P S A L M E ( V O L U M E 2 )

A Devotional Look at Books 3-5 of the Psalms of

Israel

F. Wayne Mac Leod

Light To My Path Book Distribution

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written

permission of the author.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise stated are taken from the New International Version of the

A special thanks to the proof readers: Pat Schmidt, Lee Tuson, Marilyn Tuson

CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
Preface
- The Prosperity of the Arrogant
- Rise and Defend Your Cause
- Arrogant People
- I Cried Out
- A Word to the Next Generation
- Revive Us
- If You Listen
- The Most High God
- Rejoicing in God
- Have Mercy on Me
- The City of God
- The God Who Saves Me
- Where is Your Former Love?
- Make Us Glad
- It is Good to Praise the Lord
- The God Who Avenges 
- Singing and Shouting for Joy

- Our Reigning Lord
- Awesomeness and Intimacy
- Cutting Off Evil
- Jerusalem Broken and Restored
- Don't Forget His Benefits
- Praise to Our Creator and Sustainer
- Praise to a Covenant Keeping God
- Obedience, Prosperity, Joy and Thankfulness
- Goodness and Love
- A Cry for Help
- The Promise of Victory
- The Blessing of the Righteous
- The God’s of the Nations
- The Salvation of the Lord
- Holding Fast
- Comfort in Affliction
- I Have Set My Heart
- I Wait for Your Salvation
- The Lord Watches Over You
- A Cry for Peace
- Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy
- The Lord Dwelling in Zion
- Praising and Giving Thanks
- By the Rivers of Babylon
- Justice Secured
- Come Quickly
- The Lord Who Watches Over
- Blessings of God
- Praise the Lord
About The Author

INTRODUCTION

Authorship

he book of Psalms is a collection of 150 psalms written by a

variety of authors. They were gathered and put into this collection

over a period of many years. King David is credited with writing

about two-thirds of the psalms found in this collection. Other authors

include the following:

AUTHOR PSALMS

Solomon 72, 127

Asaph 50; 73-83

Moses 90

Heman the Ezrahite 88

Ethan the Ezrahite 89

Sons of Korah 42; 44-49; 84-85; 87-88

Background

Psalms is divided into five books. The division of these books is clearly

marked.

BOOK PSALMS CONTAINED IN

BOOK

Book 1 Psalm 1-41

Book 2 Psalm 42-72

Book 3 Psalm 73-89

Book 4 Psalm 90-106

Book 5 Psalm 107-150

There is no clear reason for this particular division into five books. It is

possible that they were added over time to form the collection we have

today. The psalms were used in the worship of God from the time of David

onward. In some cases, they were written to be sung by temple musicians at

a particular occasion. Some of the psalms contain instructions regarding the

type of instrument to be played while the psalm was sung. For example,

Psalm 5 was written for flutes. Psalm 6, on the other hand, was written for

stringed instruments.

Some psalms were written to common tunes. For example, Psalm 9 was

written to the tune of “The Death of a Son,” while Psalm 22 was written to

the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” Obviously, these tunes were well

known in the day. There also appears to be a variety of musical styles used

in this collection. Musical terms found in the opening comments of certain

psalms indicate the type of music to be used for particular psalms.

The Importance Of The Book For Today

The book of Psalms is probably one of the most beloved books of the Bible.

The reason for this may simply be because of the honesty of the psalmists.

They share their struggles and pains. They also share their victories and

hope in the Lord. They offer comfort to those who struggle and instructions

for those who face the trials of life. They point us to a Lord who is over all

pain and suffering and whose purposes will always succeed.

The psalmists express themselves to God in an honest and open way. They

tell Him about their struggles. They show us that while we will not always

have answers to the problems of life, we can still put our confidence in the

Lord God.

One of the great themes of the Psalms is that of the Lord’s care and concern

for those who belong to Him. The Lord is a shepherd, a warrior, a fortress

and a rock for all who will come to Him. The God of the Psalms is worthy

of praise. He hears the cry of His children. He is not a God who is far off

but one who is very near to those who love Him and trust in His name. He

forgives and restores His children to fellowship with Him.

The book of Psalms reflects the intimacy God desires from all of us. The

honest questions of God’s children do not threaten Him. The failures of His

children do not change His love for them. God delights in the thirsting and

repentant heart of His people. The book of Psalms is a book of praise and

thanksgiving. It reveals the ups and downs of life on this earth under the

care and provision of a loving and compassionate God.

PREFACE

he purpose of this commentary on the book of Psalms is to be

devotional in nature. That is to say, my goal is to show the

application of the book to life and our relationship with God. I am

not attempting to be scholarly or academic in this book. I leave this to those

who are more qualified than myself. I want the reader, however, to be

strengthened, encouraged and comforted by the truths revealed in this vital

part of the Bible.

Take the time to read each psalm. This commentary is not the Bible. It is,

however, designed to help the reader understand the Bible and its

application. As you read the Bible passage and the comments in this book,

ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truths He wants you to see. Take the time to

consider the questions at the end of each chapter and pray about what you

have read. I am convinced that the Holy Spirit can use the exposition of His

Word to encourage and strengthen those who will take the time to read and

meditate on its truth.

As you read the book of Psalms, let the Lord challenge your attitudes. Let

Him reveal Himself to you in new and fresh ways. My prayer is that the

Holy Spirit would be pleased to use this commentary to draw His people

closer to Himself and strengthen them in their commitment to Him amidst

the storms and trials of life.

F. Wayne Mac Leod

68 - THE PROSPERITY OF

THE ARROGANT

Read Psalm 73:1-28

his psalm was written by a man named Asaph. He was a Levite

who lived in the days of David. He was one of the men David put

in charge of the temple music (1 Chronicles 6:39). 2 Chronicles

29:30 describes him as a seer. The seer was one who heard from God or

saw visions. Asaph would express what he saw in his psalms.

Have you ever wondered why the righteous person suffers while the wicked

person seems to prosper? Asaph shares his struggle with this question in

this psalm. He begins with a general statement about the Lord God and His

goodness to Israel and especially to those who were pure in heart. This was

the truth he had heard, likely from his youth. He was, no doubt, aware of

the wonderful stories of how the Lord God had proved His faithfulness to

His people through the years.

While the Psalmist was aware of the doctrine of God's goodness in the life

of His people, his personal experience cast some doubt on what he was

taught. The struggle of the Psalmist here is to reconcile what he knew about

God with what he was seeing in life around him. In verse 2 he told his

readers that his feet had almost slipped and he nearly lost his foothold. The

idea seems to be that the struggle between doctrine and real life was such

that he almost began to doubt the truth of God's goodness.

Instead of clinging to the truth, Asaph began to envy the arrogant. As he

looked around him, the Psalmist saw many who did not follow the ways of

God. These people seemed to prosper. They did not appear to have the same

struggles as the believer. They enjoyed full health and were strong (verse

4). They were not weighted down with the burdens of life nor were they

plagued by illness (verse 5).

In verse 6 the psalmist tells us that these wicked individuals wore pride as a

necklace and clothed themselves in violence. In other words, their lives

were characterised by pride and violence. From verse 7 we understand that

the hearts of these wicked people were hardened. From these hard hearts

sprang the fruit of sin and evil. The pride of their evil minds knew no limits.

They would scoff at the righteous (verse 8). Verse 9 tells us that with their

mouths they laid claim to heaven and with their tongues they took

possession of the earth. They believed that nothing was too big for them.

They boasted of their power and wealth and believed that the world

belonged to them.

Notice in verse 10 that these evil men had a following. Their proud boasts

were heard by men and women of the day. These men and women came to

them and drank up waters in abundance. The phrase "drink up waters in

abundance" is unclear. It may be that Asaph is referring to the prosperity of

the wicked. The fact that the waters are abundant may indicate plenty. If

this is the case, then those who came to these evil leaders experienced a

measure of blessing and prosperity by following their evil ways.

It should be noted that these individuals knew that what they were doing

was wrong but they continue in it anyway. In verse 11 they said: "How can

God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" These individuals

understood that the Lord God would not be pleased with their actions but

they also believed that either they had adequately covered up their sins, or

that God had turned a blind eye to what they were doing. They did not

expect to be judged by God for their ways.

As the Psalmist looked at the wicked people of his day he saw them as a

carefree and prosperous people. They lived their lives with no obvious

concern for the ways of the Lord and they did not seem to suffer for their

evil.

This is where that Psalmist struggled. What advantage was there to keeping

one's heart pure? Was there an advantage to keeping one's hands innocent of

evil? If the righteous suffered and the wicked prospered, what benefit was

there in following the Lord? Was he keeping himself pure for nothing?

These things troubled Asaph’s heart. He felt as if God were punishing him

for being good and following His ways.

In verse 15 the Psalmist's struggle can also be seen in the fact that he does

not have freedom to express his thoughts publicly. He knows that if he were

to express these thoughts publicly, he would betray the children of God.

God's children had, down through the years, attested to the fact that God

was a good God and that He honoured those who served Him. The Psalmist

found himself now questioning these truths.

The burden of trying to understand why the wicked prospered when God's

people were suffering became oppressive. What he saw before him did not

seem to correspond with the testimony of God's children through the ages.

The answer to his questions came one day when the Psalmist entered the

sanctuary of God. We are not told what in particular happened that day, but

there was a revelation that came to his heart and mind. There in the

sanctuary, the Psalmist came to understand the final destiny of the wicked.

It is true that they prospered in this life but they were walking on slippery

ground. The day was coming when they would fall into ruin. In an instant

they could be destroyed along with all they had accumulated. Like a dream

vanishes when one awakes from sleep, so it would be for the wicked. Their

dream was beautiful, but they would wake from it to be judged by God. On

that day their wealth and prosperity would not save them. It would leave

them hopeless in the end.

It was at this time that the Psalmist came to realize the foolishness of his

thinking. He had allowed his heart to be grieved and his soul to become

bitter. He recognised now however, that he had been senseless and ignorant.

He was thinking like an animal that had no eternal soul. He had been

focusing on the things of this world and failed to look at eternity.

Despite his foolishness, God did not abandon Asaph. Instead, He took him

by the hand and guided him with His counsel (verses 23-24). God took his

mind away from temporary things and showed him eternity. There was

much more to life than what the Psalmist saw on this earth.

It is true that the wicked may prosper on this earth. The believer may suffer

at the hand of the wicked. Believers, however, are not to focus on the things

of this earth. Instead they are to look to eternity.

The Psalmist realised the error of his thinking. In verse 25 he said: "Whom

have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." His

eyes were taken away from the temporary things of this world and set on

eternal matters. He had a hope in heaven and realised that the greatest

treasure was not in perishable things, but in the Lord God.

He now could confess that while his flesh and his heart would fail, God was

his strength and portion. God was his strength in these times of difficulty

and confusion. God was also his portion. The idea is that God was what his

soul longed for. His desire is no longer for what he can get in this world but

in knowing God. To know God was greater than anything this world could

ever give him. Now it didn't matter if his flesh or his heart failed him. He

didn't cling to worldly things. He had found something much greater than

worldly goods. He had found the Lord.

The Psalmist concludes his reflection by reminding his readers that those

who are far from God will perish. They will be destroyed despite their

happy and prosperous life here below. They can enjoy all the blessings this

world has to give but, in the end, will be separated from God.

As for the Psalmist, he now delighted in being near God. He would find a

refuge in Him and tell of all His wonderful deeds (verse 28).

There is a radical change in the heart of the Psalmist. At one time he

struggled with the fact that wicked people lived prosperous and carefree

lives. Now he saw how shallow those lives were. If they didn't have the

Lord God, they really had nothing at all. The challenge of the Psalm is for

us to examine our priorities in life. The Psalmist came to a point in his life

where he recognised that the knowledge of God far surpassed any

temporary joy this world could give. May we know the Lord God and enjoy

Him like the Psalmist.

For Consideration:

Have you ever focused on earthly things rather than spiritual?

Explain.

What difference does it make when we learn to focus our

attention on spiritual matters rather than earthly matters?

What does the Psalmist teach us about the possibility of

rejoicing in God even when we have nothing in this world?

Are you presently experiencing the joy of knowing God?

What hinders you from a deeper experience of God today?

What do we learn here about the foolishness and shallowness

of the things of this earth?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to draw you closer to Himself.

Are there things in this world that attract you? Ask the Lord

to show you how much greater He is than those things.

Ask the Lord to open your eyes to eternal matters.

Take a moment to pray for a friend or loved one who has not

yet had their eyes opened to the beauty of knowing the Lord

God in a personal way.

69 - RISE AND DEFEND

YOUR CAUSE

Read Psalm 74:1-23

he Christian life is sometimes filled with many difficulties. There

are times when the believer is overwhelmed with grief and sorrow.

Psalm 74 speaks to this matter.

As he began this psalm, Asaph the Psalmist asked God a difficult question.

“Why have you rejected us forever, O God?” (verse 1). We should not take

from this that God had actually rejected His people forever. This was,

however, what the Psalmist was feeling as he cried out to God. He could not

see help on the way. His agony seemed to be prolonged and God did not

seem to notice. "Why does your anger smoulder against the sheep of your

pasture?" he asked (verse 1). He knew that God was their Shepherd. It was

because of this special relationship that the Psalmist feels that he has a case

before God. If God was their Shepherd then why had He abandoned them in

their time of grief?

It is clear that the Psalmist believed God would come to His people’s aid. In

verse 2 he pleaded with God to remember the people He had purchased of

old. God had rescued them from Egypt and made them His own. Why

would God now abandon those He had paid so much to redeem?

Notice also in verse 2 that the Psalmist reminded God that He had chosen to

dwell in their midst. In the Old Testament context the people of Israel knew

God’s presence in the sanctuary where it rested over the Ark of the

Covenant. They had experienced the power and glory of that presence in

their battles. God had chosen to reveal Himself to them as a people. Why

should He now turn His back on them?

Their city now lay in ruins. Even the sanctuary where God had revealed His

presence had been destroyed by the enemy. Where was God when all this

happened? In verse 3 the Psalmist called out to God to return to the ruins

and remember His people. He reminded the Lord of what the enemy had

done to them. This enemy had roared like proud lions in God’s holy

sanctuary. There in that sacred place they had set up their flags and

standards as a sign of their victory over God, blaspheming the name of the

Lord who dwelt there. This enemy had come with axes in hand. The

Psalmist compared them to men cutting through a thicket of trees (verse 5).

They smashed the carved panelling with their axes. They had neither regard

for the beauty of the sanctuary nor any concern about the God who dwelt

there. They went as far as to burn the sanctuary to the ground.

In their pride, the enemy said in their hearts "We will crush them

completely!" (verse 8). They went throughout the land and burned every

place where the Lord God was worshipped.

What seemed to make matters worse for believers was the silence of God.

They were given no miraculous sign or prophetic word. God was silent and

the enemy went on its rampage. God’s people questioned how long God

would remain silent. We can sense their anguish in verses 10-11:

How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile

your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your

right hand?

The silence of God is probably one of the most terrifying things the believer

can experience. When we hear from God we take courage. Those who have

heard from God have willingly faced persecution and death. Stephen faced

his stoning with joy and peace in his heart when he saw the presence of the

Lord Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Acts 7). God's

people here, however, were faced with silence. They pleaded with God to

break that silence and come to their aid. "Take your hand from the folds of

your garment," they pleaded with God (verse 11). Show us your presence.

Despite the confusion and questions, the Psalmist has great confidence in

the Lord his God. He realised that apart from God there was no salvation.

God was their King. He had always been their true King. He alone could

bring salvation to the earth (verse 12). He had often demonstrated His

power in the past. He split the sea by His power so that their ancestors

could cross over to the Promised Land. After God's people had crossed in

safety God broke the head of the monster that chased them. This may be a

reference to how the Egyptians were drowned in the water after pursuing

the children of Israel (see Genesis 14:21-28).

In verse 14 the Psalmist told his readers that it was God who crushed

Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert. This may still

be a reference to the way in which the Egyptian army perished in the desert

after their pursuit of Israel. Leviathan, in Scripture, refers to a great sea

monster pictured often as a threatening enemy. This could very clearly refer

to Egypt. The Psalmist, in this time of silence, looks back to the time when

the Lord God reached out to His people in a powerful way to rescued them.

God dried up the streams of water for His people in days gone by. Could He

not do the same now? The Psalmist placed his trust in the Lord who had

revealed Himself to their ancestors as a powerful God.

This powerful God owned the days and the nights. He determined when it

would be day and when it would be night. The sun and the moon listened to

His voice. He set the boundaries of the earth. He determined when it would

be summer and when it would be winter. He made the good times as well as

the bad times. All were under His sovereign control.

In verse 18 the Psalmist pleaded with the Lord to remember how the enemy

had mocked Him as they burned down the sanctuary. They had reviled His

name.

Notice in verse 19 that the Psalmist is still confident in the love of God for

His people and His faithfulness to them.

Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not

forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

The word "dove" is a term of endearment. The dove was peaceful bird. By

calling God's people His doves, the Psalmist is telling them that they are

dearly loved by God. All around him was chaos and destruction. The enemy

had destroyed the city of God. They had burned down the sanctuary. God

was silent. Still, the Psalmist tells his people that Israel was the dove of

God. God still loved them and cared deeply for them.

Asaph pleaded with God to have regard for His covenant. I like to see a

picture of marriage. He calls God to remember that they have been united

with Him through a covenant. God's covenant partner was being defiled by

the enemy. Don't let this happen to your people. Don't let us retreat in

shame. “Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock

you all day long" (verse 23).

The Psalmist cries for justice. He concluded in verse 23 with a cry to God

not to ignore the clamour and uproar of the enemy that cried out against His

people and His purpose.

There are times when God allows us to face trials on this earth. There have

been times in my life where God seemed to be silent. These will be times of

stretching and growth for us. The Psalmist reminds us that God is still in

control even when things are difficult. Even when He is silent, He is still

our salvation and hope. Trials do not diminish His power. Obstacles do not

remove His love for us. Despite the silence and destruction, the Psalmist

continued to look to God. In time, he would see His salvation.

For Consideration:

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation to the

Psalmist? How did you feel at that time?

Why do you suppose God allows us to pass through difficult

times?

Does the silence of God mean that He has forgotten us?

Explain.

What evidence do we have in this psalm of the Psalmist’s

faith and trust in God?

What victories has God given you in the past? How do these

victories encourage you in your faith today?

For Prayer:

Do you know someone who is presently facing a difficulty in

their life? Take a moment to commit them to the Lord.

Praise the Lord for past victories.

Thank the Lord that though He allows suffering at times, He

is still Lord and His love never fails.

Thank the Lord that there is no obstacle or trial He cannot

overcome. Place your present trouble in His hands.

70 - ARROGANT PEOPLE

Read Psalm 75:1-76:12

salms 75 and 76 are a challenge to all people who would lift

themselves up above God.

As he begins, Asaph points the attention of his reader to the Lord

God (75:1). He begins with a word of praise and thanksgiving because His

name was near. This speaks of the intimacy and fellowship we can have

with the Lord God. He is not a God who is far away. He chooses to draw

near to His people.

The evidence of the "nearness" of the Lord to His people is seen in Psalm

75:1. The Psalmist told his readers that the wonderful deeds of the Lord had

been passed down by word of mouth. The Israelites had experienced the

presence of the Lord God in many different ways. God had, on numerous

occasions, came near to rescue His people in their time of need.

Notice also that the Lord God also draws near to judge (75:2). Though at

present people were acting in arrogance against Him, a day of judgement

was coming. On that day evil will be dealt with.

In Psalm 75:3 the Psalmist told his readers that on that day of God's wrath,

when the earth shakes, God would hold its pillars firm. Even though this

earth shake and terror strikes the hearts of the human race, we can have

confidence that God will care for His own. He will hold the pillars firm so

that they will not be destroyed.

In Psalm 75:4 Asaph speaks about the arrogant. They had boasted in

themselves and their achievements. The Psalmist commands the arrogant to

boast no more. Nor were they to lift up their horn. For the animal the horn

was a weapon and symbol of strength. The Psalmist is telling the arrogant

that they were no longer to boast of their great strength. From Psalm 75:5

we see that these individuals had lifted up their horns against heaven. That

is to say, they challenged God Himself.

The arrogant were to stop speaking with outstretched necks. It is generally

agreed that the idea here is that they were speaking out of arrogance and

boasting in themselves. Psalm 75:6 seems to support this idea when the

Psalmist reminded his readers that no one from either the east or the west or

from the desert could exalt humankind. What do we have to boast about as

mere humans? We can boast of our great technological and scientific

achievements but we need to realise that all this comes from God. He is the

source of all wisdom and strength. Without Him we can do nothing.

Asaph continues in Psalm 75:7 to remind his readers of the judgement of

God. At that time God would bring one person down and exalt another. Our

position in this world has more to do with God and His purpose for our

lives than our achievements and wealth. God brings down and He exalts.

The Lord God had a cup of foaming wine and spices (75:8). This was a

bitter cup of judgement. When the time was right, the Lord would pour that

cup out on the wicked of the earth and force them to drink it to the very

bottom. What a terrible day that will be.

The picture before us is of arrogant men and women boasting of their

achievements and wealth. They do not see their need of God nor do they

follow His ways. They don't realise that they would have nothing were it

not for the Lord God. They take the credit and glory for themselves. This

angered the Lord who came to judge them. Psalm 75:10 tells us that the

Lord would cut off the horn of the wicked. That is to say, He will destroy

their power and wealth. They would fall because they lifted themselves

above God.

Notice also in Psalm 75:10 that while the horn of the wicked would be cut

off, the Lord would lift up the righteous and give them power and authority.

Reflecting on this, the Psalmist declared in 75:9 that he would praise the

God of Jacob forever.

In Psalm 75:1 we were told that the name of the Lord was near. In Psalm

76:1 His name is described as great in Israel.

This great and awesome God had determined to set up His tent in Jerusalem

(76:2). He made His dwelling place in Zion. God chose to reveal Himself in

Jerusalem. There in that city, God chose to demonstrate His power. Not

only did He reveal His presence in Jerusalem but He chose to defend His

people in that city. Psalm 76:3 tells us that God broke the flashing arrow,

the shields and the sword. He surrounded His people in the city so that the

enemy could not penetrate. Despite all their strength, the enemy could not

defeat the people of God.

Not only is God described as "great," but in Psalm 76:4 we are told that He

is resplendent with light and more majestic than the mountains rich with

game. Majesty is that characteristic that causes us to stand in awe and

admiration. Faced with His majesty, even the most valiant men lay

plundered. They perished under the majestic hand of the Lord. As mighty as

they were, not one warrior could as much as lift a hand against this

awesome and majestic God (76:5). They stood helpless beneath His

majesty. His mere presence broke them.

At the rebuke of the Lord, the horse and chariot lay still (76:6). They were

no match for this great and majestic God. A word from His mouth and all

strength fled.

As powerful as the armies of that day were, they were no match for the

Lord God of Israel. He was a God to be feared. There was no army that

could stand against Him. When the Lord pronounced judgement from

heaven the whole land feared and was silent before Him (76:8). There was

nothing they could say. His judgement was final. God stood against

arrogant people but reached out to save the afflicted of the land (76:9).

The wrath of God against the arrogance of humanity would bring him

praise (76:10). People would see true greatness in the Lord in His wrath.

They would also see His compassion and grace toward the humble. They

would see His power over the proud and arrogant oppressors. They would

worship Him as the great and majestic God. Proud and arrogant people

make their boasts but they are humbled by the God of Israel. Nations and

kingdoms make their boast but they must all realise that they are nothing

without God. He alone is great and majestic and worthy to be praised.

Notice in Psalm 76:10 that not only does God's judgement against the

arrogance of humanity bring Him praise but the survivors of His wrath are

restrained. These individuals may have boasted in themselves but when

they were disciplined by the Lord they saw how weak they really were.

Now they restrained themselves when it came to boasting in their own

strength and wisdom. According to Psalm 76:12 God breaks the spirit of

proud rulers and is feared by the kings of the earth who realise that their

power comes from Him alone.

The Psalmist concluded by challenging his reader to make and fulfil their

vows to the Lord. These are vows of sacrifice and obedience. He challenged

the neighbouring lands to bring their gifts to the one God who was to be

feared above all others. What else can our response be to such a holy and

awesome God? All we can do is to lay ourselves down at His feet in humble

service and offering.

For Consideration:

Have you ever boasted of your own achievements? What do

these Psalms say to this?

What evidence is there of the Lord's "nearness" in your life?

The Lord is a great Judge. What does this mean for you

personally?

What is majesty? How is the Lord majestic?

Why is God a God to be feared?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord for His "nearness" and the way He has

demonstrated that nearness to you personally.

Ask the Lord to strip away any pride in your life.

Ask the Lord to help you to live each day realising that you

will stand before a holy God to give account of your life.

Thank the Lord that though He is a God to be feared, in the

Lord Jesus, we can stand boldly before Him. Thank Him for

this tender compassion and grace.

71 - I CRIED OUT

Read Psalm 77:1-20

t is hard to read the Psalms and not see the real life struggles of

ordinary people. Life is full of difficulties. At the same time, however,

the believer can always turn to the Lord in those times for comfort and

strength.

In Psalm 77 the Psalmist found himself in trouble. In his trouble he turned

his attention to the Lord God for help. In his distress he sought the Lord.

This was true especially at night when he stretched out his hands to God.

Likely the Psalmist is not able to sleep because of the cares and concerns on

his mind. His soul refused to be comforted. At this time, he would cry out

to God seeking His help. Notice in verse 3 that he groaned and his spirit

grew faint because of the trials that surrounded him.

It is particularly interesting to note that it was remembering God that caused

his soul to groan and that meditating on God made his spirit grow faint. One

would think that remembering God and meditating on Him would have

strengthened the Psalmist but it seems to have the opposite effect in verse 3.

Very likely this is because the Lord was silent. As the Psalmist reflected on

God and the way He had worked in the hearts and lives of his fathers, his

heart grew weary. Why was God not doing the same in his day? Why did he

have to suffer? Where was God now? These were very likely the questions

that perplexed his spirit and caused him to become weary and faint.

The weariness of the Psalmist was such that his eyes wanted to close but he

was not able to sleep. His troubles kept him from sleeping. He came to a

point where he was too troubled even to speak and vent his feelings.

During this time of trouble, the Psalmist reflected on the years gone by. He

remembered the days when the sleeplessness had given way to songs of

praise and thanksgiving. In verses 7-9 the Psalmist reveals to us the

questions that were on his mind in this time of trouble.

1. Will the Lord reject forever?

2. Will He never show His favour again?

3. Has His unfailing love vanished forever?

4. Has His promise failed for all time?

5. Has God forgotten to be merciful?

6. Has He in anger withheld His compassion?"

These are difficult questions. Who among us, in our time of distress, has not

asked similar questions? We remember the promises of God but they do not

seem to be fulfilled. We see nothing but difficulty and trial around us. We

know God is a God of mercy and compassion but we are just not seeing this

compassion at work. This is the struggle of the Psalmist in this psalm.

What is the response of the Psalmist to his trials and the silence of the

Lord? We find the answer to this in verses 10-12.

I Will Appeal (Verse 10)

In verse 10 the Psalmist told his readers that in light of his trouble, he

would appeal to the "years of the right hand of the Most High." In other

words, he would take his case to the Lord God whose right hand had for

years worked on behalf of His people. Throughout the years the Lord had

been good to His people. The Psalmist longed to experience the goodness of

the right hand of the Lord as his ancestors in years gone by had experienced

that goodness. He appealed to God for mercy and compassion. He did this

because he knew from the history of his people that God was a God who

saved and rescued those who loved Him. He appealed to God on the basis

of His past work.

I Will Remember (Verse 11)

Notice, second, that the Psalmist determined that he would remember the

deeds of the Lord and His miracles of long ago. That is, he would put his

hope and confidence in the God who had performed miracles and wonders

in the lives of his ancestors. He would take courage in this God who never

changed. What He did in the past, He could do again. He had no reason to

doubt that God would again show compassion and mercy to him even as He

had done to his fathers and mothers of long ago. He took great courage in

remembering what God had done in the past.

I Will Meditate (Verse 12-15)

In verse 12 the Psalmist told his readers that in this time of trouble he would

meditate on the works of God and consider all His mighty deeds. In

meditating on those ways, he discovered that God's purposes were holy. He

realised that there was no god as great as his God (verse 13). His God

performed miracles and displayed His power among the people (verse 14).

His mighty arm had redeemed His people (verse 15), rescuing them from

the hand of the enemy. Meditating on these mighty works was a blessing

and encouragement to the Psalmist. It strengthened his faith and gave him

deeper confidence in God at this difficult time.

What we need to understand here is that it is very difficult for us sometimes

to get our eyes off the problems we are facing long enough to meditate on

God's acts of power. In his time of trial, the Psalmist chose to focus on the

great things that God had done, not on the problems he was going through.

In God there was hope.

Verses 16-20 show us the response of God. The Psalmist told his readers

that the waters saw the Lord and they writhed and convulsed. Waters, in

Scripture, are often used to speak of affliction (see Psalm 18:16-17; Psalm

32:6). What the Psalmist seems to be saying here is that the waters of

affliction saw the Lord and were overcome by His power.

In answer to the prayer of His afflicted servant, the clouds of heaven poured

down their water and the thunder roared. God's arrows of lightening flashed

back and forth in the sky. The thunder of His voice was heard in the

whirlwind. The lightening lit up the whole world and the earth quaked.

Notice the reference here to the way the Lord led His people through the

Red Sea after delivering them from Egypt (verses 19-20). Like a tender

shepherd, the Lord led His people by the hand of Moses and Aaron. He

opened up a path through the sea and led His people through. The Psalmist

is assured that the God of Moses’ day would deliver him as well.

In his difficulty the Psalmist chose to focus on the Lord God and His

powerful working in the past. Though he did not see God, he chose to

appeal to Him, remember His deeds and meditate on His past acts on behalf

of His people. As he does, his faith in God is built up. He concludes the

psalm believing that God would deliver him just as He had delivered his

fathers. What a comfort it is to know that the God who worked wonderful

miracles in the past will again shake heaven and come to our aid.

For Consideration:

Have you ever been in a struggle where you did not

understand what the Lord was doing or where He was?

Explain.

Have you ever found yourself dwelling on a particular

problem? What does the Psalmist challenge us to do in Psalm

77?

Has God changed? Can He rescue you as He did in days gone

by?

Do you believe personally that God can shake heaven and

earth for you as He has done for others? What encouragement

does this passage give us in this regard?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to reflect on the mighty works of God. Thank

the Lord for His power and miraculous deeds.

Commit your problem to the Lord today. Ask Him to shake

heaven and earth and bring the victory you need.

Ask God to take your eyes away from your problem and set

them on His greatness and sovereign care.

72 - A WORD TO THE

NEXT GENERATION

Read Psalm 78:1-72

salm 78 is a clear example of how a psalm can be used as a

teaching tool. This Psalm is in reality a brief history of the children

of God up to the time of David. The desire of the Psalmist is to

instruct the younger generation in their walk with God. He uses the history

of his people to warn them about falling away from the Lord God.

The Psalmist began by challenging his people to listen to the teaching he

was going to bring them. He tells them in verse 2 that he is going to use

parables to speak of things of old. The idea is that there is a spiritual lesson

to be learned but that spiritual lesson is hidden in a poetic form. The truths

that the Psalmist was going to convey to his readers were truths that had

been heard from their fathers and mothers long ago.

In verse 4, the Psalmist challenged his readers not to hide from their

children the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, the demonstrations of His

power or the wonders He had done. We are to proclaim to our children what

God has done. Our faith must be passed on to our children. This is the

obligation of each parent.

The Psalmist continued in verse 5 by reminding the older generation of how

the Lord had decreed statutes and established His law in Israel. He then

commanded each generation to teach their children those statutes and laws

so that they would know the Lord and His ways.

From verse 8 we see that the Psalmist wanted every generation to learn

from the mistakes of the past generation. Israel had proven to be stubborn

and rebellious. Their hearts were not loyal to God nor were their spirits

faithful to Him. If anything, the former generations were a bad example to

the newer generation. The reality of the matter, however, is that sometimes

we can learn from bad examples. By sharing their failures with the newer

generation, the older generation was warning them not to fall into the same

trap. The Psalmist shares the result of the many failures of the past

generations to honour God.

As he began the Psalmist reminded his readers about the men of Ephraim

who turned back from the enemy on the day of battle even though they

were fully armed with bows (verse 9). There is difference of opinion among

Bible scholars regarding the meaning of this verse.

Some see a particular conflict in which Ephraim was engaged where the

tribe turned back and was defeated. Others see Ephraim as a symbol for the

whole nation. Ephraim was the son of Joseph who led Israel in their time of

bondage in Egypt. Joshua, who was a mighty warrior and led the children of

God in the conquest of the Promised Land, was also a descendant of

Ephraim. In this sense Ephraim did lead the people of God and played an

important role to the nation as a whole. It may be that the term "Ephraim" is

used to represent the entire nation of Israel.

What we see here is that God's people (whether they be specifically

Ephraim or the nation as a whole) were turned back by the enemy. Notice

the reason why they were turned back. Verse 10 tells us that they did not

keep God's covenant and they refused to live by His law. They also had

forgotten what the Lord had done and the wonders He had shown them.

Had they remembered what God had done, they would not have lost faith in

their time of trouble. Instead, they would have trusted the Lord and allowed

Him to lead them to victory.

Notice that the nation of Israel had forgotten how God had worked in the

lives of their fathers and mothers in Egypt (verse 12). They had forgotten

how He had divided the sea, and led them through to safety. They failed to

consider how God guided His children through the wilderness with a cloud

by day and a fiery light at night.

As Israel wandered through the desert, God split rocks for them, providing

water enough to quench their thirst and the thirst of all their animals. The

Psalmist told his readers that God provided water as abundant as the seas

for His people as they wandered in the desert (verse 16).

Despite all that God had done for His people, they continued to rebel

against Him. They put God to the test by demanding that He give them the

food they craved. They lacked faith in God and His ability. After seeing His

provision they still said: "Can God spread a table in the desert?" (verse 19).

They doubted His provision and care. They had seen God provide all the

water they needed but they doubted that He could provide them with

enough food (verse 20).

The Lord saw their lack of faith and what they were saying and He became

angry with His people. Fire broke out against Jacob, and God's wrath rose

against Israel. Some see reference to Numbers 11:1-3 where God, in His

anger, literally destroyed the outskirts of the camp by fire. He did this

because they did not believe in Him or trust in His deliverance.

Our disbelief does make God angry. God was angry enough here to destroy

part of the camp with fire. How often have we grieved the Lord because we

failed to believe and trust in His provision and promises in our time of

need?

In spite of their lack of faith and trust, God demonstrated His compassion

toward His people in opening the skies and the doors of heaven. He rained

down manna for His people to eat (verse 23-24). The people of Israel ate

this manna (described here as the bread of angels) for many years. God

provided them with all the food they could eat. None of them went hungry.

Not only did God provide His people with bread from heaven but He also

sent an east and south wind to bring birds as numerous as the sand on the

seashore. God's people had more than enough meat to eat. They ate more

meat in those days then they needed. They became gluttons and filled

themselves.

Again God became angry with them. He rose up against them and put to

death the most sturdy men among them (verse 30). God's people did not

take this warning to heart but kept sinning. They still did not believe or trust

in God.

This cycle of judgement and repentance continued for many years. God's

people would turn from Him. God would punish them and in their grief

Israel would call out to God. When they were disciplined they remembered

that God was their Rock and Redeemer. But their hearts were not in tune

with Him. They made an outward show of faith and would flatter God with

their mouths but their hearts were not loyal to Him nor were they faithful to

His covenant (verse 37).

God continued to be merciful to His children. He forgave them of their sins

and shortcomings. Repeatedly the Lord had to restrain His anger. He held

back His full wrath. God remembered that His people were mere flesh and

blood. The Psalmist compared them to a passing breeze that did not return.

In an instant their lives would be over.

Again and again in the wilderness Israel rebelled against God. They

continually put Him to the test. They forgot His wonderful power and how

He had rescued them from the hands of those who had oppressed them. God

delivered His people from the hands of their Egyptian oppressors with

miraculous signs and wonders (verse 43). In those days, God turned rivers

to blood so that the Egyptians could not drink from their streams. He sent

swarms of flies that devoured them. Frogs devastated their land. He gave

their crops to grasshoppers and the locusts. Hail destroyed their vines, sleet

killed their fig trees. Their cattle were given over to the hail and the

lightning. In His intense wrath against Egypt, God sent a devouring angel to

kill the firstborn of every Egyptian family.

The result of all these judgements was that the people of God were set free

from their bondage in Egypt. God led them like sheep in the desert. He

cared for them and provided for their every need. God's people had no

reason to be afraid. Their enemies were devoured in the sea when God

closed the waters on them. Egypt's power was broken at the hand of God.

God brought His people to the border of the Promised Land. Through men

like Joshua, God drove out the nations and gave the land to Israel as their

inheritance.

Again God's people put God to the test. In this new land they did not keep

His statutes and laws. They were disloyal and faithless like their parents.

The Psalmist compared them to an unreliable bow. Every time an arrow is

shot from such a bow it misses its mark. Such a bow cannot be trusted. It is

useless to the marksman.

In the land God had given them, Israel set up religious sites devoted to other

gods. God heard their prayers to other gods and was angry. Verse 59 tells us

that God was so angry with these people that He rejected them completely.

We should not see here that God had rejected the nation of Israel but, rather,

those particular people who had turned to idols and other gods. God turned

away from the tabernacle that had been set up in Shiloh. He chose to take

His presence from that tabernacle. As for the Ark of the Covenant, it was

sent into captivity (1 Samuel 5:1). Instead of defeating their enemies, God

strengthened Israel’s enemies against them. He gave His people over to the

sword. Fire consumed their young men and the wedding song of the young

maiden was no longer heard in the land. Even the priests suffered for

abandoning the Lord. Verse 64 tells us that they were put to the sword but

their widows could not weep. This may be because their husbands had

deserved their judgement. For a time, the anger of the Lord burned

intensely against His people.

Verse 65 tells us that in time the Lord awoke from His sleep. The term sleep

here seems to imply that the Lord God turned His eyes from His people and

stopped His work in their midst. This period of inactivity, however, did not

last forever. In time the Lord opened His eyes to the plight of His people

again. He again rose up and pushed Israel’s enemies back, putting them to

shame.

In that day the Lord chose to do something special in the tribe of Judah. He

chose to use their descendants to build a great sanctuary in Jerusalem. He

chose a shepherd by the name of David and called him to be king over His

people. He was to shepherd them in their time of need. David led Israel

with integrity of heart and skilful hands. He turned his heart over to the

Lord God and remembered the wonderful deeds He had done in the past.

David led his people back to God and to His purposes for their lives. He

prospered because God was with him.

The challenge of this Psalm was for God's people to understand their

sinfulness and return to God. The Psalmist particularly challenged the

younger generation to learn from the mistakes and failures of their parents.

He challenged his readers to examine the history of the nation and see the

patience of God with a rebellious nation. They were also to see God's

judgement because of disobedience. It was not too late to return to God. He

would still be patient and forgiving to those who returned to Him.

For Consideration:

Take a look at your family history. What lessons do you need

to learn from the failures and successes of your parents?

What have you personally learned from past failures and

victories? How does this affect how you face problems

today?

What do we learn in this psalm about the patience of God

with His people?

What do we learn here about the judgement of God and the

removal of His blessings from those who persist in

disobedience?

For Prayer:

Ask God to help you to learn from the failures and victories

of others. Ask Him to open your eyes personally to what He

has been teaching you in this regard.

Thank the Lord for the many times He has been patient with

you and not given you the judgement you deserved.

Thank the Lord that He is your provider and strength. Ask

Him to give you strength to step out in the lessons He has

taught you.

Take a moment to pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to

the next generation so that His name would be glorified in

their midst.

73 - REVIVE US

Read Psalm 79:1-80:19

od's people are suffering. The enemy has invaded their land and

left them wondering where the Lord was in their trial. These

foreigners defiled the temple of God. They reduced Jerusalem to

rubble (79:1). Psalm 79:2 tells us that the enemies had given the dead

bodies of the servants of God to the birds for food and the flesh of the saints

to the beasts of the earth. Jerusalem was filled with blood and there was no

one to bury the dead. The bodies of God's children lay in the city being

eaten by the birds of the air and the animals of the field.

Beyond all the physical death and devastation, God's people were objects of

reproach to the nations around them (79:4). They were mocked and

ridiculed. They had no more witness to their neighbours. They were

powerless before their enemy. What a terrible picture we see here of the

people of God. We need to realise that it is quite possible for that picture to

be repeated in our day. In this case the reason for the devastation was

disobedience to the Lord God. God’s people had driven the presence of the

Lord from their midst by disobedience and disregard for His holy Word.

The question goes out in Psalm 79:5:

How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will

your jealousy burn like fire?

We learn two things from this verse. First, God was angry with His

children. Second, God's jealousy burned like fire. The picture is of a

husband being roused to holy jealousy because of His wife's unfaithfulness.

Israel had turned to other gods and bowed her knee to them. God would not

stand by and watch this happen. He loved His people too much to share

them with anyone else. His anger is justified. God's people had broken their

covenant with Him.

Having emphasised the fault of the nation of Israel, the Psalmist asked God

to pour out His wrath on the nations that did not acknowledge Him and did

not call on His name. In saying this, the Psalmist is distinguishing the

nation of Israel from the other nations. It is true that at this moment the

people of God were disobedient and living in rebellion against God but they

were still His chosen people. Israel was not like the other nations. They had

a long history with the Lord. The Psalmist pleads with God on the basis of

this relationship to break the power of the enemy over them.

While we may be disobedient children, we are still children. God does not

forget His people. The Psalmist knew that God had chosen them as a nation

and would always have a special place in His heart for them.

As a chosen people, Israel was being devoured. Their homeland was

destroyed. The Psalmist pleaded with God not to hold the sins of their

forefathers against them. As a people, they had a long history of

disobedience. In Psalm 79:8 the Psalmist pleads with God, in His mercy, to

come quickly to them for their need was desperate.

I find it wonderful in this passage to see the Psalmist crying out to God.

What is so special about this passage is that it is the cry of the guilty for

mercy. The Psalmist does not doubt that the nation deserved the wrath of

God. He still calls out to God for mercy, however. This gives hope to the

wanderer. No matter how far we have wandered from the Lord God, we can

still come back to him and plead with Him for mercy.

Notice in Psalm 79:9 that the Psalmist cried out for help not only for the

sake of the nation but also for the glory of the Lord God. God's glory was at

stake. His people were devastated and their land was in ruins. What would

be the response of the nations to such a God? Surely they would mock the

God of Israel. They would see Him as a powerless God. They would lift

themselves up above Him. They would say about Israel: "Where is their

God?" (Psalm 79:10).

The Psalmist pleads with God to avenge the deaths of His servants at the

hands of these evil nations. He prayed that the Lord God would open His

ears to the groans of the prisoners and preserve the lives of those who were

condemned by the nations to die (Psalm 79:11). The Psalmist is so bold as

to ask that God would repay seven times the reproach that the nations had

hurled at His people. The number 7 represents completeness or perfection

in the Bible. The idea here is that the revenge of God would be complete.

The Psalmist ends the 79th psalm by telling God that when His people were

avenged and the enemy driven back, then they would praise Him from

generation to generation. They would recount the story of how He had

delivered them from the enemy.

In Psalm 80:1 the Psalmist cried out to God as the Shepherd of Israel. As a

Shepherd, the Lord God cared for His people and watched over them. As

Shepherd, however, He sat enthroned between the cherubim. This is a

reference to the Ark of the Covenant where God revealed His presence

between the two carved cherubim on the lid of the box. It reminded the

people that their Shepherd was also their God. The Psalmist pleads with

God to shine forth and to make His glory known in their midst.

This combination of Shepherd and holy God is a very difficult one to grasp.

As a holy God He is separate from us and all that is sinful in us. As a

shepherd, however, God cares for and provides for all the needs of His

people. He is holy and yet compassionate, perfect and yet intimate.

In Psalm 80:2 the psalmist asks God to awaken His might. It seemed to him

that for a long time, the strength of the Lord had been asleep. Israel was not

seeing evidence of His strength and power in their midst. In Psalm 79 we

saw how the enemy had devastated the land and had left the people of God

weary and dying. The Psalmist pleaded with God to awaken His strength,

restore, save and make His face shine on them (80:2-3).

Notice that the same question is asked in Psalm 80:4 as was asked in Psalm

79:4:

O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smoulder

against the prayers of your people?

God appeared to be silent at the moment. The psalmist longs to see Him

move again in power. He pleads with God to awake from sleep and open

His eyes to the trials of His children.

Notice in Psalm 80:5-6 the condition that God's people found themselves in.

God had fed them with the bread of tears. They "drank tears by the

bowlful." Their suffering was intense. Their pain was very real. God had

made His people to be a source of contention to their neighbours. These

neighbours mocked and ridiculed the people of God.

The Psalmist pleads with God to restore His people and to make His face

shine on them again so that they could be saved (80:7). He reminded the

Lord how He had brought them out of Egypt. He drove out the nations in

the land He had promised them and planted them as a vine. As an expert

gardener, the Lord cleared the ground and cared for that vine. Under His

merciful care, the vine took root and filled the land He had promised to

their fathers. The nation of Israel (the vine) became prosperous. The vine

grew and covered the mountains with its shade and the mighty cedars with

their branches. God's people prospered under the blessings of the Lord their

God. They sent their boughs to the Mediterranean Sea and as far as the

Euphrates River.

Though they had known such wonderful prosperity, things were quick to

change. The walls surrounding that vine were broken down; and those who

passed by helped themselves to their grapes. Israel was plundered. Wild

boars ravaged the vine and the creatures of the field fed on it. In their time

of need, Israel cried out to the Lord in Psalm 80:14-15:

Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and

see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted,

the son you have raised up for yourself.

The cry is desperate but hopeful. The Psalmist realised that Israel could not

save herself. She needed the Lord. Though she deserved to be punished, the

Psalmist reminded God of the special relationship He had with Israel. He

had planted them and cared for them. Now, however, the vine He had

planted had been cut down and burned with fire (Psalm 80:16).

The Psalmist knew that this terrible discipline was from the hand of the

Lord. In Psalm 80: 16 he said: "at your rebuke your people perish." It was

true that the enemy had burned down the city of Jerusalem. It was true that

the enemy had slaughtered and captured God's people but the Psalmist is

able to look beyond these facts and realised that ultimately it was God who

had allowed these "bad" things to happen. Even their struggles were

ordained by God to accomplish His purpose in their lives.

The Psalm concludes in Psalm 80:17-19 with the prayer of the Psalmist for

the hand of the Lord to rest on them as a people. Notice in particular the

phrase used in Psalm 80:17:

Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand.

The "man at your right hand" refers initially to the people of God who were

favoured by God. "The right hand" was the place of favour and blessing.

Israel sat at the right hand of God because God favoured her as a people.

There may also be a prophetic aspect to this verse and the reference to the

"man at your right hand." Paul tells us in Romans 8:34 that Christ himself

was seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Ultimately it

would be through the Lord Jesus that favour would be restored between

God and His people.

In Psalm 80:17-18 the Psalmist prayed that the hand of God would rest on

His people so that they would no longer turn away from Him. God alone

can keep us. His hand alone can save us from the power of the enemy. He

alone is able to keep us from falling. The prayer of the Psalmist is that the

Lord would keep his people from falling. He understood how frail they

were. He knew how easy it would be for his people surrender to temptation.

Only the hand of God could restore them and keep them faithful.

The writer of this psalm cries out to the Lord God for revival in his nation.

He saw a people who had wandered from the truth and were now powerless

against their enemy. They had often fallen short of the standard God had set

for them. They needed to be revived so that they would again call on the

name of the Lord. They needed to be restored so that the face of the Lord

could shine on them again. That prayer is as real today as it was in the day

when it was written. We too have fallen short and need to see this revival

and restoration in our land.

For Consideration:

How were God's people suffering at the hands of the enemy?

How does this compare to the church today?

What do you learn in these psalms about the jealousy of the

Lord? What encouragement and warning do you take from

this?

Will God abandon His children forever? On what basis does

the Psalmist call out to God in these Psalms? Do His people

deserve God’s favour?

What do we learn about God's hand in the "bad" as well as

the good?

What do we learn about our need of the Lord if we are to be

faithful to God and our walk with him?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is Lord of the "bad times" as well as

Lord of the good times.

Thank the Lord that He has accepted us as His children.

Thank Him that we can always come to Him on this basis.

Thank the Lord for the way He has cared for you in your time

of need. Thank Him for how He has kept you from falling

deeply into sin.

Ask the Lord to restore and revive His people so that they can

become everything He wants them to become.

74 - IF YOU LISTEN

Read Psalm 81:1-16

salm 81 begins on a very positive note. It begins with a call to the

people of God to sing for joy to God their strength. Notice also the

call of the Psalmist to his people to shout aloud to the God of

Jacob! Quiet worship is honourable and good but for the Psalmist this was

not a time for quiet. He calls for loud shouting. This was a time for all to

hear the praises of the Lord God of Israel.

Notice the connection between music and worship in verses 2-3. The

Psalmist called for the music to begin. God's people were to strike the

tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre and sound the ram's horn at

the New Moon and at the full moon on the day of the Feast. The New Moon

Festival was celebrated at each new moon and required special sacrifices

accompanied with the sound of the ram's horn or trumpet (see Numbers

28:11-15; Numbers 10:10).

Notice also in verse 3 the reference to the Feast when the moon was full.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary, speaking about the festivals observed during

the full moon, says the following:

The ancient Hebrew calendar was lunar, the months beginning

with the new moon, marked by special rituals. The two great

festivals, Passover and Tabernacles began in midmonth when

the moon was full." [1]

The reference to the "Feast" when the moon was full is likely, then, a

reference to either the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles.

Notice that worship and the sounding of these instruments was by command

of God (verse 4). It was God who decreed that musical instruments be used

in the worship of His name.

Verse 5 tells us that this command to celebrate the Passover was established

as a statute for Joseph “when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a

language we did not understand.” This verse can be quite difficult to

understand. It may be best to see Joseph as a symbol of the people of God.

Joseph was a leader of his people in Egypt. When he died, the children of

Israel were oppressed by the Egyptians whose language they did not

understand. God heard their cry for help and set them free from their

captivity in Egypt. On that day they took the body of Joseph and left the

land of Egypt.

That occasion was celebrated each year in the Passover. This celebration

was a joyous celebration. It marked the time that God had removed the

"burden from their shoulders," and set their hands free from the basket

(verse 6). In Egypt, God's people had been reduced to slavery. They were

forced to carry heavy burdens on their shoulders. They filled their baskets

with brick used in Pharaoh's construction projects. God set them free from

these burdens.

In their distress God's people called out to Him and He answered them out

of a thunder cloud (verse 7). We read in Exodus 9:23-25:

When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the LORD

sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the

ground. So the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell

and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in

all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.

It was through that thunder cloud filled with hail that God answered the

prayers of His people for deliverance. God devastated the land of Egypt and

set His people free. This was a great cause to celebrate.

As God's people left Egypt, God put them to the test to see if their worship

was sincere. Verse 7 tells us that God tested His people at the waters of

Meribah. This is a reference to Exodus 17:1-7. Here the people of God

came out into the desert. In the desert, they were thirsty and grumbled

against Moses and the situation they found themselves in. In doing so they

proved that they really did not trust God and His provision for them.

God gave His commandments through Moses as His people wandered in

the wilderness. In those commandments He told them that they were not to

serve or bow down to any other god. God's people did not listen to Him.

Instead, they chose to worship foreign gods. Their worship and praise was

given to another.

On another occasion the Lord told His people to open their mouths and He

would fill them (see verse 10). He promised to provide them with all the

food they needed as they wandered through the wilderness. Verse 11 tells

us, however, that His people would not listen to Him or submit to Him.

They could not find it in their heart to trust His provision. This resulted in

God giving His people over to their stubborn ways to "follow their own

devices" (verse 12).

This was not God's heart for His people. God wanted them to be a joyous

and celebrating people. He wanted to fill them with joy in worship and

celebration of His goodness. He wanted to give them reason to celebrate

His name. They had chosen, however, to give that worship to another.

In verse 13 the psalmist expressed the heart of the Lord for His wandering

people.

If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my

ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my

hand against their foes!

God longed to be gracious to His people. He longed to subdue those who

were mistreating them and turn their enemies away. He promised in verse

15 that those who hated the Lord would cringe and be punished forever.

In an instant God would return to His children if they would listen to Him

and follow His ways. Their disobedience destroyed their worship of God.

Their distrust stood between them and the experience of God's wonderful

work on their behalf. If only they would return to Him they could feast on

the finest wheat and be satisfied with honey from a rock. Wonderful

blessing awaited God's people if they would only return to Him.

The Psalmist started this Psalm with a call for God's people to worship Him

with music and celebration. As the Psalm progresses, we find that the

people of God were not experiencing this wonderful worship. They were

worshipping other gods. They turned from the true God and His blessings.

The heart of the Lord God is for a worshipping people who will listen to

Him and obey His word. He delights to give such a people great cause to

worship and celebrate His goodness.

Maybe today you too have been distracted by other gods. The Lord waits

patiently with His offer of renewal and restoration. If you will turn again to

Him, He will fill you with reason to celebrate and glorify His great name.

For Consideration:

What do we learn here about God’s desire for joyous worship

and praise to His name?

Why should worship be joyous?

This Psalm tells us that God is looking for a celebrating and

worshipping people. What stands in the way of this today?

What is the heart of God for fullness and blessing in His

people’s lives? Are you personally experiencing this in your

life?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to make you a worshipping person.

Thank the Lord for the many reasons He has given you to

worship and celebrate His name.

Ask the Lord to fill you even more. Ask Him for even

greater blessings in your ministry.

Ask the Lord to reveal anything that stands in the way of

you becoming a greater worshipper.

75 - THE MOST HIGH GOD

Read Psalm 82:1-83:18

e begin in Psalm 82:1 with God presiding in a great assembly.

The context suggests a court room setting. God is seated as the

judge. In his midst are smaller gods. The context again lets us

know that these smaller gods are leaders and judges. They are earthly

leaders who have been given authority in this world.

As these rulers stand in the presence of the Lord God the question is asked:

"How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?"

(Psalm 82:2) The question appears to be asked by God to the rulers of the

day. As earthly rulers they had been unfaithful to the Lord God in their

administration of justice. They had defended the cause of the unjust and

shown partiality to the wicked. God holds them accountable for this

injustice.

In Psalm 82:3-4 the challenge goes out to the rulers of that day to defend

the cause of the weak and fatherless and maintain the rights of the poor and

oppressed. They were to rescue the weak and needy from the hand of the

wicked. The earthly rulers of the day should have been doing this but they

were not.

In Psalm 82:5 the Psalmist speaks about these earthly rulers.

They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about

in darkness.

How could they possibly lead others to the light when they knew nothing

about that light? They did not practice truth and justice themselves so they

could not possibly lead others on the path of truth and justice.

"All the foundations of the earth are shaken," the Psalmist said in Psalm

82:5. The foundations of truth and righteousness, honesty and goodness

were all shaken. All the principles that this earth was founded on were

being ignored by these earthly leaders. They did what was right in their own

eyes but they knew nothing about truth and justice.

These leaders were seen as gods. They had authority and power on this

earth. In reality, however, they were mere men who would fall like every

other evil ruler had before them (82:7). They would be held accountable by

God and He would judge them in truth and righteousness.

The Psalmist calls the Lord to judge the earth (82:8). These evil earthly

rulers were not living up to their responsibility. There was, however, a

higher authority that would never be corrupted. The Lord God is the Judge

of all judges. He will rise up and defend the cause of righteousness and

truth.

In Psalm 83 the call goes out to the Lord God to be silent no longer (83:1).

In Psalm 82 we saw that the rulers of this earth were judging unfairly. For a

time God did nothing about this. This did not mean, however, that God

would not rise up and speak out against this injustice. The Psalmist calls on

God to break His silence.

In particular, the Psalmist asked God to see how their enemies were rearing

their heads (83:2). They were conspiring against the people of God and

plotting against those God loved and cherished. These enemies were saying:

"let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no

more" (83:4).

These enemies formed an alliance against God and His people. The

Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites and the Hagrites, as well as the nations of

Gebal, Ammon, Amelek, Philistia, Tyre and Assyria joined against the

people of God. Notice in Psalm 83:8 how these nations loaned their strength

to the descendants of Lot. We understand from Genesis 19:36-38 that the

descendants of Lot were the Moabites and the Ammonites:

So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. The

older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the

father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had

a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the

Ammonites of today.

God's people were struggling. The earthly leaders of the day were unfairly

targeting them. Their plans were to destroy them. The Psalmist called out to

the Lord God for help. As we saw in Psalm 82, though the earthly "gods" of

this world were unjust and unrighteous, there was a higher authority for the

people of God. They called on God to arise from His sleep and judge these

evil rulers.

Asaph, the psalmist who wrote this psalm, asked God to do to these

enemies what He had done to the Midianites (83:9). This may be a

reference to how Gideon, with only three hundred men, defeated the

superior army of Midian in Judges 7. Asaph also asked God to do with their

enemies what He had done to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon. This

story is found in Judges 4. Jabin was a Canaanite king. Sisera was his

military commander. They had oppressed the people of God but under the

leadership of Deborah and Barak, Sisera's army was routed and pursued to

Endor where they were devastated (83:10). Sisera fled on foot and found

refuge in a tent where he was killed by a woman named Jael. In the culture

of the day Sisera's death, at the hands of a woman, brought shame on him

and his army.

In Psalm 83:11 Asaph continued to ask God to make the nobles of their

enemies like Oreb and Zeeb and their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna.

Oreb and Zeeb were Midian military commanders who were defeated by

Gideon (Judges 7:25). Zebah and Zalmunna were kings of Midian who

were pursued by Gideon and killed (Judges 8:5-21). These men boasted that

they could take the pasture land of God (83:12) but were defeated by a

much smaller army.

Asaph prayed that God would make their enemies like tumbleweed and

chaff that blew helplessly before the wind. He called on God to consume

these foes like a fire consuming the forest and setting the mountains ablaze.

He pleaded with God to pursue them like a great tempest and terrify them in

the storm of His wrath (83:15). He wanted their faces to be covered with

shame for the things they had done to God's people (83:16).

Asaph prayed that the faces of the enemies of God would be covered with

shame so that men would seek God. In other words, he wanted to see God

avenge His holy name. He wanted to see God rise up and judge evil. Only

then would people see that God was greater than these small earthly "gods."

He was the Most High God over all the earth, the God of truth and justice.

We cannot fail to see the comparison between the Most High God and the

small earthly "gods" of the day. The same comparison can be made today.

No matter how powerful our earthly leaders are, they will all be held

accountable to the Most High God. We have a God who loves and cherishes

us at our side. He is our defence and will judge us with righteousness and

fairness.

Asaph’s passion for righteousness and truth is evident in this psalm. He

cries out to God for justice to prevail. God will answer that request.

For Consideration:

What encouragement do you take from the fact that the Lord

is over all leaders of this world?

What warning is there for leaders today in these psalms?

What foundations are being shaken in our day?

Does the silence of God mean that He will not hold us

accountable? Explain. Does His silence mean that He has

forgotten us?

For Prayer

Thank the Lord that He is over all earthly leaders and that all

will be held accountable to Him.

Thank the Lord that though He may be silent for a time He

will come to judge.

Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal anything that He

does not find desirable in it.

Thank the Lord for His love and the assurance you have of

His salvation and ultimate victory.

76 - REJOICING IN GOD

Read Psalm 84:1-85:13

n Psalms 84-85 we catch a glimpse of the heart of the Lord for His

people to rejoice in Him. In Psalm 84:1 the Psalmist communicates

his delight in being in the house of the Lord.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul

yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD.

Notice the heart cry of the Psalmist. He loves to be in the dwelling place of

God. By "dwelling place" we should understand the temple of God. This

was the place where the Lord God chose to reveal His presence to His

people. Notice particularly the words the Psalmist used to describe his

delight in being in the presence of the Lord. His soul yearned and even

fainted for the courts of the Lord. There is strong attraction in the heart of

the Psalmist to the courts of the Lord. His passion was almost too much for

his body to endure. Also in Psalm 84:2 we see that both the heart and the

flesh of the Psalmist cried out for the living God. In other words, his desire

for the Lord God was such that it affected not only his heart but his body as

well.

This depth of passion is hard for us to imagine. The Psalmist describes a

relationship with the Lord that many of us could only dream of having. He

longs for the Lord as a hungry person longed for food or a thirsty person for

water. His soul cried out with intense hunger for the Lord his God. We

could only imagine what our worship services would be like if every person

who came to worship had this depth of passion and longing for God.

In Psalm 84:3 the Psalmist spoke about how the sparrow and the swallow

found a home near the altar of the Lord. It is difficult to say why the

Psalmist gave this illustration. It may be that as he was in the temple he

noticed the way the birds had free access to the altar. It may be that he saw

a bird's nest in the temple and found himself wishing that he too could make

his home close to the altar so that he would never have to leave.

From this thought about the swallow and the sparrow building their home in

the temple, the Psalmist moved to reflect on the servants who lived and

worked each day in the temple. In his mind, these individuals had an

enviable position. They were able to stay in the presence of the Lord and

worship Him all day long.

While there was a very special sense of God’s presence in the temple, the

Psalmist realised that God was not limited to the temple. In Psalm 84:5 he

reminded his readers that all whose strength was in God were blessed no

matter where they were. God’s strength was available for those who have

set their heart on pilgrimage. That is to say, those who have committed

themselves to follow the Lord and His ways will know His enabling in their

lives. This pilgrimage would take them through some difficult times in life.

Some of them would have to pass through the Valley of Baca (84:6). The

word "baca" can be translated by the English word "weeping." This

pilgrimage would not always be easy but the strength of the Lord would be

available for all who willingly passed through the Valley of Weeping in

their pursuit of God and His purposes. God would make that Valley of Baca

(weeping) a place of streams and pools (84:6).

The Valley of Baca was a dry and barren place. It is a place of weeping that

many of us have had to cross at one time or another. God’s presence,

however, will be our refreshing in these days. The dry valley will be

watered with His wonderful blessings. The presence of the Lord God will

be in that Valley and in God's people they would have great cause to rejoice.

Those who undertook to follow the Lord on this pilgrimage would go from

strength to strength until they appeared before the Lord God in Zion (84:7).

In other words, the strength of the Lord would be with them all of their

lives.

The Psalmist asked God to listen to his heart cry and to look on Israel’s

shield with favour (84:8-9). The "shield" very likely refers to their earthly

king who defended them. In the context, the Psalmist has been speaking

about the Lord God being their strength. He realised, however, that God

could use those He had put in authority to defend them. The Psalmist gives

credit to God who was the strength of the king, His “anointed one” (84:9).

The thoughts of the Psalmist return to the house of the Lord where the

presence of God was very particularly revealed. "Better is one day in your

courts than a thousand elsewhere," he told the Lord (84:10). The delight he

experienced as he worshipped the Lord in His temple was beyond any other

pleasure in life. One day in the presence of the Lord was greater than any

amount of time elsewhere.

The Psalmist went on to say in Psalm 84:10 that he would prefer to have the

lowliest job in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Being a door keeper in the house of God was far better to him than living in

all the luxuries of the wicked.

God was a sun and shield to all who came to Him (84:11). As a sun, He

brought light and warmth. As a shield, He was their defence. The God of

Israel gave His favour and honour to those who loved Him. He would

withhold nothing good from those who walked in His ways. What were the

pleasures and treasures of this life compared to the beauty of knowing the

Lord and His blessing? Nothing on earth could compare to knowing and

serving the Lord. Those who trusted in the Lord were blessed. God would

show favour to the lands of those who walked in His ways. He would

restore their fortune (85.1). The desire of the Psalmist was that he find his

treasure in God, for the things of this world could not compare to what God

had to offer.

As a loving and forgiving God, He would forgive the sin of His people

(85:2). He would turn His wrath and fierce anger from those who followed

Him.

There was so much blessing in knowing God and being in His presence.

The Psalmist realised, however, that God's people did not always appreciate

the wonderful privilege they had. For this reason, he cried out to God in

Psalm 85:4 to restore His people and put aside His anger from them.

Instead of delighting in the Lord God, His people had turned to the world.

God was angry with them. In Psalm 85:6 the Psalmist prayed that God

would have mercy on His people and revive them so that they could again

rejoice in Him. This is probably one of the most powerful definitions of

revival in the Scripture. Revival is when God's people learn to rejoice again

in God. How many times has our faith become a mechanical or ritual

practice of religion? In Psalm 84 we catch a glimpse of the heart of the

Psalmist. There we see his heart rejoicing and delighting with intense

passion in the Lord God. All too often we have lost the joy of knowing

God. Revival brings us back to that place of rejoicing in the Lord God.

Notice also in Psalm 85:7 that the Psalmist prayed that God would show

His people His unfailing love and grant them salvation. The love that the

Psalmist spoke about here was a love that would willingly forgive His

people of their sin. Not only does the Psalmist want his people to learn how

to rejoice in God, but he wants them also to experience personally the

unfailing love of God and His forgiveness of sin. This is a very personal

matter. There are those who speak of the love of God in a very general way.

It is one thing for us to say: "God loves the world" and quite another to say:

"God particularly loves me." The Psalmist speaks here about this very

particular love of God for the individual. He speaks about the assurance of

forgiveness of his or her particular sins. This was a love the Psalmist knew

personally as he went to the temple to be in God's presence.

In Psalm 85:8 the Psalmist reminded his readers that not only could they

know joy and love, but the Lord also promised peace to His people. They

could know this peace if they did not return to folly. In other words, they

could experience the wonderful peace of the Lord if they did not return to

the foolish things of the world. There needed to be a separation between the

believer and the foolishness of the world. The world or the ways of the

world will never bring the peace of God. Only in God and in obedience to

His ways can we know this peace.

Those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways will know His salvation and

deliverance, (Psalm 85:9). That is to say, the Lord would protect and keep

those who feared Him. He would allow His glory to dwell in their land.

When the glory of God is removed from the land people are left to the

natural fruit of their sinful lifestyles. Morals and godly principles are tossed

aside in favour of greed, selfishness and lust. Shame and disgrace fill the

land when the glory of God is removed. By allowing His glory to remain,

God was richly blessing that land. Truth and grace would triumph.

Obedience and joy would flourish.

In Psalm 85:10-11 the Psalmist describes the salvation of the Lord in very

poetic terms. He describes the salvation of the Lord as the meeting of love

and faithfulness. That is to say, the salvation of the Lord is a combination of

God's faithfulness and love. In His faithfulness He remembers His

promises. In love He reaches out to forgive and show mercy.

Salvation is also described in Psalm 85:10 as when righteousness kisses

peace. Salvation, in other words, is the coming together of righteousness

and peace. In God's righteousness He had to deal with sin. Righteousness

demanded that the penalty be paid. God, in, His righteousness, took that

penalty on Himself so that we could have peace with Him through the

forgiveness of our sin. Righteousness and peace are united in salvation.

Salvation is also described as faithfulness springing from the earth and

righteousness looking down from heaven (85:11). In faithfulness the Lord

Jesus came to earth and took on human form. He lived a perfect life,

faithful even to death. While salvation springs up from the earth it also

looks down in righteousness from the heavens. I like to see the picture of

the Father looking down with all His righteous requirements at His son who

sprang up from the earth as a human like us. As the Father looks down from

heaven He sees that all the righteous requirements of the Law are fulfilled

in His Son and is pleased. This is what salvation is all about (the work of

the Son and the acceptance of the Father).

The Psalmist concluded in Psalm 85:12-13 by telling his readers that the

Lord would give what was good so that their land would yield its harvest.

Everything God did was done in perfect righteousness. Righteousness went

before Him and prepared the way for His steps (85:13). Before God will

move in power the demands of righteousness needed to be met. Only

through the forgiveness of sin and the determination of His people to follow

Him could these blessings be experienced.

As we examine these two Psalms there seems to be a central theme. God

desired a people who would seek Him passionately. His heart cried out for

men and women who would follow Him in a spiritual pilgrimage. Those

who chose to do so would experience His joy, peace and strength. This

pilgrimage would not always be easy. Sometimes they would cross the

Valley of Baca (weeping), but even there the wonderful hand of the Lord

would guide them. The prayer of the Psalmist was that God would revive

His people. He wanted God to restore His people so that they would again

be able to see the wonder of their God and rejoice in Him.

He describes for them the wonderful salvation and deliverance that God had

in store for them. God would reach down to them in faithfulness and love.

He would restore them to a relationship of intimacy and passion again.

For Consideration:

Describe the passion of the Psalmist for God. Does this

describe your passion for Him as well?

What is the promise of the Lord God to those who set their

hearts on walking with Him?

What is the Valley of Baca? How does God meet us in these

places in our lives?

What does this world have to offer that we cannot have in

greater measure in the Lord God?

Are you completely satisfied in God? Why are we tempted to

look to the world?

What is revival according to Psalm 85:6? Do you need this

revival personally?

How does the Psalmist describe salvation in Psalm 85?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to increase your passion for Him and His

presence.

Take a moment to remember a time when the Lord

strengthened you. Thank Him for that strength.

Ask God to take your eyes away from the world. Ask Him to

give you a greater desire for Him and His Word.

Ask the Lord to revive you personally so that you can rejoice

afresh in Him.

Thank the Lord for His wonderful salvation.

77 - HAVE MERCY ON ME

Psalm 86:1-17

salm 86 is a Psalm of David. We are not told the circumstances of

the psalm but the context clearly speaks of a time in the life of

David when his enemies surrounded him. In this Psalm, David

cried out to the Lord for help. Notice in this psalm that in this time of trial,

David clung to what he knew about God and to the relationship he had with

Him.

David begins in verse 1 by confessing his need and recognising that he was

poor and needy. We are not told what the circumstances of David's life were

at this time. We do know at this time that David realised his enemies were

stronger than him and would surely defeat him if God did not come to his

aid. He does not trust his own strength. He knows that his enemies are too

much for him to handle. He comes to the Lord God, recognising his need.

Notice in verse 2 that David asked the Lord to guard his life because he was

devoted to Him. The word "devoted" in the Hebrew language has the sense

of being holy, faithful and godly. In other words, David had committed

himself to follow the Lord and His ways. Even in this time of trouble, the

commitment of the Psalmist was to follow the Lord and to do His will. This

is the reason David can come to the Lord and ask Him to keep him in this

time. Had David been living in sin he would not have had the same

confidence as he stood before God. He comes before God with a clear

conscience.

Notice also in verse 2 that the confidence and trust of David was in the

Lord. He did not look to any other god in this time of trouble. His eyes were

solely on the Lord God of Israel. His full trust and confidence was in Him.

He did not consider his own strength to be sufficient to overcome the

enemy. God alone could give him victory. Sometimes we do not experience

victory because we are still trusting in other things. David's confidence was

in the Lord alone.

Notice how David called out to the Lord all day long (verse 3). He pleaded

with Him to have mercy on him. David was not going to stop seeking the

Lord until he found the answer he needed. He persevered in prayer because

he knew that the Lord God alone could give him victory. He would not let

God go until He blessed him and answered his prayer.

David went on to pray that God would give him joy because he lifted up his

soul to Him. I like to see a picture of David lifting up his dried up and

empty soul to the Lord for filling. Joy had fled from him. His pain and

struggle had stripped him of joy and happiness. David lifted up his soul to

the Lord and asked Him to fill it with joy. He does not look anywhere else

for this joy. He came to the Lord because he knew that God was the source

of joy and contentment. He knew that even in his trial, the Lord could give

him the joy he needed to face each day.

David did not come to the Lord believing that he was perfect. He knew that

he had his failures and faults as well. He came to God, however, with

confidence that He was a forgiving and good God who showed love to all

who called on Him (verse 5). David was thankful that God was willing to

forgive his shortcomings. Had God not been a forgiving God, David would

not have been able to come to Him at all.

Notice also that God abounded in love to those who called out to Him

(verse 5). In other words, God’s loving heart was open to receive all who

called out to Him in their trouble. What a comfort this is to us today. God

delights to hear the cry of His children and He will open His loving heart to

all who will call out to Him.

It was on the basis of God's forgiveness and love that David could call out.

In verses 6-7 David told the Lord that he would come to Him in the time of

trouble and cry out for mercy. He had every confidence that God would

listen to him and answer his prayer.

Notice in verse 8 that David reminded his readers that there was no god like

the God of Israel. No one could compare with Him in awesome deeds. The

God of Israel had created the earth. He had shown these awesome deeds to

David's ancestors. David knew that nothing was impossible to God. He

came to Him because there was no other god who could do what the God of

Israel could do. Foreign nations recognised the wonder of the God of Israel

(verse 9). In the days when the children of Israel were held in bondage in

Egypt, God showed His awesome power to Pharaoh. When the Israelites

came to Canaan, under the leadership of Joshua, God demonstrated His

awesome power in conquering all the nations who opposed His people. All

these nations recognised the power of the God of Israel. The God of Israel

alone could do marvellous deeds. He was a God to be worshipped in all the

earth.

David's request in verse 11 is that the Lord would teach him His ways so he

could walk in His truth. David is humble enough to recognise that he did

not understand the ways of the Lord. He was presently going through a trial

in his life. He did not know why he had to face that trial or what the

purpose and plan of the Lord was for him in that trial. He prayed that God

would teach him what he needed to know so that, even in his trial, he could

walk in His truth. How easy it is in our trials to say or do things that we

would not normally say or do. There are times when the Lord God will

allow us to face trials to train us or teach us an important lesson. David's

prayer is that the Lord would teach him what he needed to learn in this time

of confusion and trouble.

Notice also in verse 11 that David asked that God would give him an

undivided heart so that he would fear His name. An undivided heart is a

heart that is fully committed to the Lord God alone. In our trials, there may

be the temptation to wander from the truth. When Job went through his

personal trial, Satan's desire was to have him curse God (see Job 2:9). We

can be sure that this is the desire of the enemy for us as well. Satan will do

his best to cause us to wander from the Lord and His purpose. David's

prayer for an undivided heart is a crucial prayer for all of us in our time of

temptation. His prayer is that he would be faithful to the Lord alone and that

his eyes would not turn to another.

David's commitment even in this time of trouble was to worship and praise

the name of the Lord (see verse 12). Admittedly, David did not know how

things were going to turn out. He did not understand what God was doing or

why the enemy had been troubling him. There were many questions on his

mind but David committed himself, no matter what happened, to praise the

Lord and to honour His name. David was not going to let his troubles come

between him and His God. This is a commitment we all need to make.

There were many reasons why David could make this commitment to

worship and praise the Lord. The first of those reasons was because God's

love for Him was great (verse 13). David had often experienced the love of

the Lord God in his life. In particular, David mentions how God had

delivered him from the grave. It is unclear if David was thinking here about

a particular time in his life or about the fact that though his enemies had

troubled him, God had continually rescued him. The fact that David was

alive and well was thanks to the wonderful love of the Lord for him each

and every day.

The second reason why David could commit himself to praising the Lord

was because God was compassionate and gracious (verse 15). Compassion

and grace are extended to those who do not deserve it. David knew he had

fallen short of God's standard many times but God still forgave him and

extended His hand of love toward him. Because of this, David would

continue to praise the Lord no matter what happened in his life. At the time

David was writing this Psalm, ruthless and arrogant men were attacking

him (verse 14). Despite this, David's commitment was to worship a

compassionate and gracious God. He would trust Him fully.

David also worshipped the Lord God because He was slow to anger and

abounding in love (verse 15). In other words, David knew that there were

plenty of times when God could have become angry with him but instead

He forgave him and waited patiently on him.

As he concluded his prayer, David asked the Lord for two things. In verse

16 he asked the Lord to have mercy on him and to give him strength. He did

not know how long his trials would remain. He did not understand the

purpose or timing of God. What he did know, however, was that if he was

to get through this trial he was going to need the strength of the Lord. He

pleaded with God, in His mercy, to give him the strength he needed to face

the trial for as long as God allowed it.

The second request of David was that God would give him a sign of His

goodness (verse 17). He wanted this sign to be of such a nature that his

enemies would see it and be put to shame. He wanted his enemies to see

that they were not just fighting David but the Lord God of Israel as well. In

the midst of his trial, David wanted to see a clear demonstration of the

power of the Lord God. This was not so much for him but for his enemies.

Notice in verse 17 that David made it clear that God had already helped and

comforted him. David did not ask for a sign because of any lack of faith. He

had already committed himself to worship and trust the Lord no matter

what. The sign he asked for was a sign that would speak to his unbelieving

adversaries. He wanted them to see that God was real, so that they would

put their trust in Him.

While David did not understand what God was doing in this time of trouble,

he committed himself to seeking the Lord with all his heart. He refused to

allow the enemy to take him from the truths he had learned from God. He

opened his heart to learn from God in his trial and expected to be victorious

because God was his strength.

For Consideration:

Do we need to be perfect before we come to God? What do

we learn from David about God and His mercy?

What is the basis of David's confidence before God in this

Psalm?

What did David do when he found his soul emptied of joy?

Have you ever lost your joy?

Why is it important for us to be open to the teaching of God

in our trials?

Is it wrong to ask God for a sign? Why does David ask for a

sign here?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord for the fact that He is willing to accept us

even though we fall short of His standard.

Do you find your soul emptied of joy? Lift up your soul to

the Lord now and ask Him to fill it again.

Ask the Lord to teach you through your personal trials.

Ask God to strengthen you in your resolve to worship and

praise Him no matter what happens in your life.

78 - THE CITY OF GOD

Read Psalm 87:1-7

salm 87 is somewhat difficult to understand. In part the reason is

cultural. To understand this Psalm one needs to examine it from the

cultural perspective of the Israelite. It is written about the city of

Jerusalem and expresses the heart of God for the city and its inhabitants.

There is also a prophetic element to this Psalm that speaks of the purpose of

God for His people.

The Psalm begins with a statement about the Lord's commitment to the city

of Jerusalem and by extension to His people. The Psalmist declared in verse

1 that the Lord God had set His foundation on the holy mountain.

Throughout their history, God's people had wandered from one place to

another. They had no land to claim as their own. They lived for four

hundred years in the land of Egypt. When they were set free from the

bondage of Egypt they wandered in the wilderness for a period of forty

years. Under Joshua they conquered the land of Canaan and established a

presence in the land. It was not until the time of Solomon, however, that a

temple would be built in Jerusalem. In a very special way the Lord God

chose to reveal His presence in that temple.

The psalmist reflects on how God had chosen to dwell in that temple in

Jerusalem. To the psalmist this was a wonderful thought. God was pleased

to dwell with His people and to reveal Himself to the world from the city of

Jerusalem. It was indeed tremendous to know this God and to experience

His favour. In a similar way we as believers in our day can stand in awe of

the fact that the Lord God should choose to place His holy presence in the

lives of His children. What a beautiful thing it is to know the presence of

God in our lives and hearts. God has chosen to set His foundation in us.

The thing we need to understand about a foundation is that it is permanent.

It is easy to pull up the pegs of a tent and leave. A building set on a

foundation, however, is there to stay. This may be in part what the Psalmist

wants to communicate to us by the use of the word foundation. If God has

set His foundation on His holy mountain, we can be sure that His intention

is to stay. The same is true for the presence of the Lord in the hearts and

lives of each of His children. When He sets up His foundation in us He

intends to stay.

The Psalmist continues in verse 2 by telling his readers that the Lord loved

the gates of Zion more than the dwellings of Jacob. The reference to Jacob

is symbolic of Israel as a whole. What the Psalmist appears to be saying is

that God had particularly favoured the city of Jerusalem with His presence

and blessing. He chose this city over and above all the other towns and

villages of Israel to reveal His presence.

Why should God choose to reveal Himself to this city in a special way?

There is no answer given. God has often, in the history of His dealings with

humanity, chosen to reveal Himself in special ways through chosen people.

There are men and women of faith who seem to stand out in the history of

the Christian church. Why should God save me and reveal Himself to me in

a special way when my neighbour remains in the darkness of sin? We will

never fully understand the mind of God and His ways. Suffice it to say that

God does choose to reveal Himself in special ways at certain times and in

certain individuals. Jerusalem was particularly favoured by God. It stood

out above all other cities and towns as the city where God had chosen to

make His presence known.

Because God had chosen to reveal His presence in Jerusalem, glorious

things were said about it as a city. This should be the case for each of us as

believers in whom the Holy Spirit of God dwells. Men and women

everywhere should see the evidence of the power of God in us and stand in

awe. When the Holy Spirit came on the early church in the book of Acts,

the people in the community took notice. They saw a difference in the lives

of the believers. They were amazed at what they saw. The Psalmist told his

readers that glorious things were said about the city of Jerusalem because

God had chosen to reveal His presence in that city. Do people say glorious

things about us because they see the presence of the Spirit of God in us?

In verse 4 the Psalmist speaks of Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Cush

as nations that acknowledged God. The reference to Rahab is likely a

reference to Egypt. Isaiah the prophet called Egypt, "Rahab" in Isaiah 30:7:

Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab

the Do-Nothing.

What is significant about this verse is that it points to a time when these

nations would acknowledge God and God would say of them that they were

born in Zion. To be born in Zion meant these nations were part of the

chosen people of God. Because they acknowledged God and were accepted

as citizens of Israel they would be blessed like all His children.

Could it be that what these people saw in Jerusalem was so awesome that

they had to become part of it themselves? We can only hope and pray that

our lives would have such an impact on those around us who do not yet

know the Lord God.

So great would be the impact of the blessing of God on the city of

Jerusalem and its inhabitants that people could distinguish those who were

born in Zion from everyone else (verse 5). The unbeliever would be able to

see the evidence of God and His blessing on those who belonged to Him.

The nature of the salvation of God is such that the unbeliever will notice

that difference.

In verse 6 the Psalmist told his readers that the Lord wrote the names of His

people in His register. Beside the name of those who belonged to him was

recorded: "This one was born in Zion." In a very similar way, those who are

born again into the family of God are "born in Zion." To be born in Zion is

to be born into the spiritual family of God and to be children of God and

inheritors of His blessing. How important it is for each of us to know that

we have recorded beside our name in the book of life in heaven: "This one

was born in Zion." Until we have been born in Zion, we have no hope of

eternal life. May God give us all the assurance of this wonderful salvation.

Notice as the Psalmist concluded his Psalm in verse 7 he prophesied of a

time when those who were born in Zion would sing a song. The words of

that song would be "All my foundations are in you." A foundation is

something we can build our house on. It is solid and lasting. What these

individuals are saying is that all their security was in the Lord God and His

purposes. Their lives were built on the Lord as a sure foundation. Anything

of eternal and lasting value came from the Lord.

God had chosen to reveal Himself to His people. Because they were blessed

by the Lord, His people reflected His glory. Others could look on them and

see the difference. So great and attractive was this blessing of God that the

unbelieving nations would desire it for themselves. They would come to the

Lord God of Israel and acknowledge Him as their God as well.

For Consideration:

God set His foundation in Zion. What does this mean? What

significance is there in the word "foundation"? What

encouragement does this give us today?

Do people see the difference the Lord God has made in your

life? Explain.

What does it mean to be "born in Zion"? Are you sure that

you are "born in Zion"? How do you know?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He chose to reveal Himself in you.

Ask the Lord to help you to show the difference He made in

your life to those around you.

Ask the Lord to give you the assurance that you have been

"born in Zion."

Take a moment to pray for an unbelieving friend or loved one

that they would see the glorious difference the Lord God

makes and come to Him.

79 - THE GOD WHO SAVES

Read Psalm 88:1-18

salm 88 is a difficult Psalm to read. It is, however, the cry of many

a believer. The Psalm is an honest expression of confusion in the

midst of trial. It is an attempt to understand the mind of God and

His purposes in a world of sin and evil.

As the Psalmist begins in verse 1, he gives us the one sign of hope we have

in this Psalm. Notice how he speaks of God as the one who saved him.

Deep down in his heart the Psalmist knows that God will save him. This

knowledge, however, does not take away his confusion in a time of trials

and struggles. While the Psalmist knows that the Lord God is his salvation,

notice that this salvation is not evident at the time of writing. The Psalmist

cries out day and night to the Lord. He perseveres in his prayer although the

answer seems to delay in coming. He pleads with God in verse 2 to listen to

his consistent cries for help.

There is nowhere else the Psalmist can turn in his time of need. God alone

is his only hope. Though He delayed in answering, the Psalmist does not

lose hope in Him.

Notice the struggle in verse 3. The psalmist told the Lord that his soul was

full of trouble. He was afraid of losing his life. He told the Lord that his life

was drawing near the grave. From verse 4 we see how those around him

thought of him. He was counted among those who went down to the pit and

like a man without any strength. In other words, even his friends and

acquaintances saw him as a man ready to die with no hope of ever

recovering. The picture is one of despair.

The psalmist felt that God had abandoned him in his suffering and sorrow.

In verse 5 he told his readers that he was set apart like those who were dead

and cut off from the care of the Lord. The Lord did not seem to listen to him

in his suffering. Though he cried day and night, it seemed that the Lord was

far away. What hope was there if even the Lord seemed to have forgotten

him?

In verse 6 the psalmist goes even further. He told his readers that God had

put him in the lowest pit and the darkest depth. In other words, God had

cast him aside. More than this, however, God had placed him in the deepest

and darkest pit possible. The Psalmist could not see things as being any

worse than they were at that time.

The wrath of God was on the Psalmist. It was a heavy burden to bear. He

was overwhelmed by the waves of God's anger. The picture is of a man

drowning in the sea. The waves seem to continually beat him and drain him

of his strength and desire to live. This is how the Psalmist felt God was

treating him.

In verse 8 the Psalmist spoke about the friends he used to have. He told his

readers that God took all his closest friends from him and left him alone in

life. His pain and suffering was so great that even his friends turned from

him repulsed at what they saw. There was nothing the Psalmist could do to

change his circumstances. He felt like he was imprisoned in pain and

suffering with no way of escape.

Despite the obvious signs of despair, the Psalmist did not stop crying out to

the Lord. He felt like God had locked him up in this prison of grief and

suffering but he also knew that God alone had the key to open that door and

set him free. In verse 9 the Psalmist told his readers that his eyes were dim

with grief but he continued to call out to the Lord each day. He daily spread

out his hands to the Lord in hope of receiving an answer to his requests.

The reality of the matter is that persevering under this type of circumstance

is very difficult. We have to admire that Psalmist who, under such terrible

trials continued to plead with God for deliverance. He did not turn his eyes

from God. Though he believed God had forgotten him, he continued to cry

out to Him for help. How many people have turned their back on the Lord

in lesser circumstances? Have you cried out to the Lord and not seen an

answer? Don't lose hope. Keep persevering like this Psalmist.

The Psalmist expressed his confusion in verse 10. "Do you show your

wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you?" he

asked. He didn’t understand why God would allow him to die in suffering

and grief. He knew God to be a God of wonders and miraculous deeds.

Those deeds were wasted on the dead. The dead could not rise up and praise

the Lord. Only the living could praise the Lord. Why didn't God set him

free in a miraculous way so that he could rise up and praise His name?

He continued in verse 11: "Is your love declared in the grave, your

faithfulness in destruction?” Again, notice that the Psalmist recognised that

God was a God of love and faithfulness. That love and faithfulness is not

felt by the dead. Only the living can express gratitude to God for His love.

God's wonders are not known in the place of the dead nor are his

“righteous” deeds recognised in the place where all is forgotten and empty

(verse 12). Notice the Psalmist recognised God as a God of righteous deeds.

The truth the Psalmist knew about God continued to give him hope in a

time of confusion. In times when we do not see the hand of the Lord at

work we need to remain faithful to the truth we know about Him. The fact

that God does not immediately answer our prayers does not change who He

is. The faith of the Psalmist is being stretched at this point in his life.

Notice, however, again in verse 13 that he continued to cry for help.

Morning and evening his prayers came before God. He does not give up

seeking God's favour and blessing.

The pain and suffering of the Psalmist was not a short term thing. Notice in

verse 15 that from his youth he had been afflicted and close to death. From

as far back as he could remember he had suffered God's terrors. He had

been brought to the place of despair. He could not understand why God had

rejected him and hid His face from him (verse 14). This makes his

perseverance in prayer even more admirable. Who among us would

persevere for this time in prayer?

God's wrath had swept over him and His terrors destroyed him. He was like

a drowning man in a flood. He was engulfed by the wrath of God day after

day and year after year. All his friends abandoned him and there was no

help or support in them. The only friend he had now was darkness and

death. Death alone could relieve him of his pain and suffering.

This psalm is the helpless cry of a man in despair. It is, however, also the

cry of a man who will not give up on God. It is the cry of a man who could

not understand the ways of God but still kept looking to Him for relief. It is

the testimony of a man of great perseverance and faith in a circumstance

where everything seemed to be hopeless. It is a powerful lesson for each of

us to trust in the Lord no matter what happens.

For Consideration:

What truths about God does the Psalmist cling to in his

Psalm? What does this teach us about dealing with our pain

and suffering?

What does the Psalmist teach us about perseverance in prayer

and our walk with God?

Is it really possible for us to fully understand the mind and

the ways of God?

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation to the

Psalmist? What challenge does this passage bring to you

today?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He never changes and that we can

always rely on Him.

Ask the Lord to give you the perseverance of the Psalmist in

your trial today.

Take a moment to commit your trials to the Lord. Thank Him

that He knows what He is doing.

Commit yourself in prayer to be faithful to the Lord no matter

what might happen in your life.

80 - WHERE IS YOUR

FORMER LOVE?

Read Psalm 89:1-52

salm 89 is a mixture of praise and struggle. The Psalmist praises the

Lord for His love and faithfulness but struggles with its seeming

absence in his life. Though he does not seem to understand the

ways of the Lord, he continues to worship Him.

The Psalmist begins in verse 1 on a note of praise and thanksgiving

especially for the love and faithfulness of the Lord God. Notice that he told

his readers that he would sing of the Lord's great love forever and make His

faithfulness known through all generations. There are two things we need to

see here. First, the Psalmist committed himself to sing of the love of the

Lord forever. As we will see later in this Psalm, this was not always easy.

There would be times in the life of the Psalmist when he did not see clear

evidence of the love of the Lord. There would be times when he faced

tremendous turmoil. The Psalmist knew, however, that circumstances did

not change God and His love for His people. God's love was unconditional

and eternal. Nothing could separate him from that love so he would praise

Him for it even in times when it was not evident to him. He worshipped on

the basis of truth, not always on experience.

The second matter we need to notice in verse 1 is that the desire of the

Psalmist was to declare the faithfulness of the Lord to the next generations.

He wanted the next generation to understand what he understood about the

faithfulness of the Lord his God. His faith was not for himself alone. He

wanted to pass it on.

In verse 2 the Psalmist made it his commitment to declare that the love of

the Lord stood firm forever. In other words, there was nothing that could

change the love of the Lord God for His people. His love was constant and

unchanging. What a wonderful comfort this is for us in our day as well.

Notice also that God established His faithfulness in heaven itself. When

something is established in heaven there is nothing on earth that can ever

change it. The faithfulness of God was established in heaven. This meant

that Israel could rely on it. Nothing would ever keep God from being

faithful to His people. The circumstances of life may change and become

very difficult. One thing is sure. Because God has determined in heaven to

be faithful to His children, nothing on this earth will ever separate us from

that love.

This Lord God of heaven made a covenant with David. That is to say, He

entered a special relationship with David. He promised to establish his

family line forever and make his throne firm throughout all generations.

God had a special purpose for David and his family tree. Hidden in this

verse is the promise of a Messiah who would come from the line of David

and rule forever as our Sovereign Lord and King. The Lord Jesus was a

descendant of David and He has become our king. His reign is forever.

As the Psalmist thought about this wonderful promise of God to David, he

broke forth into praise. "The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your

faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones" (verse 5). He realised

that heaven itself was left in awe at the wonderful plan of the Lord God for

His people and their salvation.

There was no one in the heavens that could compare to the Lord God. He is

feared and revered in heaven because He is more awesome than every being

that surrounds Him. He is the mighty Lord who promises to be faithful to

His creation. He rules over the surging sea (verse 9). When the waves of

that surging sea mounted up, He calmed them. Notice in verse 10 how the

Lord crushed Rahab. The reference to Rahab is a reference to some great

monster of the ocean. It may also be a reference to the nation of Egypt (see

Isaiah 30:7). The Lord was able to defeat this great monster. With His

strong arm He scattered His enemies. No one could stand against the Lord

God and His purposes. His greatest foes would be scattered.

The psalmist speaks in this psalm about a God who owns the heavens and

the earth. He is the founder of the world and all that is in it. He created

everything we see around us. Without Him we would not exist. We owe

everything to Him. In verse 12 the psalmist tells us that God created the

north and the south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon are pictured as

singing for joy at the name of the Lord God.

In verse 13 the psalmist speaks of the arm of the Lord. That arm was

“endued with power.” His hand was strong and His right hand exalted.

There was no god whose power could match the power of the Lord God

Righteousness and justice were, according to the Psalmist in verse 14, the

foundation of God's throne. In other words, God's reign in the earth was

based solidly on righteousness and justice. Justice would be provided for

all. His reign was a reign of righteousness. God could never be accused of

corruption and injustice. All His servants are guaranteed just and righteous

treatment. Notice that while God's throne was founded on justice and

righteousness, love and faithfulness went before Him. While justice and

righteousness may at times require death and severe penalty, love and

faithfulness would also be part of the Lord's reign. This love and

faithfulness is directed toward His people. What He did was for the good of

those who loved Him. Holiness and grace meet in this verse.

Those who learned how to acclaim and worship this wonderful God were a

blessed people. They walked in the light of His truth and the knowledge of

His presence (verse 15). They rejoiced in His name all day long and

delighted in His righteousness.

God is the glory and strength of those who trust Him. It is by His favour

that His people were strengthened. The Lord had been the shield of His

people for generations. He had protected them and kept them from the

hands of the enemy.

The wonderful thing about this awesome God was that He chose to enter a

relationship with His people. In verse 19, the Psalmist speaks of a particular

time when the Lord God had spoken in a vision to His people. In that vision

God told them that He had given strength to a warrior and exalted a young

man from among His people. That young warrior was David (verse 20).

God called David to be his servant. He chose to anoint him with oil as king

of His people. God promised to keep David and strengthen him in the task

to which He had called him (verse 21). No enemy would overcome him and

subject him to paying tribute. During his reign, no wicked person would

oppress David (verse 22). These were the promises of the Lord God to His

servant David and by extension to His people.

God promised to crush all of David's foes and strike down all his enemies

(verse 23). God's faithful love would be with David. He would strengthen

his horn. The horn represented strength and power. Just as the animal used

his horn to defend himself and overpower his enemy, so would David be

strengthened by the Lord his God to overcome his enemies

Through the grace and mercy of God, David's hand would be set over the

seas and the rivers. In other words, his influence would extend beyond the

boundaries of his land. It would be felt beyond the seas and the rivers (verse

26). David would enjoy a special relationship with his God. He would call

Him "Father," his “Rock," and his "Saviour." God would not be distant to

David but very close and personal. According to verse 27 God would

appoint David to be his firstborn child. As a "first born" David would enjoy

the special blessing of God on his life. He would be given special privileges

and responsibilities as the first born. He would be exalted over all the kings

of the earth. We cannot fail to see a reference to the Lord Jesus as the

descendant of David who would enjoy special favour as Saviour and King.

God promised to maintain His love for David and his descendants forever.

His covenant agreement with His servant David would never fail. God

would establish his family line forever and his throne would last for as long

as the heavens endured. In other words, that throne would be an eternal

throne. Again this seems to be a clear reference to the Lord Jesus as a

descendant of David who would reign forever.

God knew that the earthly descendants of David would not always follow

His ways. In verse 30 He reminded David that if his sons did forsake His

laws and statutes, violating His decrees and breaking His commandments,

then they would be punished. God would punish them with His rod of

judgement, but He would never take His love away from them nor would

He ever betray His faithfulness to them as a people. God would not violate

the covenant He made with David or alter what He had spoken to him.

David's line was secure. God would love them and continue to work with

them forever. God swore by an oath to David on His own holiness that He

would not lie to Him or change what He had agreed to do for His people.

David's line would continue forever (verse 36) and his throne would endure

like the sun. Clearly the Lord Jesus is today the true King on the throne of

David. God has never, nor will He ever forget His people, the descendants

of David. Though for a time, we do not see clearly what God is doing

among the Israelite people, we can be sure that they are still in His

purposes. “They will be established forever like the moon" (verse 37).

All that the Psalmist has said to this point is absolutely true. The reality of

the matter, however, was that the Psalmist struggled with what he was

seeing around him. He does not doubt the promise of God to His people but

circumstances seem to say something different.

In verse 38 the Psalmist said: "But you have rejected, you have spurned,

you have been very angry with your anointed one." God was angry with the

descendants of David and was punishing them for their sin. To the Psalmist,

it appeared that the Lord had renounced the covenant He had made with

David. Enemies had broken through the walls of the city and reduced it to

ruins. Those who passed by plundered Israel. As a people, they were

scorned and mocked by their neighbours (verse 41). God had exalted the

right hand of the enemy so that they conquered Israel. Israel’s enemies

rejoiced at her defeat. Instead of protecting His people, God turned the edge

of the sword against them and refused to support them in battle (verse 43).

Israel’s splendour was no more. Her throne was cast to the ground (verse

44). Israel's days were cut short and she was covered with shame.

God had hidden His presence from His people. His wrath was burning

against them like fire (verse 46). The Psalmist reminded God of how

fleeting the life of a human being really was. He questioned why God had

allowed them to see such futility in their lives. At that time they were being

oppressed and shamed by the neighbouring nations. God seemed distant.

What purpose was there to go on living under these conditions? All they

had to look forward to was death and the grave (verse 48).

For the Psalmist it was hard to understand how God was being faithful to

His covenant promise with David. In verse 49 he cried out: "O Lord, where

is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?"

He called on God to remember how His servants were being mocked and

scorned by the nations around them (verse 50). As the enemies mocked

God's people they also mocked her Lord (verse 51). The psalmist’s

confusion is great but notice how he concluded his Psalm. In verse 52 he

concluded with the words: "Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and

Amen." The psalmist had committed himself to worship God for His

faithful love and declare that to the generations to come. Nothing was going

to change that commitment to God. Despite the confusion and the obvious

chaos all around him, the psalmist still found it in his heart to praise the

Lord.

What we need to understand is that the ways of the Lord are very different

from our ways. His timing is not the same as ours. When the Lord Jesus

came to this earth, many expected Him to be different. When they saw Him

die on the cross they immediately dismissed Him as King. They couldn't

imagine that suffering and pain was part of the loving process of God for

our salvation. Suffering does not mean that God has rejected us. If anything,

it means that He is working all the more in our lives to refine us. Faith

stands firm where human reason fails. God's faithful and loving purposes

are being worked out in the trials of life. The psalmist did not understand

what God was doing or how it fit into the overall purpose of God but he did

not stop trusting and believing that God, as a faithful and loving God,

would always be true to His people. May God give us faith to worship even

in the midst of tremendous obstacles.

For Consideration:

The Psalmist made a commitment to sing of the love of the

Lord God forever. Can you make this commitment today

despite the struggle you are facing?

What are some of the reasons for the Psalmist’s worship in

this Psalm?

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne.

What comfort does this give you as a believer? How does this

change how you look at your struggle?

Does God's love and faithfulness change when our

circumstances change? Explain.

What trial are you going through now? Can you find it in

your heart to worship God and trust His promises?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to always sing of His love for you.

Thank the Lord that His throne is founded on righteousness

and justice. Ask Him to make these qualities part of your own

life.

Thank the Lord that though circumstances may change in life,

He is always the same.

Take a moment to praise the Lord. Thank Him for your

current trial and ask Him to give you grace to trust Him

through that trial.

81 - MAKE US GLAD

Read Psalm 90:1-91:16

salms 90 and 91 have a common thread flowing through them. In

Psalm 90 the Psalmist expressed his concern about not seeing the

power of God at work in the lives of his people. He cried out to the

Lord to show that power once again. Psalm 91, on the other hand, speaks

very positively of the wonderful power of God that is demonstrated in the

lives of those who make the Lord God their refuge and shelter. We will

examine both of these psalms in this brief meditation.

As we begin, the psalmist confesses that the Lord had been a dwelling place

for His people throughout all generations. As a dwelling place, the Lord had

been their shelter from the enemy. He had protected and provided for His

people.

This God, who was their shelter, was an eternal God. Before the mountains

were born or the earth existed, He was God. Notice in Psalm 90:2 that God

was from everlasting to everlasting. In other words, He always was God

and He always will be God. Nothing will ever strip Him of His power or

authority.

As God, He turned men and women to dust. We came from dust and will

return to dust. All this is in the hands of the Lord God. He is in complete

control of life and ordains the length of each life and the time of each death.

As an eternal God, time does not have the same value as it does to us as

human beings. A thousand years, said the Psalmist, was like a single day in

the Lord's concept of time. As an eternal God, He had no beginning nor

does He have an end. As human beings, however, how different we are. We

are like grass that grows up new in the morning but by evening it is dry and

withered (90:5).

Notice in Psalm 90:7 what the writer tells his readers about the lot of men

and women on this earth. They will be consumed by God's anger and

terrified by His indignation. God is a holy and righteous God. He holds

each individual accountable for their actions. He will not pass over our sins.

All our sins are set out before Him. Even our secret sins are open before

God.

What hope has man before such an awesome and holy God? Who among us

could live a life that met up to His holy expectations? Every one of us falls

short of the Lord's standard. We are all sinners who fall under the wrath of a

perfect and holy God. The Psalmist put it this way in Psalm 90:9: "All our

days pass away under Your wrath; we finish our years with a moan."

While these statements seem to be quite negative in their outlook, the fact is

that this is the reality for every individual who does not know the

forgiveness of the Lord God. God is a holy God and we are sinners. As the

Psalmist said: "All our days pass away under His wrath; we finish our years

with a moan." How thankful we need to be for a solution to this problem of

sin. The Lord Jesus has provided a way for us to be forgiven and cleansed.

Through His life and death we are given a new chance. His death paid the

penalty for sin and satisfied the wrath of God. Those who turn to the Lord

Jesus can know this forgiveness and renewal.

In Psalm 90:10 the Psalmist reminded his readers that the average length of

our days is only seventy years. If God gives us extra strength, we may even

see eighty. In those seventy or eighty years we will see much trouble and

sorrow. As we pass through this life we are often touched by sin and its

results on this earth. Death, sickness, broken relationships, disappointment

are all part of this life and the result of the sin problem. None of us will pass

through life unscathed. We are born into a sinful world. For seventy or

eighty years we pass through that world suffering the consequences of sin

and its curse and then we die.

In light of the shortness of life, the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 90:12 that each

of us would number our days and learn from them so that we might gain a

heart of wisdom. This is an important statement. God has given us these

days to prepare ourselves for entering His presence. If there is one thing we

need to learn from life in a sin cursed earth it is that we need the forgiveness

of a holy God. We need to see the futility of these seventy or eighty years

without God. We need to understand our need to turn to Him. God gives us

seventy or eighty years to learn these lessons and turn to Him.

The Psalmist concluded Psalm 90 with a plea to God. He asked Him to

relent from His anger and have compassion on His servants. How thankful

we need to be that this particular prayer has been answered in the person of

the Lord Jesus. Through Him the anger of God has been satisfied and God

has shown compassion on His servants.

In verse Psalm 90:14 that Psalmist pleaded with God to satisfy them in the

morning with His unfailing love so that they could sing for joy and be glad

all their days. It is the heart cry of the Psalmist that his heart be joyful and

satisfied. Again this is only possible through the ministry of the Lord Jesus

and His Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to understand that it is indeed the

heart of God that His children be satisfied and joyful in their lives. It is

possible to live in this world of sin and evil with a heart of satisfied joy.

God offers this to all who will come to Him. It is the prayer of the Psalmist

that he and his people would experience that joy.

Notice in Psalm 90:15 that the Psalmist prayed that God would make them

glad for as many days as He had afflicted them. For every moment of

suffering and pain the Psalmist asked God for an equal moment of joy and

rejoicing in the Lord God. I believe that the world needs to see men and

women today who are experiencing this joy and rejoicing in the Lord God.

Too many believers are living their lives as though it was the purpose of

God to make their lives miserable. The prayer of the Psalmist ought to be a

challenge for us.

As he concluded Psalm 90, the Psalmist asked that the deeds of the Lord be

shown to His servants again. He pleaded with God that His favour rest on

His children and that the works of His hands be established. The Psalmist

longed to see God demonstrate His wonderful power again in the lives of

His children so that they could live in victory over sin and have great cause

to celebrate His name.

While Psalm 90 seems to focus on the struggles and pain of living on a

sinful earth, Psalm 91 turns our attention to the reality of victory for the

believer.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of

the Almighty," the Psalmist told his readers (Psalm 91:1). That is to say, all

those who choose to make the Lord their shelter will know the blessing of

living under His shadow. The shadow of the Lord is a place of protection

from the hot and harmful rays of the sun. There are many things in life that

can harm us but when we are protected under the shadow of the Lord, we

are secure.

The Psalmist speaks of the Lord as a refuge and fortress (91:2). In God he

was safe from the snare the enemy had set for him. In the Lord he was

secure from the deadly and evil plagues of this sinful earth (91:3).

The Psalmist describes God as a mother bird who covered her young with

her feathers (91:4). There under His wings God's children were safe. There

they could find refuge.

God was a faithful God. He would not let His children down. He would be a

shield and a rampart. No enemy sword would penetrate nor could their

spear devour (91:4).

Because God was a fortress and shield, His people had no cause for fear.

The terror of the night would no longer overcome them (91:5). The arrows

the enemy shot at them during the day could not penetrate the strong shield

of the Lord. The pestilence that stalked the darkness and the plague that

devoured many at noon would not affect those who were sheltered in the

Lord God (91:6). We saw in Psalm 90 that the believer lived in a sin cursed

earth. We are told that those who find shelter in the Lord God can live as

overcomers. God's desire is to give victory not only over our own personal

sin but also the sin that surrounds us in this world.

God's promise through the psalmist is that a thousand or ten thousand will

fall at our side but we would be protected by the Lord our God (91:7).

God’s favour will be on us, protecting us and keeping us from evil.

Those whose hope is in the Lord will observe with their eyes the

punishment of the wicked (91:8). In other words, the believer will not

experience that punishment because his sins are forgiven. God wants us to

live in victory over sin and evil in our world. He is big enough to overcome

whatever sin comes our way. He will give us victory over those sins if we

trust him.

There is a wonderful promise for believers living on this sin filled earth in

the concluding verses of Psalm 91. Here the Psalmist promised that if we

make the Most High our dwelling and refuge, then no harm will befall us

nor will any disaster come near us (91:10). God will command His angels

to guard us in all our ways (91:11). Those angels will protect those who

find refuge in God and keep them from striking their foot against a stone

(91:12). Those whose fortress is the Lord God would live in victory over

the obstacles in their life. They would tread on the lion and the cobra.

Special emphasis is placed on the "great lion" and the "serpent" in verse 13.

Satan is described as both a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and a serpent (Genesis 3). As

believers we can even have victory over Satan and all his temptations.

Because believers love the Lord God and acknowledge His name, God

promises to rescue them and protect them (91:14). He would hear the cry of

the believer who loved and acknowledged Him. God would deliver them

from their trouble and honour them (91:15). He would satisfy them with

long life and show them His salvation (verse 16).

What we need to understand here is that the believer is called to live on an

earth filled with sin and evil. While our lives will never be totally free from

problems and struggles, there is hope for those who make the Lord God

their shelter. It is the desire of the Lord God that His people live in victory.

He invites us to call on Him and seek Him in our time of trouble. It is His

delight to give us victory and joy. The world needs to see believers who are

living in victory. This is only possible, however, if we turn to the Lord and

make Him our shelter and fortress. He alone can rescue us and keep us in a

world of evil and sin.

For Consideration:

What does it mean to make the Lord God our dwelling place

and shelter?

