Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Pslam 119:105-106, 112 NASB

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances... I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end.

Jim Collin spoke of "the genius of the and", and this has intrigued me.  Though he speaks of it in relation to contrasts, I have seen it as connecting vital words and thoughts, without which we won't see the whole.  This has caused me to especially take note of it in relation to its strong use in Scripture.  There are words, statements, thoughts, concepts and truths that are only half full without the "and" that connects it with another word or phrase, without which we would not have the full picture, meaning, strength and color.  For example:  male and female, Alpha and Omega, and faith and works.  What would one be without the other?  I would say, "this is the power of the and".  The Psalmist knew this and said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  If you've ever walked in the darkness with a flashlight, you are constantly moving the light from your feet to the path ahead and back again to keep from stumbling.  In the same way, God not only sheds light on the present, right where my feet are right now, but also on the path ahead, and back again.  Then the Psalmist says, "I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.  I learned, over my 38 years of ministry that a trip to the altar, like a diet, takes more than an emotional experience.  It necessitates both commitment and continuation.  But continuation doesn't just happen.  It becomes a part of our lives when we "incline" ourselves toward it.  Here's how the Psalmist put it: "I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end." Inclination is that set of the soul that chooses to chose for God every time. This is that inclination that keeps us from sin and keeps us to Him.  Jim Carattini, managing editor of a Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, tells of John Wesley once asking his mother for a definition of sin.  John received this response:  "Take this rule.  Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things...that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." (Letters of Susanna Wesley, June 8, 1725).  This is profound and powerful! So which way are you inclined? You cannot be given to God and sin at the same time.  There is simply not this kind of "and" in this relationship.  Many, like a car out of alignment, need for God to realign the heart so it doesn't pull to the right or to the left.  Could this be what the Psalmist was getting at when he prayed, "Unite my heart to fear Your name" (Psalm 86:11)?  What a wonderful possibility!  I think it's worth praying,

Psalm 119:105-106 NASB

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances." 

As I travel to various places, one thing I try not to forget is a flashlight.  I've gotten caught in situations where there was no power for light and, in some of these places, the utter darkness in a house or on a path, can be overwhelming, smothering and frightening.  It actually doesn't have to be a very big flashlight.  In the darkness, light is alive no matter the size.  Sometimes, as you walk down a dark and lonesome path of life's difficulties, that want to overwhelm, smother and frighten, one little promise from God's word can be the light you need to take another step forward.  As with the comfort of a small flashlight in my pocket, I am thankful for the comfort of the small promises of God's word in my soul.  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  These promises aren't to be treated like a good luck charm, such a rabbit's foot in the pocket.  If that's what they become to us, we are no different than the pagan lost in his own superstitions, believing that everything has to do with fortune, and that , if we play our cards right, we have a better chance with life's twists and turns.  God's promises have nothing to do with fortune.  They have everything to do with favor.  The man or woman walking with God with all their heart is like a little child who depends and delights in his parents joyful and present care.  This child responds to his parents in loving obedience, which keeps the child close and covered.  This parent doesn't have to scream at the child to keep him from wandering onto the street.  All the parent has to do is speak to the child, and the child quickly and quietly responds, thus protecting him from the dangers of the street.  It's in this sense that the Psalmist says, "I have sworn and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances."  This wasn't something forced on him.  This, he knew, was the safety of God's favor toward him and he responds to it.  There is nothing like the favor of God on your life.  This is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.  Walk in it with all your heart.  It will lead you home safely.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Psalm 119:89-93 NASB

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth and it stands.  They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants.  If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

There is nothing more distressing than to lose your equilibrium.  Balance, with the ability to stand upright and to walk a straight line, has much to do with the inner ear.  Something like Meniere's disease, which is a severe inner ear problem, can bring on imbalance, vomiting and disorientation.  No one who has suffered with this problem has ever faired well. The word of God, like the inner ear, acts as an equilibrium in our lives, giving us balance and orientation in our walk. No one who has ever neglected the spirit and standard of God's word has ever faired well. The Psalmist recognized this and deeply appreciated this stabilizing factor in his life, saying,  "If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me."  Know God's word.  But more than that, take it into the very core of your being.  It will bring the balance you need in a world tossed about by the winds and waves.  You can be sure that "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven," not only as to its solidness, but also its soundness."  You can stand on it all the days of your life and it will stand secure.  We desperately need this certainty. Amen!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pslam 72:18-19 NASB

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders.  And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen, and Amen.

Are you one who sometimes wonders about the active presence and power of God around you? Not that you're "prone to wander", as the old hymn says, but you're just prone to wonder?  In your heart, you know these things are true, and you don't aim to walk away from Him, but when others talk about God moments and God miracles, you feel like Gideon who said, "O my Lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?  And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about...?" (Joshua 6:13). We have all struggled with the God who seems to rarely show His hand; We struggle when we feel like we're rooting for the God who seems to choose to be mostly silent; we struggle when we've given credence to this God only to feel like we've been left holding the bag without the goods. This is especially difficult in a world that challenges our faith at every turn and mocks our beliefs at every opportunity.  That's okay; your faith hasn't been shaken nor have you forsaken what you believe to be true, not because you're stupid, senseless and unreasonably stubborn about your strong hold on these things.  Your stubbornness has strong reason.  You know Him to be true. You know His word to be true.  You know His story to be true.  You know His work in you to be true.  There is that conviction and voice within you that, no matter the questions, wants to cry out, "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders.  And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen, and Amen."  Cry it out!  It does wonders!  Because it's true!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

I Kings 4:20 NASB

Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.

I like this verse!  It speaks to the way things were meant to be; and it was the way things were when the people honored God with all their hearts.  Solomon, as the new king of Israel, was ruling with humility and integrity, and the people followed.  It was a recipe for joy.  The same can happen with a church when the pastor serves with humility and integrity, or with a family where the parents lead with humility and integrity. Have you ever been to a carry-in dinner at such a church? The food is plentiful and the selection delicious; and especially the desserts!  But there is something going on that is better than the food.  It's called Christian fellowship.  There's just nothing comparable to the fellowship of God's people in a place where God is honored.  If it's not present, there should be concern.  It ought to be a given, that anytime you have Christians gathering together, whether it be a family meal or a time with friends, there should be the sound of rich, wholesome converation and laughter, the sense of genuine appreciation for one another, and the bond of a love the world does not understand.  Where this is present, the enjoyment is full and real, having all the markings of God's kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. I've seen this scene played out over and over again around the world, whether in the land of plenty or the land of poverty.  It has nothing to do with the kingdom of this world who measure everything by the material.  It has everything to do with the Kingdom of God in the heart where there is love, joy, peace, trust, harmony and hope.  This is a different world because God is present; and God is a God full of joy.  Therefore, it's no wonder, wherever God's people come together, that there is "eating and drinking and rejoicing."  This is His world, and this is the way it was meant to be.  When Judah and Israel walked with the LORD, and with each other, in holiness and righteousness, the promises and blessings of God were abundant. As with Israel, the world needs to see the church "eating and drinking and rejoicing".  There is no greater testimony than pure, real, unrestrained joy!  May God fill your home and your church with this joy!  Yes! This is the way God meant it to be.  Let's not settle for anything less.

Friday, March 16, 2012

I Kings 3:10-12a NASB

And it was pleasing in the sight of the LORD that Solomon had asked [for an understanding heart to judge God's people].  And God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold I have done according to your words."

