Hidden Streams

There is a time for everything under heaven. There is a time to cry out to God in anguish, and a time to cry out hallelujah in thanksgiving. We also cry out to God to make things right, to judge according to His righteousness, and put an end to the wicked workers of sin. Then we will say "surely there is a God who judges". If we repent and throw ourselves on the mercy of God, then we can trust in His unfailing love. God is capable of despising evil and forgiving sinners. He calls us to return to Him because He loves us and delights in showering us with grace. Kris Winrich sings "There Is A Time".

Our enemies have weapons that can intimidate us and we can easily imagine being destroyed by them. The Psalms speak of how the weapons of the wicked are often used by God to destroy the enemy by their own hand. The wicked thought they destroyed Christ on the cross, but instead it was Christ that destroyed death, by dying for us and rising from the dead so that we could follow Him into an eternity of joy and peace. Cathy Schreiner sings "You Put Death to Death"

It is helpful to realize that we all face different types of threats. We should take no good thing for granted, but instead receive each day as a gift from the God of mercy. David was surrounded by enemies that seemed like wild beasts, seeking to devour him. He looked to God for mercy and so should we. God is our Rescuer, who brings His faithfulness to us. So even if we are hidden in a cave, hunkered down and surrounded, we can proclaim God's greatness and rest in His strength as He defends His children. We will seek refuge and find it in Him. Chris Lizotte sings " I Will Awaken The Dawn".

David was betrayed when he was hiding from King Saul, but he trusted in the name of God, and so can we. No matter how confused and bewildered we have become, God hears us when we call on His name. We call Him into our twisted and damaged lives to show mercy, and to pick us up and carry us into the light once more. With such a faithful God, we can truly say "all shall be well" because we trust in God and call upon His name. Jonathan Noel sings "All Shall Be Well".

In Psalm 41, when we come to faith in Christ, our Savior's life becomes ours. His death is our death, His resurrection, our resurrection.

Jesus is surrounded by hateful enemies who desire His death. We remember that Christ lovingly considered us when He suffered the awful betrayal and humiliation. But how ow can Christ say He has sinned? He willingly became a curse for us, so that in Him we might be blessed. Izzi Ray sings "Everlasting"

Psalm 35

This Psalm is a prayer from Jesus Christ who comes down to make war on our behalf. Christ calls out to His Father, and the fight is fierce and long. He comes in mercy but is opposed by the ones He loves, and hated without cause. Jonathan Noel sings "Without Cause".

Psalm 36

The children of mankind take shelter in the shadow of Your wings. Evildoers lie fallen, but those that

repent find eternal hope in Christ. Both Jews and Greeks are under sin, but Christ restores us to life.

The lovingkindness of God extends to the heavens and His majestic love saves us from ourselves. We drink living water from the river of God's delights. Kirsten Ford sings "By the Waters of Eden".

Psalm 26 begins with a plea that God will vindicate me because of my integrity. Our broken reality shows that this doesn't seem true when it is only our voice making statements like this. We never pray alone. We pray in and through Jesus Christ and we trust in His righteousness of His life and His integrity. We are united with Christ. We read much about standing and walking in this Psalm. In His truth and faithfulness we stand and give thanks. Chris Lizotte sings "On Level Ground".

Psalm 25, an acrostic Psalm, begins with "to You I lift up my soul". This prayer covers everything we need from God, from A to Z. Blake Flately sings "A to Z".

Psalm 17

Life in this world is a life of conflict. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, and the devil looks to devour us. We look to the infinite mercy of God. We trust in His heart of mercy. Christ is the Savior of those who seek shelter in Him. We pray that God will guard us from every evil that threatens us as the apple of His eye. Izzi Ray sings "Apple of Your Eye"