My Lord knows what is good for me

 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? (Ecclesiastes 6:12)

There is no one who always knows what is good for him. I have seen in the past that what seemed good to me was not really good, and now I do not know what is good for me in some matters, and I do not know anything about the future.

I don't know much, but I know one thing that is definitely good: to trust Him who always knows what is good for me, to trust Him who always gives good things, teaches good things, and to be thankful to Him who only wants the best for me, and to obey His Word.

Do I know what is good for me in this life? I know that the Lord of my life knows it.

From my diary,

August 15,  2023

A dialogue between children and their heavenly Father

 "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11)

The prayer Jesus taught is concise, just five verses, yet it holds a universe of meaning. Within its brevity, we find all our needs encompassed. This single verse holds so much to contemplate.

Each word demands our attention.

Give: In this word, we discern reliance on God. Those who utter it acknowledge their dependence, humbly admitting their insufficiency. They attribute no goodness to themselves, relying wholly on God's generosity and mercy.

Us: This word stands free of selfishness. The one who speaks it does not seek solely for themselves. It is not "Give me" but "give us."

This day: Here lies faith. Those who possess it don't ask for a year, a month, a week; they seek for today. Tomorrow rests in God's hands, and faith reassures them. Their trust in Him is steadfast. It also shows that the one who says ‘’this day’’, he prays every day, does not ask for one month at once.

Our: Those who pray like this, they don’t ask for someone else's bread, but the one which is meant for them, they don’t think that others have better and more. They don’t say: ‘’Give us our neigbour’s bread, his bread is better’’. They are content with what they have, they are grateful for the gift of God.

Daily bread: It shows contentment, moderation, they ask for what is necessary, they don't seek luxury.

Most importantly, this dialogue is between children and their heavenly Father, not a plea to a distant stranger. The Father gladly gives what His children want, he does not get tired of their requests.

From my diary,

August 14,  2023

Don’t follow your heart: follow God's will, be holy

 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." – Ephesians 5:17

Because I understand the folly of following my heart, I have resolved to consistently dismiss its promptings. Instead, I will wholeheartedly follow the will of God.

God's Word clearly states that His will is for us to live in holiness: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

Hence, whenever my heart suggests actions contrary to my journey towards holiness, I am determined not to heed its whispers. I will steadfastly adhere to God's will, striving day by day to progress in sanctification.

May I always remember that during our earthly life we are in a constant battle. It will never be easy, so my watchfulness must be round the clock, my prayers must be constant, and my hatred of sin must be as strong as my longing for holiness.

To be holy, it is necessary to keep the Word of God in the heart. (John 17:17, Psalm 119:11). So when my heart tells me not to read God's Word because I am tired, I shall defy its suggestion and instead follow God's will by meditating on His Word daily.

The pursuit of holiness demands dedicated effort. "Therefore, beloved, while you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight." (2 Peter 3:14)

Hence, if my heart belittles the value of effort, I shall heed God's Word and engage in the battle against laziness.

Growing closer to God and becoming more holy requires praying regularly. Even if my heart tries to stop me from praying because I'm not feeling like it at the moment, I won't listen to that feeling. I'll pay attention to what God's Word says about always praying and I'll quickly kneel down to pray.

Until the end of my days, my heart will persist in proposing misguided paths. It is my commitment to consistently reject these suggestions, choosing to align with God's will.

Topical meditation 2023

August 13

Don’t follow your heart: remember Paul

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." – 1 Corinthians 11:1

Here is one of my favorite Bible characters who used to follow his heart, thinking he was following the will of God, until the day he encountered Him who gave him a new heart. He followed his heart when he persecuted the followers of Jesus. However, when he himself became a follower of Jesus, he followed only the Word of God. He was able to testify: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Topical meditation 2023

August 12

 

Don’t follow your heart: remember David

 

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. 2 Samuel 11:27

It is sad that the man after God’s own heart did evil before God because he followed the evil desire of his heart. He was in the wrong place; he should have been on the battlefield but instead he was walking around on the roof of his palace. From there he saw a wrong scene; a beautiful woman bathing. This sight triggered a sequence of sins. He first committed adultery, then tried to conceal his sin, and ultimately committed murder.

The path he took was a tragic consequence of following the desires of his heart. David's downfall serves as a reminder that even those who are esteemed in God's eyes can fall when they let their hearts lead them astray.

Topical meditation 2023

August 11

Don’t follow your heart: remember Samson

Judges chapter 16

Meet the strongest man in the world who lost not only his strength, but also his sight, his freedom, and ultimately his life because he followed his heart and fell in love with a pagan, wicked beauty. Because of following his heart, Samson failed to realize that the Lord had abandoned him (Judges 16:20). Even before losing his physical sight, he had already become spiritually blind due to following his heart. Despite being deceived by a treacherous woman three times, he persisted in his relationship with her.

Had he not followed his heart from the very beginning, he would not have suffered defeat at the hands of his enemies.

The act of following one's own heart leads to inevitable defeat.

Topical meditation 2023

August 10

 

Don't follow your heart: trust in the Lord

 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5

Perhaps every Christian has memorized this verse; many sermons have been preached on it, and many songs have been inspired by it. Yet, few actually follow what's written in this verse. I want to genuinely obey the commandment of this verse from now on – to trust in the Lord with all my heart and refrain from relying on my own understanding.

If I trust the Lord with all my heart, I won't rely on my understanding, nor will I attempt to solve problems on my own. By doing so, I will be free from numerous worries and anxieties.

