A PALM AND A CEDAR
Today’s Reading: Psalms 92-94
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Date Palm trees flourishing in Israel’s arid Jordan Valley.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing…
Flourish! Flourish! Flourishing! We can choose to be like this as we grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Like the Date Palm tree, we can produce really good fruit (dates). Mmmm! Are we hungry yet? Like the Cedars of Lebanon, we can be the building materials for the Temple of God here on earth! We are the temples of the Holy Spirit! We are God’s dwelling place on earth (read 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
Psalm 93 describes God as the eternal King over all creation!
Psalm 94 is an antidote to fear. “If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul!” (94:18-19).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, in my prayer today I want to present before You everything that causes me to be anxious (I’m listing now privately at least three things that concern me deeply). I’m quoting the Apostle Paul now, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). In His Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The palm tree produces fruit from a young age to old age. I sincerely want to be like that! It’s a reason for this blog! (I want everyone to know that they can start reading with me at any time and, God willing, in two years they will complete the entire Bible). The giant Cedar trees of Lebanon are always green (evergreen). They grow tall and are rooted very deeply, so that they can withstand any storm that comes, without being toppled. I sincerely want to be like that too! These blessings are from God, who grows, strengthens, and makes flourish all who surrender to Him as Saviour and Lord. As Psalm 92:2 tells me “To declare Your lovingkindness every morning” (the blog posted at 6:00 am), and “Your faithfulness every night,” I try to do that also! As I retire at night, I read the Scriptures for the next morning, so they can percolate in my spirit overnight. Then I read the same portion the next morning, praying about what God is saying to me through His Word as I prepare to type these words.
Yours because of God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness!
David
Lord God, save many today. You are the Holy One – aside from You there is no other. Bless all Your workers bringing Your Word to all the world. Help people turn to You, Father, in Jesus’s name, amen
And, from Joe Carter in “First Things”:
“During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was purportedly asked if God was on his side. “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side,” said the President, “my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.””
I like that quote from Abraham Lincoln!! Exactly true. Have a great day with the Lord. Blessings all.
Amen !!!That is a great quote.We should have it on our doors so that we will see it coming and going thus becoming part of us.
Inspired by Psalm 73:24-25
With wise counsel Thou will guide me
‘Til in glory Thou make me free,
For Who in heaven have I but Thee
And with no mortal I choose but with Thee to be,
For earthly strength may up and flee;
But Thou be my portion for eternity.
(G.W.)Bill Marshall/Oct 09, 2015
Amen to all the prayers and comments
I agree that we should all have Lincoln’s quote in a prominent place to remind us the importance of being on Gods side and to always come to him in time of need
Going out for supper tonight with my granddaughter, my Son and daughter-in-law
Please keep me in your prayers that we all enjoy this time
Praying for your dinner together HJR…may you all feel God’s presence and His Peace, may you laugh and have a wonderful family time!
HJR I am also praying that you will have a wonderful time with your family tonight. I am asking the Holy Spirit to be at that table with you guiding you in everything you say. 🙏🙏
Praying for your dinner date with family members HJR. May it be a time of great joy and pleasant memories that will last forever. May Holy Spirit guide you to impart words of wisdom to their lives.
I’m asking for prayer for comfort for myself. I’ve been feeling very sad and anxious. Would greatly appreciate your prayers, dear fellow bloggers. Thank you.
Luisa I am praying for you my dear, asking that the Lord would lift you up and give you peace. God bless you and keep you in His care. Amen
Thanking God for this wonderfully encouraging blog and hearing from some of you via these messages – Hur – what a privilege to have dinner out with your family…God bless you as you will be a blessing. And Luisa – thanks for your honesty in stating that you’re feeling anxious-so am I. So the Scripture cited above by David M is perfect for us today too. He was feeling anxious and he quiets his heart through God’s Word in Philippians 4:6-7. “Be anxious for nothing…”. I am anxious about the situation in Israel. Scripture exhorts us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”Psalm 122:6. God bless Norma Jean, Ron and Ann and the entire Mainse’ family.
Alice, I join you in prayer for all our blog friends
that our Lord God would be with each one as they
journey through their lives, during this troublesome
time, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.