Many Sorrows

Psalms 32:10a "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked ..." SOMETHING INTERESTING came up. I have heard a lot of troubles and problems that we Christians go through. But let's stop for a moment and ponder this KJV verse: many sorrows shall be to the wicked ... ncv says wicked people have many troubles ... Oh? Let's compare between the wicked people's troubles and the Christians' troubles? Do the wicked people have God? No? Do we Christians have God? Yes? So what was the difference between those people who don't have God in their lives and the Christians who have God in their lives? THE DIFFERENCE was that the Lord's love surrounds those who trust Him (ncv). We have an extraordinary mercy from God and we have an extraordinary love from God. The word, extraordinary means what we have is so unusual as to be remarkable. Remarkable means worthy of being or likely to be noticed especially as uncommon or extraordinary (Merriam-Webster). It means "we are special to Him." His arms surrounded us like God embraced us because we love Him. His mercy and His love toward us endured forever. Praise the Lord! KING DAVID WATCHED the wicked people who do not want God had many sorrows and troubles. King David saw how God truly blessed the people who loved Him and David said: "... but he (you) who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him (you)" Psalm 32:10b. GOD IS WITH US when we have troubles or problems. God is waiting for the "wicked people" to repent and turn their hearts to Him. And if they do repent and turn to God, they will see the difference and understood what we have. LET US CONTINUE to trust God so His mercy and His love will surround us!

Reward You Openly

Matthew 6:6 - Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV

Three places I noticed that Jesus said, “. . . your Father who sees in secret

 will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:4, 6; 18). Three things Jesus

was telling the common people not to be like the hypocrites for what

they do. Ever wonder what they were?

1) Don’t tell everyone how much you give. Don’t be such a show off

in front of people.  Jesus encourages us to keep our gifts a secret.

2) Don’t ‘parade or show off’ your prayer in front of everyone.

Jesus encourages us to keep prayers in your heart to the Father.

3) Don’t let everyone know when you are fasting.

Jesus encourages us to try to keep it between you and Heavenly Father.

Jesus was talking about the kind of people like Pharisees, Sadducees,

the Scribes, and the Religious Leaders. They dressed so fancy. They

 acted like they were so special just because they were ‘God’s Chosen’

people that they have the ‘right’ to do what they do. But God in Jesus

really ‘spit out’ against them. God was ‘sick of them.’ So Jesus told

the common people not to worry about them. Heavenly Father wasn’t

going to reward them. They got ‘a pat on their back’ from the people.

I am sure the common people were really surprised and they may have

seen ‘red faces’ in the religious peoples. Ooooo, that’s got to hurt

hearing Jesus saying things like that to them. Jesus wanted us to know

what kind of heavenly Father we have. He cares. When will the Father

reward us openly? I imagine . . . heavenly banquet time?

That’s got to be exciting.

The song came to my mind, “It Is No Secret.”

1. The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through,

Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew,

Do not be disheartened, for I bring hope to you.

CHORUS: IT IS NO SECRET—what God can do,

What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.

With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you,

IT IS NO SECRET—what God can do.

2. There is no night, for in His light you’ll never walk alone,

Always feel at home wherever you may roam.

There is no power can conquer you, while God is on your side,

Just take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.

THEN CHORUS. (Words by Stuart Hamblen)