Oh God, “HIDE your loved ones in THE SHELTER OF YOUR PRESENCE, safe beneath your hand, safe from all conspiring men. Blessed is the Lord, for He has shown me that His NEVER–FAILING LOVE protects me like the walls of a fort! I spoke too hastily when I said, “The Lord has deserted me,” for you listened to my plea and answered me. Oh, LOVE THE LORD, all of you who are His people; for THE LORD PROTECTS those who are loyal to Him, but harshly punishes all who haughtily reject Him. So CHEER UP! TAKE COURAGE if you are depending on the Lord.” (Psa. 31:20-24)
So be careful! Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but care about others, as well, and in what they are doing. Bring all your energies to bear on this one thing: FORGETTING THE PAST and looking forward to what lies ahead. Let’s strain to reach out to the end of the race and receive the prize God has for us. “…let each one examine their own work, and then we’ll have rejoicing in ourselves alone, and not in another. For each one SHALL BEAR HIS OWN LOAD. Let him who is taught the word SHARE IN ALL GOOD THINGS with him who teaches.” (Gal. 6:4-6)
-Bill Stockham