Psalm 73 We pick right up with the same theme as yesterday: “the wicked are prospering.”  It didn’t make sense!  But then we come to verses 16 & 17 “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God…”  When I read/pray these verses I replace “sanctuary of God” with “Your presence.” (For the Old Testament believer, the Sanctuary of God was God’s presence).  Sometimes life doesn’t make sense, but when I come into His presence and it makes all the difference!  I love the words of verses 23-25, “Yet (no matter what happens)  I am always with You.  You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.”  (Right now You are holding me by my right hand, You are guiding me AND after this life I have the hope, Your promise of “Glory” – heaven!)  “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  YES!

Here’s a song taken directly from these verses.  We don’t know it (yet) at Second Union, but it’s a good one.  Enjoy!

Psalm 103 (one of my favorites).  Allow me to share from my journal as I read this psalm this morning.  Thank You that You “forgive all my sins, heal all my diseases, redeem my life from the pit, crown me with love and compassion.  Thank You that You satisfy my desires with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagles.  I praise You for You are “compassionate and gracious”.  You are “slow to anger, abounding in love.”  Thank You that you do not treat us (me) as our (my) sins deserve or repay us (me) according to our (my) iniquities.”  I praise You for “as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your love for those who fear You.  As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us.” (verses 10-12)  Then we have the powerful words of verses 17 & 19, “From everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children. (I’m praying this verse for our adult children and their children).   The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all!”  Amen!

Psalm 133 talks about the blessings of unity.  “Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity… for there the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Will you pause and pray and ask the LORD that He would work such unity in our church, Second Union Church.  Would you pray for me and the leadership that we would teach and model in such a way that this unity would come to us, “for there the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.”

See you in worship tomorrow.  It’s going to be a glorious day.  Jesus is going to be in the house!

Pastor