Do you ever feel like God doesn’t care about you? You are trying hard to do the right thing and keep yourself on the right path, but things just are not working out for you?

David describes this situation in Psalm 22. He starts out with “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.” He continues for 18 verses talking about all his problems, his enemies after him, and how weak he is, and doesn’t know how he can go on.

However beginning in verse 19 and through the end of the chapter, David writes praises to God, verse 22, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” and verse 28, “For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.”

I think there is a message for us here, that when we are down and feel things are going against us, rather than complain and feel sorry for ourselves, we should show God our praise. Showing that we know we are just being tested and we will remain faithful and maintain a good attitude through the trial.

I think it is not a coincidence that the following Chapter, Psalm 23 is that well known statement of faith that begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” and ends with, “Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Dear Lord, we know that you are all powerful and can resolve any situation we encounter if and when you choose. Help us remember to stay strong and faithful in our challenges, trusting in your great love for us. In Jesus’ name we pray.

About 600 years before Jesus Christ was born, the remaining Israelites in Judah were taken into slavery by the Babylonians, and Jerusalem was destroyed. 70 years later, they were allowed to return, led by their leader Zerubbabel.

Against all odds, criticisms and harassment by neighboring peoples, Zerubbabel leads the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 4:6-7 tells us, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!”

I think the lesson for us in this story is; When we strive to do God’s will, and dedicate our activities to him, our success doesn’t come because of our “force or strength,” but by God’s Spirit at work.

Paul has a similar message in 2 Corinthians 5:7 saying, “for we live by faith, and not by sight.”

If we stop and look, we will see occasions where God has made things happen according to his plan, against the odds and obstacles.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put your will first, and have faith that when we do, your Spirit will overcome all obstacles. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Christian speaker and author I heard say during one of his presentations, “Before this was a presentation to you (his audience,) it was an offering to God.”

This is a powerful way to look at our work, no matter what we do. God gave us the skills and talents we have. Using them to the best of our ability to provide service and value to others is giving an offering to God.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” And in Ephesians 2:10 he writes, ” For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts and talents you have given us. Help us remember that you gave them to us to glorify You and serve each other. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever notice that people who are true professionals and outstanding performers in their field embrace difficult challenges? Professional athletes enjoy a very difficult workout or practice, scientists and academics enjoy challenging and technical problems to solve, musicians enjoy the hours of work to master a piece of music. The opposite I am sure you have also seen, the people who are always trying to cut corners, cheat, and avoid facing up to the challenge.

In many ways, this is what James describes in James 1:2-4, where he writes, “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” TLB

To master our lives as Christians we need to face our difficulties and temptations the way Jesus taught us to with faith, prayer, and confidence; knowing God is right there with us and these tests are helping us master our Christian lives.

Dear Lord, it is hard to be happy during the difficulties and temptations we face, but help us remember to use the things you teach us, faith, prayer, and confidence in your love for us, to face our difficulties. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably seen movies, where one person wronged another and it started a “cold war” between them, where neither will talk to the other. Until they can put that bad experience behind them, they cannot complete some important objective that is critical to both of them. Ultimately it comes down to one of the characters apologizing, in order to become “right” with the other, and the other granting forgiveness.

This is the type of relationship man has with God. Paul writes in Romans 3:24,25, “..assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

People are in a “cold war” with God, separated from him until we believe that Jesus was raised by God from the dead. Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our belief in him, makes us “right” with God, so that we can finish the story and live in and with God eternally.

Dear Lord, though it may seem to some that we have to do the work to become right with you. Really, you have done all the work already. We must only accept this righteousness you offer. Help us to accept your gift, and remember it regularly in prayer, reading scripture, attending church, and receiving your holy communion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.