Psalm 88
Wow! Talk about a dark Psalm! I have been depressed before, I don’t think it was ever to this extreme! It seemed to Heman that he was on the brink of death, alone and deserted. Neither loved one nor friend sought to comfort him. He was convinced that all that was happening to him was God’s intent and design. He is angry at God and angry at man. He describes himself as being under the waves of God’s wrath. And yet, he calls out to God for relief. He stretches out his hands toward Him. How does this reflect the glory of God? Deep inside, Heman knows that in spite of the wrath of God, that the Lord is merciful. He will not let go of Him. He knows that God’s mercy will triumph over justice! That is the glory of the Lord Jesus! He is God’s mercy incarnate. It is also fitting that the father has handed all judgment over to the Son. If we neglect His mercy, how shall we escape His justice. If I feel I am experiencing His wrath now, then I should call out to Him for His mercy! That is His glory. He is compassionate, longsuffering and full of mercy! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
March 27
Psalm 86
Look at this list of the glories of the Lord! He is merciful (3, 5, 13, 15). He makes us glad (4). He is good and ready to forgive (5). He listens to our prayers & supplications (6). He answers us (7). There is no one like Him (8, 10). He does great and wondrous things (10). He is truth (11, 15). He delivers me (13). He is full of compassion and longsuffering (15). He helps and comforts (17). With a resume like that, why are we so slow to praise Him in spirit and truth? David hits on the answer in verse 11. He pleads with the Lord to “unite” his heart to praise His name. Now wait a minute! This is the man whom God describes as a man after His own heart. This man has a problem with a divided heart. Oh there is hope for me!
I am so fractured. I know how wonderful the Lord is, but my heart is deceitful. It seeks to tell me not to trust Him with every detail of my life. It sees the appearance of the things that the system of this world offers. It hears the lure of the enemy whispering that the world’s system really will not kill me. I hear him saying that the world’s system can really make me wise. My heart hears the old nature whispering that the world’s system is pleasant and it will make me wise. Yet that list of what God is like tells me that the world, the enemy and my old nature are all liars! Oh God, unless You unite my heart, I am undone! Unite my heart that I might praise Your name! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Look at this list of the glories of the Lord! He is merciful (3, 5, 13, 15). He makes us glad (4). He is good and ready to forgive (5). He listens to our prayers & supplications (6). He answers us (7). There is no one like Him (8, 10). He does great and wondrous things (10). He is truth (11, 15). He delivers me (13). He is full of compassion and longsuffering (15). He helps and comforts (17). With a resume like that, why are we so slow to praise Him in spirit and truth? David hits on the answer in verse 11. He pleads with the Lord to “unite” his heart to praise His name. Now wait a minute! This is the man whom God describes as a man after His own heart. This man has a problem with a divided heart. Oh there is hope for me!
I am so fractured. I know how wonderful the Lord is, but my heart is deceitful. It seeks to tell me not to trust Him with every detail of my life. It sees the appearance of the things that the system of this world offers. It hears the lure of the enemy whispering that the world’s system really will not kill me. I hear him saying that the world’s system can really make me wise. My heart hears the old nature whispering that the world’s system is pleasant and it will make me wise. Yet that list of what God is like tells me that the world, the enemy and my old nature are all liars! Oh God, unless You unite my heart, I am undone! Unite my heart that I might praise Your name! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Friday, March 23, 2012
March 23, 2012
Psalm 82
Jon Edwards was a North Carolina Senator with a glamour boy face who once ran for President/Vice-President. He billed himself has having come from humble origins and a champion of the people’s rights. He was the perfect Democratic candidate. He made his money as a trial lawyer, representing the ‘little man’ against corporate injustice. He may have been representing the ‘little man’, but he certainly wasn’t hurt by that representation. I’ve seen videos of his estate upon which he lived while running for President. The land alone was probably worth millions, not to mention the vast mansion built upon it. If he came from humble beginnings, then I would say that his career as a trial lawyer fed his coffers by tens of millions of dollars. Seems to me, his motivation was more than defending the ‘little man.” Seems to me, his motivation had something to do with filling his own pockets from the corporate coffers. Is that justice?
God’s glory is that He is just, and in as much as it is possible, He calls us to be the image of His justice. The leaders of a country are called to reflect His justice. The fatherless have no one to turn to as a role model. They have no one to teach them how to live. The poor have no one to defend them in court. As the old saying goes, “A man who serves as his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” The court appointed attorney was originally put into place because of teachings like this one from the Bible. Unfortunately, in practice the court appointed attorney often does a less than stellar job defending his/her client because it is a drain on their resources. People who are rich give a better reward for a job well done, or the possibility of taking money from the rich is a better reward.
