Day: February 21, 2021

God My Rock El Sali

Samuel 21-24 covers six topics
though out of strict chronological
order, form an appendix to the
main body of the historical book:
(1) a famine sent in judgment for
Saul’s treatment of the Gibeonites;
(2) a series of wars with Philistines;
(3) a psalm of deliverance & praise;
(4) a list of David’s mighty men
of value; (5) a sinful sensus; and
(6) the punishment that followed.
The closing paragraph of the
book portrays David in his natural
pose: worshiping God in humility.

All Praise be to El Sali:
The Lord lives! Blessed be
my Rock; Let God be exalted,
The Rock (El Sali) of my salvation!
It is God who avenges me…
He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above
those who rise against me;
You have delivered me…
Therefore, I will give thanks
to You, O Lord among the
Gentiles and sing praises to
Your name (2 Sam 22:47-50).

Lord El Sali, we bless Your name
for You reign over all. Upon the
strength of who You are, we find
a firm foundation to build our life.
Thank You for Your power and
strength which is available to us.
Thank You for providing stability
in this fallen and unstable world.
Thank You for being our rock,
the God of our salvation. Amen.

Lord El Sali, I enter each day
with the intention to trust
in You as Your names remind
me of Your great power.
Yet when the winds blow
and the waves rise, I may
just forget to look at You.
Forgive me each time I have
not sought refuge in You.
In Jesus’ gracious name, Amen.

Lord El Sali, as my rock and
my salvation, be my stability
when things are not stable.
Whisper to me in those times
when I’m unable to see You there.
Help me focus on Your eternal
throne and never-ending kingdom
for they are unshakable because
You are El Sali, my solid rock.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Crucifixion of the Son of God

In his account of Jesus’ trials,
John focuses on the appearances
before Pilate and the governor’s
futile efforts to release Jesus.
Yielding to political expediency
and mob pressure, Pilate sentences
Jesus to be crucified. Many of the
details John includes are unique
to his account: the Roman soldiers
casting dice for Jesus’ robe;
the spear trust into Jesus’ side;
the post-resurrection appearances
to Mary Magdalene, Thomas and
7 disciples. Thru it all, John’s purpose
shines forth clearly to present
Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God
in His life, death and resurrection.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You that
in Your death and resurrection
You showed Your caring love as
well as instructed the disciples
why & how to continue to believe.
Out of gratitude and adoration,
Help us Believe without seeing;
Help us Reach Out to the thirsty &
Help us be Fishers of Men, so that
we’ll be Your light of the world.
In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Reach Out to the thirsty:
Jesus knew that everything was
now finished and to fulfill the
Scriptures he said: I am thirsty…
So when Jesus had received
the sour wine, He said: It is finished
and gave up His Spirit (Jn19:28-30)
Lord Jesus, You poured out Your life
like an offering and gave me living
water that saved & restored my soul.
Help me Lord to take that same
same living water and extend it
to those around who are thirsty.
Use me to reach out to the scorned
the abandoned and the unlovable,
with Your sacrificial love. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Believe without seeing:
And Thomas answered and said
to Him: My Lord and my God!
Then Jesus told him: Blessed
are those who have not seen and
yet have believed (Jn 20:28-29).
Lord, I know You want to bless
me in countless ways that will
require believing without seeing.
Help me to have the kind of strong
faith I need to overcome doubt.
Help me to have faith in Your
Word and Your promises and in
Your love, goodness and power.
Help me to trust that You are
answering my prayer even when
I can’t see it yet happening. Amen.

Lord, we will be Fishers of Men:
At dawn the disciples saw Jesus
standing on the beach, but
they couldn’t see who he was.
He called out: Friends, have you
caught any fish? No, they replied.
Then he said: Throw out your net
on the right-hand side of the boat
and you’ll get plenty of fish!!
So they did, and they couldn’t
draw in the net because there
were so many fish in it (Jn 21:4-6)
Lord, show me the best way to go
about the work You’ve called me
to do so that I can be more fruitful
for Your kingdom. Thank You for
creative ideas and fresh plans
I never would think of on my own.
I am so grateful that You delight
in revealing them to a willing heart.
And when You do, may I remember
to give You the credit. Amen.