Pslam 107: 10 & 20; 23-43 James 1:1-12
Today is Sunday and it's early. Prison is quiet at this time of day and that's my favorite time to think about God's plans for me and look through the pages of my life. I guess this Psalm was "cool" to me because I have needed redemption for the better part of my life. Looking back, I can see how much I've taken for granted and how selfish I've been. When we reject God and His plan for our life, we live in spiritual darkness; we are like prisoners in chains (verse 10). God punishes our evil acts with heavy penalties. If we come to our senses and ask God for his deliverance, he will help us escape from bondage and heal us. Sometimes we might feel that we are in a small ship plowing through stormy seas and about to sink, like the men in this psalm (v. 23-43) I know I have many times in my life. Bad memories and a sense of failure make our world seem dark and hopeless. The longer the storm rages (42 years now) the more we fear and lose all hope of rescue. But when we cry out to God in our trouble, He will turn our storm tossed life into a calm and peaceful sea and restore our joy. We must turn to Him for help, follow His plan for healthy living, and patiently await His deliverance. To me that is kind of like being ship wrecked on an island and awaiting God's rescue. For me it's when I realize I'm stranded and might not make it that God reminds me of all the things in my life I've taken for granted and how selfish I've been.
I really like the last 3 verses of this scripture (v. 41-43) because I am in prison and stranded on an island and the reason for my wisdom today while stranded on an island, just as these sailors were, is that I took my family for granted. It says in verse 41 that He will raise up the needy (me) and make my family like flocks (being to me close together). Verse 42 says and the people who are living right will notice and I will hear no more wicked stories told about me! This is a psalm of a story of redemption. A story of my life. It gives me hope that the national guard is on it's way! Thank you Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, it says in the first chapter of James that we should let the trials of our life produce steadfastness. And I pray that that very steadfastness will make us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. And I pray Lord that like in James verse 12 my family and friends and I have the wisdom to remain steadfast under trial and that we receive the crown of life which you have promised us because we love you. Amen.
Random thought: Angela is on my mind this morning. I left her high and dry in North Dakota when I was arrested and I'm sure she felt alone like many people do when they become ship wrecked in their life. Her captain was hauled off to jail. Forced into separation she met trials in her life and I know Satan tempted and teased her. He lied to her and used her weakness as fuel to once again sabotage her life. Tomorrow she will leave North Dakota, fleeing and searching for safety in her life for her family and her little girl. She's like a wounded gazel in the lions den fighting for her life. Fighting for the memories of our family that seem so right and get so far away from reality it hurts her to think of. Baby girl, I got your back...God has your back...Nick and Zarria and my kids have your back. We love you. You are home and you are family. You don't have to run anymore. God tells us in several spots in the Bible that if I pursue Him and His call on my life that He will give us the desire's of our heart. lol...The good news is you are at the top of the list when I analyze the desires of my heart! The bad news is we've got to wait only a few more months for God to reunite us. So between now and then prepare for us a home and a place to seek refuge so we can fulfill, with God's help, the desires of your heart! Love you.
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