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Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Photo of Lancaster County stone farmhouse
Lancaster County stone farmhouse

"A Firm Place To Stand"

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand" (Psalm 40:2).

Our rural region is dotted with old stone farmhouses such as the one pictured above, many of them dating back to the 1700's. I saw a sign in front of a stately stone farmhouse that proclaimed this simple, assuring truth, "When your world is shaking run to the Rock."

A great old hymn twice repeats the phrase, "All other ground is sinking sand."  The last several days I've been pondering that phrase. At times the "other ground" sure appears steady and firm, while at other times it really does seem like sinking sound. But the reality is that all other ground is sinking sand whether or not I perceive it to be so or I am experiencing it as such. Truly, Christ alone is the Solid Rock!

The Psalmist David so graphically describes a condition in his own life. He begins Psalm 40 by declaring, "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry."  I am so thankful today that the God of the ages continues to incline His ear toward us and He hears our cries!

The specific situation David is going through is not known, but he seems to be in some period of deep despair. His words ring with the pain and desperation of his situation, likened to being in a slimy pit and in mud and mire.  Have you ever felt as if you were in a slimy pit of mud and mire?  I sure have.

The Psalmist was reminded of where he came from and who delivered him, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire".  Thank God today for His amazing grace.  You are reading this and have an interest in spiritual things because of God's mercy and grace.
 
What great assurance for believers is found in David's simple description, "He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
 We need to be reminded of our position in Christ and the wonderful stability of our unchanging God. 

As the earth groans and we witness the effects of the Fall on man and nature, let us fortify ourselves with God's Truth. 
We may all find this assurance in the broadest sense describing our salvation or in a narrower, specific sense describing deliverance from the various, seemingly hopeless situations we encounter in life. 

Today, I urge you to continue to cry out and wait patiently on the Lord. The immutable God continues to set the feet of His children on the rock and provide a firm place to stand.  All through this new year as we live out our lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ may we have this deep assurance; He is establishing our way and keeping our path firm and secure!

Faithful One, so unchanging,
Ageless One, You're my Rock of peace.
Lord of all I depend on You;
I call out to You again and again.
I call out to You again and again.

You are my Rock in times of trouble.
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm Your love is the anchor;
My hope is in You alone. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, it is so helpful and encouraging to read of Your miraculous intervention time after time in the life of the Psalmist and other warriors of the faith throughout the Bible.  We parallel their experiences to our own knowing that You provide deliverance from the alluring entrapments that cause us to sink in life's mire.  The foundations of this world are temporal and often conflict with the firm foundation of Your Holy Word.   Thank You for replacing our anguish with a victory chant as we no longer cling to the sinking foundations provided by the world, but instead hold tightly to Your timeless truths and faithful intercession on our behalf.

The song I share this morning goes along so well with the daily Scripture portion and so blesses my heart and builds my faith. It's called "Faithful One"
Audio version
Video version

The Lancaster County stone farmhouse in the above photo is one my Amish friend repointed and restored.



 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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