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Slain Day 15 Abdiwelli Ahmed: Digging Deeper

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Slain Day 15 Abdiwelli Ahmed: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

May 2, 2025

Alive,Discipleship,Faith,Glory,Hope,Mercy,Peace,persecution

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Abdiwelli Ahmed"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 49:5-9

Why should I fear in times of trouble?
The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.
6 They trust in their wealth
and boast of their abundant riches.
7 Yet these cannot redeem a person
or pay his ransom to God —
8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly,
one should forever stop trying —
9 so that he may live forever
and not see the Pit.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the context of the psalmist’s question and why does it matter? (verse 5)

You’ll see it over and over again in our studies at Gracefully Truthful because it’s so essential, “Don’t just read a verse; read the context!”. Without the broader picture, we can’t gain a right understanding of Scripture. Sometimes that means 8 verses instead of 1, or a chapter instead of a paragraph, or sometimes it means the whole book. For studying any passage in the book of psalms, I implore you, fellow student of God’s Holy Word, read the whole psalm! With right understanding, we can make right application, thereby building strong and steady lives. (Psalm 119:45)

Psalm 49 uniquely begins with a bit of tongue in cheek humor and a hint of sarcasm woven into its words. Missing out on reading the whole chapter will leave a lackluster perspective on the psalm, and you would miss out on extremely impactful applications, so go ahead, read the whole chapter!

Did you note the author of the psalm? Details matter, so check the heading and you’ll likely find “For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah”. So what, right? Think again! This arrogant Dad, Korah, was swallowed by the earth for his rebellion against God, but his sons were mercifully spared! (Numbers 26:9-11) These sons, who witnessed God’s righteous justice take the life of their dad grew up to be worship leaders for Israel. Psalm 49 is one of their poems set to music. (verse 3)

The sons pen a psalm that cleverly asks a riddle, but this isn’t simply a play on words, it’s a riddle rooted within their own heritage. The answer has been played out in the days, months, and decades since these men watched God’s judgment exact justice from the rebellious ones, which included their own dad.

Years later, Korah’s sons know the answer to the question they ply because they have witnessed its reality; more so, they have lived its truths and they write, and sing, so all will remember the truths they have come to know as richly as their own family tree.

The Everyday Application

1) To whom did Paul write this passage and why?

If self-centeredness was an underlying problem among believers in the first century, how much more it is now! Today’s world is driven by the individual.

We talk about self-esteem, self-reliance, self-help…and people continue to become more isolated. Yes, even in the Christian “community.” We need a revival! We, as the Church, need to re-invigorate our faith and this happens when we come together with a singular purpose, worship for the Father which overflows onto loving those around us.

Persecution has always existed, and will continue until Jesus returns, but our calling to love God and love others through the unified Body of Christ remains constant. 
Are you with me?! 

The Original Intent

2) What is humility and how was the audience to achieve it?

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, as my pastor says. It requires consideration of other people, putting yourself in their shoes, anticipating their needs. Humility is an active setting aside of your own desires and a deference to others’ needs (not their selfish desires).

Jesus Christ exemplified humility in its highest form by going to the cross, as Paul stated in verses 7-8. He humbled himself by being obedient; the Philippians were to look to Him as their example. 

The Everyday Application

2) What is humility and how was the audience to achieve it?

In isolation, humility evaporates. Self, left alone, will focus on self. It’s sort of a catch-22 situation…so how do we break the cycle? Paul would exhort us to remember who we are in Christ, to look to Him as our example, and to do what He did: get out there and help people!

When truly thinking of others and wanting to meet their needs, it’s nearly impossible to be prideful. There are so many ways to love people through churches and community organizations. Perhaps you even know someone personally who would be blessed by you, maybe someone the Spirit is bringing to mind right now.

Pray about how, and who, you can help, then take a step toward humility by being obedient to the Spirit’s prompting. He will be gracious to help you in your efforts! 

The Original Intent

3) What does it mean to have fellowship with the Spirit?

Every Christian, both first century and present-day, as well as all who came between, have been given the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Because the Philippian believers also had the Holy Spirit within each of them, they could each fellowship with Him.

But the Spirit will also elicit concern for other believers in the hearts of those He indwells. If this is acted upon, a deeper and truer fellowship with the Spirit can occur.

The Everyday Application

3) What does it mean to have fellowship with the Spirit?

How many of us race through life at a break-neck pace, falling into bed exhausted only to do it all again the next day? Sound familiar? 
My life isn’t exactly at break-neck pace, but because of some health issues, I require more rest than most people. Because of that, I never feel like I have enough time to do everything that I want to do. 

When I don’t feel like I have enough time, I don’t take any time to just BE…to be with the Lord, to pay attention to the Holy Spirit leading me. Maybe you can relate, dear sister. In fact, I can almost guarantee that most of us feel this way. We’re doing ourselves a disservice by skipping this communion and we’re also being disobedient by not making God our first and foremost.

We should wake up with excitement to see what God will do through us that day. Instead, I wake up dreading the workday and traffic. God probably rolls His eyes at me. Ha! 

In churches, we consider “fellowship” a meal (or at least snacks!) with other Christians, for the purpose of visiting, connecting, and learning about one another’s lives. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit can be just such a time! Tell Him about the realities of your life and listen for nudges of what He wants you to do and who He wants you pray for! 

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comfort,Easter,hope,martyr,peace,persecution,sing,worship
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Slain, Day 15
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“I love Jesus more than anything. I have suffered persecution because I believe in Him, I obey Him, and I serve Him. I will not live forever in this world and I want to leave behind a heritage for those who live after me.”

These powerful words depict a life completely surrendered to the One who gave His life for us. Abdiwelli Ahmed spoke these words one year before he was martyred in the streets of Kenya on February 7, 2013.

Based on his words, if given the chance to escape death that day, he probably wouldn’t. Why?

Because Jesus was everything to him and the fruit from his death was great.
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April 14 - May 2, 2025 - Journey Theme #139

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Slain Day 5 Perpetua & Felicity: Digging Deeper

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Slain Day 5 Perpetua & Felicity: Digging Deeper

Merry Ohler

April 18, 2025

Alive,Anchored,Dignity,Excuses,Faith,Fear,Gospel,Peace

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Perpetua & Felicity
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 10:32-39

32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.

34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

37 The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What did Jesus mean in saying, “Whoever denies Me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven”? (verse 33)

To be good and faithful stewards of Scripture, we must always view Scripture through a deliberate lens, examining the biblical, historical, and cultural contexts while carefully considering the author, the original audience, and the meaning the original audience would have naturally understood.

At first glance, and without the proper context, Christ’s words sound like a threat to the believer who falters in his faith. However, when we read this verse within the greater context of the surrounding passages, His meaning becomes clear.

In this instance, Jesus was not making a threat to believers about what would happen if they chose to deny Him; He was illustrating that those who deny Him before others have not actually given their lives to Him. (John 3:18, John 3:36, Acts 4:12) 

Just a few verses prior, Jesus asserted that when a believer is faced with persecution or suffering for the sake of Christ, they should not worry about what to say because God would give them the words needed. (Matthew 10:19-20) His words about salvation are affirmed through many passages of Scripture, including 2 Corinthians 5:17, in which Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

Jesus was not threatening that those who fail to claim Him before others will lose their salvation. He was illustrating that those who are able to deny Him before others were never His disciples in the first place. 

