2-7-08 Psalm 73:28 The Nearness of God is Your Good

Psalm 73:28 (NAS)
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.

Psalm 73:28 (NLT)
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
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Adonai wants to make your life good and beautiful. Even if your life was good before Jesus became your Lord, He wants to make it better. You, however, must learn to cooperate with God. It is your responsibility to draw near to God. You should present yourself before His throne, standing ready to carry out whatever He wishes. When you do this, you will find that you have obtained the favor of God. He will give you the best and you will find a new cheer and ease in living. You will discover how pleasant and precious life really is. Sweetness, prosperity, and wealth will be yours.

Now you keep your hope and trust in Adonai, your sovereign Lord. He is your master and owner; He controls your life. In this you have taken refuge, for He is your shelter. You know you can flee to Him for protection. Because you are arrayed like your Father, having put on the robe of righteousness, you can stand in confidence.

The Lord has made you one of His deputies in the ministry. You are employed as His messenger and ambassador. Gladly you recount all of His good works, for you desire others to celebrate His workmanship with you. You have kept a tally and made a record of how God has labored to bless your life. Therefore, you boldly declare His faithfulness.

2-6-08 Exodus 33:16 Distinguished From Other People

Exodus 33:16 (NAS)
For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Thy sight, I and Thy people? Is it not by Thy going with us, so that we, I and Thy people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?"

Exodus 33:16 (NLT)
If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?
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When others look at you, they should be able to know that there is something different about you. They should be able to perceive that you have found favor and acceptance in the Lord's sight. The happiness, prosperity, and benefits that you have acquired are testimonies of Adonai's goodness and grace.

Not only through your words, but through your manner of life people observe that you walk with Jehovah. When He moves, you move. He leads you in the way that He wishes you to travel. And if you should not be able to walk, you know that He will carry you.

You have been marked out and separated from others. Yours is a distinguished and wonderful life. Of all the peoples of the earth you have been set apart as God's very own. He has turned you from the broad way on which the nations trod and set your feet on the narrow path that leads to life.

2-3-08 Numbers 23:21 The Shout of the King

Numbers 23:21 (NAS)
He has not observed misfortune in Jacob; Nor has He seen trouble in Israel; The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a king is among them.

Numbers 23:21 (NLT)
No misfortune is in sight for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king.
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When Adonai, your Lord and Master, regards you, looking intently at your life, He is pleased. You are under His care. He always gives you respect and favor.

You used to exert yourself and pant after vain things, things that end up in nothingness. Trouble, vanity, and wickedness were all that you were accustomed to see. Your nature was evil and you were given to iniquity. Afflictions and sorrow were your constant companions.

However, now when the Lord your God considers you, He approves of you. He gazes at you with joy. He sees no perverseness or wickedness in you. You do not weary nor grieve God. Even though He has made you a laborer in his vineyard, your labor is not irksome; your toil is not in vain, bringing only weariness to your body and mind. The Lord has made you a powerful prince with the strength to prevail.

You know that wherever you go, Jehovah is with you. The King, Himself, goes with you into the heat of the battle, shouting aloud His own battle cry. He sounds His trumpets, raising the alarm against your enemies. He rules over them and rejoices over you, for He knows that He always causes you to triumph.