Week of 4/5/20 - Pages 155 - 163

In Psalms 141 - 150 I see a collection of two bookends binding the range of expression that exists in a life with God. One bookend, Psalms 141 - 143 is one dominated by extreme fear of one’s enemies. The other bookend is the extravagant expression of praise, awe, and reverence for the God who created us.

The Bookend of Fear

In the first bookend, David the songwriter is expressing his deep fears of being pursued by King Saul and other political/spiritual enemies he faced in his life. David had seen the hand of God successfully intervene on his and God’s chosen behalf many, many times. How can he be so anxious? David is a conquering warrior, feared by his enemies, a poet, a King admired by his subjects, and a man after God’s own heart. Yet David’s fears were very real. David’s language and imagery is personal, desperate, vivid, and urgent.

David pleads with God to protect him,

“O LORD, I am calling to you, Please hurry!” Psalm 141: 1

“I cry out to the LORD I plead for the LORD’s mercy” Psalm 142: 1

“Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my plea!” Psalm 143: 1

“Come quickly, LORD, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me or I will die.” Psalm 143: 7

to help him escape from his enemies, to help him stay away from doing evil,

“Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.” Psalm 141: 4

“I look to you for help, O Sovereign LORD, You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.” Psalm 141: 9

“Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me.” Psalm 143: 9

to not abandon him, and instruct him to walk the way of righteousness.

“Led the godly strike me! I will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine, Don’t let me refuse it.” Psalm 141: 5

“When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.” Psalm 142: 2

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143: 10

David is unafraid to ask God to follow-thru with mercy, faithfulness and righteousness to his covenant promise. He is asking God, to be for him and not against him. Isn’t that way it is or us? For the believer whose enemy is a life threatening disease, a chronic debilitating disease, financial problems, broken and contentious work/family relationships, being overwhelmed by the continuous bad news around the globe, or when a believer falls short on living a righteous God honoring life. David speaks to this universal despair that we all encounter in different seasons of our life. In the end David always rests on the goodness of God.

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.” Psalm 143: 8

The Hallelujah Bookend

The second bookend, the Hallelujah bookend is the one I want to live continuously in. These last seven psalms close out the Book of Psalms with reverence, awe, a comprehensive look at ALL of God’s attributes of Holiness, Goodness, Love, Creativeness, Help, Protection, Restoration and Power over all creation and what is evil in the world. Psalm 144 and 145 are written by David and are a strong counterpoint to psalms 141-143. David leads the transition by “singing a new song” focusing on God’s greatness, power and blessing in contrast to man’s insignificance and praise.

One of my favorite verses is from Psalm 144. “ I will sing a new song to you, O God!” I feel that this captures one dimension of life with God after you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You really do want to sing a new song to Him! Those ancient hymns that seemed meaningless or empty before come to life with a restored heart.

Psalms 146-150 are full of Hallelujah’s. The Hebrew word for “Praise the Lord”. Each psalm in these five start and end with Hallelujah. In many ways these five are like the final crescendo of a great symphony. The psalmist’s composes in words a posture for the created being. A posture of thankful worship toward the Creator-God. The psalmist words stir me up and give me perspective on the human - God relationship. Instructs me where I should place my trust. These psalms speak to what a right relationship looks like. Way before Jesus brings the Good News. Jesus message to all that had ears to hear and eyes to see. God’s unconditional LOVE offered as a free gift, not through good works such that any should boast, but to all those who will give their life up, to follow Him. In a life marked by trust, letting go of your self interests, with a focus of dependence and obedience to God.

A Christian musician songwriter, Esther Mui, has put to music Psalm 145: 1-13, “ I will Extol You” and Psalm 144: 1-9, “Blessed be the LORD My Rock”. Please take a moment, shut out all distractions and just listen and seek the Lord’s face. Be sure to skip the Youtube AD that precedes each song ;-)

This one is very tender, based on Psalm 31 “Make Your Face to Shine Upon Your Servant”, by Esther Mui.

I’m thankful for musicians and vocalists who have the ability to take God’s Word and give it emotional wings that speak to our body, mind, soul, and heart!

Week of 3/29/20 - Pages 141 - 154

I have a two-part challenge for you this week!

Part 1: Relax for a moment. Reflect on what God is showing you in Psalms. Easy, right?

We have found psalmists expressing desperate cries … and joyous shouts. We have seen intense honesty – in anger and in thanksgiving, in isolation and in awe. The psalms deliver special insight into relationship – intimate relationship with the God of the universe!

On a personal level, my ears seem to perk up when I read the psalmists’ references to fear. Why? Well … I’m not exactly sure, so I decided to reflect on that. Here’s my attempt at my own simple psalm on this topic:

Righteous Fear

There is but one righteous fear;

All with an ear, let them hear.

Listen now to understand;

Choose which fear on which to stand.

 I fear so much. Confess I must.

Oft times misplaced is my trust.

So which fear that I possess?

Teach me now and I'll profess!

 Fear of losing or winning?

Fear of going on, sinning?

Falling into mortal traps,

Or fear of simple mishaps?

Fears for my daughter and son,

For orderly life undone.

Fear about what others think?

That can change in just a blink!

Don't stall here, where Satan cheers!

Christ has conquered all such fears!

So fear not these earthly snares,

Be not concerned with ill cares!

There is but one righteous fear

All with an ear, let them hear.

Now I'm giv'n to understand.

On fear of God - here I stand!

Psalm 128 captures this bottom line well: “How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow his ways!”

Now … for Part 2 of the challenge:

Part 2: As you complete this week’s reading, create your own psalm. It need not rhyme nor be profound. It can be long or short. The only requirements:  make it honest and make it yours. 

Remember, our Heavenly Father has precious thoughts about YOU, his marvelous workmanship (Psalm 139).  I know He will enjoy hearing your psalm!

Week of 3/22/20 - Pages 126 - 141

After reading about so much disobedience, unfaithfulness, and other behaviors that evoked God’s wrath in previous books of the old testament, how refreshing it is to read about the loving and compassionate characteristics of our God who I believe really is for us, loves us and wants to lavish us with good things.  Psalm 112 really struck me as it expounded on how God responds to those who “fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands”.  I have recited below items from Psalm 112 in first person, because I like to make scripture reading personal: 

1. My children will be successful everywhere.

2. My good deeds will last forever.

3. Light shines in the darkness for me.

4. Good will come to me if I lend money generously.

5. Good will come to me if I conduct my business fairly.

6. I will be long remembered.

7. I will not fear bad news but will confidently trust the Lord to care for me.

8. I will be confident and fearless and will face my foes triumphantly.

9. I will share freely and give generously to those in need.

10. I will have influence and honor, and the wicked will see this and be infuriated.

I love reading passages like this because I need constant reminders that God is for me, loves me, wants the best for me, and will use His power on my behalf.  John 3:16 is very famous, but reading this passage brought the verse that follow John 3:16 to mind,  John 3:17.  It says: “God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save it”.   There it is again in John 3:17, the picture of my God that does not want to condemn me or send his wrath upon me, but wants to save me and build me up.

Week of 3/15/20 - Pages 112 -126

A thousand years before Christ’s birth, in Psalms 104 – 112, the poetry of  psalmists expressed the Story of God’s redemption of His people through Jesus Christ.  This God-inspired prophecy, starting with Creation history, calls us to praise God today just as it did in David’s and Jesus’s time.  

In Psalm 104, God’s power is shown through the Creation of the World.  We are treated to a sensory explosion of words describing the beginnings of time.   Everything was made in God’s wisdom and the earth’s creatures depended on God.  If God turned away, the creatures panicked and died.   The psalmist praises God for the beautiful Creation.

Psalm 105 continues the praise to God for “…the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given.”  We are reminded of how God remained faithful and stood by His covenant through the times of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and will do so for “thousands of generations.” This Psalm is filled with God’s deliverance of His people so they (and we) would follow his decrees and obey His instructions.