The Everyday Application

1) What did Jesus mean in saying, “Whoever denies Me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven”? (verse 33)

When I was a young girl, this particular verse gave me a fair amount of concern. I vividly remember pondering Jesus’ words to His disciples and thinking about what they might mean to me. I remember how my stomach clenched with fear as I ruminated on the stories I’d heard or read about missionaries and martyrs around the world.

Faithful Christians, serving God and proclaiming the good news of Jesus, yet brutally persecuted and murdered for their faith. Would I be able to stand firm and claim Christ if faced with such violence and certain death? I didn’t think so. This was a frightening prospect when Jesus clearly stated those who deny Him will be denied by Him before Father God.

What I didn’t understand as a child is that Jesus had already outlined the truth before His words here. If a believer faces persecution, we don’t need to fear the outcome, or what we might say. We can trust that the Holy Spirit in us will fill our mouths with the truth about Jesus and salvation. Christ said it, so it is true. There is no darkness in Him; He will accomplish the work He has promised. (1 John 1:5-10, John 8:12, 2 Corinthians 4:6)

When we put our trust in Christ, we belong to Him. Whether we live, or whether we die, we are His. (Romans 14:8) He will be glorified in our death as in our lives because He will be glorified. Period.

If we have repented of our sins, put our trust in Jesus Christ our Savior, and made Him the Lord of our lives, we can rest assured we do indeed belong to God. He will not leave us to face persecution or suffering alone; He, Himself, will fill our mouths with exactly the words needed. He has promised, will He not fulfill it?

The Original Intent

2) How is Jesus’ purpose to turn family members against each other? (verses 35-36)

When Jesus came to earth in the form of a man, He shook up everything about the religious systems the Jewish people had adopted. His comments about turning family members against one another was a direct quote from Micah 7:6, which illustrated Israel’s condition at the time.

In addition to quoting the Scriptures by heart, further affirming the people’s acknowledgment of Him as Teacher, He also spoke the truth about what would happen when people choose to follow Him. When Christ came, the Jewish people were bound by far more than the law God had given to Moses so many years ago. Religious leaders placed restrictions on all Jews by adding their own additional rules and regulations to God’s law, making what was already impossible for a mere human to accomplish into a suffocating burden.

The law God gave to Moses was meant to show people that God is completely different from humans. His holiness and standard of righteousness are impossible for man to attain. Only Christ could ever uphold it perfectly. When Jesus came, He highlighted all the ways the religious leaders were taking advantage of the people, inviting all who would put their trust in Him to follow Him and His way instead.

Jesus knew this would cause division between families. He knew there would be those who would cling to their traditions and turn away from His teaching. There would also be those who would turn away from tradition and accept Christ’s message of light and life. Families would be torn apart by the convictions each member would choose to hold tight. In a culture where family and religious tradition were the center of everything, His plain words about this prospect would have been frightening and disturbing to hear and were a stark contrast to the cultural norms at the time. 

The Everyday Application

2) How is Jesus’ purpose to turn family members against each other? (verses 35-36)

The reality that a life surrendered to Christ is a life at odds with the world is apparent to most of us. While we may have family members and friends who belong to Jesus, most of us know all too well the tension that accompanies a Christian life lived out alongside those who have either rejected Christ or have not yet come to the place of decision.

The convictions the Holy Spirit brings to our hearts and minds are in opposition to the allure of the world.

While our individual family heritage may not mirror Jewish family culture from that period, if our family history doesn’t involve Christ, His words ring true for us as well. In a family with a history marked by broken relationships, addiction, worldly lusts and more, one who comes to Christ will find they must turn away from their upbringing and the things they have been trained up in. This turning away from what is familiar, and familial, is certain to cause relational challenges with those we love.

When we begin to separate ourselves from sin, we may find distance in our relationships with those who persist in those habits and choices. In some cases, the lack of their understanding may spiral to frustration, anger, and even hatred toward us.

While the pain of this separation is real, we can be encouraged that Christ Himself is with us and welcomes us as His own. We must not give up hope or withdraw completely. Instead, we should continue to pray for all our family members to come to the knowledge and acceptance of Christ. 

The Original Intent

3) How can we lose our lives so we can really find them? (verse 39)

When it comes to reading and understanding Scripture, we do not have the benefit of verbal inflections, visual cues, or even inherent cultural understanding. However, we do have the benefit of access to the full counsel of Scripture. Corresponding passages in the other gospels add additional insight to Christ’s words here.

Luke 9:24 states, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” John 12:25 states, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” In Matthew 6:33, He puts it this way, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

Jesus was saying that one who seeks after his or her own life, passions, desires, and purposes is choosing things that are worldly and will not last. In contrast, Jesus teaches that the one who follows Him will lay down his or her life, self, and interests in exchange for taking up Christ’s life, way, and interests.

Those who pursue their own self or purpose apart from Christ will find that they have forsaken eternal things for that which is passing away. 

The Everyday Application

3) How can we lose our lives so we can really find them? (verse 39)

Christ’s way is ever in opposition to the way of the world, isn’t it? The enemy and the world ever shout for me to pursue my purpose, find my calling, discover my passions, figure out where I fit in, do what makes me happy, and a litany of other loud, self-focused directives.

In stark contrast, Jesus calls me to leave my way, lay down my life, and follow Him. To listen to His voice, walk in His footsteps, pursue His interests. This way of the cross is not easy. It requires turning from the world and following Jesus. I am incapable of turning from self in my own strength.

But God!

He is faithful to accomplish His good work in us when we surrender our lives to Him. An authentic relationship requires intentionality in spending time with Him, learning to know Him, recognizing His ways, and obeying Him.

This impossible ask is only accomplished in us by the power of the Holy Spirit as He completes His salvific work in our lives daily. He is gracious and forgiving when we falter and choose self over Savior, ever bringing us back to the point of surrender, grace, and mercy. Ever sanctifying us, showering us with new mercies each morning. Praise God!

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Slain, Day 5
Journey Study

As a mother, I can imagine few things more heart-wrenching than leaving my infant to be cared for by another. Yet this is precisely what Perpetua and Felicity both did, willingly, as they were martyred for their faith.

You may not have heard their names before, but both women are shining examples in church history of loving the Lord more than father, mother, son, or daughter. (Matthew 10:37-39)
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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship XIII, Week 2

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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship XIII, Week 2

Katelyn Palmer

April 5, 2025

Amazed,Faithfulness,Glory,Justice,Praise,Prayer

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

His Words Before Ours

Psalm 57:2-3

My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident.
I will sing; I will sing praises.
Wake up, my soul!
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your faithful love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
God, be exalted above the heavens;
let your glory be over the whole earth.
Read More Of His Words

Reflective Prayer

Oh Worthy Yahweh,
Thank You for Your unrelenting love and Your unending faithfulness. (Psalm 57:2-3) Each day You are willing to teach us by Your Spirit and Your Word what it means to be righteous, graceful, and forgiving to others as You ceaselessly are toward us. (1 Peter 2:21-25)

Throughout the ages, You have never abandoned Your people. (Deuteronomy 31:8) Your forgiveness and mercy flow from ceaseless love as do Your rebukes. (Revelation 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) There is no shadow within You, and as we sit here and spend these weeks worshipping You, the only One worthy of our faith and confidence, I am awestruck by Your persistence in showing up for us. (Psalm 92:15)

David grew despondent, yet You carried him, for You cannot be unfaithful. (Psalm 57:3-6) Carry us through our days Lord; remind us we are never truly alone because our Father is always by our side. (Joshua 1:5 and 9)

As we immerse ourselves in Your words from this week, let us rejoice and sing of Your glory, embrace the Spirit, and rest in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalm 9:1-2 and 9, Psalm 57:1)

In Your Son’s name alone, Amen.
Pray Scripture

Worship Through Song

Reflection One

Glory can be defined as denoting honor, fame, or admiration; possessing resplendent beauty or magnificence. (Dictionary.com) In Psalm 3, David says God is his glory (Psalm 3:3) meaning God is his source of honor, goodness, and beauty.

