GOD’S FACE AND FAVOUR!
Today’s Reading: Psalms 79-80
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Date palms flourishing in the Israeli heat of the Jordan Rift Valley.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 80:14-15
Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;
Look down from heaven and see,
And visit this vine
And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted,
And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.
Psalm 79 pictures Jerusalem destroyed by surrounding nations. Yet, at the time of Asaph, Jerusalem was in the process of building the Temple. Under David and Solomon they experienced a period of safety and prosperity. Therefore, Asaph was given a prophecy of a time to come when the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Romans would, at various times, fulfill this prophecy. Approximately one third of the Bible is prophecy. Therefore, we would do well to be aware of what will come on the earth in our future or in the future of our children.
Three times in Psalm 80 we’ve read the prayer, “Restore us, O God!” Our key verse cries out for God’s return and reminds God that He has planted His people as a vineyard. Three times also Asaph prays for God’s face to shine upon them. Without the sunshine, the vineyard cannot be healthy. We need to cry out for God’s favour on our land, repenting for our sins and the sins of the people of this world.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You, Father God, that You have restored me and others in our time by sending “the true Vine,” our Lord Jesus Christ! May I see Your face in Jesus today. I pray for Your continuing grace, Your favour, making Your face to shine upon us all. I ask with faith in the One who said, “I am the true Vine,” Jesus, Himself. Amen!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just read Isaiah 5:1-7. This is a song sung by Isaiah about the vineyard of God’s people hundreds of years after Asaph’s song and just before the fulfillment of Asaph’s prophecy by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. I’ve also read John 15:1-11, where Jesus, the true Vine, shows us the way to live so that, as Jesus said, “Your joy may be full.” The key words are: “Abide in Me (as a branch abides in the vine) and My words abide in you.”
Yours for constantly abiding in Christ and having fullness of joy,
David
I was attending church regularly but felt ‘a resistance’ to study the bible (until I subscribed to this blog) so that the true source of my poems would be obvious.This poem came to mind in today’s reading.Thank you so very much for this blog.God bless
Abide In Me
Abide in me and I will give you life,
For if you first seek Me out sincerely
Then you will share what grows rife,
In His grace where you are held dearly.
You are a branch and I am the tree,
With Me you will know life eternal,
But if cut off from your life with Me,
You are doomed to a life infernal.
So into my open arms you must flee,
For I love all who seek out my trust,
To accept the love,abundant and free,
Instead of greed that turns all to dust.
G W (Bill) Marshall/ Feb 20, 2013
I must clarify that the poems I was referring to were mostly the poems that were written for members of Grieving Mothers’.I was led there (reluctantly,I did not want to intrude) by a power I did not know ,then.It was my pastor who told me”that’s how the Holy Spirit works.” and that I had a ministry there.(for about a year and a half.)As I often told those members “I am only His pen.”Nuff said
William thank you for today’s poem and all your poems that you write they always speak to me and at times are very Timely so thank you very much and God bless you and God bless my fellow bloggers on this Thanksgiving Sunday and also to Norma Jean and family God bless you all amen
Blessing to All!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!! God Bless!!!
Thank you for the poems William and for your helpful suggestions Sah. I was told that oil of oregano which you can get at the health food store is also very good for colds and I would not be surprised that my iron is low as I feel chills often. I am going to pick up those pills also. Thanks for reminding me Sah. You have a caring heart! Trust all had a good thanksgiving Sunday!
LORD we are the branches, YOU are the VINE, unless we abide in YOU we are dead; LORD keep us in the PSALM of Your hand; help us to abide in You for without You we can do nothing, Amen!
Have a HAPPY and BLESSED THANKSGIVING Norma-Jean and all the Mainse family! Thank you also for this daily manna!!
HAPPY THANKS GIVING to all you bloggers, enjoy your day
Yes Ger I pray you be able to enjoy this day with friends and family!
Thank you Irene!