The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 July 2019 – Take A Stand
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TOPIC: Take A Stand
READ: Psalms 34:1-22 King James Version (KJV)
1 (A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.) I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
THE MESSAGE:
For those of us who are familiar with our communion liturgy, the first three verses of this Psalm will be easily appreciated. Verse 8 asks us to taste and see that the Lord is good. A personal encounter with our Lord Jesus is the only sure way to benefit from His numerous blessings. Romans 12: 2 makes us to know that when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, we will prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. If you love life and desire to see many good days, you must learn to keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit (verses 12-13). The Lord made your ears to be open but your mouth closed, probably to make you hear more than you speak. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). The same epistle of James went further to expose the dangers of uncontrolled tongue in chapter three. The Lord is concerned for the lives of the righteous but to those who do evil; He is against them (verses 15-16).
Human insight, brilliance and wisdom are of no help if the Lord is against it. The Christian faith goes beyond knowing what others believe. It requires one’s personal relationship with Christ. You must take a personal stand to be counted as a believer. What you can do now is the only sure influence you can have in your future. If you believe, you will see the glory of God (John 11:40).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me walk with You all along my pilgrim journey.
