Psalm 27:9. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Ah Friends, it’s Friday once again, that day we so hunger for because we know that it’s going to bring us some temporary respite from slaving for the man. And though it’s as hot as the proverbial hell, people are still rejoicing and singing the mantra: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Some might actually want to go to work because they have air conditioning there and none at home, while many will be glad they don’t have to drive a substantial distance in their cars without A/C. But whatever the situation Friends, our Friday Chant will put it into proper perspective. So let’s chant it loud and proud nuh! ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now that should settle us down for today. (smile) But unfortunately some of us are having bigger problems; suffering from afflictions like loneliness, depression, anxiety, isolation and abandonment. Those are not things to laugh or sneeze about, because they cause great pain and distress. Even Bruh David, Friend of God and man after His own heart experienced those problems, and sometimes very badly too. But he knew exactly where to go, whom to run to in those times of despair. As he says in the first verse of Psalm 27: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ And the resounding answer my people, is ‘NOBODY!’ For the Lord God is the proper and perfect destination for all calamity and despair. And to show this, later on in the psalm, Bruh David pleads: ‘Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.’ (Ps.27:7-8) That brings us to our Bit, where he continues beseeching the Lord: ‘Hide not thy face far from me; put (turn) not away thy servant in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.’ Oh mih breddren, yuh see how many things he crams into that one, short verse; the Lord shouldn’t hide his face from him, nor turn him away in anger, for He’s been his help in times past, neither should He leave nor forsake him. And the most important part of it all; acknowledgement that the Lord is his salvation, his sure and positive hope for an eternal future. Wow! Such simplicity, but so much said, and straight to the point too. And if that isn’t enough to move us, then listen to the next verse: ‘When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me).’ (Ps.27:10) Yes Friends, that’s assurance, confidence, and faith writ large! Can we say the same things sincerely, truly believing them deep down in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls? We ought to. It’s not easy, but it’s the best remedy for whatever ails us, the best antidote for the negative emotions that constantly buffet us in this earthly life. When the pangs of loneliness, sickness, abandonment, anxiety, or whatever depressing feeling assails us, the best thing to do is to run to God so He can tenderly wrap us in His LOVING embrace, and LOVE us back to sound health. Friends, that’s His specialty! He specializes in healing broken hearts, dreams, bodies and anything that’s not right. Bruh David knew this, that’s why he continually cried out to the God of his fathers in times of trouble. Now hear a couple of examples of his crying out to God in rough times. In Psalm 69, a cry of distress, he faithfully pleads: ‘Hear me, O Lord; for thy LOVING-kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily (quickly). Draw nigh (near) unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.’ (Ps.69:16-18) Then in Psalm 143, where he’s asking for teaching to do the Lord’s will, he emotionally declares: ‘Hear (answer) me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be (become) like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’ (Ps.143:7-8) Oh Friends, we couldn’t want for a better example of reaching out, of crying out to God than Bruh David. He both saw and experienced much tribulation in his time, but he always made the Lord his refuge, his stronghold. Today I’m asking us to commit ourselves, our lives to that same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who LOVINGLY holds us in the palms of his hands, and leads and guides us, like the lost sheep we are. He is the panacea for ALL of our problems! Please, let’s turn to Him today, so that our lives can be filled with mercy, grace, forgiveness, untold blessings and LOVING-kindness from His never-ending storehouse of unconditional LOVE. Sincerely doing that, anoints us with the mark of wisdom and understanding. Much LOVE!…it’s much easier, wiser and more profitable…to run to God…than away from Him…
SCRIP-BITS 