Let our daily testimony be as David's in Psalms 101...

Michael Angelo's sculpture of David

Psalm 101 (New Living Translation (NLT))

A psalm of David.

1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
         I will praise you with songs.


2 I will be careful to live a blameless life—
         when will you come to help me?


   I will lead a life of integrity
         in my own home.


 3 I will refuse to look at
        anything vile and vulgar.


    I hate all who deal crookedly;
        I will have nothing to do with them.


4 I will reject perverse ideas
        and stay away from every evil.


5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
        I will not endure conceit and pride.


6 I will search for faithful people
        to be my companions.
   

   Only those who are above reproach
        will be allowed to serve me.

 7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,

         and liars will not stay in my presence.


 8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
         and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

[I pray with David, LORD -- Search me and know my heart, Test me and know my thoughts. Point out within me anything that displeases you LORD and lead me along the paths of everlasting life.]

The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson

Francis Thompson
1859-1907

I am presently reading the book, "Jesus among other Gods" by Ravi Zacharias and came across this poem by Francis Thompson. I would recommend that you add this book to your reading list. Bro. Zacharias is an extraordinarily brilliant man, what a soldier for Christ and Christendom! He introduces the reader to the poem as following,

"Readers of English poetry will recall the turbulent life of Francis Thompson.  His father longed for him to study at Oxford, but Francis lost his way in drugs and failed to make the grade on more than one occasion.  Those who knew him knew that inside was a slumbering genius, if only his life could be rescued.

When Francis Thompson finally succumbed to the pursuing Christ, he penned his immortal 'Hound of Heaven,' describing the years behind the moment of transaction:

I fled Him down the nights and down the days.
I fled Him down the arches of the years,
I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways
of my own mind: And in the mist of tears
 I hid from Him, and under running laughter
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
Down titanic glooms of chasmed fears
 From those strong feet that followed, that followed after
 For though I knew His love that followed
 Yet I was sore adread
 Lest having Him I  have naught else beside.
All that I took from thee I did but take
 Not for thy harms
But just that thou might'st seek it in m arms.
All which thy child's mistake fancies are lost
I have stored for thee at home:
"Rise, clasp my hand, and come."
Halts by me that footfall:
is my gloom after all,
shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly.
Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
 I am he whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, that dravest me."

PS: this is the short version of the poem. The original is a 182 line poem.

Joseph - a testimony to God's faithfulness

"Until the time came to fulfill his word, the LORD tested Joseph's character" ...(Psalms 105:9)

Recently while reading Psalms 105 the above verse made me wonder why would a God who is omniscient need to test the character of Joseph. After all omniscience means "to know everything infinitely." That would mean Joseph's God knew all about Joseph.  God knew Joseph was not going to fail God no matter what situation Joseph was put in. He knew Joseph was going to pass with flying colors. Why then test his character?

When we read the book of Genesis, chapters 37 through 46, we see a Joseph who was very young and naive, living with his parents and half brothers, a Joseph who lacked maturity, yet was sincere and did not seem to have any malice in him. The betrayals, hardships, the valleys and peaks in his life were molding his character.  God was preparing him for much greater responsibility: to provide for his father's family  and save an entire nation from the ravages of a seven year drought and resulting famine. Through Joseph's life God was going to display his faithfulness for there was a prophecy that this naive young Joseph was going to be elevated to a high position.

For one, it seems a character has to be developed to cope with future responsibilities that would be placed on a person. Aside from this, as you face the situations you are in, your courage and faith while facing life's challenges glorifies God. For your faith and courage bears a testimony to God's faithfulness and will strengthen another person going through similar struggles. Joseph's life has been a source of strength for me, to know that when things are not in my favor and future seems tough, my God is right beside me watching over me.  It gives me hope that God will make things right in his time.

James the brother of Jesus writes,

"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."...
James 1:3-4

So my friend take note, when you a child of God has to go through persecution, trials, pain and hardships in life, your faith and courage will be strengthening those around you, those on whom you impact.  The way you carry yourself will glorify your God by the victorious testimony you bear!

Remember Jesus said,

¹⁶ “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. ¹⁷ But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. ¹⁸ You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. ¹⁹ When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time." ...Mathew 10:16-17

 May Christ continue to strengthen you and encourage you in your walk of faith. God bless you!

Laura Story - Blessings