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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 18, 2008 IN OUR PATH |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, January 18, 2008 by Mike Martine
Psalm 40: A God “Inclined”
1I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. 4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
My friend and “band mate” in our contemporary band has a
wonderful song on this passage. The words go like this:
Well I am down in a desolate pit,
Wastin’ my life away
And I am trapped in a miry bog
Livin’ from day to day
So I cry out, to a God inclined
You draw me up, with a love sublime
Set my feet upon the rock
And make my steps secure
Set my feet upon the rock
And make me want no more.. (© Toby Garber)
This is a very “positive” psalm that acknowledges that God is not only present, but listening to us..
And yet, often we’re in that “miry bog,” living our lives like no one is listening, no one cares.
The point is, when we are living this way, it more than likely is because we’re living life “on our own.” Trusting only OUR resources, OUR abilities. Like there is no help from God..
But, as the song and psalmist tell us, God is “inclined” to us. God is leaning towards us with an “open ear,” ready to react, ready to be a saving help.
It’s shocking to realize how often most of us live like there is no help from God. Like there is NO GOD! Like our faith is just some sort of rule for life, but unable to impact our life or assist us in any way..
God is with us, with an open ear, with a helping hand, willing to be active in our lives. That doesn’t mean our troubles go away, it means that we aren’t alone in our troubles. It means that God offers comfort and will even act through the spirit to put people in our lives that will come to our aid.
When we fail to embrace this listening, helping presence of God, that miry bog is just a slippery step away.
God is listening. God is there to help—even leaning close to you to hear..
God wants to hear from us. Disappoint God, and you will ultimately disappoint yourself.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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