My Turning Points – The Turning Points of Life

The Value of Spiritual Humility

In The Chosen Season 1 a profound interaction takes place between the Pharisees Nicodemus and Shmuel that highlights the conflict between spiritual humility and religious intuitionalism.

The video link shows the conversation between Pharisees Nicodemus and Shmuel after John the Baptist is arrested by Rome and incarcerated with the help of Shmuel. Nicodemus seeks to teach Shmuel the value and importance of spiritual humility.

Watch the interaction between Nicodemus and Shmuel in Season 1 Episode 6 via the The Chosen Season 1 Episode 6 YouTube Clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isHnH6tAXBo

Scene Details

Characters: Nicodemus (the respected Pharisee) and Shmuel (his colleague/student tracking legal matters).
Plot Context: Nicodemus confronts Shmuel about the detention of John the Baptist, questioning who issued the order.
Key Action: Shmuel admits his involvement, quoting the Proverbs of Solomon regarding the righteous and the wicked, while he insists he cannot ignore perceived sins.

Summary of the arc of Nicodemus across Season 1

In Season 1 of The Chosen, Nicodemus undergoes a profound spiritual transformation, moving from a position of absolute religious authority to a state of secret, conflicted faith.

Here is the step-by-step breakdown of his character arc across the first season:

The Secure Authority (Episodes 1–2)

The Mission: Nicodemus arrives in Capernaum as a highly respected, wealthy Pharisee sent by Rome to investigate religious disruptions and tax evasion.
The Failure: He attempts to exorcise Mary Magdalene (Lilith) in the red-light district but fails completely, shaking his theological confidence.
The Shift: He later discovers Mary is fully healed and peaceful, forcing him to realize a power greater than his own is at work.

The Investigation (Episodes 3–5)

Seeking Answers: Nicodemus begins a quiet investigation into the miracle worker responsible for Mary’s healing.
The Miracle: At the wedding in Cana, he witnesses Jesus turn water into wine from a distance, deepening his curiosity and awe.
Tension with Peers: His growing fascination creates friction with his younger, strictly legalistic colleague, Shmuel, who views these new movements as dangerous heresy.

The Secret Meeting (Episode 6–7)

The Encounter: Nicodemus arranges a private, rooftop meeting with Jesus at night to ask his burning questions.
The Revelation: Jesus tells him he must be “born again” to see the Kingdom of God, explicitly revealing His divine mission.
The Awakening: Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as the Holy One of Israel and is deeply moved, weeping as he realizes his theological status cannot save him.

The Cost of Discipleship (Episode 8)

The Invitation: Jesus explicitly invites Nicodemus to leave his old life behind and join His traveling disciples.
The Conflict: Nicodemus provides gold to help fund Jesus’s ministry but wrestles intensely with the sacrifice required.
The Choice: Ultimately, he watches from a hidden alleyway as Jesus and the disciples leave Capernaum. Torn between his high social standing, family duties, and his belief in Jesus, he weeps bitterly because he cannot bring himself to step forward and follow publicly.

Here is how Shmuel’s arc unfolds in direct contrast to Nicodemus:

From Student to Competitor (Episodes 1–4)

The Relationship: Shmuel begins as a younger Pharisee working closely with Nicodemus in Capernaum. He respects Nicodemus’s status but lacks his mentor’s patience and life experience.
The Contrast: When confronted with unexpected events (like Mary Magdalene’s sudden healing), Nicodemus pauses to wonder and investigate. Shmuel, conversely, immediately views any deviation from standard religious protocol as a threat to public order and a violation of the Torah.

Legalism vs. Spiritual Curiosity (Episodes 5–6)

The Reaction to Miracles: As rumors of Jesus grow, Nicodemus seeks out the truth quietly, driven by a genuine desire to understand God’s hand.
The Crackdown: Shmuel bypasses spiritual inquiry entirely. He focuses on the legal ramifications, pushing for the detention of John the Baptist and aggressively tracking Jesus’s Sabbath violations.
The Confrontation: In Episode 6, Shmuel directly confronts Nicodemus about political compromises and religious laxity. This marks the moment Shmuel stops acting like a subordinate and begins positioning himself as a defender of orthodoxy, even if it means stepping over his mentor.

Fixing the Law vs. Being Reborn (Episode 7)

Nicodemus’s Choice: During his famous rooftop meeting with Jesus, Nicodemus accepts his own spiritual blindness and weeps over his inability to fully understand God’s new work.
Shmuel’s Choice: Shmuel takes the exact opposite path. Instead of listening, he files formal complaints with the high court (the Sanhedrin) against Jesus. He believes the ultimate virtue is preserving the status quo and correcting what he views as dangerous heresy.

Public Zealousness vs. Private Grief (Episode 8)

The Resolution: At the end of the season, Nicodemus stands in an alleyway, weeping because he believes Jesus is the Messiah but is too tied to his wealth and status to follow Him openly.
The Escalation: Shmuel finishes the season emboldened. By bringing Jesus’s “violations” to the attention of the broader religious authorities, he elevates his own political and religious standing. He chooses public power and theological certainty, setting himself up as a primary antagonist to Jesus’s ministry going forward.

Core Contrast Summary

Nicodemus represents spiritual humility: He allows his knowledge to be challenged by miraculous reality, leading to a broken but believing heart.
Shmuel represents religious institutionalism: He allows his knowledge to become a shield against anything new, leading to a hardened heart in the name of defending God.

Turning Point

I found this a powerful picture illustrating the key to following Jesus – Spiritual Humility. Nicodemus reveals the right perspective but fails to overcome his entanglements with the rest of his life. The turning point: despite proper perspective, one must have the resolve to extricate from human weaknesses and temptation.

ADDENDUM

In many of the incidences where Shmuel witnesses the miracles of Jesus either directly or indirectly, he is accompanied by Jusef a fellow Pharisee. However, Jusef is more aligned with Nicodemus with whom he shares similar perspectives and attitudes. Jusef is fascinated by what he sees and studies and seeks to understand what is happening. He writes his questions and findings on scrolls that he gives to a trusted friend who oversees the scrolls and has a secret store where Jusef’s scrolls are hidden. Jusef often seeks to publicly soften Shmuel’s vehement accusations but to no avail.

The Kingdom Within

Church service this morning used an excerpt from Matthew 6:10 extracted from Jesus’ introduction of the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. The service theme for the month was “And this I Pray . . . Your kingdom come”

Matthew 6:10 (excerpt)

New King James Version

¹⁰Your kingdom come.

As the service opened, I specifically prayed that God would give me something of substance to take into my heart. As the sermon progressed three images immediately came to mind. The first was an excerpt from the passage in Luke 17. Later in the service the minister touched on this verse as well. I was deep in thought.

Luke 17:21 (excerpt)

New King James Version

The Coming of the Kingdom

He answered and said, “… indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

In quick succession, two scenes from the series “The Chosen” appeared before me. The first was when Jesus sat with Judas and Judas was trying to influence the next moves that Jesus should make. Judas became upset when Jesus didn’t go along with his plan. Finally, Jesus said to him, “Judas you have a choice to make. Who has your heart? I had it once. I want it.” Judas left confused and conflicted.

The second scene again focused on Jesus and Judas, this time at the Passover seder. Jesus leaned over to Judas and said, “Do what you have to do.”

Judas responded, “It didn’t have to be this way.”

Jesus said, “he has you now.”

Judas asked, “Who?”

And the fatal answer came from Jesus, “Not God.”

Again, Judas leaves, still with a tinge of confliction.

As these three images flowed through my consciousness, a picture began to open. I asked, what makes a Kingdom? The answer, A King! So, what “kingdom” becomes the kingdom within me? When I pray, Your Kingdom Come, the obvious answer is God is the King of that Kingdom.

Continuing this train of thoughts, prompted by the evolving sermon I was listening to, I explored in my thoughts what other “kingdoms” can find their way into me? Who are the “Kings” that want my heart to build their kingdom?

The myriad distractions that seek my attention each day are the countless “kings” vying for the real estate of my heart. But I have control over who I allow to be my ‘King”. Jesus’ word to Judas echoes in my mind, “you must choose who has your heart!” Most important here is Jesus’ statement to Judas (and to me), “I had your heart. I want your heart!” What more incentive to choose Him, than when He says, “I want your heart!”

I pray that when Jesus says to me, “The kingdom of God is within you.” I have made the right choice; Jesus is my King!

