Tag: God

The Same God

Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

1 Chronicles 7-8

Today’s reading takes us across several different life experiences many (if not all) Christians also experience in today’s modern world:

  • Psalm 81 is a reflection of God’s provision for Israel, and a reminder of the good things they could be experiencing if they would only listen to Him.  
  • Psalm 88 is an example of low places so many of us have experienced in our Christian walk.  The writer is calling out to God to save them from suffering, to answer their prayers, and to bring them comfort in a place of loneliness. It is a lamentation and pouring out of a soul that is broken and hurting.  
  • Psalm 92 is a psalm of praise and excitement over the wonderful works of God!  This author is experiencing joy and astonishment over a Heavenly Father, and being sure to sing it loud and proud!
  • Psalm 93 is another praiseful psalm that focuses more on the sovereignty of God and His mighty power, recognizing the strength of God and His position over the entire earth. 

While each of these Psalms hold different perspectives of a human’s viewpoint of God, we can also see how in each of these, God’s unchanging, steadfast, supreme authority remains.  No matter what our current reflection of God is, He has never become anything but God.  Whether we are disobedient, hurting, praising, or fully recognizing His power, God is still, and has always been, the Creator, Yahweh, the One True God.  The God who formed and controls every aspect of the earth, that pulled the Israelites out of Egypt, and held them accountable to His commands, is the SAME GOD that you and I worship today.  

This fact can (and probably should) be both comforting and convicting.  Comforting because there is an amazing God who loves us with an everlasting love that will never change from that! Convicting because there is a powerful God, who has high expectations for believers, that won’t change from that either.  As Christians today, I believe we must consistently balance these feelings of comfort and conviction in order to best live out our days.

-Sarah Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. Using the four options listed, what would you classify as your current reflection of God in this season?  Are you content to have that reflection?
  2. What verses most stood out to you from the reading?  Why do you think those verses impacted you the most today?
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Remember – and Share

Psalms 73, 77-78

1 Chronicles 6

Another Psalm, another author!  Asaph was a Levitical musician appointed by David.  As a musician, it makes sense why the Psalms in his name invoke quite a bit of feeling!

In each of these Psalms we see components of the author’s experience that we have likely felt in our own lives.  For example, Psalm 73:12-14 highlights the feeling that it seems the wicked seem to prosper while the pure in heart still experience suffering!  Has anyone else had that thought cross their mind?  I know I have. Or from Psalms 77:7-9, the feeling that God has withheld His love and compassion from you? Or, in recounting the Israelite experience in Psalm 78, have we been in moments of testing God, and ignoring His redemption from our enemies?

Throughout these chapters, we see a theme of remembrance.  Whether this is people finally remembering God’s awesome power, generations being reminded of God’s miracles, or God ‘remembering’ that people are only people, remembrance is a prominent component to these musical psalms.  

When people remember God, it is after they have experienced hardship, caused by the complexities of life, or God’s wrath towards their sin.  It comes with recognition of God’s mighty works and requires humility.  Remembering God then brings about a change from a destructive path, back to a path of righteousness and holy pursuit of God’s presence.  Forgetting God and His wonders results in separation from Him for as long as someone forgets.  Remembering Him correctly as the omnipotent Creator is what brings us back to His gracious and compassionate presence. 

However, when God ‘remembers’ His people, it is not because He at some point forgot the way people forget, but rather He re-extends His grace yet again after His people have sinned; He acknowledges them (us!) in their sinfulness.  God’s remembrance is not for His benefit, but for the benefit of His people.  And without it, it wouldn’t be possible for people to experience redemption.  

Remembering God, and His remembrance or compassion towards people is something worth sharing!  Psalm 78:1-8 describes how important it is to tell others, future generations, about God’s works and power.  Whether or not you have children of your own, you do have the opportunity to impact the next generation of believers.  You can do this by reminding believers of our awesome God – reminding them of the importance of following His commands and pursuing His presence in their own lives.  No matter your age, you may feel like your generation has forgotten God.  But you, yes YOU, have the ability to start remembering Him today, to impact yourself and those around you, tomorrow.

-Sarah Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. Are there seasons in your life that you have really remembered God?  What stood out to you during that time? How could you carry that over to all seasons of life, especially ones where you may be more likely to forget Him?
  2. What could you share about God’s works in your life with people in your circle that would help you or them remember Him today?
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Yearning for God

Psalms 84-85, 87

1 Chronicles 5

Have you ever yearned for something?  

I recently had a baby boy, who decided, after about 3.5 weeks of false labor contractions and me walking around 4cm dilated for a week, he would grace us with his appearance 2 days after his due date.  For comparison, my firstborn came a week early with only those pesky Braxton Hicks contractions leading up to his debut.  Anyone who has known me over the past 9 months knows that I was fully convinced this second baby was coming early.  It felt like my entire mind was consumed by thinking about going into labor every moment of every day!  I was grouchy, distracted, and mentally exhausted.  My yearning brought me no closer to my baby, and really only made me more distant from everything positive going on around me. 

The sons of Korah write in Psalm 84:2 “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (NIV).  The NET translation phrases it as “with my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God”.  This verse paints a picture of absolute, consuming, desire for closeness with God.  The chapter continues on to describe a blessed happiness that can be found when focused on praising the Almighty, when trusting in the Lord of Hosts! (v. 4, 12).  

Psalm 85 continues this picture of desiring closeness with God, but takes a slightly different perspective.  In Psalm 84, I get this imagery of excitement, anticipation, energized passion for God, whereas Psalm 85 depicts an image of peace, protection, and righteousness in relationship.  There is still a deep longing for a connection, but it’s like comparing the honeymoon, “puppy-love” phase of a new marriage, to a secure, content, lifelong covenant marriage.  

Verse 9 describes this type of relationship through salvation by fearing God.  This “fear” is derived from the Hebrew word “yare”, which means to revere, or be afraid of because of profound respect .  It’s not meant to be a fear that causes us to avoid approaching the throne, but rather a fear that places us in rightful, humble, submission to an awesome God, worthy of being revered, and yearned for.  One that should make us say, “my whole source of joy is in you” (Ps. 87:7). 

Even though babies are one of the greatest gifts, my yearning to deliver my son began to impact my relationship with God (and others!) as I began to prioritize birth over my spiritual relationship with the One who made life.  I wanted to control the timing, and I wanted it to be now!  But, when I started to misplace my priorities, I felt less joy, less excitement, and less peace about the whole situation.  How often does this happen in our lives?  We begin to place closeness to someone or something above our desire for closeness with God… and unsurprisingly, we don’t get the same satisfaction we may have been hoping for.  We can become bitter, resentful, stressed, you name it… anything but joyful.  Yearning with such intenseness for the wrong things in life, even when they are good things, will never lead to a joy-filled life.  BUT, when we keep ourselves yearning intensely for a relationship with God, and when we humble ourselves to Him, we experience true joy, true peace, and true satisfaction, only He can deliver!

(And baby boy arrived healthy and happy, just when God intended him too 🙂)

Sarah (Blanchard) Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. Evaluate your faith walk right now – would you describe yourself as yearning for a relationship with God?  What other aspects in your life might you be misplacing above your relationship with Him?  
  2. What steps can you take to practice fearing, or revering, God today?
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Rise Up!

1 Chronicles 3-4

Psalms 43-45, 49

Hello everyone!

This week we will be primarily focusing on the Psalms passages, although you can find some very interesting name ideas as you read through the lineage passages in 1 Chronicles 🙂

All of the Psalms we are reading today are said to be written of “the sons of Korah”.  If you’re like me, you may not be completely aware of who these people are.  Although there are multiple ‘Korah’s mentioned in Scripture, most scholars believe the Psalmists come from the line of Korah who led the rebellion against Moses, and as a result was swallowed up by the earth and his followers burned with heavenly fire (Numbers 16).  BUT, Korah’s sons did not die as we see in Numbers 26:11.  With this historical knowledge, it can be helpful to put some of these Psalms into perspective.

Starting off in verse 1 of Psalm 43, I am immediately resonating with the writers as I consider our own nation for the last decade (and then some).  No matter what someone’s political perspective is, I feel confident we can all agree that this world, our nation, is in desperate need of God’s light and truth to lead us (v. 3).  It can be easy to feel rejected or abandoned by God when we focus on the world around us.  The Korahites express this very sentiment in chapter 44, calling an immortal, omnipotent Creator to Wake Up (v. 23) and remember them in their affliction.  Interestingly, the writers here don’t ask for rescue because they are so holy, or because of their own personal status.  Rather, they ask God to redeem them for the sake of His steadfast love (v. 26).  Their motive in asking is based in an understanding of the love of a powerful Father.  Despite their affliction, their feelings, and their very real enemy oppression, they are recognizing the love of God and praising His name, calling Him their greatest joy (43:4).  They are acknowledging His power while also acknowledging that they are in a pretty sucky situation they didn’t actively pursue like generations past.  

