Friday, May 31, 2013

June 1 I Kings 12-13 Tough Stands

In II Chronicles 11:13-17, the priests, Levites, and other faithful followers of the LORD flee Israel to Judah. Jeroboam was taking the people away from their prescribed worship to follow his own prescribed ways of worship. The problem is that only God can tell us how He wants to be worshiped. Jeroboam was worried that people would go to Jerusalem and be swayed back to following Rehoboam. He feared this even though God Himself said He would build Jeroboam a dynasty if he would just obey God.

Jeroboam did not believe God. This is the bottom line in all of our lives - do we believe God or our own wisdom. Choose carefully - your choice has eternal consequences - and some earthly ones, too.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

May 31 Ecclesiastes 3:1-17; 11:7-12:14 Life's Meaning is Only in God

Ecclesiastes is a study in the futility of life without God - it is meaningless and serves no long term purpose. All end in death - the wise and the fool and the wicked. Good can come to the bad as often as it comes to the good and vice verse.

But God has set eternity in the hearts of all of us - an innate knowledge that there is more than just this life. Some have called this a God-sized hole in our heart that only God can fill. Ecclesiastes tells us that we come from our Creator and we will return to Him for judgment. The book concludes with the conclusion of the matter - Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Therein is the path of meaningful life - life that will continue on into eternity - with God or far from His presence.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

May 29 Various Ecclesiastes - Meaninglessness of Human Pursits

The Teacher looked at the utter meaningless nature of purely human pursuits based on this world. The Teacher shows that the chase of human wisdom, pleasure, achievement, work, accumulation, wealth, etc. all lead to naught. None of these things ultimately satisfy any man or woman, but actually lead to despair and other issues.

There are so many people successful in the world's eyes - or others, like me, who finally achieve their goals in life - that end up asking themselves the question, "Is this all there is?" What we think is our penultimate pinnacle that we worked so hard to get, really isn't that satisfying - sometimes we see that there are others with more - and we want what they have too - but the problem is that there is always someone with more.

To find true joy in life, we all need to get to the place that things of this world will satisfy us - God made us to never be satisfied with the things of the world - at least as an end in themselves. Sold-out radical Christianity requires this learning.

Monday, May 27, 2013

May 28 Various Ecclesiastes - Life Doesn't Make Sense

Who wrote Ecclesiastes is a matter of debate - either Solomon or just some unnamed person who identifies himself as "Teacher," and uses Solomon as a foil.

The actual message of Ecclesiastes is also debated. One of the proposed messages is based on today's selections - life doesn't make sense. It can't be figured out - the wise man and the fool end up in the ground, eventually forgotten.

The fact that everything is "meaningless" or "vanity" makes one consider the purpose of life. We all die - just like an animal. So, does life have some purpose that is not evident by looking at life here on earth alone? Well, we know the answer to this question because we have the rest of the Bible, but let's see what the Teacher has for us.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

May 27 I Kings 11 Being Unequally Yoked

Once again, we come to a warning about being unequally yoked in marriage - to an unbeliever. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, also had a sexual lust problem - like his dad. His sexual lust led him to take on wives and concubines who were pagan idol worshippers. Instead of Solomon changing them, they changed Solomon - and the destiny of a nation for centuries!

People continuously look past these clear warnings in Scripture and wind up shipwrecking their faith and negatively impacting those around them for years and years - for generations. We all need to stop looking for commands - what must I do - and read the narratives like this and focus on what should I do and what can I do to be holy.

The LORD wants us to be holy as He is holy. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

May 26 Song of Songs Biblical Romantic Love

The Song of Songs (In Hebrew meaning the best song) is about romantic love between a man and a woman done in a Biblical manner. It is not a picture of Jesus and the church. The love between a man and a woman is necessary in the Bible because God invented it. It is only fitting that He give us a picture of what it should look like. In the second half of Chapter 4, God gives us an explicit wedding night scene and in v. 5:1, God blesses the proceedings.

The Song of Songs (sometimes called the Song of Solomon) is written as Hebrew poetry. It is wrapped in evocative images, which are very foreign to the 21st century reader. To fully understand what the writer is trying to convey, a serious reader needs to find a good commentary that unlocks all of the imagery.

Yes, there is hot, passionate sexuality in the Song, but there is also loving action and conversation between the lovers. God made sex and sexuality for total selfless release in marriage. Within those bounds, romantic love that includes sex is an integral part of the marriage relationship - and as shown in the Song, so is sexual anticipation between two lovers before marriage.

Sex is to wait until marriage - "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires" (vv. 2:7; 3:5; 8:4).

Marriage is to be total giving for a lifetime - "I belong to my lover and his desire is for me" (v. 7:10)

I encourage couples that I marry to include a reading of vv. 8:6-7, which is a release of the deepest desires of a woman. I know this to be true, because God told us and he is the Maker.

  • Song of Solomon 8:6-7 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Friday, May 24, 2013

May 25 Proverbs 30-31 More Than Knowledge

These two chapters of Scripture are written so different from the rest of God's Word. There are many sayings in these chapters that I could read about. But I will choose one verse that I may include in my sermon on Sunday.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

The 1st part of the verse says nothing surprising to even a casual student of the Bible. The word of God is inerrant - it contains only truth. Any one who consumes Scripture, takes on great knowledge. But the second half of the verse is surprising it seems to change thought - speaking now of God Himself. But it is not a change of thought - the Word of God is God - knowledge of His Word is to know Him. However, the second half of the verse challenges us to go beyond the knowledge OF God's Word - the knowledge OF Him.

The second half of the verse challenges us to trust IN God - to trust IN His Word - to act upon it. It promises that if we do - we will find safety - God Himself will be our shield - a defensive weapon against attacks - possibly from our enemies, Satan, and/or temptation.

God does not want us to merely believe IN Him or to believe words about Him, He calls us to believe Him period - to trust Him.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

May 24 Various Proverbs About People and Relationships

I am struck about the importance of picking good friends. Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." I also like, Proverbs 27:9 "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."

I encourage you to look at both of these proverbs as the received from two perspectives. First, look for friends walking with God and committed to growing in their obedience to Him. The wise are those seeking to live in God's will - the obedient. Be around people who will give you counsel of how best to walk in God's way. Choose friends who will tell you what you need to hear - truth, whether it is pleasant or not - these are true friends.

Secondly, consider whether you are a friend that a person who heeds these proverbs would seek out. Speak the truth in love. Live in God's ways. Then, you will attract like-minded people.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

May 23 Various Proverbs on Economic Well-Being

Our proverbs today have to do with acquiring wealth, what to do with it once you get it, and laziness. I think that Proverbs 3:9 is just so important - 'Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of your crops." This proverb urges the Israelites to give the 1st 10% of everything they grow to the LORD (actually the priests and Levites doing the LORD's work on behalf of the people) to support His work. This practice gives the honor to God that He is the source of 100% of the crop.

We are to have this same attitude - by tithing to our local church the 1st 10% of everything we earn. In doing so, we recognize God's love for us in giving us everything it takes to earn the entire 100% of our earnings. This attitude requires us to put the things of God first in our life. This attitude changes the entire course of our entire life - and it changes how we live our life - what we decide to do - how we decide to do it - who we choose to do it with.

Proverbs 11:4 helps us keep wealth acquisition in the proper perspective - "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath [at our final judgment - at death or when Christ returns], but righteousness delivers from death [eternal damnation and living outside God's will in this life].

If you want real riches in this life, begin by giving 10% of all you earn to your local church. Do so willingly - and see how your life begins to change for God. Try it!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

May 22 Various Proverbs - Selling Out to Wickedness

Every one of us has to resist evil everyday, moment by moment. Sometimes, proverbs help us understand what we are doing when we sell out to evil.

Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

A spring or well gives life. It is refreshing. Without a spring or a well people will die. Communities spring up around reliable springs and wells.If a spring turned muddy, it would no longer draw people. It would be a great disappointment to those who came to depend on the spring. Polluted wells might even kill those who once depended on them.

When we sell out to evil, it is like that refreshing spring turning muddy or the well being polluted. Those in our church who depend on us would be disillusioned. Others might be disappointed. Those in our family might be repulsed, even ashamed of us.

perhaps, we might better consider ourselves as springs and wells - as God sees us - as others might see us. Then before we sell out to evil, might think twice of the ramifications - our sin never affects just us - also the community around us who depends on us. Commit to stay clear and free from pollution.


Monday, May 20, 2013

My 21 Various Proverbs - Biblical Communication

When I was in seminary, I had a project to work on improving some aspect of my walk with Christ. I chose (after the input of my wife) to work on talking better, mostly to lose my sarcasm. If you know me, you realize that this project was not entirely successful - still a work in progress - though much better - isn't that a scary thought. But anyways, one of the things I did was to read through proverbs and mark out every verse that had something to say about speech. In fact, proverbs has a lot to say about Biblical communication.

I suggest that everyone get a colored marking pen for Bibles and read proverbs through and mark off every verse for yourself. It is nice that the One Year Bible did this for us and listed everything together. Our tongues can heal and wound. We spend so much of our lives talking, I suggest doing today's reading several times. There is a lot of practical wisdom about our speech in today's reading.

I also recommend reading James. Have your marking pen with you as you read. Between James and proverbs, God uses to very different types of Biblical literature to get at our hearts. We are all better when we communicate Biblically.

May 20 Various Proverbs - The Trouble with Commitments

If I could have a "magic" pill as a pastor, it would be a pill that would allow people to commit - and then follow through - to set priorities - then stick to them. Although I think we all struggle with this problem from time to time and to various degrees, there are many people who have shipwrecked their spiritual lives and have caused their whole lives (and the the lives of those around them) to wander aimlessly, to never have the successes they are equipped to have, and to hurt many people along the way.

Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. A city without walls is susceptible to attack and plunder constantly. Defending a city with no boundaries is difficult at best, most probably impossible. All of the city's resources would have to be expended on defense.

People who can't commit and follow through on things and who are generally unreliable are like a city without walls. People and events are constantly coming into their lives and they can't say no to anything and they end up running around - always busy - but never getting the most important things in life attended to - not because they don't want to - but because other urgent,but less important things get in their way.

Stephen Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, talked about separating the things of life into four quadrants - urgent unimportant, non-urgent unimportant, urgent important, and non-urgent unimportant. Most people focus all of their energy on the urgent things of life - whether or not they are important! However, the most important things in life are not urgent - they are developing relationships - they can be put off - until the relationships die or don't ever amount to what they should.

The relationship that is usually left for last - God! Uncommitted people rarely ever develop their relationship with God and the things of God to the extent they should. Oh they may be Christians, but very uncommitted ones. Church attendance is 1-2X/month, Bible reading is sporadic, prayer may be several times per week (more in a crisis), they sign up to help in a ministry, but cancel often because of "crisis," then drop out completely. Quite frankly, the rest of their life looks similar. Their life is no harder than most usually, it is just that they have no priorities and boundaries that they stick to.

If it sounds like you, remember this, you do know how to say no - you are saying no all the time - you just don't realize it. Every time you say yes to something  you are indeed saying no to everything else at that time. Anyone have a solution?

May 19 Various Proverbs - Are You Without Sin

Proverbs 20:9 is "Who can say, 'I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'"? The writer of the proverb knows the answer is "no one." Until a person understands that they are impure and sinful - and doesn't dismiss their problem as small compared to others - they is no innate need for a Savior. Their faith is on their own "relative" self-righteousness. But when a person comes to grip with their own depravity as compared to God - - their Judge - not other even more sinful humans - then they are open to searching for a savior to their sin problem.

We don't ever try to offend anyone, but at some point, when we witness to others, a loving confrontation to their sin problem needs to occur - as a fellow sinner. One 's own sin and the truth of hell are not pleasant truths - nonetheless they are truths! Loving a person involves telling them the truth - hopefully after we have earned their trust.

Without our sin problem - we don't need a savior. Sharing the Good News, unfortunately requires us to share the Bad News - because without the Bad News, the Good News isn't really good news.

Friday, May 17, 2013

May 18 Various Proverbs - Assuming the Best of People

Proverbs are designed to make us think. Many of them have meanings at various levels. They often have multiple applications.

Proverbs 11:27 says, "He who seeks good finds good will, but evil comes to him who searches for it." Although there are many applications to this proverb, I use it often when I teach Biblical communication. This proverb is a huge help in our interactions with each other. This proverb is saying to assume that people are generally good willed. Their implementation of good speech and behavior may be flawed, but they aren't usually Satan-incarnate trying to wreak the depths of hell upon us.

I even have to stress this among married couples. Our human natures (sinful) causes us to think first that people are out to get us - that they are evil and trying to hurt us. This is generally not the case, though it sometimes is. If it is, then we are able to discern this rather easily. But if we assume people are generally good-willed, our conversations with them take on an entirely different tone and content than if we assume the opposite. If we are seeking good, generally we will find good will. However, if we begin with evil intent ourselves, we will find evil rather easily - we will bring out the worst in people, not their best.

So, don't be so afraid that you will be walking around getting duped moment by moment if you aren't suspicious of everyone and everything they do - assuming the worst. Evil is pretty evident, most of the time. Look for the good and good will will come to you - generally speaking - which is what proverbs are - generally speaking truths.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

May 17 Various Proverbs - People Pleasing

Proverbs 29:25 warns against being more concerned with people pleasing rather than trusting in the LORD. Living our lives doing what will please the people around us will be a snare. People pleasing is a cruel task master. It is a monster whose appetite is never fulfilled. It is also a beast whose mind changes.

We must remember that people are by nature selfish - most concerned with themselves.

We must also remember that God is pure - always knowing best - always leading us into the right things to do - which are not always the popular thing to do. People pleasing takes our eyes off of God and can get us way off balanced. People will never be truly pleased - that attitude will wear us out AND lead us to never be satisfied.

People pleasing is at its root - self-centered in ourselves. Our God is the affirmation of others for our own good pleasure. Its symptoms might be career chasing, degree pursuits, etc. We want to look good in other people's eyes. Many times, the cause of people pleasing is never getting the affirmation from our parents. This doesn't mean that our parents mistreated us or did not love us and care for us - though it may. It simply means that our parents may not have been the types of parents who said things like:

  • Good job
  • I appreciate this, that, or whatever in your personality
  • I love the way you __________
God is the perfect affirming parent. Seek to please Him. His burden is light, predictable, and consistent.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

May 16 Proverbs 1-4, 8-9 Expensive Wisdom Brings Greater Riches

It would be a mistake to listen to these proverbs as humanistic, secular pearls of wisdom. The very foundation of proverbs is on the fear of the LORD - being in a right relationship with God.

In Proverbs 4 , Solomon says, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Thought it cost you all you have, get understanding." The phrase, "all you have" refers to your own worldly wisdom - all of your understandings that culture has taught you about living. To get wisdom, we have to give up our worldly wisdom and exchange it for God's. our thinking has to be transformed.

People quote from Proverbs 8, "With Me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity." The health and wealth prosperity preachers love verses like this - always out of context. The very next verse says, :My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver." This verse shows that wisdom doesn't always yield more money, but that which is even more valuable - in the next verse - "I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice." In God's eyes - and in godly people's eyes - these things are much more valuable than earthly riches.

So read Proverbs as you would an Epistle, searching for God - and searching for how to walk in manner befitting one of the King's people. In proverbs, we can discover God in a new way, unlike all of the other Biblical genres.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

May 15 I Kings 4, 9-10; Psalm 72 A Messianic Psalm

The superscript on Psalm 72, "Of Solomon," has scholars divided on whether it was written by Solomon or written for Solomon, most likely by his father David. The psalm speaks of the reign of an ideal king - to be held out as the ideal for a righteous king of Israel. Of course all of the kings, including Solomon will fall short of this ideal. Yet, one king, Jesus Christ, will fulfill this ideal - the Messiah.

However, this psalm teaches us that we ALL must comfort the afflicted in this world. There are many hurting people that we must seek to help. We don't need to be a king to be just. The ideals of a king are not different than the ideals of a common Christian. Psalm 72 is for us, too!

May 14 I Kings 8, II Chronicles 6-8 God Loves Repentors

I am struck today by one aspect of Solomon's prayer - that God would respond to Israel whenever they repented. Solomon is actually praying into an essential aspect of God's character that we see in Scripture over and over - that I have observed in other people's lives - that I have experienced in my own life - that God always has mercy on those that come to Him in humble repentance.

One of the best repentors of all time was a man after God's own heart - King David, Solomon's dad. Whenever David was confronted with his own sin, he humbly acknowledged his offenses and asked God for forgiveness - he repented.

God knows we are sinners by nature and will sin - but if we are sold out to His honor and glory - and value our relationship with Him - when we become aware of our sin, He wants us to acknowledge our fault and repent - to change our mind about the offense - and our behavior.

We can't expect sinlessness - but we can be great repentors all - through the power of our Savior Christ.

May 13 I Kings 5-7 The Place of Sacrifice

David offered a sacrifice on Mount Moriah - one that cost him something. It was important to David that his sacrifice to God cost him something - a real sacrifice. Solomon built the Temple on that same place. This place would come to symbolize the place where God sacrificed His own Son - a sacrifice that cost Him plenty. Mount Moriah was also the place where Abraham almost sacrificed his son - until the Lord provided a sacrifice of His own.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

May 12 I Kings 2-3 Discernment in Administering Justice

Solomon could have asked God for anything. He didn't choose things that would mostly benefit him. He admitted his youth and lack of of knowledge/experience to carry out his duties as a king over a large nation. So, he asked for "discernment in administering justice." God was impressed with his genuine desire to be a king, so he granted him his request AND riches and honor, too.

God wants us to look at ourselves with "sober judgment" (Romans 12:3) and to take accurate stock of our strengths and our weaknesses. This process includes:

  • an ongoing assessment and reassessment
  • prayer
  • introspection
  • feed back from others.
We need to leverage our strengths - focus on using them - and to ask for help from others to overcome/minimize our weaknesses. The LORD is God Almighty - El Shaddai. He can give generously to overcome where we fall short - and WE ALL DO!

At the end of our reading today, it says, "all Israel...held the king in awe. because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice." Humility in sober judgment + asking God = wisdom from God.

Friday, May 10, 2013

May 11 I Kings 1-2, II Samuel 23 Two Things

Two things struck me about today's readings. The 1st is that King Saul (Israel's 1st king) and David's usurper sons (Absalom and Adonijah) are were good-looking according or large in stature. The Bible tells us that they looked good on the outside, but didn't have much to say good about what they were on the inside. Whereas, David is praised as a man after God's own heart.

People are "naturally" attracted to leaders who look good on the outside. God is looking for leaders who look good on the inside - humble, repentant, God-fearers, servants, etc.

Secondly, in II Samuel 23, David refers to himself as "the man exalted by the Most High." Saul, Absalom, and Adonijah were self-exalters. David also described himself, not as king, but as "Israel's singer of songs." David's self-labeling is very interesting. How would we each label ourselves? How would God label us?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

May 10 Psalms 45, 47-48, 87, 110 Lips Anointed with Grace

In Psalm 45, the psalmist talks about the blessing of God producing lips anointed with grace. Wouldn't this be a wonderful gift from God? Suppose all that we said was blessed with grace - encouraging words, love, but also truth told to build up, not tear down.

This gift is available from God - through His Word and His Spirit. God's Word is replete with instruction about Biblical communication. I teach a 9 week study on this and only scratch the surface. I see people transformed from the inside out by this material. I see others unchanged - we must submit to God's Word - from the inside out. Our hearts and minds must be changed for any lasting change to occur with our lips.

In Psalm 45, this most excellent of men rides forth victoriously in truth, humility, and righteousness. Inside-out change requires humility.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

May 9 Psalms 2, 22, 27 Beauty of the LORD

In Psalm 27, the psalmist longs to "gaze upon the beauty of the LORD." Tim Keller, one of my favorite speakers and writers, often speaks about the beauty of God. Do we consider the beauty of God?

What or who do we consider beautiful - a lake surrounded by rugged snow capped mountains or a beautiful ocean sunset or the woman of our dreams (for me, my wife Karen) or a painting by Rembrandt? We are captured by those things or people. We could just sit there and stare. We are taken into an emotional bath.

When we consider God the father, Jesus  the Holy Spirit or the Trinity, we should also be transported to another dimension. We should be able to just rest in our meditation of them.

Today, consider the beauty of our Godhead.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

May 8 Psalms 111, 130, 131, 141, 146 Proof of His Power and His Trustworthiness

God pulled Abraham, a pagan idol worshipper, out of a pagan land and told him to go to Israel. God promised him that his descendants would inherit the land - despite the land already being populated by others - vile, idol worshippers, committing heinous sins. God built up a great nation under Abram and brought that nation from Egypt to conquer the Promised Land.

In Psalm 111, the psalmist tells us, "He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations." God is powerful! God is also trustworthy. If He promises - it will happen - not necessarily on our timetable - not necessarily according to our plan - but it will surely happen.

Fear the power of the LORD. Treat Him with the respect and awe and reverential fear He so deserves. As the psalmist says, it "is the beginning of wisdom." This means that our foolishness can begin to end when we fear God properly.

Monday, May 6, 2013

May 7 Psalms 42, 53, 58, 81, 101 Only Christ Succeeded

Psalm 101 represents David's commitments to righteous living. Each proposition represents his heart to please God. But David like all of us, fell short of consistently living to these standards. However, his descendant, Jesus Christ was successful. Let's remember that Jesus was tempted in every way as us to deviate from righteous living. The power to approach this lifestyle comes from a union with Christ on a moment by moment basis.

This psalm is a great check list for righteous living. It also reminds us of a need for a Savior.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

May 6 Psalms 4, 12, 20, 25, 32, 38 Pray by Listening

How often does any of us pray by listening? Do we even consider that prayer? Most think that prayer is us talking and God listening.

But in Psalm 4, the psalmist says, "When you are on your beds, search your hearts and BE SILENT." Why be silent? We are silent so we can listen - for the Holy Spirit to talk to us.

This psalm hit me hard today as I am perplexed about a personal relationship that I have. I want to honor God and be a blessing to this man, but I have tried many times and failed - at least in His eyes. I need to sit on my bed and listen for the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom.

The Word of God never comes back void. It always seems to be JIT - Just In Time. Thank you, LORD.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

May 5 Psalms 139, 145, 148, 150 Praise the LORD!

It is difficult to do today's readings and not want to get up and shout to God His praises!!!!!!

In Psalm 148, the psalmist says, "Let them praise the LORD for He commanded and they were created." Because God is our Creator, all creation owes Him praise, honor, and glory.

In Romans 1:21, Paul says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to Him." Paul is laying out the cause of sin in the world at its root base - not glorifying and thanking God - willfully!!!! Paul says that nature leads one to glorify and thank God -  Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

People, go to church today and rise up and shout to God in praise - do it exuberantly and unrestrained - not contrived emotionalism to put on a show - but real glorification and thanksgiving due our God.

Praise the LORD!

Friday, May 3, 2013

May 4 Psalms 122, 124, 133-136, 138 Temple Workers Reminded to Worship

Psalm 134 is an interesting little psalm. It hits me today as a reminder to the Temple workers to make sure that they take the time to individually worship God.

As a pastor, I can get so busy leading other people to worship that I don't make time to do my own worship. This is a common malady that is the root of moral failures, nervous breakdowns, etc. for pastors. I also see others active in the church that seem so busy serving, I often wonder if they ever worship themselves.

