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Giving Thanks

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 9, 2018
This week I had two clear God sightings which involved being called to give thanks for things I did not want.
 
We had a 8:15 doctor appointment in Norwich on Tuesday and left in good time, but got stuck behind a school bus. It stopped at the neighbor’s; the student was waiting on the wrong side of the road, ambled over and slowly got on the bus, took his time to sit down.
 
On to the next house, where four children waited, again on the wrong side of the road. They took their sweet time crossing the road, in getting on the bus and getting seated. The bus then came to the stop sign, from where we could see the next student waiting with his mother in a car. They saw the bus, but the student did not get out; he waited til the bus stopped for him; even then he waited a while before getting out of the car.
 
I was getting more and more frustrated at these delays and the thoughtlessness of the students in being so slow; and I was now worried about being late for our appointment. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to give thanks for this bus, for the situation, for the slow students. So I gritted my teeth and gave thanks, reminded myself that God has a plan and chose to rest in him.
 
Within a few seconds the bus pulled over to the side and the driver signaled for us to pass! Frustration gone! In my experience, that is a pretty rare thing for buses to do, and it came right after confessing my frustration and impatience and giving thanks! Truly, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving opens the way that we may see the salvation of the Lord.
 
Then yesterday I was doing some plumbing work and couldn’t find the glue I’d bought the day before. I looked in several places to no avail. Then the Spirit reminded me to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving for this; I calmed down and shortly an idea came of where to look (an unusual place), and there was the glue!. Not only did it work out, but giving thanks allowed me to fulfill the purpose of my life: giving honor to God.
 
God is so kind to us, not only watching over us, but giving us a significant part in His plan, calling us to be partners with Him. And the primary way we do this is by giving thanks in and for all things.
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Psalm 18:3-6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 8, 2018
Psalm 18:3 “I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,”
 
[You, Lord [Jehovah], are worthy of praise because of your holiness. You are completely other than your creatures: eternal, pure, wise, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, totally independent of all you have created. In contrast, we are weak, tiny, limited and ignorant–in total need of knowing you, fully dependent on you, whether we know it or not.
 
In your holiness, LORD, you are the One who hates sin and must punish it, while at the same time you love your rebellious creatures and have provided for them a way of escape from condemnation. Truly you are worthy of praise!]
 
“and I am saved from my enemies.”
 
[You hear my prayers and in your power, in your love, in your faithfulness you save me from my enemies. You rescued me from the devil’s dominion of darkness, you delivered me from his oppression, you freed me from the clutches of sin, you brought me out from under the condemnation of the world.
 
You saved me from death and dispair, and you continue to save me every day from the attacks of sin, selfishness, Satan and his servants. You are my Superb Savior in whom mercy triumphs over justice. You are worthy of continual praise, honor and glory for your incomprehensible love and grace!]
 
Psalm 18:4,5 “The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.”
 
[In David’s case, his life was in physical danger as Saul was in hot pursuit of him. This is also the case now for many Christians in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as groups like ISIS and hostile governments try to eliminate all followers of Jesus.
 
On another level of danger, we all were entangled by the cords of death, for we lived in the dominion of darkness, in the disparing
, depressing world of the dying, ensnared by the traps and tricks of the devil. Death was our certain destiny, there was no hope, no light, no escape in our own strength.]
 
Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”
 
[But you, LORD God, Jehovah Elohim, were there to hear us when we cried out to you and have delivered us from the darkness of death and brought us into your Kingdom of light.
 
You now continually invite us to cry out to you for you hear our cry and act in your undeserved faithfulness and love. Because you are faithful we can be certain that, despite our natural unworthiness, you will hear and answer.]
 
It is wonderful, comforting and encouraging to know that in all our difficulties we can cry out to you, that you hear us and will answer in what is best and in power. As it says in Psalm 86:7, “In the day of my trouble I will call to you and you WILL answer me.”
 