God is the pure essence of radiant beauty and magnificence, and when David humbled himself under the Lord by trusting Him, God acted as a shield for David, using His glory for David’s good. (Psalm 3:3 and 6) David gave himself completely into God’s hands, demonstrating faith despite how his circumstances insisted otherwise.

I love how fully David immerses himself in God’s love and trusts the Lord with every breath. As a reminder, at the time this psalm was written, David was fleeing the sword of his own son who was after his title as king. I cannot imagine the pain of this kind of betrayal nor the sadness in his heart as he assuredly loved his son more than his own life.

We can learn from David’s perspective, knowing that regardless of what we face in life, whether persecution, loss, illness, or public shame, God is our glory and good. No matter what the world tries to tell us, our identity and value are found in God alone. He, the Creator of all things, defines us, no one else.
Monday & Tuesday

Reflection Two

David sings of God as protector and refuge. (Psalm 57:1) God protected David’s life as he was hunted by Saul’s army. How has He proven to be your protector and refuge?

God is faithful and trustworthy. (Psalm 57:2-3 and 10) God remained faithful to His promise to make David king even as it seemed David’s life would end prematurely. How has God proven faithful and trustworthy in your story?

God is just. (Psalm 57:3 and 6) God sees all, hates oppression, and dispenses justice. It is impossible for Him to be unjust and David submitted himself to God’s justice. How have you experienced God’s justice play out in your life?

God is loving and compassionate. (Psalm 57:1, 3, and 10) David knew God as possessing a loving compassion that fueled Him to rescue His people. Can you spot God’s pursuant love and merciful compassion to you even today?

God is reliable, possessing perfect integrity. (Psalm 57:2-6, and 10) Even when David had lost hope (i.e. despondent), God was still faithful. What evidence can you point to in your life that God doesn’t require your goodness or perfect faith before He will be good to you?

God is worthy of all worship. (Psalm 57:2, 5, 9-11) Before and after he was crowned king, David chose to worship God in the streets, from his rooftop, and within the walls of his home; he understood God’s supreme worth. How will you choose worship on repeat today?

When we recall how God has proven His character in our own stories, it instills greater trust and we grow in our faith!
Wednesday & Thursday

Reflection Three

Once more this week, we studied David’s call upon the God of Justice as he worshipped the Lord for His loving work. As we pause and reflect, let’s choose to set aside the business of our lives and see how we, too, can rest in the refuge of our Lord. We can enjoy peace knowing God’s work has already been done and justice has been delivered, even if we never see it with our own eyes in this life. (Psalm 9:3-6)

We can rest knowing God sits on His throne, exalted above all else, and calmly in control of all things. (Psalm 9:7, 16-19) Our souls can be calmed, knowing God is just and fair, He is our refuge in trouble, He hears our cries and will fight on our behalf. (Psalm 9:4-5, 8-9, 15-16,8,15-16).

Most importantly, we can teach our souls to be still because we know God has already completed our eternal salvation and will never block access to His throne because Christ died for us and lives to intercede for us.

Though Christ had not yet come in the form of man when David wrote this psalm, the salvation he speaks of in verses 13-15 illustrate the saving work God has woven throughout history since the Garden of Eden!

God’s unending love and pursuit of relationship with humanity is a kind of love we cannot even comprehend, so rest knowing your life is in the hands of Love Himself!
2-for-1 Friday

This Week's Journeys

Remade Day 15
The Remade Life

January 20, 2017 No Comments

We’ve talked a lot during this Journey Theme about what it means to live this redeemed life that Jesus has so richly given us, but what does the “box top” look like? What does my everyday look like as I’m chasing after this God who longs to continuously remake me

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Remade Day 14
The Law of Love: Digging Deeper

January 19, 2017 No Comments

The pharisees asked a lot of questions, but they didn’t truly want to know Jesus’s heart. When we study the Bible or look for answers to our questions, let’s not go looking for evidence to support our pre-determined ideas, rather let’s seek to understand the original intent of the Scriptures,

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Remade Day 13
The Law of Love

January 18, 2017 No Comments

If we really are living out and doing exactly what Jesus tells us are the two most important commandments, then everything else He tells us to do will fall into place… because, by living out these commandments, we are allowing transformation.
When our minds are transformed, then our actions

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Remade Day 12
No Going Back: Digging Deeper

January 17, 2017 No Comments

Are you stuck in the past, attached and grasping for things leading to death, or are you clinging onto and sinking into the things of life? God is a good God, even on days when our past stops us in our tracks or a situation cements our feet. Be reminded

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Remade Day 11
No Going Back

January 16, 2017 No Comments

As fun as it is to “remember when”, there’s danger there too. Either we can romanticize the past and wish for it all over again, or we begin to drown in its sorrows and become perpetually stuck in its cycle. God wants neither for us!

God told Lot’s family

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The GT Weekend – Remade Week Two

January 14, 2017 No Comments

Lord, You have provided perfectly for us. You have given us a means for relationship with You through Jesus. You’ve given the Holy Spirit to keep us walking in step with You, yet I still think I can hide the real me from Your face. Father, forgive me for putting

Read More »

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Worship XIII, Day 9 God Is My Confidence: Digging Deeper

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Worship XIII, Day 9 God Is My Confidence: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

April 3, 2025

Adoration,Captivating,Fellowship,Grace,Joy

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "God Is My Confidence"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 57:7-11

7 My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident.
I will sing; I will sing praises.
8 Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10 For your faithful love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
11 God, be exalted above the heavens;
let your glory be over the whole earth.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is the author of this psalm and why is he confident? (verse 7)

The longest collection of biblical poetry in the Scriptures was written by people with a variety of human experiences. The five books contained within the psalms consist of prayers and songs used in corporate and personal worship. The title comes from the Hebrew word tehillim. meaning “praises.” (biblestudytools.com) The English word is formed from the Greek psalmos. (Septuagint)

Although the psalms were written by different authors and compiled over a long period of time, Bible students often associate King David with the psalms due to his musical interests and ability. (1 Samuel 16:17-23, 2 Samuel 1:17-18) He is specifically cited as the author, as listed in the Hebrew titles, of 73 different psalms. This same David is the psalmist of Psalm 57.

Our focal passage is almost identical to other another psalm of David (Psalm 108:1-5), which reiterates his consistent confidence in God.

Bible scholars offer no consistent explanation of why the two psalms are merged at points, nor do they establish a timeline for the latter. Still, Psalm 57 is identified as being composed when its author could potentially be driven to despair and defeat.

David knew his adversaries sought his demise and they refused to relent easily. His prayer begins as a desperate call for God to extend mercy and protection, but he adjusts his outlook and expresses confidence that God will save him despite his enemies’ pursuit. (Psalm 57:1-3, 6)

Starting to complain (verses 4-6), David interrupts himself to express trust in God. (verse 7) I love the King James Version, “my heart is fixed!” We read in verse 3 what he really thinks about God, “He sends His faithful love and truth.” This mindset constantly reminds David he can trust God because He is faithful. God’s character can always be trusted.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is the author of this psalm and why is he confident? (verse 7)

One of my most favorite aspects of the psalms, especially David’s perspective, is gut-level honesty. Because, friend, that’s what I need! Too often, I have found myself sinking deep into dread as I consider the possibilities of future suffering or trials. Yet, no sooner have I pondered the potential pit that awaits me, the Lord brings to my mind His good character.

Armed with examples of those who’ve gone before me gives me courage to trust the same God. Maybe you recall with me the young righteous Hebrew men who were about to be thrown into a blazing furnace after refusing to bow to an idol. (Daniel 1-3) Their response provides us with a model of how to think to about God, “Even if He does not rescue us …” (Daniel 3:18)

This is an essential foundation of faith in God as we face an uncertain future. Because of who He is we can truly trust in Him. He is good, Sister! Even if the fearful event happens, it doesn’t change the eternal essence of God; His goodness and mercy never fail for not only is our God always good, He is also faithfully loving us.

The prophet Jeremiah developed his confidence in the Lord by reminding himself of God’s character, “I have hope when I call to mind the Lord’s faithful love.” (Lamentations 3:21-24)

Please don’t miss this, Friend. Just like other Old Testament saints, the psalmist gained his confidence by meditating on God Himself. There will be days when we find ourselves sinking down in the muck and mire of despair. It is then we must remember who God is and say with David, “My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises!” (This We Know)

The Original Intent

2) How does the psalmist use “waking” as a prerequisite to “worshipping”? (verse 8)

The imagery here is striking. David is calling on both his soul and the musical instruments he uses for worship to merge with one voice and one sound in adoring worship. David expresses his desire to praise God with all his being by “waking up” the instruments of praise.

The psalmist demonstrates his wholehearted desire for bringing everything he has to God as to give Him all the glory He deserves. When He was on earth, Jesus emphasized the importance of this kind of genuine, whole-life worship of God. (John 4:23-24) David’s wake-up call establishes his resolve to arise from his soul weariness, despite the circumstances, and seek God’s presence.

The call for the harp and lyre to awaken is akin to the invitations for all creation to join him in praising God. The imagery of nature joining in worship is a recurring theme in the Scriptures (Psalm 96:1-3 and 11-12, 1 Chronicles 16:31-33, Isaiah 55:12), as is the call for God’s people to awake to Him. (Isaiah 52:1)

Commentary Matthew Henry says David excited himself to the duty of praise. I love that! He writes that our souls “must be first awakened; dull and sleepy devotions will never be acceptable to God. We must stir up ourselves, and all that is within us, to praise God; with a holy fire must that sacrifice be kindled and ascend in a holy flame. David’s tongue will lead, and his psaltery and harp will follow, in these hymns of praise … I will not be dead, and drowsy, and careless, in this work … I will be in the most lively frame, as one newly awakened out of a refreshing sleep.” (Biblegateway.com)

The Everyday Application

2) How does the psalmist use “waking” as a prerequisite to “worshipping”? (verse 8)

Few of us are unaware of the “woke” debates which have caused confusion and conflict among Christians in recent times. While the current debate will likely continue, I don’t want to miss what the psalmist was modeling in these verses.

First, let’s fast forward a few hundred years. Paul encouraged his friends to stay “alive and awake” in Christ amid hardship and wickedness. (Ephesians 5:8-16) Though it is not a direct quote from an Old Testament passage, it may have been a tradition or teaching familiar to the reader as Paul writes, “It is said.” Making a connection from David to Paul is vital for us because we will regularly need to preach and sing this ‘wake-up call’ to our own souls just as the saints have done for generations before us.

Just as in the psalmist’s day, Paul reminds us we will face darkness and temptation. Waking up our souls to see God’s goodness and love can kickstart our days by reminding us to live in the light of His grace. Although every moment is a good moment to praise God, David calls on his soul to wake up and worship with the dawn.

Friend, let us never doubt the value of morning devotions. “No time in the day is more appropriate for worship than the early morning; no object is more worthy to rouse us from our slumbers than a desire to praise God; in no way can the day be more appropriately begun than by prayer and praise; and nothing will conduce more to keep up the flame of piety – the life of religion in the soul – than the habit of devoting the early morning to the worship of God; to prayer; to meditation; to praise.” (Albert Barnes) (This is My Father’s World)

The Original Intent

3) What prompted the intensity of the psalmist’s confidence and praise? (verses 9-11)

David was preaching an inspiring message to his soul. So exhilarating was the truth of the message, it afforded him the perspective he needed. As he progressed though the layers of his thoughts, David began to consider the greatness of his God. Not content with just sitting in this magnificent reflection alone, or even simply “preaching to the choir,” David determined to include all people from all nations! (verse 9)

David knew that when he was in trouble, it was his Lord – Adonai – who provided deliverance as the ruler of all. Baal cannot save; Molech cannot save; Chemosh cannot save. (Judges 3:7, Leviticus 18:21, 1 Kings 11:4-7)

When David sought the Lord as his comforter, his heart was affected and enlarged for the nations. He wanted the whole earth to see the greatness and goodness of God. (verse 11) But what prompted such devotion and confidence in the heart of David? It’s tucked away in verse 10, “For YOUR faithful love is as high as the heavens; YOUR faithfulness reaches the clouds.” David was so gripped by the Lord’s faithful love for him that he repeated it often to himself. (Psalm 36:5, Psalm 103:11-14, Psalm 5:4 and 7, Psalm 69:13 and 16)

The vast love of God drove David to offer continual praise. Oh, the rich love of God! Hundreds of years later, the apostle Paul would write about that same love that surpassed all knowledge. He, too, longed for all the people to know it. It was the prayerful cry of his heart! (Ephesians 3:16-19)

The Everyday Application

3) What prompted the intensity of the psalmist’s confidence and praise? (verses 9-11)

The Lord of David is the Lord of all. Yes, He is forever over all things. (Colossians 1:15-20) That is a glorious truth! But what is even more magnificent, Sister, is His willingness to receive us into a relationship with Him.

David knew the Lord in an intimate way (Psalm 8, Psalm 23), communing with Him often, but our generous God wanted to restore His relationship with humanity as it was before sin tainted it. (Colossians 3:9-10, Hebrews 2:10-13) Like David, we can confidently trust God for deliverance and, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can know this confidence even better than David could. Now, we know God’s justice and mercy were reconciled in His Son as He took our death upon Himself. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

We are confident of our acceptance, not because our good outweighs our bad, nor is it because God doesn’t know the depth of our sin. Our confidence lies fully in the righteousness of Jesus!

My sweet friend, when we place our faith in Him and receive His righteousness as our own, we have nothing to fear. His love is higher than the heavens. His faithfulness is above the clouds. The invitation from David is for us all to come and join him in the worship of the Lord who loves us so. The Lord is our confidence; let’s worship Him! (Your Love Oh Lord)

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Worship XIII, Day 8
Journey Study

Thank You for Your love and faithfulness which remain the same despite my ever-changing circumstances and challenges.

I come to You, confident that “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I praise You for working good even in what was meant for evil (Genesis 50:20) and thank You that evil will ultimately be defeated.

