God I trust; I do not fear

God, whose word I praise, Yahweh, whose word I praise, God I trust; I do not fear. What can mere humankind do to me?

My vows to you, O God, are binding upon me. I will pay thank offerings to you, because you have delivered my soul from death. Have you not kept my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
– Psalms 56:10-13

The psalmist, confident that God watches over him, confident that He knows his suffering; finds his trust in God because he knows that God is on his side. The psalmist walks securely and safely because he is protected.

I will repeatedly put my trust in God, reiterating His goodness, bringing before Him praise…because He is a God who cares, protects, and guides His chosen ones.

Father I put my trust in You, for You are trustworthy. You are my God.
Amen

The desire for salvation

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,
And in your salvation how greatly he exults!
You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah

– Psalms 21:1-2

This psalm is the result of David’s declaration in praise to God. Notably, this is “King David,” not the lost songs of a shepherd boy…yet, this heart before God remains unchanged by time. This heart knows where to direct its praise, it’s adoration…to the King of kings.

Father help me to beleive in your unfailing love. Help me to know you have good things planned for me…that you are for me and not against me. That you care about the desires of my heart, that you will not withhold my request. Help me to know in my heart that you are good.
Amen

Enduring brokenness

For He says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:
By great endurance
In afflictions
Hardships
Calamities
Beatings
Imprisonments
Riots
Labors
Sleepless nights
Hunger;

By purity
Knowledge
Patience
Kindness
The Holy Spirit
Genuine love;

By truthful speech
And the power of God;

With the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

Through honor and dishonor
Through slander and praise.

We are treated like imposters
And yet are true;

As unknown
And yet well known

As dying
And behold
We live;

As punished
And yet not killed;

As sorrowful
Yet always rejoicing;

As poor
Yet making many rich;

As having nothing
Yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak to you as children) widen your hearts also.
– 2 Corinthians 6:2-13

These able to endure all understood these things:
God listens
He gives favor
His is salvation
He is a God who helps in time of need.
Because of knowing this at their core, they see themselves as equipped by God to handle all circumstances. But these trials come for a greater purpose; for the heart of the afflicted becomes open to pour out loving kindness and compassion upon others.

It is for the unnamed others that I suffer what I do. Though sleepless nights plague me, hardships, hunger, poverty…it is for the hope that my heart may become broken before God and man. That love would be birthed from pain and suffering.

Lord help, give me endurance to face these hardships. I feel like caving in, like giving up. I do not know what to do…except to turn to you. I am weary, tired, alone. Help me to place my trust in you. Grow love from these broken places.
I do ask for companionship Lord, I am terribly lonely. I ask that you would bring a good thing into my life. Someone to understand and seek to understand who I am. Prepare my heart for such a person.
In the meanwhile, grow our love between you and me…that you would be my God, and I would be all yours.
Amen

I too am a man

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” – Acts 10:25

The Spirit of God within man is not meant for exultation resulting in the worship of man. Later in Acts we see the man-centered worship of Harod and his immediate death. It is a common occurrence within scripture for mankind to ascribe misdirected worship. Wether it be a Godly man standing before a king, or even a prophet before an angelic being…our human nature is to worship the wonder, the marvelous; but it is our flaw.

The working hand of God within me is not for Bryan centered worship. I am just a man…recreated man, but a man nontheless. To accept praise in such a way that does not glorify God feeds my ignorant pride. Granted, I am “gifted” but my purpose, my gifts were fashioned to point others toward God, not away from Him…He is after all the giver of good gifts; I only manage His wealth (in this case, giftings). I have not the capacity to give good and perfect gifts to others. God within me does not make me a “god” it never will, and to ascribe worship or say otherwise is foolishness…by the grace of God, I am not a god; I have limits, rules that keep me earthbound, restricted by the bonds of a linear timeline…I too am a man.

Lord I thank You for this life You have given me as a man, as a life renewed in You. I thank You for my limitations, they help me to need You all the more. You are God, You alone, there is no one like You nor any who can compare. I am thankful that You are a good God, not corrupt; You are Just, there is no darkness in You. You are true, compassionate, full of loving kindness. Lord, in this moment, at this time, in this place, I worship You. I love You Father, be with me, draw near to me even now.

