Rumination Journal

Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?” ––2 Samuel 7:18 In the above verse, the word sat comes from the Hebrew verb transliterated as yashab . In most of the Old Testament, the word means to dwell, settle, inhabit, live, and other variations. In other places, it means to stay, abide, remain, wait, spend. And in still other places, it means to sit. In our busy world, we find it hard to sit still for any length of time. Some suggest we have lost the art of solitude and contemplation. King David was busy. Yet he still made time to regularly sit in God's presence. You can see it in the psalms he wrote. They are of worship and prayer. They are rich and weighty and have the touch of the eternal. They are the product of wonder and musing. In the seventh chapter of the Second Book of Samuel, we read that David wanted to build God a house—a temple. But God had other plans. I...

For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” — 1 Peter 2:21-22 The hurricanes of 2017 in my home state of Florida caused me to think about priorities. Many of the things we have and do seem to fade away when placed in the proper perspective, and rightly so. As German writer and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” But what are the priorities for the Christians? The answer might be found in the example left for us by Jesus Christ. Jesus sought the Father Jesus demonstrated intimacy with God by seeking him continually in prayer. Forty-five times the gospels tell us that Jesus went alone to pray. Every aspect of his life and ministry was saturated with prayer. Jesus embraced the outcasts Jesus demonstrated the love of God by accepting the castaways o...

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose confidence is in the LORD. For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit.” ––Jeremiah 17:7-8 The Bible reminds us that God is present in times of drought and in times of plenty (2 Kings 3:17; Psalms 107:35; Isaiah 45:8; Jeremiah 17:7-8; John 7:37-38). But are you currently sensing God’s presence? Do you feel God’s voice is silent during a difficult time? You could be experiencing what is sometimes described as a “spiritual dry spell.” Here are some practical tips to help end your dry spell and allow God’s living springs to flow. Confess your sins (1 John 1:9) . Make sure you are doing nothing to block God’s voice. You may have allowed “little” daily sins (like gossip, envy, lack of charity, or pride) to creep into your life. Make a serio...

Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.  —Psalm 1:1-2 Scripture meditation is a living, growing relationship with your Heavenly Father through the transforming power of His Word, the Holy Bible. Scripture meditation is not an intellectual study, but rather a spiritual exercise. How can you meditate on Scripture? Here are some suggestions. Read the Bible. Reading a passage of Scripture can have a cleansing effect on your mind, will, and emotions. As Jesus told His disciples… “You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”  —John 15:3 Reading Scripture can build personal faith. So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  —Romans 10:17 Reading Scripture fulfills God’s instruction to believers. As the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy… Until ...