God's offer to Solomon, to ask whatever he wished and He would give it to him, is not only a revelation of Solomon's heart at this time in his life, but especially a revelation of God's heart for His children.  This was an open, immediate, heartfelt, and full response, one to another, about what moved them.  What moved Solomon was his love for God. What moved God was his love for Solomon. That's what forms this amazing story. This always forms amazing stories!  The bond that happens between God and His children leads to memorable moments and incredible blessings.  Ask them, and then take the time to sit down and listen to the stories of these, God's people. Ask them about their God moments.  Ask them about their God blessings. They will amaze you with something like nothing else in the world. You'll quickly sense the deep love they have for the Eternal One; a pure, full love that made the things of earth grown strangely dim.  On one hand these people flat out contradict the world;  they don't think like the world, they don't talk like the world, they don't seek like the world, and they don't live like the world.  And yet, while they aren't trying to impress anyone, they care about everyone.   They don't ask for the things of the world, but they ask for the world.  And here is where the stories come alive. They have the heart of God for holiness and righteousness (justice), and they are ready to give their very lives and living for God's heart.  This immediately gets God's eye.  That's what our text reveals.  It shows us what really impresses God:  a person not consumed with his own needs, wants and feelings.  Consider our text again:  "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life (our needs), nor have asked riches for yourself (our wants), nor have you asked for the life of your enemies (our feelings), but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold I have done according to your words." 

So, what is it you're asking for?  Ask for something bigger and better!  It will set you apart!  It will give you some amazing stories!  Tell them for His glory.  Stir our hearts with these God moments and God blessings. We need to hear them.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Psalm 119:9-11 NASB

How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.  With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments.  Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

For years scientists have  been been listening with powerful receptors for sounds from outer space that might indicate that there is life out there and hoping that somehow it will communicate with man.  They have been struck with an incredible silence.  I wonder what these great minds would do if all of a sudden they heard a voice coming over their receptors, saying, "I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless"?  That was God's voice to Abraham centuries ago and and that voice still speaks to us today through His word.  John Wesley, attentive to the voice of God out of the eternities, and wanting to connect with the reality of the eternity in his heart, said "I want to know one thing, the way to heaven... God Himself has condescended to teach the way... He hath written it down in a book!  O give me that book!  At any price, give me the book of God!"  A heart aflame with eternity is a heart that burns with the fire of God's word, rekindled daily in a man's soul.  Taste it.  You'll find it to be sweet to the soul:  How sweet are Your words to my taste!  Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (119:103).  Take it.  You'll find it to be good for the soul:  "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word...."   Treasure it.  You'll find it to be strength in the soul:  "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."  We need the strong voice of God's word today.  What is He saying? Listen!  What's that again?  "I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless!"  Yes He can!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Psalm 119:1-3 NASB

How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.  How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.  They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.

How contrary this text is to most people's way of thinking about the law of the LORD.  Instead of seeing it as negative, binding and difficult, the psalmist sees it as the best thing that ever came into his life, protecting him, strengthening him, reviving him, comforting him, teaching him, guiding him, saving him, and blessing him.  He saw it as the principle of all that is pure, honest and good, and he set his heart to have that principle within.  If we were to be dead honest and open about the harm done, not only with the obnoxious, extreme disregarders of God's law, but also with the "soft" disregarders of God's law, we would have to say that the way of the transgressor is hard.  We are paying a high price for our carelessness and ignorance; not only in overcrowded prisons but also in overwhelming personal pain.  Sidelining the law of the LORD has brought on a huge increase in marriage, family, community and national injuries, beyond anything we could have ever imagined.  And the worst is, we have accepted it as normal; as something to be expected.  But it's not normal!  Someone needs to say it.  What is happening to us isn't normal!  Why in the world do we try to comfort ourselves by finding a way in our thinking to make it normal and even acceptable?  That's insanity!  God has ordained a better way!  This is what the psalmist is exclaiming over and over again.  Is there anyone out there with ears to hear, with eyes to see, and with a will to "walk in His ways"?  The psalmist does!
  • "I will keep Your statutes (v8)
  • "I will delight in Your statutes (v16a)
  • "I will not forget Your word (v16b)
  • "I will run the way of Your commandments (v32)
  • "I will observe it to the end" (v33)
  • "I will delight in Your commandments which I love (v47)
  • "I will lift up my hands to Your commandments (v48)
  • "I will diligently consider Your testimonies (v95)
It has to do with the bent of the heart!  If we lean away from God's ways, His ways will seem hard.  If we lean into God's ways, His ways will fit our lives like hand in glove; and we'll delightfully exclaim, "His commandments are not hard!  This feels good! This feels right! This is my new normal!"  Yes!  "How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.  How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart."

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Psalm 94:17-19 NASB

If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.  If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

How many times have we found ourselves saying, "If the LORD had not been my help..."?  God's people know instinctively the hand of God in their lives, and they aren't shy about saying so.  They see the Unseen.  They simply don't live with any idea of chance, luck or fortune. They live under the certainty of God's attention and involvement all along the way.  That way can be filled with a rough and tough crowd, causing a lot of pushing, slipping and stumbling, but, all of a sudden, God's people feel the steadying hand of His lovingkindness holding them up.  That way can be filled with scary voices that can throw the mind into a panic, but, all of a sudden, God's people know the comforting and cheerful voice of God that calms multiple anxious thoughts.  As to these enemies of the soul, the Psalmist (vs.21-23) says, "They band themselves together against the life of the righteous...But the LORD has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge...He has brought back their wickedness upon them, and will destroy them in their evil..."  God does not stand by and watch His people from the sidelines.  He takes up our cause.  We are His cause!  You can put your whole weight on that promise.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Psalm 71:17-19 NASB

O God, You have taught me from my youth; and I still declare Your wondrous deeds.  And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.  For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?

Don't ever let your voice get dull, boring, negative and critical.  Even to old age and dying days, if we are children of God, our voice ought to have the ring of joy, sense, knowledge and experience; simply because the older we get the more we should know about the God we serve. Surely a long walk with God should make one a person of interest!  Most don't care to bear with the details of our past, but an old saint of God ought to be able to speak to the wonders of God's power with such authenticity and authority that it causes people to give attention and thought.  Don't carry on about how bad things are these days.  Why speak to the obvious?  Help people see the Unseen; the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever, giving a lively hope to all who hear.  This is the prayer of my heart!  Don't let me lose my voice, O God!  Pray it old man!  Pray it old woman!  For our generation's sake, pray that "even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come."  We need your voice.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Psalm 37:37-40 NASB

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright; for the man of peace will have a posterity (Literally, "an end").  But transgressors will be altogether destroyed.  The posterity (end) of the wicked will be cut off.  But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble.  And the LORD helps them, and delivers them, He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.

One of the big questions that bothers our world is, "what is our purpose in life?"  Many voices have created the idea that our lives have no important end.  The word of God strongly and totally contradicts that thought, bringing to us a Voice of hope and a future.  We have meaning!  We have an end; not an end in the sense of done or over with, but an end in the sense of reason and purpose; a goal worth living and dying for. And best of all, God watches over our lives, involving Himself in our journey, to the very end of this life; which is only the beginning of life everlasting. I watched excerpts on the news this morning, from the Grammy Awards, with sadness, as tribute was being paid to Whitney Houston, who came to such a tragic and premature end February 11, 2012.  Never have we witnessed such talent with no "end".  It struck me, with a heavy heart, that, overall, the dead were trying to comfort the dead about the dead. The world doesn't grasp a better end than this. God offers better than that, as we said, with His gracious presence and strength along the way. He always keeps us under His care every day of our lives with this end in mind, prepared for those who know Him.  Live with this end in mind. It will put a lilt in your walk.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Psalm 37:23-25 NASB

The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way.  When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.  I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread.

Either we believe it or we don't, but what we believe will affect the way we look at life, and especially what we're looking for.  Either we believe "The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way", or we believe we establish our own way and He gives no care to what happens to us. If we believe the first, we will be continually reaching upward to an extended hand.  If we don't, we're on our own.  Now, there are some who think they are in control of their own destiny and make a pretty good go at it, or so it seems.  But, sadly, the hope for happiness has left a lot of bodies along the way, ravaged by financial pressures, broken marriages, troubled families, lost income, miserable jobs, insatiable and harmful habits, torn relationships, and many other things. And whether any of these things have ever touched us or not (and I pray they haven't), all of humanity has to reckon with certain other setbacks in life, be it emotional, physical or economic, and sometimes intertwined with each other.  The problem with life is things happen and, if we manage to survive most things, finally we will not survive getting old.  It will happen and it will bring this earthly life to an end.  The fact is, most of us are pretty beat up by the time we get there. Depressing, huh?  That's why I have no trouble admitting to anyone that, like a toddler held by the hand of his father, my hand is always reaching up. This affects the whole way I look at life. You see, I believe that "When I fall (when I stumble over the setbacks of life), I will not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds my hand."  And when old age overtakes me, I believe I will be able to say with the Psalmist, "I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread."  He has a firm grip!   He'll take your hand as well.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Psalm 37:16-19 NASB

Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of the wicked, for the arms of the wicked will be broken; But the LORD sustains the righteous.  The LORD knows the days of the blameless (complete); and their inheritance will be forever.  They will not be ashamed in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they will have abundance.

Have you ever found yourself in a no win situation?  It's frustrating and discouraging, to say the least.  Well, here we have a "can't lose" promise; and, if we'll take hold of it, the reality of this truth will bless us in any situation.  Here's the promise:
  • God + our limited resources = everything (better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of the wicked... the LORD sustains the righteous)
  • God + our limited days = forever (The LORD knows the days of the blameless; and their inheritance will be forever)
  • God + our limited help = favor (the blameless...will not be ashamed in the time of evil)
  • God + our limited means = abundance (in the days of famine...the blameless...will have abundance)
Isn't that great math?  Even I can get it. And the figures don't lie.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Psalm 37:7-13 NASB

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.  For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.  Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.  But the humble will inherit the land, and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.  The wicked plots against the righteous; and gnashes at him with his teeth.  The LORD laughs at him; for He sees his day is coming.

If ever there was a time when we need to heed this promise, it's today. We are overdosing on bad news.  Technology has amplified the problems of the world, bringing bad news to us on a constant and universal basis.  Where the local paper used to bring to us the events surrounding our more immediate vicinity, and that only daily, now cable TV and the web bring us events from around the world, minute by minute.  Whereas the presence of evil may not be worse, nor more prevalent, than years past, it certainly is more available than years past, causing us to think that evil prevails while righteousness suffers.  I think it has caused us, as Christians, to become so affected by the negative that we've lost the greatest appeal of early Christianity, and that is JOY.  We are coming across as angry with the world, and that, somehow, if God won't do it, we'll take them on.  But, as the media continues to bombard us with evidence of a lost cause, we fret and stew, filling all of our conversations and endeavors with our bitterness and judgment.  It's to us that the Psalmist says, "Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.  For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land."  The word "rest" means to "be still".  We need to learn to take up causes without fostering divisive radicalism and extremism.  This only breeds anger, and it's zeal without knowledge.  Christians should, by the very nature of Christ in them, come down a stronger line, which is that of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, with the heartfelt knowledge that God is in control: "Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.  But the humble will inherit the land, and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.  The wicked plots against the righteous; and gnashes at him with his teeth.  The LORD laughs at him; for He sees his day is coming.  This isn't something we flaunt.  This is just where we rest.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Psalm 37:4-6 NASB

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.  And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.

This is the language of true love, as spoken by the groom to his bride, promising the moon and more.  It wells up out of a heart completely gone on the one loved. These are more than wishful, romantic words;  they are the words of One who is willing, able and ready to give all that He has for us.  Yes!  For us!  He's talking to us!  This isn't stupid love.  This is a declared love to those who delight themselves in the LORD and who commit their way to Him. There's a popular thinking floating around these days that gives the idea that God loves us no matter what we do, no matter how much we may neglect and ignore Him, and no matter how rotten our attitude. We're talking about a different love here. There is His love that seeks to save us from our sin, not willing that any should perish.  This is the "For God so loved the world", but there is also a richer kind of love for a lover--for the one who reciprocates with love. Nothing can compare to the cherishing, delightful love of the groom for his bride, and of the bride for the groom.  God's love for the world has to do with mercy.  God's love for His people has to do with intimacy.  We stand amazed at the love that loved us while we were yet sinners, but we beam because of the love that loves us as His chosen bride:  "And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday."  Bask in this kind of love! 

Friday, January 20, 2012

Psalm 37 (overall) NASB

Verse 3:  Trust in the LORD
Verse 4:  Delight yourself in the LORD
Verse 5:  Commit your way to the LORD
Verse 7a:  Rest in the LORD
Verse 7b:  Wait patiently for the LORD (also verse 34)

The Psalmist, David, is dealing with an age old problem among God's people; that of fretting over the success of wrongdoers.  We look at a world where evil thrives and innocent people suffer, where injustice, unfairness, cheating and corruption hold sway, and we can begin to struggle with a feeling of hopeless, helpless anger. And there is nothing worse than hopelss, helpless anger.  It's dangerous stuff because it becomes consumed with that which it cannot change and changed by that which it cannot consume.  If not corrected, these hearts will take on a meanness of their own, filling their conversations with a spirit of bemoaning and demeaning. They groan over everything they oppose and they lash out at anyone who opposes. The Psalmist gives us strong warning here.  He says, "Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing," (37:7b-8).  John Wesley said, "I would as soon swear as fret."  He understand what great harm it can bring to our lives.  So what are we to do then?  Here's where the Psalmist points us in the right direction.  He urges us to get our focus off of evil and to fix our eyes on God.  Evil will come and go (Read all about it: vs.2, 9a, 13, 15, 17a, 20, 22b, 28b, 34b, 35-36, 38); God will see to that.  But God is eternal and His eternal eye is on the righteous (Read all about it: vs.4-6, 9b, 11, 17b-19, 22a, 23-25, 28a, 29-31, 34a, 37, 39-40). They will dwell in the land, and God will see to that!  Therefore,

Trust in the LORD
Delight yourself in the LORD
Commit your way to the LORD
Rest in the LORD
Wait patiently for the LORD

Thursday, January 19, 2012

I Kings 2:1-3 NASB

As David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, "I am going the way of all the earth.  Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.  Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statures, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn..."

I've often wondered, if I had the chance in my dieing moments, what I would be saying to those around me; and especially to my children and grandchildren. 
First, I want to be aware of my approaching death.  If I'm not allowed that at death's door, I certainly want to be keenly aware of it throughout my life, and prepared to face that inevitable moment in my life.  Isn't it interesting that, given that this is the most certain event in our lives, such little thought is given to it in comparison to preparing ourselves for other things in life?  I don't know of any university that offers a major in dieing. Can you imagine?  You would even be hard pressed to find one class on it. And who in the world would sign up for it?  Yet, next to salvation, death is the most sobering, life altering, event we will ever face in our lives;  all of us!  That's what David captures in his statement to his son Solomon.  The writer notes that, "As David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, 'I am going the way of all the earth...'
Second, I want to be aware of those around me at my approaching death. So many are so concerned and concentrated on their own death that they don't take opportunity with others. David was concentrated on his son; not death.  And I love his sense of what mattered in that moment.  He said to Solomon,  "Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man."  No wishy-washy, gushy stuff here.  No!  Just BAMM!  "BE STRONG...SHOW YOURSELF A MAN!"  David, with some of his children, had faced some of the results of his own failure to demonstrate and discipline (I Kings (Adonijah, I Kings1:5-6; Amnon, II Samuel 13; Absalom, II Samuel 14-18) and you can almost feel his angst as he now speaks to Solomon. He gives full attention to him.
Thirdly, I want to be aware of God at my approaching death. Where David had failed to guide, discipline and instruct his children in the past, he now urges Solomon to step up to the plate of human responsibility in the light of divine presence.  He says to him, "Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statures, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn..."  Honestly, could it have been said any better?  He pointed Him to the LORD God.  He pointed him to the Word of God.  He pointed Him to the ways of God.  I pray I will have enough sense about me in that day to do the same with those I love, but I don't want to wait till then.  May God help us to give our full attention to our family all along the way, "till death do us part".

Monday, January 16, 2012

Psalm 118:22-24 NASB

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.  This is the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

One of the great gems of prophetic truth is our text; a passage of Scripture that Jesus related to Himself (Mark 12:10, 11), and which Peter also related to Jesus (Acts 4:11; I Peter 2:7).  As we understand it in that light, what else can we say but, "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"  There is absolutely nothing greater than this news.  But is it possible, as we acknowledge and revere this prophetically, historically and theologically, making it the corner stone of the gospel, that we can miss its deep possibilities personally?  That Day, of the laying of the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, historically, needs to be done in our hearts personally, so that no matter how dark the night, as in the horrific circumstances that surrounded the laying of that Stone then, we can witness, no matter the circumstances, that this is what brings light and life to every day of our lives.  Could it be that this is the secret of those who can say with all their heart, on any day, no matter how dark, "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"?  I think so. I think so.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Psalm 118:1, 4-6, 8 NASB

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting...Oh let those who fear the LORD say, "His lovingkindness is everlasting."  From my distress I called upon the LORD; You answered me and set me in a large place. 


The word "lovingkindness" carries the idea of extending favor to someone.  I think, in life, there is nothing greater than those moments when you knew God had granted you a measure of goodness much needed.  These are those moments when you knew you couldn't have succeeded except for the extended act of kindness shown on your behalf.  I have known those times in sticky interpersonal dealings.  I have known those times in pressing financial need.  I have known those times in difficult directional challenges.  I have known those times in tough leadership decisions. I have known those times in "impossible" heart concerns.  I have known those times in heavy family burdens.  It's that moment when, all of a sudden, the hand extended tilts the scale the right way and makes a way for you when there was no way.  God likes to do this with His children.  This is the reason for the Psalm that comes right before our text.  It's the Christian national anthem!  It makes you want to put your hand over your heart, stand, and sing with gusto, "Praise the LORD, all nations; laud Him, all peoples!  For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth (faithfulness) of the LORD is everlasting.  Praise the LORD!"  Do you feel it?

Friday, January 13, 2012

Psalm 116:3-8, 15 NASB

The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.  Then I called upon the name of the LORD; "O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!"  Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.  The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.  Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you, for You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.  I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living... Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.

There is a foe difficult for us to handle, and that is the inevitable.  This is especially true with inevitability of physical death.  Very few of us surrender to it easily, and rightfully so because we are made to live.  All along the way we seek every avenue to for stall this inevitable event, right up to our last breath.  But, finally, we are all swallowed up in the reality that "It is appointed unto man once to die."  It is a great curse of the Fall.  Paul calls it "the last enemy".  We are constantly up against it, and sometimes more fearfully.  How often have any one of God's people had to say, "The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow"?  Countless numbers, in their own darkness, know exactly what the Psalmist felt when he said, "Then I called upon the name of the LORD; "O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!"  And how thankful we are when we again escape death's intent on on our lives, declaring,  "Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.  The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me."  But there is something else going on in this passage of Scripture that is important to see and know.  The Psalmist seems to mix the object of his attention, on physical life, with soul life.  He says, in verses 7 and 8, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you, for You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling."  C.S. Lewis said, "I do not have a soul.  I am a soul.  I have a body."  The inevitable will finally bring this body to the grave; but we are much more than body, and blessed is the person who sees this.  It sets them on a different course, and that is the salvation of their soul.  The inevitable is taken over by the eternal, becoming their very reason for anything, both in this life and the next.  We are captured by the Audience of One, and we declare with the Psalmist, as long as we live in this life,  "I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living."  And this Audience of One is captured by any who walk before Him this way, keeping His eye on them all the way, even unto death.  Now we can understand why the Psalmist wrote, " Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones".  He has followed our goings all the way, as we follow His grace all the way.  And as we walk through the valley of death, He is with us with His big heart, still holding our hand as we awaken in eternity.  There is no relationship like this relationship!  "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?  I shall lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD, (Ps. 116:12-13)