Christianity

Finding Strength in Psalm 24.

Finding Strength in Psalm 24 Against Oppression

Finding Strength in Psalm 24. There comes a time in our lives when those we choose to lead begin to act as though they are all-powerful and almighty, doing whatever they desire without considering the negative effects their actions have on us. Often, we are amazed and flabbergasted, wondering whether our dear leader is the same person we elected.

But I am here to tell sweet-mouthed politicians that the earth belongs to the Lord, and he promises that he will never leave or forsake us. Just like he delivered the children of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh, he will deliver us from the hands of oppressive politicians.

Therefore, I take comfort in the words of the Psalmist, David, as recorded in Psalm 24:

The earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it; the world, and all who live in it.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

There Is Hope in Brokenness, so Don't Give Up. Life is full of surprises, and often, bad things happen when we least expect them. Many of us have faced challenges that have left us feeling broken, yet we haven't lost our resilience. It's okay to feel broken, as long as we don't let it consume us. Even in our brokenness, there is a glimmer of hope.

There Is Hope in Brokenness, so Don’t Give Up

There Is Hope in Brokenness, so Don’t Give Up. Life is full of surprises, and often, bad things happen when we least expect them. Many of us have faced challenges that have left us feeling broken, yet we haven’t lost our resilience. It’s okay to feel broken, as long as we don’t let it consume us. Even in our brokenness, there is a glimmer of hope.

Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob’s struggle with the angel is a significant biblical event found in Genesis 32:22-32. During this encounter, Jacob, who was a broken man, wrestles with a mysterious figure, often interpreted as an angel or a representation of God, throughout the night.

This struggle symbolizes Jacob’s lifelong battle with both God and man, reflecting the spiritual and personal challenges he faced.

As dawn approached, the figure touched Jacob’s hip, dislocating it, yet Jacob refused to let go, demonstrating his determination and faith.

Ultimately, this encounter led to Jacob being renamed Israel, signifying his transformation and the establishment of the nation of Israel. 

So, there is hope in your brokenness. Don’t give up. Because sorrow may endure through the night, but joy comes in the morning.

My Promised Land is Jesus Christ. It's been a considerable amount of time since my last post on this site, and I'm eager to re-engage with the community.

My Promised Land is Jesus Christ

My Promised Land is Jesus Christ. It’s been a considerable amount of time since my last post on this site, and I’m eager to re-engage with the community.

Recently, I’ve been exploring Josiah Queen’s music, and one standout track I want to highlight is “My Promised Land.” Released over a year ago, this song resonates with me more deeply each time I listen to it.

My Promised Land draws inspiration from the challenging journey taken by the children of Israel as they sought the land God had promised them.

A significant aspect of this narrative is Moses, who, despite leading the Israelites out of Egypt, was unable to enter the promised land himself.

This outcome was known to God, the ultimate author and finisher of all events, which led Him to prepare Joshua as Moses’s successor.

An intriguing point to consider is the possibility that if the Israelites had not displayed rebellion and unruliness during their desert travels—which extended their journey from what should have been 11 days to 40 years—Moses might have ultimately entered the promised land as well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think about the role of obedience, faith, and leadership in this biblical story? How does the song resonate with you? Let’s start a discussion.

The Tomb is Empty!

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came behind him and went straight into the tomb.

He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 and the cloth wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples returned to where they were staying.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels dressed in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20:1-18–NIV

Worship Wednesday–Thank you, Lord

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Psalm 34:1-9–KJV