Right memories and hope

"This I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope." (Lamentations 3:21)

In a seemingly hopeless situation, the prophet found hope, and the source of that hope was the recollection of the right things. He remembered that, by God's mercy, they were not consumed, God's compassions didn't fail, His faithfulness is great, and the Lord is good to those who wait for Him and seek Him (Lamentations 3:22-25).

Remembering the right things awakens the right hope; hope in the One True God and prompts the right actions: humility, repentance, faith, and gratitude.

The mind must be filled with the right memories, and as a result, the heart will be filled with hope in God.

From my diary,

October 31,  2023

 

In Search of Home: A Sojourner's Prayer for God's Word

’’I am a stranger in the earth: hide not Thy commandments from me.’’ ( Psalm 119:19)

’’I am a sojourner in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. ’’( Psalm 119:19)

The psalmist is a stanger, a sojourner in the earth, he has no permanent home on earth, so he asks for God's permanent, enduring Word. Because he is a sojourner, he started his journey toward home; how can he see the way home without the light of God's Word? Where will he get the strength to walk the narrow path without the power of God's Word?

The sojourner needs guidance, roadbook, strength and light; he needs God's Word.

His top priority as a sojourner is the Kingdom of God, and that's why he seeks the rules of that Kingdom, the commandments of God.

From my diary,

October 30,  2023

 

Gathering in His name

 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

Even the smallest meeting is blessed when Jesus is present. His presence doesn't depend on the number of people gathered (two or three are enough), nor does it depend on the location. As it is written, "Wherever they are gathered." Jesus has promised to be among those gathered in His name. This promise is for all of God's children. It's a blessing that the Lord didn't say, "Where two or three preachers are gathered, where two or three experienced believers well-versed in the Bible are gathered..." The Lord is present with all His children when they gather in His name. The gathering is in the name of Jesus when all come to commune with Him, to glorify Him, and when they gather with a thirst for His Word and a desire to know and do His will.

I recall a very small gathering from the Bible. This gathering took place in a prison, with only two people praying and praising the Lord. Two people prayed and sang, while several listened. As a result, prison doors were opened, chains were loosened, and a family was freed from the bonds of sin, accepting Christ. (Acts 16:25-34) These remarkable things occurred because Jesus was there, as promised.

From my diary,

October 29,  2023

Sins Unfound: Discovering the Promise of Forgiveness

 " In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. Jeremiah " (Jeremiah 50:20)

This search, which will be in vain, brings joy to those who seek God, those who seek holiness, and those who seek victory over sin.

The verses about the forgiveness of sins may seem too good to be true, but they are true because God has promised.

The devil has been looking for, and will continue to look for, sins among God's people to accuse them, but there is bad news for him; he will not find their sins because Jesus has destroyed them, and they no longer exist.

Thanks be to our Lord for the miracle of forgiveness of sins.

From my diary,

October 28,  2023

God's promise

"For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham, His servant." (Psalm 105:42)

God performed miracles for the people of Israel; He brought them out of Egypt, led them with a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire, sent manna, and provided water from the rock. All these acts were in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. The reason behind His mercies and miracles is His promise. He works miracles in our lives not because we deserve them, but because He is faithful to His promises.

Our prayers will be answered if we go the throne of grace with His promises. We can only expect what He has promised, not necessarily what we desire.

From my diary,

October 27,  2023

 

Wordless Gospel according to Hripsime

 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Here is a proven way, guaranteed by Jesus, to bring glory to God. The children of light can glorify God and display the light of the Gospel without uttering a word through their holy life, love, and wisdom.

We often explain the good news of salvation to the children in Sunday school through a wordless book. Similarly, our lives can serve as a wordless book, an unspoken sermon to the unsaved people around us.

May my entire life be the "Gospel according to Hripsime," and may each of my actions be a wordless sermon.

My daily prayer and desire are this: that my life may be a gospel through which people are converted and bring glory to my Father in heaven.

From my diary,

October 26,  2023

Believe against all hope

 "Against all hope, Abraham, in hope, believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.'" (Romans 4:18)

Abraham lacked any evidence that he would become the father of many nations. Logic argued otherwise; the current situation failed to inspire hope, and the circumstances were far from encouraging.

But he had God's promise and the resulting faith. Therefore, he believed against all hope. Doctors could provide proof that having a child at a hundred years old was impossible, that a woman who had been barren at a young age could not bear children after passing the age of childbearing. However, Abraham knew that it would be as God had told him.

If there is a promise from heaven, it requires faith on our part, and as a result, a miracle will happen.

From my diary,

October 25,  2023

Learning and walking in God's truth

 

"Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name." (Psalm 86:11)

David asks the Lord to teach him His way, not merely to acquire knowledge but to walk in that very way. Knowledge becomes meaningful when applied, so learning must precede our journey. We need a teacher for learning, and only God Himself can teach us  His way. The psalmist offers a right prayer, "Teach me Your way," and this prayer leads to the right decision: "I will walk in Your truth."

It's impossible to walk in God's truth unless we learn from Him.

From my diary,

October 24,  2023

The victorious Lamb and His army

 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and they that are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

The beast will make war with the Lamb. Those who are with the beast are many, while those who are with the Lamb are few. However, the victory belongs to the Lamb and His army.

The soldiers of the Lamb's army are called; they are called to holiness and victory. They are chosen by God and remain faithful to His Word, standing strong until the end.

