Psalm 113 - 143: A free and full life

- Giving back:  A psalmist wrote, "What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me?"

• "Lift high the cup of salvation--a toast to God"
• "I'll pray in the name of God"
• "I'll complete what I promised God I'd do"...AND
• "I'll do it together with his people" (Psalm 116:9-11)

- Small but mighty.  Loved Psalm 117. It was only 5 lines!
- "A free and full life" -- it only comes from living God's way, but I want it (Psalm 118:21-25).
- The race:  "I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how" (Psalm 119:32)
- Workin' your fingers to the bone?  "God enjoys giving reset to those he loves" (Psalm 127:1-2)
- The blessing:  "Children are God's best gift" (Psalm 127:3). Thank you, God, for two of them.
- My goal:  "My life a prayer" (Psalm 130:3)
- You are precious:  We are God's "prized possession" (Psalm 135:4). The Psalmist describes Israel this way, but through Christ we are adopted into God's family and we can enjoy the promises he made to his beloved people of Israel.
- Remember this next time you pray:  "Angels listen as I sing my thanks" (Psalm 138:1-3).
- Why David was a man after God's heart:  "I only have eyes for you," David wrote to God (Psalm 141:8). Pure and simple, David was in love with God.


Elena's verse of the day:  "You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path" (Psalm 143:10).

2 Chronicles 19 - 32: Clasp that outstretched hand

- Secret strength:  King Jotham had a secret source of strength--it "was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God" (2 Chronicles 27:6). I want that for my life!

- Hang on:  When King Hezekiah called the people of Israel back to repentance, he exhorted them wtih this: "Clasp God's outstretched hand....Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you--come back and he'll welcome you with open arms" (2 Chron 30:6-9). This reminds me of a scene in my favorite movie, Man From Snowy River, when a woman falls over the edge of a cliff in a storm. She ends up stranded on a ledge. The next day, she is found and her rescuer holds his whip over the edge. All she has to do is clasp it.
- God listened:  Hezekiah was a godly man and repaired the decrepit temple. They had a big festival of dedication including sacrifice and worship. The result? "And God listened, listened as the ascending sound of their prayers entered his holy heaven" (2 Chron 30:27). I picture the prayers as birds, gliding, climbing on a spiraling column of warm air into the heavens where God opens the window to his throne room and lets them in, embracing them with open arms.


Elena's verse of the day:  "The priests and Levites asked God to bless the people, and from his home in heaven, he did" (2 Chron 20:27).