274th Week, Psalm Chapters 130-134 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Psalm Chapter 130

Psalm 130

Verse 5

Jane Jones

Verse 5:  “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.”

THOUGHT

I will probably share stories about my Jamaica journey this week. Ms Therm found her strength in waiting upon the Lord. She shared with me that she frequently walks in the valleys of life.  There are few mountain top experiences in her walk. 

However, she totally believes and knows in her heart that her hope is found in the Lord.  So she puts hope in her church and in the Word.  And then she waits...and waits...and waits.  She said she waited 25 years for me for I am her answered prayer. She cried out to Jesus and felt His healing touch. I was very humbled knowing that in her eyes, I was her answered prayer.  And maybe I am...?

PRAYER

Lord, please help us to remember that You are the source of our hope--not a man, or a better job, or a pan of brownies. Those are all good things, but they will never fully satisfy us like You do. Forgive us for misplaced hope. Help us to put our trust in You and Your secure, steady, and unfailing love, like Ms Therm does.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Tuesday, Psalm Chapter 131

Psalm 131

Verse 3

Jane Jones

Verse 3:  “0 Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

THOUGHT

Well, Salt Shakers, I spoke with Ms Therm, our Jamaican Sister, after work tonight. She kept saying, “wonderful”...“wonderful”...“wonderful” in describing the Bible School Program on Friday night.  She said the church was packed. All the children went up to receive their backpacks, school supplies, and Bibles for attending Bible School. There weren’t enough of everything to go around for all the children so they divided the gifts up according to age. She said it was a sight to behold. She said the gifts touched so many children and so many families. 

She said she kneels by her bed every night thanking the Lord for our friendship. She is trying so hard every day to be thankful for it and is working continually with the Lord to keep it strong. She prays for all of us and prays that I can endure work every day. Ms Therm is an amazing friend and has touched my heart. She puts her hope in the Lord both now and forevermore as we read in verse 3.

PRAYER

Lord, You are an amazing God. You took a person in Jamaica and a person in Hudson, IA, and made them sisters in Christ. Thank You for that.  Lord Jesus, we place our family at Your feet, and we trust You to care for us.  We put our faith in the path that You have for our lives. We love You. AMEN

Wednesday, Psalm Chapter 132

Psalm 132 

Verse 11

Bart Strayer

Verse 11:  The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.”

THOUGHT

This verse makes mention of the promise of the coming Messiah. This promise is similar to the prophecy found in 2 Samuel.  However, that promise reflected how David’s earthly descendants would rule over Israel as long as they followed God. As we know this came to pass as David’s descendants fell from the Lord and lost their power. 

However, the GREATEST promise of God’s Word in these verses is that David’s royal line would never end. This promise was fulfilled by Christ who will reign forever.

The verse was good for me because it made me reflect on the awesomeness of God and His great plan for the people of earth. It is not just the love of God that penetrates me; it is the awesome power that God has to overcome the gates of hell and bring prosperity to each of our lives. Praise His Holy Name!

PRAYER

Lord, You are awesome in our eyes. We thank You for Your Word and the fruition of Your promise. You are an unending God, and we thank You and praise You for that. AMEN

Thursday, Psalm Chapter 133

Psalm 133 

Verse 1

Mindy Strayer

Verse 1:  How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

THOUGHT

Basically the story is that at my job we have had a new co—worker who started back in April. We are a small team of what is now 5 people. The four of us considered the hiring of this 5th person unnecessary and were less than pleased with how it would change the dynamics of our work environment and our job duties. On top of that, the person that management considered a “good fit” for our group really has not been a good fit. The head nurse of our group has been very unhappy with how things have transpired and that attitude has affected the entire group. 

You know the atmosphere I am talking about, the kind that is so thick with uncomfortableness and bitterness that you could cut it with a knife. Before this 5th person started, I was determined to keep a positive attitude and do whatever the Lord wanted, to be His vessel and to set an example. I was thrown into the role of preceptor which was a bit above my head, and as the months progressed, this became harder and harder.  I lost my righteous intentions. I was taking on a negative attitude, participating in or at least tolerating gossip, and worrying too much about situations that I had no control over. 

One morning on the bus I was reading ahead in the Psalms, and I read Psalm 133. I felt conviction in my heart and asked the Lord to forgive me for my poor attitude and sort of sterile behavior. You know the kind of attitude and behavior where you are cordial and pleasant but not inviting or encouraging. Anyway, I got to work and myself and another co—worker got talking about how uncomfortable our work environment was, how ridiculous all of the unpleasantness was, and how we really need to quadruple our efforts into helping this new person attain the skills that she needs to be able to do our job. I read to her Psalm 133. God spoke, “You want an atmosphere of good and pleasant?  Well then, create it. Work hard to live in unity with your peers.” 

Things have been improving.  I have been asking the Lord every day before work to give me a heart like Jesus and to bless our group with His grace that we might work together in unity so the name of the Lord would be glorified.

PRAYER

Thank You, God, for Your living Word. It is sharp and penetrates the depths of our hearts until it reaches the sin that has tried so hard to hide away and slowly destroy us. Thank You that Your Word is a light and a weapon. It shows us the truth, and when applied to our own life situations, it can be used as a mighty weapon against evil. Thank You, Oh God, for the concept of unity. Thank You that it is Your desire to live in unity with Your children both now and forever. AMEN

Friday, Psalm Chapter 134

Psalm 134

Verse 1

Matt Strayer

Verse 1:  Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.

THOUGHT

Speaking honestly about my relationship with God, the praise arena is one area in which I need improvement. In my prayer life for example, I always ask for things I need of course and sometimes ask for forgiveness of my transgressions, but I’ve found that rarely do I just praise the Lord. I have at times praised God after an answer to prayer or a great event that has happened in my life, but what about just praising God because He is God?  He is my creator and redeemer.  Should I need any more reason than that? And what about praising Him in the storm?  He is there with us.  Why not praise Him?  

I love the story I heard about Jeremy Camp’s wife (the Christian musician who lost his wife to cancer).  In her last final moments here on earth she just lifted her arms and praised God. She praised Him in the pain and defeat of her battle with cancer.  How inspiring is that??!!  She knew her Savior well!!

Let’s take time to praise God. A few of us may be in a storm or struggle. God is with us, and He wants our attention and praise. It will definitely change our attitude and lift up our day.

PRAYER

Dear God, we love You so much. We would just like to thank You and praise You right now for everything You have given us, our lives, our jobs, our families, our relationship with You and this Salt Shaker’s devotional. You are an awesome God and are always worthy of our praise. Help us never to forget this and to continue praising You.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN