THE LORD CARES FOR ME?

The Lord is my Shepherd

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 28 April 2013

Hi all,

The book of Psalms has inspired men and women down through the ages. Not all of them were written by David. In my early days as a Christian, many of us thought that way. But a casual reading of the 150 Psalms in the Psalter quickly soon corrects this.

Personally, if there was any book in the Bible that I would love to be a contributor, it’s the book of Psalms. I know that the cannon of Scripture closed some 1600 years ago so it could never happen. Knowing this doesn’t prevent any of us from having “impossible dreams”. Certainly it is true for me. It can never happen. But that doesn’t prevent “wishing” that it was possible.

As insect is to Elephant

There are 150 Psalms in the Psalter. Authorship of these Psalms is attributed to many different men and groups of men; from people like Moses all the way through to King Hezekiah and the Sons of Korah. David wrote a great many of them. In fact reading “his Psalms” reveals his character. He was a “man’s man”. At the same time we see many of the human characteristics we find in so many of us. The same man who wrote, “The Lord is my Shepherd” also wrote “break his teeth Lord”. In his stress, he wrote the heart-breaking Psalm 51.

Rescue the Perishing

In today’s meditation I’ve compiled several thoughts taken from a number of Psalms. It’s the sort of composition I rather enjoy putting together. The great hymn writer of the 18^th century, Charles Wesley, wrote something like 6000 hymns. Only a handful of his verses are in the Methodist Hymnbook. These are among the most powerful and inspirational hymns that remain popular to this day. One of my favourites for the past ±53 years is, And can it be that I should gain / An interest in the Saviour’s blood? / Died He for me, who caused His pain? / For me, who Him to death pursued? / Amazing love! How can it be, / That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

He Heals me when I'm sick

This wonderful old hymn continues to inspire men and women some 250 years after it was first composed. Charles Wesley would never have believed that this hymn would still be celebrated by Christians all over the world. If you go through the entire hymn you will find much of Wesley’s doctrine.

On the Cross He was Wounded for me

In a way, if it was possible to put together another book of Psalms composed by Christians, it’s more than likely that this particular hymn would be in there somewhere. If something – anything - I’ve written could somehow squeeze into that Psalter it would “blow me away”!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 28 April 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE LORD CARES FOR ME?
This morning I thought it would be a good idea to look briefly at psalms and psalmists. I’ve often wondered what went through their minds when they were written. Some of the answers are obvious. They reflect the character and mood of the person at the time of composition. They do with me too. The heading of the poem, expresses my thinking at the time when reflecting on the content of Psalms 8, 23, 27 and 139. You might like to look at these Psalms and check out my thinking? I’m always amazed that God is even remotely interested in me and what I do. How can the One who spoke the entire creation into existence, even care I exist? The gap between us is astronomical. Being a former employee of a massive corporation, I was little more than a number on their list. As long as I did what was required, my salary would be paid into the bank. But when I raised any enquiries, the first thing they asked for was my employee number. It was the same for everyone. Yes, I had a name. Yes, my boss knew me by name. But somewhere going up the chain of command, I would be completely unknown. I’m not complaining. It’s a fact! I came to God with this thinking. He is “Boss of Bosses”. He would be very busy and have no time for me. Perhaps He would refer me to a clerk in one of the lower angelic divisions. That was my expectation. It was wrong, but it was entrenched into my thinking. The possibility that He would have time for me didn’t feature! How do we cleanse our minds of such thoughts? We get our answer from Paul in his letter to the Romans: 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 12:2 TNIV We need to be aware that there are some things God will do and some things He has commanded us to do. Never pray and ask God to do for you that which He has already commanded. For example only He can save you. So you must ask for this. Other things you can do. If you are thirsty, you have to drink. He will not drink for you. Pray for water to drink. But when it’s available, you must drink it. The same is true of renewing your mind. He will not do it for you. Praying and asking Him to do this won’t work. He will help you understand. But what you decide to put into your mind is up to you. What He says is already in His Word. It’s up to you to read and believe it’s true. When this is established, ensure your thinking corresponds with His. This is not optional. You must renew your mind. Darwin’s theory is my example. I thought it was true. I had to change my thinking. First I had to establish the truth regarding evolution. He helped me with this. After that it was up to me! We are all in the same boat. Ask Him to establish truth. Then do what His Word says. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. Psalms 71:14 ESV 12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12 NLT 1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. Hebrews 6:1 NLT 18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. Proverbs 4:18-19 NLT 1 I love the LORD, because he heard my voice. He heard my cry for his favour. 2 Because he paid attention to me, I will call out to him as long as I live. Psalms 116:1-2 NIrV By David when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech; Abimelech threw him out, so David left.1 I will thank the LORD at all times. My mouth will always praise him. Psalms 34:1 GW For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song. 1 God, we look forward to praising you in Zion. We’ll keep our promises! Psalms 65:1 NIrV 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings. Each creature was covered all over with eyes, even under the wings. Day and night, they never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God who rules over all. He was, and he is, and he will come." Revelation 4:8 NIrV 23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honour Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God." Psalms 50:23 NASB 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV	THIS POEM IS A COMPILATION OF SEVERAL THOUGHTS FROM PSALM 8, 23, 27 & 139. You’ve let me call You Father, though I’m so very small. As insect is to elephant, I’m hardly here at all! A pinprick in the ocean; a grain upon the shore. A tiny piece of nothingness. I’m surely not much more. And yet You say You love me! You listen to my praise! You love it when I worship You and follow in Your ways. You treat me like a shepherd who dotes upon his sheep. You’re with me when I am awake & when I’m fast asleep! And even when You formed me within my mother’s womb, Your presence was around me, within that darkened gloom. There’s no way to escape You. No matter where I go, Your hand is there to lead me. My every thought, You know! For You are my salvation; a refuge sure and strong. No foe can overpower me while I to You belong. Yes, even when in battle, besieged and sore attacked, You were the One who rescued me; & I have nothing lacked. You hear me when I call to You. You heal me when I’m ill. You give me health and sustenance and pay my every bill. Even though my closest friends may come to cast me down, You shield me & protect me and turn to smiles, my frown. You know my every facet; You know that I am frail; You know that everything I do will only make me fail. You know all my anxieties; You know that I am weak; You know that I am fearful; at times too scared to speak. You know all my ambitions. You know how hard I’ve tried. You know my disappointments and seen me as I’ve cried. You’ve watched me roar with laughter & seen my emptiness. And yet in spite of all of this, Your gentle, sweet caress Has settled on my spirit, as soft as eiderdown. And You have said You love me; that I’ll wear Your crown. Jim Strickland – Written 2012