My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. (Psalm 42:6-7 NIV)
Sometimes I miss a beautiful scene, because I see superficially. Sometimes I miss God’s voice, because I listen half heartedly.
Stop! Listen and understand.
Let the roar of God’s waterfall of love sweep into your deep places God’s deep mercy and grace calling to your deep need.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelations 11:15
A simple day is so much more, when you meditate on what’s in store. I can rejoice in this day, because it’s the beginning of forever. Praise the LORD!
The LORD will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the LORD! Psalm 145:16 NLT
The pain and horror of death is not fully realized until you understand the life you have forfeited. Jesus in the last hours of His life knew the glory of heaven that He had given up, for our sake, and the darkness He had chosen.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
This is my go to verse whenever I get anxious about life. I paint it on every memory. I repeat it over all my tomorrows. I breathe it for every breath. Then with thanksgiving I praise God for coming and dying for me that I might say it with confidence.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
Heavenly Cheers
Those looking down are cheering the race. Applauding the runners not their pace.
Pulling out front does not make them roar. But trusting in God brings shouting for more.
So ignore the distractions that so easily trick. keep your eyes upon Jesus through thin and through thick.
When the day comes that you finish the race. You’ll hear well done, but for now rest in God’s grace.
Psalm 103:2 Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits— The Lord turns my darkness into light. (2 Sam. 22:29) He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. (Psalm 103:3) He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. (Psalm 103:4) He fills my life with good things (Psalm 103:5) It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect (2 Sam. 22:33) You give me Your shield of victory; You stoop down to make me great. (2 Sam.22:36) Yes, praise the Lord, O my soul for He treats me with loving kindness. Not as I deserve. (Psalm 103:10)
I can describe music, but it is nothing without the hearing.
I can explain a beautiful mountain scene but it is not the same as hiking to the top and being there.
I can read about the great banquet, but knowledge falls far short of sitting at God’s table and tasting.
I can talk about joy, but only by putting my hope in Jesus does it take wing.
We fool ourselves into being satisfied with hollow words, instead of plunging into God’s love and living in Him.
Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:1-2
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and believes in Me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
I can hear about “Living Water,” and the “Bread of life, but until you drink from God’s well of salvation it remains merely words.
So, how does one drink and eat?
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:10
His forgiveness extends beyond forever, I’m in awe of His grace for me. His loves endures forever, I’m in awe of His compassion given to me. Jesus is right and just in all His ways, I’m in awe of His plans for me. He is my Savior, Shepherd, and King. In awe I’m brought to His banquet hall, Where His banner over me is love, and I am in awe of all He has done for me.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:10-13
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14
He has brought me to His banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:4
Stephen L Hufman 