PSALM 68
“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee from his presence.”
Psalm 68:1
As we end our month of focusing on just a few of the Psalms, I want to end our time with a look at Psalm 68. Growing up I remember singing the church tune with all the hand motions of, “Let God arise, let God arise. And let His enemies be scattered. And let the righteous be glad. Yes let them rejoice with gladness. God has triumphed mightily.” Although we sang it so many times from my preteen years till the time I left for college, the truth of the song has never been lessened. I feel it engrained in my head and on my spirit. That simple truth is this, when God is lifted up He draws all men unto Him, which pushes us closer to God. As we draw closer, the enemy flees.
Consider with me two places specifically in the Bible where we see this idea. First, I bring us to John 3. The most common verse in John 3 is verse 16. Yet right before this familiar verse we read an additional piece of the conversation between Nicodemus and Yeshua (Jesus). Starting in verse 14, Yeshua states that “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” To understand this parallel we must recall the details of Numbers 21. As Israel traveled from Mount Hor to Edom, they grew impatient and angry concerning the lack of food and water once again. So the LORD sent venomous snakes among them which bit the people and caused many to die. The people approached Moses and confessed their sin, requesting also that the snakes be removed. The LORD then said to Moses that he should erect a bronze snake on a pole, lifted up for all the camp to see. If a person was bit going forward, they were to look on the pole and would live.
While this can sound like idol worship, I assure you it was not. The point the LORD was making in having Moses erect the pole was to have the people focus on Him. When He was viewed over the circumstance, the bite of the snake no longer had power. Therefore, when Yeshua spoke with Nicodemus and reiterated to him that if He be lifted up, it was because He wanted to draw the people’s attention unto Him. In getting the people to look on Adonai in Numbers 21 and on Yeshua in John 3, the enemy began to lose his power. As God was rising, the enemy was losing.
But this brings me to the next passage I want to point us to, found in James 4. In James 4:7 we are reminded to resist the devil and he will flee. Isn’t this the same basis that our other two passages just spoke of? In focusing on God we resist the ability to let anything come in our way. This single-mindedness on the LORD is hated by devil and renders him powerless. When he cannot do his evil will, he is resisted and flees as he sees he has no power. Still, James 4:8 goes one step further to remind us that as we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us. This closeness continues to shrink any distance remaining that the enemy can still work to sneak in between. And this closeness is the arising of God in our lives.
So it is with great joy, and expectancy in both your life and mine, that I remind us of Psalm 68:1. “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee from his presence.” How do we resist the enemy and get him to flee? It is by lifting up Adonai and letting Him arise. The enemy has no power in the life of one who is devoted to God. The enemy thinks he does, and he will try to work for that access. But when the door is closed and the resistance is taking place, our lives begin to be transformed into the image of God. Because of this, the enemy will flee from His presence.
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
PSALM 93
“More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, Adonai on high is mighty.”
Psalm 93:4
Living in southern California until leaving for college, I had many summers where I visited the beach. Sometimes it was with the family, but many times I was one of many who managed to stuff ourselves in the church bus for an adventure to the coast with the church youth group. Great memories still fill my mind such as the football scrimmages and volleyball games on the beach, the sandy hotdogs, the building of sandcastles, the bonfires, the sunsets, and even just the simple crashing of the waves. In fact, some of the memories I still hold dear come from just the noise and the power of the waves. When last I visited the beach with my own children in 2008, this sound and sight was like coming home.
When I think on Psalm 93 I cannot help but remember my summer days at the beach. It is in this chapter that David explains the stunning awesomeness and power of Adonai in comparison to the waves. David begins by declaring that Adonai is king, robed in majesty and girded with strength. Adonai as well, has established His throne long before time and it cannot be moved. In the close of this chapter David credits Adonai’s instruction as sure and His house holy. Even though his beginnings were those of a shepherd boy, David knew the truth of his God and it was for his God that he found a hunger and thirst.
Wrapped up between the beginning verses and final thoughts, however, is a mighty comparison of imagery. “Adonai, the deep is raising up, the deep is raising up its voice, the deep is raising its crashing waves. More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, Adonai on high is mighty.” Having watched and heard many waves, this is a psalm of praise and I pray I explain it well. It is in these words that David is pointing out two main truths about God. First, as we read concerning Psalm 150, everything that has breath is to praise the LORD. The seas are joining in the praise as they too are raising their thunderous voice in worship to their creator. The second truth is just as awesome as in it David points out the force and mighty volume that the sea praises with is still not as mighty as the hand of Adonai.
As I was preparing this morning for work, with the facet running, this point was made clearer to me. Currently I reside in Nashville, TN. It was in May of 2010 that the rains came and caused what was soon termed the Nashville flood. I remember watching the force of the waters on TV as cars floated away, as rescue crews worked to save people, and the sight of a school building set a drift down the freeway. If ever the reality of the force of water was made clear, it was in these sites. And yet, with this imagery, I see the force of this water is no match for Adonai. The truth is that while the force of water is mighty, the force of my God is mightier.
Adonai on high is mighty. Adonai is mighty to bring His chosen people out of Egypt. Adonai is mighty to shut the mouths of lions. Adonai is mighty to aim a rock right into the forehead of a giant. And Adonai is mighty enough to raise His Son from the dead. What is there that He cannot do? Nothing, nothing at all. With this in mind, I join with David as I declare the truth of Psalm 93, that Adonai on high is mighty!
“More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, Adonai on high is mighty.”
Psalm 93:4
Living in southern California until leaving for college, I had many summers where I visited the beach. Sometimes it was with the family, but many times I was one of many who managed to stuff ourselves in the church bus for an adventure to the coast with the church youth group. Great memories still fill my mind such as the football scrimmages and volleyball games on the beach, the sandy hotdogs, the building of sandcastles, the bonfires, the sunsets, and even just the simple crashing of the waves. In fact, some of the memories I still hold dear come from just the noise and the power of the waves. When last I visited the beach with my own children in 2008, this sound and sight was like coming home.
When I think on Psalm 93 I cannot help but remember my summer days at the beach. It is in this chapter that David explains the stunning awesomeness and power of Adonai in comparison to the waves. David begins by declaring that Adonai is king, robed in majesty and girded with strength. Adonai as well, has established His throne long before time and it cannot be moved. In the close of this chapter David credits Adonai’s instruction as sure and His house holy. Even though his beginnings were those of a shepherd boy, David knew the truth of his God and it was for his God that he found a hunger and thirst.