Having trusted the Lord for deliverance from sin and eternal life without being disappointed, why should I hesitate to trust Him for smaller matters?

I stand before a choice: whether to trust my Lord, who has proven His reliability and never let me down, or to trust my understanding, which has consistently failed me.

Here are the candidates for recipient of my unwavering trust:

The Trustworthy Lord.

My Unreliable Understanding.

Without a doubt, I choose to place my trust in the Lord.

So, I am resolved not to forget this important lesson from now on because I know the answers to these questions:

Whom should I trust? My Lord!

When should I trust Him? Always!

In which matters? All matters, without exception!

Why should I trust? Because He is worthy of trust. I can entrust all my concerns and burdens to Him because He is Omniscient – He knows how to resolve my problems; He is Almighty – capable of solving them; He loves me – therefore, He desires to solve them.

As for what I shouldn't trust – it's my own understanding!

Why? Because my understanding is flawed and mistaken. I have learned through experience that it has always caused problems for me.

Hripsime, remember to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Topical meditation 2023

August 9

Don't follow your heart: it can deceive you

 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" – Jeremiah 17:9

Our hearts cannot be trusted, for they often deceive us by providing incorrect insights about ourselves. They can mislead Christians into thinking they are rich, they have become wealthy, and have need of nothing. (Revelation 3:17), or make them believe that they can sow one thing and reap something else. The heart leads us astray about the future, fills us with false hopes, and convinces us that a more suitable time for repentance will eventually come – a promise that never materializes.

Indeed, the heart is a cunning deceiver. Those who heed its counsel will find themselves deceived and disappointed. In order not to be deceived, I must choose to follow my Lord. His Word should serve as my constant guide, a counselor I turn to in all circumstances and at all times.

Topical meditation 2023

August 8

Don't follow your heart: it is not qualified to be a leader

 "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered." – Proverbs 28:26

In our time we hear so often: "Listen to your heart, follow your heart." But the Word of God commands not to listen to the heart, not to trust and not to follow the heart, because the one who trusts his own heart is a fool and will be disappointed. That untrustworthy counselor can convince a person that their sin is just a small flaw, will convince them to do things that are contrary to God's Word. While the Word of God instructs us to flee from youthful lusts, the heart might interject, "You're young – there's no need for excessive zeal or radicalism. It's not a big deal, go ahead."

He who walks in wisdom does not rely on his heart, but on the Word of God, he is guided by God's Word.

We must never grant the heart the role of a leader. It is ill-equipped for such a responsibility, lacking the qualifications of a consultant or advisor. The heart must assume the position of a follower – not of its own desires, but of the Word of God.

I want to walk with wisdom, that is, to be guided by the Word of God, not by the dictates of my heart.

Topical meditation 2023

August 7

My Lord can do all things

"I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2)

These words of Job can be said by every person who knows God. Knowing this truth humbles us, stops complaining and unnecessary questions, strengthens faith, and gives peace. It should terrify God's enemies and encourage the children of God.

Since my Lord can do all things, I don't have to worry about the things I can't do. If none of His plans is thwarted, it's okay that my plans often fail because God's plans are perfect, wise, just, and good.

From my diary,

August 6, 2023

Invitation to sing to the Lord

 

"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." (Psalm 95:1, 2)

This is the invitation of a truly joyful person. Not only does he sing joyfully to the Lord, but he also invites others to sing, to come into God's presence not with complaint but with thanksgiving and joy.

He invites all of God's people to sing to the Lord, not just those with musical talent and voice.

The psalmist's invitation is also addressed to me; I want to go before His presence with joy and thanksgiving.

From my diary,

August 5 2023

My strong tower

 

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

How comforting it is to have a place to run and hide,

An escape from worries, fears, dangers, and temptation's tide.

 In sadness or loneliness, I find a strong tower to abide,

Where safety and security in His presence reside.

No preparation needed to enter this blessed space,

No reception hours, no restrictions in this hiding-place,  

I can run at any time and find my solace,

For in this refuge, the enemy has no place.

Within these walls, my fears are cast away,

Temptations lose their power, no longer I sway.

I repeat the psalmist's words, and I joyfully say,

"The Lord is my high tower," my fortress each day.

In this strong tower safely I stand,

Protected and shielded by His mighty hand,

In this safe refuge I will always  dwell,

The peace I find here, words can never tell.  

So, I'll run to this refuge, a sanctuary so pure,

Where His name is my comfort, my shield, and my cure.

The name of the LORD, a strong tower sure,

My safe haven, my peace, forever secure.

August 4, 2023

 

The silent Lord awaits our prayers

"Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!" (Psalm 83:1)

Asaph heard the tumult, the clamor of his enemies, yet more troubling was the Lord's silence. A profound sorrow it brings to God's children when He is silent. They long for an answer from the Lord.

Sometimes the Lord may remain silent for a time, but not forever, not to forsake us, but to foster the growth of our faith. In His silence, our reliance on Him deepens, and our hearts seek His reassuring presence.

Though He may be silent, we must not be mute. With unwavering trust, we continue to call upon Him. When Jesus remained silent, the Canaanite woman who had a demon-possessed daughter did not remain silent, she continued to cry out until the Lord granted her what she wanted, and also praised her faith. The silent Lord awaits our prayers, eager to grant our requests. Though He may be silent He listens attentively to every plea.

From my diary,

August 3, 2023