Tag: Psalms

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Delightful determination.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.” Psalms‬ ‭119:109-112‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There seems to be a tremendous side benefit to suffering, and I don’t like it one bit. A suffering heart is a tender heart and one that should draw near to God. You get this sense all through the Psalms when David and other writers lay out their troubles.

In his youth, David was constantly being pursued, hiding, running for his life. Yet, while he is in great anguish and notably the worst part of his existence- he was close to God. The most eloquent and beautiful words of deep love and commitment come out of him. And, not only are we, the readers, the benefactors, we also can develop a way of life similar.

The poignant question is, “Do we have to suffer to experience this closeness to God?” David’s dramatic phrases of his “life hanging in the balance” and the “wicked setting traps” for him are the life-season backdrop to his life as a younger man. But we all know what happens as David ages and gets all the luxuries and accoutrements of being a king! And, it’s in that season of his life, that commandments are broken and his heart’s determinations and affections are set on something else, someone with stunning beauty.

Which makes me ask another question, “Do we lose closeness to God when we are not suffering?” When there is no one is hunting us. There are no threats, no crushing circumstances of life. Do we delightfully determine God then? The seasons that we have much, or certainly more, are exactly the life stages that should be examined more closely!

Yet, I feel no desire whatsoever to put myself into states of suffering. Was this part of the reason monks and nuns would beat their own bodies (Self-flagellation) trying to force a physical, thus emotional suffering? They saw this a a spiritual discipline, calling it a “mortification of the flesh.” I see that as ridiculous. One thing about this Psalm is clear, David could never imagine a moment where he would “stop obeying” God’s instructions. Yet, we know he did. I would love to live a life that vigorously pursues God even as I age, even as I “get more” or have more.

Prayer

Dad,
Wow. It seems to me that we, as humans, are such a strange paradox. We are so simple in one sense, and deeply complicated in another. We’re simple in terms of our sin, our failures, like dogs returning to their vomit. We’re even predictable in that! In the other, we have and live with a duplicitous heart. One that longs, aches for a deep relationship with you. The other a horrible, unquenchable desire for our own will, our own way. When we’re young we are filled with vim and vigor. When we’re old we’re filled with memories and reflections. My desire is similar to David’s in his youth, to keep your decrees until death.

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The wicked play a dangerous game

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalms‬ ‭7:14-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The wicked just play a different game, a dangerous one. I’m convinced that David is correct in how he feels. He views the wicked that not only come after him but just desire to cause havoc and chaos everywhere. The wicked just don’t seem to be happy unless they are making the world miserable. Oh, the endless schemes that are constantly being conceived! David says they are pregnant with trouble! His cry is to God to deal with the never ending hunger of those whose bent minds and broken hearts towards selfish and evil ends. This is the game that the wicked play! And, sadly, they play it well. The righteous, not of themselves, but of a yearning to do right, and obey God just want to live in peace. They don’t lie awake at night planning and scheming to greedily make more money or posses more power or to crush the poor and disenfranchised. They just want to do what’s right, live in peace and help others on the fringe to have a better life. The wicked don’t play fair, they play dirty! The godly can be as wise as possible, but should not, will not behave immoral with tactics that are wrong. The means to an end must be lived out with right behavior. The godly believe that God will not only honor behavior that reflects His character, but that God himself will bring about justice and judgment in his perfect timing. Our trust, our hope is in God almighty and His ultimate plans for us and this world.

Prayer

Dad,
Every day I see and hear lies, deceit and manipulation in every sector of our culture. I feel powerless to do anything about it. If I shout out the truth or speak of the evils going out on TV media, entertainment or social media I am called out with horrible, hurtful words. It all seems to have been reversed to what was the norm just forty years ago. Now Christianity is deemed evil and the most insidious lies and self-destructive behavior is now called good, even calling it kindness. It appears, at least in our country, you have let people live anyway they desire even when it will be their own demise. I ask, as the psalmist did, let your justice rise and your mercy save us from ourselves.

