Not My Own

"Psalm 44:1-12

1. Trust

It is vital to put your trust in the right place. Your trust should not ultimately be in your own strength (‘It was not by their sword that they won … I do not trust in my bow’, vv.3,6). Rather, you are to trust the Lord. ‘It’s you,you who saved us’ (v.7, MSG).

The psalmist looks both backwards and forwards. As he looks back he says, ‘It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them’ (v.3b). As he looks forwards he says, ‘You are my King and myGod … Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes … you give us victory over our enemies’ (vv.4–5,7).

Lord, as I face the challenges of today and of the future, I thank you for the victories you have given us. I do not rely on my own strength for the future but instead put my trust in you.

Luke 13:31-14:14

2. Courage

It is not surprising, humanly speaking, that Jesus was crucified after three years of ministry. He was a man of great courage. When Jesus was told ‘run for your life! Herod’s on the hunt. He’s out to kill you!’ (v.31, MSG) he replied, ‘Go tell that fox …’ (v.32). Here, we see that Jesus had the courage to take on one of the most powerful (and evil) men of the day.

Nor was Jesus afraid of confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees. He did not avoid them. He often spent time in their company. It must have been tempting simply ‘to eat’ (14:1) with those who liked him and accepted him rather than with those who were suspicious and critical – those who watched his every move.

He had the courage to heal the man ‘hugely swollen in his joints’ (v.2, MSG) on the Sabbath and then to confront the Pharisees about their views on this subject.

Lord, give me courage to make the right choices and to face every challenge."

1. "Lord, may my values to be more like your values. May my thoughts and my ways become more like your thoughts and your ways. May what matters to me be what matters to you." Thank You for this wonderful prayer.

2. Thank You for the rest under warm covers.

3. You provide angels everywhere. Thank You for giving me people who are making my stay here just so great.