Reminder: A memorial website for David Mainse has been created at davidmainse.com, where you can find details of the visitation and funeral arrangements, sign the guestbook, and donate to the David Mainse Memorial Fund. The funeral service will be broadcast live and live-streamed on the internet Saturday at 4pm EST.
I USED TO
Today’s Reading: Psalms 42-44
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Fleeing from King Saul, David and his men spent time among the caves around the oasis of Ein Gedi. They certainly would have appreciated the fresh water falling from the desert plateau above. There are several waterfalls of differing sizes that flow down to the Dead Sea nearby. Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 44:1-2a
We have heard with our ears, O God,
Our fathers have told us,
The deeds You did in their days,
In days of old:
You drove out the nations with Your hand,
But them You planted…
“The good old days” may not have been so good after all! We have a tendency to exaggerate how good it was in days gone by. Psalm 44 reviews some bad days too. It is obvious that God’s long-term purposes include the good and the bad events of our lives. Today’s reading ends with a prayer; God will put the final period to the history book of our lives!
In the first two chapters of our Bible reading, Psalms 42 & 43, the same question is asked in each of these writings…”Why are you cast down, O my soul?” The words “cast down” were very familiar to the shepherd King David. When a sheep is on its back, it is unable to turn over and get up. It will lie there and eventually die unless someone helps it to turn over. We need a shepherd who cares about us, and in fact we have such a Shepherd. In both Psalms we find the life-saving answer to being “cast down.” It is “Hope in God!” An answer to the question, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” may be found in the previous verse, 42:4, “I USED TO GO…TO THE HOUSE OF GOD…” Worshiping together with others, along with the teaching of God’s Word by a caring shepherd pastor, will put us back on our feet; we’ll be able to feed on green pastures and drink from the still waters.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, my soul thirsts for You like a deer in the desert looking for water to drink. I hear “the noise of Your waterfalls.” I drink from Your Word and Your refreshing presence. I pray that I will be faithful to go to Your altar, “To God my exceeding joy” (43:4). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m in church every Sunday. Some Sundays I’m asked to bring a message from God’s Word, but at my age, most Sundays I’m there to be blessed by the ministry of others. I’m no longer “cast down.” As both Psalms 42 and 43 tell me, I’m no longer “disquieted.” Life is sorted out. I’m content, and my spirit is calm and peaceful. The Apostle Paul writes, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” I’m reading from the New Testament, Hebrews 10:22-25. If for some reason I don’t get out to church, I’m conscious of an emptiness in my life that day.
Norma-Jean and I lived for 18 years on the farm and in the farmhouse where she was born. We kept sheep for many of those years. When it came time to sheer the sheep, I would help to turn the sheep over onto their backs (cast down). They resisted, of course, but I learned how to do it successfully. We sold the wool, but most of all we enjoyed the sheep. Norma-Jean was the true shepherd. She helped many as they were being born. Some of the little lambs she had to feed from a bottle. They knew her and she knew them by name. When she called them, they came running. I could call all day and they would ignore me! Like our Lord, she spent much time with the sheep and they knew her voice.
Yours for green pasture and still waters,
David
Another waterfall in the beautiful desert oasis of Ein Gedi.
Heartfelt sympathy to you Ron, Ann and family. Thank you so much for continuing this blog which you already had helped prepare for publishing in various ways, especially lately. Your father’s legacy will live on in so many ways and continue to touch others
What a refreshing picture and scripture today . My soul thirsts for the living waters.
Daviid portrayed so realistically the images of being downcast with always his personal experiences.
I’m so grateful we will continue to receive these words and pictures daily.
David s spirit truly lives on stronger then ever before.
Thank you Ron and Ann for sharing these last days with us and for carrying the torch onward .
My condolences to each of you in this time of grieving .
My heart rejoices in the comfort of knowing Jesus’ voice and love.
Though I weep with those who mourn at this time .
I’m thankful we can see the memorial service live on internet Saturday since we cannot access YES TV in B,C.
With love in prayers for you all in these days of gathering in remembrance.
Amen!
Amen and amen!
The Mainse Family
Phil. 1.3
! Thess 1-3.
Keeping Norma-Jean & family in prayer for strength & God’s Comfort & for Ron & Ann for continuing the blog. Reynold’s photography is always amazing. I will watch the service on YES TV Saturday @ 4. As my husband passed 2yrs ago, I am remembering so much & miss him terribly. God is so good though, & often provides before I even ask. He truly is close to the widow! Bless you all.
amen Doreen! AMEN!
Blessings and prayers for all of you, especially the next few days as you prepare the services for Pastor David.
Loved the reading today snd as we thirst after The Living Water, Jesus provides it for us.
Thank you for continuing to send out the blog.
Blessings and prayers for our blog saints.
Such an inspiring message today!
Thank you Ron and Ann for continuing this Blog. It has helped me understand God,s word more clearly.
Love and prayers for your mom, Norma Jean, and to your whole family.
How proud you must be to have had David as your Father. What a beautiful legacy he has left.
Thank you for the wonderful blessings of this ministry. It is a great source of encouragement and help. May God bless all the extended Mainse family with His own comforting, strengthening and guiding presence.
We praise You, Lord God, for your faithfulness and love. Thank You for David’s legacy of bringing honour to You, Father. May that legacy continue on through us, I ask, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen Rob!
AMEN , Rob !
Love and Prayers to you, your Mom and all the family today as you prepare for the next few days. May the Lord give you strength and comfort!
Amen Rob!
Condolences to the whole family ,may God give you His peace,
Ihope I can see the service we don’t get Yes T.V. in b.c. ..Rose….
Our thoughts and prayers for the Maines family.We are saddened but also rejoice.
May you all find rest in the green pastures of God’s Provision and be comforted by the still waters of His Presence. May your souls be restored with His Joy.
Thank you for this blog, that leads us in paths of righteousness.. for His Name’s sake.
We are forever grateful for the gift of David and Norma-Jean and their beautiful family.
with much love and prayers
Sending love and prayers Ron to you and your whole family! Thank you for continuing your Dad’s Blog. It is my third year following along. There is always something new to be learned for each reading no matter how many times I read it. Your Dad’s wonderful legacy will live on. He was the most amazing, humble man because of his sincere love for The Lord. I, along with thousand’s of others, are so grateful for your Dad’s, Mom’s and all of your continued faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for carrying on in the midst of everything. Love and Prayers to your Family at this time
Sympathy to Norma Jean and all the Mainse families. David has been such an inspiration and Blessing to so many of us.Thank you Ron and Ann for continuing the Blog. Love and prayers for you all.
Thank God for this amazing servant. Always gentle and smiling, what a great man in all respects, I hope we have learned something because God used him for just that. God Bless Norma Jean and all the family, we are all grateful. Amen Joan M.
Yes, thank you Ron and Ann for continuing the Blog! Thank you for informing us of all the events that are taking place concerning’s your Dad’s departure into his eternal home. God bless you all as you prepare to say “so long”!
My prayers are with the mains family at this time l
I respect David so much l cried at is passing he’s like a second father a man of God who shows love in every way when l heard how everyone spoke about him l said yes this is David hes resting from labour so it’s family turn to keep the gospel going do what he does preach Jesus and his love
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