God’s Watchers, Sober and Watchful

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, August 4, 2015

God’s Watchers, Sober and Watchful

Week One, Day Four. As I opened the dailyoffice.org website to Tuesday’s Evening Prayer, I was moved by the psalm for the day. And then, I thought about it. It is so similar to the psalm for last night, too! No wonder several verses were so familiar to me. Because, many of the same ideas and similar imagery are used in both Psalm 31 and Psalm 91. That’s why.

I noted that in the back of my head, and pushed on. Read further. When—I came across a short passage from 1 Peter, verse 5:8. “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Wow. And again I say, wow!

Not the second part of the verse, but the first part was the part that made me come to a full stop. Peter is advising his readers to be sober and be watchful.

I was so intrigued that I went to the Amplified Bible and checked out the same verse. Here’s what I found: “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” Gee, all of those things are good qualities for me to emulate. First—well balanced, temperate, and sober of mind. That is certainly not someone who acts off kilter, rashly or in a hot-headed manner.

Second—vigilant and cautious. (I’ll consider the second word first.) Caution is the mark of someone who takes their time. Plans things out. Does not fly by the seat of their pants. And, lastly, vigilant! I appreciate the first translation, from the Revised Standard Version. “Be watchful.” I take that to mean that I shouldn’t go to sleep on the job! I know how difficult that can be. Lord, help me to stay alert. Peter really knew what he was talking about. The danger is very real. Indeed, the devil is right around the corner.

Yet, we know that through Christ, we have overcome the world! And, we have overcome the devil (and all his helper-devils). It’s true that we ought to be aware of the devil and all of his schemes and wiles. But, again. Jesus Christ has triumphed over the devil, sin and death. It is finished! Amen and amen.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your work on our behalf. Thank You for conquering the devil, sin and death. We pray that You might help us to come to love You more dearly and follow You more nearly. One day at a time. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Visit the website http://dailyoffice.org/ to find out more!

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Day #39 – Forgiven, Cancelled. Can I Do the Same?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, April 3, 2015

Day #39 – Forgiven, Cancelled. Can I Do the Same?

Good Friday. As the blog post said today, what’s so good about it?

We remember the day that Jesus died on the cross. Died for our sins. He forgave those who put Him to death, saying, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

Such a moving statement. And, just think about how difficult it was for Jesus to say that, on the cross. In such extreme circumstances. In agony, with limited breath and strength. Still, to say such a thing? The amount of forgiveness must be huge. Mind-blowingly astronomical.

I suggest to you that you—that I—that we all consider how wide and deep, and even endless Jesus’ forgiveness must be!

It is not easy to forgive! God knows, I have been wronged, I have had some awful things done to me. I’ve been wounded and in pain, and I bet you have, too! Others might mistreat us, even abuse us in a myriad of ways. Do you think it’s easy to put aside bitterness and resentment? Let me tell you. I know from experience. It is not easy.

As I wrote one day, a few weeks ago, I finally forgave someone who was really pulling my chain. I had a resentment stoked up inside for years. Yet, God helped me with that. God helped me come to some sort of peace within myself.

What about me? How much sin, how many sins has Jesus forgiven that I’ve committed? When Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross, another way it could be translated is “paid in full.” As in a debt. Jesus has forgiven all of my sins. Yes, and all of yours, too. He has paid our debt of sin and transgression to God in full.

That is how generous Jesus was, on the cross. Can I be any less generous? (That’s a rhetorical question.) Seriously, I need to consider how generous Jesus was—and is—to me. And go, and do likewise. Please, God, help me to be as generous, as forgiving.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

(Check out #40acts; doing Lent generously at www.40acts.org.uk )

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .