Day 359 Bible Reading

Psalm 147: 13-15 (ESV)

“For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.”

I like this passage from Psalm 147. It reminds me of the blessings of God and what happens when you have them. Every day seems like a miracle and things just seem to go your way. You have a season where everything in your life goes right and the world seems like it is at your feet. But deep in your heart, you know none of it is possible without God in your life. You obeyed everything he wanted you do for many years, and this new life, this new season is your reward. 

Day 358 Bible Reading

Psalm 147: 3 (ESV)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

I was struck by line 3 from Psalm 147. I have many memories of being brokenhearted and feeling myself held in the palm of God’s hand. God was healing me and binding up my emotional wounds. Sometimes I don’t even know I am brokenhearted, and then I feel myself being held the palm of God’s hand, and I realize that I have been hurt but God has bore the brunt of it because I am safe and protected by him. I felt safe and secure in God’s hands when my mother died, and this feeling lasted for months as my sadness at my mother’s passing was so severe. I often wondered during those months how people bore such grief without a God. That time of grief was so unbearable, and only confidently knowing I was in palm of God’s hand, was I able to survive that period in my life. I also wondered after that, how often God had held me in the palm of hand during my other times of grief. I am sure God did protect me during those times, but my faith was weak, and I rarely acknowledged God’s presence in my life in my youth. But with my stronger faith, I can now openly acknowledge to myself and the world that I feel very privileged and proud that God does hold me in the palm of his hands when I need to be held.

Day 357 Bible Reading

Psalm 146: 3-4 (ESV)

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”

I was struck by this Bible passage when I read from Psalm 146. It made me think of all the people I’ve worked with at corporations where I saw fellow employees put all their trust in their boss. They supported their bosses 100% and were rewarded with promotions if that boss was promoted. But as soon as their boss left the company, their good fortune seemed to leave them. I’ve seen new vice presidents come in and bring their friends and former co-workers to replace the heads of the departments that reported to them. I also think of myself as an example where I put my trust in someone only to be very disappointed. I’m not saying you cannot put your trust in anyone, but like the writer of Psalm 146, I think it would be a mistake to put all your trust in one person. The only person who is 100% deserving of our trust is Jesus Christ. He is there from the beginning of our lives and will be there until the end when we take our final breath. He will never leave us, never depart from us, and always love us.

 Day 356 Bible Reading

Revelation 14: 12

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.’

This line from Revelation 14 spoke to me today. While in prayer this year, I heard a message from God to eat like the folks in the Old Testament which would mean to adhere to Kosher laws. My first reaction was like, Okay, no big deal. I can keep Kosher laws. But it was a big deal for me. Keeping  kosher laws meant that I could no longer eat pork, and that meant no bacon. I was kind of bummed out. I love bacon and eat it every weekend. But after much searching, I was able to find beef bacon so I’m back to eating bacon. But no pork also meant no sausage unless it was beef sausage. Not a big deal, until I realized I couldn’t eat salami, meatballs at Italian restaurants since they have sausage, and other dishes that have sausage. Still trying to deal with this one. But with New Year coming up, I find myself bummed out again. I have eaten lobster on New Year’s eve and day for years. But shellfish is not Kosher, so no shrimp either or calamari. I grew up eating shrimp and calamari! Both items are comfort food for me. Keeping Kosher law that God requested of me this year has become an endurance. Giving up these foods I know is a small thing for God to ask of me, but on some level I see as an endurance as well. I think God asked me to keep Kosher law to test my level of obedience. Could I do what God asked me to do? So far I have, but it is hard for me and I have to pray constantly to God for help and advice on what I can and can’t eat.