God’s justice is dispensed despite the outcome. Ours should be the same. He seeks justice no matter what is received of us. Matthew Henry says this of the justice He expects us to dispense:
These are clients whom there is nothing to be got by, no pay for serving them, no interest by obliging them; yet these are those whom judges and magistrates must concern themselves for, whose comfort they must consult and whose cause they must espouse.
That is how God distributed His justice toward us. Justice was distributed upon the cross. Jesus paid our debt. The only pay He received by serving us was us. The only thing which Jesus received by obliging us was us. By the world’s standard of justice, that is a strange justice indeed. Yet it was the delight of the Father and the Son to do that for each other. What an awesome love! He calls us to do the same for others out of love for Him. Now that is glorious! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Jon Edwards was a North Carolina Senator with a glamour boy face who once ran for President/Vice-President. He billed himself has having come from humble origins and a champion of the people’s rights. He was the perfect Democratic candidate. He made his money as a trial lawyer, representing the ‘little man’ against corporate injustice. He may have been representing the ‘little man’, but he certainly wasn’t hurt by that representation. I’ve seen videos of his estate upon which he lived while running for President. The land alone was probably worth millions, not to mention the vast mansion built upon it. If he came from humble beginnings, then I would say that his career as a trial lawyer fed his coffers by tens of millions of dollars. Seems to me, his motivation was more than defending the ‘little man.” Seems to me, his motivation had something to do with filling his own pockets from the corporate coffers. Is that justice?
God’s glory is that He is just, and in as much as it is possible, He calls us to be the image of His justice. The leaders of a country are called to reflect His justice. The fatherless have no one to turn to as a role model. They have no one to teach them how to live. The poor have no one to defend them in court. As the old saying goes, “A man who serves as his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” The court appointed attorney was originally put into place because of teachings like this one from the Bible. Unfortunately, in practice the court appointed attorney often does a less than stellar job defending his/her client because it is a drain on their resources. People who are rich give a better reward for a job well done, or the possibility of taking money from the rich is a better reward.
God’s justice is dispensed despite the outcome. Ours should be the same. He seeks justice no matter what is received of us. Matthew Henry says this of the justice He expects us to dispense:
These are clients whom there is nothing to be got by, no pay for serving them, no interest by obliging them; yet these are those whom judges and magistrates must concern themselves for, whose comfort they must consult and whose cause they must espouse.
That is how God distributed His justice toward us. Justice was distributed upon the cross. Jesus paid our debt. The only pay He received by serving us was us. The only thing which Jesus received by obliging us was us. By the world’s standard of justice, that is a strange justice indeed. Yet it was the delight of the Father and the Son to do that for each other. What an awesome love! He calls us to do the same for others out of love for Him. Now that is glorious! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Thursday, March 22, 2012
March 22
Psalm 81
I have never seen an episode of the TV show Desperate Housewives. Seeing one commercial was enough to convince me that I should not let my mind wander there. I have enough difficulty remaining pure without dwelling on someone else’s impurity. Yet, I imagine that the housewives of that show are fitting illustrations of the wife of the Lord as described in this Psalm. But I do not want to describe any more of her than is necessary to give an antithesis of Him.
He is faithful to His unfaithful wife. He delivered her out of slavery in Egypt. He gave her fresh water when it was bitter. He gave her filtered water when there was none. She ran after other men (foreign gods). He wooed her to Himself with promises of joy and provision, but she would have none of it. He remained loyal to her. He desired to give her the best. He wanted to give her the best foods and deserts. He even desired to give honey from the rock. In a place where there could be no food, he could give honey. He is infinitely sweet to His wife. But that sweetness permits her to pursue her own stubborn design, to walk in her own counsels. Those ways lead to death.
You and I are or can be that unfaithful wife. Lord, You are the ever faithful One! Even now you give me the finest of wheat, figuratively and literally! Help me protect my heart from foreign Gods! They constantly woo me! But only You can satisfy. It is Your glory to satisfy. You are most glorified when we are most satisfied in You! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
I have never seen an episode of the TV show Desperate Housewives. Seeing one commercial was enough to convince me that I should not let my mind wander there. I have enough difficulty remaining pure without dwelling on someone else’s impurity. Yet, I imagine that the housewives of that show are fitting illustrations of the wife of the Lord as described in this Psalm. But I do not want to describe any more of her than is necessary to give an antithesis of Him.
