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“… but they have not gained victory over me.” Psalm 129: 2

Psalm 9- It may be helpful to go back and read 1 Samuel to see the challenging life of David. Most of his enemies were not deserved, nor were all the hard things he had to go through. This psalm reflects on some of those tough times, and it demonstrates again to me this morning that David chose to focus on the Father more than the frustrated life he was facing. In spite of the junk this world was throwing at him his response was, “I will praise You O Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praises to Your name.” Look at the problem or look at the solution. David figured out that the latter was a better option and maybe that’s why he was called “a man after God’s own heart.”

Psalm 39- David describes his challenges but acknowledges that the best practice is NOT to focus on them, especially in the presence of those who are causing me pain. That was an interesting stopping point for me in this psalm. He looked at life and saw the futileness of just hustling through life amassing wealth, “not knowing who will get it in the end.” “But now O Lord, what do I look for? MY HOPE IS IN YOU!”

Psalm 69- A long psalm of seeming hopelessness again. David had his days too when he saw no way out and it appeared he had no hope. BUT--- “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving,” said David. I look at my “challenges” in life and they are so small compared to what he went through. Yet sometimes in those “tough moments” when I am tempted to focus on the, “Why God?” I pray that I will be able to focus more on the “Praise God.”

Psalm 99- as much as psalm 69 was mostly negative with a recalibration of positive focus at the end, this psalm is mostly an expansion of that positive God-focus that David referenced in 69. “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.” No matter what life throws at me I still have a choice as to where I will focus.

Psalm 129- The 10^th ascent psalm said one key thing to me this morning, “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, BUT THEY HAVE NOT GAINED THE VICTORY OVER ME!” May that same “blessing be upon you in the name of our Lord.”

Have a great day being blessed by your focus on HIM as your solution,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Lack of focus and direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” Zig Ziglar

PS Christ on Demand 7:30 p.m. | CANNOT MEET IN SHAWNEE PORTER THIS WEEK because of scheduling conflict. Instead we’ll be in ad building amphitheater for this week only instead and on Zoom as usual. Come and connect with new friends but most importantly with the best friend you can have, Jesus! This year’s theme is based on 1 Corinthians 13:13, and this week Lori Peckham will be sharing.

PPS The Garden | Bible study for women. 8:00 p.m. | Zoom (click the link to learn more)
Join Megan Fleming and Annabelle Harper for some time with Jesus.

PP..S Pastor Gua is in Campus Ministries every Tuesday from 1-3pm to provide you the option of a female pastor perspective. You can make an appointment by contacting Pastor Gua at gmontour@collegeviewchurch.org, (978) 333-1209 Mobile, or just drop in and see if she is busy!

PP..SS I just learned that there are calls now posted for student mission positions on the islands for the 21-22 school year. Check it out at www.HeSaidGo.net. If you’re interested come talk to Claudia, Nic, or Pastor Rich, or email uc.missions@gmail.com.

P…S Remember if you would like your club or campus activity advertised on the big screens at uGather send your request to Daniel.klein@uollege.edu or Gabriel.zita@ucollege.edu. Send them by Wednesday to be sure they have time to prepare your request.