May we live in the light and joy of this truth, trusting through thanksgiving before we see any answer, knowing that your timing and wisdom are perfect. To you be honor and glory today in my life as I live in the truth that “my soul finds rest in God alone (Psa. 62:1).
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Psalm 18:2b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 7, 2018
 
Psalm 18:2b “my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”
 
[You, O God, are Elohim, the powerful One who showed your might in creation; and you are the consistent One, who showed your faithfulness in providing salvation as promised in the Garden of Eden. You, the triune God, are not just the Rock, but MY Rock to whom I can flee and find refuge. In you is the ultimate in help and safety.
 
Guide me in consistently taking refuge in you through meditating on your Word, lifting my soul to you and praying about all that is in my life, giving you my burdens, fears, worries and frustrations.]
 
“He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
 
[You, O Elohim, are my personal, portable shield, protecting my head in the everyday battles that swirl around me; you are the power of my salvation; you are my sheltering stronghold which the enemy can never penetrate. You are the Ultimate in security, the Eternal in safety, the Almighty in victory. You are the only One to be trusted, believed in and obeyed.]
 
Praise be to you for how you are going to be my Rock, my Shield, my Fortress and my Deliverer today. Help me to remain in your love by obeying what I know to be true, and to honor you by keeping on the armor, standing in the evil day and, having done your all, to stand.
 
May all those who meet me today also meet the Holy Spirit as He fills and works in me. Thank you now for the answers you will give to these prayers.
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Psalm 18:2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 6, 2018

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;”

[You, Jehovah, the holy and sin-hating God, Creator of the Universe, the Beginner and Ender of time, are our mighty Rock: unshakable, unmovable, unending and unchanging, ever stable, ever trustable. On you we can take our stand, on you we can rely, in you alone our souls find rest.

On this great Rock of protection, you are also our mighty Fortress in which we can take refuge, hidden away from the enemy and his hoards. This Fortress is indestructable, impregnable and impenetrable. The enemy can never breach the walls of your love, can never touch us without your permission, can never defeat your plans.

You are also our faithful Deliverer, outside the walls of the fortress, fighting for us in your might, wisdom and love. You foil the plans of the nations and thwart the purposes of the peoples. The enemy can never trick you, surprise you or defeat you. You are ever on guard, ever alert and active.

Even in your weakness as a man, Lord Jesus, with the possibility of defeat and failure yawning before you as you prayed in the garden, with death overtaking your body, you were solid as a rock. At the right moment, as our deliverer you rose up to win, to defeat death and the devil, to open the way to life for all. You are the God triumphant, the Victor in every battle, the Deliverer of all who are oppressed.

And you continue with that battle every day, surrounding us with your grace, goodness and glory in the ongoing spiritual warfare of this dark world. You shine like the full moon, showing us the way in the darkness. We can stand with you, in you, by you, for you, clothed with your amour, empowered by your grace, guided by your wisdom, following the plan you have for us each day, partnered with you in victory. Praise be to you!

Help us to so stand in you today, Lord Jesus, our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, so that glory and honor may flow from us to you.]

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Psalm 18:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 5, 2018
Psalm 18 is one of my favorite psalms, for it reveals the rich and deep relationship David had with his Lord, who sustained him in the midst of the problems, pressures and the present dangers of his life. David is a good example to us, as he takes everything to God and lives in the Lord’s strength, power and protection, not trying to make it on his own.
 
“For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”
 
[And we all know how Saul sought to kill David and how God protected him from Saul’s anger.]
 
Psalm 18:1 “I love you, O LORD, my strength.”
 
[You, Lord, are the intimate and ultimate God, whose deep love for us calls forth an echo of affection from our hearts. To love you is a great privilege, a wonderful freedom, a deep grace, bringing us out from our natural negative notions into the light of your marvelous presence, your mighty power and majestic wisdom. There your love overflows onto us, washing through us, bringing us cleansing, renewing and joy.
 
You, Jesus, declared in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
 
This is an amazing statement: Jesus offers us the great, eternal, all powerful love that the Father has for Him: whole-hearted, enthusiastic, unending, joyful, grace-filled, kind and warm. So, as Jesus is secure in His relationship with the Father, we can be secure in our relationship with Him. And His love calls forth the desire to love Him back, to remain in His love by obeying him in all that we know to be right.
 