He is faithful to His unfaithful wife. He delivered her out of slavery in Egypt. He gave her fresh water when it was bitter. He gave her filtered water when there was none. She ran after other men (foreign gods). He wooed her to Himself with promises of joy and provision, but she would have none of it. He remained loyal to her. He desired to give her the best. He wanted to give her the best foods and deserts. He even desired to give honey from the rock. In a place where there could be no food, he could give honey. He is infinitely sweet to His wife. But that sweetness permits her to pursue her own stubborn design, to walk in her own counsels. Those ways lead to death.
You and I are or can be that unfaithful wife. Lord, You are the ever faithful One! Even now you give me the finest of wheat, figuratively and literally! Help me protect my heart from foreign Gods! They constantly woo me! But only You can satisfy. It is Your glory to satisfy. You are most glorified when we are most satisfied in You! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Thursday, March 15, 2012
March 15
Psalm 74
Sometimes it feels like the anger of the Lord is billowing up like smoke against us. The Psalmist certainly felt that way. It is common for wolves and coyotes to seek to kill the sheep, but not the shepherd. Yet apparently the Lord has allowed a nation to attack the temple and burn its doors. Therefore, Asaph attributes this act to the Lord. There are a few times when the temple was burned by an enemy. Perhaps it was during the reign of Rehoboam when Shishak Pharaoh of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple. Perhaps it is in reference to the exile of Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps it was some other time. Whichever era it was, it is time of soul searching. It was time of loss, terror and pain.
“Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.” Asaph knows that the Lord is able to deliver. So, it is a matter of “why hasn’t the Lord delivered yet”? It appears that the Lord has chosen not to deliver. So Asaph appeals to the covenant. Also, Three times in this Psalm he asks the Lord to remember: 1) His congregation (v2); 2) The enemy has blasphemed the name of the Lord (v.18); 3) The reproach of the foolish man. It is an appeal from Asaph to the glory of God. How does it reflect upon God’s glory when His people suffer? Asaph’s perspective is that it demeans God’s glory; therefore, He appeals to the covenant asking God to intervene for the sake of the covenant.
From a New Testament perspective, we are called to share in the New Covenant, which implies a sharing in His suffering. Our suffering can magnify His glory as the world sees us willing to suffer for His name and the sake of His righteousness. On the other hand, if our suffering is the result of the discipline of God for our own foolishness, then our suffering demonstrates the justice of God. Sometimes the dark haunts of cruelty extend even into our own being resulting in foolish behavior which God must discipline in order to remove it from our lives for His glory. Arise O God and plead your cause! Glorify Your name! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Sometimes it feels like the anger of the Lord is billowing up like smoke against us. The Psalmist certainly felt that way. It is common for wolves and coyotes to seek to kill the sheep, but not the shepherd. Yet apparently the Lord has allowed a nation to attack the temple and burn its doors. Therefore, Asaph attributes this act to the Lord. There are a few times when the temple was burned by an enemy. Perhaps it was during the reign of Rehoboam when Shishak Pharaoh of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple. Perhaps it is in reference to the exile of Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps it was some other time. Whichever era it was, it is time of soul searching. It was time of loss, terror and pain.
“Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.” Asaph knows that the Lord is able to deliver. So, it is a matter of “why hasn’t the Lord delivered yet”? It appears that the Lord has chosen not to deliver. So Asaph appeals to the covenant. Also, Three times in this Psalm he asks the Lord to remember: 1) His congregation (v2); 2) The enemy has blasphemed the name of the Lord (v.18); 3) The reproach of the foolish man. It is an appeal from Asaph to the glory of God. How does it reflect upon God’s glory when His people suffer? Asaph’s perspective is that it demeans God’s glory; therefore, He appeals to the covenant asking God to intervene for the sake of the covenant.
