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Travel Study

Posted on January 26, 2025January 26, 2025 by Pam

While I’ve been visiting family I am enjoying the Psalms. Let’s group 17-22. There is God and there is Pam. Not much to compare except that God brings comfort to those who ask. King David is just asking. Psalm 17:1 reads, “Here a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.” In other words, I am right and true so incline (listen and answer me). Incline is an action and a position – please be favorably disposed toward me. Please lean in. We can ask so boldly because of Jesus justification. Men of the world have their portion in this life. Believers in Jesus can ask for more.

To me Psalm 18 reads like a love letter. Verse one, “I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.” Then David uses analogies like rock, fortress, shield, horn or salvation, and my stronghold. He calls upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, because David needs to be saved. This psalm culminates in verse 18, “They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my stay.” Also look to verses 23, 28, 33, 39, and 42. I find verse 34 interesting, “He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze”. Whatever we are facing, sometimes God does what He thinks best and simply helps prepare us to do battle. There is a war and we are equipped to fight another day. Carry on.

The heavens are declaring. God is making the wise simple in Psalm 19. Verse 9 is interesting, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgements of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.” I’ve never thought of using the word ‘clean’ in a description relating to God but what might be cleaner than a perfect and holy God? Verse 14 will sound familiar, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Amen.

Psalm 20:7, “Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” The battle analogy is still present in these comforting psalms.

Psalm 21:4, “He asked life of Thee, Thou didst give it to him, Length of days forever and ever.” God is the King.

I love that Psalm 22 precedes Psalm 23. This describes a future scene in Jesus story of His trial in the garden while His besties slept. God is holy yet the dogs have surrounded Jesus. “A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and feet.”, Psalm 22:16b. Verse 9 describes that His faith in God arrived early. God ‘made’ him trust as a baby. So, is this all written about Jesus or is David also in this psalm? I don’t know but verse 14 is heartbreaking, “I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like ‘wax’; It is melted within me.” Jesus suffered and if we believe becoming a Christian is to create an easy life, our eyes are closed.

I’m looking forward to Psalm 23 next…There is God and there is you.

Texas

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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