“Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.“
Psalm 66:20
Blessed be God, who has not turned away His mercy from me nor closed His ear to my prayer. He is the God of my Salvation, The One who DAILY loadeth me with benefits and blessings beyond comprehending[Ps 68:18-19]. He is my Sun and my Shield[Ps 84:11], my Strong Tower[Ps 18:10], My Defense[Ps 94:22], My Shepherd[Ps 23], He gives grace and glory, He is the God of my mercy[Ps 59:10]. By His favour He has made my mountain to stand strong[Ps 30:7]! What verses/portions from God’s Word have you been reading and encouraged by this week? Leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear! ?
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.”
Psalm 68:18-19
Hi, Rachel!
My reading this week has been in Exodus. Sunday morning before church this meditation from the Lord blessed my heart beyond measure:
When the people were camped near Mt. Sinai, the Lord told them He was going to meet with them (Ex 19:17), but He charged them (including the priests and the animals) not to touch the mountain lest they die (Ex 19:12). God called only Moses and Aaron by name, inviting them–and them alone–into His presence (Ex 19:24).
Then it occurred to me that when God saved me, He called me by name into His very presence through the blood of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! I have been invited to the “top of the mountain”, or the throne of God, placing me, and all true believers, on the amazing and God-exalting level of Moses!!!
The Bible calls Moses the meekest man on earth, (Numbers 12:3) even though Moses was so exalted. Humility pleases God, and we must remain meek. We never come to God through our own merits, but always through the shed blood of our dear Sacrifice. BUT WE CAN COME! That is such a precious privilege! God be praised!!!
Wow, amen! So beautiful and true and amazing! “Invited to the top of the mountain” by The Rock of ages where we are safe and secure. How humbling is this? You have encouraged me greatly, Sher!! Thank you for blessing me and so many others with your comment!! ?
I love your photo of the wonderfully used and worn Bible. It’s so cozy and calls into the presence of the Lord. :)
?? “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.”
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” -Job 42:2
I love that verse, Trisha! It declares God’s sovereignty! His will/plan cannot and will not be thwarted.? Reminds me of a favorite portion from Isaiah:
“…I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”Is 46:9-10
I would have to say that the relationship that Abraham and Sarah had with each other and the Lord struck me this time. I try to read through the Bible 3-4 times each year so this is my third time in Genesis. With Abraham and Sarah, I saw a different relationship each one had with the LORD. Both had building block faith based on things the Lord brought them through. Both of them laughed when the LORD told them they were going to have a son, but it seemed like Abraham was settled with the idea quicker than Sarah and Sarah denied the fact that she laughed. Like Adam was given the command to not eat the tree of good and evil, Abraham was asked to sacrifice His only son. He did it, no questions asked, settled in His faith based on the fact that he had tasted and seen that the LORD is good! Sarah had learned to submit and seemed to be in agreement with her husband on so may accounts. i would have been scared half to death in a kingdom where a king wanted me as his wife in a land with people I didn’t know, separated from my husband, my very best friend, yet she did it and God took care of her. I just see the differences each one had, maybe because He deals with us differently based on personality, gender and gender roles. It’s beautiful, really! The LORD knows what we need!
Way to go reading through the bible 3-4 times a year! That is an amazing goal to set. ? You know, I had never thought about your point regarding Abraham and Sarah before but it’s true! I do believe the Lord deals with each one of us individually in His perfect way. And the amazing part is, just as the Lord so perfectly worked in both Abraham and Sarah’s lives from the beginning to the end in 2 distinct ways, He does the same for us! So thankful for that. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Ps 139:16
I want to share another thing that blessed me. You sent over the verse “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Yesterday we hosted Labor Day Picnic for our church family. My family worked hard preparing that morning for our guests to come. There were three different groups that were coming to our house that never had been there before. I believe all women can identify with the fact that you want to have enough food, enough room, a clean house, a “homey” environment, hospitality and a warm welcome. This was an outside event and the weather report predicted possible thunderstorms at 12:00p.m. The guests could start arriving at 1:00 p.m. The LORD held the storm until 8:30 that evening, gave us sunshine, plenty of food, games that the young people could play together, a family that worked together with their own gifts GOD gave them, and a wonderful time of fellowship for all with laughter and love. “O Taste and see that the LORD is good!” Whatever our concern, we can come to Him, He hears and delights in is, and faithfully does “above all that we ask or think!” Praise be to GOD!
The book of Job and Lamentations 3 have been great sources of the encouragement. I can be comforted and at peace even when afflicted.
Both Job and Lamentations are extremely encouraging portions of scripture! Especially when trails and affliction are challenging our hearts. They remind us that “He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”(Job 23:10 ). Your comment reminded me of Psalms 119 where it says “Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.” Psalms 119:92. Lamentations continually reminds me that we can have steadfast hope because God’s mercies are new every single morning and His faithfulness is great. A verse I love in Lamentations 3 is 32 “But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.”
as it reminds me of Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” May the Lord continue to comfort your heart through His Word! Jer 18:7-8
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Psalms 119:71
Amen.