Psalm 62

1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
3 So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.
4 They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts.
Interlude
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.
10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.
11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
"Quietly..." Very different from "panic" or "freak out!"

Either can describe how we respond under pressure. For example, in David's situation, "So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me,. This would qualify as a high pressure situation. "They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. " All in all...not a delightful circumstance.
In my years I've seen many different reactions to pressure. I was on a hillside in South Vietnam one afternoon...getting ready to shoot a fire mission with our 155mm howitzer. Suddenly the folks we intended to shoot at began shooting at us. Mortars landed all around us. Our need to fire our cannon became all the more urgent. Well...our guy responsible for the primers "freaked out" and ran off to a bunker. No primers...no boom!
Eight of us were left out there defenseless.
Although angry at the time, I've thought about that many times over the years. I'm less critical today. I have found it is extremely difficult to conduct ourselves honorably when everything around us is pandemonium.
Yet, David "wait(ed) quietly before God, (his) victory comes from him. " In my experience that makes him extra special. But that's not the entire story. There was a reason for David's calm demeanor. He looked at his enemy and said "to them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. "

What David had going for him was...the enemy had absolutely no clue. David knew that "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me." In truth, no matter what the enemy's intentions, they would not be successful.
All the easier to wait quietly. Sort of like the difference between waiting for a shock of electricity or waiting for dinner. I've already decided which I prefer.
So, here's my thought: Do we really believe God is our fortress and we will never be shaken? I think the answer is revealed by how we respond under pressure. It could be the pressure of finals, or a deadline at work, or a delinquent child. Our ability to remain at peace is directly related to our confidence in God.
Of course, I'm not suggesting we can just say it and it will be so...
It's a cultivated reaction. It comes from constant practice. David says "O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." It's not complicated. "At all times" we are to practice pouring our hearts out to him. That means even during the good times. So, when pressure comes our response will kick in automatically. And the result? "unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done."
Something will happen to you today...a small thing. You will have the opportunity to handle it like you've done countless times before. Or, you can immediately pour it out before the Lord and follow his guidance. It may not seem like a big thing but...practice makes perfect.
Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 61

1. O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!
2. From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3. for you are my safe refuge,a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!Interlude
5. For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
6. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations!
7. May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.
8. Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.

"From the ends of the earth I cry out to you..."

Have you ever been that far from home? Our Iraqi-Afghanistan veterans have. You know what they found out when they got there? They found we can never travel far enough to get away from hostility and danger. In fact, often its waiting for us when we get there. Most often its exactly why we're there. David found himself there...apparently when he was being pursued by his son Absalom.

So he cries out for help. His prayer reminds us of an important principle. It's also impossible to travel so far that God will not be there when we arrive. David prayed "Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge,a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me."

We need to remember...wherever we are...there is a place we can go where the enemy cannot touch us: Beneath the "shelter of His wings."

I'd like to make a point here. Just as "the shelter of His wings" is a metaphor for God's protective presence, I think "the ends of the earth" can just as easily be a metaphor for a sense of alienation or estrangement. Have you ever felt all alone in your own home...with your family all around you? That's the "ends of the earth" as far as you're concerned at that moment.

When David says "Let me live forever in your sanctuary" I believe he is extending this metaphor to remind us that we will never feel truly at home unless we are dwelling in the overwhelming presence of our Lord. That is where we were created to live.

This psalm should encourage us today. No matter where we are, no matter what our predicament, we are never more that a prayer away from God's sheltering presence. We may be facing employment battles, or financial struggles. Our family may be falling apart. Those are the ends of the earth.

But...you know what? Just one step in the right direction and we can find ourselves in a place where the enemy cannot touch us.

Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 60

1. You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.
2. You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.
3. You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling.
4. But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack.
Interlude
5. Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.
6. God has promised this by his holiness “I will divide up Shechem with joy.
I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
7. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.
8. But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.

9. Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?

10. Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?

11. Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.

12. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.

One of the things I've learned through my study of the Psalms is that David believed absolutely everything in his life was influenced by God...either by way of his involvement of his lack of involvement. It's an approach that would benefit each of us. Instead, we consider so much of life a coincidence...leaving us wondering about the point.

Not David...so he begins this psalm by saying "You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor. You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles. You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling." In this instance trouble has come through God's direct intervention. It's not an accident and it didn't happen because God was busy elsewhere.

It's a tough pill to swallow. After all...it's much easier to believe we're in trouble because God has distanced himself. We don't have to take it so personally...we can believe God has "copped an attitude". Which, by the way, is the reason most of the world is angry with God. We can turn our backs on God with an inappropriate sense of self-righteousness.

Of course, it's a very short-term solution. When has it ever paid long-term dividends?

Because David recognized the hand of God in his circumstance he knew exactly where to turn for relief. "But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack. Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power." I like the metaphor of God as a "rallying point." The picture is of the pandemonium of battle, let's say 16th century England. The battle is going poorly. As casualties mount every soldier begins looking for his own path to safety.Will falters and confidence vaporizes. Before long the army is in full defeat and scattering.

But, wait! The king sits tall in his saddle and lifts his ensign high...for all to see. He roars a command for his army to take courage...and the tide turns. The kings forces are victorious.

When our lives are in disarray, we need a focus...a rallying point. Something that we can look to that will fill our hearts with strength and courage. I can't imagine we would ever regard God as that banner unless we held an abiding conviction that He was already interested and involved in our lives.

For David it was simple. He knew his trouble derived from God and knew his equilibrium had the same...and only...source. "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes." Unfortunately most of us are slow to this awareness. By the time we recognize God is the solution we have tried a new wife, a new job, a new house, a new diet and a new wardrobe... resulting in nothing of note, except for new credit card bills.

How about we skip the frenetic search for solutions and go straight to the source?

Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 59

1. Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
2. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers
3. They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them.
4. I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
5. God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6. They come out at night,snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.
7. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
8. But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
9. You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
10. In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11. Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.
12. Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies.
13. Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel.
14. My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.
15. They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.
16. But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
17. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

Wake up,Lord!

Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. It's very hard to have a joyful outlook on life when that happens... so David tells the Lord what he is facing. "They have set an ambush for me. Wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors."

I'll say I've never been tempted to tell the Lord to "wake up!" I think there's a pretty good reason for it though. David says his enemies are coming at him like snarling, vicious dogs (just in case God hadn't noticed?).

It looks as though He had a right to be impatient. Not only was he in danger, but he had done nothing to precipitate their evil intentions. He tells God "I have not sinned or offended them. I have done nothing wrong." Therefore, it seems he was on solid ground with his request.

But, then something interesting happens. David wants God's justice to serve as an everlasting lesson for his people. So he tells God "Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees." If God simply kills them they will soon be forgotten...along with the lesson.

In the novel Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, we understand what David is saying. The narrator of the novel meets the cripple, Ethan Frome. As the novel unfolds we find out that Ethan was injured in a tragic accident twenty years earlier. He and the woman he loved were being forced to part. They decided to form a suicide pact and intended to ride a sled down a steep hill and hit a tree. Neither was killed, but both were crippled.

That's, of course, is not the tragedy. Ethan was in love with his wife's cousin and wanted to run away with her. The tragic lesson...on the cost of infidelity...was seared into the brain of every town person each day they saw Ethan limp off to work. Who knows how many fictional families were saved because of that daily reminder?

Well, I admire David's unique take on justice. He wanted it not only for himself, but as an object lesson for his people as well. It almost seems as though personal justice may actually be selfish justice. David wanted no part of that.

I think we have an important lesson here. We should not be seeking God's intervention in our lives simply for our own comfort or convenience. When God, in His grace, chooses to deliver us we need to be certain we faithfully proclaim what God has done. Let's not keep it to ourselves. As David said..."as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress."

Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 58

1. Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly?
² No! You plot injustice in your hearts.You spread violence throughout the land.
³ These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.
⁴ They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen,
⁵ ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.

⁶ Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!

⁷ May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.

⁸ May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.

⁹ God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.

¹⁰ The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

¹¹ Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Saul was hunting David...in order to kill him.
One night, as Saul lie sleeping with his army, David crept up stealthily and took Saul's spear. The next morning David displayed the spear to Saul and his men. He shouted down to them..."Is it not now in your power to convince Saul to quit pursuing me? I could have slain him but did not."
Still, Saul's advisers judged David a rebel and encouraged Saul to continue after him...to kill him.
This is the context of David's psalm today. David says "Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts." The only way David could comprehend the viciousness of their actions was to accept the notion that they simply were not interested in justice.
I think we see many of our political leaders just as blind to the truth and just as corrupt. They know full well what their constituency has elected them to do and they do otherwise. "They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play."


The truth of the matter then...as it is now...is there are some who will never respond to the truth. No matter how eloquently we state it. No matter how often we repeat is...they simply are not interested. They have shut their ears. It wouldn't be so frustrating if these people did not have the power to influence significant parts of our lives.
And. like Davids' pursuers...they literally have the power of life and death over us.
I'd feel a lot better if they'd listen to me. So...what do we do?
Well, David kept his perspective. He knew God is faithful. In the midst of his anguish he proclaims "God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God.”
There is a lot of injustice out there...and it isn't just politicians. Maybe some of it has influenced your life and you're frustrated...feeling powerless to defend your rights. Lift up your heart and proclaim with David; "surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."
Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 57

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.

Interlude

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.
6 My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress.They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.

Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
8 Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

Gladiator...great movie, but I wouldn't want to be one.

It's difficult to imagine that a truth of history is we used to throw people to the lions. Sometimes the victims weren't gladiators, but helpless folks like you and me...who couldn't even make sport out of it. One popular iteration was throwing Christians to the lions. We can read first person accounts from people who watched the proceedings. I can't imagine how anybody could call it "sport."

David describes his enemies in similar fashion. "I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords." These aren't literal lions. They are human beings whose intent to devour is lion-like.

What is it that turns human beings into predators?

I don't know the answer, but I do know there are predators all around. I saw a friend of mine fired from his job...only to see the sole witness against him take the job that my friend vacated. They were "friends." Mali and I invested hundreds of dollars into a house we were renting...with the owners permission...only to be evicted on the claim that we had "destroyed" the place. The owner moved in the next week. It appeared she liked our work well enough to live with it.

Just like yesterday's psalm...David was once again suffering under this kind of predatory behavior. If it's ever happened to you, you know how discouraging that can be. It eats away at your self-confidence and self-esteem. Your energy levels deplete to nothing. Before long they are circling for the kill. David says "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by." What a beautiful word picture...finally, someplace to hide.

I'll bet you've experience it. I'll bet you've despaired...just like David. I encourage you to run to our Lord. Hide beneath the protection of His wings. Do you know what will happen? Listen to David again. "My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!"

It's amazing how we can rebound once we get out of hostile territory.

Live boldly out there today...

Psalm 56

1 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
5 They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.
8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised; Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

"That's not what I said!"

How many times have you had to say that...because somebody was twisting your words? It's frustrating, but sometimes dangerous as well. When people twist your words it's not always an innocent mistake. Look at David's situation: "I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me...they are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me". In his case, the folks who were twisting his words were doing it with evil intentions. They intended to harm him through slander.

We know that slander is malicious false and defamatory statements against a person. I wonder why somebody would do that...

It seem to me it would be an attempt to diminish a person's reputation so they will no longer be trusted in word or deed. I ask again...why would somebody intentionally do that?

I can think of only one reason: They hate who you are or what you stand for. In order to eliminate any influence you may have over them they cast seeds of doubt...even contempt...about you. It's personally very painful.

A good friend of mine...Charlie...was accused of saying some very ugly things at a chaplains conference. I didn't attend but heard the accusations. I called Charlie and asked him about it. I recall he broke down and wept. He was injured that deeply. Of course, it turned out the accusations were malicious and false. But...there will always be some folks who believe them. Charlie's reputation among those folks has been diminished forever.

"Who cares?" you might ask. They're idiots!

Well, let me put this in context. Charlie has stood for one thing his entire adult life...Jesus Christ. You see where I'm going with this? If Charlie's reputation is diminished his ability to be effective for Christ is diminished. They don't hate Charlie...they hate Jesus.

Even if they don't know it...

This is why I believe we must stand against this sort of evil. We must not tolerate it within the Body of Christ. The next time you hear some malicious gossip...kill it dead on the spot. When you do that you are defending the very Christ who lives in the person who was being slandered.

And remember...when you're slandered...it's not about you.

Even though it's still painful, I remind you of how David responded. He said "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?"

Live boldly out there today...