From a New Testament perspective, we are called to share in the New Covenant, which implies a sharing in His suffering. Our suffering can magnify His glory as the world sees us willing to suffer for His name and the sake of His righteousness. On the other hand, if our suffering is the result of the discipline of God for our own foolishness, then our suffering demonstrates the justice of God. Sometimes the dark haunts of cruelty extend even into our own being resulting in foolish behavior which God must discipline in order to remove it from our lives for His glory. Arise O God and plead your cause! Glorify Your name! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 14
Psalm 73
A lot of things happen that I do not understand. It is normal to see those who are wholly devoted to walking in the ways of the world become ‘successful.’ This is also true in the American church. Those who compromise the Word of God seem to prosper very much. Like the Psalmist, I sometimes wonder whether I am walking in the right direction. Is it really worth it? The Psalmist was about to conclude, “No, it is not worth it,” until he came into the sanctuary. In the sanctuary he was able to regain his bearings. In the sanctuary he was confronted with the glory of the Eternal God. This earth is but a moment before the Eternal God. The sanctuary was where the Glory dwelt. Outside of the sanctuary we become impressed with the beauties of this world. Outside of the sanctuary our memories of His great glory fade. Outside of the sanctuary our wills soften. Outside of the sanctuary we begin to conform to this world. Outside of the sanctuary we fail to sense that we are on slippery ground-like first time skaters on an ice rink. Outside of the sanctuary I become like an unreasoning beast. But when I come back in the sanctuary, I regain my bearings. When I step back outside after gazing upon His glory in the Sanctuary, I find that He is holding me up in the slippery ice rink of the world, and He never lets go. Consequently, it is good to regularly draw near to Him in the sanctuary to regain my view of His glory, to know that He is walking with me outside. After a life walking with Him, He will receive me into His glory. Can it get any better than this? ! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
A lot of things happen that I do not understand. It is normal to see those who are wholly devoted to walking in the ways of the world become ‘successful.’ This is also true in the American church. Those who compromise the Word of God seem to prosper very much. Like the Psalmist, I sometimes wonder whether I am walking in the right direction. Is it really worth it? The Psalmist was about to conclude, “No, it is not worth it,” until he came into the sanctuary. In the sanctuary he was able to regain his bearings. In the sanctuary he was confronted with the glory of the Eternal God. This earth is but a moment before the Eternal God. The sanctuary was where the Glory dwelt. Outside of the sanctuary we become impressed with the beauties of this world. Outside of the sanctuary our memories of His great glory fade. Outside of the sanctuary our wills soften. Outside of the sanctuary we begin to conform to this world. Outside of the sanctuary we fail to sense that we are on slippery ground-like first time skaters on an ice rink. Outside of the sanctuary I become like an unreasoning beast. But when I come back in the sanctuary, I regain my bearings. When I step back outside after gazing upon His glory in the Sanctuary, I find that He is holding me up in the slippery ice rink of the world, and He never lets go. Consequently, it is good to regularly draw near to Him in the sanctuary to regain my view of His glory, to know that He is walking with me outside. After a life walking with Him, He will receive me into His glory. Can it get any better than this? ! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
March 13
Psalm 72
The rate of people in Stillwater living in what the government defines as poverty is around 24%. The state average is around 14%. A year and two months ago, a homeless man in our small city died in his sleep under a bridge in sub-freezing weather. For a little while there was a great uproar in our community concerning doing something to help solve the problem of poverty, and homelessness in particular, in our community. At the meetings which I attended, it seemed that there were as many proposed solutions as there were people present. Yesterday I was talking with a man who was a friend of the homeless man who died. He said, that the man had resources that could have prevented him from being homeless, but he would rather sleep under a bridge than use them. My own cousin has mental health issues that result in his living a lifestyle that is very unconventional and most would call ‘homeless.’ At one time he was receiving $1300 a month in SSI (and I think he still is). In his community $1300/month is more than enough for a single male with no children to make ends meet. I feel heartless, but if that is the way he chooses to live, why should I be compelled to give him more support?
I have done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that frequently their plight is often times mostly their own doing. They made bad decisions that spiraled into poor circumstances that resulted in more bad decisions. I also have done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that frequently the trigger that led to their plight was not of their own doing. Some sort of illness, accident or injury, often precipitates it. I have also done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that a few of them, if given the proper assistance, will rise up out of their extreme poverty and come to the point that they no longer need assistance. I have also done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that some of the issues that the poor must contend with are issues of justice which were meant to motivate the poor to better themselves, but they actually have the reverse effect. Right now it is difficult at best to have a government that ministers to the poor with justice. Most of governmental efforts in the USA over the last five decades have only resulted in an increase in the percentage of poor people living in our country. The Great Society has become an impoverished society, and the governmental coffers seem to be going broke. The war on poverty seems to have become a war on the poor.
Solomon prays that the Lord will give the king’s son wisdom to rule in justice. Eventually, the Psalm looks beyond the earthly king to the Messianic King, the Lord Jesus. When He comes in His power, He will bring justice to the poor. He will bring healing to their lives so that they can live their lives in honor of Him. The result of His giving justice to the poor is that more honor and wealth are given to His name. Somehow He will rule in such a way that the poor will have what they need in order to meet their needs. He will also rule in such a way that the poor will make the right decisions so that they will no longer spiral into deeper poverty. That is something that our governments and economic systems today cannot provide. That is what makes His glory so glorious! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
The rate of people in Stillwater living in what the government defines as poverty is around 24%. The state average is around 14%. A year and two months ago, a homeless man in our small city died in his sleep under a bridge in sub-freezing weather. For a little while there was a great uproar in our community concerning doing something to help solve the problem of poverty, and homelessness in particular, in our community. At the meetings which I attended, it seemed that there were as many proposed solutions as there were people present. Yesterday I was talking with a man who was a friend of the homeless man who died. He said, that the man had resources that could have prevented him from being homeless, but he would rather sleep under a bridge than use them. My own cousin has mental health issues that result in his living a lifestyle that is very unconventional and most would call ‘homeless.’ At one time he was receiving $1300 a month in SSI (and I think he still is). In his community $1300/month is more than enough for a single male with no children to make ends meet. I feel heartless, but if that is the way he chooses to live, why should I be compelled to give him more support?
