March Simply Praise 2009

Unto Us

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Over the years I have found that life really isn’t fair, not in this world anyway. The world pushes us to the very edge, and tries to make us jump. But God isn’t like that, He brings us to the fringe of our selves but never beyond what is bearable. I need Jesus to govern my steps right now as always, so I don’t become self-sufficient. I need Wonderful to bring healing, grace and mercy. I need the Counsellor to counsel me in overcoming my insufficiencies. I need the Mighty God to fight the battle, and the Everlasting Father to let me know I’m not alone. But most of all right now I need the Prince of Peace because the world is pushing hard on my soul and at times I feel way to close to the edge. But God says to my soul, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” Isaiah 41:13. Oh how foolish I can be in fretting over what lies ahead, and putting all my focus on the circumstances that surround my life. Therein lies one of my problems! You see I gave my life to Christ Jesus therefore it is no longer mine, but His to lead, and use as He chooses. Dear Father forgive my doubt of Your loving care, thank You for being the Prince of Peace that keeps my heart from giving up.

Into God’s Hands

Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee (2 Chron. 20:12). A life was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent, to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way; but they touched God’s work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone. If we wholly trust an interest to God, we must keep our hands off it; and He will guard it for us better than we can help Him. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” things may seem to be going all wrong, but He knows as well as we; and He will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting Him so fully as to let Him work in His own way and time. There is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things, and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working, for God has undertaken to work His sovereign will. (A. B. Simpson)
It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God’s hands and leave them there.


Faith Grows Amid Storms

He hath acquainted himself with my beaten path. When he hath searched me out, I shall come out shining (Job 23:10, free translation). Faith grows amid storms”—just four words, but oh, how full of import to the soul who has been in the storms! Faith is that God-given faculty which, when exercised, brings the unseen into plain view, and by which the impossible things are made possible. It deals with supernatural's, but it “grows amid storms”; that is, where there are disturbances in the spiritual atmosphere. Storms are caused by the conflicts of elements; and the storms of the spiritual world are conflicts with hostile elements. In such an atmosphere faith finds its most productive soil; in such an element it comes more quickly to full fruition. The staunchest tree is not found in the shelter of the forest, but out in the open where the winds from every quarter beat upon it, and bend and twist it until it becomes a giant in stature—this is the tree which the mechanic wants his tools made of, and the wagon-maker seeks. So in the spiritual world, when you see a giant, remember the road you must travel to come to his side is not along the sunny lane where wildflowers ever bloom; but a steep, rocky, narrow pathway where the blasts of hell will almost blow you off your feet; where the sharp rocks cut the flesh, where the projecting thorns scratch the brow, and venomous beasts hiss on every side. It is a pathway of sorrow and joy, of suffering and healing balm, of tears and smiles, of trials and victories, of conflicts and triumphs, of hardships and perils and buffetings, of persecutions and misunderstandings, of troubles and distress; through all of which we are made more than conquerors through Him who loves us. “Amid storms” Right in the midst where it is fiercest. You may shrink back from the ordeal of a fierce storm of trial...but go in! God is there to meet you in the center of all your trials, and to whisper His secrets which will make you come forth with a shining face and an indomitable faith that all the demons of hell shall never afterwards cause to waver. E. A. Kilbourne


Yesterday’s Grief

The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses, Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;
The grief that changed a-yesterday is silence that incloses Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.
The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,
Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen
For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.
O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,
Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,
Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,
Yet sorrow shall be beauty in the magic of the morn.
(Katherine Lee Bates)


Fret Not (Psalm 37:1)

This to me is a divine command; the same as “Thou shalt not steal.” Now let us get to the definition of fretting. One good definition is, “Made rough on the surface.” “Rubbed, or worn away”; and a peevish, irrational, fault-finding person not only wears himself out, but is very wearing to others. To fret is to be in a state of vexation, and in this psalm we are not only told not to fret because of evildoers, but to fret not “in anyway.” It is injurious, and God does not want us to hurt ourselves. A physician will tell you that a fit of anger is more injurious to the system than a fever, and a fretful disposition is not conducive to a healthy body; and you know rules are apt to work both ways, and the next step down from fretting is crossness, and that amounts to anger. Let us settle this matter, and be obedient to the command, “Fret Not.” (Margaret Bottome) “Said the Robin to the Sparrow: “I should really like to know, why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.” Said the Sparrow to the Robin: “Friend, I think it must be that they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.” (Elizabeth Cheney)


Holding On (Read Psalm 88:1-12)

