Tag Archives: leaning on Jesus

THE END IN SIGHT!… Psalm 102: 23-28

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I can clearly see the finish line.  It’s right over there, beyond the sunset.   But how long it will take to get there is a mystery.  Obstacles and joys on the way?  Time will tell.  Only the Lord knows for sure, and He’s very quiet about those kinds of details.

What finish line, you’re wondering?  Well, THE finish line…as when I’m finished!  Not with this devotional, but with life itself!  A lot of things remind me that the upward half of my life crawled by as if on all fours, but this downward half is picking up lots of steam as I approach the finish line.  You know what I mean?

Some hints about this can be felt with upcoming high school, college and graduate school reunions, as in the big 50th for each.  Can you believe it?  I can’t!  During the next 8 years, 50th class reunions will be held for all three.  I thought those were only for old people.  They are, you say.  And why are you pointing the finger at me!?  What events will be scheduled?  Wheelchair races?  Who came the farthest with the most prescription med’s in hand?  Who has the most facial wrinkles per square inch?  With my attitude, maybe I shouldn’t attend!  But we will.  Lord willing, wouldn’t miss them for the world.  I guess!

Psalm 102– “‘O my God’, I say, ‘take me not away in the midst of my days– you whose years endure throughout all generations!'”  My days…His years and His generations.  Isn’t that great?  Psalm 102 goes on to talk about creation folding itself up, heading ‘out of Dodge’.  Like a worn-out garment.  A robe changed later in the day.  Such will be this good earth some day.

‘The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you'(Psalm 102: 28).  We, who know the Lord, will be safe and secure, protected and at peace, enjoying His loving care forever.  Forever.  That’s a big word for a long time.  Forever and ever!  Even longer, if that were possible.

Our moment…His forever.  His forever…now ours!  As if He places His arms around us, moving us closer to Him where no one and nothing can ever harm us again.

Time may be getting short for me.  But His time with us will be never ending.  I think I’ll lean real hard on Him.  Want to join me?  There’s plenty of room!  And lots of time!

Prayer:  Father, our time may be going by quickly; but you, our God, will keep us close.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

GIVING WHO THE COLD SHOULDER? … Jeremiah 6: 1-15

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I don’t like it when someone gives me the cold shoulder.  Who does?   Being looked down upon, held in contempt, with an eye-full of scorn.  I remember a boss of mine, in a church no less, who used to greet me by saying, ‘well, how is everything in your little life.’  Little life?!   I was too young at the time, and too afraid to say what was on the tip of my tongue!  Poor guy, he was so impressed with his big-shot life!  Guess I should have been too, but I wasn’t!

No one likes to be treated with scorn.  And that’s what the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah says about how God’s people treat Him and His Word.  With scorn and the cold shoulder. Can you believe it?   Jeremiah 6: 10–‘to whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?  Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen;  behold, the Word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn;  they take no pleasure in it.’

God and His Word an object of scorn?  Might as well spit in His face.  That I do not recommend.  For us, who are believers in Jesus Christ, we know that with the difficulties of life, we can place each and every one of them squarely on His broad shoulders –and He will carry them for us.  He shoulders our burdens.  His are the best to lean upon.  The God, in whom I take such great pleasure, and whose Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to the bi-ways  of my not-so little life!

Give Him the cold shoulder?  Who…to God?  What are you crazy?  In Jeremiah 10:21 the Lord tells the prophet to proclaim that ‘…the shepherds(the religious and political leaders) are stupid and do not inquire of the Lord…’  Call it what it is…to ignore the Lord, not to seek His will and love is just plain s…t…u…p…i…d!  That’s what it says.

Let’s be smart…lean on Him, His shoulders are broad and strong and good.  Take pleasure in Him and His Word.  Enjoy!

 

Prayer:  Lord, we love you.  We need you and thank you for always being right there, shoulder to shoulder, next to us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.