Kansas City, Missouri,
United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Stories, Stones, and
Songs” – Monday, 21 April 2014 - Scripture: Psalm 44: For the
Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm.
1 We have heard with our
ears, God;
our fathers have told us,
what work you did in their days,
in the days of old.
2 You drove out the
nations with your hand,
but you planted them.
You afflicted the
peoples,
but you spread them abroad.
3 For they didn’t get
the land in possession by their own sword,
neither did their own arm save them;
but your right hand, and
your arm, and the light of your face,
because you were favorable to them.
4 You are my King, God.
Command victories for Jacob!
5 Through you, will we
push down our adversaries.
Through your name, will we tread them under
who rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust
in my bow,
neither shall my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us
from our adversaries,
and have shamed those who hate us.
8 In God we have made
our boast all day long,
we will give thanks to your name forever.
Selah.
“Stories, Stones, and
Songs” by Duane C. Brush
Where do you find
encouragement when circumstances threaten and God seems far away? This was the
situation faced by the Sons of Korah in Psalm 44.
The Sons of Korah were a
group of priestly singers in the Temple in Jerusalem. They would lead the
people in worship. They played a particularly memorable role during the reign
of King Jehoshaphat of Judah (2 Chronicles 20). The tiny kingdom of Judah was under
threat by a “vast army” of their enemies. Judah’s defenses and army seemed
inadequate to meet the challenge, and to that point there had been no sign of
God’s action on their behalf.
Judah did have three
things: stories, stones, and songs. These stories told of God’s faithful
intervention on behalf of His people. Stone monuments marked the locations
where God had given victory over their enemies. They also sang psalms reminding
them of God’s faithfulness. The Sons of Korah encouraged the people to make God
their boast, not strong armies and impenetrable defenses.
Whatever we face, we
should remember that our boast is in our faithful God and His promises. There
is no other sure defense or unfailing love.
Hymn for Today:
“A Shelter in the Time
of Storm” by Vernon J. Charlesworth, adapted by Ira D. Sankey
1. The Lord’s our rock,
in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of
storm;
Secure whatever ill
betide,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A weary land, a weary
land;
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
2. A shade by day,
defense by night,
A shelter in the time of
storm;
No fears alarm, no foes
afright,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A weary land, a weary
land;
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
3. The raging storms may
round us beat,
A shelter in the time of
storm
We’ll never leave our
safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of
storm.
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A weary land, a weary
land;
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
4. O rock divine, O
refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of
storm;
Be Thou our helper ever
near,
A Shelter in the time of
storm.
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A weary land, a weary
land;
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a
weary land,
A shelter in the time of
storm.
Thought for Today:
“In him we can find a
safe place, new perspective, and joy along an otherwise uncertain journey” (Jim
Edlin and Janelle MacKay).
Prayer Needs:
Many young people in
Argentina will be called into full-time Christian ministry!
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