Wrapped up between the beginning verses and final thoughts, however, is a mighty comparison of imagery. “Adonai, the deep is raising up, the deep is raising up its voice, the deep is raising its crashing waves. More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, Adonai on high is mighty.” Having watched and heard many waves, this is a psalm of praise and I pray I explain it well. It is in these words that David is pointing out two main truths about God. First, as we read concerning Psalm 150, everything that has breath is to praise the LORD. The seas are joining in the praise as they too are raising their thunderous voice in worship to their creator. The second truth is just as awesome as in it David points out the force and mighty volume that the sea praises with is still not as mighty as the hand of Adonai.
As I was preparing this morning for work, with the facet running, this point was made clearer to me. Currently I reside in Nashville, TN. It was in May of 2010 that the rains came and caused what was soon termed the Nashville flood. I remember watching the force of the waters on TV as cars floated away, as rescue crews worked to save people, and the sight of a school building set a drift down the freeway. If ever the reality of the force of water was made clear, it was in these sites. And yet, with this imagery, I see the force of this water is no match for Adonai. The truth is that while the force of water is mighty, the force of my God is mightier.
Adonai on high is mighty. Adonai is mighty to bring His chosen people out of Egypt. Adonai is mighty to shut the mouths of lions. Adonai is mighty to aim a rock right into the forehead of a giant. And Adonai is mighty enough to raise His Son from the dead. What is there that He cannot do? Nothing, nothing at all. With this in mind, I join with David as I declare the truth of Psalm 93, that Adonai on high is mighty!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
PSALM 30
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
I know I am not alone in the confession I am about to make today. That said I have moments of anger. What? Tis true, I do. In my profession I find myself dealing with clients that are sometimes difficult to work with. I find myself having to deal with my kids for actions that grate me and leave me scratching my head to try to comprehend what they may have been thinking. I find traffic to be upsetting at times, rising prices to irritate me, struggles with my ex-wife to work my nerves, and when all is said and done, I become angry. The problem I face, however, is that once my anger level has risen, it is not always quick to be lowered. Unlike Adonai, my anger does not last only a moment. And opposite to the remainder of the verse we are looking at today, my favor does not always last a lifetime either.
Before going on, though, I would like to consider some of the deeper meanings of these words found in Psalm 30:5. I will start with the word ‘moment’ as found in the NIV. The anger of Adonai lasts for only a moment. This word is the Hebrew word BOQER, meaning the break of day or end of night, the coming of a new day, and the joy after distress. When studying this term my mind raced back to a study I had done of Lamentations 3:23. It is in this same verse that the same Hebrew word is used when saying that Adonai’s mercies are new every morning (every boqer). When I consider these two scriptures together, it makes more sense. Adonai’s mercies are new with each new daybreak, and because they are new, His anger cannot last into the next day.
This concept seems then to fit rather well into the next part of David’s psalm when he sings, “…but His favor lasts a lifetime.” What is favor and how can it last so long? Favor is the word RATSOWN, and is defined as acceptable will, delight, or pleasure. Lifetime is the word CHAY, defined as living, flowing, reviving, and sustaining. With the knowledge now that Adonai’s anger cannot last into the next day, it is made new by His promise of pleasure given by Him for our daily reviving. Put simply, nothing we can do can separate us from His love. This is another promise of Adonai’s that we see in reading Romans 8:39. Although sin brings that momentary frustration, sin does not prevent us from the constant love of the Father for us. As a parent I know this fact well. There is nothing my children can do that will ever keep me from loving them. Sure, there are moments, like even this morning, when I grow angry at them, but my love does not cease for them.
In the remaining words of this verse we read, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” In pondering on this portion I feel it is a reiteration of the point David was trying to make, and perhaps had come to realize himself. Not knowing when exactly David had written this in relation to his sin with Bathsheba, I think it is possible that he had come to realize that his sin with her had broken Adonai’s heart. This weeping, however, was later exchanged with the new morning of His mercy. This did include, however, David’s confession for his sin, which allowed the new morning for Adonai’s mercy. That said, I have a question. Which day is it for me? Knowing that God’s love for me does not cease, and knowing that I am a sinful being, have I made the confession for my sin that has brought about the new dawn of His mercy? I want to walk in His will and be revived by Him, but have I placed myself in the position to live in the newness He offers? For me, this gives me something to think more about, and definitely something to seek Adonai’s forgiveness concerning. It is also a challenge to me that I need to work more to not allow my anger to fester but rather fade away in a mere moment.
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
I know I am not alone in the confession I am about to make today. That said I have moments of anger. What? Tis true, I do. In my profession I find myself dealing with clients that are sometimes difficult to work with. I find myself having to deal with my kids for actions that grate me and leave me scratching my head to try to comprehend what they may have been thinking. I find traffic to be upsetting at times, rising prices to irritate me, struggles with my ex-wife to work my nerves, and when all is said and done, I become angry. The problem I face, however, is that once my anger level has risen, it is not always quick to be lowered. Unlike Adonai, my anger does not last only a moment. And opposite to the remainder of the verse we are looking at today, my favor does not always last a lifetime either.
Before going on, though, I would like to consider some of the deeper meanings of these words found in Psalm 30:5. I will start with the word ‘moment’ as found in the NIV. The anger of Adonai lasts for only a moment. This word is the Hebrew word BOQER, meaning the break of day or end of night, the coming of a new day, and the joy after distress. When studying this term my mind raced back to a study I had done of Lamentations 3:23. It is in this same verse that the same Hebrew word is used when saying that Adonai’s mercies are new every morning (every boqer). When I consider these two scriptures together, it makes more sense. Adonai’s mercies are new with each new daybreak, and because they are new, His anger cannot last into the next day.
This concept seems then to fit rather well into the next part of David’s psalm when he sings, “…but His favor lasts a lifetime.” What is favor and how can it last so long? Favor is the word RATSOWN, and is defined as acceptable will, delight, or pleasure. Lifetime is the word CHAY, defined as living, flowing, reviving, and sustaining. With the knowledge now that Adonai’s anger cannot last into the next day, it is made new by His promise of pleasure given by Him for our daily reviving. Put simply, nothing we can do can separate us from His love. This is another promise of Adonai’s that we see in reading Romans 8:39. Although sin brings that momentary frustration, sin does not prevent us from the constant love of the Father for us. As a parent I know this fact well. There is nothing my children can do that will ever keep me from loving them. Sure, there are moments, like even this morning, when I grow angry at them, but my love does not cease for them.