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
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Worship XIII, Day 7 God Is My Glory: Digging Deeper

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Worship XIII, Day 7 God Is My Glory: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

April 1, 2025

Adoration,Amazed,Courage,Faith,Glory,Heart,Help,Worship

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "God Is My Glory"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 3

“LORD, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’

Selah

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

Selah

I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.

Rise up, LORD! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; may your blessing be on your people.”

Selah

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why did David cite the Lord as answering him from His holy mountain? (verses 1-4) 

The presence of God in the life of a believer is made possible through Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross which removed our sin from us. (Colossians 2:14) Once the door was open for us to be with God, Christ poured out His Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who completely trust Jesus for their rescue, thereby sealing us for eternity and legally claiming us as His own adopted children. (Romans 5:5) Through the Spirit indwelling every authentic believer, we have direct, immediate access to God at every point from that first moment of belief on into eternity! (Ephesians 2:18)

As believers in this century, we can take this truth for granted, forgetting that, for those living in the Old Testament and the majority of the four gospel narratives, this immediate accessibility to God was non-existent. The Holy Spirit was surely present as the third person of the godhead, coequal and coeternal with the Father and Son, throughout all of Scripture but He did not indwell human beings as a permanent seal. The Spirit “came upon” prophets (Amos 7:14-15) some kings (1 Samuel 10:10), and even a donkey (Numbers 22:28), but He did not permanently dwell with them.

The only dwelling place, thereby the only access point to God outside of a few outlier instances, was the Tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34-35)

In this psalm, David was on the run from his son Absalom and was nowhere near the Tabernacle. (2 Samuel 15-18) He felt out of his element and far from the Lord. His sense of feeling bereft was heightened by the enemies surrounding him physically as well as the internal anguish of his own son turning against him. (Psalm 55:12-14)

In anguish, David prayed to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, whom he knew was in every place at every moment (Psalm 139:7-12) even though he had no physical access point.

The Everyday Application

1) Why did David cite the Lord as answering him from His holy mountain? (verses 1-4) 

David positioned himself before the Lord in his heart, even though there was no physical tabernacle for gaining access to God. David understood something significant about the heart of God, trusting that, more than a physical access point, the Lord desired a relationship with His people who would come to Him in humility and dependence.

In another psalm, David displayed this understanding by writing,
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in His holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not appealed to what is false […].”
Psalm 24:3-4

David put all of his hope in the belief that the Lord would hear his cry for help and would see the truth of the scenario. David was being unfairly pursued, yet David had not retaliated; his foes taunted him with lies (verses 1-2), but David turned with trusting heart to the very God his enemies mocked.

Like a little child trusting the relationship with his father, David quieted himself with truth. (Psalm 131:1-3)

With victory won within his heart, David knew the Lord heard him from His dwelling place, “He answers me from His holy mountain”. (verse 4)

What an example for us to follow! When looking around at the fearful state of our circumstance, we can choose all the more to position ourselves before the Lord with humility and faith, confidently knowing we have immediate and direct access to Him at every point because of Jesus!

“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.”
(Psalm 62:8)

The Original Intent

2) What confidence did David possess that allowed him to choose sleep amidst danger?  (verses 3-6) 

Sleep eludes the anxious, the distraught, and the fearful. Adrenaline courses through the body of the person “on edge” because of dire circumstances. Despite the pain of betrayal from his son, the uncertainty of his position as king, and the imminent danger of losing his life, David rested peacefully. For anyone who has tossed and turned the hours of the night away, you know how impossible it sounds to sleep peacefully amidst the threat of danger.

Note what both preceded and followed David’s statement that he could sleep. Read verses 3 and 6; can you find it?!

The one who fears, the one who is anxious, and the one who is in dire straits all lack something that is given to David once he cries out with honesty to the Lord.

Confidence.

See how graciously the Lord treats David in verse 3?
He protectively hugs him and tenderly lifts his head, placing him in the position of trusting confidence.

David responds with trusting rest because the One who shielded him and lifted his head was of greater authority and more power than the enemies who sought his life. (Romans 8:31) While his enemies seek his demise and his son betrayed him, and everything teetered on the brink of loss, the kind God of Creation stooped low to lift David’s wavering countenance. The Lord sustained David’s quaking soul, leading him beside figurative still waters and green pastures to give him rest. (Psalm 23:2-3)

David’s response in verse 6 speaks from the calm that had now overtaken his soul, “I will not be afraid”.

The Everyday Application

2) What confidence did David possess that allowed him to choose sleep amidst danger?  (verses 3-6) 

See what mighty affect the Lord’s tenderness and intercession has upon the fearful soul?! It is the same with David that the disciples experienced thousands of years later from the very same God as He stood in their physical boat, face to face with them as they lay in terror of the storm that threatened their life.

God incarnate, Christ Jesus, called His followers to enter the same place of faith David had found. “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) As is always the case when the Lord of All asks a question of human beings, God intends us to pause and reflect, wrestling inside our souls. Why were they afraid?

In our humanity, we look at the tumultuous waves, the lightening streaked sky, and wooden fishing boat bearing 13 persons while pitch black skies enfolded them and Jesus’ question seems absurd. Of course they were terrified! Death was imminent!

But consider the One who stood in the boat beside them. The One who held the seas in His palm. (Isaiah 40:12) The One who authored dawn and dark and named each star stood beside the disciples. (Amos 5:8) In reality, fear had no place. Faith did.

This was the stirring realization David concluded which allowed him to lay down and sleep in peace, and it was the realization Jesus desired His dear followers to embrace. It’s the conclusion He wants for each of us.

What is your storm, sister? Carry the truth of the Lord to your own scenario and find consolation, confidence, and rest!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

The Original Intent

3) How does Selah impact this song of distress? (verses 2, 4, and 8) 

Bible scholars have debated and studied for centuries the meaning of selah in the Psalms, yet it remains a mystery. A musical hush so voices could sing acapella? A call to silence voices and instruments so all was dramatically still mid-song to emphasize a point? Perhaps it’s meant as a metaphorical pausing of the internal soul to be quiet before the Lord?

Perhaps Selah means all of these, or none of these, but we can know the word carried significance to the original audience. They knew what it meant and, considering how often Selah was employed in the hymn book of the Jews, the word carried weighty importance, as if instructional not only to their music, but to their hearts.

Take time to read through the songs of Psalm 96, Psalm 98, Psalm 149, and Psalm 150. Take note of the reason they sing, their honest emotions, and the place of faith in which they land.

If you were to craft your own psalm, what would it include for you today? What emotion would you bring? What truths would you declare? Why not go ahead and give it a try!

The Everyday Application

3) How does Selah impact this song of distress? (verses 2, 4, and 8) 

My piano playing sons thrill at the ebb and flow of their sheet music; they love to practice dramatically increasing the sound of their music only to back it off with great emotion, carrying their audience along for a ride. They know the power of musical flow as it speaks a language communicated in our hearts instead of by our tongues.

Perhaps here, in the dramatic play of interludes, crescendos, and pauses of notes on a page, we can find mirrors of Selah. The tunes roll, carrying us along, giving our hearts freedom to soar, to spill our pain, to dance gleefully, and all the while, the rhythm of Selah remains constant. When the music fades, the piano keys still, and the harp strings cease their vibrations, we are left with the delights of harmonies mesmerizing us inside, leaving us in a place of soulful reflection.

Music ministers to us like that doesn’t it? Singing into our souls and stirring up deep things for us.