How does the Psalmist describe God in Psalm 90? What

characteristics of God does the Psalmist underline?

What do we learn in these two Psalms about the futility of life

without the Lord Jesus and the forgiveness He brings?

What does the Psalmist tells us about the desire of God to

satisfy and fill His people with joy?

Will believers suffer in this life? What is our confidence in

times of trial according to Psalm 91?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is a holy and eternal God.

Thank the Lord that despite the evil that surrounds us, we are

able to take refuge in Him.

Thank the Lord that His desire for you is that you live in

victory over sin and its effects on this earth. Ask Him to give

you that victory.

What has kept you from experiencing the satisfaction and joy

of the Lord? Ask the Lord to give you victory.

82 - IT IS GOOD TO

PRAISE THE LORD

Read Psalm 92:1-93:5

he psalmist begins in Psalm 92 by reminding his readers that it is a

good thing to praise the Lord and to make music to His name.

There has always been a connection between music and praise.

David, in particular, seemed to have a vision to see a greater use of music in

the worship of the Lord God. We read in the book of Revelation that the

angels of heaven use music to praise the Lord God (Revelation 5:9, 12;

14:3; 15:3). When the children of Israel crossed over the sea on dry land

and saw the destruction of the Egyptian enemy, Miriam lead the women in a

song of praise to the Lord God for His deliverance (Exodus 15:21). Over

and over in the Bible we see the use of music in the worship of the Lord

God. The psalmist reminds us that it is good to make music to praise the

name of the Lord. In other words, this is something that delights His heart.

Notice in Psalm 92:2 that the writer also tells his readers that it was also

good to proclaim the love of the Lord in the morning and His faithfulness in

the evening to the music of a ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

There are two things I want to mention here. First, notice that love is

proclaimed in the morning and faithfulness in the evening. Each day will

bring its share of struggle and turmoil. As we wake in the morning we need

to be assured of God's love for us that day. This assurance of love gives us

courage to step out into the struggles of that day. We know we are not

alone. In the evening, when we have seen how the Lord has kept us and

demonstrated His love to us, we are then able to proclaim His faithfulness

for that day.

The second thing we should notice in this verse is that we can proclaim the

love and faithfulness of the Lord God through music. The music spoken of

here is a personal expression of the hearts of men and women who have

experienced the love and faithfulness of God. They proclaim, through

songs, the glory of the Lord God. These are testimony songs that confirm

through practical examples that God is a God of tremendous love and

faithfulness.

Psalm 92:3 confirms to us that the Lord delights in the playing of

instruments in the worship of his name. While instruments are not

necessary, they are legitimate forms of worship that delight the heart of

God.

The reason that psalmist wanted to express his worship of God through

music was that God had made him glad though the things He had done for

him. That gladness made him sing (92:4). Music and song is a natural

expression of joy and gladness. The hearts of those who are joyous and glad

want to sing. The Lord delights in the natural breaking out in song as an

expression of a grateful heart.

In Psalm 92:5 the psalmist expresses his praise to the Lord God. He speaks

of his gratitude to God for the greatness of His works and the depth of His

thoughts.

The senseless person and the fool did not understand that while wickedness

sprang up like the grass and the evildoer flourished, this would only be

temporary (92:6-7). God will judge and evil will be destroyed. God is a

holy and just God. While evil would be destroyed, God would be exalted

forever. All His enemies would perish. Evildoers would be scattered. The

psalmist worshiped God because of His justice and holiness. It brought joy

to his heart to know that truth and righteousness would ultimately triumph.

Notice in Psalm 92:10 that the psalmist worshipped God because He had

exalted his horn like that of a wild ox. The horn was a symbol of power. It

was the ox’s weapon and symbol of his strength. God had increased the

power and strength of His servant and gave him victory. Notice also in

Psalm 92:10 that fine oils had been poured over the psalmist. This was an

indication that the Lord had anointed him for a particular ministry or work.

He was chosen of God and had the privilege to serve and honour Him as a

special vessel. This too brought joy to the heart of the psalmist.

As the psalmist reflected on his life, he remembered the defeat of his

enemies. He had seen how God had routed foes that had come to overtake

him. God had been his protection and shield. It was good to praise the Lord

for these wonderful evidences of love.

The psalmist had the assurance that the righteous person would flourish like

a palm tree or a cedar of Lebanon (92:12). The blessing of the Lord was on

the righteous. They were planted in the house of the Lord and would

flourish in the courts of God (92:13). All who belong to the Lord God will

one day enter His presence in heaven and live under His blessing forever.

This blessing is not limited to the life to come, however. Even now the

blessing of the Lord is on those who love Him and seek His face. He will

honour those who honour Him. If you were to take a moment to look at

your life, it should be very clear to you that you too, as a child of God, are

experiencing this wonderful blessing of God. This is cause to praise the

Lord.

Notice in Psalm 92:14 that those who belong to the Lord will bear fruit in

their old age. They will always be fresh and green. Our walk with the Lord

should never grow stale. It should always be fresh and new. Our

experiences of God will continue even to our old age. God is not limited to

using only the young and strong. He is more than willing to continue using

us until our dying moment. There will always be new and fresh experiences

of His love and faithfulness. There will always be new evidences of His

power using us for His glory. Until our dying day we will be able to

proclaim: "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no

wickedness in Him" (92:15).

As we move on to Psalm 93 the psalmist continues in this theme of worship

and praise. He thanked God because He reigned and was robed in majesty.

He was over all things and all people. Notice that as the reigning Lord, His

was robed with majesty. Majesty is that part of God that causes us to stand

(or fall) in awe and worship. He is a God whose presence alone makes us

fall down in praise and worship.

The Lord God is not only robed in majesty but is armed with strength.

Nothing is impossible to the Lord God. Nothing or no one is able to

overcome Him. What He established cannot be moved. Neither Satan nor

any of this world's leaders could ever change what He has established by

His decree. His throne is established from eternity past. That throne will be

there throughout all eternity. Nothing will strip Him of His control and

authority.

In Psalm 93:3 the psalmist compared the Lord to the seas. Those seas lifted

up their voice and pounded the shores with their powerful waves. The Lord

God, however, is mightier and more powerful than the great breakers of the

sea crashing into the shores with all their force. He is mightier than the

great thunder that sounds in the storm or the powerful rains that fall in the

storm.

What the Lord decrees stands firm and can never be changed. Holiness

filled His house for all eternity. Holiness relates to that which is good and

separated from sin. It is a characteristic of God that will never change. All

He does or ever will do is holy and good.

As the psalmist reflected on the Lord God and His work, his heart is stirred

to praise and worship. He reflected on God’s love, justice, holiness, majesty

and strength. He remembered how the Lord had been His Rock, shelter and

strength. He recalled how God had anointed him and strengthened him to be

His servant. His heart broke out in songs of praise for who God was and

what He had done. May we have such a heart.

For Consideration:

What do we learn about the place of music in the worship of

God from these Psalms?

The psalmist praised the Lord because everything He did was

good and just. Have you ever had times when you wondered

what the Lord was doing? What encouragement does this

bring you today?

How has the Lord been your Protector?

Take a moment to look over the events of the last couple of

days. How has the Lord demonstrated His faithfulness to

you?

What do we learn in these Psalms about the purpose of God

in the lives of His children?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord for those whose gifts of music have enhanced

our worship of the Lord.

Take a moment to consider the various attributes of God as

found in these two Psalms. Thank the Lord for who He is.

How has the Lord been your Rock and strength? Take a

moment to thank Him for the evidence of His faithfulness and

love toward you.

83 - THE GOD WHO

AVENGES

Read Psalm 94:1-23

salm 94 is a Psalm about a God who avenges sin. There are times in

the life of the believer when it seems that evil people have their

own way. Throughout the history of the church there have been

many periods of persecution. During those times it seemed that evil was

triumphing. Evil men and women became bolder in their stand against God

and His principles. The believer seemed to be left in despair crying out for

justice. Such was the situation of the psalmist when he wrote this Psalm.

Notice in verse 1 that, though in despair, the psalmist found comfort in the

fact that the Lord was a God who avenged sin. In other words, God was not

blind to what was happening in this time of evil. He saw what evil people

were doing to His children. The day was coming when He would call them

to give an account of their actions. God's timing is not the same as ours. His

ways are sometimes confusing to the limited human mind. God is an

avenging God. He will rise up and deal with sin and evil in time.

The cry of the psalmist was for the Lord God to rise up in this time of evil.

He calls Him to come as Judge of the earth to pay back the proud and

arrogant. They had done much evil in the land. They seemed to be

unhindered in their wicked ways. They rejoiced in evil and made much

profit from it. They boasted of their achievements and accomplishments

(verse 4). They crushed and oppressed the people of God (verse 5). They

had no concern for the widows or the foreigners. They slew them and

murdered the fatherless (verse 6). They felt that the Lord did not see what

they were doing. This was possibly due to the fact that they seemed to be

getting away with what they were doing.

There are many who think this way in our society. They justify their

disobedience and sin by saying that if the Lord wanted to stop them He

would. The psalmist challenged the evil doers of his day in their thinking.

He reminded them of how foolish it was to think that God did not see their

sin. "Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the

eye not see?" he asked in verse 9. How foolish it would be to think that the

Creator of our eyes and ears could not see or hear. God does see what is

happening. He knows how we are being oppressed. He hears every word

spoken out against us.

There is clear evidence in Scripture that God punishes nations because of

their sin. In the days of Moses, the Egyptian nation had oppressed the

people of Israel. The Lord punished Egypt. He brought the nation to its

knees. How foolish it would be for an individual to say that God would not

discipline him or her for their evil when He is willing to bring down whole

nations because of sin.

God is a God of infinite wisdom. There is nothing man can teach God.

Everything that we have ever learned is from God. He is the source of all

wisdom and knowledge. How foolish it is to say that God does not know

what we were doing. God knows everything. Nothing can be hidden from

Him. All the evil that is practised in our society is open before Him. We

cannot hide anything from an all-knowing God.

Admittedly, even believers will fall into sin. The Lord is aware of this and

will discipline His children to keep them in the truth. The psalmist reminds

us that we are blessed if we are disciplined by the Lord (verse 12). The

Lord’s discipline is intended to rescue us from evil and its influence in our

lives. When we discipline our children, it is to train them in the way they

should go. Discipline will keep us from falling into evil.

As for the wicked, however, verse 13 tells us that a pit will be dug for them.

In other words, the day of their destruction will come. The discipline of the

Lord will rescue us from the fate of the evil doer. The judgement of the

Lord, however, will destroy the wicked.

God will not reject those who belong to Him. He will not forsake His

inheritance. The Lord will rise up to judge evil. Though for a time evil

seems to triumph, its end is coming. As a righteous God, our Lord will rise

up and conquer evil.

Admittedly, in this life there will be times when we will feel overwhelmed

by evil around us. The psalmist felt this himself. In verses 16-17 he told his

readers that he could have died under the oppression of evil in his day. He

felt his foot slipping under the oppression of evil. The weight was so great

that he was about to fall under it. At that time, however, the Lord reached

out to him and supported him so that he was able to remain firm (verse 18).

There were also times in the psalmist's life when anxiety rose up in him.

The stress and struggle of life was such that panic and turmoil seemed to fill

his mind. In those times, the Lord consoled him and brought joy to his soul.

The circumstances did not change but the psalmist was able to experience

the joy of the Lord in his situation.

As the psalmist looked around him at the wickedness of his day, he knew

that this power was not from God. In verse 20 he reminded his readers that

those powers who brought only misery by their decrees were not allied with

God. These were oppressive powers whose only desire was to accomplish

their own evil agendas. They cared nothing for God and His ways. They

were enemies. These evil powers banded together against the righteous.

They condemned the innocent to death.

Where can the righteous person go in times when evil seems to reign? The

psalmist tells us in verse 22 that when evil powers are in control, God is a

fortress and rock of refuge for His people. He will protect His loved ones

and keep them in this time. He will repay evil leaders for their sin. He will

destroy them for their wicked ways.

What we discover in this Psalm is that there are times when evil seems to

prevail in the land. God will not always stop evil but He will protect and

keep those who are His. The day is coming when the Lord God will avenge

His people. He is not blind to what has been done to them. He has heard the

insults. He feels our pain. Though He tarries for the moment, the time is

coming when He will arise and judge.

For Consideration:

What evidence is there of sin in your society today?

Is God's timing the same as ours? How does this affect you

personally?

Does God always stop people from sinning? Explain. Does

this mean that He will not judge?

Does God always see sin and evil?

What is the purpose of the discipline of the Lord? How is the

discipline of God a blessing for those who are trained by it?

Do believers suffer at the hands of evil people? What comfort

do you find in this Psalm?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to pray about the evil you see around you

today. Thank the Lord that He will judge that evil.

Ask the Lord to give you grace to wait for His timing in your

struggle today.

Ask God to give you grace to accept His discipline in your

life and learn the lessons He wants you to learn.

Ask God to give you grace to trust Him in your time of

suffering and trial on this earth.

84 - SINGING AND

SHOUTING FOR JOY

Read Psalm 95:1-96:13

n Psalms 95 and 96 the heart cry of the psalmist is to see the people of

the Lord recognise His beauty and bow down before Him in

wonderful and joyful worship. These two psalms call us to worship

our wonderful God.

As the psalmist begins, he calls the people of God to worship (95:1). Notice

how he includes himself in this call. He invites his readers to join him in

worship to the Lord God. It is important that we notice the forms of worship

in these two Psalms.

The psalmist began by calling God's people to sing. Music has always

played a vital part in the worship of God. There are those who want to limit

the worship of God to a reflection on His Word. I remember someone

telling me once that the only reason they went to church was for the

sermon. While this is good, worship involves more than quiet reflection on

the Word of God. Worship, for the Psalmist, involved music and singing.

Notice, however, that the psalmist specifically mentioned that the singing

was to be joyful. There is lots of singing that is not worship to God. The

attitude of the heart is of utmost importance in worship. The psalmist called

for joyful hearts. These hearts were joyful because they loved the Lord and

were experiencing the joy that the Lord brought to their souls. The music

spoken of here is a music that is focused on sharing joyfully the wonderful

things the Lord has done.

Notice also in Psalm 95:1 that there is also a place for shouting aloud in the

worship of God. Again the attitude of the heart is important. As with

singing, there is also a type of shouting that is not worship to the Lord.

There are those who shout to be heard by other people. They want others to

think highly of them. This type of shouting is self-centred and not God

honouring. We also need to understand that worship does not increase with

volume. God is worshiped in quiet reflection as much as He is in loud

shouts. The shouting the psalmist speaks about here has to do with our

desire that everyone know our God is an awesome God. We shout to

proclaim His value before those around us. We shout because we are

unashamed to call Him our God. We shout so that others will take notice of

Him and recognize Him as their Rock of salvation.

The psalmist invited his people also to come before the Lord with

thanksgiving (95:2). Singing and shouting declare His worth to those

around us. Thanksgiving is more personal. It is a personal recognition of the

goodness of God in one's own life. We worship God by thanking Him for

the wonderful things He has done for us.

Notice again in Psalm 95:2 that the psalmist called his people to extol the

Lord with thanksgiving. The word "extol" in the Hebrew carries the sense

of loud noise and shouting. It is a word that could be used of a conquering

army raising a joyful shout of thanksgiving over their conquered enemies.

The King James Version uses the phrase "make a joyful noise." The sense

here is that God's people were to come like conquering warriors and raise a

shout of joy and thanksgiving for the victories the Lord their God has given

them. Notice in particular that this "extolling" was to be done through

music and song.

In the first two verses of Psalm 95 the psalmist called his people to worship

the Lord through music, shouting and thanksgiving. As he continues he also

wants his readers to understand why they were to worship the Lord with

such passion.

In Psalm 95:3 he tells us that the reason the Lord deserves our praise is

because He is a great God and King over all gods. There were many so

called gods in the psalmist's day. These were false gods and could be

compared to the God of Israel.

The God of Israel was greater than the gods of the nations because the

depths of the earth were in His hands and the mountain peaks belonged to

Him. He owned the sea because He made it and His hands formed the dry

land. The Lord God is the Creator of the earth as we know it. His power and

wisdom can be seen in the vastness of the universe. No other god has such

power and wisdom. As Creator, He is in control of the whole world. He

cares for it and is the source of all life. As the Creator and Sustainer of life

this God deserves the praises of His people.

Notice another form of worship in Psalm 95:6. The psalmist calls his people

to bow down in worship and kneel before the Lord their Maker. We bow

down or kneel before someone who is greater than us. As we come into the

presence of God we recognise that we are unworthy of standing in His

presence. The Bible speaks about men who were unable to stand in the

presence of God (see Revelation 22:8 and Ezekiel 3:23). Bowing down or

kneeling is an expression of worship and recognition of His worth and

majesty. It is also recognition of our unworthiness to stand in His presence.

We have seen that the Lord God is the Creator and Ruler of the earth.

Notice in Psalm 95:6-7 yet another reason to worship. In these two verses

the psalmist reminded his people that this great and awesome God was also

their Shepherd and they were the people of His pasture. What an awesome

thought. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe cares for us like a

shepherd cares for his sheep. There can be no greater comfort and security

for us than this. No foe can defeat us. No weapon can destroy us. We are

kept, safe and secure in His fold. This, for the psalmist, was cause for

worship and praise.

As he concludes Psalm 95, the psalmist extends a warning to his people. He

has just reminded them of the awesome nature of the Lord God of Israel

and how He watched over them like the sheep of His fold. There was

always the possibility that instead of surrender and worship to this

wonderful God, His people would turn their back on Him. For this reason,

the psalmist warned his people not to harden their hearts as they had done at

Meribah. The reference to Meribah was a reference to Exodus 17 where the

people of God complained to Moses because they had no water. They

refused to trust the Lord though He had proven Himself faithful to them

many times. God was angry with this. While they should have been praising

the Lord, God's people complained. Complaining is the opposite of worship

and praise. Complaining is the natural enemy of praise. Instead of extolling

the character of God, complaining criticises His ways. Where there is

complaining, there can be no worship and praise. The psalmist warned his

people of the dangers of complaining and hardening their hearts to the Lord

their God.

Notice as we continue into Psalm 96 that the Psalmist challenges his people

to come to the Lord with a new song. The word "new" is significant here.

There is nothing wrong with old songs. They are the expressions of the faith

of our spiritual fathers and mothers. We can sing along with them and

identify with their faith experiences. A new song, however, is the

expression of this present generation. It is recognition that God is still alive

and working in this day. It is a statement to the world around us that God is

much more than the God of our fathers and mothers. He is also our God and

still deserving of praise. He is still a God of wonder and awe. Through these

new songs we proclaim His wonderful salvation in our day.

Psalm 96:3 reveals yet another form of worship. Here the psalmist tells us

to declare the glory of God among the nations and His marvellous deeds

among all people. The word "declare" can also be translated "talk," or

"speak." The idea here is to speak of the wonders of the Lord wherever we

go. To declare is to testify to what God has been doing. This takes place in

our relationships with people on an ongoing basis. This can take place at

work or in our conversations with others. The desire of the psalmist is that

the whole world know that God is a wonderful God. He tells us that we are

to "declare" His glory wherever we go. This is an act of worship.

The psalmist reminded his readers that they were to declare God’s glory

because He was a great God who was worthy of all praise (96:4-6). He was

to be feared or reverenced above all other gods because He made the

heavens. All other gods were idols with no power or authority and

unworthy of attention or reverence.

Not only was the God of Israel the Creator of the earth but according to

Psalm 96:6, He was a God of splendour, majesty and strength. His presence

inspired awe and respect. To experience His presence was to be struck with

fear and deep reverence.

The psalmist went on to tell his readers to ascribe glory and strength to the

Lord (96:7-8). He is calling his people to recognise the character of God

and speak that to Him. We do this with individuals when we remind them of

their value. We may tell our husbands or wives that they are beautiful. We

may remind our friend of his or her generosity and kindness. In the worship

of God we are called to tell God about His value and worth. God already

knows these things but delights to hear them from us.

In Psalm 96:8 the psalmist called his people to yet another form of worship.

He asked them to bring an offering to the courts of the Lord. An offering

was a sacrificial gift that expressed to God what the individual felt about

Him. Just as we would offer a gift to someone we love as a reminder to

them of our feelings, so it is with our offerings to God. We need to be

reminded here that not all offerings are an expression of worship. Again the

attitude of the heart is of utmost importance.

In Psalm 96:9 the psalmist further called his people to tremble before the

Lord. The trembling spoken of here has to do with God’s holiness.

Trembling indicates a fear. When we come before the Lord with trembling

we recognise that we are sinners. We recognise that we are coming before a

holy and glorious God. This is not something we take lightly. Were it not

for His grace and forgiveness we could not come at all. The trembling

mentioned here is an act of worship in itself. It not only recognises God's

holiness but also His grace and mercy. Notice that the psalmist tells us to

tremble "before" God. The fact that we are to do this "before" God shows

us that we are not to let our trembling keep us away from God. Instead, we

are to come before Him with trembling recognizing that we can come to

Him on the basis of His mercy and grace.

As we come with trembling before the Lord we are to come recognising

that the Lord God reigns. That is to say, He is the Lord of all. He is worthy

of praise and honour because He is the reigning Lord of the universe. There

is no higher authority or power. He established the world so that it cannot

be moved. As a sovereign Lord, His purposes will stand. There is no power

that can stand against Him. There is no force of heaven or hell that can

thwart His purposes.

As we come before the Lord with trembling, we need to recognise that He

is a God who judges with equity (96:10). In other words, His judgement is

always fair and right. He will not show any partiality. Our position in

society means nothing to Him when it comes to exercising judgement.

We are also, according to the psalmist, to come before the Lord with

gladness. He called heaven and earth to be glad before the Lord. The fields

were to be jubilant. The trees were to shout for joy. They were to do this

because God was coming to judge the earth in righteousness and truth. Evil

will never triumph. Sin and wickedness will be broken. Righteousness will

reign. This was wonderful news. This was reason to be glad and shout with

joy.

Here in these two psalms the psalmist calls us to worship the Lord. He

reminds us that worship is not a stale expression but has many different

dimensions. Worship is the grateful expression of the heart of God's people

toward Him. It is a joyous, sacrificial and reverent expression of His worth

not only to God but to all who will listen.

For Consideration:

What do these Psalms teach us about the various expressions

of worship? What are the various expressions of worship in

these two Psalms?

Why is God deserving of our praise? What are some of the

reasons the psalmist gives to worship God in these Psalms.

Why is complaining the enemy of worship? Have you been

guilty of complaining about what God was doing?

What is the importance of the attitude of the heart in

worship?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to ask the Lord to broaden your expressions

of worship. In other words, ask Him to teach you more about

the various expressions of worship mentioned here in these

two Psalms.

Ask the Lord to examine your heart attitude in worship. Ask

Him to give you a joyous and surrendered heart.

Ask the Lord to forgive you for any complaining you have

done concerning His ways and purposes in your life. Ask

Him to change your complaining to praise and thanksgiving.

Take a moment to express your worship to God for who He is

and what He has done.

85 - OUR REIGNING LORD

Read Psalm 97:1-98:9

salms 97 and 98 are Psalms of praise to the Lord God for who He is

and the great things He has done. The psalmist begins in Psalm 97

with a clear declaration that the Lord reigns. He is the Lord of all

lords. All powers on heaven and earth are in subjection to Him. He is in

control of all the events, circumstances and people of history. For the

psalmist this was great news. Because it was the God of Israel who reigned,

there was great cause for rejoicing. There could be no greater Lord. In Him

he was secure and confident. The psalmist calls for the distant shores of the

earth to rejoice because God, the Lord of Israel was the ruling King and

Lord.

Notice in Psalm 97:2 that God’s reign was no ordinary reign. Clouds and

thick darkness surround Him. While darkness is often associated with evil

this is not the case here. The Lord is surrounded by thick clouds because of

His holy and awesome nature. In reality, this covering is the result of His

mercy and compassion for us as His people. His holiness and majesty

would consume us so He covers His face so that we are not destroyed.

In Exodus 33:18 Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory. God

reminded him that no one could see His face and live. While God did reveal

some of His glory to Moses, He hid him in a rock and covered Himself so

that the glory Moses saw would not consume him. This is what the psalmist

is speaking about here. He tells that the Lord God of Israel was so glorious

and holy that He needed to cover Himself with thick clouds and darkness so

that those who saw Him would not be consumed.

Notice also in Psalm 97:2 that the foundation of God's throne was

righteousness and justice. This is how the Lord God reigned. His reign was

a reign founded on these two principles: righteousness and justice. All His

judgements were true and good. He showed no favouritism in how He

judged.

The psalmist went on to tell his readers that fire went before the Lord God

to consume His enemies (97:3). He is an all-powerful God whose holiness

and righteousness consumes evil. No evil can stand before Him. Like a

raging fire of righteousness and holiness, He consumes evil and sin. All His

enemies will be destroyed by His holy judgements.

The psalmist also speaks of lightning that flashed God’s presence, lighting

up the world. The lightning, like swords of justice flashed throughout the

earth causing terror to His enemies. He was a God to be feared and

reverenced. In the presence of His lightning, the earth trembled and the

mountains melted like wax. Nothing could stand in His presence. The

elements of nature feared His power and majesty.

The heavens proclaimed the righteousness of the Lord (97:6). As we look

into the heavens and see the vastness and order they contain, do they not

speak to us about an awesome Creator? When we see the order, complexity

and harmony by which the stars and the planets work together, do they not

tell us something about the God who put them in their place? Day after day

the sun rises and shines on us. Night after night the moon and the stars look

down on us. They declare the faithfulness and trustworthiness of their

Creator. They declare Him to be a good and righteous God.

Not only do the heavens declare that God is a God of righteousness, but the

psalmist tells us also in Psalm 97:6 that those who live on the earth see His

glory. They see His glory in the heavens. They see His glory in the oceans

that beat the shores of the earth and the mountains that rise upward to the

skies. Those who know Him see His glory in His dealing with them on a

daily basis.

When the psalmist considered the Lord God of Israel and His wonders, he

couldn't help but say something about those who worshipped idols and

images. He reminds them that they would be put to shame. Their idols and

false gods were nothing. They would all fall before the God of Israel. They

were powerless and unworthy of praise. The day was coming when the

earth would see the glory of the Lord God of Israel and know the futility of

worshipping their idols.

The day was also coming when the Lord God would judge the earth. The

judgments of the Lord were righteous and fair. He was the Most High God

over all the earth (97:9). He was exalted over all the gods of the people.

They would all bow to him.

In Psalm 97:10 the psalmist reminded his people that those who loved the

Lord God hated evil. His reign was a reign of truth and righteousness. All

who love Him love and live in His ways.

There is a special relationship between the Lord and those who love and

keep His ways. The Lord keeps and guards those who are faithful to Him.

He keeps them from the hands of those who practice evil and wickedness

(97:10). His light of favour shines on those who live in His righteousness

(97:11). His joy fills those whose heart is right with Him (97:11). There is

great cause for those who were righteous to rejoice in the Lord.

In Psalm 98 the psalmist continued on this theme of praise and

thanksgiving. He reminded his readers that the Lord had done marvellous

things. He encouraged them to sing a new song to the Lord. A new song is a

fresh expression of thanksgiving to the Lord. It is true that God's people

could worship Him because of what He had done in the lives of their fathers

and mothers, but the marvellous deeds of the Lord did not end with their

parents. They were fresh every day. There was a new song to sing today

because the marvellous deeds of the Lord had been demonstrated afresh.

Those marvellous deeds could be seen in how the right hand and the holy

arm of the Lord had brought salvation to His people (98:1). They knew His

favour on them. Through them the Lord demonstrated to the whole world

that He was a righteous God (98:2). God's people were a shining light to all

the nations of the earth demonstrating His righteousness. God's heart has

always been for the whole world. Here we see that He chose to demonstrate

His salvation through the Jewish nation so that the entire world could know

Him and His righteousness. God remembered to show faithfulness and love

to the people of Israel so that the ends of the earth could see His salvation

and come to Him (98:3).

What a wonderful plan we see in this Psalm. God chose to use the nation of

Israel to be a witness and example of His love for the whole earth. That

plan has not changed. Today He uses you and me to be that shining light for

the nations. He wants to demonstrate His salvation, love and faithfulness to

us so that others might see and know Him too.

This plan of God was so wonderful that the psalmist could not help but call

His people to shout for joy. He called them to break forth into joyful singing

with music. He called for the harp to be brought forth. He called for the

trumpets and the ram's horn to blast in declaration of the marvellous

purpose of God. He challenged those who knew this God and His plan to

shout for joy. Even the seas, rivers and mountains were to enter into this

joyful expression of worship. The psalmist cries out for the sea and all the

creatures in it to resound in praise. He challenged the rivers to clap their

hands and the mountains to join together in joyful song to the Lord God

(Psalm 98:4-9).

They were to do this because the Lord was going to come to judge the earth

with righteousness and equity. He would come to bring His salvation to the

earth. He would come to rid the world of sin, evil and injustice. He would

come to establish the earth on principles of righteousness and holiness. All

His enemies would be defeated. God would reign in righteousness from His

throne. His people would be secure in His love and faithfulness. Nothing

would harm them.

As the psalmist reflects on the Lord his God, here in these two Psalms, he

declares Him to be a God who reigned in righteousness. He was an

awesome God who inspired fear and terror but He was also a faithful God

who loved His people and desired that the nations know His favour. His

deeds were marvellous and His salvation was offered to the entire earth.

Through Israel, He demonstrated His faithfulness and righteousness so that

all the earth would know Him and surrender to His righteous reign. For the

psalmist this was reason for great rejoicing and praise.

For Consideration:

What does the psalmist teach us about the reign of the Lord

God? What illustrations does he use in Psalm 97 to describe

that reign?

While God is a holy and righteous God, what evidence do

these two Psalms have that declare Him also as a God of

wonderful love and compassion to His people?

What is the heart of God for the nations? Why did He

demonstrate His favour and marvellous deeds to Israel?

To what extent is your life a demonstration of the wonderful

salvation and favour of God? Could people look at your life

and see the hand of God? Would they desire your God

because of what they have seen of Him in you?

For Praise:

Take a moment to praise the Lord for His holiness and

righteousness. Thank Him that though He is holy, He still

desires to enter a personal relationship with you.

What has the Lord done for you and through you recently?

Take a moment to offer Him praise for His wonderful work.

Thank the Lord that He will come to judge the earth and deal

with all wickedness and evil. Ask Him to search your heart

and deal with any sin you might be clinging to today.

Ask the Lord to help you to be a shining light and example of

what He wants to do in and through those who love Him.

86 - AWESOMENESS AND

INTIMACY

Read Psalm 99:1-100:5

epeatedly in the book of Psalms we see the contrast between a

God who is awesome and holy in nature and one who draws near

to His people in love and compassion. This combination is

something that deserves our highest praise and adoration. God does not

draw near to us because we deserve it. He does so because He wants to.

This is something we will never fully understand but we need to accept with

joy and thankfulness.

The psalmist begins in Psalm 99:1 by telling us that the Lord God of Israel

reigned. There was no higher authority or power. His reign was a glorious

and awesome reign. God sat enthroned between the cherubim in heaven.

Those cherubim were His servants who executed His desire with joy.

Nothing on this earth or in heaven could compare to such a God. Who

among the great kings and rulers had such glorious beings as their servants?

The psalmist calls the nations to tremble before such an awesome ruler. The

earth shook in the presence of such glory and majesty. This was a God

above all gods, deserving of highest respect and adoration. He was exalted

over all nations and powers (99:2).

The Lord God was holy (99:3). Unlike the rulers of the nations, God was

completely separated from all that was unholy and impure. No evil

intentions would cloud His judgement. No sinful motivations would

motivate His actions. Everything He did was pure and holy. His name,

(representing His character) was glorious and awesome, deserving of praise.

The God of Israel was also a Mighty King (99:4). His power has no limit.

There is no force of earth, hell or heaven that can match His power.

What delights the psalmist in Psalm 99:4 is the fact that the Lord loved

justice. Everything He did was fair and good. Everyone was treated with

equality. The rich were not respected more for their money. The poor were

not treated with less dignity because of their lack. All could come to this

God and experience fair judgement.

As the psalmist reflects on this truth he is drawn to praise. "Exalt the LORD

our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy." he tells his readers in

Psalm 99:5. Such impartiality, power, authority and justice was worthy of

great praise.

Notice in Psalm 99:6-7 that the Lord God of Israel spoke to His servants.

Moses, Aaron and Samuel were among those who called on His name and

God answered them. Who were these individuals? Moses was born as a

lowly child destined for the Egyptian sword. God rescued Him and put him

in the home of Pharaoh’s daughter. Aaron was the brother of Moses, who

did not have the advantage of being brought up in a rich Egyptian home. He

suffered the abuse of the Egyptian whip and lived as a slave to the Egyptian

cause. God raised him up and made him priest and leader of His people.

Samuel was the answer to childless Hannah's prayer. God gave his barren

mother a child and raised him up to be a powerful prophet in his day. All

three of these individuals were chosen by God to enter into a wonderful

relationship with Him as His servants. They were humble individuals but

they were chosen by God to call on His name. God heard their cries and

answered them.

God gave His decrees to Moses, Aaron and Samuel. They were humble

people but they were God's instruments to hear His voice and carry out His

purpose. Why should the great God of this universe speak to lowly servants

like Moses, Aaron and Samuel? Why should He hear their cry and answer

them? He is a God who delights in His people. For this, He is deserving of

our greatest praise and thanksgiving.

Not only is the Lord God willing to listen to the cries of his chosen servants

but we discover in Psalm 99:8 that the Lord God is also a forgiving God. It

is true that in His holiness He will punish sin but He is also a God who will

forgive those who come to Him seeking His grace and mercy. What chance

would we have before a holy and just God? We are a sinful people and our

sin separates us from God and places us under His judgement and wrath.

Only His mercy, grace and forgiveness can restore our relationship with

Him. Because He is a forgiving God we have hope. Again the psalmist calls

his people to exalt the Lord and worship Him at His holy mountain (a

reference to the temple in Jerusalem).

In Psalm 100 the psalmist challenges the whole earth to shout for joy. They

have cause for great rejoicing. He calls for the whole earth to worship the

Lord God with gladness of heart and come before Him with joyful songs

(100:2).

The psalmist wanted the whole earth to know that the Lord God of Israel

was God. Knowing that the Lord God of Israel is God is much more than

being aware of this in one’s mind. To know that He is God is to bow before

Him in worship and adoration. To know that He is God is to surrender to

Him in obedience and reverence. It is to align one’s life with His purposes

because He is Lord. This was the heart cry of the psalmist for the whole

earth. He understood who this God was and desired that the whole earth

recognise Him as the one true and holy God.

The God of Israel is the Creator of the universe (100:3). The psalmist wants

us to realise that we owe our existence and everything we have to the God

of Israel. There are many people in this life to whom we owe a debt of

gratitude. There is none, however, to whom we owe so much as the Lord

God of Israel. He created us and is the source of every blessing we have.

More than being our Creator, however, the psalmist reminds us that the

Lord God is also our Shepherd (100:3). The Lord God does not create us

and leave us. He is also our daily provider and caregiver. The Lord cares for

those He creates. Every breath we breathe and every beat of our heart is a

gift from this wonderful Shepherd. The Lord personally watches out for

each of us and provides all our needs. He is a holy and awesome God over

all the powers of heaven and earth yet He delights to minister personally to

our needs as a shepherd would care for his sheep.

The thought of God entering into such a wonderful relationship with His

people caused the heart of the psalmist to overflow in praise and

thanksgiving. He invites his readers to enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise (100:4). Their only legitimate response was to

fall before this God in praise and worship. No God could be compared to

Him.

God’s love and faithfulness toward His people endures forever. He will be

as faithful to our children as He has been to us. Nothing will strip Him of

His love and devotion to us and to our children's children.

The contrast between the awesomeness of God and His wonderful love and

faithfulness toward His people is striking. It is because God is so great and

holy and yet desires to be our Shepherd that He is so deserving of our praise

and thankfulness. We owe Him so much, not only because of who He is, but

also because of what He has done for us personally.

For Consideration:

What do these two Psalms teach us about the character of

God? What characteristics does the psalmist mention in

particular?

Can we approach such an awesome God? What does the

psalmist tell us about God’s desire for intimacy with His

people?

What does it mean to know God? Can we truly know Him

without bowing before Him and submitting to Him?

Take a moment to consider what you owe to the Lord God.

What has He done for you?

Have you entered a personal relationship with the Lord God?

What do these two Psalms teach us about the desire of the

Lord God to enter into a deep and intimate relationship with

us?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to thank the Lord for who He is. List specific

qualities for which you wish to thank Him.

Thank the Lord for the fact that though He is such an

awesome God, He still delights to enter into fellowship with

us as His sheep.

Thank the Lord that His faithfulness is forever, not only for

you, but for the generations to follow.

Ask the Lord to enable you to praise Him more for who He is

and what He has done.

Ask the Lord to help you to enter into a deeper fellowship

with Him.

87 - CUTTING OFF EVIL

Read Psalm 101:1-8

ver the last few Psalms we have heard the call of the psalmist to

worship in the presence of the Lord and to fall down before such

an awesome and holy God. We need to realise however, that

coming to a holy God is not something we can take lightly. In Psalm 101

the psalmist reminds us that we cannot come to a holy God without dealing

with our sin.

As he begins, the psalmist sets the scene. He tells his readers that he would

sing of the love and justice of the Lord. He recognised the Lord God for

two characteristics. First, he reminds us of His love. It is true that the Lord

God is a holy, sovereign, majestic and awesome God. These characteristics

separate us from Him. How could we ever approach God in all His

splendour and glory? What the psalmist is telling us here is that God is also

a God of wonderful love. That love is directed toward His children. It is

love that links us to God. In love, the Lord God reaches out to us and

invites us into His presence. For the psalmist, this was cause for singing.

Notice also that the psalmist wants to sing of the justice of the Lord God.

Admittedly, justice can be a scary thing. Because God is a just God, He will

always deal with sin and evil. We are guilty before Him and, as such, fall

under His divine wrath. On the other hand, the Lord knows the oppression

we feel at the hands of those who persecute us. The poor and unlovely will

receive fair treatment. Unlike earthly leaders, this great God of justice does

not show favouritism. The poor will be treated like the rich. The popular

will be given the same justice as the unpopular. The psalmist rejoiced

because he knew that God would listen to his cause and do what was right.

As he reflects on the love and justice of the Lord his God, the psalmist's

heart was drawn to praise and thanksgiving. In particular he wanted to sing

to the Lord. Singing was an expression of joy and thankfulness. He wanted

to tell the Lord, through song, of his great delight in Him.

The psalmist has another response to the love and justice of the Lord in

verse 2. Notice that he tells the Lord that he would be careful to live a

blameless life. The love of God for the psalmist caused him to desire to

please Him by living a blameless life. There are those who want to take

advantage of love. They say that because God loves them they can do what

they want. This is to misunderstand the love of God. God's love and mercy

are not permissions to do as we please. Instead those who truly understand

the undeserved love of the Lord are drawn to honour Him by living a life

that will please Him. This is the response of the psalmist.

Notice also in verse 2 the phrase "when will you come to me." It is hard to

tell what the desire of the psalmist is in this phrase. Some see a call for

help. The psalmist knows that if he is going to live a blameless life, he will

need the assistance of God. Others see a simple cry of longing. The psalmist

cried out for the Lord’s presence. He is aware of the love of the Lord for

him. His heart's desire is to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord

his God. He wants the Lord of love and justice to draw near to him.

Notice in the second part of verse 2 that the psalmist not only tells God that

he would live a blameless life but that he would walk in his house with a

blameless heart. This cannot go without comment. It is one thing to live a

blameless life and another to live with a blameless heart. The Pharisees of

the New Testament prided themselves in keeping the Law of Moses but

their hearts were often not blameless. Jesus spoke of them as "whitewashed

tombs", clean on the outside but full of death and decay on the inside (see

Matthew 23:27).

The desire of the psalmist was to be pure on the inside as well as on the

outside. He wanted the Lord God to be pleased with him completely. This

meant that he had to watch the attitude of his heart as well as his actions. He

wanted his heart to be blameless and not only his actions. This is the

response of love. Those who understand and experience the love of the

Lord desire to live blamelessly before Him. This is an act of worship.

Notice in verse 3 that the psalmist determined in his heart that his worship

and praise of God would affect how he used his eyes. He told the Lord that

he would not set anything vile before his eyes. In the Hebrew language this

word translated "vile" can mean "ungodly, evil, worthless or unprofitable."

The psalmist is telling us that as an act of worship to a loving and just God,

he was going to set a fence around his eyes so that nothing evil,

unprofitable or ungodly would enter. What came into the eyes would

ultimately corrupt his heart. In order to keep his heart pure before a holy

God the psalmist determined to keep his eyes from vile and wicked things.

Notice also in verse 3 that he determined that the deeds of faithless men

would not cling to him. In other words, he would not allow the evil deeds of

unfaithful men to overtake or become part of his life. He would not be

joined together with them in their evil. He would push them away. He

would have nothing to do with the wicked deeds of unfaithful people. He

would keep watch over his ways and only do those things that pleased and

honoured the Lord his God. Because his attitude was the same as the Lord

God's, he hated the evil deeds of the wicked. They were repulsive to him

and he wanted nothing to do with them.

In verse 4 the psalmist takes this matter a step further. He told his readers

that he would separate himself from men of perverse heart. He would place

these individuals far from him. He would not associate with those whose

lifestyle did not honour the Lord his God. He would have nothing to do

with those whose heart was perverse and rebellious against God. His love

for God affected the friends he kept.

Not only did the psalmist keep his distance from those who lived in evil, but

in verse 5 he tells us that he went even farther than this. There were times

when he would actively seek to put to silence those who slandered their

neighbour in secret. The psalmist understands that there are times when we

need to be active in our defence of righteousness. Here the psalmist put to

silence the slanderers who dishonoured the Lord by harming their

neighbour with their tongue. Sometimes we need to take an active stand

against evil. To do so is to honour the Lord. We honour Him by putting an

end to the actions of those who blaspheme our Lord’s purpose. In this case,

the psalmist speaks about those who slander their neighbour. There are

many other examples of this, however, in our day. Maybe it will mean

stopping the tongue of the one who consistently takes the name of the Lord

in vain. Maybe it will mean speaking to the person who seems compelled to

tell "dirty jokes." There can be any number of ways to put an end to the evil

around us. What we need to see here is that the psalmist felt compelled to

do what he could to stop those who were dishonouring his Lord in their

actions. Not only did he refuse to associate with them but he also chose to

do his part to see that their evil was silenced.

In verse 5 he tells his readers that he would not endure those who had

haughty eyes and a proud heart. The person who has a haughty eye is one

who sees things through the eye glasses of a proud heart. He only sees what

he wants or what profits him personally. He overlooks anyone or anything

that does not advance his own personal cause. His proud heart and eyes

cause him to show favouritism. He does not treat people with equality and

fairness as God does. Instead, he is self-centred and arrogant. The psalmist

wanted nothing to do with such a person.

Instead, the psalmist chose to associate with those who were faithful to

God. These people would be his friends and associates. These would be the

people who would encourage him and minister to him when he was in need

(verse 6).

The psalmist made up his mind that no one who practiced deceit would live

in his house or stand in his presence. His hatred of deceit and falsehood was

so great that he would have nothing to do with those who practiced such

things (verse 7). He would make it his commitment every morning to

silence and cut off those who were wicked in the land (verse 8-9).

The heart of the psalmist was to praise the Lord God for His love and

justice. This he did in song but he also by his lifestyle. He chose to live a

life that would honour the Lord his God. He chose to watch the attitudes of

his heart. He set a guard around his eyes and chose to disassociate with

those who practiced evil. In fact, the psalmist took an active stand against

evil and actively fought against it in His land.

What we need to understand here is that those who truly understand the

love and justice of the Lord God will honour Him in their deeds and

actions. They will worship Him, not only in their song, but also in their

lifestyle.

For Consideration:

How does our lifestyle reflect what we think about God? Can

our lifestyle be an act of worship?

What is the difference between a blameless life and a

blameless heart?

The psalmist tells us that he set up a guard over his eyes.

What things do you need to keep yourself from seeing? Why

is this important?

How do those with whom we associate affect our testimony

and our relationship with God? Do you have associates that

hinder your relationship with God or affect you in a negative

way?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you a lifestyle that is an act of worship

to Him.

Thank the Lord for those friends who encourage you in your

walk with Him and minister to you in your need.

Ask the Lord to show you anything in your life that does not

bring Him honour. Ask Him to take it away so that your life

brings Him the honour He deserves.

Ask the Lord to show you if there is any particular role He

wants you to play in silencing evil in your land.

88 - JERUSALEM BROKEN

AND RESTORED

Read Psalm 102:1-28

hile the context of this Psalm is not completely certain, we do

know from verses 14-16 that the psalmist reflects on the city

of Jerusalem that had been broken down and lay in ruins. The

enemy had conquered the city and destroyed it. It was in this time of pain

and questioning that the psalmist wrote the reflections of this particular

Psalm.

As he began the psalmist cried out to the Lord for help. From verse 2 we get

the impression that the Lord had hidden His face from the city of Jerusalem.

God's people were in distress and it seemed that the Lord was distant.

Obviously, the people of Israel were being disciplined by the Lord at this

time. The psalmist, in particular, felt the pain of the Lord's silence. He saw

the devastation around him and cried out for help. He pleaded with the Lord

God to cease hiding His face from him especially in this time of distress. He

asked Him to hear his cry for help and answer him.

There is nothing worse for the believer then when the Lord hides His face.

The silence of the Lord is probably one of the most terrifying things the

believer can face in life. There have been times of such silence in my life

when I just couldn't seem to communicate with the Lord God. In those

times, it seems as if we are separated from our source of strength and

encouragement. When we see the Lord in our struggle, it seems that we

have all the strength we need to face the foe. We stand against all odds

because we know He is at our side. What happens when that awareness of

His presence is removed? In these times, all I can do is continue to trust in

Him and His purpose. Though I may not see Him, hear Him or feel His

presence, I can still trust Him.

Having said this, the silence of the Lord is still a terrifying thing for the

believer. In these times our faith and confidence are stretched. For the

psalmist this stretching was beyond what he felt he could endure. He saw

the devastation around him. There were many questions. He needed to hear

from God, so He cried out in agony to Him.

In verses 3-11 he reminded God of his situation. In verse 3 he tells us that

his days vanished like smoke and his bones burned like glowing embers. He

felt as if he was being consumed by the suffering and agony he felt. Maybe

you have been brought to the point in your life when you wondered if you

were going to get through the trials you faced. The trials were stripping

years off your life; your hope of victory was fading. This is what the

psalmist was feeling. His trials were consuming him like a raging fire.

The psalmist told his readers of how his heart was withering away like

dying grass (verse 4). The heart is the seat of our passions and emotions.

The struggle the psalmist felt was affecting him emotionally. He was losing

courage. One of the signs of depression and loss of courage is the loss of

appetite. Notice that the psalmist forgot to eat his food. His concerns and

emotional pain were such that even his physical food lost its appeal.

With the loss of appetite came the loss of weight. The stress and pain

affected him physically. In verse 5 he testified that he was reduced to skin

and bones because of his loud groaning.

The psalmist compares himself to a desert owl among the ruins. This is a

picture of loneliness and despair. Ruins surround him. Like a lonely owl, he

sits among the ruins and contemplates his despair. As he looks around him,

all he can see was hopelessness. From verse 7 we can see how all this

affects his sleep patterns. He could not sleep at night. The cares and

concerns he carried were so heavy that he lay awake at night unable to

release them.

Notice also in verse 7 that throughout this time the psalmist felt like "a bird

alone on a roof." The imagery again is one of loneliness. God was silent.

There was no one he felt he could speak with who could understand his

pain and agony. Though there were many others in Jerusalem at that time,

he still felt lonely and all alone.

The psalmist’s enemies taunted him all day long (verse 8). These times of

discouragement and depression are times when the enemy is very active.

We can be sure that Satan delights in kicking us when we are down. He

knows that we are vulnerable at this time and will do his utmost to cause us

to turn from the Lord and His purposes. His enemies taunted the psalmist.

Maybe they were asking him where his God was at this time. They mocked

him and his commitment to the Lord God.

Not only were his enemies taunting him but they were actively mocking

and cursing him at this time of despair. They railed against him. That is to

say they blasphemed and reproached him in his suffering. The sense here is

that they spoke out actively against him and his stand. They not only

mocked him but used his situation as a means of cutting down and

blaspheming the cause he represented. They openly cursed his name. More

particularly however, they cursed the cause he represented. This was not

easy for the psalmist to bear. He told his readers that his food at that time

was ashes and tears (verse 9). The psalmist felt he could not find anyone

who understood him and the grief he felt. People around him saw his

response to the pain he felt and mocked him for it.

All this trial and suffering made the psalmist feel like God had thrown him

aside (verse 10). There were times when his faith in God was stretched and

he wondered if God had finished with him. He felt useless. He could do

nothing to change his circumstances or the circumstances of those around

him. He felt helpless to make any significant change.

We all need to feel useful. We all want to feel as if we can make an

important contribution to society or the cause of our Lord. This sense of

usefulness was stripped from the psalmist and he was left feeling

discouraged. He withered away like an evening shadow and like dying

grass. Was this how his days would end? Was there nothing he could do?

Had God finished with him? Would he end his days feeling useless and

helpless? These were the discouraging thoughts that filled his mind.

While the psalmist felt the agony and despair of defeat, he also knew deep

down inside the strength of faith. Everything was falling apart around him.

His emotions and physical being were suffering the effects of the

devastating blow of God on the land. Despite this, deep down inside, faith

silently continued to flow. This silent, almost unnoticed, stream of faith

kept giving him glimmers of hope. Though withered away emotionally and

physically, his spirit was kept alive by this life sustaining stream of faith. In

the strength of that silent stream he could declare in verse 12 that the Lord

sat enthroned forever. He did not come to this conclusion based on what his

enemies were saying to him. Nor did he come to this conclusion by looking

at the devastation around him. He certainly did not come to this conclusion

through his human reason. Faith alone was the source of this expression of

praise. In the midst of the cloudy confusion of suffering and pain, a

declaration of faith springs forth from his lips: "But you, O Lord, sit

enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations" (verse

12).From that silent stream of faith, hope springs forth:

You will arise and have compassion on Zion,

for it is time to show favour to her;

the appointed time has come" (verse 13).

The psalmist understood by faith that God would not abandon His people.

He believed by faith that the time had come for God to show His favour

again. As he poured out his heart to God, it seems that God began to stir up

his faith. God assured the psalmist that the time was drawing near for Him

to act. God had not forgotten His people and the devastation of the city of

Jerusalem. He knew how much the loss of that city meant to His children.

God was aware of the pain and suffering His people were feeling. He would

not leave them in their hopelessness. He would come to their aid.

In a powerful declaration of faith, the psalmist proclaimed in verse 15 that

the nations would fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth

would revere His glory. Again this declaration did not come from an

examination of his circumstances. The enemy was mocking the city of

Jerusalem. The declaration that these very people would one day bow down

to the God they mocked was a declaration of faith.

The day was coming when the Lord would rebuild Zion. He would appear

in Zion in glory. Jerusalem would again be a place of power and glory.

God's presence would again be revealed in her streets. The whole world

would see that glory and bow down to Zion's God. What encouragement

this must have brought to the heart and mind of the psalmist. He knew that

God would respond to the prayer of the destitute and hear their plea.

In verses 18-20 the psalmist called for a record to be written for future

generations to read. He wanted future generations to realise that God did

care for His people. God did look down from His heavenly sanctuary and

see their trouble. His ear listened to the groans of the prisoners. He would

release them from the bonds of death. The psalmist understood what it

meant to be discouraged and despairing. He experienced the silence of God

and the loud mocking cries of the enemy. He knew agony of body and

mind. He also knew that his God was enthroned forever. He knew that his

God was in control of every event and circumstance of life. For this reason,

he wanted to record a written statement for all generations. He wanted those

who might face the same trials to realise that their God was enthroned.

Their God would care for them.

The psalmist looked forward in time to a day when the name of the Lord

would be declared in Zion and His praise in the city of Jerusalem (verse

21). Out of despair and ruin would arise a cry of praise and thanksgiving.

Whole nations would assemble to worship and praise the Lord God of

Israel. We are seeing this as the gospel of the Lord Jesus is reaching out to

every nation and tribe.

As the psalmist reflected on the suffering and ruins around him, he saw the

fragile nature of his life. In an instant, his days could be cut short. He was

dependent on God for life and breath. God, on the other hand, was a big

God. He laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens were the creative

work of His hands. These heavens and the earth would eventually wear out

like a garment but God would remain. Time would have no effect on God.

He would be the same forever. The contrast is striking. Time will age and

weaken us. We will pass away from this life like dust blown by the wind.

God alone is constant.

The psalmist concludes with a most wonderful thought. He told his readers

that God's children would live in His presence and their descendants would

be established before them. That is to say, their descendants would live with

them and prosper in God’s presence. In a trial filled and turbulent world this

thought brings us great comfort. Those who belong to the Lord will know

the joy of His presence. They will walk with Him throughout all eternity.

This gives us courage to face the trials of this temporary existence. While

trials may abound in this life, we have a great hope for all eternity in the

presence of our loving Creator and Shepherd

For Consideration:

Have you ever experienced the silence of God? Why is this

silence so difficult for the believer?

How does the psalmist feel in his trials? What are his

physical and emotional symptoms? Can believers experience

these symptoms? Explain.

What role did faith have in the life of the psalmist? Does faith

remove our trials and suffering?

Can you say in your trials that the Lord is enthroned? Is He

enthroned in your personal situation? What comfort do you

take from this?

Compare the frailty of human beings with the eternal nature

of God. What comfort do you find in the fact that your God is

eternal and never changes?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is enthroned no matter what

circumstance or trial may come to us.

Thank the Lord that He is eternal and never changes.

Ask the Lord to give you the faith of the psalmist to face your

personal struggle.

Thank the Lord that even when we do not see Him, and

anxiety and problems keep us awake at night, He remains our

God and will come to our aid.

Thank the Lord for the hope you have of an eternity in His

presence. If you do not know Him personally today, ask Him

to forgive you and make you His child.

89 - DON'T FORGET HIS

BENEFITS

Read Psalm 103:1-22

ave you ever taken the time to consider how blessed you are as a

child of God? There are many times in our lives as believers that

we get so caught up in the struggles and trials we face, that we

lose sight of the wonderful privilege we have of being a child of God. Here

in this Psalm the writer recognises this problem and challenges his readers

to consider the privilege they have to belong to the Lord and to know His

blessings.

As the Psalm opens, the challenge of the psalmist is to praise the Lord. He

calls his soul to bow down in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord God.

Notice in verse 1 that this praise is from the inmost being. That is to say, it

is from his heart and soul. It comes from the place where the deepest

gratitude and thanksgiving reside. This praise is not superficial. It is

heartfelt and sincere.

In verse 2, the psalmist challenges his soul not to forget the benefits of the

Lord. These benefits are for those who know the Lord. The psalmist calls

his readers to take a moment to consider all the blessings they had obtained

from the Lord. He challenges them never to forget those blessings but to

make them the subject of their praise to the Lord their God. To help them in

this reflection, the psalmist, over the next several verses, lists the many

blessings that are common to all who know the Lord. We will consider

these benefits individually.

In verse 3 the first of these benefits is the forgiveness of sin. Where would

we be today if it were not for the forgiveness of sin? We were enemies of

God and condemned to an eternity of separation from Him. In His grace,

the Lord God reached out to us and pardoned our sin. Notice that the Lord

is willing to forgive "all" our sins. We may not feel like we deserve to be

forgiven of a particular sin but the psalmist reminds us that all our sins can

be covered and forgiven by the Lord God. No more will these sins stand

between us and our God. We can walk in wonderful fellowship with Him

both now and for all eternity.

Notice also in verse 3 that the Lord God heals all their diseases. We should

not see from this that as believers we will never be afflicted by disease. The

fact that they needed to be healed is an indication that these believers were

subject to the same diseases as the unbelieving nations around them. We

live in a sinful world in earthly bodies. These earthly bodies are frail and

subject to sickness and disease. The reality of the matter is that believers

still die from disease and sickness in this life. Some of the most powerful

believers I have met have suffered tremendously through sickness and

disease. I have often admired a blind friend and his wonderful faith. God

has never set him free from that blindness. There are three things that I

would like to say here about this verse.

First, God is able to heal us of all our diseases. Testimonies abound of how

the Lord God has set His people free from every disease and sickness

known on this earth. I do not believe that there is a disease that God has not

demonstrated through one of his children that He is able to conquer. He has

set believers free from every disease known to human kind. He is Lord over

all disease and sickness. He has proven this. There are, however, times

when the Lord will allow a disease or sickness to afflict one of His children

to draw them closer to Himself and accomplish greater good.

Second, God's grace is always greater than any disease or sickness with

which I will ever be afflicted. I have met individuals who have been in the

midst of tremendous suffering and pain but who have demonstrated

wonderful victory. Maybe you have met believers on their deathbed who

shone with the light of God's glory. They were living in wonderful victory

in the suffering and disease that afflicted their body. Though physically

afflicted they were spiritually filled with health and vitality.

Finally, the Lord will ultimately remove all sickness and disease from His

children. His plan is for our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

The day is coming when all sickness and disease will be wiped out. We will

live in the presence of the Lord God forever where sin, sickness and disease

will never touch us. All disease will be defeated. This is the promise of the

Lord God in Revelation 21:4.

The next benefit the psalmist mentions in this psalm is found in verse 4. He

reminds his readers that the Lord God redeemed their lives from the pit.

The pit here is a reference to the grave. What the psalmist is telling us is

that death, as the ultimate disease, cannot conquer the believer. Our God is

Lord over death. He has conquered death and will give us life eternal in His

presence where death has no more dominion.

Not only is there victory over death but there is also wonderful victory in

life. The psalmist reminded his readers that the Lord God crowned their life

with love and compassion. As His children they could face each trial under

the gracious love and compassion of their God. They could know that He

cared deeply for them. What comfort this was in their afflictions and trials!

As they walked through this life, the Lord God satisfied their desires (verse

5). This is not to say that they got everything they wanted. God did give

them all they needed for their hearts to be satisfied. The good things they

received from His hand blessed and satisfied them fully. We would do well

to pause on this point for a moment. There are times when we are not

satisfied in the Christian life. This is not because God has not given us all

we need for fullness of joy and complete satisfaction. Often we are not

satisfied because we have not learned to be happy with what God has

provided. I have had many times in my life when I desired something but

when I received it, I quickly lost interest. There are many things we desire

in life. The psalmist is not telling us that we will always get what we want.

He is telling us however, that the Lord God is able to satisfy all our desires

with good things. We simply need to receive those good things and learn to

rejoice in them.

In verse 5, the psalmist reminds us that the Lord God renews our lives like

the eagle. The eagle is a symbol of strength and vitality. The Lord gives us

all the strength we need as His children. He will equip us to do whatever we

need to do for His glory. His strength will always be equal to the task. God

is able to give all the vitality I need to accomplish the task He is calling me

to do. How we need to praise Him for the fact that He renews us like the

eagle. We can soar in the sky despite the winds of opposition that come our

way. We can overcome with the youthful vigour He provides.

In verse 6 we read that the Lord works righteousness and justice for the

oppressed. In other words, the Lord God will hear our cause. He always has

time for those in need. This life does not always treat us fairly. Sometimes

godly and innocent people suffer at the hand of the ungodly. God is not

blind to these things. He sees all the injustice and unrighteousness that

surround us. We can be assured that the day is coming when He will

conquer evil and render justice. What a wonderful hope we have.

Righteousness and justice will prevail. God will hear our cry for help. He

will treat us with justice and righteousness.

From verse 7 we learn that God reveals His ways and His deeds to His

servants. In other words, God will show us the way we need to go. He will

not leave us without direction in life. He will walk with us and guide us all

the way. More than this, however, God will also make known His deeds. He

will show us clear demonstrations of His power. We can know His guidance

and His powerful working in us each day.

The Lord is slow to anger and abounds in love. As we live the life of faith,

we will stumble on the way. There will be times when we fall. We can take

comfort from verse 8. God is not quick to get angry. He treats us with love

and compassion. He is full of grace for the person who stumbles and falls.

The psalmist tells us in verse 9 that He will not always accuse us. That is to

say, there are times when God will put up with our failures and graciously

encourage us along. He knows that we are not perfect. He has great

tolerance for our failures and shortcomings. He will not stand over us like a

slave master whipping us each time we fail. Instead, like a loving father He

gently lifts us back on our feet and encourages us to keep going.

He will not harbour anger forever (verse 9). Yes, there are times when the

Lord God will be angry with us. That anger, however, will not last forever.

God will forgive our shortcomings. He does not always treat us as our sins

deserve (verse 10).

God's love for His children (even with all their shortcomings and

inadequacies) is as high as the heavens. This love is so vast, it cannot be

measured. He willingly removes our transgressions and sins from us. The

psalmist tells us that He removes our transgressions as far as the east is

from the west. How far is the east from the west? They are in opposite

directions. The distance between them can never be measured because the

east keeps going in one direction and the west in another. The psalmist is

telling us that the distance between us and our sins is an infinite distance

that can never be measured. We will never see those sins again.

God treats us like a father. He is loving and compassionate. When we

stumble, He picks us up. When we fail He restores us. His love for us is

real. His patience with us is unending. His understanding is comforting.

God is vastly different from us. He is eternal; we were created from the

dust. He has no beginning or end. We are like the grass that grows up and

fades or like flowers that bloom for a moment and then wither. The wind

blows these flowers away and they are no more. They live and die in an

instant and are quickly forgotten. God is so different. Despite such

differences between us, God's love for us is sure and constant. His love for

us lasts from everlasting to everlasting. That same love will be passed on to

our children and to all who live in obedience to Him. How this ought to

comfort and encourage us!

This God of tremendous love and compassion is a God who sits enthroned

in heaven. He reigns over all. There is no greater authority or power. There

is no one more worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.

As the psalmist concludes his reflection on the benefits of the Lord, he calls

the angels of heaven to praise Him. He calls them to think on such

wonderful benefits and marvel at the deeds and compassion of God in

heaven. He challenges the angels of heaven to worship God on behalf of all

His children who are so blessed.

Not only does the psalmist call the angels of heaven to praise the Lord for

His benefits to humankind, but he also calls the works of God everywhere

to lift up their voices in testimony to His benefits. What are these works?

They are the works of creation which demonstrate His power and glory.

They are works of provision for need. They are works of power over

enemies. They are works of compassion and tenderness in times of

suffering. All these works are to be testimonies of God's great grace. They

are loud declarations of His glory and worthiness to be praised.

Lastly, the psalmist calls for his own soul to rejoice and give glory to the

Lord for all His benefits. That call goes out to us personally as well. What

benefits have you received as a child of God? May your soul rise up in

praise and thanksgiving for these wonderful benefits. May they never be

forgotten.

For Consideration:

Have you ever grumbled against the Lord and His provision?

Do you have reason to rejoice in the benefits of the Lord?

Explain.

Does knowing the benefits of the Lord mean that we never

have to face difficulty and struggle in this life?

Are you satisfied? What is the difference between getting

what we want and being satisfied with what God has given?

How have you experienced God's enabling and renewing in

your life?

What comfort do you find in the fact that God treats us like a

father? What does this mean for us when we fall short of His

standard?

Take a moment to consider the blessings the Lord has given

you in life.

For Prayer:

Take a moment to thank the Lord for several benefits He has

given you personally.

Ask the Lord to teach you to be fully satisfied in His

goodness toward you.

Ask God to give you more courage to walk in obedience. Ask

Him to enable you to take greater steps of faith, knowing how

much He loves you and will forgive any shortcomings.

Are you in need of strength for a task today? Ask the Lord to

renew you like the eagle so that you can soar in His strength

and enabling.

90 - PRAISE TO OUR

CREATOR AND

SUSTAINER

Read Psalm 104:1-35

n Psalm 103 the psalmist called his readers to reflect on the wonderful

benefits the Lord their God had for all who loved Him. Here in psalm

104 he focused his attention on the way God both created and

sustained His creation.

He began, in verses 1-2, by reflecting briefly on the majesty of the Lord

God. The psalmist reminds us that the Lord God is a great God who is

clothed with splendour and majesty. These are the qualities of God that

make Him worthy of honour and adoration. When we see splendour and

majesty we are struck with awe. Our desire is to bow in worship and

admiration. The psalmist is telling us that God is clothed with majesty and

splendour.

In verse 2 he attempts to describe some of that splendour and majesty. He

tells us that the Lord wrapped Himself in light like a garment. If you have

ever tried to look at the sun in all its brilliance you would have some

understanding of what the psalmist is trying to convey here. He is telling us

that the brilliance and majesty of the Lord God was such that it was difficult

to gaze upon. His presence was no ordinary presence. When He appeared,

things changed. All thoughts were on Him. Nothing else mattered.

This God of splendour and majesty was an all-powerful God. He stretched

out the heavens like a tent. If you have ever contemplated the vastness of

the universe and immensity of the sky you will realize that the One who

stretched out the heavens is an awesome and powerful God.

Not only did God stretch out the heavens above the earth but the psalmist

reminds his readers that He also laid the beams of the upper chambers on

their waters. The reference is to the sky with all the water it contained. That

psalmist imagines a vast supply of water that was the reservoir from which

the earth was watered. He tells us that God built the upper room of heaven

to contain the rain and the snow. We need to see this in a poetic sense.

The clouds of the heavens were the chariots in which God rode from place

to place. He rode on the wings of the wind. Again we need to see this verse

in a poetic sense. God does not literally drive on chariots made from clouds

driven here and there by the wind. The idea in the psalmist's mind is that

that Lord God was over the skies. The clouds and the winds were His

servants. They did as He commanded. He makes this clear when he tells us

in verse 4 that the winds were His messengers and flames of fire His

servants. Because the psalmist speaks of the heavens, it may be possible for

us to understand the "flames of fire" to be lightening. The winds and

lightening are all under the authority of the Lord God of heaven. He

controls them and uses them as He sees fit.

From his reflection on the heavens the psalmist turns to the earth. He tells

his readers that the Lord also set the foundations of the earth so that it could

not be moved. The earth as we know it has been in existence for thousands

of years. It has stood firm though plagued by storm, disease and the sinful

hearts of humankind. God has set it in place and there it will remain until

such time as He determines its end.

God covered the earth with waters. Those waters clothe the earth like a

garment. Notice in verse 6 how the psalmist tells us that the waters stood

above the mountains. This may be a reference to the shape of the ocean

floor. Under the ocean floor deep valleys and mountains exist. The waters

of the ocean cover those tall mountains.

From verse 7 we understand that the waters of the earth are themselves, like

the forces of the heavens, all under the control of the Lord God. At His

rebuke the waters flee. They take flight at the sound of His thunder. They

flow down the mountains and into the valley in obedience to the purpose

and plan of the Lord God their Creator. God had a place assigned for each

stream and river. He set a boundary that they could not cross so that they

would never again cover the entire earth. This may be a reference to the

flood of Noah's day when the Lord God covered the whole earth with water

and destroyed it. The psalmist is telling us that God is in control of this

great and powerful force of nature. It must listen to His voice and obey His

call.

The springs of water that God causes to flow from the mountains pour

down into the lower regions; giving water to the beasts that live there

(verses 10-11). The birds of the air make their nest by the waters and in

them find life. They sing as they sit in the trees sustained by the waters God

causes to flow for their benefit. All this water comes from the Lord God and

is stored in His upper chamber. That water satisfies and sustains life on the

earth. It is a wonderful gift of God and evidence of His compassion and

care for creation.

The Lord God also makes the grass grow for the cattle of the earth. He

allows the plants of the earth to gladden the hearts of human beings. He

gives them wine to gladden their hearts, oil to make their face shine and

bread to sustain their heart. It is important that we consider this for a

moment. The Lord God is concerned not only to sustain us but to give us

quality of life. Notice how He gives wine to gladden and oil to make our

face shine. God does far more than keep us alive; He gives us a joyous and

blessed life. There are times when we have the idea that the Lord only

wants to give us what we need to survive. The reality is that He delights to

give us far more. His resources are not limited. He is able to give all we

need and even more.

In verses 16-17 the psalmist turns his attention to the trees of the earth.

Notice how he calls them the trees of the Lord. They all belong to Him. In

verse 16, the psalmist tells his readers that these trees were both planted and

watered by the Lord. The imagery here is of a gardener taking care of his

precious plants. There in those trees the birds made their homes. They

delighted in the trees the Lord planted and watered.

On the high mountains the goats and coneys roamed. The coney is assumed

to be some kind of rock badger. There in the isolation and quietness of the

high mountains these wild animals lived and played.

The lights of the heavens had their order. They were created by the Lord

God. The moon marked off seasons in a regular way. The sun marked off

each day. The sun knew when to go down and to rise. All of this is

marvellous. The order and harmony, in which these lights function, is

amazing. Our God brought this order.

When the sun went down, darkness filled the earth. That did not mean that

life ceased. This was time for wild animals to prowl. The lions lay in their

dens during the day but when the sun went down they rose to seek their

food. Man, on the other hand, enjoyed the light of the sun and rose up when

it was light to work. Even in this, there is order; the darkness for the

prowling animals and the light for working man.

The earth, according to the psalmist, was filled with the wonderful works of

God. God made each creature with His marvellous wisdom. The sea was

teeming with numerous creatures. On the surface ships went to and fro.

Under the surface, the great sea monsters played. Each had its place. Again

we see the harmony that exists in creation.

All of God's creatures were dependant on Him for their food and livelihood.

Each received from God what they needed. God satisfied the need of all of

His living creatures. Again, if we take a moment to reflect on this, we can

only marvel at the wonderful provision of God and His watchfulness over

all His creatures, both great and small.

If God were ever to hide His face from any of His creatures they would be

terrified. All hope would perish. They would return to the dust from which

they were created. Only by the grace of God do they live. How absolutely

dependent we are on God for all things. When God sends His Spirit life

comes into being (verse 30). When His Spirit moves the whole earth is

renewed and brought to life, but when He removes that Spirit, all life

perishes. How utterly dependant on God and His Spirit we are. Everything

we have comes from Him.

For this reason the psalmist concludes by saying: "May the glory of the

LORD endure forever." All these works of the Lord are glorious and

wonderful works. The psalmist delighted to see the harmony and life giving

work of God in creation. This harmony and life reflected the glory of God.

The psalmist wanted this to endure forever. Without this glorious work of

God, nothing would exist. In calling for the glory of the Lord to endure, the

psalmist is recognizing His absolute dependence on God for all things.

Notice also in verse 31 that the desire of the Lord is to rejoice in His works.

What we need to understand here is that the Lord delights in giving life to

His creatures. He delights in sustaining and keeping them. It is also the

desire of the Lord to rejoice in us, His creation, as we walk faithfully with

Him.

It is astonishing to the psalmist that the Lord God, who gives such life and

harmony to the earth, is a God who also caused the earth to tremble when

He looked at it. The mountains would smoke at the simple touch of His

hand. This same God was so gentle that He gave life to even the smallest of

His creatures. For this wonderful truth, the psalmist would praise the Lord

all of his life (verse 33).

As he concludes his meditation on the Creator and Sustainer of life, the

desire of the psalmist is that this would be pleasing to the Lord. It was his

desire that God would notice his meditation and the reflections of his heart

and rejoice in them. How wonderful it is to know that we can please the

Lord by our worship and praise. He notices our heart attitude and delights

in our praise.

So strong were his feelings toward God that the psalmist desired that all

sinners would vanish from the earth and that wicked people would be no

more. When he considered the wonderful works of the Lord God and His

gentle care for His creation, it repulsed the psalmist to think that there

would be individuals who would rebel against such a delightful God. It

grieved his heart that there would be people who cared nothing about the

Lord and His ways. His desire was that the Lord be praised by all who

lived on the earth. May that be our desire as well.

For Consideration:

What is splendour and majesty? How is God a God of

splendour and majesty?

Consider the vastness of creation. What does this tell us about

God?

The psalmist reminds us that the Lord God is in control of all

of His creation. What encouragement do you find in this?

What do we learn here about the gentleness of God?

Does God delight in providing, sustaining and blessing?

What comfort and challenge do you find in this?

Consider what the psalmist tells us here about God. Why is

sin and rebellion against such a God so awful in this light?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is the all-powerful Creator and

Sustainer of the universe.

How has God personally demonstrated His gentle care to you

over the last week? Thank Him personally for this.

Ask God to forgive you for the times when you failed to

recognise your absolute need of Him for all things.

Thank the Lord that He delights in providing for and blessing

you personally.

91 - PRAISE TO A

COVENANT KEEPING

GOD

Read Psalm 105:1-45

s we examine Psalm 105 we see that God is a covenant keeping

God. In Psalm 103, the psalmist spoke of the general benefits the

Lord gives His people. In Psalm 104 he challenged his readers to

consider that God was their Creator and Sustainer. In Psalm 105 the

psalmist calls the people of God to look at their history and see how the

Lord God had entered a very special covenant relationship with them.

In the first seven verses of this psalm, the psalmist calls his people to offer

praise and thanksgiving to the Lord God. He challenges them to do so in a

variety of ways. In verse 1 he challenged the believers to give thanks to the

Lord. While, in this context, the reason for that thanksgiving was related to

the fact that God had entered a special relationship with His people, there is

any number of reasons why we need to give thanks to the Lord. Believers

are to be characterized as being a thankful people.

Notice also the challenge of the psalmist for his people to call on the name

of the Lord. What a wonderful privilege we have to be able to call on the

name of the Lord God. We can come to Him at any time. We call on Him to

praise Him and thank Him and we call on Him to minister to us in our time

of need. As we call on the name of the Lord we do so recognizing that He is

the source of our strength. He is our hope, assurance and comfort. In calling

on His name, we recognize Him as the Sovereign Lord over our situations.

We are not to keep the blessings of the Lord to ourselves. The psalmist goes

on to tell his readers to make the deeds of the Lord known among the

nations. We want everyone to know what the Lord has done for us. Our

excitement about the Lord and His deeds is such that we cannot keep it to

ourselves. We want the whole earth to know the beauty of our Lord.

Our praise of the Lord explodes in songs from our lips. Songs and music is

a natural expression of joy and happiness. Even young children express

their joy and contentment though song. The believer is one whose joy is to

bubble over in glad songs of praise to the Lord. These songs express the

acts of the Lord and declare them to all who will listen (verse 2).

In verse 3 the psalmist tells his readers to glory in the holy name of the

Lord. The word glory could also be translated by the phrase "boast in." In

other words, the person who glories in the name of the Lord is one who

boasts of the Lord and His deeds. Notice in particular that His name is a

holy name. That is, it is perfect and without sin in any form. This is

something to boast about. We have a holy and perfect God who is

completely separated from sin in any form. There is no god like Him. We

boast of His character and His acts. We are called to let everyone know the

wonderful things our God has done.

Also in verse 3 the psalmist tells his readers to let their hearts rejoice in the

Lord. Rejoicing is to be a characteristic of the believer. It is a natural

expression of the heart of praise and thanksgiving. There are many things

the believer has to rejoice in. Often however, we allow the cares and

concerns of the world to come between us and this rejoicing. We are to let

our hearts rejoice in the Lord. We are not to allow anything to come

between us and this rejoicing.

In verse 4 the psalmist challenges believers to look to the Lord and His

strength. There will be times of trouble and difficulty in this world. There

will be times of pain and suffering. In those times we are to look to the Lord

and draw on His strength. In that strength we find all we need to conquer

and overcome the enemy.

We are also to seek the face of the Lord. It is the face of the Lord that brings

courage. When we do not see His face we lose hope. When we see His face,

all our problems and difficulties seem smaller. We know when we see Him

that there is nothing He cannot handle. The enemy will try to get our

attention away from the Lord and His smiling face.

In verse 5 we are encouraged to remember the wonders the Lord has done.

We are to always keep before us the remembrance of the mighty deeds of

the Lord. We are to remember the miracles He has accomplished in our

lives and the lives of those who have gone before us. We are to remember

how He judged sin and evil and brought justice to the righteous. In times of

trial and struggle, we are to remind ourselves of the powerful working of

the Lord.

The psalmist reminds us in verse 7 that the Lord God is the Lord over all.

He was a God of justice who would judge the whole earth. More than this,

however, He was a covenant God who entered into a covenant relationship

with His people. As a covenant God He promised to care for His people and

provide for them. In return, He asked His people to honour Him and keep

His commandments. They were to be faithful to Him alone and turn from

all other gods.

God's covenant relationship with His people was forever. He would not

forget them. He made this covenant with Abraham. He swore an oath to

Isaac to be his God and the God of his descendants. He confirmed this

covenant with Jacob. He promised to give His people the land of Canaan as

their inheritance at a time when the land belonged to other nations. The

Lord God protected His people. They were small and without a home but

God kept them as they wandered from one nation to another. He gave them

victory over stronger kings who could have oppressed and overtaken them

(verse 14, 15).

God called down famine on the land and destroyed the supply of food so

that His own people were forced to go into exile. He allowed Joseph to go

before them as a slave, sold by his own brothers. Joseph's feet were bruised

by the shackles put around his ankles. His neck was put in irons. All this

seemed hard to understand, but unknown to His people, this cruel act would

prove to be their deliverance. The psalmist reminds us in verse 19 that all

this was prophesied before it came to pass. God would be true to His word.

In time, Joseph was released from prison and became the ruler of the land.

Joseph was put in charge of everything the king of Egypt possessed and

given responsibility over the princes and elders of the land. Joseph was

ruler in the land of Egypt when the Israelites came to live there because of

the famine. Under his administration, Israel prospered and became too

numerous for Egypt.

In time the Egyptians would despise God's people. They would make them

slaves and subject them to cruel and harsh labour. Again God sent a servant

to their aid. Moses and Aaron were chosen to be the deliverers of God’s

people. Through powerful acts and miraculous signs, they demonstrated the

power of the Lord and His faithful watchful care over His people.

God sent darkness over the land of Egypt. He turned their water into blood.

He caused the fish of their waters to die. He sent a plague of frogs

throughout the land. Swarms of flies and gnats filled the land and troubled

the people. Rain, hail and lightning devastated Egypt. Vines and fig trees

were shattered. Locusts and grasshoppers devoured the green vegetation.

The firstborn of every home perished, crushing the spirits of the inhabitants

of Egypt. In the end, Israel left Egypt, "laden with silver and gold," the spoil

of God's battle with Egypt on their behalf. Egypt offered little resistance to

the fleeing Israelites loaded down with their wealth. They were glad to see

them go.

It would have been difficult for Joseph, bound in shackles, heading to Egypt

as a slave, to see the faithfulness of a covenant keeping God. It would have

been difficult for Israel, beaten by the cruel Egyptian whip, to understand

God's wonderful faithfulness. Only as we look back in time can we see

God's grace and mercy toward His people. What appears to be a trial is in

reality the hand of a loving God preparing us for greater victory. Through

the slavery of Joseph, God provided a way for Israel to be blessed and

enriched in Egypt. Through the plagues that ravaged Egypt, God provided a

means of escape. He was faithful to His people.

God kept His people as they wandered in the wilderness. When Egypt came

after them, He spread out a cloud to separate them from His people. That

cloud and fire also directed His people through the wilderness. When Israel

asked for quail, the Lord showered them down from heaven so that they

were filled and satisfied. When they were thirsty, the Lord opened a rock so

that water gushed out like a river, satisfying their thirst.

God did all these things because He was a covenant keeping God who

remembered the promises He made to Abraham. God brought His people

out of the land of their bondage with shouts of rejoicing and joy (verse 43).

He gave them the land He had promised to them. They inherited a land for

which they had not worked. All that God asked was that they keep His

precepts and walk in His ways. He wanted them to be a light. He wanted

them to shine with His beauty in a dark world. He wanted them to be His

people, living and rejoicing in His blessings.

God delights to reach out to His people. Though at times we must pass

through trials and difficulties, the Lord keeps His people. He provides for

them in their time of need and even before they enter into their suffering,

prepares a way out for them. He is a God who delights in relationship with

His people. He delights to shower His blessing on us. All He asks is that we

enjoy those blessings and surrender to Him and His ways. He is a covenant

God, a God of unbreakable commitment. How we need to thank Him that

we who know Him can be assured of His wonderful love and mercy. May

God give us hearts to live in His grace and surrender to His purposes.

For Consideration:

What does it mean to call out to the Lord? What comfort do

you find in the fact that you can call out to the Lord God?

What has God done for you personally this last week? Have

you had opportunities to share these good things with others?

What does it mean to glory or boast in the Lord? What cause

do you have to boast about the Lord and His work in your life

today?

What comfort do you take from the fact that God is a

covenant keeping God? Why would God want to enter a

covenant relationship with us?

What does this psalm teach us about the way that God can

use even what appears to be trials to accomplish good in the

lives of His people.

For Prayer:

What trials are you facing today? Take a moment to thank the

Lord that He is a covenant keeping God and will keep you

through those trials.

Take a moment to "glory in the Lord." Consider His

wonderful deeds and character. Praise Him for who He is and

what He has done.

Thank the Lord for a time when He used what appeared to be

suffering and trial to accomplish good in your life.

92 - OBEDIENCE,

PROSPERITY, JOY AND

THANKFULNESS

Read Psalm 106:1-48

n Psalm 106 the psalmist reflects on the grace, mercy and love of God

toward His people. He is very conscious of the fact that these people

had often rebelled against God and His ways but God still reached out

to them in grace and forgiveness. Psalm 106 is a Psalm of praise and

thanksgiving to a God of mercy, grace and forgiveness.

The psalmist begins with a word of praise to God and His goodness. He

recognized that the Lord God was good. There was no evil in Him.

Everything He did was perfect and holy. We can take great comfort in the

fact that our God is unaffected by sin and evil.

Notice in verse 1 that the Lord God is also a God of love. The psalmist

reminded his readers here that the love of the Lord lasted forever. God's

love would never cease. In particular we see that the love of the Lord

remained even when God's people had turned their backs on Him. Not even

the rebellion of His people could keep God from loving them.

In verse 2 the psalmist reflected on the mighty acts of the Lord. As he

examined the history of His people there were many examples of God's

powerful acts. God divided waters, brought food from heaven and

destroyed His enemies. No other god was as powerful as the Lord God of

Israel. The psalmist realized that no human tongue could ever fully describe

the wonder of the mighty works of God.

The awesome power, goodness and love of God were such that our only

legitimate response was to live in obedience and respect for Him and His

ways. In verse 3 the psalmist told his readers that those who maintained

justice and did what was right were blessed. They were blessed because

they were living in harmony with God and His ways. That was not the case,

however, for those who turned from God. We will see in this psalm that the

people of God wandered from the Lord. There are those who say that

because God is good and His love is forever then they can live the life they

want to live. What the psalmist is telling us here is that while there is

forgiveness from God, true blessing can only be found in obedience.

The psalmist wanted to know the blessing and favour of God that came

from obedience to His purposes. In verse 4 he asked the Lord to remember

him when He showed favour to His people. He wanted to experience and

know the salvation and victory of the Lord. He wanted to experience the

personal touch of the Lord. He wanted to live in the prosperity of those who

belonged to the Lord and share in their joy and thanksgiving.

Notice the three things that the psalmist said belonged to the "chosen ones"

of God. First, they enjoyed prosperity. The word prosperity in our day

seems to refer to riches. The word in the Hebrew context is much broader

than this. It refers to the wellbeing of the whole person. He speaks here

about the beauty, gladness, and favour that God gives to those who belong

to Him. The chosen ones of God are blessed in many ways. Material

blessing is only a small part of the prosperity that God gives. The prosperity

of the chosen ones of God is also spiritual, emotional and practical. As

children of God, we are blessed abundantly in every way.

Secondly, the chosen ones of God are a joyous people. The psalmist wants

to share in the joy of God’s chosen ones. God's people have much for which

to thank Him. They have received the favour of God and are walking in the

midst of His marvellous blessing. For this they are filled with joy. It is the

desire of God that His children walk in joy.

Third, notice that the chosen ones of God are a thankful people (verse 5).

They do not take what God has done for granted. They do not deserve the

favour of God but they are experiencing it nonetheless. For this they are

truly thankful.

After reminding his readers of the blessings of God and the characteristics

of a "chosen one," the psalmist turns his attention to the history of his

people. God's people did not always demonstrate the characteristics of the

chosen people of God. In fact they had turned against God and rebelled

against His purposes. Like their fathers and mothers before them, God's

people were constantly walking in rebellion against their Creator and Lord.

In verse 7 the psalmist reminded his readers that their fathers and mothers

did not take the time to reflect on God's wonderful miracles when they were

in Egypt. God's people were held as slaves in Egypt. The Lord God set

them free from their bondage and slavery. Through mighty deeds and

miracles, He brought the nation of Egypt to its knees. God's people were

marvellously delivered from the hands of their oppressors. God's people did

not remember His kindness for long. Just after leaving the land of their

bondage, they arrived at the Rea Sea. Here the Egyptian army came after

them. Seeing the army racing toward them, the people of God began to

grumble and complain. They thought that they were going to perish at the

hands of Egypt. They failed to remember how the Lord had set them free.

They doubted that God could do anything about their problem now. We so

easily begin to doubt God’s purposes. This is what Israel did just after being

delivered from their bondage. In just a few short days, Israel began to

grumble and doubt the power of their God to save them.

Despite their grumbling and doubts, the Lord God saved His people from

their enemies. In verses 8-9 the psalmist alluded to the way in which God

parted the seas to let His people walk across on dry land. He rebuked the

seas and they covered the pursuing Egyptian army, destroying them

completely. Notice that this victory did not come as a result of great faith

and obedience on the part of God's chosen ones. God's people experienced

victory only because of His grace and mercy. They did not deserve that He

should show them victory. They had no faith. They were grumbling and

complaining against God. Despite their failures, God still defeated their

enemies.

God then led His people through the desert. It would have been so easy for

God to leave His people in their rebellion to perish at the Red Sea. God's

grace and mercy were immense, however, and so He continued to bless and

lead them.

God's hand was on His people through the wilderness. At the Red Sea, God

saved His people from the approaching Egyptian army. The waters covered

their enemy and not a single one survived. For a moment, this renewed

Israel’s confidence in God. At the Red Sea, God's people sang praise to Him

for victory over their enemies.

That renewed confidence in God and His work did not last very long. In

verse 13 God’s people soon forgot what He had done. In the desert they

gave into their cravings and put God to the test. Instead of waiting for God

and His guidance, they took matters into their own hands. They grumbled

and complained against God. God gave them over to disease to teach them

a lesson (verse 15).

God's people did not wait for His counsel. There have been many times in

my life when the pressures of life have weighed on me and I felt I needed to

take matters into my own hands instead of waiting for the Lord and His

wisdom. I have often learned the hard way that I should have waited and

not been so quick to step out in my own understanding. In time of trouble

the Lord calls us to wait for His counsel and trust in His leading. God’s

people did not do this.

In verse 16 the psalmist reminds his people of how their fathers and

mothers grew envious of Moses and Aaron. They questioned why Moses

and Aaron were chosen by God. They felt that they were as good as their

leaders and began to be jealous of their calling. They rebelled against

Moses and Aaron and grumbled against the purpose of God for them. In His

anger, the Lord struck those individuals. He opened the earth and it

swallowed the complainers. God consumed these wicked men and their

followers.

God's people also rebelled against Him at Horeb when they made a golden

calf and worshiped it instead of God. In doing so, the psalmist tells us that

they exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull that ate grass. Their God

had delivered them from Egypt but they so despised Him that they chose to

worship an image of a bull rather than their Deliverer. What an insult this

was to the Lord God!

God was so angry with His people for this insulting and blasphemous act

that He determined to destroy them. Moses pleaded with God for mercy. He

stood in the gap between a holy God and His sinful people. Moses prayed

that God would deliver His people and God listened and forgave them.

When Moses sent servants to spy out the land that God had promised, on

hearing of the walled cities and strong armies in the land, they told Moses

that they wanted to return to Egypt. They forgot the power and deliverance

of the Lord their God. They refused to believe that God would give them

this land as He promised. They believed instead that their enemies would

overcome them. They grumbled and complained against God and His ways.

Because of their continued doubt, God determined that all who left Egypt

would fall in the desert and not see the land He had promised.

God's chosen ones worshipped Baal and ate sacrifices to pagan and lifeless

gods. They provoked the Lord to anger. Numbers 25 recounts the story of

how God's people resorted to Baal worship. Baal worship involved the

practice of sexual immorality. Because of these sinful practices, a plague

broke out against the people of Israel. As they wept over their sins, an

Israelite man took a Midianite woman into his tent (obviously to have

sexual relations with her). Phinehas went over to the tent and killed both the

man and the woman for their blasphemous and sinful behaviour. The result

was that that plague broke and God's blessing was restored to His people.

Later by the waters of Meribah, Israel again angered God by grumbling and

complaining because of a lack of water. God's people had seen so much of

God's miraculous works but they were still not able to trust Him. They

could not learn from the past. They could not believe that God could do

what He had done in the past. They complained to Moses about their need.

They rebelled against the Spirit of God. Even Moses fell into sin at this time

when he lashed out with angry words against his people for their rebellion.

When they entered the land God had promised them, Israel refused to

destroy the sinful inhabitants of the land as He had commanded them.

Instead, they allowed them to remain with all their evil practices. They

began to mingle with them and adopt their evil customs. They were to be a

holy people but they refused to walk in the ways of the Lord. Instead, they

began to worship the idols of the nations. The people of the land became a

snare to them and turned them away from their God. Israel began to follow

the detestable practices of these nations. They sacrificed their sons and

daughters to demons. They shed the blood of their innocent children,

offering them as sacrifices to the idols of Canaan. They defiled the land

with this innocent blood. They prostituted themselves both physically and

spiritually. In doing this, they despised the inheritance the Lord had given

them. They desecrated the land with their evil, showing no respect for God

and His gift to them.

Because they despised the gift He had given them, God took it from them.

He gave them over to other nations who oppressed them. They wanted to be

like the other nations. God handed them over to the nations they wanted to

be like. Those nations oppressed and ruled over them.

God did not abandon His people. Many times He delivered them from the

hands of their enemies. When they cried out to Him, His heart was touched

and He set them free. Over and over again, however, God's people would

return to evil. Their hearts were bent on rebellion.

They wasted away in their sin and rebellion. The prosperity, joy and

thankfulness were stripped from them. Instead, they wasted away under sin

and rebellion. There was no future in sin but God's people seem to be

attracted to it and would not remain true to their God.

In verse 44 the psalmist reminds us that God took note of the distress of His

people and heard their cry. He remembered His covenant with them and, out

of love for them, He reached out to deliver. He caused them to be pitied by

all who held them so that they were merciful to them. They were released

from the grip of their enemies. They did not deserve such compassion but

they experienced it just the same.

As the psalmist concludes, he called on the Lord to save His people and

gather them from the nations so that they could give thanks to His holy

name. There is great courage on the part of the psalmist here. He knows

how rebellious his people have been and how they have tried the patience of

the Lord. He still does not hesitate to come to the Lord asking yet for more

forgiveness and grace. He understood that while the anger and wrath of God

were very real so was His patience, mercy and forgiveness. He prays that

God would restore the prosperity, joy and thankfulness of His people.

The challenge of this psalm is for us as well. The psalmist reminds us that

blessing awaits those who fear God and walk in His truth. While God was

merciful to His people, they often did not walk in the fullness of God’s

blessing. As His people today we are often in the same situation. We too

have tried the patience of our God. We have often wandered from His

purpose. How we need to thank Him that He is a loving and forgiving God.

He calls us back to Himself to walk in the fullness of His blessing, joy and

thankfulness. May this be our experience.

For Consideration:

What comfort do you find in the fact that the love of the Lord

is forever?

Can we live as we please because we know that the love of

the Lord is forever? What does the psalmist teach us about

living in obedience?

What "prosperity" has the Lord brought you since you have

come to Him? What blessings have you experienced in Him?

Do you have a joyful and thankful heart as a believer?

Have you ever forgotten the faithfulness and power of God?

Why is it so hard to remember these things in our trials?

What do we learn in this psalm about the sin of grumbling

and complaining?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord for His wonderful love that lasts forever.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for His blessing and favour

in your life.

Ask the Lord to fill you with joy and thanksgiving as you

walk in obedience to His purpose.

Ask God to forgive you for the times you have grumbled and

complained about His ways and purposes for your life.

Ask God to give you greater confidence and trust in Him in

your time of need.

93 - GOODNESS AND

LOVE

Read Psalm 107:1-43

he challenge of the psalmist in Psalm 107 is for the believer who

has experienced the wonderful blessings of the Lord in his or her

life. He calls us to examine the blessings of the Lord and give

thanks to Him. The Lord Jesus told a story in Luke 17 of ten lepers who had

been healed. Only one of them returned to thank Him for his healing. In

recent years I have become more conscious of the fact that we ask for much

but give thanks for little. The psalmist is calling us to be a people of

thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for His wonderful blessings.

As he begins, the psalmist calls his people to praise and thank the Lord for

His goodness and love. He reminds them that the love of the Lord endures

forever. Nothing would change the love of God for them.

For the psalmist it was important that the redeemed praise and thank the

Lord (verse 2). Every day we wake this ought to be our prayer: "Give

thanks to the Lord, for he is good" (verse 1). When trials and tribulations

come our way our song should be: “His love endures forever." It ought to

be our joy and delight to reflect on His goodness and give Him praise.

God had done much for His people. He had delivered them from the hands

of their enemies. God's people had been scattered to the far corners of the

earth because of their sin but God gathered them from those distant lands.

They returned from the east, west, north and south and He gave them the

land He had promised them. They did not deserve such mercy but they

received it from His hands.

Some of those who were scattered found no place to call their home.

Instead, they wandered in desert wastelands finding no place to settle.

These individuals were hungry and thirsty. Their lives were fading away.

All this happened because they had turned their back on God. In their

helplessness they cried out to the Lord. He saw them in their distress and

came to their aid. He led them to a city in which they could settle. There

they would have land and a place of shelter. There in that city they could

raise their families and be secure.

The psalmist calls these individuals to raise a cry of praise and thanksgiving

to the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds. He was a God who

satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things. He deserved

their praise.

There were others who were kept in prisons of deep darkness and gloom.

These individuals suffered in iron chains. Their freedom was stripped from

them as their enemies held them in captivity. Verse 11 makes it clear that

these particular individuals were guilty and deserved their punishment.

They had "rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of

the Most High." They were being punished for their sin. These individuals

were subjected to bitter labour. They stumbled and fell under the load and

there was no one to help them (verse 12). In their distress, they cried out to

the Lord. Despite their rebellion, the Lord God came to them. He saved

them from their distress. He brought them out of the darkness of their

prison cells and broke their chains. He showed them mercy and love.

Again in verse 15 the psalmist called these individuals to give thanks to the

Lord for His unfailing love. This was a love that remained sure despite their

rebellion and sin. They were to give thanks to the Lord because He was a

God who broke down strong gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

He was able to deliver His people from the strongest prison. He would do

this even though they were a rebellious and sinful people. His love for them

would remain.

There was another group of people in the land. These individuals, according

to verse 17, had become fools through their rebellious ways. They were not

cast into prison but they were still prisoners. As fools they despised

wisdom. The wisdom spoken of here is the wisdom of God. These

individuals wanted to do their own thing. They were rebellious in their

ways and deeds. God delivered them over to their rebellion. Verse 17 tells

us that they suffered affliction because of their iniquities. We are not told

what happened to these people but we are given a hint in verse 18. Here the

psalmist tells us that they loathed all food and drew near to the gates of

death. Could it be that these individuals were struck with sickness and

disease? They were prisoners to their disease and sickness. This too was a

punishment from God because of their evil and rebellious ways. They

brought this sickness on themselves. They wasted away because of the

effects of sin in their lives. In their distress, these people too cried out to the

Lord and He heard their cry.

He reached out to them also and healed them of their sickness. He rescued

them from the grave and restored their health.

The psalmist called these individuals also to give thanks to the Lord for His

unfailing love and wonderful deeds (verse 20). They were to bring a

sacrifice of thanks to the Lord their God and tell of His works with their

songs of joy (verse 22).

The next group the psalmist speaks to buried themselves in wealth and

earthly prosperity. In verse 23 these individuals went out to sea in ships.

The psalmist tells us in verse 23 that they were merchants on the mighty

waters. They too were rebelling against the Lord and His ways. They too

were caught up in prison cells of materialism and greed. Their prosperity

was not a blessing but a curse for them because it took them away from

their God.

The Lord revealed Himself to these merchants on the sea. They saw His

"wonderful deeds in the deep." They were without excuse because God

spoke to them in the tempests and the waves that crashed against their

ships. Like Jonah the prophet, God was trying to get the attention of these

wanderers. God was in the storms of the sea. He pursued them in their

wandering. In the waves of the storm their ships mounted to the heavens

and went down to the depths. Their courage melted as they feared for their

lives.

Like drunken men they staggered and reeled on the decks of their ships.

They were brought to the end of themselves and they did not know what to

do. Their wealth and prosperity could not help. They had wandered from

the one true God. They had bowed down to the god of materialism and

wealth. Now they saw their sin and the futility of their ways. They too cried

out to the Lord in their distress and God answered.

God stilled the storm "to a whisper." He hushed the waves of the rebellious

sea. The stress and turmoil gave way to calm and peaceful seas. They were

glad in this calm. They found a peace and security that material possessions

could not give. Their peace and security was not in wealth and prosperity

but in the knowledge of forgiveness and a restored relationship with their

God. They did not deserve that God should fill them with such peace and

calm. They had turned from Him to worship their prosperity and wealth.

God pursued them and brought them back. For this reason the psalmist

called these merchants to give thanks to the Lord. They were to exalt Him

in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

The fact that they are associated with the elders (leaders) of the land shows

us that these individuals were influential in the community.

In verse 33-34 the psalmist reminded His people that the God of Israel was

a God who turned rivers into deserts and flowing springs into thirsty

ground. He could take fruitful land and make it like a salted waste. He

would do this because of sin and evil. While the God of Israel was the

source of all blessing, He could quickly remove those blessings if His

people persisted in their sin.

On the other hand, this same God turned deserts into pools of water and

parched ground into flowing springs. He gave the hungry life and a city

where they could settle. Because of His blessing their vineyards produced

fruitful harvests. They increased in number as the Lord gave them many

children. Even their herds did not diminish in size. God was the source of

their blessing.

Instead of remaining in His blessing, however, God’s people wandered from

Him. They turned their backs on Him and chose to live their own way. This

resulted in a decrease of their numbers. From the context of this psalm they

were scattered, imprisoned, struck with sickness and disease and fell prey to

materialism and greed. In their punishment, they were humbled. Calamity

and sorrow struck them. They were oppressed and defeated and their

sorrow increased. Many of them were forced to wander in "trackless

wastes" (verse 40). In other words, they were lost and without direction.

This was the result of their rebellion against God.

God did not leave them in their mess. He lifted them out of their affliction.

He met them in their struggle. In His mercy, He again increased their

families. He restored His blessing on unworthy and rebellious sinners.

As he concludes, the psalmist told his readers that the upright would see the

things he was telling them and rejoice but the wicked would shut their

mouths. It is not that the wicked did not see these things. They saw and

understood what the psalmist was telling them. The difference between the

upright and the wicked had to do with their response to the truth the

psalmist was declaring. The upright rejoiced. The wicked shut their mouths.

In other words, the wicked refused to give thanks and praise to the Lord.

They closed their mouths when they should have opened them in praise and

thanksgiving. The refusal to praise and thank the Lord is the sin of the

wicked. The final words of the psalmist challenge us:

"Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the

great love of the LORD" (verse 43).

For Consideration:

What does this psalm teach us about the importance of

thankfulness? What does it teach us about the sin of not being

thankful?

Can you give thanks even when things are not going as you

thought they should?

What does this psalm teach us about the forgiveness and

patience of God?

What do we learn in this psalm about the discipline of God

and His mercy in discipline?

Can we find true security and peace in the things of this

world? What does this psalm have to teach us about true

peace and security?

Have you ever walked away from God and His blessings?

Why is this so easy to do?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you more of an attitude of thanksgiving

and praise when things don't seem to be going your way.

Ask God to give you grace to remain under the shadow of His

blessings. Ask Him to forgive you for the times you have

walked away from those blessings.

Ask God to forgive you for times you were not thankful and

filled with praise to Him for His goodness toward you.

94 - A CRY FOR HELP

Read Psalm 108:1-109:31

elievers sometimes face very difficult struggles in life. Those

struggles can overwhelm them. In these next two psalms the

psalmist openly shares his heart and thoughts in a difficult time of

struggle.

The psalmist begins by reminding God that his heart was steadfast (108:1).

While there were difficulties and struggles in life for the psalmist, he

remained faithful to the Lord and His purposes. This is what the Lord is

calling all of us to do. He is calling us to be patient in suffering and trial. He

is calling us to wait on Him and His purposes. He is calling us to be faithful

no matter what might happen to us.

Because he trusted the Lord and His loving-kindness the psalmist could

remain steadfast. It was from this heart of confidence in God that he could

sing and make music even in times of trouble and suffering. In Psalm 108:2

he called for the harp and the lyre to awake and bring forth their music. He

commits himself, as a trusting servant of the Lord, to awake early to praise

and thank Him for His goodness and love.

Not only would he praise the Lord personally but the psalmist also

committed himself to praising the Lord among the nations. He wanted the

world to know the forgiveness and blessing of the Lord. His experience of

God was too good to keep to himself. The whole world had to know.

Notice in particular what caused the psalmist to rejoice with thanksgiving.

He told his readers that the love of the Lord was higher than the heavens

and His faithfulness reached the sky (108:4). In other words, if you were to

pile up the expressions of God's love and faithfulness to His people they

would reach the sky. They could not be counted.

For such love and mercy, the psalmist's heart was to see the Lord be exalted

above the heavens (108:5). That is to say, he wanted the Lord's name to be

praised by all heavenly beings for such grace and mercy shown on earth.

Notice also that his desire was to see God's glory all over the earth (108:5).

He wanted the Lord to manifest His presence in power on the earth so that

the world would know He was God and bow down in adoration and

worship.

In Psalm 108:6 the psalmist called out to the Lord to save and help them as

a nation. His cry to the Lord was that those who loved Him would be

delivered. In saying this, the psalmist is reminding us that even those who

love the Lord have to face struggles in this life. Though they faced

struggles, they could trust in the Lord God. He was a sovereign God over

all nations. Nothing was too difficult for Him.

Notice in Psalm 108:7-9 that the Lord was a great God over all. He spoke

from His sanctuary in heaven. There was no higher court. What was spoken

from this court had authority not only in heaven but on earth as well. Every

nation was subject to the decrees coming from the sanctuary of heaven.

From His sanctuary in heaven the Lord parcelled out the region of

Shechem. He measured off the Valley of Succoth (108:7). He determined

their influence and the extent of their borders. How often we feel that we

are in control of what takes place on this earth. The reality of the matter,

however, is that the Lord determines the course of the nations. He reigns

over all nations. Gilead and Manasseh belonged to Him. He chose Ephraim

to be His helmet. He called Judah to be His sceptre. He honoured these

nations (108:8). Moab, however, was His washbasin. God tossed His sandal

at Edom and shouted triumph over Philistia (108:9). The tossing of the

sandal was an insult to the nations. He lifts up some nations and extends His

blessing to them. He also brings nations down.

This was the type of God who went with the psalmist through his struggles.

This was a powerful and awesome God whose power could not be

overturned. What a comfort it was to have such a God beside him as he

faced the struggles of each day.

Notice in Psalm 108:11 that, at this time, God’s people were not

experiencing the blessing of the Lord. God seemed to have turned His back

on them as a people. The presence of God no longer seemed to go out with

their armies. The psalmist pleaded with God to bring him to the fortified

city and lead him to Edom. Edom was the enemy of God's people. The

psalmist realized that only God could give him victory over his enemies. He

cried out to God to give him that victory. All human aid was worthless.

Though at the time, the psalmist did not see the hand of the Lord at work,

he would not cease to praise Him and put his confidence in Him. He knew

that all victory came from the Lord.

As we move into Psalm 109 the psalmist pleads with the Lord not to remain

silent. He was not seeing evidence of the powerful hand of God at work but

he was confident that God would come to his aid.

As he pleaded with God to take action, the psalmist reminded Him of what

the enemies were doing. He told the Lord how they had been speaking out

against him (109:2). These enemies were deceitful men who opened their

mouths to slander him. They spoke with lying tongues (109:2). They

attacked the psalmist with their words without cause. They acted out of pure

hatred toward him. They did this despite the fact that he had shown nothing

but friendship toward them. Despite the horrible things that were being said,

the psalmist found his strength and confidence in God. As a “man of

prayer” he would bring his requests to God and trust in Him (109:4).

It is of some importance here that we mention that the apostle Peter quotes

Psalm 109 in Acts 16:20. He mentions it in the context of speaking about

the betrayal of Judas. This has led some commentators to believe that this

psalm spoke prophetically of the time when Judas would betray the Lord

Jesus. At least we can see the similarity here. While Jesus had been a friend

to Judas, Judas still spoke out against Him and betrayed that confidence.

In Psalm 109:6 the psalmist begins a lengthy condemnation of his enemies.

Before examining this it is important that we say a few things about this

section of Psalm 109.

First, we need to see that the words of the psalmist in these verses are a

reflection of what has been happening to him. He has been suffering at the

hands of his enemies. He asks God to do to the enemy what they have been

doing to His people.

Second, the reflections of these verses are the reflections of a hurting man.

These words are not intended to give us doctrinal or practical teaching

about how we should pray. The New Testament clearly teaches us that we

need to bless our enemy and seek their good (Luke 6:27-28). What we see

in these verses is an open expression of the thoughts and feeling of a man in

tremendous suffering. We can all identify with these feelings though they

are not to be encouraged.

Thirdly, we need to take the words of the psalmist and understand them in

terms of the struggle between good and evil. The psalmist is reflecting the

hatred of God for evil. He is calling for a triumph of good over evil. Having

said this, we now need to examine the thoughts of the psalmist toward those

who were accusing him and causing misery in his life.

In Psalm 109:6-7 the psalmist asked the Lord to appoint an evil man to

oppose his enemies and to let an accuser stand at his right hand. This is

what had been happening to the psalmist. He had been falsely accused and

condemned by wicked men. He is asking God to turn the tables on those

who were accusing him. He is asking that God would show his enemies

what it was like to be falsely accused and denied justice.

He goes on in Psalm 109:8 to ask God that the days of such wicked people

would be few. He is asking that God bring the life of evil doers to an abrupt

end. He asked that their place of leadership would be given to another and

that they would be fatherless. The idea here is that their children would not

be able to carry on their evil practices. He is asking God to stop evil and the

passing on of evil practices from one generation to another.

In Psalm 109:10-11, the psalmist asked God to make the children of evil

people wanderers and beggars. He wanted them to be driven from their

ruined homes with creditors plundering the fruit of their hard labours.

Again this is what these men were doing to God's people. They were

devouring them and stripping them of everything they had. The psalmist

prayed that God would turn this sword against them so that they would

experience first-hand what they had been doing to others.

In his time of trial, the psalmist obviously felt alone. No one came to him in

his trouble. No one extended an open hand of kindness. No one took pity on

him and his children in their need. He asked again that God would let his

enemies know what it was like to be friendless in a time of need (109:12).

Because of the terrible deeds done against the righteous, the psalmist asked

God to cut off the descendants of the wicked. He wanted the names of these

evil people to perish forever. He wanted no remembrance of their presence

to be passed on to the next generation. He wanted all their evil descendants

to be cut off so that their evil deeds would cease.

In Psalm 109:14 the psalmist asked the Lord to remember the evil deeds of

these wicked people. He pleaded with God to deal with sin. It could not go

unpunished.

These individuals gave no thought of kindness to those in need. In fact the

psalmist tells us that they hounded the poor, needy and brokenhearted to

death (109:16). They found great pleasure in cursing and refused any

blessing to those in need (109:17). They wore cursing like a garment

(109:18). Cursing became part of them and their actions. The psalmist

asked the Lord to curse these individuals and their evil ways. He calls on

God to repay this evil by punishing the evil doer.

