Journal for June 17th…We need a Redeemer!

7:43 AM 81 & overcast

Father, I enter Your presence this morning in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to You that there was a time that You saved me, redeemed me, and took me in. I have nothing to offer You besides what You have given me to start with, namely the goodness and merits of Jesus Himself. You have redeemed me with the price You paid.

Psalm 107

Let the people give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the whole human race! v8,15,21,31 Yes, the whole human race, not just Your people enjoy so many of Your benefits. Lord, You are the world's greatest Lifeguard. It's recounted in this passage You've given me today. You've rescued people from wandering and lostness v4; from darkness and gloom (and there's all kinds of darkness and gloom) v15; from afflictions of all kinds v17; from tempests and storms of life v24,25; from all kinds of things. For Your constant involvement, caring and rescues -- especially in my own life -- I give You thanks and praise Your Name! You have redeemed me.

But I am impressed to pray for the Church around the world, and for the United States, when I hear that You turn rivers into deserts and fruitful land into salty wasteland v33,34. Oh, Lord, that is an apt description of the Church in America, and of America itself. We were a river and a fruitful land, but we've become a spiritual desert and wasteland. You even cause "nobles", the leaders among us, to wander in trackless wastelands v40 (sounds like our government; but also sounds like recognized, big-name religious leaders, too).

Please, Father, forgive our sins, our pride, our arrogance, and self-centeredness. This has happened because "of the wickedness of its inhabitants." v34 It can't be more clear than that!

No matter where we find ourselves today, I know You can turn a desert into a pool of water, and dry land into springs of water v35. You can bless us and we can multiply again v38. Forgive me, forgive us all, for our sins and wanderings away from You. Refresh us again. Make fruitful and strong again. You can do it. We need You to redeem us.

Lord Jesus, I want to be second and give You the preeminence in all things. There are decisions I will need to make, and wisdom I will need to demonstrate. I will need Your guidance and insight. Thank You for the promise of Your involvement in my life and the world. Thank You for wisdom…for Your Word! A whole day can turn into one of those spiritual wastelands when I neglect Your Word.

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that He is living whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer; and just the time I need Him, He's always near! He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today - He walks with me, and talks with me along life's narrow way….

Be first, Lord. I am second.