Even King David, in his extreme difficulty, gets self-centered in prayer. In his complaint, concern and fear, his request to God is "my", "my", and "me". "Hear my voice", "preserve my life" and "hide me" are the requests that speak the reality of immediate self-preservation. At that moment, what good is praising God, if death is imminent? (Verses 1-2, Psalm 64)
But is death imminent? Is David actually on the verge of death? Looking at the continuation of each request, we see that his fear lies in the "dread" of his enemy, not yet the reality! As he says in verse one, it's his "concern" or "complaint". How many times do we work ourselves up into a fearful frenzy over dread, worry, or anxiety of the future? If you say, "never", then more power to you. But, I'm ashamed to say that most of my anxiety is over that which has not yet occurred. Dread is an overwhelming emotion that can paralyze.
By definition, dread is to anticipate with great apprehension or fear. Some other words attributed with dread are: forebodings, terror, horror, alarm, panic, fright, trepidation and many more. There is dread of death, sickness, bad weather, failed plans, loneliness, no income and the list goes on. David wanted God to hear his concern over the "dread of the enemy". He wanted God to hide him from "secret counsel" and "tumult". He describes his enemy in great detail. But as David does this, all of a sudden, he shifts gears.
From fear to confidence, David all but wakes up from the drug of dread to the brightness of an all powerful God. "BUT GOD"!! (How many times is that phrase used in the holy scriptures?) God considers the helplessness of his own. In David's coming and laying his fears before the throne, he becomes aware of the Divine Presence of an in control God!! It's almost like another Person stepped in to finish the Psalm with the plight of the wicked and the privilege of the righteous.(vv. 7-10) "Gladness, refuge and glory" await those who seek God with an upright heart. (v. 10) With the brightness of a future with those promises, dread dissipates along with the darkness.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Shadows
I watched a YouTube video recently of young toddlers experiencing their shadows for the first time. They were crying fearfully and trying to run from them. For me, it was both sad and hilarious! It was sad because these babies were seeing for the first time what was to them a dark and ominous presence that would not go away. I wanted to comfort the child while at the same time I was laughing heartily. However, even as an adult, I admit being startled by my own shadow more than once. Also, more times than I can count, I have been refreshed by the shadow of a great tree protecting me from the light and heat of the sun on a hot summer day. It was a "refuge" for me.
David, in Psalm 63:7, shares this meaning of the "shadow" as he says, "You have been my help and in the shadow of Your wings (a symbol of protection), I sing for joy." Notice David says, "shadow of Your wings". He doesn't hear the shadow or feel the shadow with his hand. But David can "see", understand, know that the shadow is there.
Knowing and understanding, we run to the shadows for a covering against the "heat" and "blinding presence" of trials. Without that understanding, like the babies, we run in fear from that dark presence. But our shadows only prove we are here. The baby doesn't know that yet. Are we still babies in regard to God? Do we have to actually see Him, touch Him, audibly hear Him to run to Him for our protection?
David didn't need the actual "Wings" of God to touch him to feel comforted. He was comforted in the "Shadow". It makes me think of the verse, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, then we shall see face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12) God increase our faith with the knowledge of Your word to keep us at rest and at peace until we see Your face. Let us be content with hope in the Shadow of Your wings.
David, in Psalm 63:7, shares this meaning of the "shadow" as he says, "You have been my help and in the shadow of Your wings (a symbol of protection), I sing for joy." Notice David says, "shadow of Your wings". He doesn't hear the shadow or feel the shadow with his hand. But David can "see", understand, know that the shadow is there.
Knowing and understanding, we run to the shadows for a covering against the "heat" and "blinding presence" of trials. Without that understanding, like the babies, we run in fear from that dark presence. But our shadows only prove we are here. The baby doesn't know that yet. Are we still babies in regard to God? Do we have to actually see Him, touch Him, audibly hear Him to run to Him for our protection?
David didn't need the actual "Wings" of God to touch him to feel comforted. He was comforted in the "Shadow". It makes me think of the verse, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, then we shall see face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12) God increase our faith with the knowledge of Your word to keep us at rest and at peace until we see Your face. Let us be content with hope in the Shadow of Your wings.
Monday, January 19, 2015
"God Only"
Continuing some thoughts about Psalm 62, I wanted to bring out David's distinct dichotomy between God and man. Also, I wanted to note David's encouraging himself with his reflection. I see this as a great reminder to us as believers of the importance of rehearsing God's word daily, moment by moment and at all times. It keeps our perspective focused rightly.
David's description of man, as I wrote in the previous post, is one that we need to rehearse to keep us humble. And to remind us of the state of men in the world without God, that they will not intimidate our resolve. Here are some of those reminders from this Psalm: "leaning wall, tottering fence, delighting in lies, hypocrites and vain". We need to get the picture of what we truly are that our salvation will become more precious and our God more amazing. David was amazed and comforted by his awareness of God. God was his Only Everything! Meditate on this great truth and find rest from your troubles and fears. He's your "salvation, rock, stronghold, refuge, power and in the midst and surrounding it all is His lovingkindness.
David was plagued in this Psalm as in many Psalms with men that would dethrone him, make him a prisoner and or kill him. But he knew where to find a safe hiding place. In the first two verses he says, "My soul waits in silence for God only." I'm convicted by his silence! (Although, he does say "silence", we have this Psalm full of words.) He tells all that he is doing, then because of all that God is doing, he will not be "greatly shaken"(v. 2). As he restates this same declaration a few verses down (vs. 5-6), he changes a bit. He adds "hope" in verse five and drops "greatly" in verse six: "I shall not be shaken!" He goes on to declare to others (a witness), "trust in Him at all times...pour out your heart before Him". He also states twice that God is his refuge. Then he proclaims the encouragement to the people, "God is a refuge for us." Do you see the progression of his strength as he rehearses these truths?
As stated at the beginning, I believe David's rehearsal of man in his feeble state and God in all His power, encouraged the king in times of need. I see in this Psalm a progression of strength and resolve. I see him escalate in excitement as he writes verses ten through twelve. He warns men of this world and reminds the lovers of God not to trust in vain hopes of ill-gotten gain as though there will be any satisfaction whatsoever for their hearts. No, the only work in which a man has hope is that work of obedience wrought by God on humble seeking hearts. God's lovingkindness and power are our only hope for this life and the one to come.
May we take courage from this great king, a man after God's own heart, a man full of flaws but also full of great thoughts of God: God Only. Let his reminders be our reminders as we travel the road of life and continue in obedience to God and into the likeness of Jesus. God Only! Be encouraged.
David's description of man, as I wrote in the previous post, is one that we need to rehearse to keep us humble. And to remind us of the state of men in the world without God, that they will not intimidate our resolve. Here are some of those reminders from this Psalm: "leaning wall, tottering fence, delighting in lies, hypocrites and vain". We need to get the picture of what we truly are that our salvation will become more precious and our God more amazing. David was amazed and comforted by his awareness of God. God was his Only Everything! Meditate on this great truth and find rest from your troubles and fears. He's your "salvation, rock, stronghold, refuge, power and in the midst and surrounding it all is His lovingkindness.
David was plagued in this Psalm as in many Psalms with men that would dethrone him, make him a prisoner and or kill him. But he knew where to find a safe hiding place. In the first two verses he says, "My soul waits in silence for God only." I'm convicted by his silence! (Although, he does say "silence", we have this Psalm full of words.) He tells all that he is doing, then because of all that God is doing, he will not be "greatly shaken"(v. 2). As he restates this same declaration a few verses down (vs. 5-6), he changes a bit. He adds "hope" in verse five and drops "greatly" in verse six: "I shall not be shaken!" He goes on to declare to others (a witness), "trust in Him at all times...pour out your heart before Him". He also states twice that God is his refuge. Then he proclaims the encouragement to the people, "God is a refuge for us." Do you see the progression of his strength as he rehearses these truths?
As stated at the beginning, I believe David's rehearsal of man in his feeble state and God in all His power, encouraged the king in times of need. I see in this Psalm a progression of strength and resolve. I see him escalate in excitement as he writes verses ten through twelve. He warns men of this world and reminds the lovers of God not to trust in vain hopes of ill-gotten gain as though there will be any satisfaction whatsoever for their hearts. No, the only work in which a man has hope is that work of obedience wrought by God on humble seeking hearts. God's lovingkindness and power are our only hope for this life and the one to come.
May we take courage from this great king, a man after God's own heart, a man full of flaws but also full of great thoughts of God: God Only. Let his reminders be our reminders as we travel the road of life and continue in obedience to God and into the likeness of Jesus. God Only! Be encouraged.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
"Lighter Than Breath"
Psalm 62 is full of rich truth, and it's hard to pour out just one drop in order to confine my post. In only twelve verses, David profoundly proclaims the vast chasm between God and man. And his phrase "lighter than breath" as translated by the New American Standard aroused my attention immediately.
Scripture proclaims time and again the short stay of man on the earth. To sit and meditate on eternity in relation to the "dot" of time on it's line is an exercise of staggering proportions. But add man's place on that dot, and, quite frankly, I shut down. The Bible makes man's fleeting moment clear in its description with phrases as in Psalm 103, "we are but dust", "days are like grass", "as a flower...when the wind passes over it, it is no more", and "its place acknowledges it no more". That last one really stabs me with thought: "It's place acknowledges it no more." We tend to think of ourselves as so important. But when death comes, it's over. And we realize the brevity of it all as we watch that occur with family and friends.
There are many more phrases in the Bible referring to our short earthly stay, but the one for this post is new to me, one I had not noticed in previous readings of Psalms: "lighter than breath". The context from verses nine and ten is talking about men, poor and rich "are together lighter than breath". Think about it. There is no substance whatsoever to our breath. True it is what keeps us alive, but blow a little out and try to touch it or hold it. Why we can't even see it. In the winter you might blow it on a cold window and write out your name if you're quick enough, but all in all, it's one of those mind-boggling reminders of the transient state of man.
So, what's the purpose of this post? God is mindful of us. God's mind is full of us. That is why He sent Jesus to redeem us, to change us. What are our thoughts of Him? And when grappling with the reality that we are "together lighter than breath", let that lead you to rest in our all-powerful Creator who cares for us in our low estate. WOW! Blows me away!!
Scripture proclaims time and again the short stay of man on the earth. To sit and meditate on eternity in relation to the "dot" of time on it's line is an exercise of staggering proportions. But add man's place on that dot, and, quite frankly, I shut down. The Bible makes man's fleeting moment clear in its description with phrases as in Psalm 103, "we are but dust", "days are like grass", "as a flower...when the wind passes over it, it is no more", and "its place acknowledges it no more". That last one really stabs me with thought: "It's place acknowledges it no more." We tend to think of ourselves as so important. But when death comes, it's over. And we realize the brevity of it all as we watch that occur with family and friends.
There are many more phrases in the Bible referring to our short earthly stay, but the one for this post is new to me, one I had not noticed in previous readings of Psalms: "lighter than breath". The context from verses nine and ten is talking about men, poor and rich "are together lighter than breath". Think about it. There is no substance whatsoever to our breath. True it is what keeps us alive, but blow a little out and try to touch it or hold it. Why we can't even see it. In the winter you might blow it on a cold window and write out your name if you're quick enough, but all in all, it's one of those mind-boggling reminders of the transient state of man.
So, what's the purpose of this post? God is mindful of us. God's mind is full of us. That is why He sent Jesus to redeem us, to change us. What are our thoughts of Him? And when grappling with the reality that we are "together lighter than breath", let that lead you to rest in our all-powerful Creator who cares for us in our low estate. WOW! Blows me away!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Eternal Praise
"Jonathan Edwards said, 'God's purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God's glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory, and that these two are one passion.' That's why Job could lose everything but stay true. That's why Job could lose his own health and stay true and say, "Blessed be the Name of the LORD." Humble submission is not 'necessarily understanding' it all, it's obedience because you trust in a God Who does."
In Psalm 61, David says in verse 8: "SO, I will sing praise to Your name forever." How do we do this? David continues, "that I may say my vows day by day." Forever starts today and progresses day by day. The privilege of a God-centered lifestyle is played out in a day to day living and loving God with all my heart. Can we ever pay Him back? NO, but our lives must be a constant display of His work in us or we need to doubt that work ever began. A young convert recently said, before he was saved and changed, he never desired to read God's word or think about spiritual things. But now, he is hungry for it and can't seem to get enough. That's what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. David had made that commitment, that "vow" to God. David had holy fear of God which resulted in a confident abiding and promised inheritance. (v. 5)
Listen to the foundation-based confidence of this great king's prayer in Psalm 61, put in my own words: "God hear me as I cry, and listen! Wherever I am, when my heart is breaking, give me power to rest on Your promise that is greater than my pain. Because God, You have shown me time and again Your Divine protection against the enemy. I know You hear and You are in control of the length of my life and my heritage. I will live with You forever and until then You will ordain my preservation with Your lovingkindness and truth. As a result, I will sing praise to You forever."
If you have not been singing praise to God day by day, forever can start today. Remember, as I quoted my pastor in a recent sermon, "not getting it all [understanding it] but obedience because of our trust in the God Who does." That is cause for "eternal praise"!
In Psalm 61, David says in verse 8: "SO, I will sing praise to Your name forever." How do we do this? David continues, "that I may say my vows day by day." Forever starts today and progresses day by day. The privilege of a God-centered lifestyle is played out in a day to day living and loving God with all my heart. Can we ever pay Him back? NO, but our lives must be a constant display of His work in us or we need to doubt that work ever began. A young convert recently said, before he was saved and changed, he never desired to read God's word or think about spiritual things. But now, he is hungry for it and can't seem to get enough. That's what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. David had made that commitment, that "vow" to God. David had holy fear of God which resulted in a confident abiding and promised inheritance. (v. 5)
Listen to the foundation-based confidence of this great king's prayer in Psalm 61, put in my own words: "God hear me as I cry, and listen! Wherever I am, when my heart is breaking, give me power to rest on Your promise that is greater than my pain. Because God, You have shown me time and again Your Divine protection against the enemy. I know You hear and You are in control of the length of my life and my heritage. I will live with You forever and until then You will ordain my preservation with Your lovingkindness and truth. As a result, I will sing praise to You forever."
If you have not been singing praise to God day by day, forever can start today. Remember, as I quoted my pastor in a recent sermon, "not getting it all [understanding it] but obedience because of our trust in the God Who does." That is cause for "eternal praise"!
Just Five Psalms
The depth of the riches of the treasure of God's Word never ceases to amaze me. I have read the Psalms through many times, but recent readings have uncovered new jewels that delight my heart and encourage me on my spiritual journey. I'd like to take just five Psalms and show with these few Psalms the riches you can find. The next several posts are a sampling of this recent study, and I pray that it will be as if I am holding out my hand to reveal a precious and priceless jewel sparkling with such beauty and enticement that you cannot help but want to search the vastness of the pages of the Divine Word. I pray that God will reveal to you the mine He has prepared for your search.
"Seek and you will find." Matthew 7:7
"Seek and you will find." Matthew 7:7
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