and shattered the heads of Leviathan. Job 41 describes Leviathan as a terrifying\, untamable creature\, the king over all who are proud. Yet even this fearsome beast was nothing before the Creator. God crushed it and gave it as food to the creatures of the wilderness. \nVerses 16 and 17 affirm God’s rule over creation: “Yours is the day\, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.” In other words\, God is still in control—of time\, of seasons\, of the world itself. Remembering this restores hope. \nYet the psalmist does not stop there. He appeals to God’s honor: “Remember this\, O Lord\, how the enemy scoffs\, and a foolish people reviles your name” (v.18). This was not just an attack on Israel; it was an insult to the name of God Himself. He pleads with God not to hand over His people\, whom he describes tenderly as “the soul of your dove\,” to wild beasts. He asks God to remember His covenant and to act on behalf of the poor and needy\, that they might once again lift their voices in praise. \nThe psalm ends with urgency: “Arise\, O God\, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!” (v.22). The psalmist longs for God to break His silence and show His power\, to vindicate His name against the clamors of His enemies. \nSo\, what does this psalm mean for us today? The New Testament gives us a remarkable shift in perspective. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple\, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy\, and you are that temple.” \nGod no longer dwells in buildings of stone\, but in His people. Each believer\, and collectively the Church\, is now His sanctuary. This is both a staggering privilege and a serious responsibility. If His Spirit lives in us\, then our lives must reflect His holiness. If they do not\, then we\, like Israel of old\, dishonor His name and leave His sanctuary in ruins. \nWhen we look around the Church today\, we cannot ignore the cracks in the walls of God’s temple. Compromise\, division\, and worldliness have dimmed the light of Christ. Instead of radiating God’s glory\, the Church often mirrors the brokenness of the world. The name of God is mocked because of the failures of those who claim to follow Him. Like the psalmist\, we must weep over the state of God’s sanctuary and cry out for Him to act. \nAnd yet\, we must never forget what the psalmist remembered: God is still King. His power has not waned. He is the one who set the boundaries of the earth\, who rules over night and day\, summer and winter. He can restore His sanctuary. But He often begins that restoration in us. The rebuilding of God’s temple today is not about bricks and mortar; it is about transformed lives. It is about repentance\, holiness\, love\, and unity. It is about exhorting\, correcting\, and encouraging one another so that the beauty of Christ may be seen again in His people. \nC. H. Spurgeon said\, “If the Church of God is to be glorious\, it must be through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And if that presence be withdrawn\, then her glory has departed.” That is the heart of Psalm 74. Without the presence of God\, the sanctuary is just ruins\, no matter how beautiful the structure. Without the Spirit\, the Church has no power\, no witness\, no light. \nSo let us pray as the psalmist prayed: “Arise\, O God\, defend your cause.” Let us be zealous for His sanctuary—not a building of stone\, but our very lives and the life of His Church. Let us mourn where holiness has been lost\, let us plead for God’s Spirit to fill us afresh\, and let us take up the work of rebuilding—encouraging one another\, exhorting one another\, and pointing the world to the glory of our great God. \nMay the zeal for His sanctuary consume us\, until His people once again shine with His splendor\, and a dying world sees through us the excellencies of the God who reigns forever. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-08-0507-longing-for-the-glory-of-his-temple/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250909
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250910
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250908T182905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250906T043904Z
UID:4825-1757376000-1757462399@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-09-0508-Promotion comes only from God
DESCRIPTION:508_Promotion comes only from God \nPsalm 75 We give thanks to you\, O God;\n    we give thanks\, for your name is near.\nWe recount your wondrous deeds. \n2 “At the set time that I appoint\n    I will judge with equity.\n3 When the earth totters\, and all its inhabitants\,\n    it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah\n4 I say to the boastful\, ‘Do not boast\,’\n    and to the wicked\, ‘Do not lift up your horn;\n5 do not lift up your horn on high\,\n    or speak with haughty neck.’” \n6 For not from the east or from the west\n    and not from the wilderness comes lifting up\,\n7 but it is God who executes judgment\,\n    putting down one and lifting up another.\n8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup\n    with foaming wine\, well mixed\,\nand he pours out from it\,\n    and all the wicked of the earth\n    shall drain it down to the dregs. \n9 But I will declare it forever;\n    I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.\n10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off\,\n    but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. \nWhile Abraham Lincoln was President of the United States\, a certain man came to him asking for a political appointment. The man spoke at length about his qualifications and his experience. When he was done\, Lincoln quietly responded\, “I will see what I can do\, but remember this: it is not I who give promotion\, nor the cabinet\, nor even the people—it is God.” \nWhether in the corridors of power or in the ordinary course of life\, people strive for recognition\, advancement\, and honor. Yet the Bible repeatedly reminds us that only God can confer true promotion – not human effort\, manipulation\, or influence.  \nPsalm 75 begins with thanksgiving: “We give thanks to you\, O God; we give thanks\, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.” It begins with thanksgiving to God. This is always the right place to begin. For unless we lift our eyes to the One who is above all\, we will fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others or striving in our own strength. \nThe psalmist knew that Israel’s God was awesome in majesty\, clothed in light unapproachable\, and mighty in His wondrous deeds. Yet\, high and exalted as he is\, He was near to the lowly among His people.  Isaiah 57:15 declares: “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up\, who inhabits eternity\, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place\, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit\, to revive the spirit of the lowly\, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Psalm 138:6 echoes this truth: “For though the Lord is high\, he regards the lowly\, but the haughty he knows from afar.” \nPsalm 75 reminds us that in a world filled with injustice\, unrighteousness\, and power struggles\, as verse 2 says\, “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.” God has fixed a time and set a day. The world may appear chaotic\, but history is not spinning out of control.  \nHe has also appointed the Judge – the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul explained this clearly in Acts 17 when speaking to the people of Athens: “The times of ignorance God overlooked\, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent\, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  \nTherefore\, in view of that final day\, God warns the wicked. Verses 4 and 5 say: “I say to the boastful\, ‘Do not boast\,’ and to the wicked\, ‘Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high\, or speak with haughty neck.’” In ancient imagery\, the horn symbolized strength and power\, like the horn of a bull. To “lift up the horn” was to exalt oneself\, to strut with arrogance\, to claim power and position apart from God.  \nThis is abominable in the sight of God. For\, as verse 6 declares\, “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up\, but it is God who executes judgment\, putting down one and lifting up another.” Promotion does not come from geography\, influence\, or cleverness. It does not ultimately come from the east\, the west\, or the south. It comes only from God. \nHannah\, the mother of Samuel\, affirmed this\, centuries earlier: “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s\, and on them he has set the world.” (1 Samuel 2:7–8) \nAnd so the apostle Peter tells us with all seriousness: “Humble yourselves\, therefore\, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you\, casting all your anxieties on him\, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7) The path to true promotion is simply to submit oneself to God’s crushing discipline\, for it mandates humility – the trusting heart that relies on God to do what is right at the right time.  \nThe psalmist also speaks of a cup in God’s hand: “For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine\, well mixed\, and he pours out from it\, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.” God’s judgment is forced upon all who disobey his commandments. Those who exalt themselves in pride and wickedness will one day have to drink it to the very last drop. \nYet for the righteous\, the psalmist closes on a note of hope and praise: “But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off\, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.” \nThe psalm begins with thanksgiving and ends with thanksgiving. It begins with God’s nearness and ends with God’s exaltation of the righteous. For one truth runs like a golden thread through scripture: those who humble themselves before Him\, those who trust Him and walk in His ways\, will in due time be lifted up. \nThink of Joseph. He was betrayed by his brothers\, sold into slavery\, falsely accused\, and thrown into prison. Yet he remained faithful to God. When the time came\, God lifted him from the dungeon to the throne of Egypt in a single day. Or consider David. Overlooked by his family\, hunted by Saul\, living in caves in the wilderness—yet God exalted him to be king over Israel. \nAnd most importantly\, think of our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 2 tells us that though He was in the form of God\, He humbled Himself\, taking the form of a servant\, becoming obedient even to the point of death on a cross. And therefore\, God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name. \nThis is the pattern: humility before exaltation\, suffering before glory\, waiting before promotion. God’s delays are not His denials but an integral part of his awesome design for our welfare. Therefore\, when we pass through seasons where it seems the wicked are prospering\, where others are being promoted ahead of you\, where injustice seems to triumph\, let us take heart. For true promotion comes only from God.  \nWhile we wait for God to show his hand\, we are called to humility\, faithfulness\, and praise. Like Joseph in prison\, we can remain diligent and faithful even in hidden places. Like David in the wilderness\, we can trust God’s timing even when the crown seems far away. And like our Lord\, we can submit to the Father’s will\, knowing that glory comes after the cross. \nThe world may say\, “Push yourself forward\, market yourself\, exalt yourself.” But the Word of God says\, “Humble yourself under His mighty hand\, and in due time\, He will exalt you.” For he is endlessly kind\, and he is eternally and lavishly good and true in his rewarding of those who seek him in humility. Therefore\, let us rejoice in Him. Let us give thanks that He is near to the humble and contrite. Let us remember that true promotion—lasting\, eternal\, God-given promotion—comes only from Him. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-09-0508-promotion-comes-only-from-god/
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250911
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250909T182915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T043915Z
UID:4833-1757462400-1757548799@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-10-0509-God is to be feared
DESCRIPTION:509_God is to be feared \nPsalm 76 In Judah God is known;\n    his name is great in Israel.\n2 His abode has been established in Salem\,\n    his dwelling place in Zion.\n3 There he broke the flashing arrows\,\n    the shield\, the sword\, and the weapons of war. Selah \n4 Glorious are you\, more majestic\n    than the mountains full of prey.\n5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;\n    they sank into sleep;\nall the men of war\n    were unable to use their hands.\n6 At your rebuke\, O God of Jacob\,\n    both rider and horse lay stunned. \n7 But you\, you are to be feared!\n    Who can stand before you\n    when once your anger is roused?\n8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;\n    the earth feared and was still\,\n9 when God arose to establish judgment\,\n    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah \n10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;\n    the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.\n11 Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;\n    let all around him bring gifts\n    to him who is to be feared\,\n12 who cuts off the spirit of princes\,\n    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. \nImagine standing at the foot of a great mountain. The air is sharp\, the peak towers above\, and its vastness makes you feel small\, even fragile. A man once visited the Himalayas for the first time. He had seen pictures\, read books\, and watched documentaries\, but none of that prepared him for the immensity of standing there in person. He said he felt overwhelmed\, almost trembling—not because the mountains were threatening\, but because their sheer grandeur dwarfed his existence. That sense of awe\, that trembling recognition of something far greater than ourselves\, is a faint reflection of what Scripture calls the fear of the Lord. It is not the cringing fear of a tyrant\, but the deep reverence and trembling awe before the majesty of Almighty God. \nPsalm 76 captures this awe. It celebrates God’s greatness and His mighty acts on behalf of His people. The psalmist recalls a victory where God Himself intervened\, stripping enemies of their strength and leaving them helpless. It is both a song of triumph and a solemn reminder: this God is not to be trifled with. He is near to His people\, but His holiness demands reverence. \nThe psalm begins on a note of celebration: “In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem\, His dwelling place in Zion.” God is not far away or hidden. He has revealed Himself. His people know His name and His character\, and His presence dwells among them. Yet this nearness does not make Him ordinary. It magnifies His greatness. The God who dwells in Zion is the same God who shatters weapons of war and silences the proud. \nThe psalmist paints a vivid picture of that victory: “The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war could not use their hands. At your rebuke\, O God of Jacob\, both rider and horse lay stunned.” Soldiers once proud and fearless are reduced to nothing by a single rebuke from God. No clash of armies\, no drawn-out struggle—just the word of the Almighty\, and the enemy collapses in helplessness. \nHere\, the psalmist pauses and draws out the central truth: “But you\, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?” God is close enough to be called our Father\, yet He is never casual. Familiarity must never breed contempt. The danger in our age—when sacred things are often trivialized—is to forget that the God who draws near in love is the same God before whom angels veil their faces. \nThe book of Job echoes this reality. When God describes Leviathan\, the great sea creature\, He asks: “No one is fierce enough to stir him up. Who then is able to stand against me?” If no one dares face Leviathan\, how much more should we tremble before the One who created it? The psalmist’s cry is right: God is to be feared. \nKing Jehoshaphat understood this when he faced a coalition of armies stronger than Judah. In his prayer\, he confessed: “O Lord\, God of our fathers\, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might\, so that none is able to withstand you.” He knew that victory depended not on military skill but on the sovereign power of God. \nPsalm 76 continues: “From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still\, when God arose to establish judgment\, to save all the humble of the earth.” God’s judgment is never arbitrary. It is purposeful\, aimed at saving the humble and the oppressed. His might is not for tyranny but for deliverance. He brings down the proud so the lowly may be lifted up. Even the wrath of man\, says the psalmist\, is turned into praise for Him. Nothing is wasted in His rule. \nThe psalm ends with a call to action: “Make vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared\, who cuts off the spirit of princes\, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.” Kings and princes may imagine themselves powerful\, but they too are subject to His hand. He alone is to be feared\, and those who live in reverent awe will know the richness of His presence. \nThis leads to the question: what does it mean today to fear the Lord? Many dismiss it as a negative idea\, but Scripture teaches it as the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 8:13 says: “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” To fear God means to love what He loves and reject what He hates. Proverbs 1:7 adds: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Reverence for God opens the door to true understanding. \nFearing God also reshapes our choices. Proverbs 3:7 warns: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” A healthy fear of God keeps us from sin. It teaches us to walk in integrity\, knowing that nothing is hidden from His sight. \nAnd far from driving us away\, fear draws us closer to His love. Psalm 103:17 says: “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him\, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” Fear leads us deeper into the security of His steadfast love. Psalm 34 adds: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him\, and he delivers them.” Fear and deliverance go hand in hand. \nReverence also brings peace. Proverbs 19:23 declares: “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content\, untouched by trouble.” While the world trembles with uncertainty\, those who stand in awe of God find rest. They know He is sovereign and His purposes cannot fail. \nFear of the Lord also transforms worship. Hebrews 12:28-29 urges: “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken\, let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe\, for our God is a consuming fire.” Without reverence\, worship becomes shallow. With it\, worship becomes rich and sincere. \nPaul ties the fear of God directly to holiness. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 he writes: “Since we have these promises\, dear friends\, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit\, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” The more we stand in awe of Him\, the more we long to be holy as He is holy. Fear purifies\, strengthens\, and keeps us close. \nThe prophet Malachi described Levi the priest: “My covenant with him was one of life and peace\, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear\, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth\, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness\, and he turned many from iniquity.” This shows what a life shaped by fear of the Lord looks like: integrity\, peace\, holiness\, and fruitfulness. \nBut what about us? We live in a culture that treats God casually\, even among believers. We call Him friend—and He is—but do we tremble before His majesty? Do our choices\, our worship\, and our daily lives reflect reverence? To fear God is not to run from Him\, but to stand in awe of Him\, to walk humbly before Him\, and to obey Him wholeheartedly. \nWhen we cultivate fear of the Lord\, we find wisdom for life\, protection in trouble\, peace in uncertainty\, mercy in failure\, direction in decision-making\, depth in worship\, and growth in holiness. Those who fear Him lack nothing. \nLet us then learn to stand in awe of His name. Let us walk with Him in peace and uprightness. And as we do\, may our lives turn many away from sin and toward the living God. For the One who is our refuge is also the One to be feared. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-10-0509-god-is-to-be-feared/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250911
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250912
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250910T182918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T044946Z
UID:4838-1757548800-1757635199@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-11-0510-The light of God’s faithfulness in dark days
DESCRIPTION:510_The light of God’s faithfulness in dark days \nPsalm 77 I cry aloud to God\,\n    aloud to God\, and he will hear me.\n2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;\n    in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;\n    my soul refuses to be comforted.\n3 When I remember God\, I moan;\n    when I meditate\, my spirit faints. Selah \n4 You hold my eyelids open;\n    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.\n5 I consider the days of old\,\n    the years long ago.\n6 I said\, “Let me remember my song in the night;\n    let me meditate in my heart.”\n    Then my spirit made a diligent search:\n7 “Will the Lord spurn forever\,\n    and never again be favorable?\n8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?\n    Are his promises at an end for all time?\n9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?\n    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah \n10 Then I said\, “I will appeal to this\,\n    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” \n11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;\n    yes\, I will remember your wonders of old.\n12 I will ponder all your work\,\n    and meditate on your mighty deeds.\n13 Your way\, O God\, is holy.\n    What god is great like our God?\n14 You are the God who works wonders;\n    you have made known your might among the peoples.\n15 You with your arm redeemed your people\,\n    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah \nWhen William Carey\, the great missionary to India\, returned home one evening in 1812\, expecting the familiar comfort of his study\, he was greeted instead by the charred remains of his house and printing press. Almost all his work had been consumed by the fire. Years of painstaking work—the manuscripts of his translations of the scriptures into Indian languages\, dictionaries\, and other writings—lay in ashes. Carey had devoted countless hours to this work\, but much of it was now irretrievably lost. \nInstead of collapsing in despair\, Carey revealed remarkable composure. He wrote to a friend\, “The loss is heavy\, but as traveling a road the second time is usually done with greater ease than the first\, so I trust the work will lose nothing of real value. We are not discouraged. We will begin again with redoubled vigor.” \nSuch resilience in the face of devastating loss was driven by Carey’s secret strength. This lay in the constant habit of looking beyond immediate circumstances to the unchanging faithfulness of God. He focused\, not on the ashes of his labor\, but on the God whose wonderful deeds in the past assured him of His goodness in the future. \nThis is the very melody of Psalm 77. It is a psalm for those walking through fire\, for those standing among the ruins of what once was\, for those facing questions with no immediate answers. \nThis psalm of Asaph begins with anguish. “I cry aloud to God\, aloud to God\, and He will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.” These are prayers that groan without rest\, constant cries of pain. \nInstead of turning to princes or people\, or drowning his sorrows in worldly busyness or comfort\, Asaph turned to God. He knew that only God could meet him at the point of his despair. Yet doubt continued to beset his soul. The memory of Israel’s past\, when God’s miraculous interpositions were commonplace\, led to even more hurt and more doubt.  \nHe remembered past days when songs of praise came easily in the night\, when his soul sang with the joy of salvation. In that darkness\, his questions knew no rest: “Will the Lord spurn forever\, and never again be favorable? Has His steadfast love forever ceased? Are His promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His compassion?” \nVery likely\, we have all asked the same in our own trials. But here lies the turning point. Asaph\, though overwhelmed by questions\, makes a deliberate choice. He will turn his eyes and his thoughts away from the confusion of his own heart\, and towards the Lord: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes\, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work\, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” \nIn other words\, when the present made no sense\, he anchored his soul in the past. He fixed his eyes on the mighty acts of God throughout history. And what he recalled was no small thing. He remembered the Red Sea\, when God split the waters and made a path through the depths. He remembered the wilderness\, when God fed His people with bread from heaven and gave them water from the rock. He remembered how their clothes did not wear out\, nor did their feet swell for forty years in a barren land. He remembered the presence of the mighty God of Israel looming in the midst of the people. Moses and Aaron were only his servants\, through whom God led his people like a flock.  \nAnd as his thoughts dwelt on these great works of God\, his despair began to lift. His questions did not vanish\, but they were reframed in the light of God’s proven faithfulness. \nThat is what Carey did too. Standing before the smoldering ruins of his work\, he remembered the sustaining hand of God throughout the past days\, not just of his own life but those of his fathers. The God who called him to India had already led him safely through many trials. He would not forsake his servant now. And so he began again.  \nWe need to learn this lesson. Amidst the ashes of broken dreams\, fractured relationships\, financial loss\, illness\, or grief\, our unbelief can so easily spiral into despair. If we focus on our sorrow\, it will consume us. But like Asaph\, like Carey\, let us lift our eyes and remember the years of God’s power. Let us remember the wonderful deliverance of the Lord\, how he redeemed us from certain death. How he led us through impossible situations. How faithful he has been in our lives.  \nAnd above all\, remember the cross\, the greatest deed of all\, where God’s love was displayed beyond question and His promises sealed forever. \nThis does not mean the pain disappears. Carey still had to labor again through long years of translation. Asaph’s circumstances remained grim. And yet\, both discovered a new strength when they gazed on the light of God’s faithfulness instead of their present darkness. \nWhat do we focus on in our own dark days? Do we dwell on the questions without answers\, the silence that feels unbearable\, the ashes of what is lost? Or will you\, like Asaph and Carey\, make the choice to remember? \nLet us cry out to Him with honesty and raw emotions.  But let us not stop there. Let memory be our guide. Let us recall the ways in which he has provided\, the many times he has carried you and the promises he has kept with utmost faithfulness. Let us document them\, in writing if need be. Let us share them with others.  \nAnd in remembering\, our faith will be strengthened to trust Him again. The night may still linger\, longer than our wish. But the God who split the sea\, who shepherded His people in the wilderness\, who raised Jesus from the dead\, is still God today. And He has engraved you on the palms of His hands. \nSo in our dark days\, let us never let despair have the final word. Focus on the wondrous deeds of the Lord. Let His past faithfulness brighten your present darkness\, until hope rises again in your heart. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-11-0510-the-light-of-gods-faithfulness-in-dark-days/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250912
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250913
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250911T182901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T051137Z
UID:4845-1757635200-1757721599@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-12-0511-Resting in God’s salvation
DESCRIPTION:511_Resting in God’s salvation \nPsalm 78 Give ear\, O my people\, to my teaching;\n    incline your ears to the words of my mouth!\n2 I will open my mouth in a parable;\n    I will utter dark sayings from of old\,\n3 things that we have heard and known\,\n    that our fathers have told us.\n4 We will not hide them from their children\,\n    but tell to the coming generation\nthe glorious deeds of the Lord\, and his might\,\n    and the wonders that he has done. \n5 He established a testimony in Jacob\n    and appointed a law in Israel\,\nwhich he commanded our fathers\n    to teach to their children\,\n6 that the next generation might know them\,\n    the children yet unborn\,\nand arise and tell them to their children\,\n7     so that they should set their hope in God\nand not forget the works of God\,\n    but keep his commandments;\n8 and that they should not be like their fathers\,\n    a stubborn and rebellious generation\,\na generation whose heart was not steadfast\,\n    whose spirit was not faithful to God. \nVs.67-72 He rejected the tent of Joseph;\n    he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim\,\n68 but he chose the tribe of Judah\,\n    Mount Zion\, which he loves.\n69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens\,\n    like the earth\, which he has founded forever.\n70 He chose David his servant\n    and took him from the sheepfolds;\n71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him\n    to shepherd Jacob his people\,\n    Israel his inheritance.\n72 With upright heart he shepherded them\n    and guided them with his skillful hand. \nThe waves were gentle at first. The man paddling in the sea did not know how to swim\, but he told himself it was harmless to wade just a little further. He enjoyed the cool splash of the water against his knees. But in a moment\, the mood shifted. A strong current pulled him off balance. He stumbled\, tried to regain control\, and before he realized what was happening\, he was being dragged out into deeper waters. The fun turned to fear. He thrashed wildly\, gasping for air as the waves crashed over his head.  \nOn the shore\, a watching lifeguard sprang into action. Experienced\, strong\, and calm\, he dove into the surf\, and swam with steady\, powerful strokes. Relief swept over the victim as he felt himself secured in the powerful grip of the rescuer. He was no longer alone and helpless.  \nBut as the lifeguard began the long swim back to shore\, the rescued man began to panic again. Struggling to swim\, he screamed\, “What if we sink again? What if you can’t hold me?” The lifeguard replied: “ Relax and trust me. I know what I’m doing.” \nThis picture is not far from what Psalm 78 describes. God had delivered His people Israel time and time again. He had rescued them from Egypt with mighty acts\, parted the Red Sea\, fed them with manna in the wilderness\, given them water from the rock\, and protected them by the pillar of cloud and fire. Yet\, like the man in the sea\, Israel constantly panicked\, doubted\, and complained. Their greatest problem was not the Red Sea\, nor the desert\, nor the enemies around them. It was unbelief. \nPsalm 78\, written by Asaph\, narrates this story\, from Israel’s departure from Egypt until the reign of David. It is a call to trust in God’s salvation. Asaph carefully recounts both God’s wondrous deeds and the people’s repeated failures\, hoping to warn future generations not to fall into the same trap of unbelief. Verses 7–8 explain: \n“So that they should set their hope in God\, and not forget the works of God\, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers\, a stubborn and rebellious generation\, a generation whose heart was not steadfast\, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” \nGeorge Santayana once wrote\, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That is exactly why Asaph takes the time to retell painful memories. He wanted the next generation to learn from the failures of their forefathers—to remember God’s salvation\, and to put their trust in Him. \nDespite the repeated mighty demonstrations of God’s saving power\, Israel did not believe. Verse 17 says\, “They sinned still more against him\, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.” Instead of resting in His salvation\, they doubted his power to provide for them. Each fresh trial was a new opportunity to put God in the dock.  \nVerse 22 puts it plainly: “They did not believe in God\, and did not trust his saving power.” When they had water\, they complained about the lack of food. When God gave them manna\, they demanded meat.  \nAsaph describes this cycle again and again. Despite God’s mercy\, despite His provision\, despite His patience\, they kept forgetting. Verse 32 says\, “In spite of all this\, they still sinned; despite his wonders\, they did not believe.” Though they said all the right things\,  inwardly their hearts were not steadfast. Verse 36: “They flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.” \nAnd yet\, God’s mercy shines through. Verse 38 declares: “Yet he\, being compassionate\, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.” God’s mercy was not because they deserved it\, but because He is faithful. \nStill\, the central issue remained: verse 41 says\, “They tested God again and again\, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe.” Ingratitude led to unbelief\, and unbelief to rebellion. \nAsaph continues recounting how God brought Israel into the promised land\, how He drove out nations before them and gave them an inheritance. But even then\, when Israel settled in the land\, they fell into disobedience and idolatry. The ark of the covenant was captured because of their sin\, and their priests were struck down. Yet God did not abandon His people forever. He raised up David\, His servant. Trained as a shepherd\, gentle yet protective\, David would lead them with skillful hands and upright heart. And Asaph saw by faith the coming Son of David\, the good shepherd\, Jesus Christ\, who lays down His life for His sheep. \nLet us learn from this psalm not to forget God’s wonders and signs\, like Israel. Let us stop doubting and complaining. Instead of resting in the power\, wisdom\, and goodness of God\, as evidenced by his steadfast care for them and his irrefutable promises\, they provoked him by their constant rebellion. Unable to rest in God’s salvation\, their lot was perpetual anxiety. \nAgain\, unbelief robs us of God’s blessings. A generation in Israel never entered the promised land but wandered in the wilderness for 40 years\, until they perished. Even when God gave them what they asked for\, they could not enjoy it because their hearts were restless\, suspicious\, and untrusting. \nYet God’s mercy is greater than our failures. Though Israel tested Him again and again\, He remembered compassion. He raised up David\, and ultimately\, He sent Christ to deliver us from sin and death itself. \nThe man struggling in the water had only one responsibility—to rest in the arms of the one who had already saved him. It was not his own but the lifeguard’s strength that guaranteed his safety. His thrashing and wild despair only made things harder. He needed to trust\, just as we do. For if God sent his Son\, Jesus Christ\, to deliver us from the deep waters of sin\, will he not bring us safely home? If He has already borne the weight of our guilt on the cross\, will he not bear us through the smaller storms of life? \nIn our dark days\, when fears rise\, when circumstances seem overwhelming\, the temptation is always to panic\, to doubt\, to complain. But the call of Psalm 78 is clear: remember God’s wondrous deeds\, and trust in His saving power. When we find ourselves overwhelmed and struggling\, let us hear the word of the Lord and relax in trust.  \nLet us not be like the Israelites with their constant rebellion against the providence and faithfulness of God. Instead of doubting and testing God again and again\, let us set our hope on Him\, remember His works\, and rest in His salvation. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-12-0511-resting-in-gods-salvation/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250915
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250916
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250914T182916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T052217Z
UID:4850-1757894400-1757980799@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-15-0512-God\, be merciful unto us
DESCRIPTION:512_God\, be merciful unto us  \nPslam 79 O God\, the nations have come into your inheritance;\n    they have defiled your holy temple;\n    they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.\n2 They have given the bodies of your servants\n    to the birds of the heavens for food\,\n    the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.\n3 They have poured out their blood like water\n    all around Jerusalem\,\n    and there was no one to bury them.\n4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors\,\n    mocked and derided by those around us. \n5 How long\, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?\n    Will your jealousy burn like fire?\n6 Pour out your anger on the nations\n    that do not know you\,\nand on the kingdoms\n    that do not call upon your name!\n7 For they have devoured Jacob\n    and laid waste his habitation. \n8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;\n    let your compassion come speedily to meet us\,\n    for we are brought very low.\n9 Help us\, O God of our salvation\,\n    for the glory of your name;\ndeliver us\, and atone for our sins\,\n    for your name’s sake!\n10 Why should the nations say\,\n    “Where is their God?”\nLet the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants\n    be known among the nations before our eyes! \n11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;\n    according to your great power\, preserve those doomed to die!\n12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors\n    the taunts with which they have taunted you\, O Lord!\n13 But we your people\, the sheep of your pasture\,\n    will give thanks to you forever;\n    from generation to generation we will recount your praise. \nOnce\, after the great preacher Charles Spurgeon had preached a powerful sermon on the need for repentance\, a man came to him and said\, “Mr. Spurgeon\, you have almost persuaded me to become a Christian. But I feel I am too great a sinner. Surely God could not forgive me.” Spurgeon tenderly replied\, “My friend\, you have underestimated the mercy of God. Your sins are many\, but God’s mercy is more. If you will only come to Him\, crying\, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner\,’ you will find that His grace is sufficient even for you.” \nThat conversation has been repeated countless times in different ways throughout history. This is the only cry of the human heart that acknowledges its sinful failure: “God\, be merciful to me\, a sinner.” It is this cry that echoes through Psalm 79\, a psalm born out of Israel’s greatest tragedy—the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple by the Babylonians. \nThe psalm is not just a historical lament. It is the heartfelt cry of an intercessor for a sinful people. He can only plead for God’s mercy on the guilty who nonetheless identify themselves as God’s people\, his servants. The prayer acknowledges the sin of the people. They can no longer hide behind their religious observances. They cannot give excuses.  \nUtter calamity has overtaken them and they have been stripped of all vestiges of God’s presence or protection. It has become plain that God is not pleased with them. He has allowed the temple that carried his own name to be defiled and burned. His people have been slaughtered. Verse 4 sums it up: “We have become a taunt to our neighbors\, mocked and derided by those around us.” This was the lowest point in their history. Their identity as God’s chosen nation\, their pride in their holy city\, their confidence in the temple—it had all come crashing down. \nThis is therefore the prayer of a broken heart. For the psalmist knows why this has happened. It was not Babylon’s strength\, but his people’s sin that brought God’s hand against them in judgment. For centuries\, God had sent His prophets to his people. He had called them to turn away from idolatry\, to keep His covenant and obey his laws. The idolatry and sin of the northern kingdom had already been punished by its captivity and exile. Yet Judah refused to profit by the lesson.  \nGod’s patient mercy stretched across repeated deliverance from their enemies\, and increasingly severe warnings of calamity. But they hardened their hearts. They refused to trust Him. Breaking their covenant\, they refused to keep the Sabbath rest\, the sign of God’s covenant with them. They refused to give the land its Sabbath year rest\, for 490 years.  \nAnd so God finally gave them into the hands of the Babylonians. Then the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest for 70 years – all that the disobedient people had denied it – as 2 Chronicles 36:20–21 tells us.  \nNow the psalmist pleads\, in verse 8: “Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us\, for we are brought very low.” This is the heart of repentance. Simply throwing ourselves as helpless sinners who no longer want to sin\, who want God’s deliverance\, and fall on the mercy of God. \nThe Lord’s parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates this. The Pharisee\, proud of his holiness\, uttered not a word of repentance.  But the tax collector stood afar off\, afraid even to lift his eyes to heaven. Beating his breast\, he pleaded\, “God\, be merciful to me a sinner.” And he was heard\, and forgiven\, and declared righteous. Anyone who humbly comes to God\, knowing his desperate need for forgiveness\, is sure to receive it and go home satisfied.  \nVerse 9 of this psalm pleads: “Help us\, O God of our salvation\, for the glory of your name; deliver us\, and atone for our sins\, for your name’s sake!” There is no word of their righteousness\, for they have none. God must accept their faith as righteousness and atone for their sins\, for they cannot. And he did. For Christ is God’s atoning sacrifice\,  God’s answer to the need for forgiveness\, the need of all who come to him in humble trust.  For 1 John 2:1–2 declares: “If anyone does sin\, we have an advocate with the Father\, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins\, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” \nIn Jeremiah 3:12–13\, God pleads with His people: “‘Return\, faithless Israel\, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger\, for I am merciful. Only acknowledge your guilt\, that you rebelled against the Lord your God… and that you have not obeyed my voice.’” God asks sinners only to be honest\, to humbly acknowledge their guilt\, and return to his paths\, the only right paths. And he will forgive their sins\, for Christ’s sake.  \nBut the psalmist also writhes under the mockery of God’s enemies. He prays for justice\, in verses 10–12. The enemies of Israel sneered\, “Where is their God?” But God was not powerless. In his time\, as he spoke through the prophets\, God brought low the Babylonian empire. He is never mocked. The enemies of his people will perish in his time.  \nTherefore the psalm ends in hope and praise: “But we your people\, the sheep of your pasture\, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise” (v. 13). This was no empty promise. The exile broke Israel of its addiction to idolatry. They had many struggles after their return\, but never again did they bow before foreign gods. Out of the ashes of judgment came steadfast devotion to the God of Abraham\, Isaac\, and Jacob.  \nNo matter how low we have fallen\, we need to return to God. Once we recognize and are heartily sorry for our offences against him\, we can trust him to forgive us for the sake of his name.  He will send us back justified\, like the tax collector.  \nAnd the discipline of God\, though painful\, is never wasted. Israel’s 70-year exile brought about repentance. When God allows us to taste the bitter consequences of our choices\, His goal is always restoration\, not destruction. Let us fulfil his desire\, and return to Him with broken pride. Casting aside our sin\, let us come so that his mercy may be poured out on us.  \nWhen we realize and confess our failure\, no place is too far to return to God. There is no sin-mark too indelible to be removed by the atonement of Christ. There is no need for us to carry guilt. We do not need to earn God’s favor through our righteousness – and we cannot. All He asks is that we turn from our sins\, humbly confess our need\, and trust in His mercy. \nLike the psalmist\, let us pray: “Help us\, O God of our salvation\, for the glory of your name; deliver us\, and atone for our sins\, for your name’s sake.” Like Israel after they returned from exile\, let our lives be filled with thanksgiving and praise from generation to generation. \nLet our lives bear witness to the truth that His mercy is greater than our sin\, His life is stronger than our death\, his love stronger than our rebellion. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-15-0512-god-be-merciful-unto-us/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250917
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250915T182958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T061219Z
UID:4857-1757980800-1758067199@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-16-0513-O Lord\, restore us again
DESCRIPTION:513_O Lord\, restore us again \nPsalm 80 Give ear\, O Shepherd of Israel\,\n    you who lead Joseph like a flock.\nYou who are enthroned upon the cherubim\, shine forth.\n2     Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh\,\nstir up your might\n    and come to save us! \n3 Restore us\, O God;\n    let your face shine\, that we may be saved! \n4 O Lord God of hosts\,\n    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?\n5 You have fed them with the bread of tears\n    and given them tears to drink in full measure.\n6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors\,\n    and our enemies laugh among themselves. \n7 Restore us\, O God of hosts;\n    let your face shine\, that we may be saved! \n14-19 Turn again\, O God of hosts!\n    Look down from heaven\, and see;\nhave regard for this vine\,\n15     the stock that your right hand planted\,\n    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.\n16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;\n    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!\n17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand\,\n    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!\n18 Then we shall not turn back from you;\n    give us life\, and we will call upon your name! \n19 Restore us\, O Lord God of hosts!\n    Let your face shine\, that we may be saved! \nA few years ago\, a massive wildfire tore through parts of California. Families who lived in their own hillside homes were suddenly left with nothing but ashes. One image stood out: a single vineyard\, still green and vibrant\, while everything else around it was charred. The owner of that vineyard had spent years caring for those vines. While others soon stopped maintaining firebreaks and watering systems\, he remained vigilant\, and his vineyard was spared. \nOur lives and our faith can be just as fragile as the vineyard – and yet survive as miraculously. When we are carefully tended by the hand of God\, our Shepherd and our Keeper\, we prosper. When we turn away from Him and neglect His Word\, walking in disobedience\, the brokenness of the world can sweep in\, leaving devastation behind. In such a situation\, we pray with the author of Psalm 80: “Restore us\, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine\, that we may be saved!” \nPsalm 80 is a prayer of desperation. The people of Israel had suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies\, likely during one of the many invasions by pagan nations. Their land was devastated\, their dignity was trampled\, and their prayers seemed to meet only with silence from heaven. Asaph\, the psalmist\, lifts up his voice on behalf of the nation and calls upon God\, addressing Him as the “Shepherd of Israel.”  \nThis is not just a poetic title. A shepherd is responsible for the provision\, protection\, and preservation of his sheep. Rather than simply watch while his flock is scattered or destroyed\, he runs to their defense. Here\, when it feels as if God is silent and distant\, the psalmist pleads: “Stir up your might and come to save us!” \nThe lament deepens in verses 4–6:\n“O Lord God of hosts\, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us an object of contention for our neighbors\, and our enemies laugh among themselves.” \nThis is the cry of a people who are weary of defeat\, replete with sorrow\, drunk with ridicule. But why was God angry? The prophets give us the answer. Jeremiah 11 tells us:  “They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers… they have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their fathers. Therefore\, I am bringing disaster upon them… Though they cry to me\, I will not listen.” \nAgain\, Zechariah 7 echoes: “They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the prophets. Therefore\, great anger came from the Lord of hosts. As I called\, and they would not hear\, so they called\, and I would not hear\, says the Lord of hosts.” \nThe silence of God was not random. It was the direct consequence of the people’s rebellion. They had hardened their hearts\, chasing after idols\, ignoring the voice of the Lord\, and breaking the covenant that bound them to Him. When we refuse to be led by God’s Spirit\, through God’s Word\, our prayers will eventually fall on deaf ears. His patience is prolonged but not to be trifled with. \nEven in their misery\, the people of Israel knew where to turn. Three times in this psalm they repeat the same desperate plea: “Restore us\, O God; let your face shine\, that we may be saved!” This refrain captures the central theme of the psalm: they longed for restoration\, for the joy of God’s favor to shine upon them once again. No longer did they place their hope in military might and strategic alliances\, political power or commercial wealth. Their only hope was that God Himself would turn back to them in mercy. \nVerses 8–13 jog our memory of what God had once done for them. God brought out Israel as a vine brought from Egypt and planted it in the land of Canaan.  The vine flourished. It spread its branches far and wide\, and the blessing of God was visible to all. But now\, the vineyard lay in ruins. The walls that once protected it had been broken down\, and wild animals ravaged it. It was a painful picture of neglect\, of a once-thriving nation now reduced to desolation. \nThis memory of what once was leads the psalmist into his most passionate prayer in verses 14–19: “Turn again\, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven\, and see; have regard for this vine\, the stock that your right hand planted.” He shifts his imagery\, at times speaking of Israel as God’s flock\, at other times as His vineyard\, and finally as His son—the man of God’s right hand. In verse 17\, he cries: “But let your hand be on the man of your right hand\, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!” \nHistorically\, the psalmist may have been thinking of the king\, God’s appointed leader over Israel. But prophetically\, this verse points us to Christ\, the true Son of Man\, seated at the right hand of God. It is through Him that restoration would ultimately come\, not just for Israel\, but for all nations. \nThe psalm ends with a vision of revival: “Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life\, and we will call upon your name! Restore us\, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine\, that we may be saved!” Here we see the heart of true repentance. It is not simply a desire to escape suffering. It is a longing to be alive again in God\, to enjoy His presence\, to walk faithfully in His ways\, and to never again turn back to sin. \nThis psalm reminds us of the devastating emptiness that comes when God turns His face away from us. For a true child of God\, such separation is unbearable. It is worse than death itself. But it also shows us the way back: repentance\, confession\, and humble desperation for God’s mercy. \nThrough Christ\, the way of restoration has been opened. On the cross\, Jesus bore the silence of God’s anger so that we would never have to. He cried out\, “My God\, my God\, why have you forsaken me?” so that we\, through faith\, could forever hear the Father’s voice saying\, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The invitation today is clear: “Come to me\, all who labor and are heavy laden\, and I will give you rest.” \nThere are times when we feel far from God. Maybe we have allowed sin to harden our hearts\, or perhaps life’s disappointments have left us weary and cold. The good news of Psalm 80 is that it is never too late to cry out: “Restore us again\, O Lord God of hosts.” He is the Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep. He is the Vine whose life is in the branches. He is the Son of Man at the right hand of God who intercedes for us even now. \nLet us cry to him until His face shines upon us once more. Let us confess our sins\, turn away from idols\, and incessantly plead for His mercy. For when His presence returns\, when His face shines upon us\, then we are truly saved. \nMay our prayer echo the psalmist’s cry: “Restore us\, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine\, that we may be saved!” God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-16-0513-o-lord-restore-us-again/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250917
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250918
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250916T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T063251Z
UID:4862-1758067200-1758153599@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-17-0514-Oh\, that my people would listen to me
DESCRIPTION:514_Oh\, that my people would listen to me \nPsalm 81 Sing aloud to God our strength;\n    shout for joy to the God of Jacob!\n2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine\,\n    the sweet lyre with the harp.\n3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon\,\n    at the full moon\, on our feast day. \n4 For it is a statute for Israel\,\n    a rule of the God of Jacob.\n5 He made it a decree in Joseph\n    when he went out over the land of Egypt.\nI hear a language I had not known:\n6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;\n    your hands were freed from the basket.\n7 In distress you called\, and I delivered you;\n    I answered you in the secret place of thunder;\n    I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah\n8 Hear\, O my people\, while I admonish you!\n    O Israel\, if you would but listen to me!\n9 There shall be no strange god among you;\n    you shall not bow down to a foreign god.\n10 I am the Lord your God\,\n    who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.\n    Open your mouth wide\, and I will fill it. \n11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;\n    Israel would not submit to me.\n12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts\,\n    to follow their own counsels.\n13 Oh\, that my people would listen to me\,\n    that Israel would walk in my ways!\n14 I would soon subdue their enemies\n    and turn my hand against their foes.\n15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him\,\n    and their fate would last forever.\n16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat\,\n    and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” \nA father once shared a story about his teenage son. The boy had grown increasingly distant\, and was always with undesirable friends. The father warned him again and again—“Be careful. That road will only lead to pain.” But the son believed he knew better. Months later\, the father received the kind of phone call every parent dreads. His son was in trouble with the law. Broken\, guilty\, and ashamed\, the boy sat in the police station\, wishing he had listened to his father. The father’s heart ached for his son. His pain was not because his son had flouted his authority\, but for the loss of his son’s innocence\, freedom\, and inner sense of worth.  \nThat story echoes the cry of God in Psalm 81. This psalm is the cry of a Father longing for His children to listen and walk in His ways\, and enjoy their rest and blessing. It is a lament\, but also a promise. God’s voice speaks the same words to us today: “Oh\, that my people would listen to me\, that Israel would walk in my ways!” \nPsalm 81 was sung during a feast\, most likely the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a time of remembrance of the marvelous deliverance from Egypt and God’s provision in the wilderness.  Israel’s people gathered with joy to sing praise to God. The psalm begins: “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine\, the sweet lyre with the harp!”  \nGod Himself begins to recount His faithfulness to His people. “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called\, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder.” He heard their cries and set them free. He led them through the wilderness\, rained down manna on them every day for 40 years\, and gave them water from the rock. Finally\, he led them to the land He had promised. \nYet God laments: “Hear\, O my people\, while I admonish you! O Israel\, if you would but listen to me!” The prophets repeat the same refrain —God pleading with His people to turn from idols\, to trust in Him\, to walk in His ways. \nThe reason he gives is: “I am the Lord your God\, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide\, and I will fill it.” What a picture of generosity and care! God longs to provide\, to bless\, to satisfy His people fully. “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. “ \nAnd therefore\, he says\, in one of the most sobering verses in Scripture\, “I gave them over to their stubborn hearts\, to follow their own counsels.” When his people insist on their own way\, God lets them do as they want\, even though it breaks His heart. The worst of all punishments is to have our own way\, when it leads us away from Him. Like the father watching his son make destructive choices\, God does not force obedience. Love cannot be coerced. He gives freedom—even the freedom to walk into ruin. \nBut how different things could have been! “If only my people would listen to me\, if Israel would walk in my ways\, I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes… I would feed you with the finest of wheat\, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” The promise is overwhelming: protection\, security in His presence\, and an abundance of provision. What they forfeited through stubbornness could have been theirs in full measure. \nGod’s lament is not locked in history. He still speaks with the same longing: “Oh\, that my people would listen to me!” We so often hear it in Scripture\, in the conviction of the Spirit\, in the counsel of wise believers. Yet we think we know better. We pursue our ambitions and our dreams even if they do not align with his will. We are too busy\, too distracted\, too caught up with ourselves\, to pay attention to his voice. \nAnd failing to listen and learn and know\, we lose the joy of His fellowship. We lose the peace that surpasses understanding. We lose the satisfaction of being fed with His finest wheat\, of tasting honey from the rock. And\, like the father in the story\, His heart breaks not because His authority is diminished\, but because His children forfeit the abundant life He longs to give them. \nThe writer of Hebrews rightly challenges us: “Therefore\, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses\, let us also lay aside every weight\, and sin which clings so closely\, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us\, looking to Jesus\, the founder and perfecter of our faith\, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross\, despising the shame\, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Christ has done everything to secure our salvation. Why would we settle for our stubborn counsels and discard the joy of walking with Him? \nLet us heed God’s voice: “Oh\, that you would listen to me!” Maybe we have to let go of a weight we have been carrying\, a close-clinging sin. Maybe He is summoning us into actual fellowship\, into deeper trust and obedience. He is not angry with us\, but he longs to experience our love. He longs to fill us with his goodness\, to protect us\, to give us peace.  \nThe call of Psalm 81 is as relevant now as it was then. It is not enough to follow a namesake churchianity. It is not enough to sing God’s praises. We are to listen to him\, to let our hearts be molded by his word\, to shape our attitudes and actions according to his loves and dislikes. The blessing of the Lord is not a pipe dream but realities for those who listen and obey.  \nLet us not be unfaithful. Let us love the Father who longs for our fellowship. Let us run with patience\, our eyes on our Captain Jesus. So our lives will satisfy us and bring true delight to God’s heart.  \nThe invitation is simple\, yet profound: listen. Let us listen to His Word. Let us listen to His Spirit. Let us lay aside stubbornness\, pride\, and distraction. Open your mouth wide\, and He will fill it. And as you do\, you will discover that the Father’s heart\, which once lamented\, will now rejoice. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-17-0514-oh-that-my-people-would-listen-to-me/
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DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250917T182923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T063203Z
UID:4870-1758153600-1758239999@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-18-0515-Arise\, O God\, judge the earth
DESCRIPTION:515_Arise\, O God\, judge the earth \nPsalm 82 God has taken his place in the divine council;\n    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:\n2 “How long will you judge unjustly\n    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah\n3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;\n    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.\n4 Rescue the weak and the needy;\n    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” \n5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding\,\n    they walk about in darkness;\n    all the foundations of the earth are shaken. \n6 I said\, “You are gods\,\n    sons of the Most High\, all of you;\n7 nevertheless\, like men you shall die\,\n    and fall like any prince.” \n8 Arise\, O God\, judge the earth;\n    for you shall inherit all the nations! \nImagine a courtroom\, with a poor widow standing in front of the judge\, trembling as she brings her case. She speaks of the land that was unjustly taken from her. On the other side sits a wealthy and powerful landowner\, flanked by expensive lawyers. The judge listens\, nods briefly at the widow\, and then turns his full attention to the wealthy man’s polished arguments. The verdict comes swiftly: the case is dismissed\, and the land remains in the hands of the powerful. The widow walks away empty-handed\, her heart crushed. \nAs you watched this unfold\, wouldn’t something in you rise up and say\, “This is not right! Where is justice? Who will stand for her?” \nAll of us\, in some way\, have felt the sting of injustice. Maybe it was in the workplace\, where connections\, not competence\, won someone else a promotion. Maybe it was in school\, where the loudest and strongest got their way over the weaker. Society at large sees the vulnerable—the children\, the poor\, the marginalized—pushed to the edges while the powerful thrive. The cry rises from our hearts\, “God\, will you not step in? Will you not judge rightly?” \nThis is the cry of Psalm 82. \nThe psalm opens with a startling picture: “God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the ‘gods.’” God is sitting as judge over the powerful among men\, the rulers and princes entrusted to rule on his behalf. Their authority is given them to protect the weak and ensure that right prevails. But instead of reflecting God’s justice\, they pervert it. They show partiality to the rich and powerful\, they take bribes\, and turn a blind eye to the poor. Injustice flourishes under their rule. \nUntil God Himself takes His seat among them. He confronts them: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” \nGod is not indifferent to injustice. He is passionately opposed to favoritism\, to bribery\, to exploitation. Throughout Scripture\, He warns His people never to pervert justice\, whether in favor of the rich or the poor. In Exodus 23 He says\, “When you give testimony in a lawsuit\, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd\, and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.” \nHis concern is that truth be upheld\, that fairness be done\, that every person—rich or poor\, strong or weak—receives justice without partiality. \nAnd as Psalm 68 reminds us\, He is “a father to the fatherless\, a defender of widows.” He will not allow the weak to be trampled on forever. Gandhi once said\, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” A society that abandons its weak\, ignores its poor\, or exploits its powerless is teetering on the edge. The psalmist says\, “They know nothing\, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” \nWhen the powers that be – the authorities – refuse to act with justice\, it is not just individual lives that are harmed. The very foundations of society tremble. Families break apart. Communities crumble. Nations weaken. Justice is the pillar that holds up a righteous human society. When it is neglected\, everything begins to disintegrate. \nAnd rightly so\, for God’s throne is built on righteousness and justice\, as Psalm 89 declares.  God’s kingdom is unshakable because He never bends the truth. He never shows favoritism. He never abandons the weak. His judgments are always right. \nIn verse 6 of Psalm 82\, God calls these human judges “sons of the Most High.” Much later\, the Lord Himself quoted this in John 10\, reminding the Jews that those entrusted with God’s word were called “gods” in the sense of carrying His authority. But with that authority came accountability. For though they were called to stand in God’s place\, they would die like mere mortals. Their power was temporary. Their authority was borrowed. And one day\, they would stand before the Judge of all the earth to give an account for how they used it. \nThat is why the psalm closes with a prayer that points us to the future: “Arise\, O God\, judge the earth\, for all the nations are your inheritance.” This is not just a cry for God to intervene in Israel. It looks forward with eager hope to the coming Messiah\, who will judge the entire world with righteousness and equity. On that day when Jesus Christ\, the risen Lord\, will return to set all things right. On that day\, the scales will finally balance. Every injustice will be addressed. Every wrong will be made right. And His reign will stretch not just over Israel\, but over every tribe\, tongue\, and nation. \nThis psalm\, then\, carries both a warning and a hope. It warns those in authority—whether judges\, rulers\, politicians\, or even parents\, teachers\, and pastors—that their authority is not their own. They are stewards. There is a Judge above the judges\, a King above the kings\, a Lord above the lords. If they pervert justice\, if they exploit the weak\, if they fail to protect the vulnerable\, they will answer to God Himself. No bribe can sway Him\, no influence can twist His verdict. He will defend the cause of the poor and the oppressed. \nFor those who are denied justice\, for those who feel forgotten\, this psalm reminds us: God sees. God hears. God will act. He is not distant. He is not indifferent. He is the father of the fatherless\, the defender of widows\, the rescuer of the needy. Proverbs 22 warns us\, “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court\, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.” One day\, He will arise to judge the earth. On that day\, His justice will roll down like mighty waters\, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. \nTherefore\, in whatever position of influence or authority we find ourselves\, let us reflect God’s heart of justice. As parents\, let us treat our children fairly\, without favoritism. As employers\, let us value our employees equally\, without exploiting their weaknesses? As leaders in the church\, let us shepherd God’s flock with humility and integrity\, without seeking our own gain.  \nBut for those who walk in integrity\, there is encouragement. God delights in those who reflect His justice. He rewards those who defend the weak\, who speak truth\, who act with fairness even when it costs them. This way of life bears witness to the coming kingdom of Christ. We become signposts of the greater justice that is yet to come. \nLet us also pray\, “Arise\, O God\, judge the earth!” Let us wait eagerly for the day when Christ comes into his kingdom and perfect justice reigns. Until then\, let us live as His representatives\, treating others with fairness\, standing up for the vulnerable\, and doing what is right in the sight of God. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-18-0515-arise-o-god-judge-the-earth/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250919
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250920
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250918T182939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T070121Z
UID:4876-1758240000-1758326399@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-19-0516-That they may know that He alone is the Lord
DESCRIPTION:516_That they may know that He alone is the Lord \nPsalm 83:1-8 O God\, do not keep silence;\n    do not hold your peace or be still\, O God!\n2 For behold\, your enemies make an uproar;\n    those who hate you have raised their heads.\n3 They lay crafty plans against your people;\n    they consult together against your treasured ones.\n4 They say\, “Come\, let us wipe them out as a nation;\n    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”\n5 For they conspire with one accord;\n    against you they make a covenant—\n6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites\,\n    Moab and the Hagrites\,\n7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek\,\n    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;\n8 Asshur also has joined them;\n    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah \nVs.13-18 O my God\, make them like whirling dust\,\n    like chaff before the wind.\n14 As fire consumes the forest\,\n    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze\,\n15 so may you pursue them with your tempest\n    and terrify them with your hurricane!\n16 Fill their faces with shame\,\n    that they may seek your name\, O Lord.\n17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;\n    let them perish in disgrace\,\n18 that they may know that you alone\,\n    whose name is the Lord\,\n    are the Most High over all the earth. \nDuring the Second World War\, a small European village was constantly threatened by invading forces. The villagers lived in fear. One old man\, however\, never seemed shaken. When asked why\, he replied\, “This land belongs to my father\, and my father will not let it go. Whatever happens\, I know it is safe in his hands.” He spoke\, not of his earthly father\, but of God. He believed and knew that no army\, no scheme\, no power could ultimately prevail against God. \nThat story captures the essence of Psalm 83. It is not simply about Israel’s survival in the face of overwhelming enemies. It is about the reality of God’s ownership of His people.  \nPsalm 83 is a vehement appeal to God to protect the people of Israel from their enemies. “O God\, do not keep silence;\n    do not hold your peace or be still\, O God!\n2 For behold\, your enemies make an uproar;\n    those who hate you have raised their heads.” \nFor the psalmist\, those who aimed to wipe Israel off the face of the land were not just political or military rivals. Their hostility was against God who had chosen Israel and chosen Canaan to be their possession.   \nPsalm 83 describes how the ten nations around Israel conspired together\, determined to annihilate Israel. Their goal was not limited to conquest or plunder. They wanted total annihilation. “Come\,” they said\, “let us destroy them as a nation\, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” In this situation\, the psalmist pleaded desperately for God’s intervention – for it was a matter of life and death. If God kept silent\, if He held back His hand\, His people would not survive. \nThe words reach back into Israel’s history. In the days of the judges\, Israel was often weak and outnumbered\, yet God gave them astounding victories time after time.  \nThese victories were a reminder that Israel’s safety never depended on their armies\, their weapons\, or their strategies. It depended on God’s fighting for them. \nNow the nation was in great and imminent danger of extinction. Israel’s enemies had made their intention clear: “Let us take possession of the pastures of God.” Israel is described as God’s pasture\, the field where His flock dwelt. The land and the people alike were His. Therefore\, like a shepherd guarding His sheep\, God would zealously protect His inheritance. No human scheme or alliance could seize what belonged to Him.  \nAfter naming the nations that had risen against Israel\, the psalmist pleads with God to intervene. His prayer is not driven only by the desire for Israel’s survival. He greatly desires God’s name to be recognized as supreme over the whole earth – “so that they may seek your face\, O Lord.” \nHere God reveals his magnificent purpose in choosing Israel. Through the prophet Isaiah\, God showed his people that they were chosen to be a light to the nations. Isaiah 42 declares: “I will give you as a covenant for the people\, a light for the nations\, to open the eyes that are blind\, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon.” Again\, in Isaiah 49\, God declares\, “It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob. I will make you a light for the nations\, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” \nThe prayer for victory is not just aimed at a life of peace and prosperity for Israel. Rather\, this will demonstrate to the nations that the Lord is the Most High over all the earth. The very people who opposed God’s inheritance may\, through His mighty works\, turn to seek His name. The psalmist’s vision is not narrow nationalism. It is global recognition of the glory of God\, his rightful claims on all mankind.  \nIf Israel had known God in truth\, no enemy could have stood against them. Yet their rebellion and unbelief often led them into defeat\, exile\, and captivity. Their privilege carried responsibility. To be God’s chosen people was to be both protected and richly blessed\, and accountable. They were called to enjoy the rich pastures of God and thus to show the world the goodness and faithfulness of God. Instead\, through their hateful wickedness and disregard of God’s laws\, they blasphemed him. And they were not spared from God’s discipline\, as a result. \nThe psalm closes with the same theme: “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace\, that they may know that you alone\, whose name is the Lord\, are the Most High over all the earth.” Everything comes back to this: that God alone may be known as Lord\, not just in Israel but across the earth. \nToday\, we dare not use these words to pray for victory when our nation goes to war against another. For God is not a respecter of persons during human conflict. His concern is not to take sides in national battles but to advance His kingdom. We need to constantly remember that our true enemies are not human at all. \nAs Ephesians 6 makes clear\, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood\, but against the rulers\, against the authorities\, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness\, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Our Lord and Christ has dealt the death blow to these forces through His death and resurrection. Yet the enemy still rages\, seeking to deceive\, discourage\, and destroy God’s people through lies. \nOur call is not to use physical weapons to exact vengeance on those who oppose or persecute us. Rather\, we are called to use the armor of God—the belt of truth\, the breastplate of righteousness\, the shield of faith\, the helmet of salvation\, the sword of the Spirit\, and prayer at all times. These are not just poetic images. They are the daily resources given to us to foil the attacks of the evil one. \nAnd why do we stand firm? Not for our comfort\, not even primarily for our own survival\, but to glorify God\, our Lord. Like the psalmist\, let our hearts long for the day when people will see the greatness of God\, through our victories but also through our trials – and even through our weaknesses. Through it all\, may every nation see the majesty and the love of Christ.  \nPhilippians 1:20 expresses it beautifully: “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed\, but that with full courage\, now as always\, Christ will be honored in my body\, whether by life or by death.” That is the ultimate aim. Not that we come out unharmed\, not that our name is remembered\, but that Christ is exalted. \nWhen such a desire moves us\, we can pray boldly before God. We can face spiritual battles fearlessly\, for our Shepherd guards His pasture. We can live with confidence\, like that old man in the village\, for our Father guards his own and will not let go. And we can rest in the assurance that one day every nation\, every people\, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord\, to the glory of God the Father. \nAs we cry to him: “Arise\, O God\, and let them know that You alone\, whose name is the Lord\, are the Most High over all the earth.” Let us live in humble faith and obedience before Jesus\, the Son of God\, with utmost reverence and godly fear. Thus\, through us\, others may come to that same knowledge—that He\, and He alone\, is Lord.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-19-0516-that-they-may-know-that-he-alone-is-the-lord/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250922
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250923
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250921T182941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250919T050453Z
UID:4901-1758499200-1758585599@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-22-0517-Turning the valley of weeping into springs
DESCRIPTION:517_Turning the valley of weeping into springs \nPsalm 84 How lovely is your dwelling place\,\n    O Lord of hosts!\n2 My soul longs\, yes\, faints\n    for the courts of the Lord;\nmy heart and flesh sing for joy\n    to the living God. \n3 Even the sparrow finds a home\,\n    and the swallow a nest for herself\,\n    where she may lay her young\,\nat your altars\, O Lord of hosts\,\n    my King and my God.\n4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house\,\n    ever singing your praise! Selah \n5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you\,\n    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.\n6 As they go through the Valley of Baca\n    they make it a place of springs;\n    the early rain also covers it with pools.\n7 They go from strength to strength;\n    each one appears before God in Zion. \n8 O Lord God of hosts\, hear my prayer;\n    give ear\, O God of Jacob! Selah\n9 Behold our shield\, O God;\n    look on the face of your anointed! \n10 For a day in your courts is better\n    than a thousand elsewhere.\nI would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God\n    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.\n11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;\n    the Lord bestows favor and honor.\nNo good thing does he withhold\n    from those who walk uprightly.\n12 O Lord of hosts\,\n    blessed is the one who trusts in you! \nWhen Fanny Crosby was only six weeks old\, she was left blind because of a medical accident. Imagine the crushing weight of that reality for a little child and her family. Many people in such circumstances might have given in to bitterness or despair. But Fanny chose a different path. At the age of eight\, she wrote her first poem\, expressing not sorrow but joy: \n“Oh\, what a happy soul am I\,\nAlthough I cannot see\,\nI am resolved that in this world\nContented I will be.” \nAs she grew\, she began writing hymns—over 8\,000 of them—Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine\, To God Be the Glory\, Safe in the Arms of Jesus\, Pass Me Not\, O Gentle Savior\, Rescue the Perishing\, All the Way My Savior Leads Me\, Safe in the Arms of Jesus\, Jesus\, Keep Me Near the Cross – to name a few. \nHer blindness did not stop her; in fact\, it became the soil in which her faith grew deep. Instead of making her life a wilderness of self-pity\, she turned her valley of weeping into springs. Even today\, somewhere in the world\, her words are sung in churches\, hospitals\, prisons\, and homes\, refreshing weary souls and lifting hearts to God. \nHer story is a living picture of what Psalm 84 describes—the blessedness of those whose strength is in God\, who transform their valleys of sorrow into places of life and refreshment. \nThis psalm was written by the sons of Korah\, who carried their own story of mercy. Their father Korah led a rebellion against Moses in the wilderness\, and he and his followers were judged by God (Numbers 16). Yet\, by God’s mercy\, his sons were spared (Numbers 26:9–11). Perhaps that experience of undeserved mercy birthed in them a deep love for worship. Out of a lineage of rebellion came voices that praised God with some of the most beautiful words of longing found in Scripture. \nThey begin with a cry of desire: “How lovely is your dwelling place\, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs\, yes\, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (vv.1–2). From the outside\, the Tabernacle was nothing special\, covered with badger skin\, plain and unattractive. But inside\, the golden lampstand glowed\, the table of showbread gleamed\, the veil shimmered with colors and cherubim\, and the fragrance of incense filled the air. In the same way\, God’s presence may not be dazzling to the world\, but for the one who enters in faith\, it is the place of deepest beauty. \nThe psalmist even envies the sparrows who build their nests near the altar. These little birds live daily in the presence of God\, while he can only visit. He declares the blessedness of those who dwell always in God’s house: they are constantly singing His praise. There is a joy and satisfaction in being near the Lord that nothing else can compare to. \nBut then the psalmist shifts the focus: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you\, in whose heart are the highways to Zion” (v.5). Life is pictured as a pilgrimage\, a journey to the city of God. Along the way\, there are valleys—specifically\, the Valley of Baca\, a word connected with weeping and sorrow. Every traveler\, whether ancient Israelite or modern believer\, must walk through valleys of grief\, disappointment\, or hardship. \nAnd here lies the heart of the psalm: those who find their strength in God do not merely endure the valley; they transform it. “As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools” (v.6). Instead of letting sorrow consume them\, they draw strength from God\, and their tears water the ground. The valley that should have been barren becomes fruitful. What was a place of weeping becomes a source of refreshment\, not only for themselves but for others who pass that way. \nThis is what Fanny Crosby did. She could have remained in despair\, but her strength was in God. Out of her valley of blindness flowed springs of poetry and hymns that countless pilgrims still drink from today. This is also what many saints of God through history have done—turning their suffering into a testimony of His grace. \nThe psalmist says further\, “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion” (v.7). Humanly speaking\, the longer we journey\, the more exhausted we become. But when God is our strength\, the opposite is true. Valleys do not weaken us; they deepen us. Sorrows do not crush us; they teach us endurance. Instead of losing strength\, we gain it\, until finally\, we stand before God in His holy city. \nThen comes the psalmist’s prayer: “Behold our shield\, O God; look on the face of your anointed” (v.9). He acknowledges God as protector and intercessor. And then he makes this staggering declaration: “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (v.10). Even the humblest position in God’s presence is far richer than the highest seat in a godless place. To belong to God\, even on the margins\, is greater than all the glories of the world. \nWhy? Because “the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (v.11). In Him\, we find light for our path\, protection for our journey\, and blessings that cannot be bought. He withholds no good thing from His children. The world promises fulfillment but leaves us empty. God promises His presence\, and in His presence there is fullness of joy. \nThe psalm concludes with this beatitude: “O Lord of hosts\, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (v.12). The secret of strength\, the secret of joy\, the secret of transforming valleys into springs is simple trust in God. Not in ourselves. Not in our possessions. Not in other people. But in Him alone. \nDavid understood this when he wrote in Psalm 16:11\, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” And Nehemiah declared\, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). It is not merely our joy in the Lord\, but God’s own joy in us and over us that gives strength. This joy is not tied to circumstances; it flows from His unchanging character and faithfulness. \nSo what does this mean for us? It means that when we find ourselves in the Valley of Baca—in times of grief\, illness\, loneliness\, or disappointment—we do not need to remain paralyzed in sorrow. We can draw strength from God. We can allow Him to transform our tears into springs. And those springs can refresh others who come after us—our children\, our friends\, our communities. Just as we are refreshed by the hymns of Fanny Crosby\, written out of her valley\, so others may one day be refreshed by our testimony of faith in the midst of trial. \nMaybe today you feel weary. Maybe you are in the valley and wonder if there is any way forward. Remember this psalm. Remember Fanny Crosby. Remember that God is your sun and shield\, your joy and strength. He promises that you will go from strength to strength. He promises that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. And He promises that one day\, you will stand before Him in Zion. \nSo do not give up in the valley. Lift your eyes to Him. Trust Him. Let His joy be your strength. And as you walk\, let your tears water the ground\, turning your valley of weeping into springs—for your own soul and for the many weary travelers who will come after you.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-22-0517-turning-the-valley-of-weeping-into-springs/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250923
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250924
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250922T182955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250919T051501Z
UID:4907-1758585600-1758671999@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-23-0518-Revive us again that we may rejoice in you
DESCRIPTION:518_Revive us again that we may rejoice in you \nPsalm 85 Lord\, you were favorable to your land;\n    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.\n2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;\n    you covered all their sin. Selah\n3 You withdrew all your wrath;\n    you turned from your hot anger. \n4 Restore us again\, O God of our salvation\,\n    and put away your indignation toward us!\n5 Will you be angry with us forever?\n    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?\n6 Will you not revive us again\,\n    that your people may rejoice in you?\n7 Show us your steadfast love\, O Lord\,\n    and grant us your salvation. \n8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak\,\n    for he will speak peace to his people\, to his saints;\n    but let them not turn back to folly.\n9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him\,\n    that glory may dwell in our land. \n10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;\n    righteousness and peace kiss each other.\n11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground\,\n    and righteousness looks down from the sky.\n12 Yes\, the Lord will give what is good\,\n    and our land will yield its increase.\n13 Righteousness will go before him\n    and make his footsteps a way. \nA pastor once told the story of a small church in the countryside that had grown cold over the years. Worship had become a formality\, prayer meetings were empty\, and people seemed more interested in discussing crops and weather than God’s Word. One day\, during a particularly lifeless service\, an elderly farmer stood up and prayed aloud: “Lord\, the barn needs cleaning\, the fields need plowing\, but more than all of that\, our hearts need reviving. Revive us again\, Lord\, that we may rejoice in You.” His words struck the congregation like lightning. For weeks afterward\, people gathered to pray\, tears flowed\, old grudges were forgiven\, and joy returned to that small church. The farmer had put into words the cry of Psalm 85: “Will you not revive us again\, that your people may rejoice in you?” \nPsalm 85 is the prayer of a people who know what it is like to walk away from God\, to experience His discipline\, but also to taste His mercy and forgiveness. It is both a looking back to God’s past mercies\, a prayer for rescue in present troubles\, and a picture of what happens when his people walk with him.   \nThe psalm opens with remembrance. “Lord\, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.” Israel’s history was marked by wandering\, rebellion\, and repeated failure. They underwent repeated discipline\, being overcome by their enemies.  \nYet they were not forsaken. God restored them when they repented and cried out to him. He forgave their sins. He turned His anger away. Verse 2 reminds us that God forgave their iniquity and “covered” their sins. Importantly\, the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. These sacrifices only foreshadowed the final and only perfect atonement made by Christ our Lord on the cross. For Christ’s sake\, God continued to be merciful to Israel even before that event took place in history.  \nWith this remembrance of God’s faithfulness\, the psalmist pleads in verses 4–7: “Restore us again\, O God of our salvation… Will you not revive us again\, that your people may rejoice in you?” The cry is that we may be restored to being the people who delight God’s heart by our loyalty to him\, and who bring glory to him by our enjoyment of his rich provision. We long\, not for more personal comfort\, for more blessings to make life on this earth more convenient\, but that our misery and downtrodden condition may not bring disrepute to the name of our Lord.  \nThe psalmist appeals to God’s covenant love — a love not earned by works but given freely. Psalm 103 echoes this: “He does not deal with us according to our sins\, nor repay us according to our iniquities… As far as the east is from the west\, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” This is our only hope: to throw ourselves in humble repentance\, on the mercy of God revealed through His Son\, the Lord Jesus Christ. \nVerse 8 reveals the heart of the psalm: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak\, for he will speak peace to his people\, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” Revival is not a cycle of sin\, repentance\, and sin again. It is a call to lasting change\, to turning away from folly\, to taking God seriously. Israel’s history was filled with tragic examples of presumption — thinking they could sin and simply rely on God’s mercy afterward. In the wilderness\, they hardened their hearts and could not enter God’s rest. In the promised land\, they practiced abundant idolatry and injustice\, leading to exile. God forgave them time and again\, but they suffered heavy consequences first. The psalmist’s prayer is sincere: restore us. But equally sincere is his call to the people: Let them not return to their folly like a dog to his vomit. True revival is about holiness as much as joy. \n“Vs. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. \n11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground\,  and righteousness looks down from the sky.”  God’s mercy and his truth characterize all his dealings with men. This is covenant love\, faithful love\, no mere feeling or arbitrary emotion. And thus\, in Jesus Christ the Son of God\, we see one who is full of grace and truth\, as he reveals God to man.  \nAnd only God’s mercy\, accepted in humility and thankfulness\, moves his people to righteousness. Such righteousness is the only ground of durable peace. An unrighteous people can never enjoy peace. “The wicked is like a troubled sea that cannot rest\, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; there is no peace\, saith my God\, to the wicked.” \nAnd therefore man becomes faithful to God. His truth begins to grow in response to God’s abundant faithfulness and mercy. And this loyalty becomes like the loyalty of the God who inspired it\, anchored without vacillation on his truthfulness.  \nThe psalm closes with a blessing: “Yes\, the Lord will give what is good\, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” Such is the inevitable result of submitting to the rule of God. The prophets echoed this hope. Hosea spoke of God betrothing His people forever in righteousness\, justice\, steadfast love\, and mercy. Isaiah cried out\, “Shower\, O heavens\, from above\, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open\, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit.” These promises find their “yes” in Jesus Christ\, and they point us forward to the day when He will return to establish His kingdom fully. \nAs we read this psalm\, let us remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Just as Israel remembers God’s restoring merciful hand\, we look back to the Cross where our sins were atoned for. Our sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus’s name.  \nSecondly\, we look at our pitiable condition in the present and turn back in repentance and renewed commitment to God\, praying for a true revival. Our prayer is for God to accept our confession\, our abandonment of our sins\, as we trust in Christ and hope in God’s mercy.  \nThird\, we look forward in hope. Wherever Christ rules\, righteousness answers to his faithfulness and mercy. Peace follows the steps of the righteous. One day\, righteousness will cover the earth\, and the Lord will reign. Until then\, we live in the reality of that kingdom now\, seeking righteousness\, loving mercy\, and walking humbly with our God. \nRevival is not something we manufacture. It happens when his people humble themselves to seek his will and his ways alone\, forsaking their own self-driven ways and their self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. This is the fruit of heartfelt trust in the unchanging covenant love of God\, the God who acts in mercy and faithfulness\, the God who gave his Son for our sake. He is the God who restores our souls as we walk with him in faithful love. \nLet us then pray with the penitent: Lord\, restore us again. Revive us again. We will not turn back to folly. Cause us to rejoice in You. And as we live each day\, let us walk in the light of Your steadfast love\, remembering the cross\, longing for Your kingdom\, and living as people revived by Your Spirit.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-23-0518-revive-us-again-that-we-may-rejoice-in-you/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250924
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250925
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250923T182948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T065921Z
UID:4935-1758672000-1758758399@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-24-0519-To You I call all the day
DESCRIPTION:519_To You I call all the day \nPsalm 86 Incline your ear\, O Lord\, and answer me\,\n    for I am poor and needy.\n2 Preserve my life\, for I am godly;\n    save your servant\, who trusts in you—you are my God.\n3 Be gracious to me\, O Lord\,\n    for to you do I cry all the day.\n4 Gladden the soul of your servant\,\n    for to you\, O Lord\, do I lift up my soul.\n5 For you\, O Lord\, are good and forgiving\,\n    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.\n6 Give ear\, O Lord\, to my prayer;\n    listen to my plea for grace.\n7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you\,\n    for you answer me. \n8 There is none like you among the gods\, O Lord\,\n    nor are there any works like yours.\n9 All the nations you have made shall come\n    and worship before you\, O Lord\,\n    and shall glorify your name.\n10 For you are great and do wondrous things;\n    you alone are God.\n11 Teach me your way\, O Lord\,\n    that I may walk in your truth;\n    unite my heart to fear your name.\n12 I give thanks to you\, O Lord my God\, with my whole heart\,\n    and I will glorify your name forever.\n13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;\n    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. \n14 O God\, insolent men have risen up against me;\n    a band of ruthless men seeks my life\,\n    and they do not set you before them.\n15 But you\, O Lord\, are a God merciful and gracious\,\n    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.\n16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;\n    give your strength to your servant\,\n    and save the son of your maidservant.\n17 Show me a sign of your favor\,\n    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame\n    because you\, Lord\, have helped me and comforted me. \nDuring the dark and bloody years of the American Civil War\, President Abraham Lincoln bore the crushing weight of a nation divided. Day after day\, reports of battles arrived—lists of casualties that stretched into the thousands\, decisions that would alter the course of history\, and political pressures that seemed unbearable. Lincoln\, by his own admission\, was not always a man of strong personal faith in his early years. But through the agonizing burdens he carried as president\, he drew closer to God. \nHe once confessed\, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go.” Those words capture the very heart of prayer—not a religious duty or a ceremonial act\, but as the lifeline of a soul that knows its own poverty and casts itself wholly on God. \nPsalm 86 is the only psalm of David in the third book of the Psalter. It describes the life of prayer – the how and the what. David finds himself in desperate circumstances\, surrounded by enemies and overwhelmed by need. And there was nowhere to go except into the presence of God. \nThe psalm begins: “Incline your ear\, O Lord\, and answer me\, for I am poor and needy.” David\, king of Israel\, with armies at his command\, wealth in his treasury\, and able counselors\, comes as a poor and needy soul before God.  For all true prayer begins in godliness. And godliness is the fruit of humility. When we recognize our smallness before God\, we are joyfully willing to accept him as the Prime Mover in everything. This leads us to call on him at all times and in all situations.  \nFor David\, God is the One who hears and saves those who trust in him. They are bound to him by their need and their expectation of his mercy\, rooted in his unchanging goodness. Prayer grows out of a right relationship with God\, rather than begging a boon of a distant deity.  \nYet it is not a relationship of convenience. The hearts of the godly are constantly turned to God: all the day long they cry out to him.  Prayer is the very atmosphere of their lives. As the Spirit later urges\, “Pray without ceasing.” Not that we constantly utter words of prayer\, but rather that our trust is always in God and our cry is always to him.  \nIn verse 4\, David prays\, “Gladden the soul of your servant\, for to you\, O Lord\, do I lift up my soul.” This is the joy that the godly feel when the Lord comes to their rescue. They depend on him and he does not fail them. Whether by life or by death\, they glorify him through the grace he richly bestows. For the source of true gladness is not the absence of trouble\, but the presence of God. \nAnd so God’s greatness becomes David’s focus. “There is none like you among the gods\, O Lord\, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you.” Humility in prayer leads soon enough to glad and reverent worship. When we come before His majesty\, our problems shrink and our confidence grows in the perspective of his greatness.  \nDavid earnestly pleads\, “Teach me your way\, O Lord\, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” The heart that is single in its devotion to God is an admirable gift\, worthy of such a passionate plea. Our prayers need to go much deeper. Our hearts are easily divided\, pulled in various directions by ambition\, fear\, and temptation. We need most of all\, not a change in our circumstances\, but in our hearts\, so that they may harbor only the fear of God.  \nThanksgiving is the inevitable result of this humble prayer: “I give thanks to you\, O Lord my God\, with my whole heart\, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” As a string of requests\, prayer soon feels empty. But when stimulated by the realization of God’s greatness and goodness\, prayer is filled with thankfulness and praise. Without forgetting what God has already done for us\, let us keep in mind his constant love. He who has helped us in the past will come to our aid again\, simply because we trust in him.  \nYet David is still in danger\, for he says\, “O God\, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life.” Prayer does not always remove the storm. But prayer does anchor us in the storm by reminding us who God is: “But you\, O Lord\, are a God merciful and gracious\, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” These are the very words God spoke to Moses when He revealed His glory. David clings to that revelation. Prayer is not simply about unburdening our hearts before God; it is about finding anchor in his mercy\, his steadfast love and his covenant faithfulness.  \nDavid seeks vindication from God\, having foregone revenge on his own part: “Show me a sign of your favor\, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you\, Lord\, have helped me and comforted me.” God is glorified when his work becomes so evident in our lives that even our enemies must acknowledge it. Prayer is never purely private. When God answers\, it becomes a testimony to others of His goodness and faithfulness. \nPsalm 86 reminds us of the necessity of humility\, of calling on God\, of trusting him no matter what\, no matter when. It teaches us to focus on his greatness and not our problems\, to rejoice in his salvation\, and anchor our hope in his unchanging character. It calls on us to ask\, not just that our burdens be lifted but that our hearts be transformed to seek him and him alone.  \nIn our Lord’s words\, we must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” David does this by desiring a heart that is wholly devoted to God. Such prayers are always in line with God’s will—and they are always answered. Thus\, prayer becomes a way of life\, as we recognize that we have nowhere to go that is better than God Himself. \nDo our prayers reveal hearts chasing after God’s gifts\, or hearts longing for God Himself? Like David\, may we learn to pray for a united heart\, so that our lives may truly reflect his ways and his heart. Let prayer become more than a practice we schedule; let it be the posture of our lives. And let all who see us—friends\, neighbors\, even our enemies—also see that God has helped us and comforted us. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-24-0519-to-you-i-call-all-the-day/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250925
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250926
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250924T182951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251111T113709Z
UID:4940-1758758400-1758844799@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-25-0520-All my springs are in you
DESCRIPTION:520_All my springs are in you \nPsalm 87 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;\n2     the Lord loves the gates of Zion\n    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.\n3 Glorious things of you are spoken\,\n    O city of God. Selah \n4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;\n    behold\, Philistia and Tyre\, with Cush—\n    “This one was born there\,” they say.\n5 And of Zion it shall be said\,\n    “This one and that one were born in her”;\n    for the Most High himself will establish her.\n6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples\,\n    “This one was born there.” Selah \n7 Singers and dancers alike say\,\n    “All my springs are in you.” \nA few years ago\, there was an extraordinary engineering project in a desert region. A team of experts had spent months trying to dig wells in search of water. Technology was at its peak—satellite mapping\, drilling equipment\, scientific surveys—but well after well came up dry. The villagers\, weary from years of scarcity\, waited anxiously. Then\, one day\, an old man from the community suggested a spot no one had considered. He pointed to a patch of ground that looked barren\, but he was certain water lay beneath it. Out of respect\, the engineers drilled—and to everyone’s amazement\, they struck a strong underground spring that gushed with life-giving water. It changed everything. Crops flourished. Families no longer walked miles for drinking water. The spring became the center of the community’s life. \nThat picture of hidden\, abundant water bringing life to a dry and weary land is exactly the image Psalm 87 leaves us with when it says\, “All my springs are in you.” It is not only a poetic flourish but a profound truth about God and His city: He alone is the source of life\, refreshment\, and lasting joy. \nPsalm 87 is often called a prophetic psalm\, one that draws our eyes beyond the ruins and disappointments of earthly life to something eternal—the city of God\, Zion\, the dwelling place of the great King. Humanity has always longed for such a city: a place of peace\, beauty\, and permanence where justice reigns and joy overflows. Empires have risen and fallen\, cities have been built and destroyed\, but the yearning remains. Psalm 87 tells us there is indeed such a city—not the product of human effort\, but the dwelling place of God Himself. \nThe psalmist begins with these words:\n“On the holy mount stands the city he founded;\nthe Lord loves the gates of Zion\nmore than all the dwelling places of Jacob.” \nThe mountain is holy not because of its geography\, but because the Holy God has chosen to place His name there. God’s foundation is in Jerusalem\, His city. Since God’s redemptive plan unfolds in real time and space\, it needed a location\, and He chose Jerusalem as the stage where so much of His work in history would take place. \nThe psalmist declares\, “Glorious things are spoken of you\, O city of God.” And indeed\, glorious things have unfolded there. Melchizedek\, the mysterious king and priest of God Most High\, once reigned there. Abraham\, on the mount of the Lord\, prepared to offer his son Isaac\, only for God to provide a substitute sacrifice. David established his throne there\, making it the capital of Israel’s kingdom. Solomon built the temple\, where sacrifice\, priestly service\, and worship were carried out for centuries. \nBut above all\, Jerusalem is glorious because of Jesus. He honored the city\, observed its feasts\, and taught in its temple courts. He wept over it. And it was there that He died for our sins\, was buried\, and rose again. There\, too\, the church was born at Pentecost when the Spirit descended\, filling believers with power to bear witness to the nations. And one day\, Scripture tells us\, the King of kings and Lord of lords will return and establish His reign there. \nFor all these reasons\, God’s love for Jerusalem is unique\, greater even than His love for the other dwelling places of Israel. \nYet Psalm 87 takes an unexpected turn. After celebrating Zion\, the psalmist looks beyond its walls to the surrounding nations—Egypt (referred to as Rahab)\, Babylon\, Philistia\, Tyre\, and Ethiopia. These were Israel’s historic enemies and rivals. But God says something remarkable: among these nations\, too\, there will be those who know Me. The words “This one was born there” are spoken—not by human voices\, but by God Himself. He declares it as a promise and an invitation: people from the nations can be counted as citizens of Zion. They can be registered as those who belong to God. \nThe psalmist repeats it for emphasis: “This one was born there.” The joy and honor of being associated with God’s city is so profound that it becomes a cherished identity. What makes it even more astonishing is that the privilege is not claimed by the person—it is bestowed by God. He registers the names. He declares who belongs. The citizenship of Zion is not earned by human merit or heritage but given by divine grace. \nThe psalm reaches its climax in verse 7:\n“Singers and dancers alike say\,\n‘All my springs are in you.’” \nIt’s a picture of joy and celebration\, of music and movement flowing from the recognition that all life\, all refreshment\, all goodness has its source in God. Springs\, in the ancient world\, were treasured beyond measure. They were clean\, abundant sources of water in a dry land\, unlike stagnant pools or cisterns that could run empty. To say\, “All my springs are in you\,” is to affirm that every blessing\, every renewal\, every source of strength and hope flows from God alone. \nThis is why other psalms describe Zion as “the joy of all the earth” and “the place where God has made Himself known as a fortress.” The glory of the city is not in its buildings but in its King. Like God Himself\, His city is holy\, unshakable\, and eternal. \nBut this psalm is not merely about earthly Jerusalem. It points forward to something greater. The New Testament tells us of a heavenly Zion. Hebrews says\, “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God\, the heavenly Jerusalem\, to an innumerable company of angels\, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven.” Paul adds\, “The Jerusalem above is free\, and she is our mother.” And John\, in Revelation\, sees the holy city\, the New Jerusalem\, coming down from heaven\, radiant with the glory of God\, where His dwelling is forever with His people. \nThis city\, unlike Babylon—the great city of earthly riches and pride that will one day fall—is eternal. Babylon represents human power and arrogance\, Zion represents God’s holiness and permanence. And the amazing truth is this: through Christ\, anyone can become a citizen of Zion. Paul says in Philippians\, “Our citizenship is in heaven\, and from it we await a Savior\, the Lord Jesus Christ\, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.” \nHow do we gain this citizenship? Not by being born in a certain land\, but by being born again. Through repentance and faith in Christ\, God declares over us\, “This one was born there.” Our names are written in His book. Our place in His city is secured. \nAnd so the psalm’s closing declaration becomes personal: “All my springs are in you.” In Christ\, we discover the fountain of life. He Himself said\, “If anyone thirsts\, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me\, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Life apart from Him is like wandering in a desert\, searching for water in empty wells. But life in Him is like drinking from a fresh spring that never runs dry. \nHere is the practical call: stop digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Stop chasing refreshment in places that will always leave you empty—success\, possessions\, even human approval. Instead\, turn to the One who is the true source. Let Him be your spring. Draw daily from His Word\, from His Spirit\, from His presence. And as you do\, let His life flow through you so that you become a spring to others\, refreshing those who are weary and thirsty around you. David says “My cup runs over”. \nThe engineers in the desert discovered that the old man’s word was true—the spring was there all along\, hidden but waiting to be tapped. In the same way\, God’s Word points us to the true source of life. The spring is not hidden because He wants to keep it from us—it is revealed in Christ\, waiting for us to drink deeply. \nSo let this psalm shape your prayer: Lord\, all my springs are in You. Be my source\, my joy\, my strength\, my hope. And may my life overflow with Your living water\, bringing refreshment to a thirsty world. God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-25-0520-all-my-springs-are-in-you/
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250927
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250925T182945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251111T113754Z
UID:4948-1758844800-1758931199@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-26-0521-God in wrath and salvation
DESCRIPTION:521_God in wrath and salvation \nPsalm 88 O Lord\, God of my salvation\,\n    I cry out day and night before you.\n2 Let my prayer come before you;\n    incline your ear to my cry! \n3 For my soul is full of troubles\,\n    and my life draws near to Sheol.\n4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;\n    I am a man who has no strength\,\n5 like one set loose among the dead\,\n    like the slain that lie in the grave\,\nlike those whom you remember no more\,\n    for they are cut off from your hand.\n6 You have put me in the depths of the pit\,\n    in the regions dark and deep.\n7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me\,\n    and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah \n8 You have caused my companions to shun me;\n    you have made me a horror to them.\nI am shut in so that I cannot escape;\n9     my eye grows dim through sorrow.\nEvery day I call upon you\, O Lord;\n    I spread out my hands to you.\n10 Do you work wonders for the dead?\n    Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah\n11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave\,\n    or your faithfulness in Abaddon?\n12 Are your wonders known in the darkness\,\n    or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? \n13 But I\, O Lord\, cry to you;\n    in the morning my prayer comes before you.\n14 O Lord\, why do you cast my soul away?\n    Why do you hide your face from me?\n15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up\,\n    I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.\n16 Your wrath has swept over me;\n    your dreadful assaults destroy me.\n17 They surround me like a flood all day long;\n    they close in on me together.\n18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;\n    my companions have become darkness. \nSeveral years ago\, Charles Spurgeon\, known as the “Prince of Preachers\, spoke openly about his struggles with depression. His sermons shook London with the gospel and still inspire believers today. Yet once he confessed\, “I could say with Job\, ‘My soul chooseth strangling rather than life.’ I could readily enough have laid violent hands upon myself\, to escape from my misery of spirit.” He described weeks of such unhappiness\, when even prayer felt impossible. Even so\, he kept preaching\, kept crying out to God\, and kept believing that beyond the darkness\, light would break. \nMany of us know what it is like to go through the place where it feels like our prayers are unheard and God’s wrath is sweeping over us. At such times\, faith is not about soaring but about surviving—holding on to God when it feels like He has let go of you. \nPsalm 88 is called the saddest psalm\, maybe even the darkest passage in the entire Bible. Most laments in the Psalms begin in sorrow but end in hope. They start with grief\, but hark back to God’s wonderful works in the past and his faithfulness. This leads the psalmist to end in vows of praise for mercies he hopes for.  Psalm is different\, for it begins\, continues and ends in darkness. As the last line says\, “Darkness is my closest friend.” \nWhy is this psalm preserved for us? The answer lies in the story behind the psalm and the lessons it teaches for our own journeys through the valley. \nPsalm 88 was written by Heman the Ezrahite. He was one of the wisest men of his generation\, a Levite and grandson of the prophet Samuel\, a prophet and skilled musician\, and the chief worship leader in the temple under King David. He had a large family\, was respected in society\, and was devoted in heart to his God. If anyone seemed to have a strong and secure spiritual life\, it was Heman. This tells us that nobody\, however wise or godly\, is exempt from the danger of utter depression\, long seasons of darkness.  \nThe psalm opens with what sounds like a note of hope: “O LORD\, God of my salvation.” We expect deliverance to follow. But instead\, what comes next is a cry of desperation. Heman clings to the title “God of my salvation” not because of his present experience but because this is all the truth he has left to hold on to. \nListen to his words: “For my soul is full of troubles\, and my life draws near to Sheol.” He feels crushed under God’s wrath. He feels abandoned and shunned. He asks God directly\, “Do you work wonders for the dead? Is your steadfast love declared in the grave? Are your wonders known in the darkness?” \nDespite the pain and questioning these cries reveal\, they are directed to God. That’s the key. He doesn’t turn away from God in his pain; he brings his pain to God. That is desperate\, heartbroken faith.  \nLet us always remember that anyone\, even the most faithful people\, may experience what feels like the wrath of God\, even when they know God as the God of salvation. The bleakest psalm of all was written by the chief of the Levitical musicians\, a man devoted to God. Such seasons are not indications of failure or spiritual fallenness.\nThey can be decoded only by God.  \nSecond\, true worship is honest\, not fake. Many psalms resolve with praise\, like Psalm 42\, which ends with “Hope in God\, for I shall again praise him.” But Psalm 88 doesn’t. It ends with darkness. And yet\, it is still worship. Because worship is not pretending to be joyful when you are not. Worship is bringing your true self before God—whether joyful or broken. God does not despise an honest cry. He welcomes and comforts the broken-hearted.  \nThird\, lament belongs in the life of faith – a fact attested to by the inclusion of this psalm in Israel’s worship. Neither weakness nor unbelief\, lamentation is the simple expression of the heart’s grief under the burden of life’s sorrow. It says\, “God\, I don’t understand\, but I still believe You are there\, so I am bringing my sorrow to You.” Lament is not the opposite of praise—it is a pathway to it. \nFinally\, hope is hidden even in the darkness. Although the psalm is that of a seemingly hopeless man\, ending in lightless night\, its first line betrays the seed of hope: “O LORD\, God of my salvation.” Heman never stops addressing God as Savior\, even when salvation seems invisible. The act of calling out is itself a sign of faith. Isaiah 50:10 echoes the same attitude of hope in despair: “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”  \nPsalm 88 is proof of the value of human honesty\, towards one another and towards God. We can openly confess that life feels unbearable at times\, even when we believe in God the Almighty. Faith assures us that despite all seeming evidence to the contrary\, our cries are heard. Most importantly\, it points us to the truth that even though we may walk in darkness\, we are never abandoned. Psalm 23 declares\, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death\, I will fear no evil\, for You are with me.” Psalm 88 shows us the valley in its starkest form—but even there\, God listens. \nTherefore\, let us not cease to pray\, even when it feels like our prayers rise no further than the ceiling. Let us not stop bringing our questions and our pain to the God of our salvation. Persistence in prayer when we feel nothing is perhaps the purest form of faith. To keep calling on the God of our salvation in the dark is to confess\, however faintly\, that He is God. \nAnd we are not alone on this path. Heman\, Job\, Jeremiah all walked it. Even our Lord and Christ cried on the cross\, “My God\, my God\, why have You forsaken me?” Because of his atonement\, we know that darkness is not the final word. The psalm may end in night\, but the story of God ends in dawn. Resurrection follows the grave. Joy comes in the morning. \nLet us take courage. Though we lament and mourn in the dark\, let us be honest and persevere in prayer. For even when we cannot see Him\, He is still there\, holding us in His unseen hand\, waiting for the day when the night will break into everlasting light.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-26-0521-god-in-wrath-and-salvation/
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250930
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250928T182947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T060855Z
UID:4953-1759104000-1759190399@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-29-0522-God’s covenant faithfulness
DESCRIPTION:522_God’s covenant faithfulness \nPsalm 89 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever;\n    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.\n2 For I said\, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;\n    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”\n3 You have said\, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;\n    I have sworn to David my servant:\n4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever\,\n    and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah \n5 Let the heavens praise your wonders\, O Lord\,\n    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!\n6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?\n    Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord\,\n7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones\,\n    and awesome above all who are around him?\n8 O Lord God of hosts\,\n    who is mighty as you are\, O Lord\,\n    with your faithfulness all around you? \nA little boy once asked his grandfather\, “Grandpa\, why do you always keep that old pocket watch in your pocket? It doesn’t even keep time properly anymore.” The grandfather smiled\, took out the worn watch\, and said\, “This was given to me by your great-grandfather on the day I left home as a young man. It may not keep perfect time\, but it reminds me of his love and his promise: that no matter where I went\, I would always have a home to return to.” That watch\, though imperfect as a timepiece\, was a faithful reminder of an unchanging promise. \nIn a far greater way\, Psalm 89 points us to a God whose promises are not tarnished by time\, nor weakened by circumstances. His covenant faithfulness endures\, no matter what His people may face. Ethan the Ezrahite\, who wrote this psalm\, lived during a time of national calamity—perhaps after a crushing defeat at the hands of enemies. Yet\, in the midst of that despair\, Ethan anchors his song in the faithfulness of God\, whose covenant with David was unshakable. \nHe begins not with complaint\, but with praise: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 89:1). The word used here for steadfast love is hesed—God’s covenantal\, loyal love. It is His unbreakable commitment to His people\, reflecting His own character. Knowing that God’s mercy and faithfulness are everlasting should bring forth unending praise. He longs to make God’s faithful love known so that generations to come will also glorify God. \nIn verses 5–14\, the psalmist declares the majesty of God. “The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it\, you have founded them” (v. 11). There is none like Him\, in heaven or on earth. The universe was made by him and belongs to him. Yet greater far is God’s character as verse 14 says\, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” God rules not with tyranny or unpredictability\, but with rich grace and steadfast truth. \nVerses 15–18 describe his people. “Blessed are the people who know the festal shout\, who walk\, O Lord\, in the light of your face” (v. 15). To walk in His favor and fellowship is to be happy in his name all the day long. The strength of his people is not in themselves but in him. He is their glory\, their shield\, their protector. Theirs is the supreme joy of being known\, loved\, and guarded by the Lord of heaven and earth.  \nFrom verses 19–37\, the psalmist recalls God’s covenant with David. It is like a rehearsal of Nathan’s words in 2 Samuel 7. God chose David out of obscurity\, and established him as king forever\, his children after him as long as the sun should endure. For God\, David\, the man after God’s own heart\, was the highest of the kings of the earth\, the firstborn of all kings. Yet verse 27 also points forward to a greater King. “I will make him the firstborn\, the highest of the kings of the earth.” David’s greater Son\, Jesus Christ\, is the true Firstborn over all creation\, the King of kings and Lord of lords. In Him\, God’s covenant promises are all fulfilled. \nBut verses 38–45 present the actual situation of the time. National defeat\, the crown cast to the ground\, their defenses broken through. He cries out\, “But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed.” (v. 38). Had God abandoned His covenant? No. Rather\, Israel was experiencing the discipline of a holy God. His covenant faithfulness does not overlook sin. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. He deals impartially\, whether it is with his own people or other nations. Indeed\, God’s faithfulness is not weak or selfish indulgence. He will not deny His character\, even for those He loves. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the Lord disciplines those He loves\, as a father disciplines his children. \nIn verses 46–48\, the psalmist pours out a heartfelt prayer. From the depths of helplessness\, he appeals to God’s mercy: “How long\, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?” Without denying the reality of their suffering\, he pleads with God to remember His covenant. Faith does not deny the pain\, but still clings to the promise. Interestingly\, the psalmist sees no difference between David and the seed of the promise. What was promised to David is the inheritance of his descendants\, and is claimed as such by them.  \nThus the psalm closes with the urgent plea that God will remember His covenant faithfulness\, and with a final declaration: “Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” (v. 52). Despite unanswered questions and persistent sorrows\, the love of God remains constant and therefore he is to be praised.  \nThe covenant made with David was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the eternal King whose throne will never end. He mirrors in all its glory and perfection the steadfast love of God. When we fail\, God may discipline us\, but He will never cast us away. His mercies are new every morning. As Lamentations 3:22–23 says\, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” In Christ\, God has sealed His covenant faithfulness with the blood of His own Son. Micah 7:18–20 reminds us that He pardons iniquity\, delights in steadfast love\, and casts our sins into the depths of the sea. \nThis truth is both comforting and challenging. It is comforting because we can always count on God’s faithfulness. Nothing in our circumstances\, no failure on our part\, can nullify His covenant love in Christ. But it is challenging because it calls us to respond with gratitude and obedience. To presume upon His faithfulness while persisting in sin is to cheapen His grace. Instead\, His steadfast love should move us to deeper devotion\, greater holiness\, and heartfelt praise. \nLet us\, like the old pocket watch\, take it to heart. We inherit something far better: the eternal covenant sealed in Christ. When life feels uncertain\, when defeat or discipline weighs us down\, let us remember that God’s covenant faithfulness is unbreakable. And let us echo the psalmist’s closing words with confidence: “Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.” God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-29-0522-gods-covenant-faithfulness/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250930
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251001
DTSTAMP:20260627T162106
CREATED:20250929T182933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T043244Z
UID:4972-1759190400-1759276799@livingwatersgb.com
SUMMARY:Sep-30-0523-God our dwelling place
DESCRIPTION:523_God our dwelling place \nPsalm 90 Lord\, you have been our dwelling place\n    in all generations.\n2 Before the mountains were brought forth\,\n    or ever you had formed the earth and the world\,\n    from everlasting to everlasting you are God. \n3 You return man to dust\n    and say\, “Return\, O children of man!”\n4 For a thousand years in your sight\n    are but as yesterday when it is past\,\n    or as a watch in the night. \n5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream\,\n    like grass that is renewed in the morning:\n6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;\n    in the evening it fades and withers. \n7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;\n    by your wrath we are dismayed.\n8 You have set our iniquities before you\,\n    our secret sins in the light of your presence. \n9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;\n    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.\n10 The years of our life are seventy\,\n    or even by reason of strength eighty;\nyet their span is but toil and trouble;\n    they are soon gone\, and we fly away.\n11 Who considers the power of your anger\,\n    and your wrath according to the fear of you? \n12 So teach us to number our days\n    that we may get a heart of wisdom.\n13 Return\, O Lord! How long?\n    Have pity on your servants!\n14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love\,\n    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.\n15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us\,\n    and for as many years as we have seen evil.\n16 Let your work be shown to your servants\,\n    and your glorious power to their children.\n17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us\,\n    and establish the work of our hands upon us;\n    yes\, establish the work of our hands! \nA young soldier returned home after years of overseas service. Walking in\, he dropped his heavy bag by the entrance\, hugged his mother and said emotionally\, “Now I can finally rest. I am home.” Home is more than a building or an address. It’s the place where you are safe\, where you belong. \nThis is the thought that begins this psalm of Moses: “Lord\, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.” Moses\, who spent forty years in Pharaoh’s palace\, forty in the Midianite wilderness tending sheep\, and the last forty leading Israel through the wilderness\, knew the reality of dwelling in God. He knew what it was to be homeless\, to be restless\, to be a wanderer. Yet in God\, he found belonging\, safety\, and rest. \nThis psalm may have been composed toward the end of Moses’ life. By the world’s standards\, the first eighty years of his life look unremarkable\, almost wasted. But those hidden years were where God trained him to lead a vast and rebellious people as a shepherd patiently leads his intransigent flock to safety and water and food.  \nMoses also declares God’s eternity. “Before the mountains were born\, or you brought forth the whole world\, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Unlike us fragile mortals\, God is unchanging. Malachi 3:6 says\, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you\, O children of Jacob\, are not consumed.” Generations rise and fall\, kingdoms come and go\, yet God remains the same. In a world that shifts beneath our feet\, He is the one unshakable treasure that we cling to. \nHow God’s eternity contrasts with human frailty! For the lives of men are like grass – green and lush in its youth\, but withered and dry by the evening. Illness\, accidents\, natural causes may claim us\, but behind them lies the immense anger of God directed at our sin. He writes\, “We are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you\, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Sin was not an external add-on; it reached into the hidden corners of the heart. Even the sins of Moses’ youth stayed in his memory.  \nAnd yet\, the holy God invited Moses into His presence for forty days and forty nights to receive His law. That is the wonder of God’s grace. Though our sins are exposed and open before him\, His mercy makes a way for fellowship. After giving the law\, the Ten Commandments\, God instructs his people to build a tabernacle for him\, giving them the pattern of the tent of meeting. The law can only condemn; the altar of the tabernacle was the door\, a way of atonement for the sinner. It foreshadowed the blameless Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. It foreshadowed Jesus our compassionate High Priest. He entered the holy of holies\,  the actual presence of God\, not with the blood of animals\, but with His own blood. He is our advocate at the right hand of God. \nAnd how short is human life: “The years of our life are seventy\, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone\, and we fly away.” Even at its best\, life is short and dreary. Whether we want to or not\, death mows us down like grass and we return to our dust.  \nYet\, for the servants of God\, there is a destiny beyond toil and trouble. In the face of life’s brevity\, Moses prays earnestly: “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Not to live in morbid fear\, but to be constantly aware that our days are limited\, and therefore precious. Such a realization can drive the unbeliever to riot and excess – “Eat\, drink and be merry\, for tomorrow we die.” But for those who serve the Lord\, wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. This shapes their choices and aligns their hearts with his will. \nAnd remembering this\, he prays\, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love\, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” All good comes from God’s love\, not from empty toil. When the love of God fills us\, not just in our old age but from the very morning of our days\, we can live every step of life in gladness.  \n“Let your work be shown to your servants\, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us\, and establish the work of our hands upon us.” Moses\, a mortal man\, living in a transitory world\, ends with the plea that God’s touch may transform their work into eternity. Before God works through us\, He must work in us. Even the greatest toil\, if merely human in its origin\, cannot last – as witness the works of past civilizations. But when God carries out his plans\, and reveals the glory of his salvation\, we see his favor upon us. For he shows us his work first\, so that our labor may flow out of it into his eternal will. For the world passes away with all its lusts\, but he who does the will of God endures forever.   \nWhat Moses saw dimly\, we see in the light of our Lord and Christ. He has destroyed the fear of death. He has atoned for our sins. He has brought life and immortality to light through his gospel. He has given us his Spirit as the guarantee of everlasting life in his presence.  \nWhen we\, like Moses\, make God our dwelling place\, we anchor ourselves in his will. We remember that he is good and his love endures forever. We trust in his righteousness and justice when nothing around us makes sense. We choose the satisfaction of his steadfast love and reject the fleeting pleasures of sin and self-indulgence. We look to him to establish the work of our mortal hands\, rooting our work in his will. For apart from him\, we can do nothing. \nIf we feel that most of our lives has been wasted in wandering and obscurity\, let us remember Moses. God wasted nothing of his life. He uses everything to mould us into his will and his calling\, as long as we are taught by him. When he is our home\, we discover we are never really alone ever again. Every day spent doing his will is numbered in gold in his book.  \nChrist is our permanent dwelling place. As we walk in Him and live in Him\, we will return to him one day – not into nothingness\, but into our eternal home with him. Let this be our prayer: “Let your favor be upon us and establish the work of our hands.” God bless.
URL:https://livingwatersgb.com/daily-devotional-podcasts/sep-30-0523-god-our-dwelling-place/
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