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Good Morning Abiding Worshipers! Be still. Abide. Know He is God as you seek and listen, receive, worship and pray. He loves you and rescued you for such a time as this. Abide in His loving presence and listen to His still small voice. Then pray informed and prepare for what He has for you. God is good and leads us to do good out of love. He protects. provides and guides us to do what we can with what we've been given according to our circumstances and in alignment with His perfect plans. Seek first the Kingdom, as you abide, and He will add all you need to accomplish His plans, His way. Prepare to thrive in Christ! And worship!
Check out ODB as you abide in His love:
Our Loving Rescuer
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17
During a raging wildfire, a forest ranger saved a bear cub. At a recovery site safely away from those still fighting the inferno, he placed the rescued animal on the ground. Standing on its tiny back paws, the cub hugged the man’s calf. The ranger gently pried himself away. Mouth wide as if crying out in desperation, the little bear clambered and clawed in an attempt to remain in the refuge of his rescuer’s embrace. As the cub clung to his arm, the kind man relented and rubbed his furry friend’s head.
What if we pursued our ultimate rescuer—Jesus—with the same fierce desperation and confidence as the bear cub who pursued and clung to the one who saved him from death?
All people God made need saving. The psalmist David confessed his need for a rescuer—for God to hear and answer his prayers (Psalm 55:1-2). Admitting he faced troubles, threats, suffering, and fear (vv. 3-5), David pursued God with assurance. “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me,” he said (v. 16). “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (v. 17). David prayed continually. He believed God listened and trusted that He would rescue him “unharmed” (v. 18).
When we face difficulties or suffering of any kind, like David, we can cry out to God. Our loving Rescuer, who pursues us, hears and saves us when we pursue Him too.
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you pursue God ? When has God rescued you from trouble or suffering?
Dear God, thank You for rescuing me from death through Christ and for being my refuge every day.
David was in intense emotional anguish and was enduring devastating pain (Psalm 55:4-5). This pain was caused by the betrayal of someone he trusted, one whom he described in endearing terms: “my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (vv. 13-14). Initially, the psalmist had considered hiding in the desert to escape the storm, hoping to isolate himself from the pain. He pictures himself as a bird taking flight into the desert, which he thought would provide him with a safe place of refuge (vv. 6-8). Eventually, David chose to run to God instead, affirming that only He could rescue him and keep him safe (vv. 16-18). He says to “give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you” (v. 22 nlt). Just as God pursued David, He hears us and pursues us when we face difficulties.
K.T. Sim
And Praise the Lord with the UR:
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. - Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
When I was in junior high school, I played the trumpet. I can vividly remember trying to learn how to play. It took a lot of air! When I look back on this period, I give thanks because I was literally making “a joyful noise” with the trumpet.
Of course there were times I did not want to play the trumpet. Sometimes I have days when I don’t want to do anything. But what if I remembered that in everything I do, I can praise God? This is what I love about Psalm 150. It is a reminder to praise God continually for giving us breath for another day.
Now my son is learning to play the trumpet and my daughter is learning to play the flute. Every now and then I smile when I hear them practicing. Their music is a gift, even when it’s not played perfectly.
This is also true for our lives. We do not need to have everything in perfect order before we praise God. All we need to do is offer the very best we can in that moment. Praise and thanks be to God that we have been given breath!
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's Prayer
Giver of Life, continue to breathe your life into us so we can live joyfully and praise you always. Amen.
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