Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Rest and Surrender for Today

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 19, 2016

I praise you, Lord, for what will come today: the planned and the unexpected, the accomplishments and the interruptions, the painful and the pleasant. You, Lord God, are my shield, my strength and my stronghold, always there to protect, provide and carry me through whatever challenges you allow. You are all I need for today. You will do what is best in your faithfulness, in your goodness, in your wisdom, in your love, in your righteousness, in your grace and in your power.

I praise you for the privilege of being weak, of resting in your might—there is so much out of my control, while all is within yours. You know what you are doing, you have a plan, you are moving all to a conclusion, bringing it down to an end, from which all will expand into eternity, filling the universe with good, righteous, godly and gracious beings, acts, and events. Because you are the All-mighty One, no one can stop you, no one can thwart you.

I praise you for your Word and for the wonder of meditating on it, having it trickle down into my being to bring cleansing, insight, transformation and joy. You are the infinite One, always having more to reveal to us of your Great and Gracious character.

I praise you now for what you will show today, do today, provide today. May I give you glory all through this day, Lord, by choosing to obey what I know to be true, by trusting you, praising you in and for all things, delighting in my weaknesses, rejoicing in your strength and exalting in your righteousness, wisdom and power.

I bow before you now in worship, I will rise up in surrender, wanting to walk with you in obedience and godly fear, desiring to bring you glory before the seen and unseen hosts. Help me to do this consistently through the day, choosing in each event to trust you by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all that comes. Amen.

Filed under:

Psalm 19:14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 18, 2016
Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,”
 
Yes, Lord, may both my inner and outer speech please you, for out of the heart flow the words of my mouth. Lord, bring the continual transformation I need to please you in my thought life so my public life may honor you before others.
 
Help me to consistently meditate on your Word, think your thoughts, respond with your wisdom and speak your Truth. And may you be greatly pleased with that obedience growing in my being, the result of your good work.]
 
“O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
 
[You are my LORD, that is, Yahweh, Jehovah, the Holy God, pure and sinless, separate and other, who hates sin and will judge it, while somehow you love sinners and provide for us a way of escape from your just wrath.
 
You are the God of wondrous qualities, of gracious goodness, of seeming paradoxes, able to join together what looks contradictory from our limited perspective: justice and mercy, truth and grace, judgment and love.
 
As my Rock, you are the stability of my life, the only solid source of rest, of shade, of protection, of hope. In you alone I can take refuge, for you will never be shaken, changed, fail or be defeated.
 
You are my Redeemer, the purchaser of trash so you can turn it into treasure. You are the One who took upon yourself the sins of the world because you want each person in creation to come to you, to believe, to become your child, to be dearly loved, deeply cared for, eternally doted on, doubly cherished and delighted in.
 
You, the great Savior have brought us out into a spacious place, before your throne, before your face, before the hosts of heaven and there you delight in us, your unfinished and cherished children.
 
Praise be to you for your lavish love, your wild wisdom, your glorious grace. You are worthy of our worship today and through all eternity. I bow before you, O King of the universe, Lord of time, Ruler of all creation. To you be honor, glory, praise and exaltation in my life today. Amen.]
Filed under:

Psalm 19:12,13

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 17, 2016
Psalm 19:12 “Who can discern his errors?”
 
[My inner being is, to a large part, inscrutable and opaque, below the conscious. In there I unknowingly sin with wrong motives, wrong attitudes and wrong desires. These sins are from my flesh, from the inherited residue of sin from past generations, from the subtle working of the devil, from input from the world–and from my giving in to them. These sins are there—but their penalty has been paid in Christ’s death and resurrection, praise be to you, so we can pray:
 
“Forgive my hidden faults.”
 
And know that we are forgiven. As I spend time in worship (giving you honor for who you are), you are slowly increasing the depth of understanding of my inner being, showing me more and more of these hidden faults. Then I can knowing confess and reject them so I can obey you in these areas. Praise you for your persistent, patient and powerful work in my life.]
 
Psalm 19:13 “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.”
 
[This is where I am fully responsible and where I very much need your grace, your help and guidance, Lord Jesus, my great Shepherd. I thank you that you have prepared me for this struggle, as it says in 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” I have to learn to take up and use what you have provided.
 
Praise you for the continual upward progress of your transformational work in us that I see daily within and without: the help of the Holy Spirit in warning me, giving conviction, giving insight and protection. You make it possible to give a biblical response to the pressures that push me towards personal sin. As I obey, you are making supernatural responses (praise, denying self, patience and mercy) more natural for me.
 
You are at work: you are my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Shield, my Strength, my Stronghold. In you alone is the needed help in the battle with sin, self and Satan, with you alone is there hope, power and victory.]
 
“Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”
 
[Only in you, Lord, only in you is there the possibility of being blameless, without reproach, innocent of great sin. Praise be to you for your unwarranted desire to help, your unearned love, your undeserved grace.
 
You are marvelous in your Might, great in your Grace and wonderful in your Wisdom as you usher us farther up and further into the freedom, growth and grace of your Kingdom. Glory be to you. Help us to follow you wholeheartedly in this journey.]
Filed under:

Psalm 19:9b-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 16, 2016
Psalm 19:9b “The ordinances of the LORD are sure”
 
[There is no doubt, no shakiness, no uncertainty in your Word, Lord. What You command and reveal is absolutely true and correct. We can trust in, have confidence in, rely on and rest in all that you reveal to us by your Word.]

 
“and altogether righteous.”
 
[There is no sin, no wrong motive, no dark side, no hidden evil, no selfishness, no imbalance in your ordinances, Lord. They are purely, positively, powerfully right. We can always bank on them, for you promise to “lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3).]
 
Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;”
 
[Your ordinances last forever, they are perfect, they are pure, they cannot perish, their value is immeasurable, and they are vast beyond conception. Much greater in value than gold—and much easier to transport from one situation to another.]

 
“they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.”
 
[In revealing Truth, they bring the sweetness of life, the nectar of joy, the taste of heaven, the joy of life.]
 
Psa 19:11 “By them is your servant warned;”
 
[They reveal danger, show the way around evil and protect us from our own wrong desires. We must pay attention to your warnings, for it is up to us to obey what you have revealed.]

 
“in keeping them there is great reward.”
 
[Not just preservation from danger and disaster, but immense rewards come from obeying your commands, Lord. These rewards are both for now and forever: peace, joy, strength, wisdom, grace, love, positive relationships, fulfilling significance and purpose, security both for today and for eternity, continual growth and many others–an ongoing stream of your goodness being poured out on your children who love you with all their heart and strength and mind and soul.]
 
Today, Lord, help me to care deeply about what you think in all my decisions, and to do what will last forever, making them based upon your perfect and pristine Word, rather than on my own feeble and faulty reason.
 
May I wholeheartedly, consistently, confidently, humbly exalt and obey your Word in every area, every situation, every thought of my life so that I may constantly give you an ongoing flow of glory and honor, O Lord, my Shepherd and King.
 
 
 
Filed under:

Psalm 19:9

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 15, 2016
Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is pure,”
 
[To obey you out of reverence, awe and fear takes us in the direction of genuine holiness, away from the pollution of our flesh, the world and the devil. To obey you takes us towards fearing you, that is, caring deeply what you think about our issues and actions, while we fear the negative consequences of following our own reasoning.
To fear God, not man, to obey you while rejecting the fear of man–this leads to purity. The “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Prov. 29:25).]

 
“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.”
 
[And what we do out of great reverence of you will last forever. To obey Truth because we love you, even if it is a tiny, one second act (rejecting grumbling and instead offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving ; rejecting self-pity and thinking truth instead), is something that will have significance for all eternity.
Every decision is potentially a glory-giving, grace-displaying, goodness-giving opportunity–even if it’s internal and no one else knows but God–where we can fulfill the purpose for which we were created: to bring honor to you. This perspective can change our motives, from doing what is natural, to bringing glory to you by revealing you to those around us through our actions and reactions.
Help us to make multiple “enduring forever” decisions today!]

 
Filed under:

Psalm 19:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 14, 2016

Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the LORD are right,”

[You, Lord, make the lines clear: this is right, that is wrong. And praise you that you do it as much in principles as in particulars (“honor your father and mother,” which can be lived out differently in different cultures), and presenting us with the wisdom to know how to apply these principles in various situations in our lives, giving us guidance in the grey areas.]

“giving joy to the heart.”

[Knowing brings security, for it gives clear boundaries, lessening the stress of decision making. Knowing brings joy, one of the gifts you have for us, one of the pleasures you desire us to have in growing amounts.

As you said, Jesus, in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Joy is there, offered to us for the taking–we just need to take your Word seriously, reject the tendency to complain and choose to live the truth that knowing Jesus is enough for joy. Such joy does not come from circumstances (as happiness does) but from our relationship with you, which will never be altered from your side–meaning joy is always available, no matter how we may feel.]

“The commands of the LORD are radiant,”

[Your Word shines like the noon day sun, showing us the way, illuminating what is right and wrong, falling on our path so we can know what can cause us to stumble, where to step and what to avoid]

“giving light to the eyes.”

[With your Word, I can know what to do: do not lie; do not steal; do not commit adultery; be faithful; be kind; forgive; love by obeying Truth; find your delight in God; do what is best; pray all the time.

There is no question about many things. And where it is not so clear and simple, you wholeheartedly give wisdom to discern. Help us to walk in your light today, seeing and circumventing the traps that the world, the flesh and the devil have set for us. May we, living in the light of your Word, be more than conquerors with you.]

 

Filed under:

Psalm 19:7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 13, 2016
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect,”
 
[You make no mistakes, Lord; what you revealed is exactly right, perfectly presented, totally trustable. Your law is without flaw, without error, without lack. It is the one thing in this world that we can fully lean on.]

 
“reviving the soul.”
 
[To learn your law, to obey your ordinances brings life, refreshment, growth and strength to our souls: to our minds, our wills our emotions. They are brought more in line with what you originally intended—just a tiny taste of pre-fall goodness, but none-the-less, a touch of eternal reality. Praise you for putting it within our grasp by putting perfection within your Word.]

 
“The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,”
 
[They are absolutely right, fully true, totally correct and therefore we can rest in them. Even if men take some verses out of context and twist them to their own purposes, that does not negate the genuine wisdom stored up in them for those who handle and understand the Word of God correctly, taking it at face value.]

 
“making wise the simple.”
 
[We are are all foolish in the light of your deep and wide, full and powerful wisdom. We are all simple in comparison with you, Lord, and your complexity, your creativity, your designing all with deep detail–just think of the structure of a cell, a complex as any city. Who can understand the power that holds together the positive protons in the nucleus of an atom? Who can know the paths of the stars? Who can know what is right in every situation? Only you, Lord God, and you graciously share much of that wisdom with us in your Word.
 
Praise you for your generosity in sharing your wisdom with us! Help us today to admit our simplistic approach to life and to embrace instead your rich wisdom, submitting ourselves to your Way, your Word, your Wonderful love.]
Filed under:

Psalm 19:5,6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 12, 2016

“In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

Psalm 19:5  which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

Psalm 19:6  It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.”

[You, O Lord, provide for us through the sun, all the energy, food, light and heat that we need. In your wisdom, goodness and might you created the sun, placed the earth in just the right orbit around it, not too far, not too close. The sun speaks to us of your provision and love, your wisdom and power.

When this is so obvious, why do so many not believe? Your Word tells us that they have a veil over their faces, put there by Satan and held there by our sin and selfishness. Only as we turn to you is it taken away (2 Cor. 3:15, 4:3,4).

Praise be to you, Lord, that you call all to turn, even though you know that all will not believe. Like the sun, you constantly shine out on us your warm love, your light giving grace and your energy providing goodness. You are the God of undying, unending kindness, of supremely positive provision.

In spite of what we are in our nature, you are good to us, because it is your nature: you are Love, you are Light, you are Life. And you will go on doing good to your creatures no matter how they respond.

I praise you for your goodness, for your righteousness, for your holiness, for your loveliness. I praise you that you have caused your face to shine upon us, that you in your great love you have equipped us, that you protect us, that you call us to partnership with you in the great plans you have for the conclusion of the world, for the sweeping of many into your Kingdom, and for the ending of evil in the universe.

