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Psalm 102

As one reads verses 1-11, you could say praise God or one might say, I have no clue what the Psalmist is saying, it sounds like a pity party, if the second is your response you would do well to visit Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”

If the Spirit of God is in you, then you have this kind of Spirit, for that is who God is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  I did not say you or I use the gift of the Spirit, so often we are allowing the world to mold us, or we are walking in the flesh.  If Christ is your Lord and Redeemer, if you by faith have put on Christ as your life, then you also have chosen to either walk in the Spirit or the flesh.

Many a Christian soldier is taken captive with affliction because they were not taught this one truth, “ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  When a brother or sister in Christ is in a deep depression, they need to understand how to find peace.  Also, it is vital for them like this Psalmist has stated in verses 12-28, that God is enthroned forever.  

Ask the Spirit that lives in you to fill you with the fruits of His Spirit and show mercy, and gentleness to the one that is going through this battle.  Always take them to the Scriptures, verses like Deuteronomy 31:6, ^“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice