HETH – The 8th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow Your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey Your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to Your instructions.
(Psalms 119:59-61)
I really dig these 3 verses and the connection they make between God’s WORD and our BEHAVIOR. The way I look at these verses, we see 3 specific things that God’s Word does to modify, change, or improve our behavior.
Changes our direction – The first thing I notice is that when we are submitted to God’s Word, it can and will alter the direction our life is taking. Here the Psalmist is looking at his own life and pondering the direction he is heading, and when he introduces the WORD we see that it causes him to TURN. Sometimes this turn is slight, a degree here or a degree there… other times it is a full 180 degrees. Regardless of how significant the change may be, we see that if God’s Word is really allowed to work in our lives, it should be producing COURSE CORRECTIONS on a REGULAR BASIS.
Moves us forward – Secondly we note that if the Word is being heard and heeded properly it will produce INSTANTANEOUS OBEDIENCE. Often we know the right thing to do, and we may even plan on doing it, but we delay. We think, “I realize this probably isn’t the best thing I could be doing, but I’ll deal with it later”. That attitude is an indicator that we are not allowing the Word to do the work God wants it to. When our heart attitude is right we will HURRY TO OBEY the commands of the Lord.
Keeps us steadfast – Even while we are moving forward, changing direction, hurrying to serve and obey, we need to be FIRMLY ANCHORED. This world constantly throws us curveballs, but if we will keep relating to the Word of God the way we should, we will never be pulled off of our firm foundation. Do you realize that there are people who actually want to drag you into sin? Most people that don’t know the Lord are not going to make holiness easy… they will attempt to make it difficult. In light of this, we need to be ANCHORED in the Word of God. We need to KNOW it so that it can serve to keep us firmly anchored in truth.
My friends… read God’s Word! Be doers, allow it to actually change your life! Listen to what it speaks, and believe it as you seek to follow Jesus, the “Living Word”.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Psalm 119:49-56
ZAIN – The seventh letter in the Hebrew alphabet.
These eight verses are really neat… the talk about how the Psalmist HAS relied upon God’s word in the PAST, and currently all he knows to be true is being assaulted by his enemies. In light of this, the Psalmist declares:
Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
(Psalms 119:54)
What a cool concept! Let’s break it apart, take a close look at it, and then put it back together so we can see how it applies to us.
YOUR STATUTES HAVE BEEN MY SONGS – Statutes are literally MANDATES or DECREES… they truths God has declared that have immediate implications for our lives. Not simple statements, but declarations that require a response. The psalmist writes here that those things that God had decreed and mandated had become SONGS HE WOULD SING. A song is often an expression of what is going on in the heart of a person. When I write songs, I attempt to give voice to the work God is doing in my heart. I believe that is what the psalmist is talking about here… the things God decreed had become the “songs of His heart”. No longer cut and dry “regulations”, these Statutes of God had become the very breath of life to the psalmist.
IN THE HOUSE OF MY PILGRIMAGE – This is an AWESOME statement! It is somewhat paradoxical in nature, but gives us a picture of the life of a real believer. This person KNEW that they were on a PILGRIMAGE. Pilgrimage is in essence an attitude of SOJOURNING, a recognition that this world is not our home, that we are merely passing through. In this life of pilgrimage, the Psalmist found that IN GOD AND HIS WORD He found a PERMANENT DWELLING PLACE! So, we are just passing through, but we have a permanent resting place in the Lord!
If we put this together, it tells us this:
We may experience difficulty, and at times we may see circumstances that make believing the promises of God difficult. At these times, we need to let the song of our heart be the statutes of God, and remember that though we have a permanent place in Him, we are merely passing through this world! My friends, it can be a lonely road… We need to know the Word of God, and be in constant communion with the God of the Word if we are to sing pilgrim songs as we rest in Him!
These eight verses are really neat… the talk about how the Psalmist HAS relied upon God’s word in the PAST, and currently all he knows to be true is being assaulted by his enemies. In light of this, the Psalmist declares:
Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
(Psalms 119:54)
What a cool concept! Let’s break it apart, take a close look at it, and then put it back together so we can see how it applies to us.
YOUR STATUTES HAVE BEEN MY SONGS – Statutes are literally MANDATES or DECREES… they truths God has declared that have immediate implications for our lives. Not simple statements, but declarations that require a response. The psalmist writes here that those things that God had decreed and mandated had become SONGS HE WOULD SING. A song is often an expression of what is going on in the heart of a person. When I write songs, I attempt to give voice to the work God is doing in my heart. I believe that is what the psalmist is talking about here… the things God decreed had become the “songs of His heart”. No longer cut and dry “regulations”, these Statutes of God had become the very breath of life to the psalmist.
IN THE HOUSE OF MY PILGRIMAGE – This is an AWESOME statement! It is somewhat paradoxical in nature, but gives us a picture of the life of a real believer. This person KNEW that they were on a PILGRIMAGE. Pilgrimage is in essence an attitude of SOJOURNING, a recognition that this world is not our home, that we are merely passing through. In this life of pilgrimage, the Psalmist found that IN GOD AND HIS WORD He found a PERMANENT DWELLING PLACE! So, we are just passing through, but we have a permanent resting place in the Lord!
If we put this together, it tells us this:
We may experience difficulty, and at times we may see circumstances that make believing the promises of God difficult. At these times, we need to let the song of our heart be the statutes of God, and remember that though we have a permanent place in Him, we are merely passing through this world! My friends, it can be a lonely road… We need to know the Word of God, and be in constant communion with the God of the Word if we are to sing pilgrim songs as we rest in Him!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Psalm 119:41-48
VAU – The Sixth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
Let your love, GOD, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.
(Psalms 119:41-42)
This is one of the many benefits of knowing, reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God that we do not often think about. If we are regularly interacting with God’s Word, then we KNOW WHAT IT PROMISES and are able to PRAY ACCORDINGLY.
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people praying for things that ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE with the Word of God, and then wondering why He didn’t answer the way He thought they would. Just as often, I am sure there are people failing to ask God for certain things, because they are UNAWARE of the promises He gives in regard to them.
Here we see the psalmist give us a powerful example. He asks the Lord to shape His life with the ongoing work of salvation, BY His love, according to His promise. Many of us might think “huh? I thought salvation was all about going to heaven?” Guess what… If we read our bibles more, we would know that SALVATION is something that HAS happened, IS happening, and WILL happen. We HAVE BEEN justified, we ARE BEING sanctified, and we WILL BE glorified.
To put this same thought into my own words it might look like this: “God, thank you for your love for me, and thank you that your Word promises to save me fully. I’m glad salvation isn’t just a past act, but that it is something going on now, and something I can look forward to in the future. I’m so glad you wanna make me more like you, and I can’t wait until that day when I will actually be saved from this sin nature that constantly fights within me. God, please keep working in my life, the way you have promised, keep shaping me into you image by the ongoing work of your love, saving me completely.”
When we can relate to God and His word this way, the second verse I quoted above (vs. 42) can be true in our lives. When we actually trust in God’s Word in real tangible ways, when we pray God’s promises like we really mean it, then the opposition we face in this life will not be able to take us out. The psalmist here says people mocked him and ridiculed him… yet he didn’t fall or falter. Why? Because he trusted in the WORD OF GOD! My friends… trust the Word of God, and you will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
Read it.
Know it.
Believe it.
Live it.
Love it.
Let your love, GOD, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.
(Psalms 119:41-42)
This is one of the many benefits of knowing, reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God that we do not often think about. If we are regularly interacting with God’s Word, then we KNOW WHAT IT PROMISES and are able to PRAY ACCORDINGLY.
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people praying for things that ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE with the Word of God, and then wondering why He didn’t answer the way He thought they would. Just as often, I am sure there are people failing to ask God for certain things, because they are UNAWARE of the promises He gives in regard to them.
Here we see the psalmist give us a powerful example. He asks the Lord to shape His life with the ongoing work of salvation, BY His love, according to His promise. Many of us might think “huh? I thought salvation was all about going to heaven?” Guess what… If we read our bibles more, we would know that SALVATION is something that HAS happened, IS happening, and WILL happen. We HAVE BEEN justified, we ARE BEING sanctified, and we WILL BE glorified.
To put this same thought into my own words it might look like this: “God, thank you for your love for me, and thank you that your Word promises to save me fully. I’m glad salvation isn’t just a past act, but that it is something going on now, and something I can look forward to in the future. I’m so glad you wanna make me more like you, and I can’t wait until that day when I will actually be saved from this sin nature that constantly fights within me. God, please keep working in my life, the way you have promised, keep shaping me into you image by the ongoing work of your love, saving me completely.”
When we can relate to God and His word this way, the second verse I quoted above (vs. 42) can be true in our lives. When we actually trust in God’s Word in real tangible ways, when we pray God’s promises like we really mean it, then the opposition we face in this life will not be able to take us out. The psalmist here says people mocked him and ridiculed him… yet he didn’t fall or falter. Why? Because he trusted in the WORD OF GOD! My friends… trust the Word of God, and you will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
Read it.
Know it.
Believe it.
Live it.
Love it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Psalm 119:33-40
HE – The fifth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
These eight verses work together to help us remember that in our relationship with the LORD, HE is the initiator and WE are the responders. As we read the Psalm we see a back and forth between the LORD’S work and the PSALMISTS response. One cannot take place without the other… if the Lord didn’t initiate, we would not be able to respond… on the flipside, if we didn’t respond, the Lord would not move on. Sometimes you may feel like your relationship with the Lord has stalled, or maybe reached a plateau. I would venture to say that what you are observing is an indication of a failure to respond on your part. God speaks… we must respond.
Notice the first two verses:
GOD TEACHES HIS STATUTES – THE PSALMIST KEEPS THEM TO THE END
GOD GIVES UNDERSTANDING – THE PSALMIST KEEPS THE WORD WITH HIS WHOLE HEART
There is this call and response… God teaches, psalmist responds; God enlightens, the heart of the hearer is enlarged. This description of God’s work and what it causes goes on, and the emphasis is on this ongoing work that GOD is doing, and the fact that He is doing it in connection to HIS WORD. Verse 40 (the final verse in this section) marks a real shift in the content of the Psalm… Here the psalmist cries out that he “LONGS FOR GOD’S PRECEPTS”. – This causes me to ask myself a question… am I longing for God’s Word? Do I hunger for it? Am I finding myself drawn to it? If not, then maybe I need to look back and see if I have failed to respond to God’s ongoing work in my life. Maybe I have allowed myself to Plateau by not pressing in… and now I’m losing my appetite.
God is the great initiator, but that does not excuse us from PURSUING HIM. Here the Psalmist tells us that in light of all God does, HE IS LONGING FOR GOD TO SPEAK. Beyond that, He wants God to QUICKEN him in HIS righteousness. Are you hungry for God’s righteousness? Are you thirsty for His voice? Do you long to see Him work in your life? If you answered yes to these questions, then look for HIM to speak, and be prepared to respond!
These eight verses work together to help us remember that in our relationship with the LORD, HE is the initiator and WE are the responders. As we read the Psalm we see a back and forth between the LORD’S work and the PSALMISTS response. One cannot take place without the other… if the Lord didn’t initiate, we would not be able to respond… on the flipside, if we didn’t respond, the Lord would not move on. Sometimes you may feel like your relationship with the Lord has stalled, or maybe reached a plateau. I would venture to say that what you are observing is an indication of a failure to respond on your part. God speaks… we must respond.
Notice the first two verses:
GOD TEACHES HIS STATUTES – THE PSALMIST KEEPS THEM TO THE END
GOD GIVES UNDERSTANDING – THE PSALMIST KEEPS THE WORD WITH HIS WHOLE HEART
There is this call and response… God teaches, psalmist responds; God enlightens, the heart of the hearer is enlarged. This description of God’s work and what it causes goes on, and the emphasis is on this ongoing work that GOD is doing, and the fact that He is doing it in connection to HIS WORD. Verse 40 (the final verse in this section) marks a real shift in the content of the Psalm… Here the psalmist cries out that he “LONGS FOR GOD’S PRECEPTS”. – This causes me to ask myself a question… am I longing for God’s Word? Do I hunger for it? Am I finding myself drawn to it? If not, then maybe I need to look back and see if I have failed to respond to God’s ongoing work in my life. Maybe I have allowed myself to Plateau by not pressing in… and now I’m losing my appetite.
God is the great initiator, but that does not excuse us from PURSUING HIM. Here the Psalmist tells us that in light of all God does, HE IS LONGING FOR GOD TO SPEAK. Beyond that, He wants God to QUICKEN him in HIS righteousness. Are you hungry for God’s righteousness? Are you thirsty for His voice? Do you long to see Him work in your life? If you answered yes to these questions, then look for HIM to speak, and be prepared to respond!
Psalm 119:25-32
DALETH – the fourth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
The psalmist continues to sing his praises to God for his Word, doing so by starting each “verse” in this 8 verse “poem” with the letter DALETH. I want us to focus in on 3 of these 8 verses in particular today. They are:
I lie in the dust; revive me by Your word.
(Psalms 119:25)
I weep with sorrow; encourage me by Your word.
(Psalms 119:28)
I cling to Your laws. LORD, don't let me be put to shame!
(Psalms 119:31)
Just looking at these 3 verses, we see that when a person is:
SPIRITUALLY DRY – The Lord can revive them; but the vehicle through which He often does this is HIS WORD. Maybe you have had this kind of experience before… spiritually you feel like your sucking dust, you’re in a desert place and you long for a drink of water. The Word of God is no Mirage… it is a FOUNTAIN of life, a RIVER of living water. All we have to do is be faithful to turn to it, to open it’s pages and open our hearts, and the Lord will speak and REVIVE us. The King James uses the word QUICKEN to describe what God’s word does… I like that, it gives us the impression of a dead thing being INFUSED with life.
SPIRITUALLY WEIGHED DOWN – The Lord can relieve the burden! God’s word offers us both strength and encouragement. We go through times of sorrow, times when as the King James puts it, “our soul melts with heaviness”. At these times we often cry out to the Lord for RELIEF, when what the Lord really wants is to GIVE US STRENGTH TO BEAR THE BURDEN. When we turn to His word in these times, He is able to give us strength that can come from no other place! My friends, seek God in times of difficulty, and do it by opening his word.
Notice the attitude of the Psalmist… because he knows that the Lord can do these things through His word, HE CLINGS TO THE LAW OF THE LORD! My friends, are you clinging to God’s Word? Are you hanging on to it for dear life, or is your relationship to it casual? I pray that as we continue to study this Psalm it would cause all of us to fall more in love with the Bible, and recognize the central role it should play in our lives.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Psalm 119:18
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
We have all heard the term, "More than meets the eye." You have also heard "Never judge a book by its cover." I do not know about you, but I like to be pleasantly surprised. I like it when things or people go beyond my expectations. I have played sports for years. It is always fun when the person you think will be no good ends up being the best person on the court.
Enter the Word of God. The Psalmist asks the Lord to open His eyes: "that I may see Wondrous things from your law." What type of Wondrous things? Imagine all the prophesy pertaining to Jesus before He came. Imagine the gift it was to understand all these things. One man did. His name was Simeon. By the brief story we recognize that this man knew a the general time Jesus would come to earth (probably judging by the 70 week prophesy in Daniel). He also recognized that Jesus would do far more than set up and earthly kingdom, but that he would be the salvation of both Israel and the Gentiles. What a Wondrous thing indeed!
Read God's Word. Ask the Lord to open your eyes. There are great and Wondrous things He is just waiting to reveal to you.
We have all heard the term, "More than meets the eye." You have also heard "Never judge a book by its cover." I do not know about you, but I like to be pleasantly surprised. I like it when things or people go beyond my expectations. I have played sports for years. It is always fun when the person you think will be no good ends up being the best person on the court.
Enter the Word of God. The Psalmist asks the Lord to open His eyes: "that I may see Wondrous things from your law." What type of Wondrous things? Imagine all the prophesy pertaining to Jesus before He came. Imagine the gift it was to understand all these things. One man did. His name was Simeon. By the brief story we recognize that this man knew a the general time Jesus would come to earth (probably judging by the 70 week prophesy in Daniel). He also recognized that Jesus would do far more than set up and earthly kingdom, but that he would be the salvation of both Israel and the Gentiles. What a Wondrous thing indeed!
Read God's Word. Ask the Lord to open your eyes. There are great and Wondrous things He is just waiting to reveal to you.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Psalm 119:9-16
Psa 119:9-11 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. (10) With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! (11) Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
These are some of my favorite verses in the Bible. The first verse answers a difficult question. The second verse asks the Lord for help. The third verse is a declaration of love and commitment.
There is one thing that stands out above all in these verses. It is the power of the Word of God. How can a young amn stay pure? Only by the Word. How is it that we keep from sinning against the Lord? By hiding His word in our heart. It becomes crystal clear that there is power in the Word of God.
This world is influential. It sends messages to us through everything! Every time we turn on the tele it is telling us we want. How often have you seen a favorite drink or food on the television and wanted it? More so then anything, they are not trying to convince you of their product immediately, but are simply trying to introduce you and familiarize you with their product. This not only applies to a product, but applies to every sort of message the world is trying to communicate.
Enter the Word of God. When you read the Word of God, you may not even remember the verses you read. Nevertheless, what you are reading is having an incredible effect on the decisions you will make that day. It is a cleansing, purifying, anti-world we need. Most of all, it has greter power than the influences of the world.
We are involved in a great tug-of-war. Without the Word hidden in your heart, you will not stay pure and you will sin against the Lord. With the Word hidden in your heart you will not be swayed by the influences of the world.
These are some of my favorite verses in the Bible. The first verse answers a difficult question. The second verse asks the Lord for help. The third verse is a declaration of love and commitment.
There is one thing that stands out above all in these verses. It is the power of the Word of God. How can a young amn stay pure? Only by the Word. How is it that we keep from sinning against the Lord? By hiding His word in our heart. It becomes crystal clear that there is power in the Word of God.
This world is influential. It sends messages to us through everything! Every time we turn on the tele it is telling us we want. How often have you seen a favorite drink or food on the television and wanted it? More so then anything, they are not trying to convince you of their product immediately, but are simply trying to introduce you and familiarize you with their product. This not only applies to a product, but applies to every sort of message the world is trying to communicate.
Enter the Word of God. When you read the Word of God, you may not even remember the verses you read. Nevertheless, what you are reading is having an incredible effect on the decisions you will make that day. It is a cleansing, purifying, anti-world we need. Most of all, it has greter power than the influences of the world.
We are involved in a great tug-of-war. Without the Word hidden in your heart, you will not stay pure and you will sin against the Lord. With the Word hidden in your heart you will not be swayed by the influences of the world.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Psalm 119:1-8
Psa 119:5-6 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! (6) Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
Have you ever been ashamed before Jesus? I love the passion in which the Psalmist writes down his words. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your statutes!" The psalmist is not just singing, he is crying out. He is requiring of the Lord from the bottom of his heart.
I find it funny that we either get ashamed before the Lord, or we get ashamed of the Lord. Ever carry around your Bible and get ashamed, or embarrassed? Both have the same result, we cower away from what the Lord wants.
The fact of the matter is that we all get ashamed in one way or another. We should not. Take a moment to just go to the Lord. Ask Him to direct your way. Ask Him to direct, that you might not be ashamed. If we had no care for our own personal image, and we stood confidently before our Lord, who knows what God could do through us!
Have you ever been ashamed before Jesus? I love the passion in which the Psalmist writes down his words. "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your statutes!" The psalmist is not just singing, he is crying out. He is requiring of the Lord from the bottom of his heart.
I find it funny that we either get ashamed before the Lord, or we get ashamed of the Lord. Ever carry around your Bible and get ashamed, or embarrassed? Both have the same result, we cower away from what the Lord wants.
The fact of the matter is that we all get ashamed in one way or another. We should not. Take a moment to just go to the Lord. Ask Him to direct your way. Ask Him to direct, that you might not be ashamed. If we had no care for our own personal image, and we stood confidently before our Lord, who knows what God could do through us!
Psalm 119 - Intro
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the whole Bible. Rather than try and do the whole thing in one sitting, we are going to break it up in pieces. You see, Psalm 119 is what is known as an “acrostic” and it goes through all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order, one stanza for each letter, an each line of a particular stanza starts with the letter it represents.
Just as the layout of the psalm is planned, so is the content. It isn’t random, but is actually very intentional in what it addresses. This beautiful Psalm is all about the WORD OF GOD. It talks about what the Word of God is, what it does, and how we should relate to it. So, over the next 22 days we will be taking a look at this psalm, and getting to know the WORD a little better… What it is, what it does, and how we should relate to it as believers.
So, start reading Psalm 119 now, and let it stir up a deeper hunger in you fro the glorious Word of God!
Just as the layout of the psalm is planned, so is the content. It isn’t random, but is actually very intentional in what it addresses. This beautiful Psalm is all about the WORD OF GOD. It talks about what the Word of God is, what it does, and how we should relate to it. So, over the next 22 days we will be taking a look at this psalm, and getting to know the WORD a little better… What it is, what it does, and how we should relate to it as believers.
So, start reading Psalm 119 now, and let it stir up a deeper hunger in you fro the glorious Word of God!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Psalm 118
The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing, and it is wonderful to see.