Of all people, the Korahites understood the power God had and what He could do to those who did not follow Him.  They knew this because of what their own generational line experienced!  They would have been painfully aware of Korah’s poor choices, and of God’s miraculous provisions for the Israelites throughout the years, because of their ancestors (44:1).  Rather than lashing out at God for His decision with Korah, or living in crippling fear with the knowledge of His mighty hand, they instead tied themselves closely to a God they saw as loving, protective, and desiring to redeem them (49:15).   They placed their trust in an Almighty authority with the capacity to bring eternal salvation, rather than the things of this world that wouldn’t follow them beyond the grave (49:17). 

When we experience challenges in life, it’s easy to place blame outside of ourselves (sometimes rightfully so!), become angry, or focus on all of the sucky parts around us.  During these moments, we can instead consider our greatest joy, remember our Sovereign God, and His redeeming love.  This doesn’t mean we have to ignore or hide the situations we’re in – that isn’t what these Psalmists did at all!  Instead, they placed their situations in perspective of a God they knew to be loving and eternal, worthy of praise no matter the circumstance.  Do you?

-Sarah Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. What is your first response when you experience or observe injustice in the world?  Does this reflect the knowledge you have of God?
  2. How can you place your current situations into perspective of God’s power? How does this change your attitude about your situation?
  3. Do you pull a different theme from the Psalms today? What was God speaking into your unique circumstance?
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Lists

These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.         -1 Chronicles 2:1-2 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 2

Psalm 16, 19, 21

If you’ve been reading along with me this week, you may have noticed I like lists.  In fact, it’s kind of an obsession of mine.  I have lists for pretty much everything – grocery lists, daily to-do lists, lists for upcoming birthdays and anniversaries, to-do lists of projects (for me and for my husband), packing lists for trips, lists of nursery helpers and teachers at church, so many lists. 

Lists can be great as reminders.  Yesterday and today we have read through the first two chapters in 1 Chronicles.  I know the headings aren’t actually “Biblical”, but they are helpful.  1 Chronicles 1:1-24 is the genealogy from Adam to Abraham.  Verses 28 – 34 is the genealogy from Abraham to Jacob (Israel).  1 Chronicles 2:1-15 is the genealogy of David.  Now, I don’t particularly like to read the genealogies in the Bible, or anywhere, really.  I usually skim through them and pause at the names of characters in the Bible I recognize. 

But God wanted them in the Bible, in His Word, so they must have a purpose.  I know God had special tasks for different tribes.  I know that prophecies that tell of Jesus’ lineage rely on genealogies to prove he was the Messiah.  So, don’t write them off too quickly, even if you don’t read every name. 

A short devotion to make up for the long list of names you just waded through!

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Consider your own genealogy.  There are people in your lineage who have shaped your life and your faith.  Is there anyone you want to thank?  Or thank God for?
  2. I encourage you to read the Psalms for today as well.  A great prayer for every moment of every day is Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   In looking back over your day, at what time would you have been happy to say this prayer?  When would you have wanted to hide your words and thoughts (meditation) from God?  Praise God for His forgiveness! 
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A Majestic God

1 Chronicles 1

Psalm 6, 8-10, 14

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.”  Psalm 8:1a 

Majestic…Grand…Magnificent…Imposing…Grandiose…Awe-Inspiring…Dignified…Impressive…Distinguished

There really isn’t a good enough word to describe how majestic God is, not even a list of words can do Him justice!  The rest of verse one says, “You have set your glory above the heavens.”  David points out in this Psalm that we can see God’s majesty in the work of His fingers (His creation)– specifically mentioned is the moon and the stars.

After looking to the vastness of God’s creation, David asks in 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”  David goes on to say that God crowned us with glory and honor.  We are such a small piece in God’s creation that it is hard to imagine that God cares so much for us.   And even more than that, He gave us dominion (rule or control) over the rest of His creation.  

Wow!  So often I read a Psalm like this and don’t really take in its powerful message.  God made the whole world and everything in it.  That includes people.  That includes you and me.  Do you feel crowned with glory and honor?  Do you feel watched over and cared for? 

As the world turns further and further away from God’s path it is easy to become discouraged.  To wonder, “How bad was it in Noah’s day that God ended most of mankind?”.  Psalm 14:1a says, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  There seem to be fools aplenty – all you have to do is turn on the news, log on to Facebook, listen to the conversations around you in a restaurant or grocery store.  Fools are everywhere.  All of the Psalms from today’s reading offer great encouragement for those who follow God.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. What in God’s creation speaks of God’s majesty to you?  Mountains, oceans, colors, wildlife, sunrises/sunsets, music, a newborn, etc.?
  2.  As you consider that God made – and makes – all people, consider that this statement includes you.  Also consider, this includes your bossy sister, your nosy neighbor, your know-it-all relative, etc.  Who might you need to start seeing through God’s eyes?
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David’s Character…Your Character

2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel begins with Saul’s death.  Chapter one tells of his death and David’s reaction.  Chapter two shows David seeking God’s advice and being anointed king over Judah, the northern kingdom.  Also, we see Abner anointing Ish-bosheth, Saul’s remaining son, king over Israel, the southern kingdom. 

Both armies met at the pool of Gibeon.  2 Samuel 2:14 says, “And Abner said to Joab, ‘Let the young men arise and compete before us.’  And Joab said, ‘Let them arise.’”  They arose, each sending 12 men to fight.  They each caught their opponent by the head and thrust their sword in their opponent’s side.  All 24 died.  Not the brightest way to fight!  A battle broke out after this and one of Joab’s brothers, Asahel, ran after Abner; Abner ends up killing him.  That brings Joab and his other brother, Abishai, pursuing Abner.  Joab ends up retreating, but David’s men won the battle 20 deaths to 360 deaths.  Chapter three tells of Joab and Abishai getting their revenge on Abner and of Ish-bosheth’s death.

There you have the cliff notes version of the first four chapters of 2 Samuel. 

There are two stories in these chapters that show David’s moral character.  If you remember, there were a couple of times when Saul was chasing David when David could have killed him and did not because Saul had been anointed by God.  Even though it would have been viewed as a proper response to the situation, David didn’t do it.  In 2 Samuel 1 an Amalekite man comes to David to report Saul’s death.  He tells how Saul, near death already, asks to be put out of his misery and how he honors that request.   David kills him.  In 2 Samuel 4 we read that after Abner was killed Ish-bosheth lost his courage.  Two captains of raiding bands for Ish-bosheth realized they were on the losing side and wanted to find a way to show their loyalty to David.  They killed Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David.  They were proud of their actions, and thought David would be as well.  Just like the Amalekite man, David has them killed. 

One more side note…In chapter four we are also introduced to a character who doesn’t come into play until chapter 9.  Verse 4 says, “Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”  Just keep that mouthful in mind (muh·fi·buh·sheth).

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. When you think of your own moral character, how would you rate yourself? 
  2. When the world says something is right and good do you consider if that is how God views it?  Who do you choose to follow?
  3. Keeping in mind 2 Samuel 1:14, what are some things that David – and God – would suggest we should be afraid of?
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Poems Put to Music

Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130

My husband used to be in sales and sometimes the leads he had were in the evening and a fair distance from home.  To stay awake while driving, in addition to opening his windows and turning the radio way up, he sometimes made up songs.  He’s quite clever and I thought some were pretty good.  Creativity can be fun.

Psalms are poems.  Songs are poems put to music.  They are often used to help the Israelites remember their content.  Only one of these Psalms is directly attributed to David.  We don’t know who wrote the others, but they are all titled A Song of Ascents and were sung by travelers, likely on their way to Jerusalem for one of the yearly feasts.  These musical poems prompted the Israelites to look at God from many perspectives.

121 – God is their helper and creator.  He doesn’t sleep, so He is always watching out for them.

123 – They recognize God is in heaven and they look to Him for mercy.

124 – They acknowledge God as their protector.

125 – They see that God surrounds them – he sees everything, all the time.  He brings peace to Israel.

128 – They understand that they need to fear the Lord, and that blessings come from His hand.

129 – They speak of God’s righteousness.  They speak of those who hate Zion (are against Israel) that they will be put to shame.

130 – They talk of His forgiveness and the hope Israel has through God’s love.  They know He will redeem them.

As they traveled, their focus was on God, whom they were going to worship.  These songs would have prepared their hearts, minds and attitudes to come before God.    

Get creative, and consider making up your own poem, set to music or not, to tell of what God means to you.  Which of His characteristics do you want to tell about?  Here’s an easy way to start – borrowing some of what we read today.

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who __________.  As __________ surrounds my home, so the Lord surrounds me.  Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord.  Lord, bless me with __________ and __________.  The Lord is righteous.  May all who harm your people, Lord, be __________.  O Lord, hear my voice; listen to my pleas for __________.  I wait for the Lord; I wait for _________.   My hope is in you, Lord!

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Before you head off to church, take some time to prepare your heart, mind and attitude to come before your amazing God.  What will it look like for you to do that?  Spend some time in God’s word, or in prayer?  Sing some praise songs? 
  2. Which of God’s traits are you clinging to right now?  Is there someone you can reach out to who can offer support?
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A Good Day

1 Samuel 28-31

Psalm 18

Do you have good days?  Days when you feel God’s hand moving in your life.  Days when you feel protected.  Days when you feel good about doing what is right.

David wrote this Psalm on a good day.  On a day that God delivered him from his enemies.  Here is a small sample of what David faced:

Vs 4 – the cords of death encompassed me

Vs 16 – he drew me out of many waters

Vs 17 – rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me

Vs 18 – they confronted me in the day of my calamity

Vs 48 – my enemies, the man of violence

I’m guessing most of us don’t face literal enemies who are trying to kill us.  However, we do face the enemy every day.  Does that sound crazy to you?  Do you consider that Satan is attacking you on every front every day? 

Here are some ways Satan attacks each one of us:  temptations, deception & lies, discouragement, fear, doubt, and the list goes on.  But, as I often ask, what does that look/sound like?   I believe it’s different, specifically, for each of us.  What tempts me might not tempt you at all.   Here are some examples:    

  • A group of friends or co-workers are talking about someone you know.  They are suggesting this person is doing some really bad things.  You feel included when you are part of the conversation and you like that feeling.  You feel important being “in the know” when you see others later and share the details discussed.  Information is power and you like holding that power. 
  • Things haven’t been going well for you.  Maybe it’s being overlooked for a job promotion.  Maybe it’s relationships falling apart.  Maybe it’s an illness.  You begin to be discouraged.  You start to doubt God’s goodness and love for you.  You listen to the voice telling you that you will always be a failure, you won’t ever get well, God doesn’t care, nobody cares….

So what did David do when he faced all of these enemies?  He called out to God (vs 6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help”).  That should be our first response to any attack by the enemy. 

In verses 20-24 David tells us how he made the right choices, followed God’s rules, and was blameless before him.  I know I can’t say that about myself.  But, looking at what we know of all people, and what we know about David later in his life, we know no one always does what is right (except Jesus, but this was long before his time…).  David wanted to do what was right.  I want to do what is right.  David expresses in this Psalm that his strength to be blameless (forgiven?) comes from God; that his support comes from God; that God rescues him from his enemies.  We, having the same God as David, can trust in God’s strength, in His support and in His deliverance. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you call out to God FIRST when your enemies attack?   Think of a time you called out to God for his help (even if it was as a last resort) and you saw His deliverance.  Share that with someone who is struggling (maybe that’s you). 
  2. Cross check your thoughts against God’s Word.  We often “hear” what we want to hear when it is really the enemy speaking, not God.  God will never tell you something or lead you somewhere that contradicts Scripture.
  3. On your good days, don’t forget to thank God.  Did you call out to God for help, clarity, protection, strength, etc. today?  What can you thank Him for, even while you wait for other answers?
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A Just Cause

Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63

We all think that what we want, the way we think something should be, is a just cause.  But is it, really?  Lots of things can sound like noble causes, but would they be in God’s eyes?  I have been known to think I’m right about something when I’m actually wrong.  For example, because texts & emails don’t allow for any verbal cues or body language to help with interpreting the message, they are often misunderstood.  I have made the mistake of assuming someone’s intent based on a few words I read on my phone.  I have made the mistake of responding unbecomingly – by responding directly to the person with a bad attitude, or worse yet, talking to others about what they sent to me, pleading my “just cause”.  I have found myself in the position of having to humble myself and apologize.  Maybe you’ve been there, too. 

David considered his cause to be just and he wanted God to be the one to vindicate him. 

In Psalm 17, David calls on God

  • To hear him – verse 6b:  incline your ear to me; hear my words.”
  • To show him His love – verse 7a: “Wondrously show your steadfast love,”
  • To protect him – verse 8: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,”

David also takes a look at himself

  • Verse 3b:  I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.” 
  • Verse 4b: “I have avoided the ways of the violent.”
  • Verse 5:  My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”

David tells God what his enemies are doing

  • Verse 9a: “the wicked who do me violence”
  • Verse 10: “they close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.”
  • Verse 12: “…like a lion eager to tear”

David asks God to stop the wicked

  • Verses 13: “Arise, O Lord!  Confront him, subdue him!  Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,”

David raises his just cause before God.  He fully trusts God will see the good and right as well as the ugly and evil.  He believes God will respond justly, because that is His character.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Taking time to do a self-evaluation can help us see our “causes” (desires) in a more accurate light.  When faced with a negative situation, before responding or reacting ask yourself some important questions:
    • Are my priorities what I want them to be?
    • Am I being self-centered?
    • Do I need to right a wrong?
  2. Are you confident in your choices to welcome God’s testing of your heart?  If not, what can you do to move in that direction?
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