Love,
Bryan

To Worship: a simple truth

Let everything that has breath praise The Lord! Praise The Lord!
– Psalms 150:6

How wonderful it is to see this book of Psalms wrapped up, almost as if to sum the whole of its writing to direct the reader to “Praise The Lord!” As the beginning of this book opens in cares and worries, the fates of the wicked and righteous, the book is refocused to the purpose of life upon this earth…to worship.

There is a great scene in “The Avengers” where the villain Loki states that freedom is imaginary…mans purpose is to bow, to be subjugated. An older man stands up against him saying, “not to men like you.”

How willingly my being is to skip this verse in Psalms, and move on to a “more complicated” passage. Because of familiarity my hearts tendency is to become deaf to the deeper meaning of precious truth…a simple truth. My purpose as a man, further more as redeemed, transformed man is to be subjugated…to bow and worship the great and mighty authority over all eternity. Praise The Lord! His kingdom be established in our praises! May we usher the wholeness of a new era upon this place. Old and new we are directed to praise, regardless of timeline or the current anxiety…our purpose is simple, it is ageless…it is to worship.

Praise be to Your name God of heaven and earth! May You establish Your kingdom upon this earth. Great is Your name, for You have redeemed Your people…nothing is too far from Your hand. Great is Your power! Your loving kindness and mercies, they endure! They endure forever!! How wonderful is Your love Lord God. I love You.
– Bryan

Worship of the poor and needy

Lord Jesus, Holy, full of majesty, worthy of all worship and praise…for you who you are, for what you have done, and will forever be. To you belong all authority in heaven and on earth; for you are holy and you have redeemed my heart to come before you with holy, righteous, worthy worship through your great sacrifice. To you be the glory and honor and power Forevermore. Amen

Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame;
Let the poor and needy praise your name.
– Psalms 74:21

I must remember this day, in this moment all of the wealth that I have is currently in my pocket…I have no place to officially call my own. Yet God reveals Himself to me. I have heard the worship of the stars, of creations praise to their Creator. I commune at His table, I have enough because He is all I need! With joy I can say I know The Lord, yet still having so much to know…the great mystery of heaven who chooses to reveal His person through the revelation of His Holiness.

Lord I thank you for Your loving kindness, Your steadfast love and mercy toward me. I thank You for this time to know You and to commune with You, to see Your glory written across creation. You are enough…with You I have provision, I have purpose. I know You have great plans. Help me not easily forget Your goodness or trust in another (or even myself). May Your hand ever guide me…May Your heart ever compell me to Your worthy worship. I love You my God, my Friend, my King, my Lover.
– Love, Bryan.

From this time forth and forever more

And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says The Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says The Lord, “from this time forth and forever more.”
– Isaiah 59:21

But the steadfast love of The Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
– Psalms 103:17-19

The words given by God are permanent, and last for generations to come. Forever etched in the hearts and minds of the godly, the worship found in truth establishes a throne for the Mighty One of heaven. The words upon the tongue bring forth heaven on earth as the Kingdom of God makes its growth.

May these words scar me as these truths pierce my heart. May my mouth forever utter the words of my Father…the words of my King to proclaim His goodness and the arrival of His Kingdom come. May my worship establish His rule in this place. May my offspring live the same, forever honoring our great God. The span of generations to bring praise to the Holy One.

Lord would your words remain permanent upon my mouth, heart, and mind. Teach me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Your kingdom come and will be done in me this day…this time forth and forevermore. Amen

Lifted up

Scripture)
And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord was extolled. (lifted up)
-Acts 19:17

Observation)
When the name of the Lord is exulted things happen…People rid themselves of the momentary values that burden them, they separate themselves from the practices that was lived out daily. Through these steps of action and response, they step closer to a knowledge of their Creator and His love for them.

Application)
So I must find myself in every manner exulting the name of Jesus. Not to see results but because the name of the Lord is worthy of being lifted up. That is where God moves.

Prayer)
Lord, may Your name always be lifted not only on my lips but in the way I live; that You may always be given glory. Amen