Turning Point

Each divine service is extraordinary; none is a matter of course. This truth accompanies my soul as I enter each divine service. Even if the minister’s presentation is less than extraordinary, it is in my communion with our Holy Spirit that makes each an extraordinary experience a reality. Today was a turning point of understanding and perspective that I will cherish and share.

THE FLAWS OF MAN’S DESIGN

Isaiah 55:8-9 New King James Version

⁸“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

There is an interesting movie entitled “The Chosen” that presents the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. There are numerous poignant moments depicted in the last days before the crucifixion where Jesus interacted with His disciples. These were one on one intimate and profound opportunities to see how Jesus sought to teach them crucial lessons.

One meeting was between Jesus and John. They sat in a courtyard of a wealthy woman and seated on a bench gazed at a pagan mural on the wall before them. John remarks that the depiction was “stolen” from the Jews.

A surprised Jesus asks, “Why”?

John explains that it is like when the prophet/judge Jephthah was in battle with Ammonites he promised God that if he won, he vowed to sacrifice the first person to come out of his house to greet him on his return. Tragically, it was his only daughter! He was devastated.

Jesus, ever the precise and perfectly timed truth revealer, simply says, “My Father did not ask him for that.”

With that Jesus opens the door to teach that man’s ideas and plans, even when offered with sincerity are too often tragically flawed.

John, recognizing what Jesus has said assures Jesus of his commitment and Jesus remarks, “John you are learning.”

Shortly after John leaves, Judas appears. He requests an audience with Jesus who graciously complies as they are seated at a table opposite each other. Judas immediately begins to chastise Jesus for not seeing the great opportunity in Judas’ way of thinking for seizing the moment. Quietly Jesus listens as Judas excitedly expresses his plans. Jesus politely rejects them inciting a frustrated Judas to explode. “I am an experienced successful businessman with much talent in persuasion. I thought you wanted me for my talents.” But Jesus says, “You have been a faithful follower all these years. That is what is important” His implication to Judas, I need your faith and what I put into you is what is valuable to Me. Jesus asks, “You have a choice to make: Who do you belong to? Who has your heart? I want it! I had it before and I want it now. You followed me willingly.” Judas confesses he wants to follow, but he remains conflicted. Jesus says, “Then I will pray for you.” What John was able to see, Judas has trouble seeing clearly.

Acknowledging man’s flawed and limited view was trouble then as it is now.

When we can learn and authentically believe that what God gives us will always and forever supersede whatever we can offer of ourselves, we have had our turning point.

TURNING POINTS

Experience, if we are willing to view it clearly will reveal how God’s ways are the best path to follow. That realization and the gratitude it inspires can be the turning point that make the difference in our life.

A Life of Service

Looking back on more than eighty years, I see my life has been dedicated to service. I believe it is God’s will to use me in this way, having given me the joy to serve since my youth. It all started in late 1947.

Shortly after my brother’s birth nearly 79 years ago, my mother’s serious illness required me, at only four years old, to assume responsibilities far beyond my age. This formative experience instilled in me a lifelong commitment to serving others, shaping my future across various roles and environments. Assisting my mother not only established a profound spiritual connection between us but also nurtured a sense of spirituality within myself, a blessing that has guided me countless times throughout my life.

It was only after 61 years, during a pivotal journey to Los Angeles, that I gained full clarity about my life’s direction. In quiet moments while driving, significant turning points became apparent, illuminating how faith has continuously guided me toward a purpose of service.

When I was eleven months old, my mother recorded in her diary: “Allan is walking and we are putting him in his own bedroom!” My earliest memories include my father encouraging me, “Allan! It’s time for bed. Go to your room and get a book.” I vividly recall running down the hallway to select my favorite book and joining him on his rocking chair in his bedroom, where he would enthusiastically read the story of Jiggers. These moments forged a lasting bond and were instrumental in developing my passion for reading, storytelling, writing, and continuous learning.

Reflecting on these experiences, I am intrigued by the ways our early memories influence our perspectives and actions. I believe it is valuable to identify and contemplate such turning points early in life, enabling us to act deliberately and maximize the benefits of our experiences.

Reviewing the series of events that led me to embrace my mission of serving others has been enlightening. At my mother-in-law’s funeral, a poem was recited that deeply resonated with me:

“Others”

By Charles D. Meigs

Lord help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray

My prayer shall be for – Others.

Help me in all the work I do

To ever be sincere and true

And know that all I do for you

Must needs be done for – Others.

Let “Self” be crucified and slain

And buried deep; and all in vain

May efforts be to rise again

Unless to live for – Others.

And when my work on earth is done

And my new work in heaven’s begun

May I forget the crown I’ve won

While thinking still of – Others.

Others, Lord, yes others

Let this my motto be

Help me to live for others

That I may live like Thee.

———————————————————————–

TURNING POINTS

I feel a profound sense of gratitude whenever I get the chance to help someone, regardless of whether they are a friend or a stranger. This feeling is truly precious to me, another turning point to cherish.

An Inspiration to Service

Many experiences can instill the desire to serve. Sometimes the inspiration comes from an experience and sometimes from a combination of scriptures from the Bible. Here are two that have influenced me and my call to serve.

Ezekiel 22:30 New English Translation

³⁰“I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

When I read this, I have the sense that God feels saddened that when He needed someone to step up to fulfill a desperate need, He found no one. This inspires me to say, “Lord, take me!” From my experiences, when I stood up to fulfill a need, even when I felt inadequate for the task, God provided whatever I lacked thereby allowing the task to be successfully fulfilled. The feeling that God is often let down by fearful humans, inspires one to have the courage to step up and step in to fulfill a void.

The following continues the sentiment of Ezekiel 22:30 to elevate the desire to serve.

Isaiah 6:8 New King James Version

⁸Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 Living Bible

⁸Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people?

Who will go?”

And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”

Matthew 20:26 New King James Version

²⁶Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

There is a song based on this passage from Mathew titled “Make Me A Servant”

Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant, humble and meek;

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart be;

Make me a servant, make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

And this song furthers the sentiment:

Here I Am, Lord (I, The Lord of Sea and Sky)

Song by Kingsway Music

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in deepest sin My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Chorus

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them, Whom shall I send?

Chorus

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide Till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?

Chorus

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

The following was read at my mother-in-law’s funeral service. As I saw her as a master servant, I see it as an inspiration from someone who was such a serv ant in my life.

“Others”

By Charles D. Meigs

Lord help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray

My prayer shall be for – Others.

Help me in all the work I do

To ever be sincere and true

And know that all I do for you

Must needs be done for – Others.

Let “Self” be crucified and slain

And buried deep; and all in vain

May efforts be to rise again

Unless to live for – Others.

And when my work on earth is done

And my new work in heaven’s begun

May I forget the crown I’ve won

While thinking still of – Others.

Others, Lord, yes others

Let this my motto be

Help me to live for others

That I may live like Thee.

TURNING POINTS

I find it fascinating how words can spark action by shaping our thoughts and leading us to act. Even a single uncommon word can inspire a shift toward serving others.

The Reciprocity Commandment of Jesus

Embedded in the teaching of Christ is an inclusive commandment, namely the Reciprocity Commandment. When the disciples inquired as to how they should pray, Jesus responded with the comprehensive prayer we now express in each divine service as a prelude to receiving His grace by the absolution and His strength and virtue thorough the Holy Communion. We have prayed this prayer thousands of times. But has the essence of that prayer found its way into our soul and being to the extent that it powerfully influences our thought and conduct?

There is a very important phrase within the Lord’s Prayer that implies a most important expectation that our God has for each of us, the concept of spiritual reciprocity. It is the phrase: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”. Jesus used these terms because they imply the worst in our interpersonal relationships, sin against our brother and sister. To better understand the comprehensive nature of this, allow me to suggest a few expansions on this Commandment of Reciprocity.

First allow me to reverse the phrase and personalize the words, as it may be easier to fathom:

as we forgive our debtors, forgive us our debts

as I empathize with my brethren, empathize with me

as I comfort my brethren, comfort me

as I do good for my brethren, do good for me

as I encourage my brethren, encourage me

as I care for my brethren, care for me

as I am gracious toward my brethren, be gracious unto me

as I seek to guide my brethren by my conduct, let me see Your conduct and be so guided

as I seek to be a blessing to my brethren, bless me

as I am an advocate for my brethren, be an advocate for me

as I seek the good in my brethren, search me for the good in me

as I rise above disappointments in my brethren, rise above when I disappoint You

as I seek to bring peace to my brethren, bring peace to my soul

I am sure that there are more . . .

