Grains of Sand

Pixabay One of the first pieces of Scripture I memorized when I was a kid in Sunday School was Psalm 1. So well did I learn it that it remains cemented in my mind to this day. Mrs. Wood, the pastor’s wife and head of the Primary Department ,presented me with a bookmark as my prize—a bookmark I still have. I wish I could manage to memorize as well today as I did sixty years ago! Alas, it is not so easy. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist reminds his readers of the importance of memorizing God’s words. He says: “ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you .” What is hidden in the heart is what the Spirit of God brings to mind when we are faced with choices and temptations—something that happens every day. My verse for today comes from Psalm 1:1 and is one of those that comes to mind when I am faced with who to choose as my closest companions. It remains a valuable piece of advice for anyone, young and old, when deciding who should become a close friend, a life-lo...

“ Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice ” —Psalm 55:17, NIV. The title given for Psalm 55 in my Bible is “Prayer for friends who betray.” As you begin to read the psalm you are struck with the depth of David’s despair as he faces the most hurtful situation of all—a friend who becomes an enemy. “ If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God ” (vss. 12-14). David’s enemies were often his own children. His closest companions-in-arms and confidantes often overstepped their authority and committed acts that David repudiated. Those he trusted, feeling that their own welfare was more secure if they supported the opposition, sometimes switched sides in the political seesaw of the kingdom. The pain of that betrayal never left Dav...

I sympathized with a gal I met recently who told me that she was having a tough time reading through Chronicles in her daily devotions. It's true, there are parts of the Bible that are difficult to plough through, and even more difficult to apply. I didn't ask her, but she might be reading her way through my book, Divine Design for Daily Living because I got to read 1 Chronicles 27-29 in my quiet time this morning as well. David has come to the end of his earthly life. He is "getting his house in order" as they say, as he prepares to take that journey from the temporal to the eternal. There are several things that stand out for me in these chapters but I think the most significant this morning is the reminder that God is in the details. David was to leave his heir apparent,  Solomon, a pretty full basket of goodies. Chapter 27 lists all the officials and all their duties. Solomon's team was in place. Chapter 28 finds David turning over his plans for the tem...

When was the last time you said: "I really should call ______________?" Every once in a while there are certain people who come to mind that need to hear from us. No business to do, no specific issues to discuss, just a call to say "Hello, how are you?" I thought about several people last night that I really should call, friends who are alone, who are going through tough times, who need a long-distance hug, who are related and with whom I haven't talked for a long time. No excuses. I have two thousand "free" minutes on my phone plan every month anywhere in Canada and the US. I can call and talk for a long time with two thousand minutes. This morning's verses reminded me of the value of friends who stay close, even when "close" isn't physical. The "preacher" writes: " Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls ...