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Psalm 4:1b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 21, 2017
 
Psalm 4:1b “…be merciful to me and hear my prayer.”
 
[Praise you, O Triune God–Loving Father, Powerful Jesus, Holy Spirit–that you are merciful. My being alive here on earth is evidence of your mercy: you have a right and obligation in your holiness to punish every sinner, and could do it at any moment, sending us to hell right now. However, you chose to wait, to secure forgiveness in mercy, then to work in every heart to draw to yourself those who were willing to turn and have the veil removed, the condemnation resolved and our rebellion relinquished.
 
You, Lord, are merciful, and you do hear prayer: “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him. He hears their cry and rescues them” (Psa.145:19). “In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me“ (Psa. 86:7).
 
You fill the universe, you are everywhere at once, so you can see and hear each person. And you are capable of hearing the prayers of billions all at the same time, while you have endless resources with which to answer: “Out of your glorious riches strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being….” (Eph 3:16).
 
When I call to you, you are there, you listen and you answer. Praise you for the times we have to wait, knowing that you have actually answered before we called, and that the manifestation of your answer will come at the right time in the right way, whether it be now, later or after we die.
 
We can praise you for the answer before we see it, knowing that you are faithfulness itself: faithful to all your promises and loving towards all you have made (Psa. 145:9). You are the God worthy of worship, of trust and praise in the midst of our difficulties, suffering, troubles and persecutions.
Lord God, help us to live in the light of your presence and to exalt in the beauty of your faithfulness long before we can see the answers to our prayers. Help us to praise you, the faithful One, who will answer out of your righteousness, your love, your mercy; who answers for the sake of your glory, your name, your good desires.
 
I praise you now, for what you are going to do today: the events you will allow, the positives as well as the disappointments, the difficulties and the downers, for these valleys are death to self and bring growth to your children. I pray that, in the power of your Spirit, my thoughts, motives, words and actions will bring joy to your heart today, my Lord and Savior!
 
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Psalm 4:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 20, 2017
 
Psalm 4:1 “Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.”
 
[Praise you, O Lord God, that you are righteous: sinless, pure, without fault, full of good motives and faithful. You only do what is right, you never fail at it. You are the light shining in my darkness, bringing beauty of each storm. You are a wonder, a marvel, amazing, the paragon of goodness, the epitome of love, the pinnacle of mercy. Therefore you are absolutely trustable.
 
I praise you that you answered my original prayer for help–that you reached down and–in spite of what I am in my sin and rebellion–drew me to yourself to make me your child. You wanted me, you bought me. Now you delight in me and rejoice in your relationship with me, ever giving me the opposite of what I deserve. This is beyond human understanding, showing the beauty of your grace-filled heart.]
 
“Give me relief from my distress;”
 
[You, Lord Jesus, in your power, your wisdom, your creativity are able to bring relief in the right way at the right time, for you exist outside of time and are the Master of all.
 
You know how long to leave us in distress to bring growth and deepening, to teach and equip, to strengthen and train. You know how much pain and suffering I have at the moment and you give all the grace I need to move through it.
 
In fact, you gave grace even before the distress started, more than enough grace to be prepared, to endure, to pass through with power. You enable me to embrace and utilize what may superficially appear be only the attack of the enemy, but is actually a gift from your hand. I must wholeheartedly move into this opportunity with your grace and with praise, to embrace it with obedience, and emerge from it with glory for you, empowered as better and stronger. And with your power, grace and help this is possible!
 
You have made yourself my God and I bow before you in thankfulness. Help me to join you in what you are doing in this distress by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving at each point of pain, that you may be honored before all around me.
 
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Psalm 3:7,8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 18, 2017
Psalm 3:7 “Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.”
 
[David’s call was desperate, he needed help now. He knew that you, Lord, were completely capable of bringing down his enemies, and wanted you to act right away. And, as we know from the story in 2 Samuel 17 and 18, you did so, bringing defeat to Absalom’s forces.
 
Although David said “all my enemies,” he did not really want you to bring down of his son, and mourned his death greatly.
 
You answered, but he did not like the answer: you allowed that Absalom would get his hair caught in the tree, that Abner would be the one told about this and then go and kill him. Absalom had been pardoned before and had proved himself unworthy of trust. So it would have been all over again if he had lived–and you prevented that. You know what is best, so we must trust you in whatever answer you choose to give.]
 
Psalm 3:8 “From the LORD comes deliverance.”
 
[From you alone, Lord, by you alone, for your glory alone comes deliverance. “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him…” (Ps.145, 19,20a).
 
We must look to you, LORD, the great I AM, the King of glory, the Lord of all, for deliverance, not to people, to our own efforts or some other source. Forgive me for looking first elsewhere for help–to medicine, to friends, to influential people, to money–before coming to you. You may use these to help me, but I must first come to you.
 
You are the Source of all good, the Creator of all existence, the Sustainer of all life. Praise be to you that you are the answer and the Answerer; you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help me to keep you as the focus of my existence!]
 
“May your blessing be on your people.”
 