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Going to God first, BEFORE we spin out.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me? Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?” Psalms‬ ‭6:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David implores God to restore, not continue to rebuke. To heal, not to discipline as David sees it. I realize this is probably David’s general outlook or worldview. EVERYTHING that happens, good or bad, comes from God. Interesting right? I don’t see David blaming natural consequences per se, or an evil presence such as Satan when things are going bad. I don’t even see him really blaming King Saul or evil men. He’s really got his focus on God’s design and desire to control all that happens in his life and the kingdom life. Why else would David constantly remind God of how long he’s been waiting for justice?

In this passage David dramatically reminds God of something else. How can I praise you of I’m no longer alive? Who praises from the grave? Well… I get his point. We would rather praise and tell of God’s great mercy here, while we’re alive in this planet, while there are people to hear the testimonies of His goodness. However, from a eternal perspective, God will always receive praise, even from the beyond. I’m not sure about the ancients view of the afterlife. David uses the word, “sheol.” Which is a realm of the dead, where all the dead go. He certainly did not believe he could continue to give God praise from there.

What would happen if I took my griefs, failures and frustrations to God FIRST? If I had this kind of open conversation with God at the front of my tendency to “spin” or ruminate? I just had this happen. And I was feeling desperate to tell someone what I had experienced, what I was feeling AND let those awful theories take my brain off to a hundred different directions. The one I should have talked to first, was God. The Psalms always reminds me to do this, that’s what I love about these songs and poems. But I still don’t choose God first! It’s very annoying that I do this.

Prayer

Dad,
Even though you have given me access and permission to go to you, to approach you, I still have a difficult time following through. Maybe it’s just me? Maybe everyone else just does this automatically. I even had the perfect yucky day yesterday and was wishing I could tell someone to get it out of my head, but oh no, I didn’t pray a peep! I didn’t let you in. I didn’t reach out for help to sort through the pain and disappointment. I do remember pausing before I sent some dumb texts that would have made things worse. I need you so badly when things are stressful and I start dropping or forgetting important things I’m supposed to get done.

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Easter eggs hidden throughout the Bible.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs.”
‭Psalms‬ ‭75:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Wow. This cup that the Psalmist refers to is the cup of judgment from God. Asaph writes about all those who are arrogant and defiant towards God, “I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’ I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.’” He says that God mixes a bitter drink and makes the wicked drink it. This is cup of judgment. Benson says, “God is here compared to the master of a feast, who, in those days, used to distribute portions of meats or drinks to the several guests, as he thought fit.” And Barnes says, “It is full of mixture – Mixed with spices, in order to increase its strength; or, as we should say, drugged. This was frequently done in order to increase the intoxicating quality of wine. The idea is, that the wrath of God was like wine whose native strength, or power of producing intoxication, was thus increased by drugs.” The king, giving these different cups to their guests were signifying either a blessing or judgment. And, these cups of blessing or curses were mentioned all through the Old Testament.

The gospel writers bring back this idea, these symbols of cups at the last supper, and in the garden of Gethsemane. “And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it,” Matthew‬ ‭26:27‬. “Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew‬ ‭26:42‬ ‭NLT‬. One more reference is made to the guards offering Jesus “sour wine,” possibly an analgesic to ease the pain. Jesus refused this ‬drink. Matthew 27:34.

God is definitely into these deep, symbolic moments of mystery and has hundreds of encoded “Easter eggs” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg_(media) ) scattered throughout scripture. All of them leaving clues and all them pointing to the fulfillment of the work Christ has done for us.

Prayer

Dad,
You are amazing at not only telling your grand story of tragedy and redemption. But the sheer amount of details woven into the salvation of humans is astounding! There are so many clues, so many hints hidden in plain sight. I do however notice that people have to actually look for them. Even in the parables, Christ plainly said, they don’t give answers they encourage seeking! And when we seek… we FIND. I am thankful that you brought me the message of hope and made it so clear, so simple. I think it’s another sign of your mercy to those who are broken, and how you give grace to the humble.

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Backing away from the mental edge of a cliff.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers.” Psalms‬ ‭59:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How to pray when you’re attacked! David knew how to bring his honest, earnest thoughts, fears and prayers to God. Again, how many of us talk with God with such specificity? David lists their methods of stalking and trash talking. “They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.” Isn’t it interesting that David KNOWS that God hears his prayer, but also hears the profane disregard for decency of the thugs that work for King Saul.

David also asks God to NOT kill them, but to throw them off balance, “Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield.”

But while all of this is going on, even amidst the prayer for protection, David decides to behave in a very specific way. He decides, “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” He sings about God’s power, not the thugs. He starts his day by singing with joy about God’s unfailing (secure) love! David owns his attitude and sets his behavior everyday that he is going through this incredible pressure of being hunted down by the King. This is a lesson for me, for us when we feel that we are under the threat and pressure of attacks – real or perceived!

Prayer

​Dad,
You know that when I am feeling out of control or certainly under any kind of attack, that my mind obsesses, for days, over the possible negative endings. And if it feels like an unjustified correction or complaint against me – it just sends me spiraling.

I’ve have tried and tried to shorten the amount of time it takes me to gain my mental footing and talk myself back into anything healthy. David met his enemies both external (the thugs) and internal (his own fears) with a very practical action – he prayed, he sang. He reminded himself of who YOU are and then sang about how trustworthy you are until joy and a sense of peace brought him back from the brink of that mental cliff.

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A very real and eternal throne.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore— the Lord above is mightier than these! Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.” Psalms‬ ‭93:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This imagery in Psalm 93 is so interesting. Yes, it summons thoughts of a majestic and powerful ruler. Yes, it is grand and glorious in its eternal, immortal existence.

From this throne, David writes the “royal laws cannot be changed.” They enormously perfect, just, right and true laws of God can never, should never be rescinded. The ideal of a throne, the lavished stories told over ions of time about thrones, kings and their quest for righteous rules all for the kingdom they serve.

I find it all so intriguing because as a kid I read many, many stories of good kings and kingdoms. I also read of bad kings and villains who would try to rule for their own selfish gain, misusing and abusing people and power to pursue their evil plans to keep them in power. All those stories had these good and evil themes woven throughout.

The most recent show that Robin adored and I tolerated, The Crown, opened with majestic music and beautiful cinematography swirling around this ultimate symbol of power – the King’s or in this case, the Queen’s crown. The seat upon which she sat was the last remembrance I have of seeing a throne. The place where laws are declared, justice dispensed, orders given to be immediately executed. The throne, the crown, the person sitting on it was seen as all powerful and revered.

This throne-symbol of power has lasted for several millennia and shows up extensively in the New Testament, much of it in THE book of endings – Revelation. The word thronos appears 62x in the New Testament, 47 of which are in the book of Revelation.

The throne may not be a prominent and even powerful modern symbol, but it will be so in the end. The word picture David paints in Psalms will return in full real and living color as this world wraps up and a new one is created. The words of the psalmist seem to echo from the song that was penned so long ago all the way to the very end of this world’s human existence – “Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.”

PRAYER:

Dad,
What a very real and very poetically written majestic story. And I’m not just talking about David’s psalm. I am talking about the entire story of your majesty and might, your beauty and wisdom, your truth, righteousness and justice. It’s all there. It’s always been there. A very long story of not only our existence, but more amazingly, our redemption. It is and will be the very happiest of happy ending of any story that has ever been told! And, it is all about you. Gratefully and thankfully about you. I am quite happy being a part of it and even more excited to be present as it all comes to an end, then an entirely new beginning.

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Refreshingly clean and good smell of unity!

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalms‬ ‭133:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Such a small verse with a BIG impact! Interestingly enough, the psalmist goes in to physically describe what UNITY feels like. Togetherness feels like a total body cleansing like rainfall on a hot day. The song directs us to think about a very public act that was not only performed on the high priest, Aaron, but also a very common act of anyone who wanted to be clean, refreshed and even getting ready for a big event.

I’m not at all a oil or lotion guy. I just can’t stand any kind of perfumed substance on my body. I don’t like hand, face or body lotions. I don’t even like sunscreen! I certainly can’t imagine anything oily in my hair. Robin, on the other hand, LOVES lotions, creams and various liquids on her. She loves the way her skin absorbs the oil or lotion and how it makes her ski feel after applying it. I’m the opposite, I only like water or strangely enough rubbing alcohol. I only like things that REMOVE oils on me, not apply more!

In ancient times, water was used for washing, but it was difficult to get it and keep it fresh. Ancients were obsessed with fresh water and only the wealthy either had or built natural springs running through their house or property. But oils, likely essential oils, were portable, easy to make and use. So these oils would be used much like a modern day shower or washing your face in the sink. They were cleansing and healthy for hair and body. Plus, they were fragrant, like we would use a deodorant. As much as I don’t like oily things on my skin I still see the point the psalmist is getting at. Thankfully he writes about dew or light rain falling in the mountains as well – THAT I can get into.

Either way, it’s a great visual of how unity, how togetherness brings all the benefits that oils, cleansing and smelling good brings. Unity cleans our cooperative, collective souls. Unity refreshes our hearts, minds and attitudes. Unity brings a clean, fresh, delightful aroma to us as a group. This picture of the benefits of unity should draw us in to want that! To wash away the nastiness of all that goes on in our culture, stuff that just gets picked up on the freeway or while waiting in the impatience of a grocery, coffee or food line.

To be refreshed by each other’s love and cooperative attitudes is like going to a health spa. And to smell the aroma of unity that replaces our individual and sometimes stinky selfishness. Oh how good it is to dwell together in unity. This is truly a picture of how God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has always existed! And when we cooperate, come together and act in unity – wow it looks and smells amazing!

PRAYER:

Dad,
This is not only ideal and completely an affirming YES and big head-nod, it is also a lot of work! Unity is work. It is a work in progress. It takes sacrifice, humility and calling each other on bad behaviors that tear down instead of build up. It’s a loving accountability, a pact, a promise to hold up when trust is eroded and tempers flare. We want unity, I think. We want the amazing refreshment of clean and nice smelling, but we have to identify the reasons and the attitudes that prevent us from getting there. Help us!

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Three tools to view God’s promises.

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalms‬ ‭121:1-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A microscope, binoculars and a telescope. I think of these three tools when I read the wonderfully grand promises of God written in Psalms.

Remember the “wow” factor of looking through these glass visual aids and discovering a world you never knew existed. I read a book, How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World by Stephen Johnson, where the author lists glass as the number one greatest discovery ever! With these three tools we can go from micro to macro views of our world in just a moment. With one we see incredible detail viewing things on a molecular level the eye alone could never see. With the other we see millions of miles beyond our wildest imagination. These tools help me frame God’s promises.

Normally I may read the Psalms with a microscopic view because I am in pain or struggling with difficult circumstances. And, when I use this very narrow purview, I am looking for God to come and help me NOW. But the Psalmist helps me see other perspectives, with a broader scope. He writes about by day and night. Then I switch to an even more robust, macro view and read that God watches over my life! I write this because I must be reminded that God is my rescue at each and every level.

Sometimes, I impatiently get buried in brain-ruts (repetitive neural pathways) and allow myself to feel trapped or squeezed by some random event or some small comment someone made. My mind starts spinning, spiraling down into the cellular level of doubts and fears like out of some creepy sci-fi movie. I instinctively grab the microscope lens of the Psalms to look for comfort amidst the swirling chaos of my own thoughts. Maybe I need to switch my view, my perspective tools and grab some binoculars to see the day, week or month differently. To allow the Spirit of God to bring Shalom, peace, to lower my blood pressure and remember God’s goodness, His trustworthiness.

And maybe, in my own life or the life of others, I need to grab the telescopic view, the really long view of life, even with eternity in mind. I have to laugh at myself to remember, I am not likely going to DIE over some comment or even some failure. And, even if some major event did happen, God let’s me know through His word, He’s still got me in the palm of His hand. God not only controls and shapes the circumstances of my moment or my day, but also my eternity! God keeps watch both now and forever!!

PRAYER:

Dad,
You are a GOOD God, a GOOD father. I give thanks because your love endures forever. You are ever mindful of me. Your grace, mercy are great and you are so long suffering. Thank you for the Psalms, the writings that remind me of your faithfulness to and throughout all generations!

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Making melodies in our heart

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let all Israel repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let all who fear the Lord repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Psalms‬ ‭118:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm or song opens with a grand proclamation and David gives instructions to the worship leaders, mostly the priests, of this public time of sing praise to God. There are some very famous praise-phrases in this Psalm. “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” “You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!” And, “The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die.” Just kidding! That one never made into our hymnals, Maranatha albums or the Passion Tour.

I am so glad David and others recorded these words, but do you ever wonder what happened to the music? We’ve got the lyrics, but no notes, notations or keys. I heard recently from some of my super-senior friends that they miss the actual melody, rhythm or timing of the old hymns – not just the words. In all the flurry of the great “worship wars” of the 90’s and Y2K, worship bands were capturing hymnal words and even Biblical phrases right out of the Psalms, but our oldest friends still missed the beat of the music itself, the meters. I don’t think anyone knows exactly what the OT songs sounded like, but there was an interesting article I found on the web detailing worship and singing in the old and new testament – http://www.summit1.org/gun10/gun01.htm.

I hope God gives you a melody today! “In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody with heaven’s harmony. In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody of love.”

PRAYER

Dad,
I love the Psalms and the beautiful words expressing praise to you! They are reminders for me to lift up a song and let it lift up my heart as well.

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Who is searching for who?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay.” Psalms‬ ‭70:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​I often wonder who is looking for God, personally seeking him out. I imagine that most are looking for some answers, rest, peace, especially hope. Even in those suffering moments that folks would look outside themselves and be open to the fact that God is watching over them and in that they’ll find a promise. They will find God when they look for him.

Well before I came to Christ at fifteen, I had a sense that someone was watching out for me, watching over me. It wasn’t in a creepy stalking way, but a gentle parental oversight. Even at a young age I had some really frightening moments and felt something trying to help me, I just didn’t understand him or know how to talk to him or ask for help. I know people think that comes natural to a child, but it didn’t with me. I was never really taught about God or even a general sense that he’s out there. And for sure that sense of God was never modeled in our home. That’s kinda of odd when I think about it because it was my adopted mother who dressed me up and sent me off to a church just down the street when I was probably seven or eight years old. I heard some amazing Bible stories, but never made an association that the Jesus in the Bible could also be in my home. It’s hard to understand because by the time I was a teenager, my older sister and my mom were taking me to church every week! I was attending a church and still could not make sense of this general or for sure this personal God idea. I just thought church people were just that, churchy people. I just went along with my Mom because one, I had too and two, it made her happy.

But at a moment before my life could have turned badly, God found me. I saw a genuineness in the youth my age and it made me curious and I wanted what they had, not really knowing exactly what it was. By the Holy Spirit, God touched a nerve, a soft spot, a loss or ache I had but didn’t know how really deep my pain went. So at fifteen I had a moment to reflect on my life, what had happened to me as well as who I was becoming. I was lost and without anyone to help guide me. When the voice offered me hope I immediately knew who it was. Strange huh? I had never interacted with him before, but then this clear voice was coming through, “if you give me your life, I will be your Dad.” I felt very unworthy, very exposed at that moment. I replied back, “I am nobody and I don’t have anything to offer you.” I felt worthless because of my family history and the really horrible things I had done in the few short teenage years of my life. The voice just spoke the offer again, “give me your life and I will be your Dad.” I broke and said “yes.” I cried a pile of snot and tears and watched a mini-series in my mind of just how awful I had been. I felt a real sense of guilt for my decisions, my behaviors and said I was sorry for all the things I had done. I had been searching for God, but I was not really aware of it. He came and found me just in time and offered me a deal that I couldn’t pass up. After two dads that had failed me and a really crummy dad that would soon come into my mother’s life, I was looking forward to God fathering me. And he has. He kept his promise and I still call him Dad.

PRAYER:

Dad,
Where would I be without you? What would I be if you had not rescued me? I am forever grateful that you had mercy on me and offered me a life, not just a great life here, but an absolutely amazing life with you forever! Thank you.