I have done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that frequently their plight is often times mostly their own doing. They made bad decisions that spiraled into poor circumstances that resulted in more bad decisions. I also have done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that frequently the trigger that led to their plight was not of their own doing. Some sort of illness, accident or injury, often precipitates it. I have also done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that a few of them, if given the proper assistance, will rise up out of their extreme poverty and come to the point that they no longer need assistance. I have also done enough work among the poor in the USA to know that some of the issues that the poor must contend with are issues of justice which were meant to motivate the poor to better themselves, but they actually have the reverse effect. Right now it is difficult at best to have a government that ministers to the poor with justice. Most of governmental efforts in the USA over the last five decades have only resulted in an increase in the percentage of poor people living in our country. The Great Society has become an impoverished society, and the governmental coffers seem to be going broke. The war on poverty seems to have become a war on the poor.
Solomon prays that the Lord will give the king’s son wisdom to rule in justice. Eventually, the Psalm looks beyond the earthly king to the Messianic King, the Lord Jesus. When He comes in His power, He will bring justice to the poor. He will bring healing to their lives so that they can live their lives in honor of Him. The result of His giving justice to the poor is that more honor and wealth are given to His name. Somehow He will rule in such a way that the poor will have what they need in order to meet their needs. He will also rule in such a way that the poor will make the right decisions so that they will no longer spiral into deeper poverty. That is something that our governments and economic systems today cannot provide. That is what makes His glory so glorious! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Friday, March 9, 2012
March 9
Psalm 68
What makes a leader successful? In 14 & under Pony league baseball I was part of the Murphy Yanks here in Stillwater. The team had a history of being the best team in the city. I played a very special role. I kept the bench warm. The team itself was very successful. My first year on the team, the guys won the state tournament and went on to regionals at Kansas City. Not that I got to go, they only took the good players. Of course there was big write up in the paper and the triumphant team had their picture in the paper, all of the usual victory celebration. In one respect it was interesting to be part of the best team in the state. In another respect if I could have been traded to the worst team in the league, I would have chosen that. At least then I would have had some playing time during games. At the end of the last season, the coach gathered us all around and assessed our abilities. When he came to me, he said, “Chaffin, you are as good a fielder as anybody on the team, but I swear if I rolled a basketball to you, you couldn’t hit it.” Needless to say, I never played anymore baseball after that. You know, I have no memories of any of the coaches ever trying to teach me how to be a better hitter. Just remember, being ignored. Guess I was a lost cause, and successful coaches don’t waste time with lost causes.
This Psalm is so rich with the Glory of God! David as a successful warrior-king envisions God coming in His glory as a conquering king in His victory procession to receive and display His glory among His people. It used to be when conquering kings/warriors returned home that a victory parade would be given in honor of the victors. The last real victory parades in the USA were at the end of WWII. I have seen news reels of them and read about them. Perhaps you have too. It was common in ancient times to march the captives in the victory procession. It was also common for the king to pay his soldiers using the booty collected among the conquered people. (Which in ancient times is what motivated soldiers. War has almost always been about economics and greed.)
