Jeremiah 20:13. Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil doers.
Ah Friends, please accept my humble apologies for the Bit being this late, but it’s due to circumstances beyond my control. (smile) I got up this morning to go to church all the way in Scarborough for 7.30 and never got back home until late in the afternoon. It’s the first time I’ve been to this newly built St. Andrews Anglican church since 1972, for my father’s funeral. It’s nice in the modern way, and has a newish sheen to it, but to me it lacks the praise and worship ambience, the cathedral feel, with stained glass windows etc. that the old one had. It was over a hundred years old when it got blown down by Hurricane Flora in 1963. Oh, I met Harry in church. He seems to be feeling better, and thanks you all for your prayers. Obviously after church I had to talk to some people I haven’t seen for forty odd years. Then we went around visiting a couple of other old school chums. And in between all of that the rain just kept intruding. It would rain for a while, then stop, then start again. At one point in church, it was falling so hard that you couldn’t hear the minister. Yesterday afternoon when it began to fall, it fell with an intensity that I haven’t heard in a long while. But it didn’t interrupt my birthday celebrations, which wasn’t anything big anyway; just a couple of family members eating, talking and listening to music on my porch, watching and enjoying the falling rain. I was happy, since I didn’t feel like dressing up and going out in the inclement weather. The only drawback was that I didn’t get my daily dip in Store Bay, doesn’t seem like I’ll get it today either. But that’s okay, because I know it’s right next door, so I can go anytime I want. So as far as I’m concerned, I had a good 65th birthday, being surrounded by family, in the LOVING presence of Almighty God. It couldn’t get any better! That’s why I can agree with Jeremiah when he staunchly declares in our Bit: ‘ Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul (life) of the poor from the hand of evil doers.’ And that’s the truth Friends! Our God is very concerned about the souls of the poor, downtrodden and oppressed. Granted, sometimes it doesn’t seem so in the reality of the real world, but make no mistake, He does care for all His children very much. Listen to Bruh David tell it: ‘And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: It shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth (plunders) him.’ (Ps.35:9-10) The only problem Friends, is that there are so many who are not strong enough to resist being plundered by their enemies. And too many of them refuse to put their trust in the Lord God of Hosts, the mightiest General in the universe. But how can He help us, if we don’t put our complete trust in Him eh? We can’t be half and half, or sitting on the fence like too many of us choose to do. The only way the Lord can fight on our behalf is when we totally surrender our pitiful lives to Him. And in Psalm 109, a prayer for punishment of the wicked, Bruh David again proclaims his undying faith and trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ‘Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice, Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame; and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn (judge) his soul.’ (Ps.109:28-31) Ah my people, I know it’s difficult to put our complete trust in a spiritual Being we can’t see. But that’s the whole idea of faith; believing and trusting in a non-mortal power, that we can’t see or touch. And if the mortals that we can see and touch are not willing to take care of us, but rather take pleasure in using and abusing us, where else are you going to turn, but to a higher spiritual Being, who has over the ages proven Himself to be strong, faithful and trustworthy. Take it from me Friends, it’s worth taking the plunge and putting your whole life in the protective arms of the Lord God Jehovah! I can personally vouch for that life changing strategy, for since I’ve done it, my life has become much better. Now it doesn’t mean you won’t have problems and adversity, but then you won’t be always worried and fearful, because you’ll have the peace and comfort that God will handle it, and also work it all out for the best. And we’ll end with some more encouraging words from the psalmist. This comes from Psalm 111, titled, ‘Praise the Lord for His care.’ And that’s something we ought to do more often and with much more intensity. ‘Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah). I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of (studied by) all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious; and his righteousness endureth for ever.’ (Ps.111:1-3) And that’s the awesome truth Friends! So please, let’s get ourselves together and concentrate seriously on the great God we serve and worship nuh. You will not, no never regret it. Much LOVE!…Praise Him, praise Him…for He is LOVE…He is LOVE…
SCRIP-BITS 