What are the ramifications of a love that endures forever? God’s divine love is expanded beyond just the covenant for His people to His whole creation. The saving events of the exodus and its sequel are shown to be archetypal. We see God’s love continue in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Yet, the ramification of God’s love has to be explored beyond what He is doing for us and into the fact that there are consequences for those who stand in the way of God’s love. For the Egyptians that want to prevent God from freeing His people there was the exodus and the cost was extreme. For kingdoms that interfered in the nation of Israel there was death. For sin that thwarts the spiritual freedom of God’s people there was the cross (at great expense of God Himself). Yet, “His Love Endures Forever.” I read Psalm 136 and I wonder what are the ramifications for our world and culture that stands in the way of God’s love? Do we respond that “His Love Endure Forever” or do we ridicule His Word by questioning His love and its results?
Archive for the ‘Psalms’ Category
Day 259: Psalm 136 — “His Love Endures Forever”
Thursday, September 16th, 2010Day 256: Psalm 119:66-176; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16 — The Way
Monday, September 13th, 2010The longest chapter in the Bible, but every verse praises God for His leadership, His law, instruction for life. So many verses! so many memory verses come from this chapter. What does it all mean? Paul’s approach to the church in Corinth tells it all. God has created a way to live now and forever. Short short comment today, long readings. Put the law and will of God into your mind, understand, your heart, be committed to His way, and life, show His will in your decisions and walk of life.
Prayer: Guide me today so that may walk in Your ways, not my own; let Your church show your love to each other and the world, that the world may believe.
Day 254: Psalm 117 — It’s not about you
Saturday, September 11th, 20101Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
2For great is his love toward us,
Praise the LORD.
The title of today’s post — It’s not about you — is the theme of the book A Purpose-driven Life, by Rick Warren. It also happens to be the theme of the Bible. It’s easy to read the Bible and get the idea that it is about you — about me — about us. But no matter how much love and mercy and discipline and forgiveness God showed the Israelites, and how much of the same He shows us, and the fact that He gave His only begotten Son for the purpose of redeeming us from sin — as much as that may cause you to think your existence is all about you, it’s not. It’s about Him. The only reason God did any of the things He has done, the only reason He created earth itself, was so that He would be glorified (Psalm 19:1-6), and this Psalm, in spite of being not only the shortest Psalm but the shortest chapter in all of Scripture, in simple language charges each of us to do exactly what He put us here to do.
To praise Him.
Thank you Heavenly Father; thank you Jesus.
Day 253: Psalm 110; 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 — My Burning Attitude
Friday, September 10th, 2010For some reason when I read Psalm 110 tonight the current situation with the burning of another religion’s holy text came to mind. “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet…He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.” It seems that those involved think that God has spoken these same words to them today and they are leading the fight vociferously in defense of God’s kingdom (or possibly their own). Whether this is true or not, it’s where my mind went. But then as I start to condemn them for their nasty behaviors, I jump over to I Corinthians 8:7-13.
The other emotion I feel for them besides anger is pity. I feel sorry that their hyper-condemnatory views and actions are probably turning people off to the message of Christ. I feel sorry that they live such angry lives that the only way they know to express themselves is with flamboyant displays of futility. I think a point Paul is trying to make is that how we react to situations with which we disagree or even detest especially in the sight of others is an important part of our testimony to believers and non-believers alike. Whether I think I’m the stronger or weaker brother in this situation is not even important. But if I react with anger, bile, hatred, rudeness or even apathy to the situations around me, someone is watching. It might be my 11 year old son, the neighbor across the street, a coworker, or a complete stranger.
So many times in my life I’ve unfairly judged others by standards I made up. I remember as a teenager very much having a holier-than-thou attitude towards others in the youth group who didn’t show up for every event like I did or maybe only showed up for the “fun” events like Six Flags or camp. It was also fun to criticize all the stupid rules that other adults put in place for things that go on in the church.
As I’ve grown up I’m sorry to say that some of this attitude still remains. I criticize those that aren’t as good as me and fight with those who try to put too many walls in places I don’t think they should be. Whether I’m right or wrong in my assessments is not the point. My judgments and grumblings are not conducive to the spreading of the gospel. Thankfully Paul shows us an attitude of humility. And when attacked, he doesn’t fight back. He defends his case lovingly and thoroughly. His goal is not to make himself look good but always to advance the cause of Christ and never to do anything to hinder it.
Father, give me a spirit like Paul that I may be humble and not say and do the stupid stuff that will turn others away from you.
