SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 86:5.  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Oh Friends, it’s a new day and we’re still alive and kicking! Wow! And why is that? As Jeremiah says in his deepest, darkest days of lamenting: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam.3:22-23) And is Jerry ever right my people! Without the Lord’s daily renewals of things like grace, mercy, forgiveness and righteousness, we’d be lost before the day even began. We wouldn’t know which way to turn. Many of us would even be afraid to venture out of bed. However Friends, with the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as our faithful guide and protector, when we fearfully open our eyes in the morning, despite all the problems we went to bed with, we’re certain of a place to run for succour, a strong rock, a solid foundation, where all our needs will be met, and most importantly, a place of refuge from which we will NEVER be turned away. Yes people, in the Lord God Jehovah is found and oasis of LOVE, comfort, joy and peace. No other being, mortal or otherwise, can provide what our God provides, for those who walk obedient to His will. That’s why Bruh David could publicly proclaim with great assurance: ‘For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.’ And all God’s people joyfully declared: ‘Thank you Lord for being such a wonderful God, Father and Friend!’ There’s one requirement though Friends; we have to come or go to the Father and make oblation to Him on a regular and consistent basis. It is our duty and responsibility to call upon Him, initiate contact, and place our prayers, request, petitions and problems before Him. We have to be willing to live by His rules and regulations. Psalm 86 is superscripted, ‘Teach me thy way O Lord.’ And Bruh David begins by saying: ‘Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul (life); for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily (all day long). Rejoice (make glad) the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.’ (Ps.86:1-4) Oh Friends, what a poignant and powerful declaration of faith in only four, short statements! In quick succession he admits his inadequacy, asks for preservation of his life, states his constant trust, pleads for mercy and gladness in his soul. Now that sounds like an excellent model of prayer and petition for us to follow, provided we can sincerely back up our claims. And the good thing about God’s benefits my brethren, is that they’re not only available to individuals on a personal basis, but also to nations and groups of any size who are willing to accept His dominion. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) The Psalmist knew that and therefore strongly proclaimed it: ‘Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps.130:7-8) Now where else can we find such a kind, generous and LOVING Deity eh Friends? Nowhere else! Because our God is the ONE and ONLY True Deity! And a loud consensus went up from God’s people: ‘Yes! Yahweh IS the ONLY true God!’ Hear Bruh David from ‘the Lord is gracious,’ a psalm of praise: ‘Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond our understanding). …The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.’ (Ps.145:3,8-9) Ah mih people, if we’d only wake up from the stupor cast on us by the world’s ungodly ways and glitzy possessions and understand and appreciate the Lord’s unique character and LOVE for us, not only as individuals, but as groups and nations, then we’d experience such a wonderful change in all aspects of our lives and countries. And believe me Friends, right now we need the Triune God-head much more than at any other time in the world’s existence. Why? Because we’re at the zenith of our civilization, and with all our success in the fields of technology, medicine and weapons of war, it’s now easy to destroy it all in one fell swoop.  And it’s obvious that some of us want to destroy our very civilization, else our world would certainly not be in the disgusting mess that it’s in. However my brethren, as we always emphasize, where there’s life, there’s always hope. And we’ll close with a scripture of hope from the prophet Joel, when he called on his people for repentance and fasting. ‘Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping, and with mourning; And rend (tear) your heart, and not your garments, and turn (return) unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of evil (relents from doing harm).’ (Joel 2:12-13) Yes Friends, all things are possible, if we’d only put our full and sincere trust in Almighty God. Much LOVE!…seek the Lord with all thine heart and soul…and thou shalt find Him… (Deut.4:29)