[You are the One true source of blessing—genuine happiness and true joy come only from you—all other sources are temporary and many are destructive, addictive. With you, however, is the fullness of joy combined with the freedom to live in ever growing obedience to Truth.
 
You are worthy of worship and I give you honor, praise and glory now; I give you obedience, respect and joy. May you be glorified and honored in this day in me and before me. Bless me with reminders to check in with you at each juncture for your direction and wisdom that I may join you in what you are doing.]
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Psalm 3:6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 17, 2017
Psalm 3:6 “I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.”
 
[For David this was a physical fact: Absalom came with a large army with all the advantage. But in this crisis David was thinking about you, Lord: the Majestic, Mighty, Powerful, Undefeated, Unconquerable, Eternal Lord of Hosts. You are strong beyond imagination, you command the armies of Heaven, you can end everything in an instant, you work to weave all into your plan. Therefore David did not give in to fear.
 
Praise you that for us, too, in the battle that is more against spiritual forces than physical ones, you are there, giving us support and grace, your presence and your protection. These we experience every day: in the timing of things, in provision of needs and in protection—all the perfect working of your hand in our lives.
 
So as we daily face the unseen but real forces of hell, who love evil, who have not one gram of goodness, who desire to destroy and are constantly at work to tear down all positives–we can rest in you.
 
As we cry out to you, you are at work, you have already defeated this enemy and are calling us to participate with you in the cleanup operation here on earth. We do this by keeping on your armor, fighting with praise, prayer and persistence in doing what we know to be right.
 
At the same time, on the level of what can be seen, the world now faces a growing horde of terrorists, eager to conquer and rule all the earth; in this, too, we need not fear. You are moving history to a conclusion and taking us with you. You are our Rock, our King, our Lord, our Ruler and we can trust in you no matter what storms come into our lives.]
 
 
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From the devotional book EDIFIED!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 16, 2017
From the devotional book EDIFIED!
 
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
 
This verse expresses a powerful biblical worldview: that is, he who sees God as the Most High Authority will obey God rather than his own culture or the pressures of society or the people around him or his own desires.
 
He who has this worldview understands that our God is the Most High in Power, in Wisdom, in Knowledge, in Ability, in Grace and in Love. Therefore he chooses to dwell in the shelter the Most High God has given: the protection of Christ’s blood, the commands, guidance and principles of the Word, the direction of the Spirit in line with the Word, and the wise, godly input of mature believers.
 
When we choose to obey the Most High rather than the god of culture or comfort or convenience, we can rest in the shadow of the Almighty, trusting Him to protect us from what is truly harmful. If we don’t dwell in His shelter, we wander off the path of His protection into the attractive fields of the world where Satan is free to attack us.
 
Our God is able to protect us because He is Almighty in power, there is no one greater than Him–He is undefeated and undefeatable. By His strong right arm He created all. By His strong Son He provided redemption for all who will believe.
 
If we have such a biblical view of God, we can say, “The Lord is my refuge [from all that the flesh offers to give me and all the grief that comes my way in a sinful world], my fortress [from the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil], my God [my highest authority, the One I love and obey], in Him will I trust. [rather than in my own cultural understanding; therefore I submit myself, my intellect and my day to His wisdom and Word, praising Him in and for all]” (Ps 91:2).
 
Prayer: “Lord help me to nurture a biblical worldview of who you are, so I will choose the Creator over the created, choose you over what your creatures have thought up. You, Lord God are the One who deserves my obedience, my praise, my worship. I exalt you, the great I AM, the Most High over all, the Beginner and Ender of time. To you be honor and glory throughout my day today. Amen.”
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Psalm 3:4,5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 15, 2017
 
Psalm 3:4 “To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.”
 
[This is not “answered,” but “answers,” meaning all the time. You are the listening, answering God, all-present, all-seeing, all-knowing. In your faithfulness you are always there, you always answer as you see fit, in your time, as you always know what is best.
 
When trouble comes, you give the grace to go through it. In fleeing from his traitorous son, Absalom, David arrived at his place of safety to find that you, Lord, had arranged true friends who came to supply his needs of food, drink and shelter (2 Sam. 17:27-29). It was there that he wrote this Psalm.
 
During his forced march out of Jerusalem, David was tired, discouraged and cursed by one of his enemies. It didn’t look like much help was being given, but you were there, Lord, at work, preparing everything, doing what was right.
 
So I can have confidence that you will answer in the issues before me, in the dark night of Barbara’s depression, in the uncertainties of our future. I can make a long list of them, and in the process praise you for what you are doing and will do to help and protect me in each one.
 
Selah
 
[I must consistently think about those truths of your faithfulness, power and goodness, Lord choosing to trust in you no matter what.]
 
Psalm 3:5 “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”
 
[David did just that, even though he knew he would be pursued, he slept and awoke refreshed because you, O Lord, protected and kept him safe in the night.
So it is with us, as you surround us like a wall, you hold back the enemy, you give us rest and keep us safe. I praise you, Lord, and thank you for your goodness and faithfulness. You surely are worthy of our worship and obedience.]
 
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Psalm 3:3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 14, 2017
 
Psalm 3:3 “O LORD, how many are my foes!…But you are a shield around me, O LORD;”
 
[You are always there, O Holy One, Mighty in your glory, Strong in your righteousness, Powerful in your wisdom. You surround us, watch over us, and deliver us. There is no one greater than you, no other refuge so sure, no other help so near. I praise you, Lord, for you love, your faithfulness, your power, and your presence.]
 
“you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
 
[Not only do you save us, but you share the glory of your triumph with us. You promise to bring forth our righteousness (from you), revealing it in the light of your presence, along with our vindicating judgment as the noon day sun (Ps 37:6). You encourage us, you give us guidance and insight, you grant us honor and lift us up before men. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:4)
 
I praise you, Lord, that you, the Holy One are willing, no, more that that, you are pleased to share your glory in some mysterious way with your children–we who previously opposed you so bitterly, who brought shame on you, who even now bring grief to your heart every day in our selfishness and unbelief. Truly, there is no love like yours, O God: full-orbed, powerful, ever flowing, unaffected by anyone’s response.
 
You are the Source of all love, the Well-spring of all grace, the Headwaters of all goodness. You overwhelm us with your undeserved, beyond logic, contra-conditional, unending love, continually pouring out grace, goodness and help—in spite of what we are and do.
 
Praise you, Lord, for what you will do today in the midst of all that will come. I give you glory and honor now for the unseen, unsuspected, unimagined goodness you will sweep into my life today, whether it be clearly so, or disguised as difficulty, disappointment or desperation. May you be glorified, honored, lifted up and exalted by my responses in all today–in my thoughts, words and actions, for certainly You are worthy!]
 
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Ongoing Revival

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 13, 2017
An example of “lifting my soul to God,” written in my worship journal several years ago.
Lord, I praise you this morning for your gracious and good presence: while I slept, you watched over me; when I awoke, you were there. Praise you that we can trust you to carry us forward and upward in life, to lead us through and out the other side of every happening that will come to us with your permission and good intent.
 
It is wonderful that your faithfulness does not depend on mine; you are there no matter what I do, working on me with grace, patience and wisdom. Thank you, Lord, for exposing my sinful old nature last night when I got upset over my friend’s accusatory statements.
 
I was, as he pointed out, touchy. He was wrong in the way he makes blame-shifting statements, but that is no reason whatsoever for me to be touchy. That means I reacted in a “fear of man” mode, giving his statements more credence and importance than I should. This is looking to him for support and truth, when I should be looking to you for that, Lord.
 
Forgive me, Lord, transform me in this area, help me to respond in a godly, wise and gracious manner rather than in a selfish, whining, self-pitying way.
 
Lord, help me to embrace the humiliation of my failure, the fire of shame, allowing it to refine me, to move through it, towards and into humility, accepting the fact of my depravity on one side and affirming the holiness you have bequeathed me with on the other.
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Thank you for this further step in my ongoing revival, the exposure of my depravity and the further revelation of your gracious and powerful sufficiency in love, forgiveness and cleansing. Praise you for the warnings of your Word and the perspective your Spirit gives us; we need them so much to keep us balanced and effective for you.
 
May this revival continue. May you be glorified in the process. Guide me today in checking in with you often and following the direction of your Spirit, that I may honor you in all.
 
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Difficulty + God = Beauty

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 12, 2017

After the big snowstorm last week there was pristine loveliness everywhere, a reminder of what God’s goodness and creativity is doing in every challenge.

 

 

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God Understands Our Suffering

Published by S.M. Wibberley on February 11, 2017
Sobering and inspiring quote from David Seamands in his book Healing of Emotions (Victor Books, 1985), 50,51.
 
God who loves us so much that he was willing to plunge into the turbulent and murky waters of human life and be identified with us all the way.
–In His very conception, submerged in the amniotic fluids, the waters of the Virgin Mary’s womb,
–In His birth and infancy, fleeing the swirling waters of King Herod’s insane death decree.
–In His boyhood, learning through the waters of growth and development, maturing from the discipline of earthly parents and religious authorities.
–In His twenties, immersed in the waters of obscurity, soaking in Scripture, being saturated in patience and divine wisdom.
–In His thirties, plunging into ministry in the polluted waters of sin-corrupted lives, baptized with sinners, walking, eating and living with them, but untouched by their contamination.
–And finally, engulfed in the whirlpools of deceit, denial, and betrayal, entering the murky depths of death itself … even thedeath of the Cross. God is in our pain with us and for us all the way, even at great cost to Himself.
Now we have reached the very core of the Good News – the Cross. Jesus identified with the worst of us right to the end, as He was crucified with two criminals. Here in the deepest waters of all, “He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebr. 2:9 NIV)
This identification in death was crucially important, as the author of the Book of Hebrews tells us… “He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death… For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way… Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV).
Here is complete identification with us, the ultimate proof that God understands our pain and our suffering. The point of this passage and others from the Epistle to the Hebrews is that because God now fully understands, we never need hesitate to bring anything to Him. Indeed, we are urged to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebr. 4:16, NIV).
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