The psalmist was confident that God was a God of justice (109:21). He was

confident that God would not allow evil to triumph forever. As a sovereign

God He would deal with evil and restore blessing to His people. The

psalmist is confident in the love and goodness of God. Because God was

good, He would deal with sin and evil. God knew the psalmist’s pain. He

knew that his heart had been wounded by evil men. God knew that he was

fading away like an evening shadow and that his knees were giving away

from fasting and pleading with God (109:24). God was not blind to the fact

that His servant was the object of the scorn (109:25).

The psalmist cried out to God for help (109:26). He called on His love. He

felt confident, despite the trials around him, that God still loved him. He

pleaded with God for justice. He asked God to raise His hand against his

enemies

These enemies cursed the righteous but God would bless them in His time

(109:28). Their end was coming. They would be put to shame. God's

servants would have cause to rejoice. Their accusers would be clothed in

disgrace and wrapped in shame (109:29). God's people would praise and lift

up His name (109:30). God would not abandon His children. He would

stand at their right hand and save them from the hands of their enemy.

There was terrible injustice around the psalmist. Though he loved the Lord

God, he still experienced the mocking accusations of the enemy. There were

times when he felt overwhelmed by the evil that surrounded him.

Sometimes God seemed to be distant. In these times, the psalmist clung to

what he knew about the Lord. He knew Him to be a God of love and

goodness. He knew Him to be a God of justice. Though he could not see or

understand the ways and purposes of God, he trusted Him completely.

There are many times when we will not understand what God is doing but

we can be confident in His purposes. He will never fail. This is the

confidence of the psalmist in this time of crisis. May it be our confidence as

well.

For Consideration:

Will we ever be completely free from struggle and pain in a

sinful world?

Because we struggle in this world, does this mean that God is

not in control? Explain.

What does the psalmist mean when he tells us that the love

and mercy of God are higher than the heavens? Has this been

your experience? Take a moment to list a few examples of

God's mercy and love in your life.

Why is it so easy to forget the greatness of God's love and

mercy in our time of struggle?

What does the psalmist teach us about the sovereignty of God

over nations and people? What courage does this give you in

time of need?

What should be our cry against sin and evil in our society?

What confidence does the psalmist have in the midst of his

struggle? What confidence should we have?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that while we will never be completely free

from pain and suffering in this sinful world, God is still

sovereign and good.

Thank the Lord that His mercy and love are higher than the

heavens.

Take a moment to rest in the knowledge that God is sovereign

over nations and peoples. Offer up praise and thanksgiving to

Him for this.

Ask God to deal with sin and evil in your society. Ask Him to

break its hold and to silence those who promote it.

95 - THE PROMISE OF

VICTORY

Read Psalm 110:1-111:10

salm 110 is a psalm of victory. In it the psalmist David celebrates

the promises of God for victory over his enemies.

David begins with the phrase "The LORD says to my Lord." It is

important that we note here the word "Lord." While the word is repeated

twice it is not the same Hebrew word. The first occurrence of the word

LORD is in reference to Jehovah. Most English translations of the Bible

translate the word Jehovah by the word LORD or GOD in uppercase letters.

The second use of the word here is in lower case letters and is often used to

speak of a master or a king. It is important that we distinguish these two

words. We could possibly translate the phrase to say: "Jehovah, the God of

Israel said to the king."

Notice what Jehovah said to the king in Psalm 110:1. He told him to sit at

His right hand until He made his enemies a footstool for his feet. The

picture here is of the Lord God of Israel coming to the aid of the king. The

Lord God invited the king to sit at His right hand. The right hand was a

place of honour and communion. In the midst of battle this is the best place

we could possibly be (in the presence of the Lord, in communion with

Him).

Notice also that God’s desire was to bring victory to the king over his

enemies. What is important for us to see here is that it is not the king who

would obtain this victory but the Lord God. God wants to give this victory

to the king.

There is one more thing we need to see in this invitation. The invitation is

to come and sit. It is true that the Lord sometimes calls us to be busy and

occupied. The invitation here, however, is to sit and let the Lord bring the

victory. Sometimes it is much easier to do battle than it is to sit and wait for

God. What is clear from this is that the battle was the Lord’s and He alone

would bring the victory the king needed.

In Psalm 110:2 the Lord God promised He would extend the king's sceptre

from Zion. The sceptre was a symbol of the king's authority. What God is

saying is that He wanted to extend the authority of the king. He wanted him

to rule over his enemies. It is not the desire of God to diminish or suppress

us as His people. He wants us to be victorious. He wants to extend our

authority in the areas where He has given us responsibility. His desire is to

conquer His enemies through us. Notice that the sceptre is described as a

"mighty" sceptre. Even through the sceptre is already mighty it is the

delight of the Lord to extend it. God may be using you as a sceptre in a

wonderful way right now. This verse tells us that He still wants to "extend"

your sceptre of authority. Don't be content with less than the Lord has for

you. Allow Him to extend your authority.

The work of conquering is not a work done in isolation from others. In

Psalm 110:3 the Lord God told His servant the king that He would give him

willing troops on his day of battle. He would not have to face the battle

alone. God would raise a team of co-workers to stand with him when he

stepped out to do battle with the enemy.

Notice that those troops would be "arrayed in holy majesty from the dawn"

and with the "dew of youth." The King James Version of the Bible

translates "holy majesty" as "the beauty of holiness." The idea is that the

troops standing with the king in this battle are clothed with the Lord God

and His strength. They are a holy and majestic people who do battle in the

power of the Lord. The reference to the "dawn" and the "dew of youth" tell

us that these soldiers and co-workers are filled with fresh vigour, youthful

zeal and strength. They are willing and able warriors for the kingdom.

David reminds us in Psalm 110:4 that the Lord God had sworn and would

never change His mind. What He promised would come to pass. Victory

was secured and could never be taken from the king.

Reference is made in Psalm 110:4 to Melchizedek. This reference is in the

context of the Lord swearing and never changing His mind. The psalmist

could have absolute confidence in the Lord God and His promises because

He was priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was a priest/king in Jerusalem during the days of Abraham

(Hebrews 7:1). He met Abraham in Genesis 14:18. On meeting him,

Abraham gave him a tithe of all he had. What seems to be clear from the

context of both Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7 is that Melchizedek was a

believer in the Lord God of Israel and served him as priest and king in

Jerusalem before Jerusalem even belonged to Israel. It is unclear how

Melchizedek came to know the Lord God or even how he served the Lord

as priest, but it is clear that the Lord honoured his priesthood even though it

was not part of the established Aaronic priesthood of Israel.

Melchizedek became a symbol of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus who also

served as a priest/king apart from the recognized priesthood of Aaron and

his descendants. This priesthood came to be recognized as being of higher

authority than even the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants (see

Hebrews 7:11-19).

What the psalmist is telling us here is that the promises of God were

established on a sure foundation. They were promised by one whose

authority was higher than that of Aaron. These promises were based on the

promises of a priest/king of the order of Melchizedek.

In Psalm 110:5 the king takes confidence in the promises of the Lord. "The

Lord is at your right hand, He will crush kings on the day of his wrath," he

says. The word Lord here is not the word for Jehovah God. It should be

seen to refer to the king. It was the king who had been invited to sit at the

right hand of the Lord God. Because he was in that place of honour, he

could stand against his enemies. He would move out in the victory the Lord

gave. He would be God's instrument to judge the nations for their evil.

This battle for righteousness would not be easy. God promised victory in

battle, not freedom from battle. Even in the heat of battle, however, the

Lord God would bring refreshing. In Psalm 110:7 the psalmist told his

readers that he would drink from a brook beside the way and lift up his

head. The picture here is of the king, weary from battle, drinking and

finding refreshment from a little brook the Lord God provided for him in

his time of need.

There have been many times when I personally have needed that brook.

Sometimes it comes in the form of a letter or email from someone who

simply wants to encourage me. Sometimes it comes in the form of rest after

a time of intense battle. Sometimes it comes in the form of provision for a

need or from a passage of the Word of God that speaks to the struggle being

faced. What is important is that we understand that God will provide those

"brooks" for His weary servants in their time of need. They will lift up their

weary head and be refreshed. What confidence this gives us to move out in

battle. God will give us victory. He will supply the needed co-workers and

resources and when we are weary He will refresh and renew.

It is in this context that we will consider Psalm 111. The psalmist tells his

readers that he would extol the Lord with all his heart in the council or

assembly of the upright (111:1). He had every reason to praise and thank the

Lord his God. He wanted the righteous to know the goodness of God. He

wanted his brothers and sisters to know his joy.

God's works were great and deserved to be pondered by all who delight in

them (111:2). In saying this, the psalmist challenges those who had

experienced the blessing of the Lord to take the time to "ponder" those

works. As they pondered the works of God, their hearts would well up in

praise and thanksgiving. The deeds of the Lord were majestic (111:3). They

were deeds that made those who pondered them bow in humble adoration.

Everything God did was glorious and majestic. His righteousness endured

forever (111:3). Everything He did was good and pure. He was a gracious

and compassionate God who cared for those who belonged to Him (111:5).

He provided food for those who feared Him. He would never forget His

covenant people (111:5). He revealed His power to them by giving them

victory over their enemies and giving them the land as their inheritance

(111:6).

God's works were faithful and just (111:7). He acted in faithfulness toward

His people. His precepts (commands and purposes) were trustworthy. He

provided salvation and redemption for His people (111:9). The covenant He

made with them would never be revoked. He would always care for them

and keep them. His name was holy and awesome (111:9). All who feared

the Lord (reverenced and honoured in word and deed) were wise. In fact,

one could not even begin to understand true wisdom until they begin with

an understanding of God and His purposes. Those who followed His ways

had true understanding.

In a very real way, Psalm 110 sets the background for Psalm 111. God

invited His servant to sit as His right hand while He gave him victory. He

promised to empower, refresh and establish the work of His servant’s

hands. This was cause for great praise and rejoicing.

For Consideration:

What does Psalm 110 tell us about the delight of God to

honour and give His servants victory? Are you seated in that

place of honour and victory right now?

Is it possible to be seeking victory and honour in your own

strength and effort? Explain.

It was the desire of the Lord God to extend the king's sceptre

of authority. Does God want to extend your sceptre of

authority? Explain

What do we learn in these psalms about the importance of co-

workers in the battle for the kingdom? Who are your co-

workers?

What does it mean to "ponder" the deeds of the Lord? Take a

moment to consider some of the works of the Lord in your

life over the last while.

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He desires to give us victory.

Ask the Lord to extend your sceptre of authority. Ask Him to

give you faith to move out in increased authority.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for the co-workers He has

provided. Thank Him for their encouragement and support.

Has the Lord provided you with a refreshing “brook” in the

midst of your battle? Thank the Lord for those moments of

refreshment.

96 - THE BLESSING OF

THE RIGHTEOUS

Read Psalm 112:1-114:8

e have seen through the book of Psalms that even the righteous

suffer. In fact, they often become the target of the enemy’s

arrows. We should not think that the life of the believer is

always difficult, however. God has also called us to live in victory and

blessing. In Psalm 112 the psalmist takes a moment to consider the

blessings of the righteous.

Psalm 112:1 begins by telling the reader that the person who finds great

delight in the commands of the Lord is blessed. The psalmist explains what

he means by this in the verses that follow.

He tells us that the children of the one who delights in the commandments

of the Lord will be mighty in the land. Generations that followed those who

delighted in the commands of the Lord would be blessed (112:2). The

general idea is that when a child is raised in the way of truth and

righteousness he or she will understand how to live a life under the blessing

of God. The Lord God blesses those who honour Him. When parents set an

example and pass on their faith to the next generation, their children have

the tools necessary to walk under the blessing of God in their lives as well.

While not all children would choose to live under the purpose and plan of

God, the general principle is that those who love the Lord and raise their

children to love and honour the Lord are raising them under the blessing of

the Lord and preparing the way for them to live under that blessing.

The psalmist goes on to say that wealth and riches are in the house of the

person who loves the Lord and His commandments, and His righteousness

endures forever (112:3). There are those who would say that this proves that

all Christians should be wealthy and prosperous. There are significant

problems with this doctrine. The first is that the Lord Jesus was not wealthy

in the things of this world. In Luke 9:58 Jesus, speaking of himself said:

Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,

but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

The psalmist, looking around him in the world of his day would have seen

countless believers who loved the Lord but who also struggled with

poverty. There are two things we need to say about Psalm 112:3 and the

wealth and riches of those who love the Lord.

First, the general principle is this: If we love the Lord and honour His

commandments, we will be living in a way that will wisely make use of all

the blessings God has given. Some people will always have more than

others. Those who love the Lord and follow His commandments, however,

find in His word the wisdom they need to make the best use of what God

has given them. Those who love the commandments of the Lord will be

good stewards of their resources. They are better able to provide for their

families and personal needs because they are not wasting what God has

given.

Second, we should not limit wealth and riches to money. The Bible sees

wealth and riches in a far more holistic sense. Riches can be spiritual,

emotional, physical or material. To limit riches and wealth to money is to

miss what God is saying. Those who know the Lord and live according to

His commandments enjoy wealth and riches. Though they may not have as

much money and material possessions as those around them, they are

blessed abundantly in spiritual, emotional and physical ways.

In Psalm 112:4 the psalmist tells us that those who love the Lord and His

commands will experience the light of dawn even in darkness. In saying

this, the psalmist is aware that there will be days of darkness for the

righteous. There will be struggles and difficulties for those who belong to

the Lord but the promise is that the dawn will break for them. In other

words, the Lord will come to their aid (112:5). They can have the assurance

of His comfort and presence in the midst of their pain and trial. Because the

Lord God is with them they will never be shaken (112:6). In the Lord's

strength, they are able to stand firm.

Psalm 112:7 tells us that those who love the Lord do not have to fear bad

news because their heart is steadfast and trusting the Lord. This does not

mean that the righteous will never hear bad news. We hear bad news every

day. There is a difference between hearing bad news and fearing bad news.

Though bad news may come to the righteous, they do not need to fear. They

place their confidence in the Lord God. They know that no matter what

happens in life they can trust in their Lord. Their heart is secure. Though

the enemy surrounds them, they know that, with the Lord on their side they

will triumph over their foes (112:8).

Because the righteous have been generous with what they have, they will be

honoured. It is the heart of God to bless. This is also the heart of the

righteous. God will honour the righteous for their compassion to those in

need.

While the person who loves and honours the Lord God will be blessed, this

is not the case with those who turn their back on Him. These individuals

will be vexed. There will be gnashing of teeth. They will waste away. Their

desires will come to nothing (112:10). Though they might be rich in

worldly pleasures and possessions, all of this will amount to nothing in the

end.

Psalm 112 reminds us that the blessing of the Lord is on those who love

Him. This does not mean that they will never have to face pain and trials in

this life. There will be times when they will be surrounded by darkness but

even in those times the Lord God will be their support and comfort. It is

true that the wicked may prosper in this life but that prosperity will not last.

It is temporary and will fade away like grass. True and lasting blessing is

only found in the Lord and in obedience to His commands.

As we continue on this theme of God's blessing in the life of the believer,

Psalm 113 challenges us to offer praise to the Lord. We are encouraged to

praise Him for His goodness and blessing. There is cause for the believer to

praise the Lord from the rising of the sun in the morning to its setting in the

evening (113:3). Each day is filled with reason to offer the Lord God our

highest praise and thanksgiving.

There is no God like the Lord God of Israel. He is exalted over all the

nations (113:4). That is to say, He is the sovereign ruler of all nations. To

Him every nation must ultimately bow and offer praise. His glory is above

the heavens (113:4). In other words, His glory fills the earth and heavens. It

is everywhere and obvious to all.

The God of Israel sits enthroned on high (113:5). He is the King over all

kings. There is no throne higher than His. There is no greater authority.

While our God is big and glorious, notice what the psalmist tells us in

Psalm 113:6-9. The God of Israel stoops down to look on the heavens and

the earth. In other words, He is interested in what is happening on the earth.

He takes the time to consider humanity. More than this however, He raises

the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, setting them

with princes (113:7-8). He has compassion on the barren woman and sees

her grief in childlessness. He touches her womb and blesses her with

children (113:9).

The God of Israel reaches down to His people. He sees their pain and

reaches out to comfort and encourage them in their need. He is the source of

great blessing and is deserving of our highest praise and thanksgiving.

In Psalm 114 the psalmist gave his people a practical example of the

blessing of the Lord in the lives of His people. He reminded them that the

Lord God rescued His people from the land of Egypt and from their exile in

foreign lands. He did this by making Judah His sanctuary and Israel His

dominion (114:2). In other words, He didn’t bless them from a distance, He

chose to come into their presence and make His blessing known personally.

The presence of the Lord is described in Psalm 114:3-8 as an awesome

presence. The seas saw that presence of God and fled (114:3). Psalm 114:5

makes particular reference to the Jordan River. The imagery may refer to

the parting of the waters of the Jordan as the people of Israel crossed into

the land God had promised them (Joshua 4). These waters fled in obedience

to the word of the Lord.

In Psalm 114:4 the mountains skipped like rams and the hills like lambs.

The picture is of rams on the mountain seen from a distance. When the

onlooker looked at the mountain filled with rams it seemed like it was

moving or shaking as the rams skipped and danced in the distance. The

presence of the Lord God in the midst of Israel was not a presence to be

taken lightly. It was an awesome presence. The seas parted at His approach.

The mountains quaked and trembled. This was a presence that could turn

rock into a pool of water (114:8). This may be a reference to how the Lord

brought water from the rock to quench the thirst of His people in the desert

(see Exodus 17:6).

What we need to understand is that this wonderful and awesome God

delighted to make His sanctuary in the midst of His people. This was the

God who stooped down to see the need of the poor and lonely. This was a

God who delighted to reveal Himself to those who obeyed His commands

and followed His ways. There is no God like Him. There is no true and

lasting blessing apart from Him.

For Consideration:

Does being blessed mean that there will never be any struggle

in life? Can we be blessed and still struggle?

What is true wealth? Can we limit wealth only to material

things? What other types of wealth and riches are there?

The psalmist promises that those who love the Lord God will

know light even in the midst of darkness. Have you ever

experienced this light in darkness? Explain.

What is the difference between hearing bad news and fearing

bad news? Why do believers not need to fear bad news?

Psalm 114 speaks of the wonderful blessing of the presence

of the Lord. Do you know the presence of the Lord in your

life? How has this been a blessing to you?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that even though we face trials in this life, we

can still live in the reality of His blessing.

Thank the Lord for His concern for you personally. Take a

moment to consider some of the blessings He has given you.

Thank Him for those blessings.

Thank the Lord that no matter what happens in life we do not

need to fear because God is with us.

Do you know someone who is getting caught up in the

world's idea of riches and prosperity? Take a moment to pray

that God would open their eyes to the truth of God's fuller

blessing.

97 - THE GOD’S OF THE

NATIONS

Read Psalm 115:1-116:19

n Psalm 115 and 116 the psalmist reflects on the goodness and

faithfulness of the Lord God of Israel. He does so by comparing Him

to the gods of the nations around him.

As he begins in Psalm 115, the psalmist recognizes that all glory and

honour belong to the Lord God. Notice in particular that the psalmist tells

us that glory does not belong to us. In our day, we have seen many great

human accomplishments. It is all too easy to give glory to human beings for

these wonderful achievements. None of these achievements, however, are

deserving of glory. Where would we be without the Lord God? Which of

these achievements can we ever say truly belong to us? We are totally

dependent on God for every breath we breathe. He alone is our source of

strength and wisdom. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Glory does not

belong to human beings, but to the One who has given them life and breath.

Notice in Psalm 115:1 that the Lord God deserves all the glory because of

His love and faithfulness. It is because of His love and faithfulness that we

receive each breath we breathe. It is because of His love and faithfulness

that we are not abandoned to perish.

Not everyone saw things this way. There were unbelievers who asked the

question: "Where is your God?" They did not see their dependence on God.

They did not realize that everything they did was because of His faithful

love. Every beat of their heart ought to have shown them the presence of a

loving and faithful God.

While there were admittedly times when it was difficult to understand the

ways of the Lord God, the psalmist reminded the unbeliever that God was

in heaven and did what He pleased (115:3). The psalmist does not limit God

to heaven. We know that God is present everywhere. What the psalmist is

telling us is that God was seated on His heavenly throne. He was above

human beings. He issued His decrees from heaven and carried them out on

the earth. He did what He pleased. He was Lord over all. There was no

throne or authority higher than His. No one could tell Him what to do or

question His authority.

In Psalm 115:4 the psalmist turns his attention for a moment to the gods of

the nations. He reminds the unbeliever of their own gods. These gods were

idols made of silver and gold. They were created by those they worshipped.

This in itself should have been an indication of the uselessness of these

gods. If they were created by human beings they were by nature less than

human.

These idols of gold and silver had mouths but they could not speak. They

had eyes but they could not see. They had ears but they could not hear and

noses but they could not smell. Their hands could not feel nor could they

walk with their feet (115:5-7). These gods were lifeless. They were

powerless to speak, touch, feel or even think. These were the gods the

nations worshipped.

In Psalm 115:8 the psalmist made it clear that those who made these gods

would be like them. In other words, just like these idols were incapable of

thinking and feeling, so were their creators. Like their idols, they were

foolish and powerless. Their trust in these idols was as foolish as the idols

themselves.

In contrast to these lifeless idols, the psalmist turns his attention back to the

God of Israel (115:9). He reminds his readers that Israel's trust was in the

Lord God. Unlike the lifeless gods of the nations, the God of Israel was a

shield for His people (115:9). He calls his people to trust in their Lord as

their help and shield. He was a living God who could help them in their

time of need.

In Psalm 115:12 the psalmist reminded all who trusted in the Lord that He

remembered His people and would bless them. Unlike the gods of the

nations, the Lord God of Israel responded to His people’s cries. He

remembered them in their need. He delighted to bless them and considered

them to be His children. He treated all who loved and feared Him alike. The

believer living in poverty and suffering was treated the same as the rich and

prosperous.

The psalmist concludes Psalm 115 by blessing all who feared the Lord

(115:14-16). He calls on the Lord to bless them with many children

(115:14). He calls on the Maker of heaven and earth to extend His favour

on His people (115:15). He reminds them that while the highest heavens

belonged to the Lord, He gave the earth to human beings (115:16). The

whole earth was a gift from God to His people. Everything we see around

us. All the beauty and complexity of this universe is an indication of the

love and favour of the God of Israel toward His people. He is a wonderful

God who, unlike the nations, is able to give good gifts to His people. For

this, He is deserving of our deepest praise and adoration. The dead cannot

praise Him in the grave (115:17). It is up to us to lift up His name. It is the

living who experience the blessings of God. As those who know and

experience His blessings, we need to praise and thank Him with all our

heart. He is a loving and faithful God. All that love and faithfulness are

directed toward us as Hs people. For this we need to praise His name

forever.

Having compared the gods of the nations to the God of Israel, the psalmist

reminded his people that while the gods of the nations were worthless idols,

the God of Israel was a faithful and loving God who was deeply concerned

for His people. In Psalm 116 the psalmist gives us an example of this

wonderful faithfulness of the living God of Israel toward him personally.

The psalmist told his readers that he loved the Lord God because He heard

his cry for mercy (116:1). God was not deaf to that cry for help in time of

need. God listened to His servant and answered him. Because of this, the

psalmist's faith was renewed. He told his readers that because God heard his

voice, he would call on Him as long as he lived (116:2). In other words, he

would trust in Him in his time of need. He knew now that God answered

prayers. Unlike the gods of the nations, the God of Israel was alive and

compassionate. The idols of the nations had ears but they could not hear.

The God of Israel, not only heard but He responded in love and mercy.

The psalmist told his listeners that the cords of death had entangled him. He

felt the anguish of the grave and was filled with sorrow and trouble (116:3).

Even the believer must live in this world of suffering and sorrow. The

psalmist knew what it was like to feel pain and grief. In that time he called

out to the Lord "O LORD, save me!" (116:4). God answered him in love

and graciousness.

In Psalm 116:5 the psalmist told his people that the Lord God was a

gracious God, righteous and full of compassion. Notice that he said this in

the context of suffering and grief. The psalmist does not blame God for the

pain and suffering in the world. Instead, he praises Him for the way He

protected and kept him. He proclaimed God as a God who protected the

simple. He declared to all who would listen that God had saved him in his

time of need (116:6).

It is all too easy to only focus on the problems and suffering in this world.

Sin has had its effect. God is not the author of sin. We brought sin into this

world by our rebellion against God and His ways. That sin is now raging

like a fire all over the earth. We see its effects in human lives and the

decisions made by human beings. We see its effects on our environment and

in our politics. Everything has been affected by sin. We brought this on

ourselves. God offers a solution to us through His Son the Lord Jesus

Christ. He also extends His hand of mercy and loving-kindness to us as we

deal with the effects of sin around us. The day is coming when all this will

be over. Sin will be destroyed. In the meantime, the psalmist worshipped

the Lord God for the strength and victory He gave.

In Psalm 116:7 the psalmist told his readers that they could be at rest. They

could be at rest because the God of Israel, unlike the gods of the nations,

was a loving and faithful God who was good to those who loved Him.

God had delivered the psalmist's soul from death. He had removed the tears

from his eyes and stopped his feet from trembling (116:8). The psalmist

faced suffering and pain but God kept him through it.

The faith of the psalmist can be seen in Psalm 116:10-11. Here he tells us

that because he believed, he voiced his affliction to God. Because he

believed he came to God with his pain and suffering. He knew that God

would listen to his cry for help. He told God what he was feeling: "I am

greatly afflicted" (116:10). Notice in Psalm 116:11 that he also recognized

that God alone could be trusted in this matter of his anguish. "All men are

liars," he said. In other words, there is no hope in human beings. They could

not offer the comfort and aid he needed. They make great claims to help but

ultimately all help comes from God. He alone can provide what is

necessary. He alone can save the soul.

Having experienced the wonderful help of the Lord God, the psalmist asked

himself the question in Psalm 116:12: "How can I repay the LORD for all

his goodness to me?" He realized that this goodness deserved something in

return. He was not ungrateful to God for this mercy. He wanted to do

something to thank Him for His kindness. Notice the commitment of the

psalmist in the concluding verses of this psalm.

In Psalm 116:13 he tells his readers that because of what God had done for

him, he would lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

The salvation the Lord brought to His people is compared to a cup of wine.

That cup is lifted up in a token of thanksgiving to the Lord. The psalmist

proclaimed the salvation of the Lord by lifting it up for all to see and in a

token of thanksgiving drank of that cup, rejoicing and celebrating the fruit

of his salvation.

Some time ago the Lord showed me that one of the greatest ways to express

our thanks to Him is to enjoy the gifts He has given. Imagine for a moment

that you purchased a gift for a family member or friend. Imagine that that

friend never used the gift you gave them. How would that make you feel as

the giver of the gift? When you see the gift being used with joy, your heart

rejoices. In lifting up the cup of salvation the psalmist is doing two things.

First, he is declaring to all the wonderful news of his salvation. He lifts the

cup up so that all can see it. Second, he then takes the cup and drinks with

joy its contents. This too is an act of thanksgiving.

Another response to God can be seen in Psalm 116:14, 18-19. Here the

psalmist declared that he would fulfil his vows to the Lord in the presence

of his people. In Psalm 116:19 he particularly mentions that he would do so

in the courts of the house of the Lord. This leads us to believe that the vows

spoken of here relate to vows of praise, offerings and obedience. Because

God had been faithful to him, the least the psalmist could do was to be

faithful to Him in return. He would honour the Lord by praising Him,

obeying him and offering what He owed Him. He would not be negligent in

his duties.

The psalmist made this commitment to lift up the cup of salvation and fulfil

his vows because he realized that the death of a saint was precious in the

eyes of the Lord (116: 15). That is to say, the Lord takes the death of His

children seriously. He cares for each of them deeply. In the psalmist’s

situation, God had spared him from an untimely death. He owed God his

life. His commitment in return was to walk in faithfulness and fulfil all

vows he had made to this wonderful God.

In Psalm 116:16 the psalmist recommitted himself to being the servant of

the Lord. He offers himself to Him freely in return for His loving

faithfulness. God had freed Him from his chains. It was his great desire now

to live all his life as a servant of the God who saved him in his hour of need.

Finally in Psalm 116:17, the psalmist made a commitment to sacrifice a

thank offering to the Lord. He would not be negligent in thanking the Lord

for His mercy and grace. In recent months I have been surprised to see how

many times I have failed to thank the Lord for the many answers to prayer.

The psalmist wanted to be sure that God received thanksgiving for the

works He had done. His heart was filled with gratitude to God for His

goodness.

We cannot help but see the contrast in Psalm 115 and Psalm 116. The gods

of the nations were mere lifeless idols. They could not speak or think. They

were powerless and incapable of helping or caring for those who created

them. The Lord God of Israel, on the other hand, was the Creator God who

loved His children deeply and came to their aid. The psalmist is touched by

the personal nature of God. His heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving

to a God who loved him so deeply. He committed his life to praising and

thanking Him for such goodness.

For Consideration:

Have you ever found yourself boasting of your achievements

in life? Why does all glory belong to God?

What idols do we create today? How do they compare to the

God of Israel?

What comfort do you find in the fact that the Lord God is

personally concerned for you?

What is the source of evil and suffering in this world? Why is

it so easy to focus on this suffering and not on the God who

delivers and protects us through that suffering?

The response of the psalmist in Psalm 116 toward God was to

lift up the cup of salvation, fulfil his vows, submit to God as a

servant and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. What has been

your lifelong response to the deliverance and salvation of the

Lord?

For Prayer:

How has the Lord delivered you? Take a moment to thank

Him for some personal deliverance or loving-kindness.

Ask the Lord to forgive you for times you have blamed Him

for evil and sin. Ask Him to help you to see His care and

protection. Thank Him that He has already conquered sin.

Ask God to give you more of the heart of the psalmist in

response to the many demonstrations of His loving-kindness

toward you personally.

98 - THE SALVATION OF

THE LORD

Read Psalm 117:1-118:29

salms 117-118 are reflections on the wonderful salvation of the

Lord God. Here the psalmist recounts how the Lord saved him

from his enemies. There are also hints of a much greater salvation

that would be brought by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As he began in Psalm 117, the psalmist declared his desire that the Lord

God be praised for His love and faithfulness. Notice that the desire of the

psalmist was that the nations praise the Lord. The Lord God deserved praise

and admiration throughout the entire world. Even those who did not know

Him were called to praise Him. They too had experienced the blessings of

God in their lives. The shining sun and the beating heart proved that the

Lord God had also blessed the nations and was worthy of their praise.

God's love and faithfulness was seen even in those who did not love Him.

Day after day His faithfulness was clearly seen. This was a marvellous

thing for the psalmist.

While in Psalm 117 the psalmist called all nations to praise the Lord, he

particularly challenged his own people to do the same in Psalm 118.

Certainly if the nations had reason to praise the God of Israel, then Israel

had even more reason.

Israel is challenged to say: "His love endures forever" (118:2) Israel, though

they were God’s chosen people, had often fallen short of His standard. They

tempted the Lord and rebelled against Him. They did this despite the

covenant relationship that existed between her and her God. God considered

her as his wife. Israel was unfaithful to her vows and sought other lovers.

God did not give up on her. His love remained despite her unfaithfulness.

The psalmist reminds his people that God's love endured forever.

The house of Aaron was to say: "His love endures forever" (118:3). The

house of Aaron represented the priests. They were chosen from all of the

people of God to be His servants. As His chosen servants, they were to lead

the way in declaring the faithfulness of the Lord.

All who feared the Lord were to declare His unfailing love (118:4). Here

the psalmist challenged all who had any reverence of God’s holiness and

glory to recognize His love and declare it.

In Psalm 118:5 the psalmist became more personal. He speaks here of a

particular time in his life when he was in anguish. We are not told what the

circumstances of this anguish were. What we need to understand, however,

is that in this time of anguish the psalmist cried out to the Lord God and He

set him free. God heard that cry of anguish. The psalmist does not take this

for granted. There are times in our lives when we feel that God is obligated

to do something about our pain and anguish. We grumble and complain

because God does not come to our aid as fast as we want. The psalmist

rejoiced in the fact that God would even came to his aid. He understood

who he was as a sinner. He understood that God was an awesome God in

heaven. He marvelled at the fact that such a big and awesome God should

come to help men and women in their need. His heart was filled with praise

and thanksgiving that God should hear the tiny cry of his heart and come to

him personally.

Some time ago while at a conference, the Lord used a pastor to help me

through some deep issues in my life. As we prayed together, the Lord began

to do a powerful work in me. At the end of a couple of hours of wrestling in

prayer, we concluded our time together. This pastor recounted to me later

that as he left the room where we had been praying and went out into the

starlit night. As he looked up into the sky he felt the Lord say to him: "Bill,

do you understand what happened tonight. I reached down from above all

these stars to touch Wayne's life." He was struck powerfully by that

thought. God was bigger than the heavens themselves. The stars were His

creation yet He reached down to touch me personally. How this ought to fill

us with awe and wonder. How our hearts ought to overflow with praise and

thanksgiving that such a big God should hear our anguished cry and reach

out to us.

The psalmist declared in Psalm 118:6 that the Lord was with him. Not only

did God reach down to touch him in his anguish but He also remained with

him. He did not come, heal and leave. When He came, He came to stay. The

psalmist had the confidence that the Lord God was at his side. This gave

him tremendous confidence. If God Almighty was at his side, what could

mere man do to him (118:6)? He was safe and secure. The God of Israel

was his helper (118:7). He knew that victory was secure. He would look in

triumph over his enemies.

The confidence of the psalmist was not in human beings. In Psalm 118: 8 he

told his readers that is was better to take refuge in the Lord God than to

trust in man. In the psalmist's day there were mighty men on the earth.

Some of these men were princes and had whole armies under their

command. The psalmist is not deceived by this false sense of confidence.

He does not trust in princes and their armies. Who were they compared to

the God of Israel who was at his side. Though he could not see the God of

Israel with his eyes, he believed in Him and placed his confidence in Him.

With the Lord God as his helper, there were no enemies who could

overcome him. Notice in Psalm 118:10 that although whole nations

surrounded him, the psalmist was not afraid. In the name of the Lord he

would cut them off. Though they surrounded him on every side and

swarmed him like bees he did not fear (118:12). He would still cut them off

in the name of the Lord. He would push back all his enemies, no matter

how powerful they were because with God at his side, there was nothing

too powerful for him to overcome. What tremendous confidence the

psalmist has in his God. Certainly we need to see a stirring up of this

confidence in our own lives and hearts.

The psalmist explodes in praise and thanksgiving for such a wonderful God.

He was his strength and song (118:14). It was through Him that he was able

to conquer his enemies. God was his salvation (118:15). God had done

mighty things in him and through him (118:15). Shouts of joy and victory

sounded from the tents of righteousness as those who loved and served the

Lord experienced His wonderful victory and shouted His praise. That same

victory is ours today. God has not changed. He still reaches down from the

heavens to His people. He still remains at their side to offer victory. His

right hand is still lifted high. It is still doing mighty things on behalf of His

people (118:16).

Because the Lord was with him and His hand was doing mighty things, the

psalmist had great confidence. It is true that the enemy was coming against

him but he would have victory. He would not perish at the hands of the

enemy but live to declare His praise (118:17).

The life of the believer is not free of trouble. There are times when the

enemy will come in like a flood and overwhelm. The psalmist knew his

share of opposition. As a soldier in the army, he faced many battles. God

was mighty and powerful to save but he still had to face the enemy. There

were times when the Lord allowed him to be chastened severely but in all

those times he was given victory (118:18).

We would all like to live our lives without any problems or trials. God does

not set us free from difficulties in life. He often allows us to face those

difficulties. He has chosen to use us in the battle. Victory comes as we step

out in His strength to fight. In the course of the battle, many of us will be

struck by the enemy's arrow. Some of us will have to fight the enemy face

to face. The battle will be hard but the victory is secure. The enemy cannot

win.

