“Never the less, I am continually with thee…” Psalm 73:23 ff
Psalm 73:23-24 has an interesting development. The first part of verse 23 says, Never the less, I am continually with thee. Continually means “I will never leave thee or forsake thee.” Jesus is always present. He will never be parted from us even if we wonder from him. He is faithful when we are unfaithful. Then the verse goes on to say, “Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.” Ever notice that most people are right handed? They do things for themselves with their right hand. If someone is holding that dominate hand, they are unable to do for themselves. Jesus then has to supply for us. Verse 24 continues, “With thy counsel thou wilt guide me.” He will instruct (from his Word) us in how we should live while he is providing and protecting us. His counsel will always be best and right. Finally, verse 24 concludes with, “And afterward receive me to glory.” A promise of eternal life. The one who is walking continually with Jesus, being provided for and counseled by him will be received or led into heaven by him. So what am I saying? The Christian life begins with the new birth, not death. It must be totally Jesus controlled, Jesus powered and Jesus directed. Otherwise it is a self controlled life and Jesus is not Lord. Where is your right hand today? Held in His or doing your will?
Thought for the week: “Confidence is what you feel before you comprehend the situation.”
Funny for the week: To Whom It May Concern,
I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year old again. I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money, because you can eat them. I want to play kickball during recess and paint with watercolors in art.
I want to lie under a big Oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer’s day. I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, addition tables and simple nursery rhymes. But that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. When all you knew was to be happy because you didn’t know all the things that should make you worried and upset. I want to think that the world is fair. That everyone in it is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. When we thought the worst thing in the world was if someone took your jump rope from you or picked you last for kickball.
I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life and be overly excited by little things once again. I want to return to the days when reading was fun and music was clean. When television was used to report the news or for family entertainment I would walk on the beach and only think of the sand between my toes and the prettiest seashell I could find. I would spend my afternoon climbing trees and riding my bike. I want to live simply again.
I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, or how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones. I want to believe in the power of smiles, ball hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, the advancement of mankind and making angels in the snow.
So….here is my checkbook, my car-keys and my credit cards. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, cause………….
“Tag! You’re it.”................Chaplain Barnes
Last week’s answer: What phenomenon occurred during the crucifixion of Christ from the sixth to the ninth hour? (Darkness. Matthew 27:45)
This week’s question: What did John say that God would do to anyone who adds to the things prophesied in Revelation?
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