There are days when it’s difficult to rejoice. Oh, we talk about having the joy of the Lord and walking in the sunshine of His countenance. We are grateful for days like that, but there are also difficult days. The author of Psalm 88 penned these words when he was having one of those difficult days. He tells us about his problems. First, he is struggling with unanswered prayer. “O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry” (v1). This is not an unsaved man crying out to a God he doesn’t worship. This is a true believer pleading with God for help. And so far, He hasn’t done anything. He is coping with trouble and sickness. “For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength...You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out” (vv.3-4,8). Some scholars think that the psalmist had leprosy, since he was segregated from everyone else. The foundations of life seem to be slipping away, and the possibility of death looms before him. In his desolation, what does he do? He holds on to God’s power, lovingkindness and faithfulness. What do you do on difficult days? Hold on to all that God is and all He does. God is still working for you. All things are still working together for good (Romans 8:28). Don’t turn away from Him. Wait. He will bring you out of your affliction. Whenever you experience a difficult day, encourage yourself by focusing on God’s character and His attributes—power, lovingkindness and faithfulness. Remember what He has done for you in the past. In spite of what you see around you, trust the Lord. He will see you through your affliction. (Warren Wiersbe)



Judge Not

“Judge Not;” the workings of his brain and of his heart thou canst not see. What looks to thy dim eyes a stain, in Gods pure sight may only be a scar, brought from some well-won field where thou wouldest only faint and yield. The look, the air, that frets thy sight, may be a token that, below, the soul has closed in deadly fight with some infernal, fiery foe whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace, and cast thee shuddering on thy face. The fall thou darest to despise—perhaps the angel’s slackened hand has suffered it, that he may rise and take a firmer, surer stand; or, trusting less to earthly things, may henceforth learn to use his wings. And judge none lost, but wait and see, with hopeful pity, not disdain; the depth of that abyss may be the measure of the height of pain, and love, and glory, that may raise the soul to God in after-days.
(Adelaide A. Procter)


All You Have Done (When I’m Praising God, pg.85-86 by Anita Corrine Donihue)

You have led me through so many wilderness in my life, Father. Sometimes I even needed forty years, like Moses, to find my way out. Oh, the testing and trials along the way. The darkness, the storms, the frightening shadows, and the fears for the future. At times I couldn’t see my way. Would the sun ever shine again? The struggles reduced my spirit to humiliation, defeat, and nothingness. I couldn’t see the point of it all, only the agony. But You could. When I had no where to go, I finally started to obey You, my Heavenly Father. Thank You for walking by and finding me along the wilderness path. Your directions were right, Your lessons, true. Even the trials taught me wisdom and made me strong. Once, when things were easy, I had become careless. But the trials caused me to cling to You Father. I don’t know how I made it through each wilderness, except for all You did to help me. Somehow the miracles of time and circumstance fell into place. You are a dear Father to me, understanding and caring. You took a person like me, struggling along the wilderness way. You tended, fed, and watered me until I came into full bloom for Your glory. Then You brought me out to the other side where the sun shone brightly again. Thank You for all You have done.


Look Not Back

Lift not thine hand to attempt to accomplish any slightest task in thine own strength. This I have forbidden. God helps not those who help themselves, but He is the champion of those who cannot help themselves, and of those who are wise enough not to try. It is not thy cooperation for which I asked, but thy submission. Not that thou go alone until thou fallest, but that thou draw upon My strength for every step—both the smooth and the rough. If thou form the habit of trusting Me in the easy way, thou shalt find it the natural thing to lean upon Me in the difficult situation. And if I bring thee through the river in summer, thou shalt not fear to trust Me in the flood-time. So clasp thine hand in Mine, and loose not thy hold.
(Come Away My Beloved, Roberts, Pg.85-86)

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

I Am Not A Grasshopper!


Remembering the Old Testament story about the Israelites returning to their homeland after centuries of slavery in Egypt, where their leader, Moses, sent a dozen spies into the land of Canaan. This land was inhabited by others but God said He would give it to the Israelites. Ten of the 12 came back reporting that it was impossible for the Israelites to conquer the land. “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us,” they said. “We became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:31, 33). Only 2 of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, said the land could be taken. Joshua said there would be nothing to fear because his trust was in the Lord. But the people would not listen. As a result, the Israelites did not attempt to conquer the land God said He was giving them, and they spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness because of unbelief. I don’t want to be a grasshopper! I want to always remember that God is still in control, even in times of uncertainty and chaos. Romans 8:28 is still in force: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which tells us, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So even though things may be tough right now and hard to cope with, I will rejoice in God my Savior, Who is my refuge and my strength, Who leads me gently through the rocky, steep and perilous roads.


“Through the clouded glass
Of our own bitter tears we learn to look
Undazzled on the kindness of God’s face:
Earth is too dark, and heaven alone shines through.”