Trivia:
In what form was chocolate originally discovered? Frozen; Powder; Beans; Liquid? Make a guess.
Challenge:
Psalm 6:1-2 "O Lord, do nor rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled."
This Psalm is one of the seven what we call penitential psalms, which are a cry of repentance, and forgiveness. The early rabbis, taught that this was penned when David was hiding in the Philistine city of Gath when he was running from Saul's army. Here he offered his services to king Achish for refuge from Saul.
Whether this was penned due to a personal sinful practice of David or a request for release from Saul's jealous attempts to kill David and defeat those men who joined him, doen't really matter. What can we conclude in this and through the other penitent psalms?
Well one thing we can do when we face serious, life threatening illness is to first thought that should cross our mind -- is this the result of us unconfessed sin? The Bible teaches us several steps we should take when faced with serious illness.
-- 1 Cor. 11:29,30 speaks of illness due to saints dishonoring Christ's body. "For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ... that is why you are sick..."
-- John 9:3; John 11:4 or this illness could be allowed by God in order to springboard for displaying God's power or glory through this.
Blind man - This happened so the power of God could be seen in him"
Lazarus -- death happened ... for the glory of God.
--Rom. 5:3 may be in order to cause us to produce spiritual fruit. "We can rejoice in ... problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance."
--2 Cor. 12:7 to keep us from allowing sin to be unchecked in our life. Paul -- "I was given a thorn in the flesh... to keep me from becoming proud."
-- Phil. 2:30 to keep us from being overcome by overwork. "For he risked his life for the work of Christ"
--Eccl. 12:3-6 as the result of old age and to strive others to. .. "remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps"
Whenever this sort of illness strikes our life we should certainly seek medical care but also seek to discern just what are God's purposes for them being allowed into our life, and ask the Lord to work out His purposes in this illness and for if best for Him to bring healing into our life.
SO GO WITH GOD my dear one, remember He alone knows the purpose for all things that come into our lives. However, all of these things have meaning and purpose in order for our lives to accomplish His voice in our world. Remember our loving Father only allows them into our lives in order to bring benefit to all.
Beans