Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing. I'm not advocating laziness, mind you. I'm just saying that "being there" is often the only thing you can do for someone. Let me explain.
My mother-in-law had surgery Tuesday of this last week. Out of respect for her desire for privacy I haven't brought it up and won't go into details, but for the next three nights we went to the hospital and visited her. And I did nothing. Oh, I spoke with her and tried to cheer her some, but I wasn't actively doing anything for her other then being there. In a sense, I was doing nothing.
She thanked me several times for visiting her, and was thankful that we visited her at home also on Friday, even though we didn't really do anything. I suppose we fetched her some food from time to time, but that was largely limited to croutons for her salad in the hospital and a sandwich Friday night. Other than that, we were just there, taking up space.
I have never been hospitalized, so I really can't understand her gratitude, but I imagine it gets to be lonely. She got into many conversations with the nursing staff, but that's not the same comfort as a familiar face. Of course, we didn't come bearing painkillers, but you get the idea. We were a comfort to her. And we did it by doing nothing.
So the next time you know someone who is in a difficult situation, go to visit them. If you are there just to make their life more difficult, like the friends of Job, don't bother. But if you want to be a source of comfort, even if you don't know what you can do for that person, just go and let them know you care by investing your time to be with them.
Have a great week!
Today's reading is found in Psalms 105 and 106.
This is a nice start to the week. We are given a recap of events in the history of Israel, to keep things in perspective. The first mass rebellion of the Israelites against God was at the edge of the Red Sea. They had seen wonders that had never been imagined and they felt abandoned to die? I like the wording here, by the way. God himself led the people through the depths. The depths can mean the anguish that condemns our souls. He will lead us through it unscathed if we only will follow Him.
The fact that Moses put himself between an angry God and the people who had forgotten the mercy they were shown is also big. When would another mediator arrive? The only mediator we need is one who came to save us all.
Finally, note the last verse of chapters 105 and 106. In 105, it is noted that Canaan was given to the people so they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. In 106, the writer is crying out to God to rescue them from themselves again that they may give thanks to His holy name and glory in His praise.
Today's reading is found in Psalm 107, 111-114.
Here are some good examples of just what God has done, and continues to do. In each case here, the trouble of the people being discussed is caused either by their own actions or their own inaction and each time God restored them. "Old Testament God" my foot! He showed as much compassion then as he did in the New Testament. Of course, this compassion didn't highlight a way for other nations to accept his ultimate sacrifice, but the patience of God is unbelievable!
Psalm 112 mentions the blessing of the man who fears God. No bad news can dislodge his faith as long as his trust is in He that has control over all. That's powerful stuff. Is your trust in the rock of ages or in your own efforts? Eventually your efforts will not be enough. His efforts will forevermore be plenty. Trust in Him and your ship will be anchored in the gentle harbor of peace.
Today's reading is found in Psalm 115-118.
"To God be the Glory." That is one of my all-time favorite gospel hymns and that is a great way for this reading to start! God is an omnipotent God and that is used as a comparison to the idols of worship used by others. I mentioned yesterday that God is the rock of ages (another favorite hymn) and if your trust is in Him, you will be free. If you put your faith in something as useless as an idol, you will find that your life feels about that useless.
Think about it. A race car driver has to put his/her trust in their pit crew, but what if they have a bad day? The world's greatest driver is nothing without good guys to fuel him up, change his tires, and do all of the other stuff in a matter of seconds. One slip and the race is lost. Do you want to pour your foundation in He that made you or in something else? Give me another example of something that you can base your life on with total confidence. There's only One.
Today's reading is found in Psalm 119.
So what do the 22 symbols in of Psalm 119 mean? I looked for this answer and found it at the website of Stephen Broyles:
The symbols are the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and the words are the names of the letters. They are not actually part of the Hebrew text, and many Bibles do not have them. They have been supplied to show that the psalm is a form of poetry called an acrostic.
Broadly defined, an acrostic is a composition, usually in verse, in which the initial letters of the lines, taken in order, spell a word or phrase or follow the regular order of the alphabet.
The writer shows a strong desire to know and follow the will of God throughout and acknowledges that this is the only way to keep his way pure. A true desire to meditate on the teachings of God is firmly expressed here. And what reason is given for this? It is explained that by following the path marked by God is the roadmap to maintain a free spirit. Verse 105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. It doesn't get any clearer than this, folks.
This expression of love is to be made public in a way, so nobody doubts the sincerity of the person who is filled with the spirit. Of course, going public in something like this also makes you the best kind of missionary. The kind that preaches by example.
Today's reading is found in Psalm 120-121, 123, 125-126.
This is a cry for help. God will help those who need it and are willing to ask His aid, but the numerous crimes if His people were a heavy burden, and they felt like they were doing all of the carrying. It begins as a plea to save them from lying and deceit. No mention is made regarding who is the dishonest one, so I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that it all starts with the writer.
There is also some whining about the contempt Israel has had to endure. I'm sorry, but if they can admit their fault in all of this, how can they whine? Sure, they can call out for help, but whining? I don't feel they had the right. But I'm not God, am I?
Today's reading is found in Psalm 128-130, 132, 134-135.
The pleas to God are a little better here, but the writer of this song seems to think that reminding Him of what He has done is necessary. The forgiveness of the Lord is mentioned as well as victory through Him. Then they turn to prophesy again. God promised to place a descendent of David on the throne and they asked Him not to forget that promise. In hindsight (20/20), it's obvious they were looking for a mortal man to gather them together in their land again and return them to the glory of their earlier years, and if God would be reinstated as the Lord of the land at the same time, that would be fine with them as well.
God doesn't think small, though. They wanted to be able to enjoy what had been taken from them, and little more. God saw the need to include a planet of people under His master plan and that's what the house and lineage of David is all about. Likewise, you can ask for your life to get better, but He wants to shape it into something miraculous! Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. He wants for you something better than what you could have asked for.
Today's reading is found in Psalm 136, 146-150.
Very fitting. We started the week with a recap and we end it here with a call to give thanks. There is absolutely nothing you can look at and not see the hand of God. He created the very fabric of space as well as your ability to ponder it. Throughout the history of all, we also are reminded that He is faithful and has aided those who would trust in Him. He helped the people of Israel immensely and continues to help us to this day. Even to those who don't seem to be able to catch a break, He is there with loving handiwork. If this sounds like an odd statement, read again the early chapters of the story of Joseph. From one calamity to another, God was with him every step of the way.
Praise be to God! If you do nothing else today, remember to praise His name. Pray, Praise, Trust, Obey. It's the most empowering plan of action you will ever find.
Weekly LinkThe mission statement of Youth Builders:
Sounds simple enough, right? Of course, when you take in all that this encompasses, you can't help but feel overwhelmed. How do you have "the talk" with your child? What if you don't think they're listening? Should you object to the piercings? These are all questions that parents face, but there seems to be so few trustworthy resources that will offer a Biblical answer to any of these. That's why I love this week's website. If you have kids of any age, I encourage you to check out this site. You'll want to bookmark it once you give it a look over! |
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