Date: Monday, June 30, 2014
Today's Chapters: Psalms 115-118
Message Title: Life's Up, Downs, And In Betweens

While the entire Bible has much to teach us about life's ups, downs, and in betweens, perhaps the most thought provoking and convicting of all are the Psalms and Proverbs. These two books tell no stories about the lives of specific people, they simply tell the thoughts of people who lived their lives for God. Some were joyous times, some of sorrow, and some of seeking forgiveness of sin, and all of them speak to us in some way. I do not know how many times I have read a psalm or proverb where I did not think that it was me writing it. While life does have it's ups, downs, and in betweens, God is always there. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7.

The peace of God, while it is something that truly does give rest to a weary soul, it is often something we lack as Christians. Yes, we often lack the peace of God, which is why the downs can be more than the ups, but it's not difficult to find the peace of God. To find peace, we must realize that it's all in God's control. People make the mistake, and that includes us, on trying to find peace in a person, place, or thing, but true peace only comes by fearing God, that means to love, honor, obey, and trust Him, at all times.

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.” - Psalm 115:1-4,8-14.

While God did choose Israel to represent Him, and make it known that there truly is a Mighty and Living God that blesses them for fearing Him, He did not stop with them. God leaves no one out, He promises the same blessings to all who fear Him, likewise the same curse to all who reject Him. “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” - Romans 2:7-11.

Since God is with us through all of life's ups, downs, and in betweens, we should never stop seeking His face, sadly, when we are up, that is we often lag in seeking God. It could be many reasons, perhaps we feel there is no need to ask Him for more, or that He does not want us bothering Him with more. Sadly, some only seek God's face when affliction comes, and if that is the only way God can get our attention, then He's going to do it. Fear not, God is merciful, and will pick us back up.“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:” - Psalm 116:1-6,8-10.

We must be careful not to use God in a way that we think we only need Him when we are down. Affliction comes to all in all forms, it truly does bring us down, and sometimes to the lowest level. I will never forget how low my greatest affliction took me, but I will also never forget how God picked me up, and delivered my soul from death. A dying soul is not just a soul ending up in hell after it dies in the flesh because they did not receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, a dying soul brings a physical death. Our soul is our innermost being, if it is down, everything else goes down with it, the spirit no longer has life in it, the physical body declines, and there is no meaning to life itself. That is why it is important that we seek the peace of God, and remain in it, when you find yourself trying to do things without Him, that's when you need to call upon Him before things get out of hand.

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” - Psalm 118:1-6,8,9,18,29.

God's mercy truly does endure forever, while He may tire of our constant mishaps, He is still on our side. We should never take for granted His mercy or grace, that alone should bring us the peace which passeth all understanding. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” - Proverbs 3:5-8.

Today's Prayer: God, It never ceases to amaze me about the things You show and remind me of when I read Your Word, and think about what You are telling me. I want Your peace, but I know I do not always have it, mainly because I try so hard to figure things out on my rather than seek Your face. I always think that I messed up, so, now I have to fix it myself, but that is not You at all. You truly do have the peace that passes all understanding, and I am sorry for trying to be wise in my own eyes. Lord, give me Your peace, let me rest in Your arms, and direct my path in the way You want me to go. Let me look not to the left or right, but keep my eyes straight on You to get through life's ups, downs, and in betweens. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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