They will win because the Lamb, the Lord of lords and King of kings, has already won.

What a great joy it is to be in the army of the victorious Lamb! May I never become a deserter.

From my diary,

October 23,  2023

Another King: Jesus

 "… And these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus." (Acts 17:7)

True servants of God tell everyone that there is another King: Jesus. The Jews used these words to accuse Paul and Silas, but every person who has been born again into the kingdom of God knows that there is another King who reigns over all other kings.

He is another King. His power is great; His wisdom is infinite; His authority is unlimited; His kingdom is eternal. The inhabitants of His Kingdom are free, safe, joyful, and blessed.

That King is my King.

From my diary,

October 22,  2023

God's 'Perhaps': A Meditation on His Love and Forgiveness

 "Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin. " (Jeremiah 36:3)

God knows the future, so it is surprising that He says, 'perhaps.' That word reveals God's great love, His hatred of sin, and His earnest

desire to see sinners repent and to forgive the sins of His people.

His eyes are fixed on even the slightest possibility. He waits for His people to repent, and He will forgive their sins. If He uses 'perhaps' for a people who are reluctant to repent of their sins, how much more does He see the struggle of His children against sin, their efforts, and their longing to be freed from sin.

Let the 'perhaps' in the Lord's words reside in our hearts, igniting a flame of prayer, perseverance, and unwavering faith as we continue our journey towards holiness.

From my diary,

October 21,  2023

God's promise of forgiveness

 "And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against Me. " (Jeremiah 33:8)

The word 'all' makes me happy. He will not forgive most sins, but ALL sins. And He will not only forgive, but also CLEANSE from all iniquities. Forgiveness of sins is a wonderful gift, to be cleansed from sins is an even greater gift. Sanctification is the most wonderful gift, the greatest reason for joy. So, I will greatly appreciate the wonderful gift I received from the Lord.

From my diary,

October 20,  2023

The fear of God is a sin killer

 "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. " (Jeremiah 32:40)

The fear of God is a powerful sin killer. Loss of the fear of God will cause eternal loss. Therefore, under no circumstances should it be lost. The fear of God is a gift; the Author of this fear is the Lord Himself. He puts His fear in our hearts. If we have the fear of God, we can be sure that the Lord Himself has placed it in our hearts.

When there is fear of God, there is reverence for His Word, there is obedience, there is extreme caution lest we sin, there is longing for His presence, and a fear of losing it.

This powerful sin killer is a very reliable means of sanctification. He who keeps God's Word in his heart keeps the fear of God in his heart and in his life.

From my diary,

October 19,  2023

Spiritual health

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. " (3 John 1:2)

John wishes Gaius physical health and prosperity, noting that his soul is healthy and prospers. Physical health is a wonderful gift from God, but spiritual health is even more important.

What does a person with spiritual health look like? They have a healthy heart, free from sin, wrong thoughts, unbelief, and pride. Their heart is filled with God's Word, God's love, and God's fear, making it pure, sincere, thankful, and peaceful.

A person with spiritual health is nourished by the pure Word of God. Their eyes are clear and see the wonders of God's Word, the horror of sin, and the need for sanctification. Their ears are attentive to the Word of God, and are deaf to the voice of the devil. They are strong and enduring, running in the race of faith.

For God's children, prosperity differs from the world. It's found in works that bring glory to God, draw them closer to Him, and edify His children. Prosperity in life is found when they mortify the works of the flesh daily and advance in sanctification.

Like John, I pray that all God's children will be spiritually and physically healthy and prosperous.

From my diary,

October 18,  2023

My ever-present Helper

 "Behold, God is my helper… " (Psalm 54:4)

After talking about strangers, oppressors, enemies, David speaks of the One who helps him in all that, delivering him from his enemies.

He is a reliable helper, an ever-present helper, a helper with the right solution in any situation. He is a compassionate and merciful helper, a helper with whom we don’t need other helpers.

I have an Almighty helper, so I have no reason to be afraid, to worry, or to be alarmed.

From my diary,

October 17,  2023

We have not seen Him but love Him

 " Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory’’ (1 Peter 1:8)

Peter had seen Jesus, believed in Him, loved Him, and rejoiced with unspeakable joy. His readers had not seen Jesus but loved Him and shared the same joy. We love an invisible Savior, but not an unknown Savior. We have not seen Him, but we know Him, we trust Him. We have not seen Him, but we have seen His power; He saved us from the captivity of sin. We have seen His sacrifice; He granted us eternal life. We have seen the wonders of His Word, and we witness His guidance, protection, and blessings in our lives every day.

I love Him because He first loved me. I love Him because He loved an unworthy person like me.

I love Him whom I have not seen, but what a joy; one day I shall see Him face to face.

From my diary,

October 16,  2023

God’s Comforts in My Anxieties: The Comfort from Answered Prayers

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." - Psalm 94:19

7. The Comfort from Answered Prayers

"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." - John 16:24

If I've had answered prayers in the past, I should not worry. My Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He answered my prayers yesterday, He will answer them today too. Anxieties arise within me, but comforts come from heaven. Even if my anxieties are many, I will not despair: His comforts are greater in number.

Answered prayers become a source of comfort in times of difficulty. They remind us that God is always with us, ready to come to our aid when we call upon Him.

Topical meditation 2023

October 15