(Psalms 118:22-23)
There is a Jewish traditional tale that may be true, or it may be a myth… it goes something like this…
When Solomon’s temple was being built, all of the work was done offsite. Stones were cut, things were prepared, and all of the noisy messy stuff was done far away from the temple mount. When pieces were ready they would be brought to the temple mount and as silently as possible put into place. One day a stone came that didn’t seem to fit with the other stones. No one knew what to do with this stone, so it got shoved to the side and soon forgotten. When the temple was nearly done everyone realized that one majorly important piece was missing… THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE! This was a special stone that would sit at the top of one of the corners, a CAPSTONE. As the builders all frantically looked for this stone, someone eventually found it. It was pushed off to the side, the very stone that no one could find a place for, it had been neglected and rejected, and it was the most important stone of all.
This story, whether true or not, is a shadow of what this Psalm is prophesying. Jesus is the stone that the “builders” (the religious leaders of the day) rejected. He was cast aside, not fitting the picture they had of who Messiah was and what He should be all about. After he was crucified, He rose again and became the MOST IMPORTANT PIECE IN THE “TEMPLE” OF GOD! You see, Jesus is our foundation, he is the chief cornerstone. He is the show piece, the most beautiful thing God could ever give us… yet He was rejected by men, cast off as if He were garbage!
What are you doing with Jesus today? Are you honoring Him as the precious cornerstone of your life, or are you pushing Him away because He doesn’t fit in with your plans??? Think about it… And don’t make the mistake the Pharisees made!
(Psalms 118:22-23)
There is a Jewish traditional tale that may be true, or it may be a myth… it goes something like this…
When Solomon’s temple was being built, all of the work was done offsite. Stones were cut, things were prepared, and all of the noisy messy stuff was done far away from the temple mount. When pieces were ready they would be brought to the temple mount and as silently as possible put into place. One day a stone came that didn’t seem to fit with the other stones. No one knew what to do with this stone, so it got shoved to the side and soon forgotten. When the temple was nearly done everyone realized that one majorly important piece was missing… THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE! This was a special stone that would sit at the top of one of the corners, a CAPSTONE. As the builders all frantically looked for this stone, someone eventually found it. It was pushed off to the side, the very stone that no one could find a place for, it had been neglected and rejected, and it was the most important stone of all.
This story, whether true or not, is a shadow of what this Psalm is prophesying. Jesus is the stone that the “builders” (the religious leaders of the day) rejected. He was cast aside, not fitting the picture they had of who Messiah was and what He should be all about. After he was crucified, He rose again and became the MOST IMPORTANT PIECE IN THE “TEMPLE” OF GOD! You see, Jesus is our foundation, he is the chief cornerstone. He is the show piece, the most beautiful thing God could ever give us… yet He was rejected by men, cast off as if He were garbage!
What are you doing with Jesus today? Are you honoring Him as the precious cornerstone of your life, or are you pushing Him away because He doesn’t fit in with your plans??? Think about it… And don’t make the mistake the Pharisees made!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Psalm 117
Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise Him, all you people of the earth. For He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 117:1-2)
Do you ever feel like you just don’t want to praise God? Not in the “I feel angry at God” kind of way, but more like “I just don’t really feel up to singing/praying/expressing praises to God right now”. These feelings can be for any number of reasons… maybe you’re sick, maybe you’re tired, maybe you just don’t feel like you’re connected to Him; whatever the reason may be, your response is a complacent “Mehh, maybe later”.
Today’s short little Psalm tells us that no matter who you are, or where you live, you always have at least 2 reasons to praise the Lord. According to these 2 little verses EVERY PERSON ON EARTH has 2 reasons to praise the lord ALL THE TIME.
These 2 reasons are really quite basic, but if we can grasp them then they can be quite revolutionary in the affect they can have on our life and our worship.
Reason #1 – God loves you with an unfailing love. No matter what your current experience may be, this is a fact you can take to the bank. GOD LOVES YOU… And His love isn’t one that changes based on how well you are doing! It is an unfailing love! Now, my love, it is a love that will at some point (probably many points) fail. But God’s love, it NEVER FAILS. So, why should you praise God? Because right now, He loves you more than anyone else in this world ever could; He always has, and He always will!
Reason #2 – God is FOREVER FAITHFUL. The commitment that God has made to protect you, love you, and serve you will never expire. It isn’t like a warranty or a service plan… it has no lifetime, it is ETERNAL. He will never let you down; he will never leave you hanging. So why should you praise God? Because He is the only person in the entire universe that will take care of you for all eternity!
My friends stop whatever you are doing right now and take some time to PRAISE THE LORD!!!
(Psalms 117:1-2)
Do you ever feel like you just don’t want to praise God? Not in the “I feel angry at God” kind of way, but more like “I just don’t really feel up to singing/praying/expressing praises to God right now”. These feelings can be for any number of reasons… maybe you’re sick, maybe you’re tired, maybe you just don’t feel like you’re connected to Him; whatever the reason may be, your response is a complacent “Mehh, maybe later”.
Today’s short little Psalm tells us that no matter who you are, or where you live, you always have at least 2 reasons to praise the Lord. According to these 2 little verses EVERY PERSON ON EARTH has 2 reasons to praise the lord ALL THE TIME.
These 2 reasons are really quite basic, but if we can grasp them then they can be quite revolutionary in the affect they can have on our life and our worship.
Reason #1 – God loves you with an unfailing love. No matter what your current experience may be, this is a fact you can take to the bank. GOD LOVES YOU… And His love isn’t one that changes based on how well you are doing! It is an unfailing love! Now, my love, it is a love that will at some point (probably many points) fail. But God’s love, it NEVER FAILS. So, why should you praise God? Because right now, He loves you more than anyone else in this world ever could; He always has, and He always will!
Reason #2 – God is FOREVER FAITHFUL. The commitment that God has made to protect you, love you, and serve you will never expire. It isn’t like a warranty or a service plan… it has no lifetime, it is ETERNAL. He will never let you down; he will never leave you hanging. So why should you praise God? Because He is the only person in the entire universe that will take care of you for all eternity!
My friends stop whatever you are doing right now and take some time to PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Psalm 116
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.
(Psalms 116:12-13)
In this Psalm David begins by talking about the fact that God really does hear our prayers. He doesn’t just hear, but in fact, he answers them! As David lists off some of the ways the Lord had been so wonderful in answering his prayers, he is brought to this question…
“What can I give to the Lord for all that He has done for me”? It is a great question to ask. Each one of us can look at our lives and see that have so much to be thankful for, so much that the Lord has done for us. It is a natural response for us to look then and say, “What can I do to repay you, even in part?”
How would you answer that question? What can you give to the Lord? The truth is we really have nothing in and of ourselves to offer Him. Anything good in us is only because of Him, so there really isn’t anything we can do to pay Him back. In light of this truth David says he will TAKE the cup of salvation. In other words, what He will give to the Lord is His willing acceptance of the work God wants to do in his life.
Today, what will you give to the Lord? Will you take the cup of his salvation? Will you call on Him and receive all that He wants to do in you? My friends realize today that what the Lord wants from you is a yielded life… He wants to be able to work freely in you and through you, unrestricted!
(Psalms 116:12-13)
In this Psalm David begins by talking about the fact that God really does hear our prayers. He doesn’t just hear, but in fact, he answers them! As David lists off some of the ways the Lord had been so wonderful in answering his prayers, he is brought to this question…
“What can I give to the Lord for all that He has done for me”? It is a great question to ask. Each one of us can look at our lives and see that have so much to be thankful for, so much that the Lord has done for us. It is a natural response for us to look then and say, “What can I do to repay you, even in part?”
How would you answer that question? What can you give to the Lord? The truth is we really have nothing in and of ourselves to offer Him. Anything good in us is only because of Him, so there really isn’t anything we can do to pay Him back. In light of this truth David says he will TAKE the cup of salvation. In other words, what He will give to the Lord is His willing acceptance of the work God wants to do in his life.
Today, what will you give to the Lord? Will you take the cup of his salvation? Will you call on Him and receive all that He wants to do in you? My friends realize today that what the Lord wants from you is a yielded life… He wants to be able to work freely in you and through you, unrestricted!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Psalm 115
All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield.
(Psalms 115:11)
In this Psalm the Psalmist talks to us all about the difference between the LORD and the idols that men and women create. As he goes on he calls on all Israel to trust the Lord. He asks that all the priests, the descendant of Aaron would fear the Lord. Then, in the verse we will focus on this morning, he tells us that “all who fear the Lord” should trust the Lord. In each one of these instances the writer reminds us that the Lord is both our HELPER and our SHIELD. He is there not only to assist and empower us as a “helper”, but also to PROTECT us as our shield.
This idea of fearing the Lord is one we have talked about before. In the most simple of terms it is the recognition that God is ALL POWERFUL and we are woefully un-powerful. It is the acknowledgement of the fact that before Him, we stand as sinners, and He is utterly holy. This FEAR is simply the natural result of a biblical recognition of who God is and who we are.
Having come to the place of biblical fear of God, an appropriate and reverential respect, we are admonished to trust Him. Now, you might read that and think, “How could you have a real reverential respect for God without first putting faith in Him”? The answer is quite simple. The writer isn’t talking about a one time decision… when the psalmist says trust the Lord; he means keep on trusting the Lord! So, if you fear the Lord today, then take a step back and trust the Lord! Trust Him with the details of your personal life. Trust Him with your fears about what may or may not be going on in our country. Trust Him with your future, trust Him with today, and trust Him with all that you have and all that you are!
(Psalms 115:11)
In this Psalm the Psalmist talks to us all about the difference between the LORD and the idols that men and women create. As he goes on he calls on all Israel to trust the Lord. He asks that all the priests, the descendant of Aaron would fear the Lord. Then, in the verse we will focus on this morning, he tells us that “all who fear the Lord” should trust the Lord. In each one of these instances the writer reminds us that the Lord is both our HELPER and our SHIELD. He is there not only to assist and empower us as a “helper”, but also to PROTECT us as our shield.
This idea of fearing the Lord is one we have talked about before. In the most simple of terms it is the recognition that God is ALL POWERFUL and we are woefully un-powerful. It is the acknowledgement of the fact that before Him, we stand as sinners, and He is utterly holy. This FEAR is simply the natural result of a biblical recognition of who God is and who we are.
Having come to the place of biblical fear of God, an appropriate and reverential respect, we are admonished to trust Him. Now, you might read that and think, “How could you have a real reverential respect for God without first putting faith in Him”? The answer is quite simple. The writer isn’t talking about a one time decision… when the psalmist says trust the Lord; he means keep on trusting the Lord! So, if you fear the Lord today, then take a step back and trust the Lord! Trust Him with the details of your personal life. Trust Him with your fears about what may or may not be going on in our country. Trust Him with your future, trust Him with today, and trust Him with all that you have and all that you are!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Psalm 114
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.
(Psalms 114:7-8)
This Psalm talks all about the work that God did with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and eventually into Promised Land. The interesting thing about this Psalm is that the Psalmist focuses on how the earth itself responded to the work of God; seas parting, rivers opening, mountains and hills skipping like livestock; all in all a pretty amazing description of how ALL of creation is subjected to God’s control.
The Psalm ends with a description of how God caused water to come pouring out of rock… a demonstration of His complete control of the elements. Before that closing thought though, we see the main idea behind the psalm… the psalmist says “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” This idea of the earth trembling isn’t one of terror, but of reverential respect. We need to recognize that with a word God could cause all the elements of the earth to dissolve. He can do ANYTHING.
Today, tremble before the Lord, but not in terror. Do so in holy reverential worship, recognizing that God is so much greater than you, and that nothing is beyond Him. Be amazed at the power of our God today, and remember how God cleared a path for the Israelites… He can still do the same for you!
(Psalms 114:7-8)
This Psalm talks all about the work that God did with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and eventually into Promised Land. The interesting thing about this Psalm is that the Psalmist focuses on how the earth itself responded to the work of God; seas parting, rivers opening, mountains and hills skipping like livestock; all in all a pretty amazing description of how ALL of creation is subjected to God’s control.
The Psalm ends with a description of how God caused water to come pouring out of rock… a demonstration of His complete control of the elements. Before that closing thought though, we see the main idea behind the psalm… the psalmist says “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” This idea of the earth trembling isn’t one of terror, but of reverential respect. We need to recognize that with a word God could cause all the elements of the earth to dissolve. He can do ANYTHING.
Today, tremble before the Lord, but not in terror. Do so in holy reverential worship, recognizing that God is so much greater than you, and that nothing is beyond Him. Be amazed at the power of our God today, and remember how God cleared a path for the Israelites… He can still do the same for you!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Psalm 113
Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of His own people! He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 113:5-9)
I love this passage, for in it we are reminded where our true hope should reside. Our country is in the middle of an election cycle that keeps addressing these very themes. One candidate says we need “change”, the other says we need “straight talk”… I agree with both but where are we gonna find them? This last week Franklin Graham said this:
“I’d like to propose that the change we need is a change of the human heart – a moral and spiritual change – and we need some straight talk from the greatest manual on life ever written – God’s Word, the Holy Bible.”
I really like that… It is so true! In one sense, that is what this psalm is talking about. The leader that can “tell it like it is” and “bring the change we need” is Jesus Christ. He isn’t an elitist, separated from those he cares for, but He is able to transform them! He loves all men, and can transform those in economic turmoil, and those facing bereavement… He is the change we need.
So my friends, there is a change I can believe in, and there is a source for straight talk, that person is Jesus Christ. He tells it like it is and He can do the impossible in making us new men and women. Trust Him, listen to Him, rely upon Him… Jesus is one leader that will never let us down!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Psalm 112
Psa 112:6-7 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. (7) He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Believing in God is crucial. We have been studying what it is to truly believe in the Lord in our Jr. High class. It is more than a one time thing. It is more than praying "the prayer" of salvation. It is something we have to decide to do every day. Every time we mess up, we can look back and see it is from a lack of faith in what God is doing.
The righteous man described in these verses is never shaken and steadfast. I do not know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster. In this life everything is always changing. Where do we find some sturdy ground? How do we keep from feeling like we are in quick sand? The righteous man finds the answer in the Lord. He trusts and believes on Him for everything. He is not afraid of bad news, because he knows he has God.
Maybe your life has been a roller coaster ride. Maybe you feel the ground shifting under your feet. Find the Lord, trust in Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, yet His mercies are new every morning.
Believing in God is crucial. We have been studying what it is to truly believe in the Lord in our Jr. High class. It is more than a one time thing. It is more than praying "the prayer" of salvation. It is something we have to decide to do every day. Every time we mess up, we can look back and see it is from a lack of faith in what God is doing.
The righteous man described in these verses is never shaken and steadfast. I do not know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster. In this life everything is always changing. Where do we find some sturdy ground? How do we keep from feeling like we are in quick sand? The righteous man finds the answer in the Lord. He trusts and believes on Him for everything. He is not afraid of bad news, because he knows he has God.
Maybe your life has been a roller coaster ride. Maybe you feel the ground shifting under your feet. Find the Lord, trust in Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, yet His mercies are new every morning.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Psalm 111
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Solomon has a very wise Father. We often credit Solomon for penning down these words, but as we can see here, he must have learned this from his father. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? The word literally means to revere, even to the point of dread. This is how I feel about the ocean. I love going swimming. I love boogie boarding. However, I have a healthy respect for the ocean. I have had enought waves crash on me that I realize which one of us is bigger.
This does not mean that God wants us to be scared of Him. It is important for us to understand that He is all powerful, and we are not. Our attitude should be anything but flippant when approaching God. To fear Him, will be the first step to obtaining true wisdom.
Solomon has a very wise Father. We often credit Solomon for penning down these words, but as we can see here, he must have learned this from his father. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? The word literally means to revere, even to the point of dread. This is how I feel about the ocean. I love going swimming. I love boogie boarding. However, I have a healthy respect for the ocean. I have had enought waves crash on me that I realize which one of us is bigger.
This does not mean that God wants us to be scared of Him. It is important for us to understand that He is all powerful, and we are not. Our attitude should be anything but flippant when approaching God. To fear Him, will be the first step to obtaining true wisdom.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Psalm 110
Psa 110:4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
This is the first time the name of Melchizedek is mentioned outside the book of Genesis. He is kind of a mysterious figure. Some will argue, "Was that Jesus Christ revealing Himself to Abraham or was that just a type of Christ." I cannot give a precise answer, however I can provide interesting facts.
1. Melchizedek was the first and only mention of a King / Priest in the Bible outside of Jesus. He was said to be a High Priest. This meant that he lead his people spiritually. He gave the offering that forgave their sins. He was the people's bridge between them and God.