This is a Song of Ascents - a psalm sung by the pilgrims going "up" to Jerusalem (city is on a high plateau) for one of the three mandatory Jewish festivals - Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. For the Temple servants, these feasts would have been the busiest times of the year - like our Christmas and Easter. The pilgrims are singing their gathered worship leaders to take time themselves to worship.

In the same way, congregants in a church should always urge their leaders to make time for the King.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

May 3 Psalm 119 God Special Revelation of Himself - His Word, the Bible

Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms and is an acrostic. Most Bibles break the Psalm into sections labelled with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verse in each section begins with that particular Hebrew letter. The psalmist forced himself to write Hebrew poetry with that restriction.

This psalm is a collection of prayers and meditations on the Holy Word of God. The psalmist is a persecuted man because of his beliefs, yet the Word of God was his strength. The Word of God is referred to by 10 synonyms. They are:

  1. Law
  2. Word
  3. Saying/promise
  4. Command/commands
  5. Statutes/decrees
  6. Judgment/laws
  7. Precepts
  8. Testimony/statutes
  9. Path
  10. Way
This psalm can be read over and over to ask ourselves, "Is this the way I feel?" about the psalmist's assertions. For example, in Ayin, the psalmist says, "Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path" [as identified in God's Word]. Spend some time and determine if you agree with this intellectually. Then spend some time to determine if what you say and do confirms what you say and believe. Does your time management choices affirm your belief? Does the way you spend your money affirm your belief? Does the way you expend your talents affirm your belief? Does what you pray about and daydream about affirm your belief?

May 2 Psalms 103, 104, 113, 117 A Creation Psalm - 104

Go climb a mountain or find a spot at the edge of a beautiful lake and read Psalm 104. In this psalm, the psalmist looks around and is awestruck by God's handiwork and manifold wisdom in the created world. When he looks around at God's creation, the psalmist can't help but be driven to praise our great God - the Creator of all. Simply looking around should cause one to believe in God and then to worship Him.

Take time to do this - possibly this weekend - maybe even on your Sunday Sabbath - Praise the LORD!

May 1 Psalms 75, 93, 94, 97-100 Creation Makes Us His

Psalm 100 is a neat little psalm. The centerpiece of thought is, "It is He Who made us, and we are His." This is a simple, yet profound thought. By the simple fact that God is our creator, we are beholding in all things to Him. Simply because we are made by God, we have a special connection to Him. Although God made other living things, we are the only ones made in His image - able to have a relationship with Him.

But God also gave us free will - the ability to choose or reject a relationship with Him. How foolish to reject a relationship with one's Creator!

Psalm 100 calls us to shout for joy to our Creator! Yes, shout!!!!! What is this restrained worship style? Scripture tells us to let it go.We should be glad and joyful.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Apr 30 Psalms 29, 33, 65, 66-68 Repentance = Not Cherishing Sin

Psalm 66 is a psalm of relief from sin. Central to being freed from the oppression of sin is the repentance from sin. Repentance means turning from or changing your mind about it. The psalmist says, "If I had cherished sins in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Did you hear that?

Repentance is all about not cherishing sins so much as to hold them tightly. David was certainly not a perfect man - he was far from it. Yet, God calls him a man after His own heart. David was a great repenter! Whenever David was confronted with his own sin, he changed course - he did not cherish those sins in his heart.

Too many of us have sins that we hold onto - even when we are confronted with their evil - even when we suffer their consequences. Perhaps, that is why the Lord doesn't listen.

Apr 29 Psalms 8, 9, 16, 19, 21,24 God Revealed in General Revelation and Special Revelation (Ps. 19)

I can't pass up one of my favorites psalms, Psalm 19. The psalm has two parts. The 1st part speaks of general revelation available to all - God reveals Himself to ALL in nature. Paul says in Romans 1 that men must suppress the knowledge of God revealed in nature. By just looking around, ALL should know that God exists. However, this is not saving knowledge.

The 2nd part of the psalm is about Special Revelation - God revealed more fully in His Word. This revelation is saving knowledge. The psalmist praises the beauty of God's Word.

The psalm ends with the psalmist asking God to search him and for the Word to purify him.