In the remaining words of this verse we read, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” In pondering on this portion I feel it is a reiteration of the point David was trying to make, and perhaps had come to realize himself. Not knowing when exactly David had written this in relation to his sin with Bathsheba, I think it is possible that he had come to realize that his sin with her had broken Adonai’s heart. This weeping, however, was later exchanged with the new morning of His mercy. This did include, however, David’s confession for his sin, which allowed the new morning for Adonai’s mercy. That said, I have a question. Which day is it for me? Knowing that God’s love for me does not cease, and knowing that I am a sinful being, have I made the confession for my sin that has brought about the new dawn of His mercy? I want to walk in His will and be revived by Him, but have I placed myself in the position to live in the newness He offers? For me, this gives me something to think more about, and definitely something to seek Adonai’s forgiveness concerning. It is also a challenge to me that I need to work more to not allow my anger to fester but rather fade away in a mere moment.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
PSALM 121
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?”
Psalm 121:1
Have you ever had a God-stumble? You know, those moments where you have read something over and over before and then the next time you read it and it leaps off the page. I had one this morning. While the house was still quiet and the kids were asleep I opened my Bible again to the Psalms and found Psalm 121. I knew this one; I have read it a thousand times. But today, on perhaps reading number one thousand one, the words jumped at me. Maybe it was because I had a good sleep, maybe it was because God had been speaking to me and I was in that quiet place, or maybe this was just the day, but as I read the first verse I knew I had stumbled with God’s help on a truth I personally needed.
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?” There have been times as a parent when I have seen my kids walking downcast. Not to single them out, there have been times I have done it myself. We are so moved by our emotions that it is something we do. We wear this down-trodden and flat-line expression on our body. For me that includes a head looking down at my feet as opposed to in front of me. I am not sure why I feel that looking at the ground will bring about the answer, but nonetheless I stare at the ground below me. Yet in reading this passage today, I felt in my spirit that God was speaking that I look down too often. In this verse He is saying to look up, to lift my eyes to the hills. It is just over that horizon that the answer comes, that new life begins, and that salvation is found.
Still, even after this opening segment and reminder to look up, a question is asked. “Where does my help come from?” I am sure I am not the only one who has wondered that before. And even more honestly, knowing the answer and believing the answer are two different things. David answers the question for us in verse 2 by saying, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” So we know the answer is the LORD. Do we believe that answer is the LORD? Perhaps I am alone in this thought, but having ‘the LORD’ for the answer to every question can sometimes seem redundant. But again, this is where my stumbling moment has led me.
When we finish the chapter we see a small six verse glimpse at the character of God that allows Him to be that answer and that help. In verse 3 we see that He will not let our foot slip nor does He slumber. Verse 4 declares to us His watching over His people, Israel. Verse 5 makes it more pointed at us because it tells us that God also watches over us specifically, and provides shade for the sun that can not harm us in verse 6. The chapter closes out with verses 7 and 8 declaring again that God keeps us from all harm – notice that is ALL harm – and watches over us as we come and go, now and forever.
Why then do we allow ourselves to walk with our heads down when they should be looking to the hills? Our help, no matter what struggle we are in, is out toward the hills, not down by our feet. This change in view is needed, for this change helps us to refocus on God as opposed to ourselves and situations. And this refocusing allows us to see God as He is promised, as the One who will watch over us, fully alert. That said here is our new morning exercise routine. When we awake and get out of bed, let us lift our head and eyes to the hills, for that is where our help for the day will come.
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?”
Psalm 121:1
Have you ever had a God-stumble? You know, those moments where you have read something over and over before and then the next time you read it and it leaps off the page. I had one this morning. While the house was still quiet and the kids were asleep I opened my Bible again to the Psalms and found Psalm 121. I knew this one; I have read it a thousand times. But today, on perhaps reading number one thousand one, the words jumped at me. Maybe it was because I had a good sleep, maybe it was because God had been speaking to me and I was in that quiet place, or maybe this was just the day, but as I read the first verse I knew I had stumbled with God’s help on a truth I personally needed.
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?” There have been times as a parent when I have seen my kids walking downcast. Not to single them out, there have been times I have done it myself. We are so moved by our emotions that it is something we do. We wear this down-trodden and flat-line expression on our body. For me that includes a head looking down at my feet as opposed to in front of me. I am not sure why I feel that looking at the ground will bring about the answer, but nonetheless I stare at the ground below me. Yet in reading this passage today, I felt in my spirit that God was speaking that I look down too often. In this verse He is saying to look up, to lift my eyes to the hills. It is just over that horizon that the answer comes, that new life begins, and that salvation is found.
Still, even after this opening segment and reminder to look up, a question is asked. “Where does my help come from?” I am sure I am not the only one who has wondered that before. And even more honestly, knowing the answer and believing the answer are two different things. David answers the question for us in verse 2 by saying, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” So we know the answer is the LORD. Do we believe that answer is the LORD? Perhaps I am alone in this thought, but having ‘the LORD’ for the answer to every question can sometimes seem redundant. But again, this is where my stumbling moment has led me.
When we finish the chapter we see a small six verse glimpse at the character of God that allows Him to be that answer and that help. In verse 3 we see that He will not let our foot slip nor does He slumber. Verse 4 declares to us His watching over His people, Israel. Verse 5 makes it more pointed at us because it tells us that God also watches over us specifically, and provides shade for the sun that can not harm us in verse 6. The chapter closes out with verses 7 and 8 declaring again that God keeps us from all harm – notice that is ALL harm – and watches over us as we come and go, now and forever.
Why then do we allow ourselves to walk with our heads down when they should be looking to the hills? Our help, no matter what struggle we are in, is out toward the hills, not down by our feet. This change in view is needed, for this change helps us to refocus on God as opposed to ourselves and situations. And this refocusing allows us to see God as He is promised, as the One who will watch over us, fully alert. That said here is our new morning exercise routine. When we awake and get out of bed, let us lift our head and eyes to the hills, for that is where our help for the day will come.
Friday, February 17, 2012
PSALM 18 part 2
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.”
Psalm 18:37-38
Picking up from where we left off yesterday, we continue on in looking at the essentials of a warrior as named by David while he trained those who would become known as his mighty men. We have already discussed the need for the removal of pride, continued passion, and the walking in discipline and their relationship in many ways to the same type of physical Boot Camp seen in our military training today. So then we move to the fourth essential.
This fourth piece is found in Psalm 18:29, where David states, “With you I can run through a whole troop of men, with my God I can leap a wall.” It is in this verse that David is breaking down an essential that I know even I miss at times. We have to put ourselves in a position where we see ourselves doing the impossible. With the pride of the men removed they began to realize how little they personally could do. But here David was encouraging his men to see what they can do with God as their strength. Does not the Bible state in Luke 1:37 that nothing is impossible for God? So in teaming up with God, David wanted the men to see through His eyes what they could do. With God as their strength the warriors would be able to advance on their enemy, running through a troop of men and leaping over a wall. David was encouraging the faith of his men and pushing them to see the limitless potential they had when they allowed God in.
Fifth, the essential of knowing their weapons had to come into play. I have seen enough military movies to know that a soldier must be able to breakdown and rebuild his weapon. This comes from knowledge of the weapon. However, it is not only the ability to take apart and rebuild that they need to know, but also what type of weapon to use when. In verses 30-32, David begins to talk about the weapons given to them by God. The WORD of Adonai has been tested by fire, Adonai becomes a SHIELD for refuge, Adonai is a ROCK, and Adonai is the strength we are to GIRD ourselves in. Adonai is our weapon, and knowledge of Him and how to use the tools He gives us carries the same ability for us spiritually as a physical soldier who studies his weapons. But let me state that this knowledge of Him should be a deep knowledge verses a shallow one. We need to know Him deeper than just knowing who He is.
The final essential is found in verses 33-36, where David writes about the results of the training in Boot Camp. It is in this training he has come to understand that God makes him swift, sure-footed, and able to stand. David’s hands are now trained for war, and his arms can bend a bow of bronze. He shares with his men how God is a shield, and how he is held up. It is God’s lesson in humility that David notes makes him great. And finally, God lengthens the steps taken and supports his ankles. Before Boot Camp, David did not know these lessons. Now, after being trained, he sees the benefit of his training as he sees who he is in God. This is a lesson I find myself coming back to now. I find myself having to understand that, as John 15 says, I can do nothing without Adonai. I need His training in my life.
Maybe it is not a coincidence that military Boot Camp lasts six weeks, and here David has given us six essentials. It is only after the training that the soldier is then released from camp and placed where the need is great. And this spiritual lesson is no different, for it is following these essentials that David writes, “I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.” If we enter into battle untrained, we may get lucky. But remember how much our enemy knows as well. He is a roaring lion looking for one to devour (I Pet 5:8). Let us be trained graduates of Boot Camp so that when we enter the field we do not have to trust in luck, but rather have faith in the fighting God is doing through us.
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.”
Psalm 18:37-38
Picking up from where we left off yesterday, we continue on in looking at the essentials of a warrior as named by David while he trained those who would become known as his mighty men. We have already discussed the need for the removal of pride, continued passion, and the walking in discipline and their relationship in many ways to the same type of physical Boot Camp seen in our military training today. So then we move to the fourth essential.
This fourth piece is found in Psalm 18:29, where David states, “With you I can run through a whole troop of men, with my God I can leap a wall.” It is in this verse that David is breaking down an essential that I know even I miss at times. We have to put ourselves in a position where we see ourselves doing the impossible. With the pride of the men removed they began to realize how little they personally could do. But here David was encouraging his men to see what they can do with God as their strength. Does not the Bible state in Luke 1:37 that nothing is impossible for God? So in teaming up with God, David wanted the men to see through His eyes what they could do. With God as their strength the warriors would be able to advance on their enemy, running through a troop of men and leaping over a wall. David was encouraging the faith of his men and pushing them to see the limitless potential they had when they allowed God in.
Fifth, the essential of knowing their weapons had to come into play. I have seen enough military movies to know that a soldier must be able to breakdown and rebuild his weapon. This comes from knowledge of the weapon. However, it is not only the ability to take apart and rebuild that they need to know, but also what type of weapon to use when. In verses 30-32, David begins to talk about the weapons given to them by God. The WORD of Adonai has been tested by fire, Adonai becomes a SHIELD for refuge, Adonai is a ROCK, and Adonai is the strength we are to GIRD ourselves in. Adonai is our weapon, and knowledge of Him and how to use the tools He gives us carries the same ability for us spiritually as a physical soldier who studies his weapons. But let me state that this knowledge of Him should be a deep knowledge verses a shallow one. We need to know Him deeper than just knowing who He is.
The final essential is found in verses 33-36, where David writes about the results of the training in Boot Camp. It is in this training he has come to understand that God makes him swift, sure-footed, and able to stand. David’s hands are now trained for war, and his arms can bend a bow of bronze. He shares with his men how God is a shield, and how he is held up. It is God’s lesson in humility that David notes makes him great. And finally, God lengthens the steps taken and supports his ankles. Before Boot Camp, David did not know these lessons. Now, after being trained, he sees the benefit of his training as he sees who he is in God. This is a lesson I find myself coming back to now. I find myself having to understand that, as John 15 says, I can do nothing without Adonai. I need His training in my life.
Maybe it is not a coincidence that military Boot Camp lasts six weeks, and here David has given us six essentials. It is only after the training that the soldier is then released from camp and placed where the need is great. And this spiritual lesson is no different, for it is following these essentials that David writes, “I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.” If we enter into battle untrained, we may get lucky. But remember how much our enemy knows as well. He is a roaring lion looking for one to devour (I Pet 5:8). Let us be trained graduates of Boot Camp so that when we enter the field we do not have to trust in luck, but rather have faith in the fighting God is doing through us.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
PSALM 18 part 1
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.”
Psalm 18:37-38
A few days back I shared that my dad had served in the military. More specifically, he was in the Navy during a portion of the Vietnam War. Growing up I remember him sharing stories of his Navy days with us. He served aboard the USS Lexington and USS Yorktown and was fortunate enough to be aboard the vessel that retrieved Apollo 8 in December of 1968. I still remember cleaning out the garage one Saturday and seeing a photo of the astronauts and ship’s captain sitting at the dinner table aboard the Yorktown. I also remember dad showing us his homemade reel movies and slide shows of the F-14 Tomcats taking off and landing, as well as other plans. As a child I looked up to my dad as a hero, and now I wish I could have a few of those times again.
But my dad was a hero. He was a warrior, trained in battle and ready to take his place on the vanguard. He had been through his Boot Camp days in San Diego and received the training he would need to take those first steps in military life. He had done the running and pushups, but he had also got the haircut and been humbled by his commanding officers. And in reading Psalm 18, we see an account of David, in essence, putting his men through Boot Camp. It is in verses 27-38 that David lays out six essentials of a warrior that we would do well to learn ourselves, as we too are in a daily battle against our foe.
The first essential is found in verse 27, where David states, “People afflicted, you save; but haughty eyes, you humble.” As my dad would attest to, it is the job of the superiors in Boot Camp to make you feel like scum, or lower than scum. This humility and breaking of pride has to be done before the soldier can be rebuilt in the right image. David learned this and now was teaching his men as he expressed to them also that they needed to be humbled. Pride was the first recorded sin in Genesis, when the serpent expressed that they could be like God. This idea puffed them up. We do not need puffing; we need humility. Too many people are already puffed up.
David’s second and third lessons in Boot Camp are seen in verse 28, stating, “For you, Adonai, light my lamp; Adonai, my God, lights up my darkness.” What David is first trying to do here is explain to his men that passion is needed. Light my lamp is defined as get me on fire. Without a passion the soldiers would grow weary and would not take the fight seriously. The soldiers would begin to compromise or cut concerns because the drive was no longer in them. So here, David was pushing his men to keep that flame alive, keep the fire burning, and keep the passion alive. In the next piece of the passage, though, David adds that God lights up the darkness. This darkness in the light is discipline. In a world so filled with sin, we need to be the beacons of light and truth that dispose the darkness. This comes only by living in obedience to disciplines of God.
As I close for today, I want to urge you to embrace these first three essentials. Pride is an enemy that hooks us all in. All it takes is one moment where we see ourselves better than we should and that pride becomes a monster we wrestle to tame. But, in seeing ourselves as David warns, as God sees us, as one who can do nothing without Him, we embrace the first essential. Once pride is identified, then we can move forward in grasping the passion in the fight again and bringing the light to the darkness. Let us enter Boot Camp with the right heart and mindset, and allow ourselves to be a Mighty Warrior of Adonai just as David’s army would become known as David’s mighty men.
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, without turning back until they were destroyed. I crushed them, so that they can’t get up; they have fallen under my feet.”
Psalm 18:37-38
A few days back I shared that my dad had served in the military. More specifically, he was in the Navy during a portion of the Vietnam War. Growing up I remember him sharing stories of his Navy days with us. He served aboard the USS Lexington and USS Yorktown and was fortunate enough to be aboard the vessel that retrieved Apollo 8 in December of 1968. I still remember cleaning out the garage one Saturday and seeing a photo of the astronauts and ship’s captain sitting at the dinner table aboard the Yorktown. I also remember dad showing us his homemade reel movies and slide shows of the F-14 Tomcats taking off and landing, as well as other plans. As a child I looked up to my dad as a hero, and now I wish I could have a few of those times again.
But my dad was a hero. He was a warrior, trained in battle and ready to take his place on the vanguard. He had been through his Boot Camp days in San Diego and received the training he would need to take those first steps in military life. He had done the running and pushups, but he had also got the haircut and been humbled by his commanding officers. And in reading Psalm 18, we see an account of David, in essence, putting his men through Boot Camp. It is in verses 27-38 that David lays out six essentials of a warrior that we would do well to learn ourselves, as we too are in a daily battle against our foe.
The first essential is found in verse 27, where David states, “People afflicted, you save; but haughty eyes, you humble.” As my dad would attest to, it is the job of the superiors in Boot Camp to make you feel like scum, or lower than scum. This humility and breaking of pride has to be done before the soldier can be rebuilt in the right image. David learned this and now was teaching his men as he expressed to them also that they needed to be humbled. Pride was the first recorded sin in Genesis, when the serpent expressed that they could be like God. This idea puffed them up. We do not need puffing; we need humility. Too many people are already puffed up.
David’s second and third lessons in Boot Camp are seen in verse 28, stating, “For you, Adonai, light my lamp; Adonai, my God, lights up my darkness.” What David is first trying to do here is explain to his men that passion is needed. Light my lamp is defined as get me on fire. Without a passion the soldiers would grow weary and would not take the fight seriously. The soldiers would begin to compromise or cut concerns because the drive was no longer in them. So here, David was pushing his men to keep that flame alive, keep the fire burning, and keep the passion alive. In the next piece of the passage, though, David adds that God lights up the darkness. This darkness in the light is discipline. In a world so filled with sin, we need to be the beacons of light and truth that dispose the darkness. This comes only by living in obedience to disciplines of God.
As I close for today, I want to urge you to embrace these first three essentials. Pride is an enemy that hooks us all in. All it takes is one moment where we see ourselves better than we should and that pride becomes a monster we wrestle to tame. But, in seeing ourselves as David warns, as God sees us, as one who can do nothing without Him, we embrace the first essential. Once pride is identified, then we can move forward in grasping the passion in the fight again and bringing the light to the darkness. Let us enter Boot Camp with the right heart and mindset, and allow ourselves to be a Mighty Warrior of Adonai just as David’s army would become known as David’s mighty men.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
PSALM 117
“Praise Adonai, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! For his grace has overcome us, and Adonai’s truth continues forever.”
Psalm 117:1-2
So if Psalm 119 is the longest chapter with 176 verses, then what is the shortest Psalm? If you said Psalm 117, then you are correct. This chapter has only two verses, and honestly I think gets overlooked or read through too quickly and without us even taking in the truth of what is being said. So if you don’t mind, I would like us to land ourselves in this chapter today and dig a little in these two verses to see what David is singing about concerning his lord, Adonai.
In the first verse David sings, “Praise Adonai, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples!” This seems pretty straight forward. But you know me, I like to look the text up in the original language and see what nuggets can be gleamed that might have been missed when converted to English. So then, I first looked up ‘praise’. In the Hebrew language there are seven different words that English translates as praise. Each one has a different meaning or involves a different way of praising, be it raising our hands, dancing, or shouting. Here in Psalm 117:1, ‘praise’ is the Hebrew word HALAL, meaning to boastfully make known God’s glory. In context it can be thought of as a completely dark room and the sudden turning on of the light. That suddenness, or boasting of the light in the darkness is that same Halal that David is giving unto God. Everything is still and calm until BAM! “HALAL ADONAI, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples!”
Now let us take a look at ‘worship’ in the context of this verse. The term ‘worship’ is another of the seven words for praise. This one is the Hebrew word SHABACH. Shabach means to shout and give the Lord the praise before the answer has even been received. When I think of this term of praise I automatically think of Joshua and the battle at Jericho. The army marched around the walled fortress seven times that final day and then raised their voices in a loud shout. They shouted because they were instructed to by Adonai. They shouted because He was bringing about their answer, their victory. We then too should praise Adonai in the form of Shabach for the victory that is coming to us. SHABACH and praise Him for the answers coming, all you peoples!”
Ending not with an afterthought, but rather with a declaration, David continues, “For his grace has overcome us, and Adonai’s truth continues forever.” His ‘grace’ is His CHECED, or more so known as His loving kindness and constant faithfulness. The Checed of Adonai is so strong that it has not only prevailed over us, but has become our strength in allowing us to prevail over our enemies. Additionally, His truth, or ‘EMETH continues forever. His ‘truth’ in this Hebrew term is defined as firmness, faithfulness, reliability, and testament. Is this not a true statement? In Revelation the believers overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Here we see the same in relation to Adonai. It is His testament in how He loves us that shows constant faithfulness and reliability to us. We have Him to stand under because He will never fail us nor change His character.
Why should we not praise Adonai? Why should we not even now boast about Adonai and begin to give Him praise for who He is, has done, and will still do? His loving kindness has overcome us in deliverance and in strength. His truth cannot be compromised. Praise Him all you peoples! Praise Him all you nations! Praise Him!
“Praise Adonai, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! For his grace has overcome us, and Adonai’s truth continues forever.”
Psalm 117:1-2
So if Psalm 119 is the longest chapter with 176 verses, then what is the shortest Psalm? If you said Psalm 117, then you are correct. This chapter has only two verses, and honestly I think gets overlooked or read through too quickly and without us even taking in the truth of what is being said. So if you don’t mind, I would like us to land ourselves in this chapter today and dig a little in these two verses to see what David is singing about concerning his lord, Adonai.
In the first verse David sings, “Praise Adonai, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples!” This seems pretty straight forward. But you know me, I like to look the text up in the original language and see what nuggets can be gleamed that might have been missed when converted to English. So then, I first looked up ‘praise’. In the Hebrew language there are seven different words that English translates as praise. Each one has a different meaning or involves a different way of praising, be it raising our hands, dancing, or shouting. Here in Psalm 117:1, ‘praise’ is the Hebrew word HALAL, meaning to boastfully make known God’s glory. In context it can be thought of as a completely dark room and the sudden turning on of the light. That suddenness, or boasting of the light in the darkness is that same Halal that David is giving unto God. Everything is still and calm until BAM! “HALAL ADONAI, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples!”
Now let us take a look at ‘worship’ in the context of this verse. The term ‘worship’ is another of the seven words for praise. This one is the Hebrew word SHABACH. Shabach means to shout and give the Lord the praise before the answer has even been received. When I think of this term of praise I automatically think of Joshua and the battle at Jericho. The army marched around the walled fortress seven times that final day and then raised their voices in a loud shout. They shouted because they were instructed to by Adonai. They shouted because He was bringing about their answer, their victory. We then too should praise Adonai in the form of Shabach for the victory that is coming to us. SHABACH and praise Him for the answers coming, all you peoples!”
Ending not with an afterthought, but rather with a declaration, David continues, “For his grace has overcome us, and Adonai’s truth continues forever.” His ‘grace’ is His CHECED, or more so known as His loving kindness and constant faithfulness. The Checed of Adonai is so strong that it has not only prevailed over us, but has become our strength in allowing us to prevail over our enemies. Additionally, His truth, or ‘EMETH continues forever. His ‘truth’ in this Hebrew term is defined as firmness, faithfulness, reliability, and testament. Is this not a true statement? In Revelation the believers overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Here we see the same in relation to Adonai. It is His testament in how He loves us that shows constant faithfulness and reliability to us. We have Him to stand under because He will never fail us nor change His character.
Why should we not praise Adonai? Why should we not even now boast about Adonai and begin to give Him praise for who He is, has done, and will still do? His loving kindness has overcome us in deliverance and in strength. His truth cannot be compromised. Praise Him all you peoples! Praise Him all you nations! Praise Him!
Friday, February 10, 2012
PSALM 37
“Then you will delight yourself in Adonai, and he will give you your heart’s desire.”
I remember in college, sitting in the backseat of my roommate’s car while he and his girlfriend were in the front, and hearing them both go on and on about all they expected God to do for them. And then I heard, “Well I expect God to bring me a sports car because the Bible says He will give me my heart’s desire.” Something rose up in me with that comment and I could stay quiet no more. I questioned aloud the girlfriend’s understanding of this verse only to be hushed and down played as the crazy roommate who was taking too many theology classes. But as with the entire Bible, if we fail to take God’s word in context we only look like fools. My desire today in looking at Psalm 37 is to help us look in context at why David would write this verse that so many assume means they can have everything they desire.
To begin this look, let us start at the beginning of the chapter. In reading this I feel as though God is speaking these first few lines as if speaking directly to me, but using David’s mouth. “Don’t be upset by evildoers, or envious of those who do wrong.” Doesn’t this sound familiar? Does it not always seem like the ungodly are the ones getting blessed? Here from the beginning we are being told not to be envious of these type people. But he goes on. “For soon they will wither like grass and fade like the green in the fields.” These evildoers that we are warned against being envious of will find their judgment, is what is being said here. This seems to fit in line with Proverbs 13:22 where we are told that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous.
Still the passage goes forward in verse 3, saying, “Trust in Adonai, and do good; settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness.” Stop! No matter how blessed the people are that we are envious of, they will come to a point of judgment based on their evilness. Yet still, we are told to do what? To trust in the LORD and to do His will. We are told to settle in the land. The word ‘settle’ is SHAKAN, meaning to abide, establish, or dwell. We are not supposed to treat God as a passing fad or convenient rest stop, but rather fix our foundations in Him and plant ourselves. It is in the fact that we are dwelling that we are also fed. ‘Feed’ is translated as RA’AH, meaning to graze like sheep, but also to be companions or a special friend to the one feeding us. So then, in trusting in Adonai and doing His will, we plant ourselves for the long stay in a position where we become God’s special friend and receive His food. Wow, this is getting good.
Then finally we come to verse 4 which makes more sense. We can’t have 4 unless 1, 2, and 3 have gone before it. It is in being planted and fed by Him that we see His heart for us and begin to see His will for us. It is then that our will becomes the fact of doing His will. I think of it as the family business. I know a family of doctors. The grandfather was a doctor, the son was a doctor, and now the granddaughter is a doctor. They all enjoyed watching and learning the family business that they all made that same decision to step into that line of business. None of them were forced into it, but rather chose freely. And in this verse of God giving us our heart’s desire, it is because in being with Him we have seen Him at work. We have bonded with Him and seen how He has the power to change lives. We realize in being with Him that our petty earthly desires of a new car or riches mean nothing compared to lining our will up with His. That doesn’t mean that we will never have the fancy cars and such, because God still desires to bless His people. The fancy, though, no longer becomes the focus.
But there is one more piece that we must look at, which is verse 5. “Commit your way to Adonai; trust in him, and he will act.” In order to know His heart, we must be willing to give ours to Him. We must be willing to commit our lives to doing His will, trusting that the One who loves us beyond human comprehension will not abandon us or mistreat us. He will act to bring all the judgments needed, the blessings needed, and the corrections needed. He will do His part, but we must do ours. We must trust in Him and commit our ways to Him if we expect to have the desires of His heart.
“Then you will delight yourself in Adonai, and he will give you your heart’s desire.”