He was also a King. He led the people. He ruled over them. They followed him wherever he said, and he had complete authority.
2. Melchizedek was king of Salem (Peace), later to be Jerusalem. Jesus promises to be Lord of Jerusalem and rule over it forever. Whoever this mysterious character was, he was on the throne of the most important city in history.
3. Hebrews tells us as well as our featured verse that Jesus came from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Only a greater entitiy could bless and the lesser would receive. Melchizedek confidently blessed Abraham, knowing he was the greater entity of the two. Jesus does the same for us, blessing us as the greater.
4. Melchizedek broke bread with Abraham. Although Melchizedek was greater, he invites Abraham as an equal, to break and eat at his table. So Jesus invites us to His table to eat with Him!
There is plenty more to learn. To do so, turn to the following Chapters: Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7
This is the first time the name of Melchizedek is mentioned outside the book of Genesis. He is kind of a mysterious figure. Some will argue, "Was that Jesus Christ revealing Himself to Abraham or was that just a type of Christ." I cannot give a precise answer, however I can provide interesting facts.
1. Melchizedek was the first and only mention of a King / Priest in the Bible outside of Jesus. He was said to be a High Priest. This meant that he lead his people spiritually. He gave the offering that forgave their sins. He was the people's bridge between them and God.
He was also a King. He led the people. He ruled over them. They followed him wherever he said, and he had complete authority.
2. Melchizedek was king of Salem (Peace), later to be Jerusalem. Jesus promises to be Lord of Jerusalem and rule over it forever. Whoever this mysterious character was, he was on the throne of the most important city in history.
3. Hebrews tells us as well as our featured verse that Jesus came from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Only a greater entitiy could bless and the lesser would receive. Melchizedek confidently blessed Abraham, knowing he was the greater entity of the two. Jesus does the same for us, blessing us as the greater.
4. Melchizedek broke bread with Abraham. Although Melchizedek was greater, he invites Abraham as an equal, to break and eat at his table. So Jesus invites us to His table to eat with Him!
There is plenty more to learn. To do so, turn to the following Chapters: Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7
Monday, October 13, 2008
Psalm 109
Psa 109:27 That they may know that this is Your hand— That You, LORD, have done it!
David speaks some pretty intense words in this Psalm. It may seem like he has a bitter grudge against an individual. We know David to be a man after God's own heart, therefore, why is David so bitter?
I believe our featured verse gives us the answer. Remember when David first heard Goliath. He was angry. He was angry that Israel was allowing this man to put down the name of the Lord. We was not angry because the giant was putting down Israel. David did not get upset because he had some sort of Jewish pride. It was simply because Israel was allowing Goliath to put down the name of the Lord.
David wants justice, and he wants it that God may be glorified. His prayer is intense, however he recognizes that to disrespect the Lord is an intense sin. Those spoken about in this chapter are lying, thieving, men who step on the poor and disrespect the Lord. Their one concern is to bring themselves glory. David therefore prays that their names be blotted out of history.
May the most important thing in our lives be God. May we live that He might be glorified. May the works of our hands be testimony that - GOD HAS DONE IT!
David speaks some pretty intense words in this Psalm. It may seem like he has a bitter grudge against an individual. We know David to be a man after God's own heart, therefore, why is David so bitter?
I believe our featured verse gives us the answer. Remember when David first heard Goliath. He was angry. He was angry that Israel was allowing this man to put down the name of the Lord. We was not angry because the giant was putting down Israel. David did not get upset because he had some sort of Jewish pride. It was simply because Israel was allowing Goliath to put down the name of the Lord.
David wants justice, and he wants it that God may be glorified. His prayer is intense, however he recognizes that to disrespect the Lord is an intense sin. Those spoken about in this chapter are lying, thieving, men who step on the poor and disrespect the Lord. Their one concern is to bring themselves glory. David therefore prays that their names be blotted out of history.
May the most important thing in our lives be God. May we live that He might be glorified. May the works of our hands be testimony that - GOD HAS DONE IT!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Psalm 108
Psa 108:2 Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.
Have you ever watched the sunrise? It can be a beautiful thing. I remember waking up at the beach in Ocean City. It was really early. I walked out to the ocean and simply watched the sun come up. Life is slower for these brief moments. You are watching the beginning of a new day. You are thinking of everything that will happen that day. If you are looking forward to something, it can be very exciting.
Here is David. He has awoken. He is excited about a brand new day. He is excited to spend time with the Lord. Despite that his enemies are at his feet, despite the fact that they are in battle, despite the fact that he finds no help from fellow man, he wakes to a new day excited to see God work. What glorious faith!
It is a new day! Wake the world up. Be excited. Whatever may be happening in your life right now, get excited about what the Lord is going to do. He is worthy to be praised.
Have you ever watched the sunrise? It can be a beautiful thing. I remember waking up at the beach in Ocean City. It was really early. I walked out to the ocean and simply watched the sun come up. Life is slower for these brief moments. You are watching the beginning of a new day. You are thinking of everything that will happen that day. If you are looking forward to something, it can be very exciting.
Here is David. He has awoken. He is excited about a brand new day. He is excited to spend time with the Lord. Despite that his enemies are at his feet, despite the fact that they are in battle, despite the fact that he finds no help from fellow man, he wakes to a new day excited to see God work. What glorious faith!
It is a new day! Wake the world up. Be excited. Whatever may be happening in your life right now, get excited about what the Lord is going to do. He is worthy to be praised.
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