A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.
4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards.
5 They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest.
6 With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name.
8 Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!” So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.
9 We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end.
10 How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.
12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth.
13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him.
15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun.
17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.
18 See how these enemies insult you, Lord. A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
19 Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don’t forget your suffering people forever.
20 Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence!
21 Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
23 Don’t overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar.
I was watching a special on the Holocaust. As I watched the Jewish people being rounded up in Warsaw...their homes destroyed...I tried to imagine what was going through their minds. You and I have never experienced the complete dismantling of our lives. We have always been able to hang on to some remnant of our lives for security. What if we lost everything? family, home, job, identity, friends...
Could we still worship?
Our psalm today gives account of the destruction of the temple...the very House of the Lord. The very center of community life...gone. Asaph was perplexed. How could God let this happen? He begged, "walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary." In fact, according to Asaph, they burned God's sanctuary to the ground. They decided to destroy everything, so they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.
Asaph cried "we no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? Why do you hold back your strong right hand?"
Total desolation...not a sliver of hope. Yet...a ray of light. The enemy could not take Asaph's memory. And what did Asaph recall? He recalled a gracious God who had come to dwell with Israel and care for her...like a mother hen protects her chicks. He cried out to God and said "remember that we are the people you chose long ago...remember your covenant promises."
This is the resilience of a person with faith. Life can be very bleak. the future can look hopeless. But when everything is stripped away we still are able to recollect the memories of a faithful God. Our struggles today may be taking a toll. We may see a life in ruins, hopes that are shattered and wonder if things can ever be good again. Let me suggest each of us take some time to look back and remember. While we do that, let's ask God to remember too. After all, we are the people He chose. We are the people with whom He made promises.
Live boldly out there today...
October 2, 2010
October 1, 2010
Psalm 73
A psalm of Asaph.
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend. Though a highly successful scholar, he was unsatisfied, and made a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. By all accounts he used his gifts selfishly and corruptly but seemed to get everything he wanted. Its as though he wass being blessed for being wicked. But, of course, in the end he has to "pay the piper" and is carted off to hell.
Its a hard thing to see the wicked prosper...if we don't take the long view of things. It would be less difficult if the righteous could count on the same prosperity. But, all too often we see the righteous suffer. When this happens we begin wondering if God is even paying attention...or if our faith even has any value.
This psalm was written because Asaph was frustrated by exactly this inequity. He had begun to think there was nothing in religion, that it was a vain and useless thing. He went to the house of God for an attitude check...and was brought back to his senses. He penned this psalm, to prevent others falling into the same snare.
Asaph begins by admitting the truth. He "envied the proud when (he) saw them prosper despite their wickedness." Its a temptation we all understand. Who wouldn't want more money, more respect, more...well, more? Most of us would say "God...I could use some of that and I'll even be a good person!"
But what really stuck in Asaph's craw was the realization that this was confusing to people of faith. The wicked got away with all sorts of evil and nothing happened to them. They even mocked God. Before long the faithful were asking “Does the Most High even know what’s happening? Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long."
Its easy to fall into the trap of believing our faithfulness should be rewarded. We forget faith is its own reward because it is the vehicle that ushers us into eternal life with our Savior. But, that's then...this is now! A friend of mine used to call it "stinking thinking" He was referring to the temptation believers face when comparing themselves to unbelievers. Before long, we are using the world's standards to measure the worth of our faith.
It happens to all of us...and there is only one antidote.
Asaph got so agitated that he went to church and had a time of reflection with God...clearing his head. He says "I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked...I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you."
I don't know if this part of the psalm is prescriptive, but it seems logical that one good place to get a better perspective on life is by going to the Lord's house and sitting down with Him. If nothing else, we get some relief from having to see all the prosperity squandered on the wicked. It's that sense of "sanctuary" where we can regain our perspective and God can speak with us. It worked for Asaph. He closes his psalm by saying "How good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
I know its tempting to compare our lives with the rich and famous. I wouldn't mind selling 100 million albums, or making a movie that grosses $1.6 Billion. I could do all that and still be a righteous person. I'd be right, and God knows I'd be right. But, that's not the point. It's never about us being right. Its about getting distracted to the point that we are comparing ourselves with wicked people...when the only comparison we should be making is our righteousness against God's righteousness.
And...as I said at the beginning...in the end Faust was carted off to hell. What does scripture say? "A thousand years is like a day to the Lord." So, in rough terms, Faust got everything he wanted...for one hour...in trade for thousands of years (eternity) in hell. I wonder if he thinks it was such a great bargain after all.
Live boldly out there today...
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend. Though a highly successful scholar, he was unsatisfied, and made a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. By all accounts he used his gifts selfishly and corruptly but seemed to get everything he wanted. Its as though he wass being blessed for being wicked. But, of course, in the end he has to "pay the piper" and is carted off to hell.
Its a hard thing to see the wicked prosper...if we don't take the long view of things. It would be less difficult if the righteous could count on the same prosperity. But, all too often we see the righteous suffer. When this happens we begin wondering if God is even paying attention...or if our faith even has any value.
This psalm was written because Asaph was frustrated by exactly this inequity. He had begun to think there was nothing in religion, that it was a vain and useless thing. He went to the house of God for an attitude check...and was brought back to his senses. He penned this psalm, to prevent others falling into the same snare.
Asaph begins by admitting the truth. He "envied the proud when (he) saw them prosper despite their wickedness." Its a temptation we all understand. Who wouldn't want more money, more respect, more...well, more? Most of us would say "God...I could use some of that and I'll even be a good person!"
But what really stuck in Asaph's craw was the realization that this was confusing to people of faith. The wicked got away with all sorts of evil and nothing happened to them. They even mocked God. Before long the faithful were asking “Does the Most High even know what’s happening? Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long."
Its easy to fall into the trap of believing our faithfulness should be rewarded. We forget faith is its own reward because it is the vehicle that ushers us into eternal life with our Savior. But, that's then...this is now! A friend of mine used to call it "stinking thinking" He was referring to the temptation believers face when comparing themselves to unbelievers. Before long, we are using the world's standards to measure the worth of our faith.
It happens to all of us...and there is only one antidote.
Asaph got so agitated that he went to church and had a time of reflection with God...clearing his head. He says "I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked...I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you."
I don't know if this part of the psalm is prescriptive, but it seems logical that one good place to get a better perspective on life is by going to the Lord's house and sitting down with Him. If nothing else, we get some relief from having to see all the prosperity squandered on the wicked. It's that sense of "sanctuary" where we can regain our perspective and God can speak with us. It worked for Asaph. He closes his psalm by saying "How good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
I know its tempting to compare our lives with the rich and famous. I wouldn't mind selling 100 million albums, or making a movie that grosses $1.6 Billion. I could do all that and still be a righteous person. I'd be right, and God knows I'd be right. But, that's not the point. It's never about us being right. Its about getting distracted to the point that we are comparing ourselves with wicked people...when the only comparison we should be making is our righteousness against God's righteousness.
And...as I said at the beginning...in the end Faust was carted off to hell. What does scripture say? "A thousand years is like a day to the Lord." So, in rough terms, Faust got everything he wanted...for one hour...in trade for thousands of years (eternity) in hell. I wonder if he thinks it was such a great bargain after all.
Live boldly out there today...
September 30, 2010
Psalm 72
A psalm for Solomon.
1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.
2 Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful.
4 Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth.
7 May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.
8 May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River[a] to the ends of the earth.
9 Desert nomads will bow before him; his enemies will fall before him in the dust.
10 The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts.
11 All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him.
12 He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
13 He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.
15 Long live the king! May the gold of Sheba be given to him. May the people always pray for him and bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundant grain throughout the land, flourishing even on the hilltops. May the fruit trees flourish like the trees of Lebanon, and may the people thrive like grass in a field.
17 May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!
20 (This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.)
This psalm was written by David; and very likely at the close of his days, when he ordered Solomon to be anointed king.
What is it that we wish for our children? Its often different from what we wish for ourselves...and better. David is no different. For himself David asked God for a love for justice. For Solomon he asked for righteousness. I think this is more revealing than all the exploits David prays upon Solomon in the rest of the psalm. "Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. "
I love justice. I could see me asking God for a sense of justice. In fact, He may have given it. But...justice comes with its own weight. If you spend your life fighting for justice...defending the widows and orphans...as David did you are volunteering yourself for years of conflict, hardship and pain. But David was a warrior and a man after God's heart. I suspect a zeal for justice came naturally to him. The pursuit of Justice is certainly worth the cost, but few men would wish the journey upon their children.
So, what does David ask for his son? Righteousness...understood as godliness,holiness and integrity. Any loving father would do the same thing. Would you want your son to be a mighty warrior? A powerful politician? or in perfect fellowship with God?
No contest. If our children can have that, their lives and eternity are secure.
As we see in the rest of the psalm, righteousness has its own good consequences...
- fairness.
- prosperous and fruitful.
- defends the poor and needy.
Each of these is an admirable quality...and would help make a good king, but means nothing if a person does not have a right relationship with God...based upon righteousness. So...David had his priorities right for his son.
My daughter is an architect. My middle son is a field grade officer in the United States Air Force. My first born is an artist and musician. I am proud of each of them but, what they accomplish in their chosen professions has little significance if they do not Love the Lord with all their heart.
And, following David's fatherly example...that is my prayer for them. What prayers are you offering on behalf of your children?
Live boldly out there today...
1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.
2 Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful.
4 Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth.
7 May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.
8 May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River[a] to the ends of the earth.
9 Desert nomads will bow before him; his enemies will fall before him in the dust.
10 The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts.
11 All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him.
12 He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
13 He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.
15 Long live the king! May the gold of Sheba be given to him. May the people always pray for him and bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundant grain throughout the land, flourishing even on the hilltops. May the fruit trees flourish like the trees of Lebanon, and may the people thrive like grass in a field.
17 May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!
20 (This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.)
This psalm was written by David; and very likely at the close of his days, when he ordered Solomon to be anointed king.
What is it that we wish for our children? Its often different from what we wish for ourselves...and better. David is no different. For himself David asked God for a love for justice. For Solomon he asked for righteousness. I think this is more revealing than all the exploits David prays upon Solomon in the rest of the psalm. "Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. "
I love justice. I could see me asking God for a sense of justice. In fact, He may have given it. But...justice comes with its own weight. If you spend your life fighting for justice...defending the widows and orphans...as David did you are volunteering yourself for years of conflict, hardship and pain. But David was a warrior and a man after God's heart. I suspect a zeal for justice came naturally to him. The pursuit of Justice is certainly worth the cost, but few men would wish the journey upon their children.
So, what does David ask for his son? Righteousness...understood as godliness,holiness and integrity. Any loving father would do the same thing. Would you want your son to be a mighty warrior? A powerful politician? or in perfect fellowship with God?
No contest. If our children can have that, their lives and eternity are secure.
As we see in the rest of the psalm, righteousness has its own good consequences...
- fairness.
- prosperous and fruitful.
- defends the poor and needy.
Each of these is an admirable quality...and would help make a good king, but means nothing if a person does not have a right relationship with God...based upon righteousness. So...David had his priorities right for his son.
My daughter is an architect. My middle son is a field grade officer in the United States Air Force. My first born is an artist and musician. I am proud of each of them but, what they accomplish in their chosen professions has little significance if they do not Love the Lord with all their heart.
And, following David's fatherly example...that is my prayer for them. What prayers are you offering on behalf of your children?
Live boldly out there today...
September 29, 2010
Psalm 71
1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.
2 Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.
3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
5 O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
7 My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”
12 O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.
13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
14 But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.[a]
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.
22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.
24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
This psalm is without a title, but is thought to be David's...penned when he fled from his son Absalom. Again, it is a psalm asking God for deliverance from great danger.
Today, David gives us a glimpse into who he is...and how he was raised to become a man after God's own heart." He says "O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!"
Some of you can not imagine the blessings of being born into a family of faith. I can. My father was a preacher...from before my birth...and I've never known anything other than living a life of service to God. I'm not claiming to have always done it well. I'm saying there has never been a day when I didn't understand the demands and promises of the Christian life.
And...if I had prenatal memories I could probably tell you I recall hearing the prayers of my mother, while I was in her womb. By the time I had lived to the debauched age of four, my mom sat me on the living room couch and explained that my wickedness had put me on the road to ruin and destruction. Without Christ I was lost forever. Without making light of the story, I fell to my knees weeping and begged Christ's forgiveness. For 57 years I've been trying to live that conversion faithfully every day.
I have to ask...Is there a blessing greater than godly DNA? I don't think so. Before the devil could teach me differently, my parents...and the Holy Spirit...had made the facts of life very clear.
This was the family David was born into. It helps explain how his faith never wavered in the most dire circumstances. People who come to faith later in life have a vastly different experience. They need to deconflict all the ungodly scripting that has gone on in their lives and figure out...often by trial and error...what it means to be a person of faith.
But, you know what? You may not come from a spiritually privileged family, but you can create one for your own children...or grandchildren. You can create an environment that is so powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit that His presence will be imprinted on the souls of those children before they know it happened.
The benefits? Look at David. His son is trying to kill him. He is a refugee in his own kingdom. His physical life hangs in the balance. Yet, he says "my life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."
He didn't pick up that kind of faith at the last minute. That was bred into him by a godly family. David's faith can be our faith...and the faith of our children. But...we need to begin fashioning the environment today.
Live boldly out there today...
2 Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.
3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
5 O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
7 My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”
12 O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.
13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
14 But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.[a]
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.
22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.
24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
This psalm is without a title, but is thought to be David's...penned when he fled from his son Absalom. Again, it is a psalm asking God for deliverance from great danger.
Today, David gives us a glimpse into who he is...and how he was raised to become a man after God's own heart." He says "O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!"
Some of you can not imagine the blessings of being born into a family of faith. I can. My father was a preacher...from before my birth...and I've never known anything other than living a life of service to God. I'm not claiming to have always done it well. I'm saying there has never been a day when I didn't understand the demands and promises of the Christian life.
And...if I had prenatal memories I could probably tell you I recall hearing the prayers of my mother, while I was in her womb. By the time I had lived to the debauched age of four, my mom sat me on the living room couch and explained that my wickedness had put me on the road to ruin and destruction. Without Christ I was lost forever. Without making light of the story, I fell to my knees weeping and begged Christ's forgiveness. For 57 years I've been trying to live that conversion faithfully every day.
I have to ask...Is there a blessing greater than godly DNA? I don't think so. Before the devil could teach me differently, my parents...and the Holy Spirit...had made the facts of life very clear.
This was the family David was born into. It helps explain how his faith never wavered in the most dire circumstances. People who come to faith later in life have a vastly different experience. They need to deconflict all the ungodly scripting that has gone on in their lives and figure out...often by trial and error...what it means to be a person of faith.
But, you know what? You may not come from a spiritually privileged family, but you can create one for your own children...or grandchildren. You can create an environment that is so powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit that His presence will be imprinted on the souls of those children before they know it happened.
The benefits? Look at David. His son is trying to kill him. He is a refugee in his own kingdom. His physical life hangs in the balance. Yet, he says "my life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."
He didn't pick up that kind of faith at the last minute. That was bred into him by a godly family. David's faith can be our faith...and the faith of our children. But...we need to begin fashioning the environment today.
Live boldly out there today...
September 28, 2010
Psalm 70
1. O God, hasten to deliver me; O LORD, hasten to my help!
2. Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek my life; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
3. Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, "Aha, aha!"
4. Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified."
5. But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.
"A remembrance that the Lord had saved him" is the actual title of this psalm. It was composed by David when he fled from Absalom and was composed to refresh his own memory concerning the source of his help and salvation.
I love the phrase "Hasten to me, O God!" It reminds me of all the times in my life when I want something...right now. In this case it was because David was "needy and afflicted." I'd like to say I beg (oops...pray) God only when I'm needy and afflicted...but I can't.
My petty life has nowhere near the drama of David's. After reading the psalms I'm almost embarrassed at the things I bring to God.
But wait. Scripture says "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." There is nothing so small that it escapes God's interest. What's troubling you today? Have you avoided praying it up the chain because it's not that big a deal?
How silly. The entire purpose of this psalm is to remind us where our help comes from. In today's jargon we should be saying "hey God...come here...quick!"
Live boldly out there today...
2. Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek my life; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
3. Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, "Aha, aha!"
4. Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified."
5. But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.
"A remembrance that the Lord had saved him" is the actual title of this psalm. It was composed by David when he fled from Absalom and was composed to refresh his own memory concerning the source of his help and salvation.
I love the phrase "Hasten to me, O God!" It reminds me of all the times in my life when I want something...right now. In this case it was because David was "needy and afflicted." I'd like to say I beg (oops...pray) God only when I'm needy and afflicted...but I can't.
My petty life has nowhere near the drama of David's. After reading the psalms I'm almost embarrassed at the things I bring to God.
But wait. Scripture says "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." There is nothing so small that it escapes God's interest. What's troubling you today? Have you avoided praying it up the chain because it's not that big a deal?
How silly. The entire purpose of this psalm is to remind us where our help comes from. In today's jargon we should be saying "hey God...come here...quick!"
Live boldly out there today...
September 27, 2010
Psalm 69:19-36
19 You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. 20 Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. 21 But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst. 22 Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare and their prosperity become a trap. 23 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and make their bodies shake continually. 24 Pour out your fury on them; consume them with your burning anger. 25 Let their homes become desolate and their tents be deserted. 26 To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury; they add to the pain of those you have hurt. 27 Pile their sins up high, and don’t let them go free. 28 Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous. 29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. 30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. 31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. 32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. 33 For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. 34 Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. 35 For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. 36 The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety
"Erase their names from the Book of Life?" You think?
In the Old Testament the Book of Life is the book in which God records the names and lives of the righteous. Its analog for the wicked, is the Book of the Dead. According to the Talmud both are opened on Rosh Hashanah. For this reason extra mention is made for the Book of Life during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
In the New Testament the Book of Life is referred to seven times in the Book of Revelation. As described, only those whose names are written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, and have not been blotted out by the Lamb, are saved at the Last Judgment; Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So...These are tough words...particularly if we believe our salvation is secure in Christ. Can our names be in the "Book of Life" and than be removed? Many of our commentaries suggest this is not the intent. They explain the intent of the statement is that the names should not be entered. I'm not so certain.
(Just showing off here...Make sure you read it backwards) יִמָּחֽוּ מִסֵּפֶר חַיִּים וְעִם צַדִּיקִיםאַל־יִכָּתֵֽבוּ׃
"May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous." The possibility is that we have two entries in the ledger...one is a list of all the humans beings who have ever existed while the other entry is the list of the "righteous."
At any rate, this is serious stuff. This is our psalmist's desire for his enemies. I'll bet his prayers are answered. So the question for us today is simple: Are we a "friend of God" or an "enemy of God?" This is what will determine our eternal destiny. Our New Testament scriptures can help us with this. We are "in the Book" if we allow Christ's sacrifice to purify us from the stain of sin. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
A bigger question...what gets us blotted out?
1. Revelation 22:19 NIV - "And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This is more common than we'd care to believe. I listen to people daily who have their own "spin" on what the Bible means. They devise an understanding that supports their own intentions. Well, the Bible is a "no spin zone" according to God. If we fiddle with the intent we risk losing claim to eternal life.
Ever wonder how we can be sure we're not "spinning" the truth? Jesus gives us assurance in John 14: 26, 27. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Live boldly out there today...
"Erase their names from the Book of Life?" You think?
In the Old Testament the Book of Life is the book in which God records the names and lives of the righteous. Its analog for the wicked, is the Book of the Dead. According to the Talmud both are opened on Rosh Hashanah. For this reason extra mention is made for the Book of Life during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.
In the New Testament the Book of Life is referred to seven times in the Book of Revelation. As described, only those whose names are written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, and have not been blotted out by the Lamb, are saved at the Last Judgment; Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So...These are tough words...particularly if we believe our salvation is secure in Christ. Can our names be in the "Book of Life" and than be removed? Many of our commentaries suggest this is not the intent. They explain the intent of the statement is that the names should not be entered. I'm not so certain.
(Just showing off here...Make sure you read it backwards) יִמָּחֽוּ מִסֵּפֶר חַיִּים וְעִם צַדִּיקִיםאַל־יִכָּתֵֽבוּ׃
"May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous." The possibility is that we have two entries in the ledger...one is a list of all the humans beings who have ever existed while the other entry is the list of the "righteous."
At any rate, this is serious stuff. This is our psalmist's desire for his enemies. I'll bet his prayers are answered. So the question for us today is simple: Are we a "friend of God" or an "enemy of God?" This is what will determine our eternal destiny. Our New Testament scriptures can help us with this. We are "in the Book" if we allow Christ's sacrifice to purify us from the stain of sin. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
A bigger question...what gets us blotted out?
1. Revelation 22:19 NIV - "And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This is more common than we'd care to believe. I listen to people daily who have their own "spin" on what the Bible means. They devise an understanding that supports their own intentions. Well, the Bible is a "no spin zone" according to God. If we fiddle with the intent we risk losing claim to eternal life.
Ever wonder how we can be sure we're not "spinning" the truth? Jesus gives us assurance in John 14: 26, 27. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Live boldly out there today...
September 26, 2010
Psalm 69:1-18
1 Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head. Many enemies try to destroy me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.
5 O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.
6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.
7 For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face.
8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
9 Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
10 When I weep and fast, they scoff at me.
11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me.
12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
13 But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me,
and pull me from these deep waters.
15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me.
16 Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.
17 Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
18 Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies.
"You're embarrassing yourself."
Have you ever heard those words? There is no mistaking the meaning. Somebody is telling you that you're acting beneath your dignity. But, you know, we live in a culture where the common reply is "it's' my life...I can do what I want." So, its getting increasingly more difficult to challenge somebody to behave based on damage to their reputation.
As the 1960's hit by The Animals says "It's my life and I'll do what I want. It's my mind and I'll think what I want." That's America for you...
Au contraire, my friend. As people of faith, the things we do reflect on the entire Body of Christ. How many times have we heard people use the bad behavior of some obscure christian years ago as their excuse for having nothing to do with the Church? I hear it, in one form or another, all the time.
This is why our psalmist says "Don't let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me...don't let me cause them to be humiliated." He understood, long before John Donne said it, that Mr. Donne would be right when he said "no man is an island." Our lives influence what others think about Christians. More important, our lives influence what people think about Christ himself.
So, do you know what our author did? He made his life a matter of prayer. Not simply because he wanted a comfortable life, but because he knew his failures would reflect poorly on other believers. So, using the perils of drowning as a metaphor for his life he says "save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me".
The turbulent waters of life often threaten to overtake us. Many believers start strong and their lives bring great honor to God. But, somewhere along the way distractions, temptations or selfish pride get in the way. I have a good friend whose father was a military chaplain. After a career in ministry he had become encumbered by worldly temptations. By the time I met him he was divorced and was running an escort service (not the nice kind). This was a man of God...and he proudly told everybody he met about his career as a minister. My friend was completely embarrassed....and would have nothing to do with his father. As the psalmist says..."even my own brothers pretend like they don't know me."
I wonder how many of his acquaintances were impressed.
We need to live disciplined lives. No because god will love us more, but because we don't want to embarrass God's church. It's the only one He has. He wants it to have a spotless reputation.
How are you doing with that...?
Live boldly out there today...
2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head. Many enemies try to destroy me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.
5 O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.
6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.
7 For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face.
8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
9 Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
10 When I weep and fast, they scoff at me.
11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me.
12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
13 But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me,
and pull me from these deep waters.
15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me.
16 Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.
17 Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
18 Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies.
"You're embarrassing yourself."
Have you ever heard those words? There is no mistaking the meaning. Somebody is telling you that you're acting beneath your dignity. But, you know, we live in a culture where the common reply is "it's' my life...I can do what I want." So, its getting increasingly more difficult to challenge somebody to behave based on damage to their reputation.
As the 1960's hit by The Animals says "It's my life and I'll do what I want. It's my mind and I'll think what I want." That's America for you...
Au contraire, my friend. As people of faith, the things we do reflect on the entire Body of Christ. How many times have we heard people use the bad behavior of some obscure christian years ago as their excuse for having nothing to do with the Church? I hear it, in one form or another, all the time.
This is why our psalmist says "Don't let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me...don't let me cause them to be humiliated." He understood, long before John Donne said it, that Mr. Donne would be right when he said "no man is an island." Our lives influence what others think about Christians. More important, our lives influence what people think about Christ himself.
So, do you know what our author did? He made his life a matter of prayer. Not simply because he wanted a comfortable life, but because he knew his failures would reflect poorly on other believers. So, using the perils of drowning as a metaphor for his life he says "save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me".
The turbulent waters of life often threaten to overtake us. Many believers start strong and their lives bring great honor to God. But, somewhere along the way distractions, temptations or selfish pride get in the way. I have a good friend whose father was a military chaplain. After a career in ministry he had become encumbered by worldly temptations. By the time I met him he was divorced and was running an escort service (not the nice kind). This was a man of God...and he proudly told everybody he met about his career as a minister. My friend was completely embarrassed....and would have nothing to do with his father. As the psalmist says..."even my own brothers pretend like they don't know me."
I wonder how many of his acquaintances were impressed.
We need to live disciplined lives. No because god will love us more, but because we don't want to embarrass God's church. It's the only one He has. He wants it to have a spotless reputation.
How are you doing with that...?
Live boldly out there today...
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