I remember in college, sitting in the backseat of my roommate’s car while he and his girlfriend were in the front, and hearing them both go on and on about all they expected God to do for them. And then I heard, “Well I expect God to bring me a sports car because the Bible says He will give me my heart’s desire.” Something rose up in me with that comment and I could stay quiet no more. I questioned aloud the girlfriend’s understanding of this verse only to be hushed and down played as the crazy roommate who was taking too many theology classes. But as with the entire Bible, if we fail to take God’s word in context we only look like fools. My desire today in looking at Psalm 37 is to help us look in context at why David would write this verse that so many assume means they can have everything they desire.
To begin this look, let us start at the beginning of the chapter. In reading this I feel as though God is speaking these first few lines as if speaking directly to me, but using David’s mouth. “Don’t be upset by evildoers, or envious of those who do wrong.” Doesn’t this sound familiar? Does it not always seem like the ungodly are the ones getting blessed? Here from the beginning we are being told not to be envious of these type people. But he goes on. “For soon they will wither like grass and fade like the green in the fields.” These evildoers that we are warned against being envious of will find their judgment, is what is being said here. This seems to fit in line with Proverbs 13:22 where we are told that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous.
Still the passage goes forward in verse 3, saying, “Trust in Adonai, and do good; settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness.” Stop! No matter how blessed the people are that we are envious of, they will come to a point of judgment based on their evilness. Yet still, we are told to do what? To trust in the LORD and to do His will. We are told to settle in the land. The word ‘settle’ is SHAKAN, meaning to abide, establish, or dwell. We are not supposed to treat God as a passing fad or convenient rest stop, but rather fix our foundations in Him and plant ourselves. It is in the fact that we are dwelling that we are also fed. ‘Feed’ is translated as RA’AH, meaning to graze like sheep, but also to be companions or a special friend to the one feeding us. So then, in trusting in Adonai and doing His will, we plant ourselves for the long stay in a position where we become God’s special friend and receive His food. Wow, this is getting good.
Then finally we come to verse 4 which makes more sense. We can’t have 4 unless 1, 2, and 3 have gone before it. It is in being planted and fed by Him that we see His heart for us and begin to see His will for us. It is then that our will becomes the fact of doing His will. I think of it as the family business. I know a family of doctors. The grandfather was a doctor, the son was a doctor, and now the granddaughter is a doctor. They all enjoyed watching and learning the family business that they all made that same decision to step into that line of business. None of them were forced into it, but rather chose freely. And in this verse of God giving us our heart’s desire, it is because in being with Him we have seen Him at work. We have bonded with Him and seen how He has the power to change lives. We realize in being with Him that our petty earthly desires of a new car or riches mean nothing compared to lining our will up with His. That doesn’t mean that we will never have the fancy cars and such, because God still desires to bless His people. The fancy, though, no longer becomes the focus.
But there is one more piece that we must look at, which is verse 5. “Commit your way to Adonai; trust in him, and he will act.” In order to know His heart, we must be willing to give ours to Him. We must be willing to commit our lives to doing His will, trusting that the One who loves us beyond human comprehension will not abandon us or mistreat us. He will act to bring all the judgments needed, the blessings needed, and the corrections needed. He will do His part, but we must do ours. We must trust in Him and commit our ways to Him if we expect to have the desires of His heart.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
PSALM 143
“Adonai, rescue me from my enemies; I have hidden myself with you.”
Psalm 143:9
Growing up I wasn’t one of those children who seemed to always get in trouble. Not that I am boasting, but I never liked discipline so I did my best to stay out of harm’s way. That being said, I still had my fair share of mess ups that required action, and my parents were there to be sure I met my fate. But when I compare my moments and struggles with those of David in his shepherding days, I feel like David was holding the unfair part of the stick. Let me explain.
We know from I Samuel 16 and following that David was anointed king. Because of Saul’s disobedience, God rejected Saul as king. That in itself should make us tread carefully when working to obey God. However, when Samuel came to the house of Jesse as instructed by God, David wasn’t even in the house. His father didn’t see him as important enough to call him in. When one by one God told Samuel to move on, then finally Jesse reported that he had another son. Samuel anointed David as king to replace Saul and jealousy began. Jealousy was in his brothers’ hearts when he took down Goliath. Jealousy was in Saul’s heart when David killed his tens of thousands. And jealousy later was in Micha’s heart as David danced before the LORD when the Ark was returned. Talk about a bad day.
Yet the point I want to focus on today is in the moments between being anointed and not yet being king. It was in this time that Saul took many shots at David. Death threats and attempts were pointed at David. Even though the reward for slaying Goliath was Saul’s daughter, making him family, Saul wanted David out of the way. Biblical mafia may be a great way to explain it. And through all the attempts David had to live in hiding. David stayed in caves many times, and even in the Philistine camp at one point. So it is no wonder that the words sang in Psalm 143:9 ring out, “Adonai, rescue me!” The song even opens with a plea, “Hear my prayer, listen to my pleas for mercy.” His enemy would not let up.
But maybe like David, you find yourself crying out the same prayer. Honestly, I know I do these days. I know that people have said ill things about me. I know people don’t agree with my actions. And I know that people are wanting to take away from me the blessing and calling I know with no doubt that God is calling me to. I find myself in the same place as David, in my own little cave crying out, “Adonai, rescue me!” One of the greatest characteristics about God, however, is He is faithful. Although David hid in caves and in the camp of his enemies for protection, God still protected him. God did rescue David. David didn’t let up on his prayers, and God didn’t let up on His protection. That being said, it is okay to cry out and plead with God for our rescue. He is faithful; He will do His part. God has no favorites, so if He rescued David He too will rescue us.
“Adonai, rescue me from my enemies; I have hidden myself with you.”
Psalm 143:9
Growing up I wasn’t one of those children who seemed to always get in trouble. Not that I am boasting, but I never liked discipline so I did my best to stay out of harm’s way. That being said, I still had my fair share of mess ups that required action, and my parents were there to be sure I met my fate. But when I compare my moments and struggles with those of David in his shepherding days, I feel like David was holding the unfair part of the stick. Let me explain.
We know from I Samuel 16 and following that David was anointed king. Because of Saul’s disobedience, God rejected Saul as king. That in itself should make us tread carefully when working to obey God. However, when Samuel came to the house of Jesse as instructed by God, David wasn’t even in the house. His father didn’t see him as important enough to call him in. When one by one God told Samuel to move on, then finally Jesse reported that he had another son. Samuel anointed David as king to replace Saul and jealousy began. Jealousy was in his brothers’ hearts when he took down Goliath. Jealousy was in Saul’s heart when David killed his tens of thousands. And jealousy later was in Micha’s heart as David danced before the LORD when the Ark was returned. Talk about a bad day.
