Thursday, July 31, 2008

what if i stumble and what if i fall...

every time i go to camp i leave on a spiritual mountain top and then sometime later satan comes along and tries to break me of my new commitments. i feel real sincere since i have returned from camp in seeking God and trying to learn more about Him, but i have been feeling satan (not worthy of anything) attacking me. i am sad to say that i have stumbled, but have quickly gotten back up and regained my sight on God. satan does have power, but nothing compared to my God.

i need to rely on Him and continue to seek His way in times of despair. late tonight God revealed two Psalms that have really encouraged me. so i'd like to share them both:

Psalm 70
For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

5 Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 71
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.

3 comments:

Leo and Jen said...

Al, I just want to say how proud I am of you. It's been neat to watch even through your blog a dramatic change in what is important in life. God is so good and He works in amazing ways in ALL of our lives. He is indeed our refuge.

andrea. said...

alex, thank you for being so encouraging.

we are so unworthy of what we've been given. how grateful are we for His limitless mercy. stay strong, friend.

PS: nice dctalk lyric! definitely takes me back.

jm said...

beautiful.
i'm glad that you've been able to maintain your focus through temptation. thanks for sharing that psalm, it has been really helpful and encouraging.

love you brother.
looking forward to seeing you back home.
Peace be with you.