In our devotions this morning we read the following inspirational post, written by Deborah A. Meister, in a little devotional book entitled "Living Faith". In light of this past week's "issues" that have caused a lot of strife in our country, I thought her message was very healing and comforting.
"Every day I hear people complain about the lack of justice in one situation or another. Primarily, their objective focus is on righting a wrong or fighting for equality. This psalm (referring to Psalm 146) reminds me that justice comes from the heart and not the mind. God has not measured justice on a scale to judge our worthiness. The heart of God's justice cares deeply about the oppressed, the hungry and the captive soul. The psalm begins and ends by praising God with a grateful heart.
Gratitude gives birth to justice. We praise God's faithfulness and thank God for the gift of life. A grateful heart holds no resentment, anger or fear of being cast aside. When we can let go of selfishness, God's justice will reign. The oppressed will be free and the poor will be fed. We can become instruments of peace and justice in the world."
The Scripture references for this devotional were Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, and Mark 7:31-37, if you would like to look them up and read them along with this devotional. I will include portions of some of these scriptures here for you, as I found them especially beautiful and comforting today.
Isaiah 35
3. "Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4. Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
'Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.'
5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6. Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert."
Psalm 146
1. "Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2. While I live I will praise the Lord'
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3. Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man,
in whom there is no help.
4. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5. Happy is he (or she!) who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6. Who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7. Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.
8. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
9. The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10. The Lord shall reign forever..
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!"
This post will be in place of the usual "Sermon Notes" for this week, as I was a bit under the weather this morning and unable to attend church. Not to give "TMI", but I tend to suffer from "IBS", especially when I allow stress to overwhelm my body. I am not normally a person who appears to be filled with stress or anxiety, but sometimes I tend to internalize things that trouble my heart or mind or spirit, and sooner or later my body responds negatively. I, of all people, know how important it is to give all these things over to Jesus, and to let Him handle my stresses and hurts. But, being human, my head can't always control what goes into my heart...or vice versa...and when I begin to feel under attack from the enemy...whether real or perceived physical, or spiritual, it has a negative effect on my physical body as well as my emotional spirit. So, when that happens, it is best to withdraw from the fray, get alone with God, rest, and by all means stay away from negative people/influences/media/etc. for a while and let God work His healing balm upon my heart and body.
Psalm 146
1. "Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2. While I live I will praise the Lord'
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
