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~ by Pat Luffman Rowland

Prayerful Pondering

Monthly Archives: January 2011

God’s Faithfulness

31 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in Christianity, prayer

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

faithfulness, praise, struggle, unanswered prayers

Father, the psalmists wrote so beautifully about You.  Thank You for sharing with us their words.  David was our chief psalmist and he was masterful in his writings, but there were others who wrote the songs of long ago that also told of You with great skill.

Psalm 89 is one of the many psalms where words become like a brush on a painter’s canvas.  This psalm is by Ethan as he recounts Your covenant with David, and the sorrow of lost blessings.

Verse 8 says “You are mighty, O Lord, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.” I rest my reading for a moment and look out into the distance to consider how faithfulness surrounding you might look.  I see a cloud-like atmosphere of gentleness, a place of safe abode.  It is filled with omnipotent love.  You are there watching over us, beckoning the weary, soothing the heavy burdened, smiling on the ones who overcome trial by their trust in You.  Your faithfulness flows out on all those who call You Lord.

Verse 15 says “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord.”  It is another place to pause and envision.  Your redeemed ones are standing in the light of Your being, which is greater than a thousand suns.  These, Your children, are praising and worshiping the Lamb of Glory.  They are rejoicing in Your faithfulness, calling out the many ways You have proven Your love over and over again.

The psalmist tells of Your faithful love for David, and how You will be with him always.  Yet in verse 38, there is a sudden turn.  Ethan puts aside his recounting of Your blessings and declares that You failed David, the one You promised to uphold forever.   His words turn from those of praise, to weeping and questioning.  It is another place for reflection.  A place to be still and ponder.

You had a relationship with David like no other, this man You took from shepherd to king.  You told us David was a man after Your own heart.  Yet, there were times when he felt separated from You.  Sometimes he understood why this was and other times he didn’t.  And so it is with us.

Sometimes we feel You have abandoned us.  We feel anxious and troubled over unanswered prayers.  We worry that our valley experiences will never again lead to the mountaintops, that we will be pressed beyond our ability to bear what life hands us.  Most of the time, it is our sin that interrupts relationship.  But other times we feel abandoned and we don’t know why.  One catastrophe after another comes; we are hit hard.  And we cry out like the psalmist, “How long, O Lord?  Will You hide Yourself forever?” (v. 46)

This journey on earth is tough.  It is complicated, frustrating, and exhausting.  Being a Christian doesn’t take that away, usually it makes it worse.  For living as a follower of Christ in a fallen world gives ongoing struggle with evil.  Life on this earth will never be without suffering.  But it is not in disappointment and despair that we are to live.  Rather, we are to live in the knowledge of One high and lifted up.  It is there we must cling.  Even when it “feels” like You aren’t with us, You are.   You never forsake Your children.  That’s the full story of the Holy Bible, and we can rest in its truth.

With all the psalmist’s grief and groaning, he ends by exalting You.  He returns to the way his psalm begins.  He gives you praise and honor!  This man of old tells us that no matter how deep the pain, You are still with us and we can trust in that.

Now I reflect again on this writing of the 89th psalm.  It tells me that I am always to see my Lord with faithfulness encircling Him.  There is no break in Your faithfulness — it remains.  And it is through praise that we are able to enter in.  For Your word says that You inhabit our praise; we can always find You there.  And when this world’s darkness seeks to overwhelm us, we can remember we have a choice:  to tarry in the darkness of this world, or step confidently into the Light that is Your presence.   For faith isn’t a feeling; it is a decision.

Thank You, blessed God, for the words and assurance of this psalmist.  He is a witness of Your faithfulness.  His words have been preserved for us so that we may know what relationship with You looks like.  We thank You, Abba Father, for the encouragement of this psalm.

NIV translation used.

His Mercy Endures Forever

25 Tuesday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in prayer

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Tags

mercy, prayer, study scripture, understanding

Father, I think often about Your mercy.  Your mercy throughout my life has been humbling and abundant.  Only You, O God, could extend such mercy to me — and to all humankind.  When I ponder on your mercy, these thoughts comes to me:

You created man for a loving relationship.  You never intended us to know any kind of harm.  But man failed You.  Yet You remained steadfast.  So I say with the psalmist, “God’s mercy endures forever!”

You provided clear commandments for how man was to live.  Man ignored Your commandments, which were given only for our good.  But even in that betrayal of relationship, You, O God, did not give up.  “For Your mercy endures forever!”

Your only begotten son, Jesus, being God Himself, came to live among us, to give us the one true example of a right relationship with You.  Jesus taught, preached, and healed.    He showed us all were welcomed by You by choosing, and changing the lives of, liars and thieves, the shy and the bold to spread Your gospel of salvation.  Your son healed the sick, He raised the dead, and He loved the unlovely.  “For God’s mercy endures forever!”

Jesus was rejected as the Messiah; He was ridiculed, and crucified. Yet, even this was used for purpose.  The shed blood of Jesus was to cover the sins of rebellious children.  “Yes, Your mercy endures forever!”

His enemies scoffed and buried Him; they refused His sacrifice and saw themselves as winners.  Jesus rose triumphant over death and the grave, over the hard hearts of man!  “For His mercy endures forever!”

Jesus appeared to His followers, He walked and talked with those who believed, He showed them the wounds of His crucifixion, and He told them again who He was.  He told them of His love and the power of His forgiveness.  What patience!  “O God, Your mercy endures forever!”  

Then Jesus ascended into heaven, He went back to be with You and sit at Your right hand.  He, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the One who will forever reign and rule.  But in all His greatness and all our failings, He has not left us alone.  He has tenderly cared for us by giving all who would come to Him, the Holy Spirit, His constant presence.  “O, wonderful God!  Your mercy endures forever!”

Jesus is coming again!  He will claim His church, and He will complete the purpose of man’s creation.  For all those who confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, the desire of our Creator’s heart will be met:  a holy, eternal, loving relationship between God and man.  It will be so because

“God’s mercy endures forever!” 

Trust

19 Wednesday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in prayer

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prayer, trust

Trust is key to receiving all that our loving God would have us receive from Him.  It is what enables our salvation, our direction, our keeping, our healing, all that is good.  It is our trust that God truly cares for us that secures our future – in this world and the next.  We trust Him as our Father who created us, and as our Savior who redeemed us.  It is the mantle of trust that our Friend would have us wear as we walk with Him on life’s journey.  Our trust says we expect Him to clear the brush from our pathway, take us around every obstacle, preserve us out of the floods and fires and strong winds of this life.  Trust declares God as our shield and shelter, our comfort and peace, and it is what we do that enables God’s pledge of devotion to His children.

Father, this day we look to You with hearts of trust.
We bow before Your sovereignty.
We believe in You, Almighty God.
We trust.

Giving Up Anxieties

14 Friday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in prayer

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Tags

anxiety, burdens, faith, worry

Father, I need to remind myself often that You have said we are to cast all our anxieties on You.  The natural thing for me to do is worry, fret, and think too much about my problems.  I wish I weren’t that way, but we both know I am.  You’ve taught in Your word that to carry our own burdens is wrong, and it is futile.  That’s why You said to give them to You.  You know the harm they cause us.  You know that if we focus on our problems, we lose our focus on You, the Problem Solver.  Then, we add worry to worry.  We bow under the load of the burdens, and stumble in ways we would not if we just let You take over.  Why is that so hard for some of us, Lord? For me?  I think it is simply a matter a faith.  With that confession, Father, I commit to You today all my cares.  I commit to You that when a concern comes to mind, I will look up and declare You Master over all.  If I find myself speaking in a negative way, I will ask Your forgiveness and begin offering thanks for all You have given.  If I catch myself stressing over anything at all, my Father, I am going to recount the many times and ways You have seen me through every storm, every uncertainty.    You are an awesome God.  You love us abundantly and always.  You, alone, O God, are able.   And with all of this, I will fill my mind today.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

Jesus

08 Saturday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in prayer

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

faith, surrender, trust

Jesus.  Jesus.  Jesus.
Sometimes that is the only prayer I have – and it is enough.
When I’m waiting for an answer that doesn’t come and I know no more prayers to pray, I utter His name — Jesus.
When the night is long and I can’t sleep, I whisper — Jesus.
When I’ve lost my way, I cry out to the One who has not lost me.  I pray — Jesus.
When I’m tired and I can’t see rest ahead, when all strength is gone, I breathe His name — Jesus.
When I am in pain, I remember the One who can heal, and I plead — Jesus.
If I’m afraid, I bear in mind that I have a Shield whose name is — Jesus.
He is my Savior and my Lord, my Shelter and my Comforter.
He gives me sanctuary under His wing and supplies me with restoration and peace.
He is the Holy Lamb of God, the One who comes with compassion and new hope.
He is my Faithful Friend and the Radiant Light on this earth’s journey.
He is the Way of all righteous, the ever-abiding Truth, and the Life of love and joy.
He is the Mighty and Eternal God,
And I know His name.
It is JESUS!

 

I Give You Thanks

05 Wednesday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in prayer

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

protection, provision, thankfulness

In the stillness of this morning, I come to give You thanks.  For the air I breathe, and a body that still knows how to receive and use it; legs and feet that take me where I want to go; arms and hands that allow me to do necessary things, and enjoy so many things that without them, I could not; the ability to hear and see and smell and taste and know the pleasure of touch; for shelter and food and clothing.  Thank You for transportation that takes me with ease and efficiency beyond where my feet can.  Thank You for the provisions in my home that make labor lighter and extend my time to do more.  Thank You for my family and friends, for their companionship, encouragement, and love.  Thank You for Your protection that guards me throughout the day in myriad ways.  Thank You for the freedom to worship and pray and gather with fellow believers in Your name.  Thank You for those who pray over me and with me.  Thank You, most of all, for Jesus, who You gave to live in my heart.  Forgive me when I fail to count these blessings before You, O Lord.  For if I counted just my basic blessings alone, those I enjoy every day and with very little thought, there would not be enough time in the day to thank you for the fullness of each one.

A Walk By the Sea

01 Saturday Jan 2011

Posted by Pat Luffman Rowland in insight, nature

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

communion with God, dreams, interpretation, nature, observation, sea

I have always loved the sea and some years back, I would imagine myself there as a means of relaxing into sleep.  It helped me to bring closure to lingering anxieties of the day and provided a kind of sanctuary.  There I would surround myself with the sounds of the water and think how the dampness of the sandy shore would feel under my bare feet.  There would be just enough breeze to set my hair in backward sway.  The wind would softly caress all of me as I moved along the shore.  The gentle push of the wind was welcoming and not at all a cause for resistance.  It was blissful.

I found such pleasure in my walks by the sea, and I would often return, thanking God for this incredible creation of His.  It has always been my favorite part of nature.

As time went on, I began to see more.  I noticed that I would always look first toward the right, where the waters rippled like diamonds under a golden sun.  The meeting of the waters and the sky could not clearly be distinguished, for the horizon was hidden by the brightness of the sun gathering the sea unto itself.

Then I would look to my left, to a scene of contrast.  Buildings, old and deteriorating, were there and they were without light and without any sign of use or life around them.  Dead and forbidding was all the scene seemed to be.

As I continued walking, straight ahead of me I could see a place that was like a busy and lighted city.  I couldn’t yet hear the noise but I knew it was there.  There was some kind of indiscernible activity.

This seemed to be the extent of my journey:  a look to the right, a look to the left, and a look to the place ahead. I seemed to gain no distance in my walk, ever.  And it always seemed to be at dusk, just before dark was gathered, that I mentally walked beside the sea.  Yet, this being so, how did I account for the brightness of the sun that cast diamonds over the moving waters?  Just what did all this mean?

Then, during one morning’s quiet time with God, it came to me.  I realized it was about life.  All was symbolic.

The sea is the part of nature that cleanses and soothes me most.  I find it healing and to place there was chosen for that purpose.  To walk with bared feet was to let myself feel the truth, to know reality.

The dark and dismal scene on the left was symbolic of all the parts of my life that were filled with regret, those things past and non-productive.  There was no attraction to any of it.  It was there to let me know that it was just as it looked – dead and gone.

The lighted and heavily populated scene ahead was the world, things that had their certain appeal and temporary fascination.  Because others were there, it drew my curiosity.  I knew that if I continued to look that way, I would be tempted to explore it, but there would be nothing of lasting value.  Rather, there would be ventures of wasted time and most likely the adding of more buildings to that place of darkness on my left.  It was the world and its crooked and beckoning finger, ready to take me in and produce more fruit of human confusion and every kind of mistake.

That glorious view on the right – the scene where waters and heavens met — that was the abode of the Lord.  And there I could see Jesus, laughing in joy, and asking me to come.  He walked on the waters toward me with arms outstretched.  All in that direction was beautiful and good and full of hope and love.  And it was always bright there because no darkness can ever touch Him.

The part of covering no distance seemed to say I was at a decision point, though I don’t remember that being the case.  I remember my walk by the sea as a time of reflection, of reminding myself as I drifted off to sleep, there is only one direction to ever choose, only one place where there is ever true life.   Focus on the past and all that was no longer?  No.  Focus on the world and its vain glories?  No.  Focus on the Lord and all that He desires for me?  Oh, yes!  Father, I will walk on the water (in faith) with my Lord, trusting Him through every stormy sea.  For He alone is able to see me safely on this life’s journey.  His is the voice that is strong and right and rings with a melody of eternal gladness.

Father, thank You for Your creation of the sea.  You gave us so much to enjoy in our time here on earth.  The beauty of Your nature is an incredible blessing. And Father, I ask that You cause me to always remember my walk by the sea and how clear you made everything about life.  There is only one place of focus for a follower of Christ.  He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  I thank you for Jesus, Your perfect Gift for all who would receive Him.   Amen.

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The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

God has not given us a spirt of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

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Hope must be in the future tense. Faith, to be faith, must be in the present tense. Catherine Marshall
Everything over your head is under his feet. Dr. Tom Lindberg
What an excellent ground of hope and confidence we have when we reflect upon these three things in prayer--the Father's love, the son's merit and the Spirit's power! Thomas Manton
Our Christian hope is that we're going to live with Christ in a new earth, where is not only no more death, but where life is what it was always meant to be. Timothy Keller

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