Day 252: Psalm 107 — God Delivers
Thursday, September 9th, 2010Psalm 107 reminds us that God delivers us as individuals and as a community of faith. We can celebrate the forgiveness that God gives. A forgiveness that brings freedom and renewal of life to us plagued by sins. It praises God for positive answers to prayer and for the fulfillment of promises made by God. As it praises, it teaches us about the ways of folly and wisdom. In the New Testament, God’s deliverance is completely realized in our Lord Jesus Christ. The era of freedom foretold by the Old Testament prophets are recognized in Jesus’ wondrous works of healing, control over nature, and ultimately in the resurrection. These actions proclaim our Lord as the architect over nature, bringer of wholeness and forgiveness, and ruler of human lives. In response those who have been brought home to God are summoned to praise and thanksgiving.
Day 251: Psalm 106 — Save us, O LORD
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010Psalm 106:47-48 (NAS) Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD!
These words cry out praise for the Creator of our universe. Yet when separated from the rest of the chapter they lose so much. Yes, they are still words of praise but without real depth. As I read Psalm 106 I was struck by the fact that not much has changed.
God’s people are still only half-hearted in their love for Him. It seems we as a people have more interest in taking care of our wants than we have in being faithful to Him. The Psalmist says in Psalm 106:6 (NAS) We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly. He openly admits sin, not only his own, but for all of God’s people. He doesn’t stop in verse 6 but continues to review all of the nation’s history. A history of turning away from God to the pleasures of the world. Turning away from God to selfish wants and desires. Things that left them hollow, unfulfilled and ultimately separated from God.
I started to list a lot of modern equals for the sins of Israel, but it is not really necessary. If we would just honestly look at what we have done in the last year, wouldn’t we know for ourselves if we have been wholly faithful to God?
I want to cry out “Save us, O LORD”. I want to be found in the middle of his will, but I don’t want to be alone. Will you join me in trying to walk as He walked? Trying to be His loving, pleasing child every day? Trying to share with one more person his love and grace?
Day 249: Psalm 99:1-103:22; 1 Corinthians 4:7-5:8 — The Holy One, His holy people
Monday, September 6th, 2010With the Psalmist I sing praise to the Mighty King, the Warrior, Who defends His people. These Psalms flow so beautifully, sustaining us, reviving us, as we follow the vivid imagery David employs to express real life with the True King, extolling the virtues and actions of the Holy One of Israel. This leads so naturally to the outburst of praise. Our familiar “Make a joyful noise” actually describes the thunderous roar from a huge crowd shouting for joy in victory, loud calls of thanksgiving, a tumult raising voices in praise. The closest thing we have today may be the sound of a crowd watching the quarterback in the last two seconds of the last quarter as he sails that long pass on target into the waiting arms of the running back as he crosses the goal line for the win. Wow! What a picture of a Holy Righteous God! Come into His presence with this tumultuous whole heart of utter joy, the King, the Holy One!
Flowing so naturally Psalm 101 challenges us to act holy for this Holy, Powerful, Loving God. I hate the work of the wicked! It shall not latch onto me! I will not even glance at their despised images of temptation and wickedness! I will destroy evil for and by the power of the Holy One! Psalm 102 — I will fade from this realm of flesh, but You, O God, endure forever! Psalm 103 — Therefore I will not forget You here and now! You heal me in a way that confutes this world. You forgive me completely. Just how far is east from west!? He knows I can take only so much in this life and makes me able to bear, 1 Cor. 10:13. All that is in me, all of which I am made cries. “Holy God, How Great and Matchless You are, Bless the Lord, O my soul!” He remembers those who remember Him and keep the covenant.
Paul brings to bear on the church that we are not the center of anything, we are not powerful, we are not wise. Our God and His Christ — from our God flows life and to Him must flow our praise and loyalty forever.
Today brings sadness and joy. This morning, early, Kim’s father passed into the presence of the Father of us all. But as I read these passages today, I rejoice in the One Who loved Kim’s dad, and gave Himself for Bill. Let the tears of this life give way to the shouts of joy for those who pass into His glorious presence and see Him face to face. Live for Christ today, that you may live with Him forever.
Prayer: O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You. In Jesus’ name, thank You, bless Your Holy Name, Amen.
Day 244: Psalm 79 — Always Leaning On Him
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010What a journey life is. It is full of emotions both good and bad. One day we can be riding the crest of the wave and the next be in the depth of despair. Is it purely externals that determine where we are emotionally? Do we have an active part in our lot in life?
