Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

QT 19 Jul 17, Ps 136:10-15, The past should remind us of God's goodness and love

Psalm 136:10–15 (ESV) — 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

NOTE: The next section of verses focuses on the rescue from Egypt. After each verse, as is the case throughout the Psalm, is the refrain, "for his steadfast love endures forever." The events of the past serve as reminders of God's steadfast love. Most events have to be viewed in the past because in the midst, it does not seem as if God is aware or is working. As we look back on events in our life, we see the hand of God, and we see that it is good and loving. In fact, I would argue (for a believer) that if something still does not look good, even viewing it in the past, then there are still things that God is doing to bring good out of it. Paul tells us in Romans that God is working in all things to bring good to those who love him and are called by him. So, if it still looks bad, then there are still things to learn and to understand from God's perspective.

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