There are some days where when I feel the favor of God so richly on my life that I am ashamed of the countless ways I fail Him. And then there are days when I absolutely feel that there is a target on my back that marks me for every demonic spirit in the world. Murphy’s law has nothing on Shari’s odds. It’s a good thing I’m not a gambler. I don’t gamble and I don’t play games with God. But I feel that there are people who do. I guess King David did as well.
David didn’t Gamble with the Day
Psalm 5:1-12 KJVS
[1] Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. [2] Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. [3] My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Bright and early in the morning David started his conversations with God. He didn’t wait until he was in trouble and then “hope” God would listen. I can feel the conviction on my own life on that one. I’m not nearly the prayer warrior I once thought I was. But then of course I’ve always said that I thought I was a prayer warrior until I realized all my prayers started with, “Oh God forgive me.” How would I feel if my children only spoke to me when they were in trouble? Praise God that’s not an issue, because I know I would feel unappreciated and unloved for certain. Is that how God feels? Do I cause God to feel unloved? God forgive me if I do. Sometimes I feel like I need a conversation starter, with people and with God. How’s this for a starter: God, what’s on Your heart for me, and what can I do for You today?
The moment I typed that I felt His gentle Spirit massage my soul. I know my heart has much turmoil right now. I have people that I love who are hurting. I’m hurting. I’ve had friends move on to eternity this week and my heart is broken for their people. My daughter Whitney had kids going in multiple directions a few days ago and her little Party Schnauzer, who goes by the name of Maggie, was staying with me. Whitney finished her day and went on home without remembering where Maggie was. All evening Maggie watched for her people who didn’t come. The next day when Whitney and the kids returned, Maggie’s disposition changed. She ran to them, excited her people were home. That’s how it will be for us all some day! All our people will be home. But until then, life will have heartache. Please pray for the peace of my husbands family, whose son Marty passed away due to Covid this week. For my friend Sue whose sister won her race for Heaven. And for the Stull family, whose sister Leona, and wife of Clay, is having a grand reunion with her siblings that passed before her.
We never know when a day starts, what it will bring. It’s good to start the conversation before the crisis.
Don’t Gamble that there’s nothing in the Dark
[4] For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. [5] The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. [6] Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
I’ve never been a fan of the dark, but I can’t say that I haven’t walked on the edge of darkness. There are things in my past that I look back on and think… “how could I have ever thought that it was okay to be involved with that?” It wasn’t as if I was involved with the mafia, but I’ve had some people in my life that took me to some pretty dark places, be it literally or just in my mind. It’s why I’m so concerned for the youth in my life. The world around them shows darkness in a bright and shiny way. It’s seems like an oxymoron. But if I say the name “Hollywood,” you likely know immediately what I mean. It certainly glistens, but the darkness in that city is something we cannot imagine. But are we gambling that there’s nothing in the darkness around our world?
Our kids our getting ready to head back to school. Just so you know, it’s dark there. Don’t gamble that there’s nothing there. Warn them, pray for them, talk to them and to God about them.
Don’t Gamble that you have another Sunday
[7] But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. [8] Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. [9] For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. [10] Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. [11] But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. [12] For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
There’s countless people that thought they’d live to see another day, but they did not, our relationship with God doesn’t end at noon on Sunday when the service does. For many people it didn’t even start. They’re waiting for life to settle down so they’ll have time for God. My brother was 19 when he was killed in a car accident. I’ve never had the promise of tomorrow. But that still didn’t stop me from being stupid until I was 34 when I got saved. Praise God for His multitude of mercy. It’s one of the many reasons I go to His house on Sunday. Here’s a list of a few of the reasons I go to church:
- He has been merciful to my soul without me deserving it.
- He guides me through life and shares His destination with me.
- He allows no enemy to come at me without His protection of me
- Many are those who have forsaken me, but never God.
- People talk smack. God speaks nothing but the truth.
- I trust Him.
- He brings such joy.
- He blesses me beyond measure
- I feel His favor in my life.
- He gave His Son that I might have an eternal life with my children and family. Can you think of a better reason? Can you think of a reason you shouldn’t go? If you can… send it to me in a message and let me talk to you about it and pray for you.
God is amazing.
