Take It To The Curb

You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God do not delay. Psalm 40:17b

Deliverer:

Strong’s Concordance Hebrew 6403: To escape. Carry away safe.

NASB Translation: Carries it off.

Pulling the weight of the garbage can behind me, the crushed stone upon the pavement, echoed the thumping cadence of the gait. Rolling along, I wondered, what else do I have in tow that should be left at the curb?

Throughout life, the enemy throws garbage our way, and if our hearts are not guarded; unknowingly, we collect it, contain it, and carry it along.

Consider it. Is there debris that you are dragging along? Hurtful words? Heartbreaking situations? Worries? Regrets? Remains of the past? Or,present-day woes?

Maybe, it is time to take it to the curb, fully surrendering it to God? In that moment of surrender, He will carry it off, delivering hearts from evil.

Deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:13 KJV

Deliver:

Strong’s Concordance Greek 4506 - To rescue.

Dictionary Definition: Set free from.

Evil:

Strong’s Concordance Greek 4190 - Malicious, slothful, toilsome, bad, wicked.

Helps Word - Studies 4190: Pain-ridden, emphasizing the inevitable agonies that always goes with evil.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon 4190: Full of labors, annoyances, hardships.

Dictionary Definition: Immorality, wickedness, depravity.

Thesaurus: Injurious, vile, hurtful, dishonorable, misery, wrong doing, pain, misfortune, ruinous.

Matthew 6:13 NIV - The evil one.

It’s time to take out the trash. Dispose of the junk. Lay it down - the container and all it’s content. God will pick it up. Redeem it. Renew it. Restoring freedom to your walk, once again.

Your Deliverer awaits.

Take it to the curb!

Prayer

Father,

You know what is in my container. You know what has been thrown my way.

Unknowingly, I have collected it, and carried it along.

Lord, set me free from the pain-ridden inevitable agonies that accompany hardships, wrong doing, pain, depravity, dishonorable, and hurtful ways.

Rescue me from the heartache caused by the evil one.

Deliver me from evil.

Today, I choose to take out the trash, and leave it at the curb. I surrender all these things I have pulled along in to your hands: __________________.

Pick it up, Lord. Deliver me. Set me free from the debris I carry.

No longer will I pull this along. Here, Lord, take the container, too!

Now, set free, I can walk in step with your Spirit. Kicking up my heels. For, in Christ, I am redeemed, renewed, restored. My Deliverer has come!

Amen

Psalm 40 NIV

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds,they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—

burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord,

as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say,“The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Today, Lord…

Today, Lord, I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Holy Spirit fill me with your presence.

Father, embrace me with your love.

For, Jesus has set this captive free.

In Christ, I am redeemed, renewed, and restored!

Amen.