In verse 11 Jesus continues, “…. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.
 
[You are not only the One who loves us but the one who desires to share your joy with us and out of that love and joy your power flows into our lives. You are my strength–I have so little; in fact, practically speaking, no strength of my own, especially in comparison to that of our enemy, Satan, who is much stronger than I am. So I need your power to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 
As it says in Revelation 12:17, “Then [Satan] the dragon was enraged…and went off to wage war against…those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”
 
The accuser gives no quarter, and I cannot possibly defend myself against him—but you, O Lord God, are my defender, my salvation and protector.
 
Later in Psalm 18 David declares that the LORD “reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support” (Psa. 18:16-18).
 
Praise be to you, Lord God, that your power is made perfect in the poverty of our personal weakness. Our lack of strength is your opportunity to bring salvation to us, to display your great power in your love by providing, protecting and prolonging our lives in the midst of attacks by the enemy who is too powerful for us. Glory be to your name!
 
May I live in your love and under your protection today by keeping on your armor and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving for whatever comes, trusting you, honoring you and seeing the salvation of the Lord.]
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Trip to the Middle East, 1979

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 3, 2018
On our way to the Middle East in November of 1979, we flew first to Germany, to spend some days with Barbara’s parents. There I bought an old VW variant, a small station wagon with the engine in the rear. When I told the salesman that I planned to drive it to Turkey, he laughed. “It may make it there, if you’re lucky, but don’t expect much more from it.” he said. However this faithful little car not only got us safely to our new country, but made the same 1800 mile (3000 kilometer) trip another four times as well.
We heard about the shortage of basic supplies in the country we were going to, so we stocked up with toilet paper, light bulbs, cooking oil and a tank for extra gasoline.
We set off at the beginning of December, making our way slowly down through Germany, stopping to visit several of Barbara’s friends. We also visited Litzen, the town in Austria where we’d worked three years before.
Climbing the switchbacks over the Alps, we left Western Europe behind and descended into Yugoslavia. We were following the main route between Europe and the Middle East, a two lane road that was filled with many trucks traveling in both directions. It was a constant game of catching up to a line of trucks, looking for an opportunity to pass them, then dropping back to pick up speed and zoom by.
In some places the road was so straight that it was hard to tell how far away the oncoming traffic was, or how fast it was approaching. “Should I pass or shouldn’t I?” was my constant question to myself. Along the sides of the road were the wrecks of cars and trucks whose drivers had misjudged the traffic and not made it. Grim warnings of the dangers we faced.
 
In Greece we stayed over night in the city of Kavala.
The next morning we left early and drove two hours on curvy mountainous roads to the next big town, Komotini. We stopped so I could go to a bank and exchange some traveler’s checks.
 
When I got to the front of the line, the teller wanted to see my passport, but I didn’t have it with me. I talked him into cashing the check anyway and went back to the car.
 
I asked Barbara if she had my passport; she checked and didn’t find it; hers was also gone! Then we realized that we’d left them at the hotel in Kavala.
 
When you check into a hotel in Europe, they take your passport, both to report to the police about who is staying there and to make sure you pay; we’d forgotten to reclaim ours before departing.
 
So, we had to drive back over those turning, twisting roads again. Two hours later we were back Kavala. The desk clerk said he’d run down the street after us as we left, calling to us that we forgotten our passports, but we hadn’t heard him.
We went to get gas and as I paid, I found that the teller in the bank had given me way too much money. It seems he had cashed the checks as English Pounds rather than dollars because the traveler’s checks were from a bank in England.
As we drove back over those hilly, curvy roads for the third time, we talked about the situation and decided to go to the bank and return the money.
When we arrived, it was after hours and the bank was closed. But I banged on the window and someone came to the door. When I explained what I wanted, the man took me in.
All the employees were standing around the teller who had waited on me, commiserating with him because he had to pay out of his own pocket the extra cash he’d given me.
I was ushered into this group and I presented the man with the extra money. He looked up at me in awe and asked, “Are you an ambassador?”
 
I was taken aback by his question and missed the opportunity of a lifetime to say “Yes, I am an ambassador of the Most High King, Jesus!” I had been warned so often about being careful in witnessing in the Middle East, that I’d become too cautious. Instead I muttered, “No, I just want to be honest.” The man was very thankful.
 
We drove on, but were too late to enter our new country. The Lord had a reason for this, which I tell you about next Sunday.
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Amazing Truths

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 3, 2018
 
Praise you, my Heavenly Father, King of Glory, Creator of the universe, the Beginner and Ender of time. When you created all the physical universe, Satan was there, as were all the angels, fallen and faithful both.
 
What was there before all we know was created? We don’t know, but certainly there was a place where you dwelt, Lord, where you and all the spiritual beings you had created earlier existed.
 
You are much bigger, much more powerful and far greater than even the vast and deep spaces of the known universe indicate. It is, of course, impossible for our tiny human reasoning to grasp your dimensions, to understand what eternity entails, what it means to have existed forever, without being created, without change or growth because you are already perfect, living forever and ever.
 
Such thoughts are mind-warpingly beyond our comprehension, they are certainly magnificent and stunning—and comforting.
 
They are comforting because you, our Heavenly Father, in spite of your greatness and glory, in spite of your having no need for us, came to our insignificant Milky Way galaxy, crossing it’s 50,000-light-year radius to approach a tiny speck of dust tucked under one arm of the huge galactic spiral, and there, at great cost to yourself, proceeded to redeem the rebellious and repulsive population of sinners.
 
What reason could you possibly have had for this? There is no attractiveness, no usefulness, no positiveness about us–sinful and selfish as we are– to entice you into such a sacrifice. This is utterly illogical to our minds.
 
Yet, you, the Mighty and Majestic One, who has created all we can see and far more, stooped to gather into your embrace all the rebels who will come. You forgive, cleanse, adopt, equip and invite us into significant roles in your great plan to right wrong, infuse good, eliminate evil and bring a re-created universe into eternity with you. Wow!
 
Are we who have believed in you, going to refuse to join you in this great plan? Are we going to continue on in our self-centered, activity-based, feel good focus, taking for granted all you’ve done and given? Or are we going to embrace all you have for us, making you the center of our lives, our being, our day, our activities? A no-brainer if we are looking at reality.
 
And that’s the key: you have given us full reality, as far as we can comprehend it, from your revelation in the Word. We need to eagerly let go of our natural worldview and leap wholeheartedly into your biblical worldview where you are Sovereign, Powerful, Good and Loving; where everything is right side up: loving our enemies, forgiving as we have been forgiven, returning good for evil, giving thanks in all things.
 
You are inviting us into the adventure of living for you, in you, by you and with you in bringing history to a conclusion and sweeping as many as possible into an eternity with you, our marvelous and mighty God. To refuse such proffered purpose, meaning, honor and significance is the deepest form of insanity (being detached from reality). To surrender is the highest form of worship.
 
The choice is ours to begin now, surrendering our understanding to you, being filled with your Spirit, learning to think your thoughts, to live in your values and run in your paths of Truth, as laid out in your Word.
 
Lead us on to deeper and deeper surrender, Lord, thinking your thoughts, pursuing your purposes, living in your light, so that we may be more and more useful for you, continually bringing you greater and wider honor.
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Psalm 17:15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 2, 2018

Psalm 17:15 “And I—in righteousness I will see your face;”

[Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have given me your righteousness and opened the way so that I will see you in eternity, face to face. What a hope, what a high and wide security, equipping us to face the future, knowing where we are going. And what joy to see more and more of you here on earth in your Word, in your Works, and in your Wisdom.]

“when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”

[When I awake each morning, you are there, Lord Jesus, watching over me, having prepared this day with all that is needed: grace, wisdom, insight, discernment, challenges and opportunities, as well as protection and provision.You are a marvel, a joy, a wonder, a glory. I praise you for the deep, rich, powerful and glorious privilege of being yours, of being with you, of being in you.

Knowing you now, living with you now is certainly enough reason for joy! Seeing you through your Word and works, veiled and dim as it is, is majestic, transforming, marvelous and far more than enough reason to find all my joy in you.

When I awake from death you will be there, too. How much more stupendous it will be when I arrive in your full presence, Lord Jesus, seeing you without the veil of sin and selfishness. It will be indescribably wondrous.

I praise you for the daily revelations you give now from your Word, through your Spirit, through God sightings, as you remind of us of truths taught and lessons learned so we can apply them again.

As one who has the privilege of knowing you so, of living in your joy, may I be a hope carrier, a perspective bringer, and faith supplier to all those around me as I pass through this life.

May the wonder of your love flow through and out of me to those I meet today, giving you glory and honor and bringing further surrender and obedience in us all.]

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Psalm 17:12-14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 1, 2018
 
Psalm 17:12 “…the wicked who assail me…are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.”
 
[Our powerful enemies, Satan and his hordes, are like a beast desperate for food: dangerous, destructive and determined–burning churches, killing Christians, persecuting children. They are terrifying and terrible, too strong for us. We are in desperate need of help before they overcome us.]
 
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;”
 
[In your might, Lord, you can easily win this battle. You are the Creator of the universe, Breather of the stars, Bringer of the dawn, Captain of history and Ender of time. You are strong enough to deliver us from any enemy.]
 
“rescue me from the wicked by your sword.”
 
[No one can withstand the onslaught of your sword of Truth and the Power of your right hand, Jesus. As John wrote in Rev. 19:11.21, “…there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war….[those who fought against God] were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse….”]
 
Psalm 17:14 “O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life”
 
[The wicked are in the hand of the evil one; they live only for this world: they are shortsighted, focused on only what they can get in the short run and are short-lived.
 
But praise you, Lord, that in contrast, you have given us the long range perspective of living for eternity, living for greater things than the values of this world. You have lifted us from the narrow, dark pit of sin and slavery, and brought us into a wide, pleasant position before you, into the light of your Word, into the place of your presence, into the peace and joy of your love.
 
Praise be to you for all the good you share, all the beauty you bring, all the gifts you give. To look at those forces of men and devils who attack us and what they want to force on us—slavery, fear, despair, hopelessness and death–and then to look at where you have brought us—into the Kingdom of light, into your grace, into your embrace–the contrast is stark, deep, powerful and wonderful.
 
To you be glory and honor for sharing your goodness with the naturally godless like us, making us your children, putting your divine nature in us, placing us in your family, your Kingdom, your plan and your heart.
 
May you be glorified in my life today through gratitude, gratefulness and being a glory-giver in each instance, each decision, each challenge, by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
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Psalm 17:

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 31, 2018
Psalm 17:11 “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.”
 
[Satan intentionally sends his servants out to track us down and attack. This description of spiritual warfare is expanded on in Psalm 62:3-4: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down– this leaning wall, this tottering fence?”
 
We are weak and unable to stand on our own against the attacks of Satan’s forces, whether he uses people or events, sickness or accidents, fear or frustration.]
 
“Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place;”
 
They want us to forget who we are in Christ–children of the Most High God, chosen, forgiven, adopted and delighted in. They seek to get us to forsake Him as our high tower, to topple us into the swamp of self-pity, materialism and despair.]
 
“they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.”
 
[Satan’s forces can be slick, sounding so positive and constructive at times (“we welcome all, we don’t want anyone to be offended”), but their goal is destruction, causing people to accept lies and harmful values–as we see happening all around us today, with abortion, rampant divorce, twisting of the definition of marriage and political correctness.]
 
Our strength is inadequate, but yours, Lord God, is mighty, invincible, far more than adequate–you who breathed the stars, who hung the earth on nothing, who brings the dawn each day, you are able to empower us to stand in any situation.
 
Help us to remember these truths: that we are in a spiritual battle every day; that our real enemies are not people, but Satan’s forces, using them. Help us to keep on the full armor you have provided, to fight with praise, prayer and persistence in obedience and to see your mighty power triumph in our lives and in those of people we are called to serve.]
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