Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

To you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.For you will render to a manaccording to his work. Psalms 62:12 (ESV) The idea that God will render to each one according to their works should not induce fear but rather gratefulness for those who follow Jesus. In this world, the principle that one receives what is just for their actions does not apply so well. Instead, the wicked and the negligent often prosper and get to enjoy the “good” things of life; even in ministry those who compromise often rise to popularity. And the virtuous are often marginalized, scorned and rejected. They may struggle financially all their lives and even find themselves unwanted in vocational ministry. God encourages us by promising to honor us according to our work. He will reward virtue and he will not honor vice. “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, Continue Reading →

For God alone my soul waits in silence; From him comes my salvation . . . For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, For my hope is from him. Psalm 62: 1, 5 (ESV) In these verses from Psalm 62 the psalmist recognizes that he needs to wait in silence for his deliverance (vv. 3-4). He recognizes that his future, his hope, comes from God and that this is not the time to be inwardly frantic or devising plans for overcoming his trials. God will act because the psalmist has chosen to rest his soul from his own efforts and depend on God. This practice of calming and silencing one’s soul while one remains in a receptive stance before God has traditionally been referred to as contemplation. This is in contrast to meditation in which one uses reasoning and imagination to actively gain a greater understanding of God Continue Reading →

For you, God, have heard my vows;you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Psalms 61:5 (NIV) When we make commitments to God he really does hear us. He values them and remembers them. Whether it is a big or small commitment, if we follow through then he will bless us for it. God will give us the heritage reserved for those who fear and love him. Is not the inheritance that God gives greater than any worldly blessing? Is it not true that: All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21-22 (NIV) This is our heritage, that everything that is from God is ours. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven (Eph. 1:3). Moreover, he will reward individual believers for the good Continue Reading →

For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalms 57:10 (ESV) This verse is from a Psalm that David wrote when he had been anointed king and he was hiding from King Saul’s men who were trying to destroy him. In verse four he exclaims: “My soul is in the midst of lions;I lie down amid fiery beasts.” Yet he set his heart on a higher astronomical truth: God loves him and will be faithful to his promise (to make him king). In fact, God did just that and David became the most iconic king in Israel’s history and the ancestor of the Messiah. It worked out well for David when he trusted in God’s love and faithfulness; perhaps it will work out well for us! He really is our loving Father and he really will be faithful to his promises (though we must Continue Reading →

In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalms 57:1 (ESV) We all have emotional “storms of destruction” passing through our lives from time to time. They might be COVID, or loss of a job, or loss of a loved one, illness, isolation, current events or just winter blues. If we have several converging at once it can be challenging to maintain peace in our soul. In all these times we can take refuge in the outspread “wings” of God. Picture a mother eagle covering up her chicks with her powerful wings in their nest atop a towering perch, protecting them from any harm. What could challenge this eagle? No other creature could overpower her high atop their perch. No storm will dislodge her. During storms we can set our hearts within the heart of God, knowing that he is all-powerful. Consider Continue Reading →