Friends' Favorites - Make It Stop

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

An interlude is not exactly awe-inspiring in and of itself. Usually, it's a chance for the mind to wander a little, but there's that moment when an interlude can become the main focus - that which causes the before and after of something to be much more meaningful or intense. In the King James Version, it is translated Selah. Basically, it's a pause, a break, stoppage. To cease what we were doing.

We must catch the significance of the placement of this interlude... which according to Google.com is also synonymous with "interval, intermission, break, recess, pause, respite, breathing space" and various others. Let's be real. When our hearts are overwhelmed, we NEED space to breathe. We need a break. Right?

However, you'll notice the Interlude is not placed after 'overwhelmed'; we're not to stop there and dwell on that. It's strategically placed after David declares God is his safe refuge and his place of great safety with God as his covering and shelter. THAT's when David calls for an interlude. Stop - think about a safe refuge. Stop - enjoy a little respite. God's refuge will give us all the breathing room we need! When we get beneath the shelter of His wings and make God our refuge, HE will make it stop.

Prayer:

Father,
           When our hearts are overwhelmed with life, help us to live only in YOU, O God, our strong tower, our refuge, our strength. Let us cease our struggling and rest in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Evening Reflection

How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah
Psalm 4:2b Christian Standard Bible

In several bibles, Psalm 4 is titled A Night Prayer or Evening Prayer. It is one of David's psalms. It contains a couple of the more well-known verses about being angry, but not sinning, and being able to lie down and sleep in peace because the Lord keeps us safe.

However, today I was struck by the second half of verse 2. The verse is also punctuated with Selah - which is commonly believed to mean to pause and reflect on what has just been said. And so I did...

In the second half of verse 4, same chapter, David writes, on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah... There's that word again.

So, in reflection: How many things in life do we "love" that have no eternal weight to them? How many things do we chase after that are worthless when compared to the eternal? If they are fodder for moths and rust, why are we spending our time and energy on them?

Prayer:

Father,
           As I sit and remember, thank You for ALL the many times You and You alone have provided for me and for my family. The provision, the protection. All You! I will not fear. I know You guide and provide, Father. Teach me Your ways, O God! Let me not waste my time or energy on what is worthless or not Truth. We want to know You. We want to know and heed Your voice. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Selah

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 62: 7-8 KJV

In our Scripture reference for today, 'Selah' appears at the end of the verse. It's commonly defined as a pause, a break in the normal rhythm of things. In other words, stop and reflect. Sometimes for a dramatic effect; other times, to drive home the point. Sometimes, it's to bring life-changing information. Have you ever been watching TV and heard the words, We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this ... ? And if we don't pause or stop, we miss it altogether.

I think God works with interruptions. If we don't stop to listen, if we don't make time to hear, if we don't give Him the attention He requires from us, He will interrupt our regularly scheduled lives however He needs to in order to bring us His life-changing information. And while, at first, we may hate to be interrupted, His interruptions are always life-changing for the good and are more than worth the stop... if we will listen. Selah

Prayer:

Father,
You are our Refuge and our Strength. Thank You for loving us enough to stop us - to interrupt our plans for Yours. Please, interrupt us any time You see fit. We welcome You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Perfect Gift +

The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.

Acts 3:5-7 NLT

How many times have you been somewhere and saw something you just knew that 'so-and-so' would love to have? Then, for whatever reason, you didn't get it. Not the right time. No room in the car. Not enough money. Whatever...

Or how many times have you heard of a great need and prayed for an equally great idea for a fundraiser to help meet the need? Sometimes that happens, but not often enough in my life.

Today, I was convicted that if I spent as much time praying earnestly for the person as I did/do looking for the perfect gift, I would actually be giving them The Perfect Gift. Selah...

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive me for still trying to live life in my own strength. Help us to always - ALWAYS - remember Christ's body broken for ours so that we might live IN YOU. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen