daily java

Daily Java:

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
    I sing for joy because of what you have done.
O Lord, what great works you do!
    And how deep are your thoughts.
Only a simpleton would not know,
    and only a fool would not understand this:
Though the wicked sprout like weeds
    and evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever. (Psalm 92:4-7)

It seems like bad things happen all the time. It seems like that even to a Christ-follower who loves the Lord.

And it may be true. After all, as good as Job was, he had nothing but bad things happen to him. He had a good family and it was taken away. And for no reason except he seemed to be the recipient of a bet between God and the devil. The devil said he would fall if he were not blessed and God said he wouldn’t.

So the fight was on. But Job didn’t desert God. He remained faithful through his entire life.

God has done so much for me. he has given me an understanding of his will that many do not have. He has given me a wife that loves me unconditionally even though I do not deserve her.

And even though I do not deserve him, he remains with me, continuing to give me that knowledge and understanding, that ability to teach and preach his love and his grace.

I do not understand why he does. And I keep questioning. Yet he does. Whenever I go to teach the Sunday evening class, he gives me understanding. He gives me the ability to keep on writing even though my life is in shambles.

He stays with me even though I try my hardest to leave him behind.

I do not understand why. Yet he does.

I suppose I ought to shut up and accept it. But I have trouble doing that. He has brought us through this past couple of years even though I did not think he would. we have continued to have what  we needed.

And he has been with us.

Only an idiot, a simpleton would think that he has deserted us. But why has he not. I feel like he has.

I have no church to preach at. I have no denomination to call home. I have no real income except the pathetic excuse of an early retirement that I draw.

Yet we have all we need in food and in things to wear and in life in general. We are even able to help others.

So obviously he is with us.

I just wish he could be with us in the way I want: a church to pastor, a people to accept me and love me, a people I can teach.


Of course, he has given me all that here at Firm Foundation.

But still, I feel so alone. Maybe I am just an idiot. That could be true.

daily java

Daily Java:

The LORD is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
   He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff
      protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
      in the presence of my enemies.
   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
      all the days of my life,
   and I will live in the house of the LORD
      forever. (Psalm 23)

Rare is the person who has not heard this psalm, at least in the old King James Version.

I suppose that the reason is that it answers a need, touches a chord that we all have: a need for the presence of God in our lives.

Few people really like being alone. The vast majority of people want to know that there is someone there, someone who cares for them, who loves them, who watches over them.

I read about the mountain men, and sometimes the lifestyle appeals to me. The idea of being by yourself, seeing beautiful country, independence.

But that independence comes at a price. The price is loneliness. Those men were truly alone. There was no one within miles of them who even cared that they lived, or loved them, or even noticed them.

I know in my life that my wife loves me. She cares for me on a level that even my mother doesn’t. But there will come a time when she is gone. There will come a time when it is probable that I will be by myself.

But I can know that even then, I will not be alone. The Lord will be with me. He will care, he will notice, he will love me.

All earthly relationships, no matter how good, will one day cease. But I can know that I will one day live in his house forever.