Psalm 106 is one of lament.  Why -- when God had blessed all so bountifully?   We soon forgot what God had done and tested God’s patience –landing us in a dry wasteland of sin.  Despite our rebellion then and now, God continues to rescue us;  He remembers His covenant with us and “relented because of His unfailing love and mercy.” 

Psalm 107 foreshadows Jesus Christ, the One who will rescue and redeem us by God’s mercy, and allow us to stand in the presence of the Holy God.  It starts with: “His faithful love endures forever.  Has the Lord redeemed you?  Then speak out!”  When we cry out, He rescues us from our distress through Jesus, our Redeemer.  Our response?   “…Praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done.., and [to] exalt Him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.”  

In Psalms 108, David reminds us to plead to God for “help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless, [but] with God’s help, we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.”  

Psalm 109 sets David and us in a courtroom for trial.  Our case comes up for judgment with an accuser calling us guilty and an evil witness against us.  The accuser asks the “Lord [to] never forget the sins of [our] fathers” and “that [our] mother’s sin never be erased from the record.”  But when we, as David, cry out in faith and trust to be saved, we can give thanks for the Lord sent Jesus to “stand beside the needy, ready to save from those who condemn them (and us).”

Psalm 110 is written by David in prophetic language pointing to Jesus Christ, David’s descendant, who will be the Lord that “stands at our right hand to protect us.  It starts with:  “The Lord said to my Lord…” and is quoted by Jesus to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:44 shortly before his death when He offers it as explanation to the Pharisees.  Peter also quotes this passage in Acts 2:34 at Pentecost proclaiming that the crucified Jesus Christ was the Messiah.

Psalms 111 and 112 bring us full circle to praise of God for our redemption.  “How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands.  All His commandments are trustworthy.  They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.”  “God has paid a full ransom for His people” by His Son Jesus.  “He has guaranteed His covenant with them (and us) forever.”  “What a holy, awe-inspiring name He has!” 

I am so grateful to God for giving His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, the Reason for this Season. 

Week of 3/1/20 - Pages 88 - 99

This week's readings are from Psalms 80 through Psalm 89.  And the last of the Psalms from Book 3. 

Psalms 80 through Psalm 83 are Psalms of Asaph.  Asaph was thought to be a descendant of Gershom the son of Levi and he is identified as a member of the Levites.  He is also known as one of three Levites commissioned by David to be in charge of singing in the temple.  Several of the Psalms of Asaph are categorized as communal laments because they are concerned for the well being of a whole community of people.  Communal laments encompass a description of some sort of severe destruction followed by a cry out to God for help and a reference to his great mercy of the past.

Psalms 84, 85, 87, and 88 are the holy writings of the sons of Korah. Korah was the leader of the rebellion against Moses and God.  Even the descendants of a leading rebel became the godly writers of psalms, praising God in their holy writings as a record existing for generations.  It is marvelous that the descendants of Korah wrote something that became a part of the Bible. They were faithful to tell people that they were the sons of Korah, the one who rebelled against God. This shows us that all the psalms were written based upon the infinite grace of God. The sons of Korah were the descendants, the sons, of that great sinner and rebel, Korah, yet they became holy people writing psalms to praise God. Today we are like the sons of Korah. In a sense, we are still poor sinners and rebels, yet we poor sinners can be those who are speakers of the Holy Word! 

Psalm 86 is a Prayer of David asking for protection, mercy, happiness, teaching, a pure heart, and strength.

Psalm 89 is written by Ethan the Ezrahite,   Ethan the Ezrahite is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as a wise man, yet not as wise as King Solomon, who “was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite.”  He was of the tribe of Levi.

Verse 1 opens, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; / with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Ethan emphasizes praise to God for His covenant with David and honors God’s character and power. In verses 19–37, recording God’s own words in a vision, Ethan details God’s faithfulness to David and his descendants. Then Ethan expresses lament at the king’s defeat and asks God to remember the covenant.  Ethan concludes, “Praise be to the Lord forever! / Amen and Amen".  Even in times of suffering and struggle, this psalmist calls God’s people to bless the Lord and call upon His strength in time of need.

Although these psalms are varied, they give us the assurance that God was there then, is here now, and will be here in the future for us to call on Him for whatever our need and to give him praise!

Week of 2/23/20 - Pages 76 - 88

This has been a season of grief for me and my family. Having lost our parents within 10 months of each other has been a difficult walk. I related with Psalm 77. Being in the midst of grief we become numb and troubled. We are a mix bag of emotions. 

C.S. Lewis says, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” 

Merriam-Webster defines grief as deep and poignant distress caused by someone's death;  a cause of such suffering; and Trouble or Annoyance.

As I read and reread Psalm 77, I wept, I felt comfort and I sensed peace, which is something I have not experienced for some time now. I love how the psalmist poured out his feelings to the Lord. When we’re tormented by our sorrow we feel alone, not heard, our heart is deeply troubled and sadly we feel far from being comforted. For me, in my grief, I have felt too numb and have been too lost to pray. I love what verse 3 says, “I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.” That is exactly how I have felt through this season. Then I read verses 11 & 12, which say, “But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” We can be assured that His ways are Holy. Verse 14 & 15 says, “You are the God of great wonders!”  You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Oh how I love the Lord. I thank God that he is with me every step of the way. I have come to learn through my grief that I am only alone when I choose it. HE waits on me. He is a merciful God who longs for me to invite him in, to meet me where I am, comfort me and carry my burdens. 

We will all experience grief in our life time. This I know to be true, the loss will hurt and the struggle will be real, thankfully a new beginning awaits us. A friend recently shared this saying with me, “Grief is the price we pay for loving deeply.“ If I love so deeply I can only imagine how much the Lord loves, Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Week of 2/16/20 - Pages 64 - 76

We have a God who hears us.

Psalm 61

1 O God, listen to my cry!

    Hear my prayer!

2 From the ends of the earth,

    I cry to you for help

    when my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

3 for you are my safe refuge,

    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,

    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!     

 I love Psalms; they are a beautiful reminder of how we can come to God with our pain. Psalm 61 is an example of coming to God in despair and knowing where his refuge is found. In an overwhelmed state, David asked God to listen and protect him. This verse includes my favorite picture of the Lord's protection of His children; that of a hen lifting her wings for her chicks. 

We all have and will have our share of challenges in life. No matter how much we prepare, the unexpected happens. Scripture informs us that, in this life, we will have trouble. It is in these times our faith is tested, strengthened, and purified. 1 Peter 1:7 says, “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

It always amazes me that in times of great challenge, the wisest response is to drop to our knees. Our Father in heaven hears our cries, even when we cannot udder a word, we are heard. It is in these times, through these refining fires, when we run for the comfort of His wings, we learn true power of prayer.

Psalm 107:28-30  

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Week of 2/9/20 - Pages 50 - 63

Sin always starts off fun.  I have said this more times than I can count.  Because it rings true.  The enemy does a great job of packaging sin to look like a gift in some cases.  Lies and deceit can come easily.  

Such is the case with David.  He is on the roof and sees Bathsheba bathing.  He had a choice to either keep looking, start to fantasize and let his imagination roam or he could have seen Bathsheba bathing and turned away. I imagine he said to himself, “What’s the harm in looking?” How different things would have been if David had turned away.  And not just for him.  We know the story.  We know what happens.    

Psalms 51 – David is now begging for God’s mercy, compassion and to be washed free from his guilt.  David’s rebellion haunts him day and night.  

When I think of how I ask God to forgive me of my sin it is so simple. God please forgive me for …

I respect David’s confession here.  He truly acknowledges what he has done.  The ripple effect of his actions, the chasm he has brought between himself and God.  The despair is too much for him to take.  The separation from God is more than he can bare.  He is willing to do anything to repair the tear.

My prayer is that God would reveal my sin to me and that I too, can fall before the Lord with a repentant heart.  That I would recognize the destruction that my sin causes to myself, those around me and most of all to my relationship with the one who loves me the most. 

Week of 2/2/20 - Pages 37 - 50

The Psalms have always been one of my favorite books of the Bible for they authentically express many of the thoughts and emotions that we as humans experience. When I was in seminary the Psalms took on even greater meaning for me. I remember looking at how David (who wrote approximately half of the 150 Psalms) grew up in a home with no voice. He was despised by his brothers (1 Samuel 17:28-29) and forsaken by his parents (Psalm 27:10). When the family held a great feast, David as the youngest is not even invited (1 Samuel 16:11). But in the midst of his loneliness and struggles, David learned to pray. God gave him a voice. These prayers eventually became Israel’s hymnal and were memorized by almost every Jew through their daily singing. The Psalms became Israel’s voice to God for generations. But even more amazing is that David’s voice taught our Lord Jesus how to pray and gave him words to express his deepest emotions during his darkest hour: 

 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) 

“Into your hands I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:5). 

 The apostle Paul encourages us to use the Psalms as a vehicle to give us a voice and to teach us how to pray: “…be filled with the Sprit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18-19).

 So as I read this week’s Psalms, I am reminded of the unpredictability of life and how often we may not understand the circumstances we face. Like the Psalmist, we may feel overwhelmed, experience times of discouragement and grief, feel forgotten, or unable to see a way out. The Psalmist teaches us, however, that we can bring all of these things to God in prayer and in doing so, we will not be disappointed. For as we come to Him, we will experience His faithfulness, tender mercies, and unfailing love. We will come to know Him as our refuge, strength, and protector. And as we trust in the Lord and put our hope in Him alone, we can declare with the Psalmist: “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (Psalm 46:11).

Week of 1/26/20 - Pages 26 - 37

As I look at this group of Psalms (Psalms 27 - 36), 3 common themes stand out to me.  (1) God's character is completely trustworthy and is the bedrock on which His children must build their lives; (2) God's people can and should take refuge under His wings when the storms of life rage around; and (3) God's people do have real enemies in this life, and God can handle them too.

Time and time again in this group of Psalms, the Psalmist is contrasting the challenges in this world with the peace that comes with placing our complete confidence and faith in God to both protect us in the short term, but also to cause us to prosper in this life for the long haul.  I find this to be tremendously helpful and accurate advice. ,I have lived long enough now in this life to have experienced "long" seasons of job instability, major immediate family health challenges, and income challenges for instance.  I have also experienced seasons of trying to handle these stresses too much in my own strength and also seasons of leaning more on the Lord than my own strength.  The net result, is that the former is very hard - really unsustainable, and the latter is so much more peaceful - very much sustainable. 

The more I can actually live as the Psalmist calls us to live, the more clarity I have, the more insight I have, the more peace, and the more I have the capacity to live for others - even in the midst of the storm.  This does bring joy in the midst of the storms.

My only regret is that I am not able to live as the Psalmist calls us to live more days of the month than I do right now. 

Still, a very important first step is the DESIRE to do so, and when we can keep stoking that fire of DESIRE to follow the Lord, each day really does feel new and fresh, even when life is hard. This concept comes across strongly in these Psalms. The Psalmist conveys a strong DESIRE to know and walk with the Lord closely and there seems to be in the Psalms almost a self-perpetuating element to this seek-desire-seek rhythm. The more we humbly seek after the Lord and obediently follow His direction in our lives, the more He shows up, and this in turn adds fuel to the fire of DESIRE for Him.  I do appreciate the fact that sometimes "life" knocks us to the ground and maybe we have gotten out of this rhythm. When this happens it can sometimes seem like there is an inertia fighting against us to get started again. And remember, in addition to our own feelings of tiredness or frustration, there is a very REAL enemy fighting against us finding that rhythm again. In those cases I think we need to remember the 3 themes I stated at the top of this post. God is trustworthy, God WILL protect us as we run to Him, and let God take care of our enemies as we rest under His very large and strong wings.

May our great God reward you as you earnestly seek to draw close to Him.