February 24, 2019
Dear friends,
Last week, I began reading a book by the late Keith Price entitled “Thirsting after God.” This book contains insights from a man who devoted his life to studying the Scriptures and teaching His Word. A few months after I trusted Christ as my Saviour in January 1973, I volunteered at the “Sermons from Science” pavilion, which remained open for several years after the world’s fair, Expo ’67, was held in Montreal. One of my memories of that summer was meeting Keith Price (commissioner of the pavilion), who had a contagious smile and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord. Years later I would learn that Karen’s father had used Brother Price’s address to ship the Shellys’ belongings from France when they sailed to Montreal in April 1971 to begin a new chapter in their missionary service.
The first part of this inspirational book looks at Psalm 63 and includes the following: “God creates the thirst. We must cultivate it. When I respond, God finds a way to encourage me, often through special people or circumstances. God commands me to be filled with His Spirit, meaning it is my move next. He will then respond to that.” Earlier this month, Jerad Mellette, youth pastor at Grace Church in Verdun, preached on Psalm 61, while his brother, Brad, senior pastor at Grace, was on a missions trip to Nepal. When I began reading “Thirsting after God” and saw that it contained a detailed study of Psalm 63, I realized that the Lord was impressing upon me the spiritual gems that are contained in the Book of Psalms.
While shoveling snow and braving the cold seem far removed from caring for sheep and living in the wilderness, we see in the Psalms that the Lord provided everything that David and others in Israel needed, just as He does for His children today. Although the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, we know that the Lord is a strong tower, in whom we can take refuge, as Martin Luther wrote in his beloved hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Scripture for the weekend: “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:3-4 (NIV)
Thought for the weekend: “Temptation rarely comes in working hours. It is in their leisure time that men are made or marred.” – W. M. Taylor (from “Minute Motivators for Men” by Stan Toler)
By His grace,
Steve