TURNING POINTS

The reversing of the words offers an opportunity to change one’s perspective and facilitate a paradigm shift to more effectively assimilate the essence of the words and what they mean for our personal gropwth. This can be a meaningful turning point and is multiplied when expanded to other familiar word phrases.

I Believed I Could, So I Did

Early on a Friday, a brilliant nuclear physicist approached me with urgent news: “You need to cancel the shipment for Monday!” he exclaimed. Curious and concerned, I asked, “Why?” He explained that the large inspection machine had suffered a broken encoder and that this was the last one available. Realizing the shipment required a highly specialized vehicle, one that was notoriously difficult to schedule and had already taken significant effort to secure for Monday, I insisted he show me the problem firsthand.

After inspecting the machine together, it became clear that the encoder, a device that helps control the machine’s movements precisely, was indeed broken. However, I quickly realized this particular encoder was designed for laboratory use and not for the demands of a production environment. In production, machines face constant use and vibration, making a ruggedized encoder essential to ensure reliability and performance.

The physicist seemed convinced it would be impossible to obtain the proper replacement in time for shipment. But I wasn’t ready to accept defeat. I knew that waiting for standard procedures would delay our shipment, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and reach out directly to the company’s president. Determination fueled my actions.

Once I had the catalogue in hand, I immediately noticed the company president’s picture on the opening page. Without hesitation, I called information, requested his home number in Cleveland, Ohio, and dialed. A woman answered, and I said, “Hello, pardon me for calling at five o’clock. I hope I’m not interfering with your dinner. I am Allan Musterer calling from San Diego. I am in critical need to speak to your husband regarding a product we have purchased from his company. Is he available?”

She replied, “I am sorry, he’s about to return from the office. Oh, wait, here he is!” Her husband picked up, and I explained our dilemma, emphasizing the urgency and critical nature of our request. I asked if he could get us the ruggedized encoder by tomorrow.

He responded without hesitation, “Yes, I can call my foremen to package one up, and there’s an American Airlines flight to San Diego that leaves early in the morning and arrives at 1:45 pm. Will that work for you?”

“Absolutely!” I replied, grateful for his exceptional service. After hanging up, I turned to see the scientist, who was visibly astonished.

“How did you do that?” he stuttered.

I answered, “I believed I could, so I did. You believed you couldn’t, so you didn’t.” I let that sink in, then continued, “Now you need to tell the team to prepare the machine to receive the new encoder and work through the weekend to get everything ready for the scheduled shipment on Monday.”

The shipment went out on schedule that Monday.

Turning Point

This experience reinforced my belief that proactive problem-solving and unwavering determination can turn obstacles into opportunities. By believing in myself and acting decisively, I was able to keep the project on track and inspire those around me to do the same. This was also evidence of the truth of my favorite saying “If you believe you can or you believe you can’t – you are right!” and my corollary to it “If you believe you can you will, but if you believe you can’t you won’t.”

The Problem with Forgiveness

When families of victims are confronted with the question of forgiveness, we often overlook the deeper implications of what it truly means to forgive on behalf of another person. News coverage of violent incidents frequently includes interviews with the families of victims, where the pressing question is posed: “What do you say to the perpetrator who took the life of your loved one?” The answers typically fall into two broad categories. Some family members call for severe retribution—even death—while others choose to extend forgiveness with remarkable generosity. Yet, these responses raise a fundamental and challenging question: What is actually being forgiven?

The common assumption is that the family is forgiving the perpetrator for the act of murder itself. However, this idea faces a significant philosophical challenge. We must consider whether it is truly possible for someone to forgive on behalf of another whose life has been taken, or if forgiveness can only be extended for harm done directly to oneself.

Simon Wiesenthal, in his book “The Sunflower,” explores the moral dilemma of forgiving in the stead of another. He recounts a situation in which a high-ranking Nazi soldier, gravely wounded and confined to a hospital bed, seeks forgiveness from a Jewish orderly. Tormented by guilt for the countless Jews he was responsible for killing, the soldier pleads for absolution. The Jewish orderly responds with a sobering truth: “I do not have the ability to forgive you for what you have done to others, I can only forgive you for what you have done against me.” This exchange forces the soldier to confront the reality that the forgiveness he desperately seeks can only come from those whose lives he has taken.

This narrative underscores a crucial distinction: while the bereaved may find personal healing or closure through forgiveness, they are not empowered to erase or pardon the harm inflicted upon the deceased. The ethical burden remains, as the true victims are absent and therefore unable to grant or withhold forgiveness themselves. As a result, collective or surrogate forgiveness—where families or communities speak on behalf of the lost—is intrinsically limited, raising profound questions about justice, memory, and the boundaries of moral authority.

TURNING POINT

This discussion helps focus on the fine details of the subject of forgiveness. It gives us the opportunity to understand the consequences of our actions as well as the limits of our remedies. The discussion ultimately emphasizes the profound challenges and ethical boundaries involved when forgiveness is sought for acts committed against those who can no longer speak for themselves.

WHY?

Often, when a soul dies a tragic and “untimely” death, those that feel the loss the most struggle with the question “why?”

There was a young man about to take a plane home to visit his mother. He felt the urge to write to her prior to the flight’s departure. He hurriedly tore a scrap of paper from a discarded magazine and wrote a brief note and mailed it to his mother. Then he left on his flight. The plane crashed and he lost his life. His mother cried bitterly, “Why?” Soon the note from her son arrived in the mail. She opened it and saw what was left of an advertisement on one side of the paper: it read in large letters, WHY?

She turned it over and read in her son’s handwriting these words: Dear Mother, God is too kind to do anything cruel and too wise to make a mistake. He is too deep to explain “why?”.

TURNING POINT

This story was first told to me at a funeral service for a young man who was tragically killed in a car accident. It was so profound and appropriate because everyone was asking the question “Why?” within their self. The “Why?” question is so often the thing that crops up when things go dramatically contrary to our desires. What this story tells us is that if we can authentically trust God, then we can move on in peace with the “why” unanswered. That’s a real turning point!

Soul Healing Scripture that Inspires

When my heart and soul are wounded, there are certain scriptures that the Holy Spirit reminds me to search again for sustenance for the moment of testing. I find these passages bring me back to the path of faith and trust in God that has guided me through intense challenges. Moments when “my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped” and reading these bring back the way they rescued me in past testing moments. I am encouraged to hasten to the sanctuary (often the “closet” in which I deeply pray) where the words of divine revelation rescue my troubled soul. I find my soul is revived when I can read and deliberate over these precious words for life.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 New King James Version

The Prophet Is Called

⁴Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

⁵“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born, I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 73 New King James Version

The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God

A Psalm of Asaph.

73 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
²But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
³For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
⁵They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
⁶Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
⁷Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
⁸They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
⁹They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.

¹⁰Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
¹¹And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
¹²Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
¹³Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
¹⁴For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.

¹⁵If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
¹⁶When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.

¹⁸Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
¹⁹Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
²⁰As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.

²¹Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
²²I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
²³Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
²⁴You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
²⁶My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 138 New King James Version

The Lord’s Goodness to the Faithful

A Psalm of David.

138 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
²I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
³In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

⁴All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
⁵Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶Though the Lord is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.

⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
⁸The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Psalm 139 Living Bible

139 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. ²You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. ³You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. ⁴You know what I am going to say before I even say it. ⁵You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.

⁶This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! ⁷I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! ⁸If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. ⁹If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, ¹⁰even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. ¹¹If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. ¹²For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.

¹³You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. ¹⁵You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! ¹⁶You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

^17-18How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

¹⁹Surely you will slay the wicked, Lord! Away, bloodthirsty men! Begone! ²⁰They blaspheme your name and stand in arrogance against you—how silly can they be? ²¹O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I be grieved with them? ²²Yes, I hate them, for your enemies are my enemies too.

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139 The Message

139 ^1-6God, investigate my life;
    get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
    I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
    before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too—
    your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
    I can’t take it all in!

^7-12Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
    night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

^13-16Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.

^17-22Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
    God, I’ll never comprehend them!
I couldn’t even begin to count them—
    any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
    And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
    all the men and women who belittle you, God,
    infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
    see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
    Your enemies are my enemies!

^23-24Investigate my life, O God,
    find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
    get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

I find these and many more words penned by a hand guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit are there for me and all to flow into my mind and being to do their healing, inspiring and rescuing work.

Turning Points

Reading scripture has the potential to bring new meaning to familiar words. When we enter scriptural reading moments with trust that the Lord will reveal timely newness to ancient words, we are not disappointed. This is the turning point when we experience the truth of this reality.