I believe we do. Often we go about our daily life with no thought of God. It is not until something goes wrong that we think of Him. This is the problem of the ages. How many times did Israel abandon God’s ways only to suffer for their actions? Then to plead with God for forgiveness (Psa 79). Warren Wiersbe in his book “Be Worshipful” writes the following:
As the kingdom of Judah declined, their kings and leaders became less and less devoted to the Lord. There were a few godly kings, such as Asa, Josiah, Joash, and Hezekiah, but foreign alliances, idolatry, and unbelief combined to weaken the kingdom and ripen it for judgment. The sins of the fathers accumulated until God could hold back His wrath no longer (Gen. 15:16; Matt. 23:32-33; 1 Thess. 2:13-16). We are guilty before God for only our own sins (Deut. 24:16; Jer. 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18), but we may suffer because of the sins of our ancestors (Ex. 20:5; Ex. 34:7; 2 Kings 17:7ff; 2 Kings 23:26-27; 2 Kings 24:3-4; Lam. 5:7; Dan. 9:4-14).
“But we may suffer because of the sins of our ancestors.” We live in a country that is quickly amassing sins before almighty God. Our response is “I didn’t have anything to do with those decisions.” But as a nation we will all have to bear the ultimate consequence of those sins in this life. So there is a reason to cry out, there is a reason to take a stand for God. There is a reason to pray that God will turn us back before we lie in ruins before the world as Israel did.
I can start with myself. I can place God in the forefront of my life. Maybe my wife and children will see, accept, and take this example and share it with others. Then one by one this nation will turn back to God.
Day 243: Psalm 78 — The Rooster Box
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010We sat in a circle and I held up a box and asked the kids what was inside the box. The kids were getting excited and they wanted to know what was inside. I was trying to build some suspense about the contents of the box. The box had a picture of a rooster on it and the kids naturally assumed that the box had a rooster inside. I told them that there was something else. It was a surprise. It was a dark deep secret from the past. I opened the lid to the box and they all moved closer and peeked in. Surprise! No rooster…no toy…nothing but another box. We did this several times until we were down to the smallest box. We opened it up and there was nothing inside. The kids were a little disappointed until I showed them that off to the side I had been building a tower out of the empty boxes. This was my introduction to the Tower of Babel. My point is that children love stories. They love to see how things work and how they interact with each other. Once we get past the super hero genres that parents are teaching their children, we can ground them in something with a little more depth. After my little box introduction to the Tower of Babel, I read a story and the children listened. We discussed wanting to be like God. They wanted to play act a little and I stood over them and acted like God looking down from the heavens at the tower. They played the people building the tower and were busy ignoring God.
Psalm 78 reminds us to tell the story of God and Israel to our children.
“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” (Psalm 78:1-4 , ESV)
Day 242: Psalm 75:1-77:20; Romans 14:1-23 — Are you weak or strong?
Monday, August 30th, 2010David shows God as mighty, ruling the cosmos. Waves of the sea fear Him. Yet sometimes He seems far away, we feel alone. He protects the weak, yet when will He act? David knows that God will act to uphold those who know Him, who alone cannot stand up to the powers of this world, who serve the Creator and have no other but Him to defend them. He has prepared strength to carry forward, rest for the weary, but in His way, not ours. David briefly bemoans his weakness and why God does not act, then refreshes his soul, knowing that it is in God’s way and His time the decisive strokes are dealt to deliver the weak and those in trouble, who trust the God of all the earth.
I cannot win this day alone nor on my terms. God is mighty, not I. Therein comes the essence of biblical faith and trust, holy confidence in the One Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Meanwhile, back in the church, do we smirk at the weak–those who disagree with me about God’s grace? Do they smirk at me when I find grace must be tempered by obedience to the will of God? Have you ever been called the “weaker brother?” I have, not fun, very confusing to be deemed to be the “weaker brother.” I have, also, been seen as the “liberal”–boy, that was weird, too! What can Paul mean by all this strong/weak talk? I believe he deals with confident actions which express our faith in God, not that I or you are less spiritual or mature before God–which is usually the hammer with which well meaning “mature brethren” wield Romans 14. Say a Christian Roman praetor invites a Christian Hebrew to Sunday dinner–pork roast. So what happens? They have to work it out, Paul says. Not that pork is wrong or right either way. Rather in Christ the way we deal with each other makes the difference. Ah, but there is the rub, my matter of faith is your matter of conscience–and vice versa. That we have to work out together as we are both in Christ. For, as David says, God will defend His people, so we had better decide we are both His people and work out the differences. Who is right and wrong? God is right. When we do not work together to figure things out, we are wrong. What is right or wrong in every case? That matrix is not given here, except that it is the process we must emphasize, the meeting of Christians, both faithful, both for whom Christ died, so we need to figure it out, together.
Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father, grant us the wisdom and humility to work together for unity so that the world may know Christ.