The nations are depicted as being jealous of Israel because of her great King. He is a king that has a heart for the widow and fatherless. He is a King that receives gifts among men. Paul quotes the Septuagint translation of verse 18 in Ephesians 4:8. Ps 68:18: “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there.” The Septuagint words it a little differently so that it reads in Ephesians 4:8: Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” He gives us gifts that we may give them back to Him. What a gracious King! We who were once captives, enemies of His, are now enlisted in His army! We are given gifts to give back to Him to enhance His glory, and in so doing we improve the state of His kingdom, and we get to march in His victory procession not as defeated foes but as victorious comrades! He has no lost causes on his team. Unlike earthly coaches, he enters our lives gifting, coaching, enabling, empowering us to do the task for which He has designed for us to fulfill on his victorious team. He indwells us! Because He indwells me, I get to play! I don't have to sit and watch. I’ll gladly march into hell for this King because I know that He will bring me through it victoriously! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
What makes a leader successful? In 14 & under Pony league baseball I was part of the Murphy Yanks here in Stillwater. The team had a history of being the best team in the city. I played a very special role. I kept the bench warm. The team itself was very successful. My first year on the team, the guys won the state tournament and went on to regionals at Kansas City. Not that I got to go, they only took the good players. Of course there was big write up in the paper and the triumphant team had their picture in the paper, all of the usual victory celebration. In one respect it was interesting to be part of the best team in the state. In another respect if I could have been traded to the worst team in the league, I would have chosen that. At least then I would have had some playing time during games. At the end of the last season, the coach gathered us all around and assessed our abilities. When he came to me, he said, “Chaffin, you are as good a fielder as anybody on the team, but I swear if I rolled a basketball to you, you couldn’t hit it.” Needless to say, I never played anymore baseball after that. You know, I have no memories of any of the coaches ever trying to teach me how to be a better hitter. Just remember, being ignored. Guess I was a lost cause, and successful coaches don’t waste time with lost causes.
This Psalm is so rich with the Glory of God! David as a successful warrior-king envisions God coming in His glory as a conquering king in His victory procession to receive and display His glory among His people. It used to be when conquering kings/warriors returned home that a victory parade would be given in honor of the victors. The last real victory parades in the USA were at the end of WWII. I have seen news reels of them and read about them. Perhaps you have too. It was common in ancient times to march the captives in the victory procession. It was also common for the king to pay his soldiers using the booty collected among the conquered people. (Which in ancient times is what motivated soldiers. War has almost always been about economics and greed.)
The nations are depicted as being jealous of Israel because of her great King. He is a king that has a heart for the widow and fatherless. He is a King that receives gifts among men. Paul quotes the Septuagint translation of verse 18 in Ephesians 4:8. Ps 68:18: “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there.” The Septuagint words it a little differently so that it reads in Ephesians 4:8: Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” He gives us gifts that we may give them back to Him. What a gracious King! We who were once captives, enemies of His, are now enlisted in His army! We are given gifts to give back to Him to enhance His glory, and in so doing we improve the state of His kingdom, and we get to march in His victory procession not as defeated foes but as victorious comrades! He has no lost causes on his team. Unlike earthly coaches, he enters our lives gifting, coaching, enabling, empowering us to do the task for which He has designed for us to fulfill on his victorious team. He indwells us! Because He indwells me, I get to play! I don't have to sit and watch. I’ll gladly march into hell for this King because I know that He will bring me through it victoriously! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Thursday, March 8, 2012
March 8
Psalm 67
There is a lot of talk today about God wanting to bless us. It is true that God wants to bless us. He wants to bring blessing to our lives, but there is one crucial ingredient to that blessing that we dare not misunderstand. God wants to bless us in such a way that all the ends of the earth will fear Him. From an eternal perspective what will that blessing look like which will cause the ends of the earth to fear Him? To Bless means to make happy. In what way will our being made happy in God make the nations fear Him? After seeing that blessing, will they fear Him because they want the blessing or because they want Him?
It seems to me from this Psalm that the ultimate blessing is for the face of God to shine upon us. What does that mean? It means that we would have a full relationship with Him where nothing hidden. Whatever happens in my life so that I can have a full relationship with Him is a blessing. If that means he heals me, then it is a blessing. If that means he temporarily takes my health away, perhaps leading to death, then that is a blessing. If that means giving me wealth for the spread of the gospel, then that is a blessing. If that means taking away wealth for the spread of the gospel, then that is a blessing. As there are no two finger prints that are alike, it will be different for each individual as to what blessing looks like. His desire is a full relationship with Him that leads other to fear Him.
Wow, a full relationship with the creator of the ends of the earth. Hmmm. . . Lord bless me! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
There is a lot of talk today about God wanting to bless us. It is true that God wants to bless us. He wants to bring blessing to our lives, but there is one crucial ingredient to that blessing that we dare not misunderstand. God wants to bless us in such a way that all the ends of the earth will fear Him. From an eternal perspective what will that blessing look like which will cause the ends of the earth to fear Him? To Bless means to make happy. In what way will our being made happy in God make the nations fear Him? After seeing that blessing, will they fear Him because they want the blessing or because they want Him?
It seems to me from this Psalm that the ultimate blessing is for the face of God to shine upon us. What does that mean? It means that we would have a full relationship with Him where nothing hidden. Whatever happens in my life so that I can have a full relationship with Him is a blessing. If that means he heals me, then it is a blessing. If that means he temporarily takes my health away, perhaps leading to death, then that is a blessing. If that means giving me wealth for the spread of the gospel, then that is a blessing. If that means taking away wealth for the spread of the gospel, then that is a blessing. As there are no two finger prints that are alike, it will be different for each individual as to what blessing looks like. His desire is a full relationship with Him that leads other to fear Him.
Wow, a full relationship with the creator of the ends of the earth. Hmmm. . . Lord bless me! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
March 6
Psalm 65
“Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion.” What in the world does that mean? Zion of course is the place where the temple was eventually built. But this Psalm is written by David prior to the building of the temple. At David’s time Zion was the Jebusite stronghold which David conquered and turned into his own city. It was now David’s royal city, his residence. He was waiting for the presence of God in order to bring Him praise. He gladly begins to recount the praise that He will bring to Yahweh when He shows up. So Zion is simply the place where Yahweh’s people dwell. His people should ever be ready to bring Him praise.
What kind of things does David say concerning the praise of his Lord? He hears our prayer. Can you imagine that the Almighty has the capacity to hear the simultaneous prayers of billions of people and still treat each one as if his prayer was the only prayer offered? I am awestruck. He provides atonement. Can you imagine that with all the horrible sins I have committed that He offered up Himself as the satisfactory payment for my sin? I am aghast! He satisfies us with His goodness. In those times when the enemy comes in like a flood, He calms my soul with His precious sense of well-being even in light of atrocities around me. I am flabbergasted! He is powerful. Can I even begin to understand the height and depth and length and width of His power? I am overwhelmed! He brings rain and the growth of crops. What more can I say? These are just small glimpses of His glory. ? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
“Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion.” What in the world does that mean? Zion of course is the place where the temple was eventually built. But this Psalm is written by David prior to the building of the temple. At David’s time Zion was the Jebusite stronghold which David conquered and turned into his own city. It was now David’s royal city, his residence. He was waiting for the presence of God in order to bring Him praise. He gladly begins to recount the praise that He will bring to Yahweh when He shows up. So Zion is simply the place where Yahweh’s people dwell. His people should ever be ready to bring Him praise.
What kind of things does David say concerning the praise of his Lord? He hears our prayer. Can you imagine that the Almighty has the capacity to hear the simultaneous prayers of billions of people and still treat each one as if his prayer was the only prayer offered? I am awestruck. He provides atonement. Can you imagine that with all the horrible sins I have committed that He offered up Himself as the satisfactory payment for my sin? I am aghast! He satisfies us with His goodness. In those times when the enemy comes in like a flood, He calms my soul with His precious sense of well-being even in light of atrocities around me. I am flabbergasted! He is powerful. Can I even begin to understand the height and depth and length and width of His power? I am overwhelmed! He brings rain and the growth of crops. What more can I say? These are just small glimpses of His glory. ? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Monday, March 5, 2012
March 5
Psalm 64
My son Daniel is an illustrator. He has done a number of comical illustrations of people with unusually large tongues. The illustrations always amuse me.
“Hide me. . . from the wicked. . . who sharpen their tongues like a sword. . . But God . . . will make them stumble over their own tongue.” While not all of us have had people pursue us with swords as David did, we have all had enemies who have used sharp words to attack us. That is probably something that all of us have in common. When others attack us with their words, it can often be an emotionally paralyzing event in our lives. Particularly at those times, it is necessary to focus upon the glory of the Lord. Why? Because it is at those times that we need the realization that He will eventually bring them to an end upon their own words. Sometimes it takes a while for that to all play out, but God makes it happen. His glory makes people trip over their own tongues. Did you ever think the glory of God could be humorous? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
My son Daniel is an illustrator. He has done a number of comical illustrations of people with unusually large tongues. The illustrations always amuse me.
“Hide me. . . from the wicked. . . who sharpen their tongues like a sword. . . But God . . . will make them stumble over their own tongue.” While not all of us have had people pursue us with swords as David did, we have all had enemies who have used sharp words to attack us. That is probably something that all of us have in common. When others attack us with their words, it can often be an emotionally paralyzing event in our lives. Particularly at those times, it is necessary to focus upon the glory of the Lord. Why? Because it is at those times that we need the realization that He will eventually bring them to an end upon their own words. Sometimes it takes a while for that to all play out, but God makes it happen. His glory makes people trip over their own tongues. Did you ever think the glory of God could be humorous? Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
March 4
Psalm 63
“My soul thirsts for you.” Can I be spiritually dehydrated and not know it? Can I be physically dehydrated and not know it? Ask any Doctor if a person can be physically dehydrated and not know it, and he will probably tell you, “Of course!” It happens quite frequently. Indeed dehydration can lead to a myriad of other problems with the body which could have been avoided if the person had just kept drinking water. Sometimes we don’t recognize our thirst sensation for what it is. Other times we have trained it to search for substitutes. Whether or not I recognize my need for water, I still need water.
Like water, the glory of God is necessary for my life. As the dull headache in the back of the head is to dehydration, so spiritual thirst is to our need of God. I can find no substitutes. I can search for love in this world, but ultimately all human love fails me. His lovingkindness is better than life. I can search for all manner of things with which I might satisfy my spiritual thirst, but ultimately only He can satisfy the longings within me. I can grasp for all kinds of things to help me spiritually, but ultimately only He can pull me out of the depths of the place of the dead. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
“My soul thirsts for you.” Can I be spiritually dehydrated and not know it? Can I be physically dehydrated and not know it? Ask any Doctor if a person can be physically dehydrated and not know it, and he will probably tell you, “Of course!” It happens quite frequently. Indeed dehydration can lead to a myriad of other problems with the body which could have been avoided if the person had just kept drinking water. Sometimes we don’t recognize our thirst sensation for what it is. Other times we have trained it to search for substitutes. Whether or not I recognize my need for water, I still need water.
Like water, the glory of God is necessary for my life. As the dull headache in the back of the head is to dehydration, so spiritual thirst is to our need of God. I can find no substitutes. I can search for love in this world, but ultimately all human love fails me. His lovingkindness is better than life. I can search for all manner of things with which I might satisfy my spiritual thirst, but ultimately only He can satisfy the longings within me. I can grasp for all kinds of things to help me spiritually, but ultimately only He can pull me out of the depths of the place of the dead. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Thursday, March 1, 2012
March 1
Psalm 61
We took a hike to the lake near the top of the mountain. All around the lake were cliffs that led to an even higher summit. We were a group of FCA high school students who had gone to Colorado for a national conference. One of the guys’ parents owned a cabin in the mountains. We stayed awhile in the cabin before going to the conference. We had taken a hike to the lake. A couple of the guys were not satisfied with the view. They decided to scale the cliffs to the summit. I started to go up but decided it was too dangerous for me without climbing equipment. I slowly went back down after going about 12 feet. Two of our crew made it about half-way up. At that point they regretted having gone, but they felt it was safer to go on up rather than come back down the face of the cliff without equipment. They were gone quite a while. We began to worry about them. Eventually they showed up coming from a different direction. They had indeed made it to the top, but they knew that they could not come down the way they went up. They came down a less formidable slope and walked around the base to us. They said that it was snowing on the top (it was August). It was quite a rock. It was one higher than I wanted or maybe was able to safely scale. If I were being pursued, it would have been a great place to climb for safety.
In the adventures of life we sometimes need a place that is unscaleable to which we can climb for safety. Sometimes the reason that the place of safety is safe is because it is unscaleable. We need help to get to the top. We need someone to lead us to the top. The events of David’s life were crushing down upon him. He needed to be led to that rock that was higher than he. He needed that place of safety. He knew the Lord was the One who could lead him. He knew that there was only One place of shelter. It was the wings of the Almighty. I am reminded this morning that he is my place of safety. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
We took a hike to the lake near the top of the mountain. All around the lake were cliffs that led to an even higher summit. We were a group of FCA high school students who had gone to Colorado for a national conference. One of the guys’ parents owned a cabin in the mountains. We stayed awhile in the cabin before going to the conference. We had taken a hike to the lake. A couple of the guys were not satisfied with the view. They decided to scale the cliffs to the summit. I started to go up but decided it was too dangerous for me without climbing equipment. I slowly went back down after going about 12 feet. Two of our crew made it about half-way up. At that point they regretted having gone, but they felt it was safer to go on up rather than come back down the face of the cliff without equipment. They were gone quite a while. We began to worry about them. Eventually they showed up coming from a different direction. They had indeed made it to the top, but they knew that they could not come down the way they went up. They came down a less formidable slope and walked around the base to us. They said that it was snowing on the top (it was August). It was quite a rock. It was one higher than I wanted or maybe was able to safely scale. If I were being pursued, it would have been a great place to climb for safety.
In the adventures of life we sometimes need a place that is unscaleable to which we can climb for safety. Sometimes the reason that the place of safety is safe is because it is unscaleable. We need help to get to the top. We need someone to lead us to the top. The events of David’s life were crushing down upon him. He needed to be led to that rock that was higher than he. He needed that place of safety. He knew the Lord was the One who could lead him. He knew that there was only One place of shelter. It was the wings of the Almighty. I am reminded this morning that he is my place of safety. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
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