Yet the point I want to focus on today is in the moments between being anointed and not yet being king. It was in this time that Saul took many shots at David. Death threats and attempts were pointed at David. Even though the reward for slaying Goliath was Saul’s daughter, making him family, Saul wanted David out of the way. Biblical mafia may be a great way to explain it. And through all the attempts David had to live in hiding. David stayed in caves many times, and even in the Philistine camp at one point. So it is no wonder that the words sang in Psalm 143:9 ring out, “Adonai, rescue me!” The song even opens with a plea, “Hear my prayer, listen to my pleas for mercy.” His enemy would not let up.
But maybe like David, you find yourself crying out the same prayer. Honestly, I know I do these days. I know that people have said ill things about me. I know people don’t agree with my actions. And I know that people are wanting to take away from me the blessing and calling I know with no doubt that God is calling me to. I find myself in the same place as David, in my own little cave crying out, “Adonai, rescue me!” One of the greatest characteristics about God, however, is He is faithful. Although David hid in caves and in the camp of his enemies for protection, God still protected him. God did rescue David. David didn’t let up on his prayers, and God didn’t let up on His protection. That being said, it is okay to cry out and plead with God for our rescue. He is faithful; He will do His part. God has no favorites, so if He rescued David He too will rescue us.
Friday, February 3, 2012
PSALM 119:1-8
“You laid down your precepts for us to observe with care.”
Psalm 119:4
In December of 2007 I was given divorce papers. At the time we had been married a little over nine years and had a five year old and two year old. Although the marriage had many rough patches, the roughest times were still to come. It was in the few months following that I had to make many choices concerning my future. The biggest choice was whether or not I would still continue to follow after God. Statistics show that following divorce people do one of two things – they either run full force toward God or full force away from Him. Knowing that the divorce was not God’s fault, I had no problem running toward Him. Although not the choice of the general majority, it was the choice that I made, and the choice that prevented more pain than what could have been experienced.
After about a month of wandering through the Bible, hoping to find some magical words of wisdom for this ball of emotions I was feeling, I landed in Psalm 119. I figured that going verse by verse would not only take my mind off the situation some, but would also start to bring healing in these early stages. What I found, however, was that God was in every verse. I realize this sounds funny as God is named all throughout the Bible, but let me explain what I mean. In each of the 176 verses there is a word pointing toward God’s Word, be it Torah, precepts, commands, instructions, etc. No matter the word used, God is pointed to. This may sound silly, but in the state that I was in when I first started this study, I needed to know God with close to me.
As I continued to go verse by verse, looking up the English word and comparing it with the word and meaning in Hebrew, God began to minister His love to me. Coming out of a marriage where constantly I had felt under-appreciated, belittled, and rejected, it was a breath of fresh air to read and discover God’s love for me once again. And in reading I found boundaries. That is the main point of what I want to share with you today in this devotional. It is Psalm 119:4 that points out to us that we are to observe God’s precepts with care. Finding my old notes on this chapter recently, I recall writing what this verse means in using the original Hebrew language. “You have sent a messenger with Your mandates that are to be diligently obeyed.” May I be so bold as to ask, are we diligently obeying the mandates of our God? This is where we find the boundaries that keep us safe, that invite His love, and that prevent us from open doors to the enemy.
In closing today, I would like to continue in sharing with you, perhaps a more easier to read version of what exactly David is saying in the first eight verses of this poetic Psalm. It is my prayer that you will find His word changing you in your situation as I began to find Him doing so in my own.
“Blessed are they whose course of life is without blemish, who walk according to the decree of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep His warning charges and seek Him with all their center of life. They do no wickedness or perversion; they walk in His mode of action. You have sent a messenger with Your mandates that are to be diligently obeyed. Oh, that my course was established in obeying Your decrees. Then I would not be pale from shame and disappointed when I consider all Your precepts. I will lift my hands in praise to You with a straight center as I become skillful in Your right and prosperous privileges. I will obey Your commandments; do not quickly loosen Your grip on me.”
“You laid down your precepts for us to observe with care.”
Psalm 119:4
In December of 2007 I was given divorce papers. At the time we had been married a little over nine years and had a five year old and two year old. Although the marriage had many rough patches, the roughest times were still to come. It was in the few months following that I had to make many choices concerning my future. The biggest choice was whether or not I would still continue to follow after God. Statistics show that following divorce people do one of two things – they either run full force toward God or full force away from Him. Knowing that the divorce was not God’s fault, I had no problem running toward Him. Although not the choice of the general majority, it was the choice that I made, and the choice that prevented more pain than what could have been experienced.
After about a month of wandering through the Bible, hoping to find some magical words of wisdom for this ball of emotions I was feeling, I landed in Psalm 119. I figured that going verse by verse would not only take my mind off the situation some, but would also start to bring healing in these early stages. What I found, however, was that God was in every verse. I realize this sounds funny as God is named all throughout the Bible, but let me explain what I mean. In each of the 176 verses there is a word pointing toward God’s Word, be it Torah, precepts, commands, instructions, etc. No matter the word used, God is pointed to. This may sound silly, but in the state that I was in when I first started this study, I needed to know God with close to me.
As I continued to go verse by verse, looking up the English word and comparing it with the word and meaning in Hebrew, God began to minister His love to me. Coming out of a marriage where constantly I had felt under-appreciated, belittled, and rejected, it was a breath of fresh air to read and discover God’s love for me once again. And in reading I found boundaries. That is the main point of what I want to share with you today in this devotional. It is Psalm 119:4 that points out to us that we are to observe God’s precepts with care. Finding my old notes on this chapter recently, I recall writing what this verse means in using the original Hebrew language. “You have sent a messenger with Your mandates that are to be diligently obeyed.” May I be so bold as to ask, are we diligently obeying the mandates of our God? This is where we find the boundaries that keep us safe, that invite His love, and that prevent us from open doors to the enemy.
In closing today, I would like to continue in sharing with you, perhaps a more easier to read version of what exactly David is saying in the first eight verses of this poetic Psalm. It is my prayer that you will find His word changing you in your situation as I began to find Him doing so in my own.
“Blessed are they whose course of life is without blemish, who walk according to the decree of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep His warning charges and seek Him with all their center of life. They do no wickedness or perversion; they walk in His mode of action. You have sent a messenger with Your mandates that are to be diligently obeyed. Oh, that my course was established in obeying Your decrees. Then I would not be pale from shame and disappointed when I consider all Your precepts. I will lift my hands in praise to You with a straight center as I become skillful in Your right and prosperous privileges. I will obey Your commandments; do not quickly loosen Your grip on me.”
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GOD OUR FATHER
If one were to move away from the misconception that God is so distant in His status and truly understand, as Christ so often pointed ou...
