Help from Zion
“May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!” ~ Psalm 20:1-3 (ESV)
Although our Lord doesn’t require us to offer Him burnt sacrifices, He would like us to spend time with Him on a regular basis…
As we are in the busy season of the year we give Him sometimes little attention. I know it is true for me. One thing I do though. I start my days with Him. Sometimes still with sleep in my eyes or a little later in the morning — after I arrive at the office. After last weeks devotion by Tracey I started to pray through the Psalms. And what a blessing it has been for me.
Reading Psalm 20 on Sunday night gave me peace. Read again the second verse very slowly. Doesn’t it sound like a wonderful promise? “May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!”
I know I can use His help this Advent season to stay focused. To stay focused on the reason for the season. You know what the most discouraging thing is for me? When I see the advertisements on TV during “pre-Christmas”. Mind you, we don’t watch much regular TV — we rather watch movies. But Sunday nights we watch regular TV (yeah, I like the Amazing Race). When I see that we really need the new SUV or we really want the $1,000 pair of diamond earrings — I get sick to my stomach. Does the industry really think that women are that superficial — that only an expense gift will make us happy or give us comfort?
“May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!” ~ Psalm 20:4-5 (ESV)
Yes, Lord, I rather shout for joy over my salvation, than an expensive pair of earrings dangling from my ears…Nothing can compare to Your love for us. Nothing!
Do you have a morning/evening ‘routine’ to give Him your full attention?
Lord of Heaven and Earth. We marvel over your love for us. Lord, help us to stay focused. Help us by the power of Your Holy Spirit to run the race until the end. Lord, we long for Your support. Although You do not require burnt offerings from us, we want to give You our full attention. We are shouting for joy over our salvation. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Amen. And so true I get sick of the advertising also.
“We long for Your support”
Amen to that. How desperately I need it.
Have you seen the Honda comercial? “Happy Honda-days.” GAG!
Oh, how I love this, Iris. It’s a testimony to the Lord’s grace at work in us, when we realize we’re not wooed by the world’s glittery commercials anymore. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is our strength, and the joy of our salvation is more precious than jewels. When I put out my Nativity sets this weekend, I started thinking (again) how awesome it is that He would come to earth like one of us—in order to save us through His death on the Cross. To celebrate His birth should bring us so much joy! I want to make a new Advent wreath this week, although I’m late. Had trouble finding purple/pink candles last week:-) We used to have special family devotions each week during the Christmas season when we’d light a new candle each week. The kids were small then–now they’re all grown. I personally need to get back to morning devotions because I’m so tired at night. Thanks for the sweet reminder to put Him first this season and always.
…and congrats on your blog nomination! That’s awesome!
Yes, nothing compares to His love. …..These verses are what I need today….I need to be reminded of Help from Zion. thank you.
Iris,
Does the industry really think that women are that superficial — that only an expense gift will make us happy or give us comfort?
Thank you for this!!! Sometimes I think everyone in the world has gone shopping crazy. We are NOT all superficial. Well said. Be blessed, Lynn
I really enjoyed reading this. It was just the reminder I needed to start getting personal with Him again. Thank you so much. I have such a hard time with devotions. Do I read a section and then just sit and meditate on it? Any advice or help would be great. Thanks again.
This is so lovely and true. A wonderful reminder to look to Him.
As usual, a timely word. Nothing material can ever come close to the satisfaction we find in Jesus, and in our relationships. Everyone in my family has been asking me for a gift “wishlist” and honestly, it’s hard to come up with much that I get really excited about. (Except a macro lens for my camera!) Like you, I do enjoy just “being” with the Lord. :~)
I don’t know that the industry thinks we’re that superficial… but it sure will try to make us so!
It’s easy to let the sparkle of other things draw me away from the sparkle of scripture, which is hidden, waiting, quiet. Thanks for drawing me into its light with anticipation.
As I lay in bed, each night, I recite three things to God: 1. Those things which I am thankful for. 2. Those things which I need to improve upon and 3. Those things which I need His help with. It helps me fall asleep with an easy load and wake up with renewed hope! Great post, as always, Iris!