You are completely worthy of all worship, you are supremely worthy of honor, glory and praise, you are richly worthy of all exaltation and obedience. I bow before you this morning, Lord, help me to rise up to give you glory and honor and praise by walking in the light of your Word, living an obedient life worthy of you, doing what I know pleases you. I praise you now for your provision.]

 

Filed under:

Psalm 91:4b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 12, 2016

“Your faithfulness will be my shield and my rampart….”   Psalm 91:4b

Today, Lord Jesus, I walk in amazement under the canopy of your love, knowing that you look at me, not with tolerance, or thinly disguised disgust because of my stubborn selfish responses, but you see me clothed in your righteousness! You look on me with delight, with joy, with pleasure, glad to have me as your child, as your brother, in your family, in your Kingdom.

You call me to meet with you each day as you stoop low to gather me to your heart, enjoying our interacton. I praise you that, contrary to all logic, you revel in our relationship, you delight in doing good to me, you rejoice in being my rampart, you savor shielding me from harm. And all this when I deserve the opposite: there is no earthly reason for your love; no, only heavenly reasons.

I praise you, O Elohim, that in your power and faithfulness you consistently shield my head in the battle of each day, you always stand as the rampart between me and the attack of the enemy; I can rest in you.

You are the Most High, the All-knowing, the All-present One, so you are never caught off guard, are never late, are never out-witted by the enemy. Your defenses are impregnable, your presence is unassailable, your plans are impenetrable: the enemy can never get by you without your permission; you are always the Victor in the end!

You, Lord Jesus, are a wonder, a marvel, majestically awesome, massively powerful. Your great compassion has sowed in me the seed of love for you, the seed of submission, the seed of adoration for you. As I gaze on you in worship with unveiled face, you are moving me towards living those sublime words: “Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Ps. 73:25).

I adore you, I lift high your name, I revel in you, I exalt you. I offer you praise, glory and worship, O Great and High King, Lord of Glory, Ruler of the Universe, Judge of all, Redeemer of all sinners, Concluder of all history. You only are fully Patient and Profound, Gracious and Good, Pure and Perfect. You only are worthy of worship!

 

Prayer: “To you, Lord Jesus be joy, power, authority, victory and honor today, now and forever. Guide me in giving you glory this day. Amen.”

Filed under:

Psalm 18:1-4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on March 10, 2016
Psalm 19:1-4
 
Praise you, Lord, that you are the God of communication, that you have laid out before all mankind the message of your existence: the Almighty One who is there. As it says in Psalm 19,
 
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
 
[Even in its fallen and twisted state, creation shouts out that there is a good and wise Creator. Anyone honestly looking at the way things are has to see that they are made–designed, not the result of chance. The beauty, the complexity, the rhythms of life, the power, the expanse—all speak of a Creator.
 
Psa 19:2 “Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.”
 
[We are constantly surrounded with the message of the skies, of the stars, of birds and butterflies, ants and elephants, flowers and babies. Beauty, order and purpose are everywhere–the happy yellow of a daffodil, the royal purple of a tulip–shouting, “There is a Creator and He is wise and wonderful, powerful and present!”]
 
Psa 19:3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
 
Psa 19:4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
 
[I think of my 78 year old Eskimo friend who grew up on the Eastern shore of Siberia at the ends of the earth. As a teen, looking at the beauty of the mountains, sea and animals, he came to the conclusions that the demons they worshiped, who did such ugly things, could never have created all this beauty. “There must be a good creator God,” he thought. And when, at 18, God brought him into contact with a follower of Jesus who opened the Bible for him, he was ready to believe. He had heard the message of creation and understood it, and has believed it for 50 years!
 
Paul echoes this same truth in the New Testament, “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19,20).
 
You have revealed yourself to all through creation, Lord, giving all a chance to see and understand that there is a good Creator God. You give them enough light to make them think, and if they want to know more, you will bring further light into their life. Praise be to you for your great love for your rebellious creatures, your marvelous grace and your persistent pursuit of sinners, saving all who are willing. You are the One we can trust, if we will just look around us!]
 

IMG_20150427_092640
Filed under: