1 Lord, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel.
2 You forgave the guilt of your people— yes, you covered all their sins.
Interlude
3 You held back your fury. You kept back your blazing anger.
4 Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more.
5 Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations?
6 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
8 I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.
10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!
11 Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven.
12 Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.
13 Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.
"Again, grandpa!"
I was spinning Luca around and he was giggling uncontrollably. As I begin to get dizzy I stopped. We've all heard it before..."do it again, grandpa!" There's no such thing as "enough" for kids.
Today's psalm is generally thought to have been composed after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; yet there is also belief that it is intended to foreshadow redemption by Christ and speaks of his dwelling in the land. It's a psalm that longingly looks back at the immeasurable grace of God in Israel's past and longs to experience it again.
"One more time, God!" In fact, that's exactly what the psalmist says..."Now restore us again, O God of our salvation."
So we have a situation where God loves...and has chosen...Israel. He cared for her, comforted her and protected her. It was a perfect relationship, but things went sour. Israel lost interest in God and walked her own path of sin and disobedience. Finally God had enough and removed His protective presence. Before long, Israel was carted of (729BC) and Judah followed close behind (586BC).
Ya think they noticed God was missing? You bet!
Their memory improved. "Lord, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel. You forgave the guilt of your people— yes, you covered all their sins." A striking comparison to life in Babylon.
"Do it again Lord" "Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?"We occasionally hit "dry spots" in our lives. The cumulative effects of careless living pile up and we feel deserted and desperate. Our lives begin to spin out of control and we wonder if we can regain our spiritual equilibrium. We recognize our condition primarily because it doesn't resemble the confidence we are used to having when God is near. It's frightening. Particularly when we begin to wonder if God is gone forever.
And like my grandson Luca, we plead with God and cry "do it again!"
I have very good news for you, He will. "Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest."
Live boldly out there today...
October 16, 2010
October 15, 2010
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
Interlude
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
8 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.
Interlude
9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed.
10 A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
We need to admit...we don't have a clue!
We lust after earthly promises as though they are the point. We want to die rich and beautiful. Well, actually, we don't want to die...we like it here...but since its inevitable, we want to squeeze every bit of pleasure possible out of this life before we go. We cultivate a level of contentment with our lives that reduces any thought of eternity to a footnote.
In fact...we cling to life as though its all we have. We exhaust our resources and energy hoping to live a day longer. When, in fact, we ought to be focused on a far more satisfying eternity
Our psalmist today pondered the pleasures of intimacy with God. He said "A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." He would be ridiculed right out of most respectable circles today.
I was the Command Chaplain for US Special Operations Command for about 1,000 days. It was a heady experience. I traveled in elite circles. I counseled powerful commanders. I prayed with some of the greatest warriors to ever don a uniform. If I could relive those 1,000 days I'd do it a thousand times.
However, if I had a clue about the immeasurable spiritual riches that accrue to the one who stands in God's aura, I'd trade every one of those USSOCOM days for just one day with God. More to the point...I wouldn't even complain if, for that single day I was tasked with holding the door for others. the atmosphere would be saturated with God's presence...I'd be giddy!
Like spending the day with Billy Graham...only better.
So what motivates you? What give your life impetus? A warm sunny day? A loyal friend, A secure job? Notoriety? Imagine if you could put all the pieces together and weave a perfect life. How would you feel? Homesick?
Live boldly out there today...
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
Interlude
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
8 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.
Interlude
9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed.
10 A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
We need to admit...we don't have a clue!
We lust after earthly promises as though they are the point. We want to die rich and beautiful. Well, actually, we don't want to die...we like it here...but since its inevitable, we want to squeeze every bit of pleasure possible out of this life before we go. We cultivate a level of contentment with our lives that reduces any thought of eternity to a footnote.
In fact...we cling to life as though its all we have. We exhaust our resources and energy hoping to live a day longer. When, in fact, we ought to be focused on a far more satisfying eternity
Our psalmist today pondered the pleasures of intimacy with God. He said "A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." He would be ridiculed right out of most respectable circles today.
I was the Command Chaplain for US Special Operations Command for about 1,000 days. It was a heady experience. I traveled in elite circles. I counseled powerful commanders. I prayed with some of the greatest warriors to ever don a uniform. If I could relive those 1,000 days I'd do it a thousand times.
However, if I had a clue about the immeasurable spiritual riches that accrue to the one who stands in God's aura, I'd trade every one of those USSOCOM days for just one day with God. More to the point...I wouldn't even complain if, for that single day I was tasked with holding the door for others. the atmosphere would be saturated with God's presence...I'd be giddy!
Like spending the day with Billy Graham...only better.
So what motivates you? What give your life impetus? A warm sunny day? A loyal friend, A secure job? Notoriety? Imagine if you could put all the pieces together and weave a perfect life. How would you feel? Homesick?
Live boldly out there today...
October 14, 2010
Psalm 83
1 O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God.
2 Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up?
3 They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”
5 Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you—
6 these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites;
7 Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre.
8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot.
Interlude
9 Do to them as you did to the Midianites and as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River.
10 They were destroyed at Endor, and their decaying corpses fertilized the soil.
11 Let their mighty nobles die as Oreb and Zeeb did. Let all their princes die like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 for they said, “Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!”
13 O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!
14 As a fire burns a forest and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
15 chase them with your fierce storm; terrify them with your tempest.
16 Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Let them die in disgrace.
18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.
This is the last of the psalms that bear the name of Asaph. Most historians are of opinion that this was a prophetic psalm delivered with reference to the enemies of God's people, from age to age.
This psalm could have been written in 2010. “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” This sounds a lot like Iran, Lebanon, Iraq...all the usual suspects.
What sticks in my mind is the reality that enemies of Israel have been trying to destroy her for over 3,000 years. Nothing has changed...nor will it.
Until Christ returns, Israel is in a battle for her very life. Of course, those of us who have read the back of the book know how it ends. But still, it doesn't seem like such an attractive thing, being "God's chosen people."
What on earth did God have in mind...devising a plan like this? I think this psalm sums it up. When we're not in trouble, we get distracted. When trouble brews, we race right back to God and ask for help. Trouble is God's way of keeping us close to Himself. We know, from history, that this dynamic can be changed...through godly leadership. When Judah/Israel had godly kings, they remained close to God and their lives were tranquil.
Wouldn't you think today's Israel would have this figured out by now? Instead of relying on God, she relies on America. How long do you think that will last?
But, let's not look smugly down our noses at Israel (as many Americans do today). We need to recall that Israel is an Old Testament "type" of the New Testament Church. What this means is, we find meaning for the Church today by looking at Israel. The moral, spiritual, cultural and national dynamics that influenced Israel have the same influence on us today.
We should pay attention...
This means 1. The world is always intent on destroying us. 2. It is our nature to drift from God. 3. That drift is what gets us into trouble...because God's power in the church is directly related to His proximity. The farther we stray, the more tenuous our deliverance becomes.
"What do we do?" you ask...
I suggest first, that we have an uncompromising allegiance to God's word and oby it. Second, I suggest that we never allow ourselves to be seduced by leaders who are less than devoted godly men and women. This is how we keep God close...assuring our safety.
I recently visited a church for a special event. I met a friend whose daughter attended the church regularly...but he didn't. I asked why. He said he didn't feel that the pastor always held God's word as central to his preaching/teaching. If that's true...its a church he should flee from. No matter what else it has to offer, it cannot offer the intimate presence of almighty God if His word does not dominate everything.
In the end...let's not get too comfortable. We are strangers and aliens. The only safe haven we have is in the hands of almighty God. Staying there demands obedience. But, it's been done before. I'm pretty sure we can do it as well.
Live boldly out there today...
2 Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up?
3 They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”
5 Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you—
6 these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites;
7 Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre.
8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot.
Interlude
9 Do to them as you did to the Midianites and as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River.
10 They were destroyed at Endor, and their decaying corpses fertilized the soil.
11 Let their mighty nobles die as Oreb and Zeeb did. Let all their princes die like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 for they said, “Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!”
13 O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!
14 As a fire burns a forest and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
15 chase them with your fierce storm; terrify them with your tempest.
16 Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Let them die in disgrace.
18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.
This is the last of the psalms that bear the name of Asaph. Most historians are of opinion that this was a prophetic psalm delivered with reference to the enemies of God's people, from age to age.
This psalm could have been written in 2010. “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” This sounds a lot like Iran, Lebanon, Iraq...all the usual suspects.
What sticks in my mind is the reality that enemies of Israel have been trying to destroy her for over 3,000 years. Nothing has changed...nor will it.
Until Christ returns, Israel is in a battle for her very life. Of course, those of us who have read the back of the book know how it ends. But still, it doesn't seem like such an attractive thing, being "God's chosen people."
What on earth did God have in mind...devising a plan like this? I think this psalm sums it up. When we're not in trouble, we get distracted. When trouble brews, we race right back to God and ask for help. Trouble is God's way of keeping us close to Himself. We know, from history, that this dynamic can be changed...through godly leadership. When Judah/Israel had godly kings, they remained close to God and their lives were tranquil.
Wouldn't you think today's Israel would have this figured out by now? Instead of relying on God, she relies on America. How long do you think that will last?
But, let's not look smugly down our noses at Israel (as many Americans do today). We need to recall that Israel is an Old Testament "type" of the New Testament Church. What this means is, we find meaning for the Church today by looking at Israel. The moral, spiritual, cultural and national dynamics that influenced Israel have the same influence on us today.
We should pay attention...
This means 1. The world is always intent on destroying us. 2. It is our nature to drift from God. 3. That drift is what gets us into trouble...because God's power in the church is directly related to His proximity. The farther we stray, the more tenuous our deliverance becomes.
"What do we do?" you ask...
I suggest first, that we have an uncompromising allegiance to God's word and oby it. Second, I suggest that we never allow ourselves to be seduced by leaders who are less than devoted godly men and women. This is how we keep God close...assuring our safety.
I recently visited a church for a special event. I met a friend whose daughter attended the church regularly...but he didn't. I asked why. He said he didn't feel that the pastor always held God's word as central to his preaching/teaching. If that's true...its a church he should flee from. No matter what else it has to offer, it cannot offer the intimate presence of almighty God if His word does not dominate everything.
In the end...let's not get too comfortable. We are strangers and aliens. The only safe haven we have is in the hands of almighty God. Staying there demands obedience. But, it's been done before. I'm pretty sure we can do it as well.
Live boldly out there today...
October 13, 2010
Psalm 82
1 God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?"
Interlude
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
5 But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.
6 I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.
7 But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’”
8 Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.
I've worked for many, many bosses. Some highly placed...some, not so much. Even so, I never felt comfortable confronting any of them by asking "when are you going to quit being an idiot!" That's a level of insubordination that I couldn't muster...even when the thought was in my head.
Yet...listen to our psalmist complain to God...“How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?" That's gutsy! I have an idea. Why don't you try it and let me know how that goes?
Seriously though...isn't God, by His very nature, just? How could He possibly hand down unjust decisions? How could he possibly favor the wicked? The answer is...He can't, which leaves us with two important lessons from this psalm.
1. Just because it "seems" unfair does not mean it "is" unfair: I've heard the phrase "perception is reality." It's a popular notion, but one we need to rid ourselves of. Few things are more damaging than assuming something is true simply because it look as though it's true. In the case of Psalm 82, we have no choice, then, but to say the psalmist is simply wrong. There are obviously some benefits that rightfully befall even wicked people. Wealth or power could be a couple. But, when we begin comparing our own station in life with that of unbelievers our perceptions go haywire. We think unbelievers shouldn't get anything. Now, that's just ugly!
2. A solid relationship with God includes the right to directly ask for an explanation: I just spent the weekend with two of my grandkids. I marvel at how unabashed they are. Luca (3 years old) will sit there and ask me anything that comes to his mind, regardless of how "inappropriate" it might seem to sophisticated company. He doesn't care...I'm his grandpa. And, not once was I put off by his questions. In fact, I deeply loved how authentic his relationship was with me. Romans 8 tells us that believers have a "daddy" relationship with God. Figuratively, we can sit on His knee and ask anything that's on out mind. Scripture says "ask and you will receive." So, If we don't understand God's activities...or are disappointed with them...we should ask God "what's up?" He'll tell us. Why is this important? Because if we don't ask God to explain himself we invent reasons for His actions based on our own limited understanding. This results in only one possible outcome...misunderstanding.
And misunderstanding leads to frustration...which leads to anger. What possible benefit is there in being angry with God?
I suggest we be more forthright. If we cannot understand why God is doing/allowing things we should march right up to Him and ask for an explanation. Since He doesn't get defensive, His answer will be as forthright as our question. While we're at it, we might as well just tell Him how we would like Him to do things. The psalmist did...and we may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
We'll be a lot less frustrated.
Live boldly out there today...
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?"
Interlude
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
5 But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.
6 I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.
7 But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’”
8 Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.
I've worked for many, many bosses. Some highly placed...some, not so much. Even so, I never felt comfortable confronting any of them by asking "when are you going to quit being an idiot!" That's a level of insubordination that I couldn't muster...even when the thought was in my head.
Yet...listen to our psalmist complain to God...“How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?" That's gutsy! I have an idea. Why don't you try it and let me know how that goes?
Seriously though...isn't God, by His very nature, just? How could He possibly hand down unjust decisions? How could he possibly favor the wicked? The answer is...He can't, which leaves us with two important lessons from this psalm.
1. Just because it "seems" unfair does not mean it "is" unfair: I've heard the phrase "perception is reality." It's a popular notion, but one we need to rid ourselves of. Few things are more damaging than assuming something is true simply because it look as though it's true. In the case of Psalm 82, we have no choice, then, but to say the psalmist is simply wrong. There are obviously some benefits that rightfully befall even wicked people. Wealth or power could be a couple. But, when we begin comparing our own station in life with that of unbelievers our perceptions go haywire. We think unbelievers shouldn't get anything. Now, that's just ugly!
2. A solid relationship with God includes the right to directly ask for an explanation: I just spent the weekend with two of my grandkids. I marvel at how unabashed they are. Luca (3 years old) will sit there and ask me anything that comes to his mind, regardless of how "inappropriate" it might seem to sophisticated company. He doesn't care...I'm his grandpa. And, not once was I put off by his questions. In fact, I deeply loved how authentic his relationship was with me. Romans 8 tells us that believers have a "daddy" relationship with God. Figuratively, we can sit on His knee and ask anything that's on out mind. Scripture says "ask and you will receive." So, If we don't understand God's activities...or are disappointed with them...we should ask God "what's up?" He'll tell us. Why is this important? Because if we don't ask God to explain himself we invent reasons for His actions based on our own limited understanding. This results in only one possible outcome...misunderstanding.
And misunderstanding leads to frustration...which leads to anger. What possible benefit is there in being angry with God?
I suggest we be more forthright. If we cannot understand why God is doing/allowing things we should march right up to Him and ask for an explanation. Since He doesn't get defensive, His answer will be as forthright as our question. While we're at it, we might as well just tell Him how we would like Him to do things. The psalmist did...and we may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
We'll be a lot less frustrated.
Live boldly out there today...
October 12, 2010
Psalm 81
1 Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob.
2 Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp.
3 Blow the ram’s horn at new moon, and again at full moon to call a festival!
4 For this is required by the decrees of Israel; it is a regulation of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a law for Israel[b] when he attacked Egypt to set us free. I heard an unknown voice say,
6 “Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.
7 You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah.
Interlude
8 “Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.
10 For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
11 “But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around.
12 So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!
14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes!
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever.
16 But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”
"It's the law." No kidding.
We are supposed to routinely remind ourselves of what God has done for us. The ram's horn served to remind the Hebrews of Passover...and Passover reminded them that the Angel of Death had passed over them in Egypt. It was the final plague...death of the first born...that resulted in God's chosen people being freed from captivity.
We have been commanded to remember it...
We sort of do the same thing with the Eucharist (communion). However I have seen the ordinance/sacrament performed in such a shoddy fashion that the only thing we're reminded of is that the service will go into overtime that week. We need to take the command far more seriously.
Why?
Look at what or psalmist says. He quotes God as saying "if only my people would listen to me...I would subdue their enemies." Any idea why we may not be listening? Maybe it's because we forgot...because we haven't been disciplined in reminding ourselves as God commanded. Are your enemies nipping at your heels? Maybe you've quit listening. Find yourself a ram's horn and hang it by your front door. Maybe you could even blow it occasionally.
Live boldly out there today...
2 Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp.
3 Blow the ram’s horn at new moon, and again at full moon to call a festival!
4 For this is required by the decrees of Israel; it is a regulation of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a law for Israel[b] when he attacked Egypt to set us free. I heard an unknown voice say,
6 “Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.
7 You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah.
Interlude
8 “Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.
10 For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
11 “But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around.
12 So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!
14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes!
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever.
16 But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”
"It's the law." No kidding.
We are supposed to routinely remind ourselves of what God has done for us. The ram's horn served to remind the Hebrews of Passover...and Passover reminded them that the Angel of Death had passed over them in Egypt. It was the final plague...death of the first born...that resulted in God's chosen people being freed from captivity.
We have been commanded to remember it...
We sort of do the same thing with the Eucharist (communion). However I have seen the ordinance/sacrament performed in such a shoddy fashion that the only thing we're reminded of is that the service will go into overtime that week. We need to take the command far more seriously.
Why?
Look at what or psalmist says. He quotes God as saying "if only my people would listen to me...I would subdue their enemies." Any idea why we may not be listening? Maybe it's because we forgot...because we haven't been disciplined in reminding ourselves as God commanded. Are your enemies nipping at your heels? Maybe you've quit listening. Find yourself a ram's horn and hang it by your front door. Maybe you could even blow it occasionally.
Live boldly out there today...
October 11, 2010
Psalm 80
For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be sung to the tune “Lilies of the Covenant.”
1 Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory
2 to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us!
3 Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
4 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, how long will you be angry with our prayers?
5 You have fed us with sorrow and made us drink tears by the bucketful.
6 You have made us the scorn[a] of neighboring nations. Our enemies treat us as a joke.
7 Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved.
8 You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine; you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.
9 You cleared the ground for us, and we took root and filled the land.
10 Our shade covered the mountains; our branches covered the mighty cedars.
11 We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea; our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River.[b]
12 But now, why have you broken down our walls so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?
13 The wild boar from the forest devours it, and the wild animals feed on it.
14 Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevine
15 that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself.
16 For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown.
17 Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice.
18 Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more.
19 Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
"turn us again to yourself." Asaph says it twice.
It must be important...if it's repeated. And, it tells me one of the most important realities in our relationship with God: We can't get there by ourselves. That's why so many of the people we know are unbelievers. We would be as well, had God not "turned us to himself."
Recognizing this eliminates two serious misunderstandings in the Christian life: 1. The thought that somehow we should get credit for being people of faith and 2. Criticizing unbelievers for being too self-absorbed to accept Christ. This psalm makes either notion a lie since "turning" is impossible while "being turned" is the precise path to salvation.
Before we get to smug we ought to be overwhelmed with humility for our own blessings while we intercede for the turning of others. Who knows how God chooses? I do know that God answers prayer. Can you imagine the desolation of the person who has nobody praying for them? Who are you praying for?
Live boldly out there today...
1 Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory
2 to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us!
3 Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
4 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, how long will you be angry with our prayers?
5 You have fed us with sorrow and made us drink tears by the bucketful.
6 You have made us the scorn[a] of neighboring nations. Our enemies treat us as a joke.
7 Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved.
8 You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine; you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.
9 You cleared the ground for us, and we took root and filled the land.
10 Our shade covered the mountains; our branches covered the mighty cedars.
11 We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea; our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River.[b]
12 But now, why have you broken down our walls so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?
13 The wild boar from the forest devours it, and the wild animals feed on it.
14 Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevine
15 that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself.
16 For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown.
17 Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice.
18 Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more.
19 Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
"turn us again to yourself." Asaph says it twice.
It must be important...if it's repeated. And, it tells me one of the most important realities in our relationship with God: We can't get there by ourselves. That's why so many of the people we know are unbelievers. We would be as well, had God not "turned us to himself."
Recognizing this eliminates two serious misunderstandings in the Christian life: 1. The thought that somehow we should get credit for being people of faith and 2. Criticizing unbelievers for being too self-absorbed to accept Christ. This psalm makes either notion a lie since "turning" is impossible while "being turned" is the precise path to salvation.
Before we get to smug we ought to be overwhelmed with humility for our own blessings while we intercede for the turning of others. Who knows how God chooses? I do know that God answers prayer. Can you imagine the desolation of the person who has nobody praying for them? Who are you praying for?
Live boldly out there today...
October 10, 2010
Psalm 79
1 O God, pagan nations have conquered your land, your special possession. They have defiled your holy Temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
2 They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals.
3 Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem; no one is left to bury the dead.
4 We are mocked by our neighbors, an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you— on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.
7 For they have devoured your people Israel,[a] making the land a desolate wilderness.
8 Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors! Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.
10 Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff, asking, “Where is their God?”
Show us your vengeance against the nations, for they have spilled the blood of your servants.
11 Listen to the moaning of the prisoners. Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die.
12 O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times for the scorn they have hurled at you.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.
It may have been 586bc or 70ad. On either occasion Jerusalem was destroyed and people perished. Others lost the privileges that accrue to people who enjoy God's favor.
The survivors had two responses: Don't hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors, and forgive our sins for the honor of God's name.
It's intuitive...when calamity falls upon us, people think first about blaming others. But, if given time, we are willing to examine their own culpability.
We in America stand at the precipice of judgment today. Unmanageable debt, hedonism and arrogance are going to throw our nation on the ash heap of history unless we recognize what's happening. Are we going to be one of those who says "don't blame me!" or will we say "forgive me for the honor of your name?"
I think God will not hear both.
Live boldly out there today...
2 They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals.
3 Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem; no one is left to bury the dead.
4 We are mocked by our neighbors, an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you— on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.
7 For they have devoured your people Israel,[a] making the land a desolate wilderness.
8 Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors! Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.
10 Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff, asking, “Where is their God?”
Show us your vengeance against the nations, for they have spilled the blood of your servants.
11 Listen to the moaning of the prisoners. Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die.
12 O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times for the scorn they have hurled at you.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.
It may have been 586bc or 70ad. On either occasion Jerusalem was destroyed and people perished. Others lost the privileges that accrue to people who enjoy God's favor.
The survivors had two responses: Don't hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors, and forgive our sins for the honor of God's name.
It's intuitive...when calamity falls upon us, people think first about blaming others. But, if given time, we are willing to examine their own culpability.
We in America stand at the precipice of judgment today. Unmanageable debt, hedonism and arrogance are going to throw our nation on the ash heap of history unless we recognize what's happening. Are we going to be one of those who says "don't blame me!" or will we say "forgive me for the honor of your name?"
I think God will not hear both.
Live boldly out there today...
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