Perhaps that’s some of the purpose of Selah. To remind us of the melodies of worship. To bring out the honest places deep within and give them a song to sing. Perhaps Selah reminds us these aren’t just ancient words on a page, but they once rang across the city of Jerusalem as God’s people sang their chords.

It’s comforting to consider that God’s people have always been singing of their honest places, bringing them before the Lord in a way that conversation could not and dare not. What we sing opens the floodgates, and Selah calls us out to do exactly that. Pour out our hearts. Not just to anyone, but to the Lord God. The lifter of our heads. The Shepherd in the dark. The shield around us. The One who commands seas.

Sing, Soul, sing!
(Psalm 103)

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Worship XIII, Day 6
Journey Study

I confess I get so caught up in worrying about my to-do list that I lose sight of Your joy and beauty. Worries and stress often distract me from opportunities to glorify You. 

Help me to slow down, to be still, and know You are God. (Psalm 46:10)

Gently lead me to exchange my burdens for Your rest (Matthew 11:28-30) and to find in Your Word “a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 
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Worship XIII, Day 6 God Is My Glory

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Worship XIII, Day 6 God Is My Glory

Emerson McFather

March 31, 2025

Adoration,Forgiven,Freedom,Glory,Holy Spirit,Hope,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 3
Psalm 36:5-7
Jeremiah 29:12-14
Isaiah 46:3-4
Romans 12:1-2 

His Words Before Mine
Psalm 3
“LORD, how my foes increase! 
There are many who attack me. 
Many say about me, 
‘There is no help for him in God.’ 

Selah 

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, 
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 
I cry aloud to the LORD, 
and he answers me from his holy mountain. 

Selah 

I lie down and sleep; 
I wake again because the LORD sustains me. 
I will not be afraid of thousands of people 
who have taken their stand against me on every side. 

Rise up, LORD! 
Save me, my God! 

You strike all my enemies on the cheek; 
you break the teeth of the wicked. 

Salvation belongs to the LORD; 
may your blessing be on your people.” 

My Words Back to Him
God, when I’m overcome by the lies and voices of this world, I trust in you, my “refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”(Psalm 46:1)

Ancient Israel’s king, David, testified to Your love and faithfulness even as he fled from his murderous son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-17); You show me the same love and faithfulness today. 

“Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven, 
your faithfulness to the clouds [. . .]
How priceless your faithful love is, God! 
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:5-7)

In the face of life’s worries, may I echo David’s words declaring You are my shield! (Psalm 3:3) May I hold tight to the knowledge You are with me always (Matthew 28:20); You will never leave or abandon me. (Hebrews 13:5)

In the midst of hardship, when peace seems elusive, help me to turn to You.

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
I look to You for my peace; help me to rest in Your peace that surpasses all understanding. 
(Philippians 4:7)

God, You are my compassionate and loving father (Psalm 103:13),
my shepherd who gathers me up in the safety of Your arms 
and holds me close to Your heart. (Isaiah 40:11) 
You sustain me all the days of my life,
and after this life is over, 
I will spend eternity with you. (John 10:28) 

“I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

What an honor it is to serve You, my protector and salvation!

God, be praised and glorified! 
May “Your name be honored as holy.” (Matthew 6:9)
May I “proclaim Your righteousness, your praise all day long.” (Psalm 35:28)

Oh, Beautiful God, I declare You are my trustworthy protector and peace. In the midst of hardship, help me hold tight to You. 

I Confess, Lament, and Praise
I confess I get so caught up in worrying about my to-do list that I lose sight of Your joy and beauty. Worries and stress often distract me from opportunities to glorify You. 

Help me to slow down, to be still, and know You are God. (Psalm 46:10) Gently lead me to exchange my burdens for Your rest (Matthew 11:28-30) and to find in Your Word “a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 

God, I confess I’m tempted to listen to the voices of this world instead of Your truth. I desire to not be conformed to the voices of this age, but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2)

I praise You for showing me Your goodness and faithfulness all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6) Thank You for being my solid foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) and eternal hope! (1 John 5:11)

God, I long to know You more. I ask for Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so I may know You better (Ephesians 1:17) and learn to trust You more and more. 

May I confidently declare, “You, LORD, are my shield around me” when I feel overcome! (Psalm 3:3) I praise You, for You are unfailingly loving, my deliverance, my salvation, my protector, and my peace. 

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Worship XIII, Day 7
Digging Deeper

The one who fears, the one who is anxious, and the one who is in dire straits all lack something that is given to David once he cries out with honesty the Lord.

Confidence.

See how graciously the Lord treats David in verse 3?

He protectively hugs him and tenderly lifts his head, placing him in the position of trusting confidence.
Dig Deeper!

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March 24 - April 11, 2025 - Journey Theme #138

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Worship XIII, Day 5 I Will Bless

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Worship XIII, Day 5 I Will Bless

Christine Wood

March 28, 2025

Adoring,Anchored,Constant,Daughter,Faith,Identity,Praise,Prayer

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 3
Psalm 9
Psalm 34
John 11:25–26

His Words Before Mine
Psalm 9
I will thank the Lord with all my heart; 
I will declare all Your wondrous works. 
I will rejoice and boast about You; 
I will sing about Your name, Most High. […]

You are seated on your throne as a righteous judge. 

You have rebuked the nations: 
You have destroyed the wicked; 
You have erased their name forever and ever. […]

But the Lord sits enthroned forever; 
He has established His throne for judgment. 
And He judges the world with righteousness; 
He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. 

The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, 
a refuge in times of trouble. 

Those who know Your name trust in You 
because You have not abandoned 
those who seek You, Lord. 

Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; 
proclaim His deeds among the nations. […]

Be gracious to me, Lord; 
consider my affliction at the hands of those who hate me. 

Lift me up from the gates of death, 
so that I may declare all Your praises. 
I will rejoice in Your salvation
within the gates of Daughter Zion. […]

Higgaion. Selah

The wicked will return to Sheol— 
all the nations that forget God. 
For the needy will not always be forgotten; 
the hope of the oppressed will not perish forever. 

Selah

My Words Back To Him
Loving God,
What a joy to wake up and begin a new day wrapped in Your goodness!
Sunshine and hot coffee usher in my day, full of blessings from Your hand.

It wasn’t always this way.
I remember when anxiety and stress threatened to overpower joy,
when the busyness of my demanding life squeezed Your kind voice out of my consciousness. I remember when my to-do list and calendar ruled my time and heart, and the relationships most precious to me became merely an obligation, collecting the dregs of my exhausted self.

It is only by Your grace we made it.
When our table is surrounded by laughter and love, I know it is because of Your kindness.

I am so grateful.

In some places in the world right now the enemy is obvious; his minions use weapons and drop bombs, intimidate and imprison.
I see the images on my newsfeed, I hear the cries, and my heart breaks.

Save Your people, Lord. Raise Your mighty hand against the wicked, 
those who kill and destroy with pride and revenge, 
those who rule with fear, exploiting the weak and ignoring the cries of the powerless.
Hear the cry of the oppressed and bring justice in Your mighty name.

While some enemies are obvious, some enemies are subtle.
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, disguised as friends. (Matthew 7:15)
Attractive, engaging, popular and prolific, constantly calling me to veer off Your narrow path.

They are constantly asking, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1), gently cajoling me to conform.

Thorns grow high: the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth,
sucking the nutrients, stealing the sun, overcrowding the space in my mind and heart. (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

Oh, my soul, calm your heart and take captive your thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Lord, I invite You to be the gardener of my heart.
Pull out the weeds, fertilise the soil, pour out the nourishing rain of Your Spirit,
and grow in me a faith strong and true.
A faith that is resilient, fruitful, and sweet, with roots growing deep into the bedrock of Your holiness. (Jeremiah 17:8)

I won’t remain silent. I won’t hoard Your goodness to myself.
Oh my soul, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)

He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
A bruised reed he will not break (Isaiah 42:3)
His faithfulness flows from generation to generation. (Psalm 119:90)
It won’t stop with me!

My God, still my anxious heart.
Engulf me with Your rest.
I declare You are my source, my Selah.

Confess, Lament, and Praise
My God, I confess there have been so many times when I ignored Your call to rest and have struggled on, feeling alone and frustrated, weighed down by worry, burdened by inadequacy, and overwhelmed by the gap between my capacity and the needs around me.

I sooth my weary soul with another glass of wine, another piece of chocolate, a bubble bath, a Netflix binge, and then I whine and complain about how tired I am, how hard I am trying, and how far away You feel.

When all the while, you are right here.

Emmanuel, God with us, (Matthew 1:23) longing for me to draw near. (James 4:8)
Near to my source of rest, of wisdom, and of peace, near to the still small voice, whispering words of love, near to immeasurable power.

Power to do more than I could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), power to heal and restore, power to bring light into darkness and life to the dead. (John 11:25–26)

The One who hears the cry of the oppressed (Psalm 9:18), the One who will judge the world with righteousness (Psalm 9:8), the One who fills the gap between my capacity and the needs around me.
The Lord, on His throne. (Psalm 9:7)

Jesus, forgive me, I pray.
I surrender my life to Your Lordship.
I offer my body, a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)

I invite You to search and cleanse my heart. (Psalm 139:23)
I will thank the Lord with all my heart;
I will declare all Your wondrous works.
I will rejoice and boast about You;
I will sing about Your name, Most High. (Psalm 9:1–2)

My Selah.

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confess,Lament,peace,prayer,worship
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Worship XIII, Day 5
Digging Deeper

Read a Psalm every day.

Music and gratitude lists are excellent tools for finding joy; however, The Psalms are on the top of my list.

A pastor once told me to read a psalm every day. That is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received and followed.
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Worship XIII, Day 3 I Will Hide In You

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Worship XIII, Day 3 I Will Hide In You

Rebecca Adams

March 26, 2025

Accepted,Adoring,Safe,Suffering,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 55 
1 Peter 5:6-11 
Psalm 18  

Psalm 55
“God, listen to my prayer
and do not hide from my plea for help. 

Pay attention to me and answer me. 
I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint, 
because of the enemy’s words, 
because of the pressure of the wicked.
For they bring down disaster on me
and harass me in anger. 

My heart shudders within me; 
terrors of death sweep over me.

Fear and trembling grip me;
horror has overwhelmed me. 
I said, ‘If only I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest. 
How far away I would flee;
I would stay in the wilderness. 

Selah

I would hurry to my shelter
from the raging wind and the storm.’ [. . .]

But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me. 
I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, 
and He hears my voice. 

Though many are against me,
He will redeem me from my battle unharmed. 
God, the one enthroned from long ago, 
will hear and will humiliate them
because they do not change
and do not fear God.

Cast your burden on the Lord,
and He will sustain you; 
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

My Words Back To Him
Lord, these dark corridors feel like terror closing in. (Psalm 55:5) My relationships are plagued with sin, its brokenness showing up with fangs which steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)
Do You see the suffering of the oppressed because of sin’s deadly chains? Do You see how the handiwork of the enemy is destroying the ones I love? Do You see how it’s destroying me?

Hear my plea, Lord!
Pay attention to my groanings! (Psalm 55:1-2)
This grip of pain, the darkness of wrong choices, the loss… Lord, see how the enemy of my soul is using these to create a cacophony of harassment and oppression (Psalm 55:3) against me and those I love.

 Lord, hear and see!
 Lord, come and rescue!

 Selah.

How blessedly You call me to hush, to be still, to stand and see the goodness of the Lord pass before me in stunning beauty. My circumstances are the same as they were 5 minutes ago, but now, here with You, I am calmed and quieted as a little child. (Psalm 131)

You embrace me with peace.

Selah, an invitation for peace to enter, blessed peace which passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) When all I can do in this whirlwind is come to You with desperation and tears from a ravaged soul, You graciously see shards of faith in my decision to come.

Your response is sure and swift as You hold me secure. (Psalm 63:8)
You part the maddening clouds of my torrential storms, (Psalm 18:9) descending quickly with Your strong right arm to save and hold me close. (Psalm 18:16-19)
You nestle me under Your wings, blanketing me with the security of Your warm feathers. (Psalm 91:4)

My breathing slows, my sobs lessen, my fists relax against Your embrace.

When I call, You save me. (Psalm 55:16)
Not always from the raging storm outside, but from the one roaring within.
Loud are the voices against me, including the terrorizing fear the enemy wields as a weapon against my heart. But selah. You tuck me into Yourself; You redeem me from the battle unharmed. (Psalm 55:18)

Lord, Endless King, Ruler of All, I am choosing to lay down these pains, loosening my grip on terror, allowing You, the Prince of Peace, to apply Your healing to my heart.
You will humiliate the Oppressor. (Psalm 55:19) You will destroy the works of the Enemy with a breath. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

I praise You for the call to Selah, to rest, for You are my Unchanging One.
You are good; You DO good. (Psalm 119:68)
You are my good. (Psalm 16:2, 5)

Confess, Lament, and Praise
Forgive my disbelief in Your everlasting goodness.
Forgive my disbelief in Your righteous justice.
Forgive my disbelief that You hold all things, you see all things, and will never let me be shaken away from You. (Psalm 55:22)

How I praise You! How I will praise You all my days!
You continually invite me to cast my burdens upon You (Psalm 55:22), for You are the burden-bearing God. (Psalm 68:19)

You are, You have been, You always will be, my Steadfast Rescue.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless Your Holy Name! (Psalm 103:1)
I will rest here, quieting myself, for I have learned, and am still learning, to nestle in the gift of Selah. 

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Worship XIII, Day 4
Digging Deeper

Laments unabashedly express an array of strong emotions, and although lament is the antithesis of worship, Psalms of Lament usually end with resolved thinking and praise.

So, more than a mere vehicle to vent, Psalms of Lament is a model of how to manage human emotions constructively.
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March 24 - April 11, 2025 - Journey Theme #138

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Run Day 14 Intimacy With The Unseen: Digging Deeper

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Run Day 14 Intimacy With The Unseen: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 20, 2025

Love,Need,Neighbor,Prosper,Relationship

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Intimacy With The Unseen"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Timothy 6:3-20

If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How can godliness with contentment be great gain? (verses 5-8)

Paul wrote, “godliness with contentment is great gain” as a rebuttal to those who taught godliness was a means of gaining material wealth or status as was made common by the religious elite group of Pharisees. Instead of endeavoring to obtain more, Paul encouraged being content with having our needs met, remembering they come graciously from the Lord. (1 Timothy 6:5-8)

What made contentment such a game-changer?
William Barclay explains, “The word here used for contentment is autarkeia… a complete self-sufficiency. They meant a frame of mind which was completely independent of all outward things, and which carried the secret of happiness within itself. Contentment never comes from the possession of external things.”

Paul understood that having more stuff was not the focus of the Christian life. He knew that only relying on God, our Provider (Genesis 22:14), would bring lasting contentment while looking to the material things of this world would never satisfy and only produce a longing for more that could never be appeased. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) David Guzik suggests, “We can only find contentment when our hearts are rooted in eternal things; and contentment is essential because it shows we are living with an eternal perspective, not only trying to feather an earthly nest.”

When we are content with God’s provision, we obey God’s Word (Hebrews 13:5) and bring Him glory by declaring that God is enough (Philippians 4:19) and even more than enough (2 Corinthians 9:8). Meghan Ryan explains, “Contentment means living in God’s fullness. Which means contentment is possible because it’s independent of our circumstances. That doesn’t mean we won’t still have desires. You can be content in Christ and still desire for something to be different.”

Paul urges believers to rely on God, not money or possessions, regardless of our circumstances. Paul assures us we can be truly content in the hands of our loving God! (John 10:29)

The Everyday Application

1) How can godliness with contentment be great gain? (verses 5-8)

Until recently social media did not exist, and now millions of people make their living as social media influencers. I recently walked into someone’s laundry room with a Gen Z friend who pointed to a mop in the corner and said, “Oh, she has that mop from TikTok.”

I myself have succumbed to purchasing items in popular online posts, everything from backpacks to bug zappers. There is a constant bombardment of suggestions for things I need to improve my quality of life, making it hard to be content with last season’s gizmos and gadgets.

While the apostle Paul was not on Tik Tok, he definitely understood the appeal of worldly possessions, which is why he wrote, “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” Paul knew it’s easy to become dissatisfied and focus on accumulating things rather than appreciating God’s provision. Paul understood that contentment with God’s provision has nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with trusting His grace and strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

As Elisabeth Elliott asserts, “The secret is Christ in me not me in a different set of circumstances.” Paul knew that hyper-focusing on wealth can create an obsession with worldly things. Christine Caine suggests, “If you do not have a content heart you will always want more. . . You’re on an endless treadmill of more. You end up stuck in a comparison trap and comparison is the enemy of contentment.”

Instead of scrolling our way into discontentment, let’s focus on the great gain we have in being content with God’s plans and purposes in our lives. (Psalm 23:1)

The Original Intent

2) How is the love of money a root of all kinds of evil? (verses 9-10)

Paul‘s statement to Timothy, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (verse 10), has been often misquoted as “money is the root of all evil.” Money itself is just a benign tool God allows us to use and steward for His glory. When we elevate money above the Lord we open ourselves to evil.

Replacing the worship of God with avarice and allowing our lives to be motivated by greed and selfishness can lead to all manner of evil activity. J.C. Ryle notes, “Thousands who would abhor the idea of worshiping idols, are not ashamed to make an idol of gold. . . It is an evil that works very deceitfully. It carries us captives before we are aware of our chains.” Paul’s admonition was not to avoid money, but rather to guard our hearts from craving it and taking our focus off of God.

Paul understood that the life God has for believers is not about how much stuff they can accumulate (Luke 12:15) but about following God’s heart and doing the good works He has laid out for us (Ephesians 2:10)

Elisabeth Elliot asserts, “All God’s gifts are meant to be used not for ourselves but for His Glory. . . all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer are His. My money is His.” Everything we have comes from God, including our money. (James 1:17) May we always see money as a gift from God, and may we never exalt the gift above the Giver.

The Everyday Application

2) How is the love of money a root of all kinds of evil? (verses 9-10)

I worked for an organization that was attacked by ransomware. Our computer files were encrypted and would not be released until we paid a ransom. We didn’t have the exorbitant sum the attackers demanded, so most of our files were lost. This was a major setback for us; ransomware attacks can be utterly devastating to universities, businesses, and even deadly for institutions like hospitals and care centers. The mercenaries rely on the fear of impending harm to manipulate organizations to pay big money. Their evil pursuit is fueled by greed, and it’s only one of the many devastating schemes motivated by avarice that plague our world today.

The apostle Paul forewarned of this vile danger when he wrote, “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Paul’s audience wasn’t criminals but Christ-followers.

Paul knew that the love of money could easily seduce well-intentioned believers, and he wanted them to realize they could not serve both money and God. (Matthew 6:24) A.W Tozer cautions, “It is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such matters as these. You have the right to keep what you have all to yourself—but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.”

By trying to get more for ourselves through selfish means, we end up bringing harm upon ourselves. Lord, help us realize that it doesn’t benefit us to gain worldly wealth while losing our life in the process. (Mark 8:36)

The Original Intent

3) What does Paul mean by “take hold of eternal life”? (verse 12)

Paul admonishes believers to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (verse 12) Paul urges believers to grasp an intangible thing, so how can Christians follow through on this admonition?

Jennie Lusko explains that “fight in the Greek language . . . is agonizomai, and it means ‘to fight, to contend, to strive as in a contest for a prize.’ We see a tension here between faith, receiving the gift of salvation given by God, and the action of fighting and taking hold of the life we were born to live.” Eternal life is this: knowing the One True God and His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 17:3)

Paul wants Christians to take hold of this gift of salvation through Christ and the blessing of living a life empowered by knowing God. When we live our lives as God prescribes, we come to know God better and can make Him known to others. (Acts 20:24) Ron Teed contends, “We take hold of this eternal life when we live as God commands us to live. . . we experience it when we structure each moment in submission to God’s will and commands.”

Kenneth Wuest concurs by suggesting “There must be an eager, active, intense determination to live a life pleasing to God. We must not only yield to the Holy Spirit’s fullness, trusting Him to produce in us that love that God is, but we must definitely will to be loving and try to be loving.”

Paul wants us to actively cooperate with the work of God in our lives as He makes us more like Jesus! (Romans 8:29)

The Everyday Application

3) What does Paul mean by “take hold of eternal life”? (verse 12)

I remember my college graduation, standing with the university President as she shook my hand and presented my diploma while cameras clicked and flashed. That one piece of paper represented four years of dedication, determination, and academic pursuit. I loved clasping my hands around it and showing it to my family and friends, something tangible that symbolized all my hard work. I could not show them the late-night study sessions, the hours spent pouring over books, or the ideas swirling in my brain, but I could show them the diploma that signified the success of all my endeavors.

Paul used a similar metaphor to symbolize what he wanted believers to do when he wrote, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (verse 12)

Paul wanted Christians to actively participate in a relationship with God made possible by the gift of eternal life provided by Jesus’ sacrifice. (2 Corinthians 5:15) He wanted them to take hold of it as though it were something tangible, pursuing God by living a life worthy of God each day (1 Thessalonians 2:12) and following His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We don’t receive a framed paper we can show people to declare that we have received the gift of eternal life. Instead, as Paul encouraged us, we can live our lives as an example of God’s power (Philippians 4:13), grace (1 Corinthians 15:10), and love (John 13:35). In fact, he states that when we live our lives wholly for Christ, we are letters of recommendation to the world around us of the real change that has happened within us by God’s Spirit! (2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

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Dwell, Day 15
Journey Study

For several years, I was cleverly deceived by the enemy regarding this trap of pursuing wealth.

We had little finances, so I slipped into arrogance believing I was innocent of the pursuit of money, but it was a lie.

I wrongly believed we were aligned with God just because we weren’t “rich”.
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March 3 - March 21, 2025 - Journey Theme #137

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