God uses the battle to strengthen and mature His servants. Through the

battle God chastens and refines us. Those who face the battle and remain

faithful will never be the same. They will be sharpened in their gifts and

faith. They will be equipped for greater works. Their faith and confidence

will be increased. God will use whatever they face in the battle for their

good.

For this wonderful thought, the psalmist again explodes in praise of the

Lord God. Open the gates of righteousness so that I may enter and give

thanks to the Lord, he says in Psalm 118:19. It is the delight of the psalmist

to enter the place where God's people gathered for worship. Here in this

place he would publicly declare the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord

toward him (Psalm 118:19-21).

Psalm 118:22-26 were quoted by the Lord Jesus to speak of Himself (see

Matthew 21:42). In the immediate context the psalmist spoke of his own

victory. He compared himself and his people to a rejected stone. The

imagery here is one of a building under construction. As the builder

examines the stones he is using for the construction, he pushes aside one

particular stone and rejects it as being unsuitable for his purposes. That very

stone, in time, however, becomes the capstone. The capstone was the final

stone in the building. It occupied a place of honour because it signified the

completion of the construction project.

What the psalmist is telling us is that those that are pushed aside and

rejected in this world as being unworthy, are at times the very people God

will use to bring about the completion of His kingdom work. The Lord

Jesus used this to speak of Himself. He did not come as people had

expected. The majority of people turned Him aside and rejected Him as

their Messiah. He was a rejected stone but He became the capstone

signifying the completion of God’s redeeming work.

Psalm 118:24-27 speak of the salvation of the Lord. The psalmist reminded

his people that the Lord had prepared a day of wonderful victory. They had

experienced His salvation from their enemy. For this they were to rejoice

and be glad. They were to continue to walk in that salvation, rejoicing and

being glad for what their God had done. Notice that this salvation was to

bring them joy that they were to continue to rejoice in. God wants us to be a

rejoicing and glad people. He delights in the joyful and grateful praises of

His people for their salvation.

Notice in Psalm 118:26 that the psalmist told his readers that the one who

came in the name of the Lord was blessed. He is speaking here about those

who belong to the Lord and walk in His name. These people are soldiers in

the army of God. Wherever they go they represent the Lord and His cause.

They walk in His strength and power. They represent His cause. These

individuals experience the victory of the Lord wherever they go. They walk

in His power and grace.

John used this verse to speak of the Lord Jesus as He came into Jerusalem

on a donkey (John 12:13). The people along the way shouted out this verse.

They used it to announce the coming of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. They

declared Him to be the one to bring victory. He was blessed by His Father

to be the Deliverer of His people from their sin and bondage.

"The LORD is God, and he has made His light shine upon us," the psalmist

said in Psalm 118:27. In particular, those who know the Lord Jesus today

know His light shining in them. They know the special favour of the Lord

God on our lives and walk in assurance of victory. They are a special

people.

In light of this wonderful hope the psalmist called his people to join him

with boughs in hand (New International Version) in festal procession to the

horns of the altar. The idea here is that they were to go to the altar of the

Lord with great joy and celebration. They were to bring their thanksgiving

offering as a token of gratitude for what their God had done for them. They

were to be a thankful people because the Lord their God loved and

defended them. Are we a thankful people today?

For Consideration:

For what do unbelievers have to thank the Lord? Why should

they praise the Lord?

How has the Lord demonstrated His unfailing love to you?

What is the difference between God coming to rescue us and

God remaining with us? What evidence is there that God has

remained with you?

Why is it easier to trust humans we see than a God we cannot

see?

What victories has the Lord given you?

What does God accomplish in us through the struggles? Does

victory mean that God will take away all struggles?

What does the psalmist teach us here about the "rejected

stone?" What comfort do you take in this personally?

For Prayer:

Ask God to open the eyes of the unbelievers you have contact

with to see how they need to praise and thank the Lord.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for evidence of victory and

unfailing love in your life.

Thank the Lord that He never leaves you but walks daily by

your side.

Ask the Lord to give you more courage and confidence in

Him. Ask Him to show you how you can walk more boldly

for Him.

Thank the Lord that He uses "rejected stones."

99 - HOLDING FAST

Read Psalm 119:1-40

salm 119 is the longest of all the psalms. It is divided into 22

sections with each section corresponding to a different letter of the

Hebrew alphabet. It reflects creativity on the part of the psalmist

who took the time to arrange it in this way. Its focus is on the blessing and

happiness of living in obedience to the Law of God.

The theme of the whole psalm is found in the opening verses. Here the

psalmist tells us that the person who walks according to the law of the Lord

is blessed. It is important that we understand what the psalmist means by

blessed. He is not limiting the blessing to physical or material blessing. The

Lord Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the will of His Father, yet never

owned a home or was never rich in the things of this world. Nor does the

word blessing mean that we will never suffer physical affliction or pain.

The apostle Paul lived his life with a thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7).

We can be blessed and have very little in this world. We can be blessed and

suffer affliction in our body. In saying this, however, we need to realize that

prosperity and health are truly part of the blessing that God provides but we

should not limit the psalmist’s meaning to this.

Having said this, the psalmist is quite clear in verses 1 and 2 that there is a

blessing in obeying the Word of the Lord. Those who seek the Lord and His

ways with all their heart will experience His blessing in their lives.

Verse 3 tells us that those who walk in the ways of the Lord do no wrong.

We should not see here that perfection is possible on this earth. What the

psalmist is telling us is that the law of God is God's perfect standard. We

know that there was no human being lived a perfect life apart from the Lord

Jesus. No one could keep the law perfectly. The law, however, was a perfect

guide to life in fellowship with God. To keep it fully is to walk in perfect

harmony with the purpose of God.

Notice from verse 4 that God gave His laws so that they would be fully

obeyed. The psalmist recognized his failure to keep that law perfectly

(verse 5). His heart's desire, however, was to be steadfast and faithful. He

knew that as long as he considered the commands of the Lord in all his

ways and lived in obedience to His precepts, he would not be put to shame.

He could stand before the Lord without fear.

Notice in verse 7 that the psalmist understood that obedience to the law of

God was a lifelong process. He told the Lord that he would praise Him as

he learned His righteous laws. He realized that there was more and more to

learn from the law of God. He expected to grow in his obedience day after

day. I have found personally that God has moved me to deeper levels of

obedience to His commands. The more we grow, the more we are called to

deeper obedience. The more we are in fellowship with God, the more He

reveals to us how His law applies to various situations in life. The psalmist

expected fully to learn more of God's requirements as he grew in his

understanding of God and His ways. Obedience would not always be easy.

The psalmist would be called on at times to surrender areas of his life that

he did not want to surrender. He commits himself to live in obedience

nonetheless. He also commits himself to an attitude of praise and

thanksgiving as God led him into deeper obedience.

As the psalmist commits himself to obey, he prays in verse 8 that the Lord

God would not forsake him in this process of growing in obedience. He

wants to know the presence of the Lord as he learns. I like to see the

illustration of a young child learning to walk here. Those first steps are

difficult. There are times when the child falls and becomes discouraged.

Learning to be obedient is like this. We will fall short of God’s standard. We

may sometimes become discouraged and wonder if victory is ever really

possible. How we need to know the presence of the Lord in these times. His

strength and encouragement alone can give us grace to overcome and

persevere to victory. The psalmist pleads with God here not to forsake him

in his failures as he learns to walk in full obedience.

As we move on to verse 9 the psalmist recognized that the only way a

young man could keep his heart clean before God was to live according to

His word. He wanted to be that young man with a pure heart. His prayer to

God was that He would not let him stray from His commands. The psalmist

understood his tendency as a young man. He knew that his heart would be

tempted to stray from God. He pleaded with God to keep him from straying.

Even when he wanted to stray he asked God to forbid him from doing so

(verse 10). His heart wanted to be obedient but his body and mind were

weak. He asks God to overrule the desires of his flesh and mind.

While the psalmist understands his weakness, he still does his part to keep

from straying. Notice in verse 11 that he hid God's word in his heart so that

he would not sin against Him. Notice that he does not just take that word

into his mind. The psalmist is speaking about much more than memorizing

facts and details. To take something into ones heart is to make it one’s own

personal desire. There is a world of difference between knowing facts and

taking those facts into our heart. The psalmist hid the word of God in his

heart. He opened his heart to God’s teaching. He allowed God to change his

attitude and break whatever it took.

Not only would the psalmist make the laws of the Lord his own personal

desire and heart cry, but verse 13 tells us that he also committed himself to

recounting those laws to others. He was not content to keep God's laws

himself and let others live as they pleased. His desire was that the whole

world live in obedience to the law of the Lord. He wanted others to live in

the blessing of obedience. He wanted the Lord to be glorified and honoured,

not only in his own life, but also the life of his community.

The commitment of the psalmist was to rejoice in following the statutes of

the Lord as much as someone would rejoice in great riches (verse 14). In

other words, he would make the pursuit of obedience to God his greatest

desire. It would become more precious to him than all the riches of the

world. This would require discipline on his part. He would have to die to

the temptations in life. He would have to sacrifice everything that would

keep him from setting his heart and mind fully on obedience to God and His

ways.

In verse 15 the psalmist further commits himself to meditate on the precepts

of the Lord and to consider His ways. This required study and reflection. To

meditate is more than reading. To meditate is to consider how the truth of

the law applied to real life. The heart of the psalmist was to discover how

he could apply the truth of the law of God to his daily routine. To do this he

committed himself to reflect on that word regularly and consider its

application.

The psalmist would not neglect the word of the Lord (verse 16). He would

not turn his back on it or put it on a shelf. Instead, he would open it and

apply it. He would make it a part of his regular routine in life. He would

read it, consider it, meditate on it and apply it to everyday life. The law of

God was to be lived out every day. He would not neglect to do this.

In verse 17 the psalmist asked God to do good to him and he would live in

obedience to His word. At first glance we might think that obedience to

God depended on how God treated him. This is not the case. The psalmist is

recognizing his absolute need of God for every good thing, even for his

very life. He is recognizing that without the blessing of God in his life, he

would not have the ability to do what God required. He needed the strength

of God if he were to live in obedience. Bless me with the strength, wisdom

and faithfulness I need and I will live in obedience to your will, for without

your goodness I would surely fail. This seems to be the intent of the

Psalmist in this request.

Notice also that the psalmist recognized his need for God's work to open his

eyes to see the wonderful things of His law. He does not pretend to be able

to grasp these powerful truths by his own understanding. He is aware of his

need of God's wisdom to understand. He prays that God would open his

eyes to see the truth of His law (verse 18). He pleads with God not to hide

His commands from him for he was a stranger on earth. In saying that he

was a stranger to earth, the psalmist is telling God that his heart and

commitment were not to the ways of this earth. His desire was to live

according to the principles of heaven. For this reason, he pleaded with God

to show him heavenly truths. These truths could not be revealed by mere

humans whose ways were of this earth. He needed God to show him His

higher ways. He looks to God for instruction and guidance into this truth.

Notice how he told God in verse 20 that his soul was consumed with

longing for the law of the Lord.

In verse 21 the psalmist recognized that there was a curse on those who

strayed from the commands of the Lord or who were too proud to accept

the ways of God. He does not want to fall under that curse. His desire was

to live under the constant blessing of God through obedience.

The psalmist realized that obeying the law of the Lord would not always be

easy. There would be those who slandered and mocked him for his

commitment. The ways of God will not always be accepted by the world.

Even though he was slandered, the psalmist committed himself to live in

faithful obedience to God's laws (verse 22). Though he was slandered, he

would continue to meditate on them (verse 23). God’s law would be his

delight and counsellor (verse 24). He would reject all other counsel to

follow the decrees of the Lord his God. While this commitment would lead

to misunderstanding, trials and struggle, the psalmist pleaded with God to

preserve his life and to keep him as he had promised in His word (verse 25).

In verse 26 the psalmist reminded his readers that when he recounted his

ways to the Lord, the Lord answered him. Living in obedience to the Lord

was not easy but when he was laid low in the dust, the Lord answered him

(verses 25-26). God saw his pain and suffering.

In times of trial and struggle we are often challenged in our obedience.

When the pressure bears down on us we often are tempted to give in or turn

from the clear teaching of the Lord. The cry of the psalmist in these times

was that God would teach him in a deeper way to follow his decrees (verses

27-28). Hebrews 5:8 tells us that the Lord Jesus learned obedience through

the things he suffered. Through trials, God will stretch us in our

commitment. He will bring us to a deeper level of obedience. The psalmist

understood this and prayed that God would teach him greater obedience

through his trials. He prayed in verse 28 that God would give him the

strength He promised in His word in his time of sorrow.

In the trials and struggles of this life the psalmist committed himself to keep

himself from deceitful ways. He chose instead to follow the way of truth

(verse 30) and set his heart on the laws of God. He promised to hold fast to

the statutes of the Lord (verse 31). The very fact that he had to hold fast is

an indication of the struggle he was experiencing. The enemy will do all he

can to keep us from obedience. Way back in the Garden of Eden the focus

of Satan was to get Adam and Eve to turn their backs on the command of

the Lord. He continues even in our day to do his utmost to keep us from

living in absolute obedience. The struggle for obedience will be long and

hard. We will all be called on to "hold fast" against the efforts of the enemy.

The psalmist was confident in the strength God provided. He told his

readers in verse 32 that he ran in the path of God's commands because God

had set him free. This is a picture of victory. Despite the troubles he was

experiencing, the psalmist was able to run in the ways of the Lord. He is not

reluctantly dragging himself in the path of the Lord. The Lord has given

him wonderful freedom. He runs because God has eased his burden. He

runs because God has given him strength and vigour. It is true that the

enemy has done much to oppose him but God's strength was greater than

the enemy.

The cry of the psalmist in verse 33 is that God would continue to teach him

His ways. His commitment is to follow those ways no matter how difficult

life might be. He recognized that God would give him more understanding

of his ways. His commitment was to live in obedience to that growing

understanding.

In verses 35-37 the psalmist prayed that God would direct him in the path

of His commandments, turn his heart from selfish gain and his eyes from

worthless things. He wanted his whole focus in life to be on the things of

God and not on the things of this world. He did not want the things of this

world to distract him in his commitment to the Lord and His ways. He knew

that this would be a temptation for him so he prayed that God would set his

vision on His ways.

We will conclude our reflection of this section of Psalm 119 with the heart

cry of the psalmist in verses 38-40. Here he prayed that God would fulfil

His promise to him so that He (God) would be feared. He does not tell us

what that promise was. It might be His promise to strengthen and keep him.

It was only through God's blessing and keeping that the psalmist was able

to keep the law of God and in so doing show reverence and honour to the

Lord. It was only through obedience that the presence of God would be

more clearly revealed on the earth.

He also asked God in verse 39 to take away the disgrace he dreaded. Again

we are not told what that disgrace was but the context would lead us to

believe that it might have something to do with his failing to live in

obedience to the will and purpose of God or the slander of the enemy.

It is hard to examine this passage and not see the passion of the psalmist for

the law of God. His great desire was to live according to the purpose and

plan of God. Obedience to God, no matter the cost, was his lifelong desire.

We are left to wonder how we measure up to his example.

For Consideration:

The psalmist tells us in this psalm that there is blessing in

obedience. Does this mean that there will be no struggle?

Explain.

What does it mean to learn obedience? Has your obedience

grown in depth?

What does it mean to hide God's word in our heart? What is

the difference between putting God's word in our mind and

putting it in our heart?

How does God teach obedience through struggle?

Compare your desire for absolute obedience with the desire

of the psalmist. How does it compare?

For Prayer:

Ask God to give you a deeper passion for obedience.

Ask God for grace to help you overcome the enemy and his

temptations. Do you have a particular temptation in your life

today? Ask God to give you victory.

Ask God to teach you greater obedience. Ask Him to reveal

areas of your life where He wants you to live in deeper

obedience.

Thank the Lord that He is able to help us to "run" in the path

of obedience. Thank Him for the victory that can be ours in

Him.

100 - COMFORT IN

AFFLICTION

Read Psalm 119:41-80

he psalmist has been reminding us that the walk of the believer

with his Lord will not always be an easy one. There will be times

when the faith of the believer is tested and tried. The psalmist was

no stranger to suffering. He had enemies who stood against him on all sides.

Through these difficulties, the psalmist found great comfort in the law of

the Lord.

As we begin in verse 41, the psalmist called on the Lord to make His

unfailing love and salvation known to him so that he would have an answer

to the one who taunted him. This leads us to understand that his enemies

were taunting him. We do not know what the enemies were saying but we

can understand that they were wondering why his God did not come to his

aid. It may be that they were mocking him and his belief in God. Notice that

the psalmist did not have an answer for his accusers. God had allowed him

to suffer. He did not lose hope, however. He called out to God in his

moment of need and asked Him to set him free from the pain he felt so that

he could give an answer to his accusers.

In this time of trouble the psalmist pleaded with God not to snatch the word

of truth from his mouth because he had come to put all his hope in that

word. The fact that the word was in his mouth is an indication that the

psalmist considered it to be his food. Like food, the Word of God was what

kept him and preserved his life. He would perish without that Word. God's

Word gave him hope and reason to live. When the enemies surrounded him

he found hope in the promise of the Lord God. This was all he had to face

the enemy. He was not sure what he would have done were it not for the

promise of the Lord.

There are certainly times in our lives when all we have is the Word of God

and His promises. Human reason and circumstances all seem to point us to

the fact that we have no hope. In those times, the psalmist clung more

tightly to the clear promises of God.

Notice also in verse 44 the commitment of the psalmist to obey the law of

God forever. Remember in this context that the psalmist is facing the

mocking taunts of the enemy. His human reason is insufficient to carry him

through. Things do not make sense for him. Despite this, he commits

himself to absolute obedience. Human reason would call him to take

matters into his own hands, but in these times of confusion he made it his

number one commitment to obey the Lord and live completely in His

commands.

In verse 45 the psalmist tells his readers that he would walk in freedom

because he had sought God’s precepts. There are those who believe that

God's laws bind and restrict. The reality of the matter is that we cannot

know perfect freedom apart from obedience to the Lord. We were created

by God and for His glory. When we live outside of the purpose for which

we were created, we will always find something missing in our life. Only in

obedience can we find true freedom.

The psalmist's enemies were taunting him. They were questioning his ways

and the ways of his God. This does not cause the psalmist to lose faith. He

chose to remain faithful to the Lord and His commands. He believed with

all his heart that those commands and promises were true. In verse 46 he

reminded his readers that the day was coming when he would speak of the

statutes of the Lord before kings. He would not be put to shame. He would

boast of those commands and declare them as true before the highest

officials of the land. He took great delight in the laws of the Lord. In

obeying these commands, he would never be put to shame. He lifted up his

hands to the commands of God (verse 48). To lift up one’s hands is to praise

and honour the object to which we lift our hands. The psalmist's delight was

in the commands of the Lord. He committed himself to meditate on them

and to obey them.

We need to be clear in this context that we cannot separate the Word of God

from God Himself. The psalmist’s delight and praise of the word could be

taken for idolatry if he did not see God's word to be an extension of God

and His character. It was not the law the psalmist worshiped but God who

gave this law. It was not in the law alone that he took his delight. He

delighted in it because behind that law was the person of the Lord God

whose promises were a comfort and delight to him.

In verse 49 the psalmist called on the Lord God to remember His word to

His servant. The psalmist knew his share of trials. It was the word of God

that gave him hope in the midst of those trials in life. It was this word that

was his comfort in suffering (verse 50). God's promises preserved his life

and gave him reason to continue.

Arrogant men and women mocked him without restraint (verse 51). They

were arrogant because they believed that they did not need the law of the

Lord. They were arrogant because they felt they could disregard God and

His ways and do whatever they pleased. They mocked those who chose to

be faithful to the Lord God and His commands. We do not have to look long

before we see such individuals in our day.

Despite this pressure from these arrogant men and women, the psalmist

remained faithful to his God. He chose to remember the ancient laws of the

Lord. He found comfort in them (verse 52). He would not be negatively

influenced by arrogant people to turn from the Lord God and His

commands.

It grieved the heart of the psalmist to see how the wicked and arrogant

people of his day had turned their hearts from God. Men and women chose

to disregard the clear teaching of God. They forsook the statutes of the Lord

and did whatever they pleased. This was not the case for the psalmist. The

decrees of the Lord were the theme of his song wherever he lodged (verse

54). He did not forget the commands of the Lord. Even in the night when

things were dark and no one could see what he was doing, the psalmist

remained true to the Lord God. He continued to practice the law of God

whether people saw him or not.

In verse 57 the psalmist tells us that God was his portion. The word

"portion" in the original language can mean possession or belonging. What

the psalmist is saying here is that there was a close connection between him

and his God. God had given Himself to the psalmist and the psalmist had

given himself to God. They were connected and belonged to each other.

There was a covenant relationship between God and the psalmist. Notice a

couple of things here about this relationship.

First, as part of this relationship to God, the psalmist promises to obey the

Lord and His word (verse 57). He would live faithfully to Him and His

ways. He would not turn to any other god or to any other way.

Second, in verse 58 he chose to seek the Lord God with all his heart. It is

one thing to obey the Lord's commands and another to seek the Lord

Himself. Both were true in the case of the psalmist. There is passion in the

words of the psalmist. He was not a legalist. His goal in life was not just to

keep the commandments of God, it was to pursue God Himself and honour

Him by walking in obedient fellowship.

It is important that we understand what the psalmist is telling us here. There

are many who believe that if they keep God’s commandments they are

living the life God requires. It is important, however, that we not stop at

obedience and faithfulness. Imagine a marriage where both partners are

faithful to each other but do not passionately pursue each other. Obedience

to the Lord is important but we must not stop there. We must also become a

people who actively pursue God and seek Him with all our heart. God must

become our passion and desire. This was the heart of the psalmist.

From verse 59 we understand that part of pursuing God involved examining

our ways and turning our steps to follow God’s purpose. Notice that the

Lord requires two things here. First, He asks us to consider our ways. We

do this by study and meditation. We are to be a people who give ourselves

to understand the Lord and His desire for us. We are to compare our ways to

what God requires of us in His Word. Second, we are to turn our steps to

His statutes. It is one thing to consider or study the law of the Lord and

another to turn our steps to live in obedience. We must meditate and study

the law of God but we must also commit ourselves to obey it. The psalmist

reminds us that even if it meant trouble for him, he would not delay in

obeying the commands of the Lord. His enemies might bind him with ropes

for his commitment to the Lord but the psalmist would never forget the law

of the Lord (verse 61). He would obey even if it meant trouble for him.

The delight of the psalmist in the law of God was such that in verse 62 he

told his readers that at midnight he arose to give thanks to the Lord for His

righteous laws. The picture here is one of a person so excited about the law

of God that he could not sleep. He rose in the night with a heart full of

thanks and praise for God and His wonderful law.

Notice also in verse 63 that this delight poured over into the relationships he

had with those around him. He tells us that he was a friend to all who feared

the precepts of the Lord. He found a connection between himself and

anyone else who loved the Lord with the same passion he did.

In verse 64 the psalmist declared that the earth was filled with the love of

the Lord. He saw evidences of God in His work of creation and in His

dealings with men and women. What he saw of the works of the Lord

showed him that God was a God of love and compassion. This stirred him

even more to seek the Lord and His ways. He wanted to commit himself to

serve this wonderful God of love.

In verse 65 the psalmist asked the Lord to do good to him as He had

promised in His word. Again remember that in this context the psalmist is

being mocked and taunted by evil doers. He commits himself to the Lord

and His goodness. He trusts that what God does will be good.

Notice from verses 66-67 that the psalmist understands that God's

judgments were for his good. He asked God to teach him knowledge and

good judgment and confessed that, before he was afflicted, he had gone

astray, but now he obeyed the word of the Lord. What the psalmist is telling

us here is that God used affliction in his life to draw him closer.

In verse 68 the psalmist went on to say that God was good and whatever He

did was good. God would use all that happened to him to accomplish good.

He did not accuse God of evil. Instead, he recognized God as the source of

all good. Even the afflictions he was experiencing were in the hands of a

good God who would use them to accomplish great things.

The arrogant people around him did not understand the heart of the psalmist

or his desire for God and His ways. They smeared him with lies (verse 69).

They mocked him and his ways. The psalmist would not let this distract

him from his confidence in God and His goodness. He would continue

faithfully with God and His ways. These arrogant individuals were hard and

unfeeling (verse 70). They wanted nothing to do with God and mocked,

without compassion, those who sought after God.

In verse 71 that psalmist went as far as to say that it was good to be

afflicted. What these arrogant and evil individuals intended for harm was

used by God to accomplish good. All this trouble only served to draw him

closer to God and His ways. It only made the word of God and His

promises more precious to him. While in times of ease we may take these

promises for granted, in times of trouble they become our hope and delight.

The affliction the psalmist experienced was a tool in the hands of God to

show him how wonderfully precious the promises of God really were. For

this reason, the psalmist accepted the affliction that came his way.

The psalmist asked God to give him greater understanding of His

commands (verse 73). He recognized that God had made him and clearly

knew how to teach him His ways. He does not doubt God or His ways. Yes,

he was afflicted and suffered at the hands of evil people but God knew what

was happening and would use this to accomplish good. The psalmist was

willing to face these insults to learn more of the commandments of the Lord

and His ways.

It was the heart of the psalmist that those who feared the Lord would rejoice

when they saw him (verse 74). The context of the verse is the psalmist's

affliction. What he is asking the Lord is that not only would God use the

affliction in his life to teach him to delight more in His promises but that he

would also use these afflictions to be a witness to men and women of the

wonderful work of God in the lives of those who trusted Him. He wanted

everyone to know that while God had afflicted him, He had done so in

faithfulness (verse 75). God would not turn His back on His servants. In as

much as the psalmist delighted in faithfulness to his God, so God delighted

in being faithful to him. It was the desire of the psalmist to show the world

that God was faithful even in affliction. He wanted his life to be an example

of the blessing that faithfulness to God brought.

In his affliction, the psalmist asked God to comfort him with His unfailing

love and compassion (verses 76-77). Affliction has a way of drawing us

closer to God. Affliction created a need in the psalmist for comfort and

consolation. God was the source of that comfort and consolation. His pain

cast him into the arms of a loving and compassionate God. There in those

arms he found great consolation and delight.

As we conclude this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist prays for three

things in his affliction. First, in verse 78 he asked God that the arrogant

people who afflicted him would be put to shame for wronging him without

cause. He wanted justice to triumph. He wanted righteousness to prevail

and evil to cease. May those who afflict the righteous be put to shame for

the evil they have done, is his cry.

The second request of the psalmist in verse 79 is that those who feared God

would turn to him (verse 79). The psalmist recognized his need of others.

He prayed that God would give him people whose hearts would feel the

pain of his affliction and come alongside in support and encouragement.

The third request of the psalmist in verse 80 is that God would give him a

blameless heart so that he would not be put to shame. In other words, he is

asking God to give him the grace necessary to persevere in this affliction

without breaking His law. He is asking God to give him strength and grace

to be faithful.

The psalmist struggled. He did not complain about his affliction. In fact, he

thanked God for it because it gave him a deeper appreciation for the

promises of God; it cast him on the love and compassion of God and drew

him closer to Him. His great desire through his affliction is that he would be

given strength to honour his God by faithful obedience to Him in every

way. May this be our desire as well.

For Consideration:

Does God always show us the reason for our affliction?

What role does the Word of God play in our affliction?

The psalmist tells us that he experienced freedom in

obedience to the law of the Lord. How does disobedience

lead us into bondage?

What is the difference between obeying God's law and

pursuing God Himself?

What do we learn here about the goodness of God in our

affliction? What does God accomplish through affliction in

our lives?

For Prayer:

Ask God to give you grace to persevere and be obedient to

Him in affliction.

Thank God for the way He has used affliction in your life to

accomplish good.

Ask God to show you those who are facing affliction right

now. Ask Him to show you how you can minister to them in

their need.

Thank the Lord for brothers and sisters who stand with you in

your time of affliction.

Can you thank God for your trials like the psalmist? Take a

moment to thank the Lord for what He will do for you in your

trial.

101 - I HAVE SET MY

HEART

Read Psalm 119:81-120

e have seen throughout Psalm 119 that the psalmist had his

share of trials. In those times he found great comfort in the

Lord God and His word. Here in this next section of the psalm

we will consider the psalmist’s commitment to be faithful to the law of

God, no matter the cost.

As we begin, the psalmist reminds us of his suffering and pain. In verse 81

he told the Lord that his soul fainted with longing for the salvation of the

Lord. The salvation he is seeking here is a salvation from his trials and pain.

We have already seen that arrogant people surrounded him and caused him

great trouble (see Psalm 119:51, 69). The psalmist felt the pain and ridicule

of these insulting words. He took no delight in these trials. He wanted to be

free. He longed to live in the freedom of God's children. He looked to the

Lord for salvation. He put his hope in the word of God and His promises.

Trusting in God's word is not always easy. There will be times when we

will be stretched in our faith. In verse 82 the psalmist knew this stretching

of his faith. "My eyes fail, looking for your promise," he said. The picture

here is of a person looking out over the horizon for something he is

expecting. He strains his eyes looking for fulfilment of that promise. As he

waits his eyes grow tired and weary yet he does not give up waiting. "When

will you comfort me?" he asked in verse 82. Though he does not know that

comfort, he knows it will come.

In verse 83 the psalmist compared himself to a wineskin in the smoke. A

wineskin hanging above a smoky fire dries up and becomes dirty with the

smoke. This is how the psalmist felt. He was drying up. He bore on his

body the marks of the smoke of his trials and affliction. To all appearances

the Lord was nowhere to be seen. The arrogant mocked him in his

condition. No doubt, he wondered himself where God was and why he had

to suffer as he did. Despite this, the psalmist did not forget the decrees of

the Lord (verse 83). He would be faithful to those decrees and find in them

his comfort and strength.

His commitment to obedience no matter the cost did not lessen the pain of

his affliction. Notice in verse 84 how the psalmist cried out to God for

justice. "How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my

persecutors?" These persecutors were arrogant people (verse 85). That is to

say they would not be submissive to the law of God. They were their own

bosses and rejected all authority. These arrogant individuals dug pits for the

psalmist. They made his life difficult. For the time, they seemed to be

stronger than him. They were secure and comfortable while he was

suffering at their hands. They persecuted him without cause (verse 86).

They had almost “wiped him from the earth” (verse 87). Notice, however,

the unfailing commitment of the psalmist: "All your commands are

trustworthy," he told the Lord in verse 87. He would not turn from the law

of the Lord. He knew he could trust God and so he decided to remain

faithful to Him and His word. He would not forsake the precepts of the

Lord (verse 87). Having made this commitment to God and His word, he

then casts himself on God for His protection and strength. "Preserve my life

according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth" (verse

88).

What is important for us to remember is that all these commitments are

made to God in a time of trouble and difficulty. It is easy to make promises

to God when things are going well. It is not so easy to make this kind of

commitment when everything is going wrong and we feel like the enemy is

“wiping us from the earth” (see verse 87).

The psalmist knew that the word of the Lord was eternal and stood firm in

the heavens (verse 89). In other words, time would have no effect on the

word of God. Nothing would change His unfailing word. That word stood

firm in the heavens. It had authority not only on earth but also in heaven. It

was unshakeable. What God said would come to pass. Nothing would

change or shake His promises. The psalmist knew that no matter what

happened around him, God would be true to His word. That faithfulness

had been proven from generation to generation (verse 90). It was seen in

creation and in history. His sun rose every morning to shine on the

righteous and the unrighteous. His rain faithfully watered the earth,

allowing it to produce its fruit. Just as God had been faithful in creation so

would He be faithful in keeping His promises. This was the confidence of

the psalmist in his struggle.

In verse 92 the psalmist makes it clear that if the law of God had not been

his delight he would have perished in his affliction. God's promises gave

him hope and strength to carry on. His promises gave him reason to live. He

would have given up hope and perished at the hands of his enemies were it

not for the hope God provided in His word. I'm sure that we can all identify

with what the psalmist is telling us here.

God's law preserved the life of the psalmist (verse 93). He would not forget

that law because he felt indebted to it. It had been his strength and hope in

difficulty and affliction. Wicked people sought to destroy him but he

reflected on the statutes of the Lord and found encouragement and strength

in them (verse 95). Those commandments gave him hope and confidence to

continue.

As he considered on the commands of God, the psalmist makes an

important declaration in verse 96. "To all perfection I see a limit; but your

commands are boundless." As the psalmist looked around him he saw many

wonderful things. He could look up to the sky or around him on the earth

and see the wonderful creative hand of God. The sunset in the evening

seemed to be perfect. The way the human body functioned seemed to be

without flaw but all this perfection had a limit. They would come to an end.

God's commandments and decrees were beyond the perfection of this

world. While the earth faded away, God's decrees would remain. Time and

eternity destroy the earth bit by bit but has no effect on the purpose of God.

Nothing can change God's purposes. Time, earthly powers or even the

sinful and rebellious heart of humankind cannot change that which God has

decreed. His promises stand despite the efforts of earth and hell to defeat

them.

The law of the Lord was perfect in a way that nothing on the earth is

perfect. It was eternal and enduring. It is faithful and true. The psalmist

loved the law of God and meditated on it all day (verse 97). The

commandments of the law gave him wisdom that was superior to the

greatest wisdom of this earth. God's commands gave him wisdom that was

superior to all the wisdom of his enemies (verse 98). Through it he had

more insight than all his earthly teachers or the elders of his land (verses

99-100). God's word was the source of all wisdom and understanding. It

was the source of all truth.

How foolish it would be to depart from the source of all wisdom and

understanding. The psalmist declared in verse 101 that he kept his feet from

the path of evil so that he might obey God's word. He had not departed from

His laws. God taught him through His word. The word of God was sweet to

him (verse 103). There was nothing more wonderful to him than the

wisdom of God. He compared it in verse 103 to sweet honey in his mouth.

What God showed him in His eternal and unfailing word changed his life.

The understanding he gained from the Lord through His law kept him from

following the wrong path in life. He learned to appreciate the path of

righteousness and hate the path of evil (verse 104). That word was like a

lamp for his feet and a light for his path. It showed him the way he was to

go. It revealed the snares and obstacles in the pathway before him so he

would walk without stumbling. The psalmist took an oath and confirmed it

in verse 106. He would follow the Lord and His ways.

Life would not always be kind and considerate to the psalmist. He was not

deceived into thinking that if he obeyed the law of God everything would

run smoothly for him. In verse 107 it is clear that the psalmist had suffered

much. He pleaded with the Lord to preserve his life. Though things would

be difficult, the psalmist would offer willing praise to the Lord (verse 108).

He would not let the enemy strip him of his confidence in God. Even when

things were difficult, the psalmist would remain confident in God's purpose

and plan. He would choose to praise the Lord even when he did not

understand what was going on around him.

In verse 109 he told the Lord that even if he had to take his life in his hands,

he would not forget the law of the Lord. That is to say, if obedience to the

law of God meant persecution, he would willingly endure that persecution

but he would not be disobedient. He would willingly lay down his life

rather than disobey the Lord.

Wicked people had set snares for him (verse 110). Their intent was to trap

him. These wicked people did not appreciate the law of God and His ways.

They were intent on destroying the psalmist because he stood for the Lord

and His purposes. His commitment to the Lord made enemies.

While his commitment to God made him enemies, the psalmist refused to

wander from the path God had set for him. God gave him strength and

grace to remain faithful. The statutes of the Lord were his heritage forever.

He would never forget them or turn from them. He delighted in the ways of

the Lord and found great joy of heart in them (verse 111). This joy came

even when he was being pursued by those who sought his life. His heart

was set on keeping the decrees of the Lord to the end (verse 112).

God had taught the psalmist to hate "double-mindedness" (verse 113). The

double minded person is one who says he or she wants to obey and serve

the Lord but when difficulty comes they quickly change their mind and

follow the ways of the world. The psalmist hated the ways of the double-

minded. His heart was fixed on God's law and His law only. He wanted

nothing to do with evil. He did not even want to be in their company lest

they influence him to turn from God and His ways (verse 115). The

company we keep can often influence us one way or another. The

commitment of the psalmist was to be faithful and to keep himself from

anything or anyone that would tempt him to wander. He guarded his

company and his mind.

It should be noted in verses 116-117 that the psalmist does not assume that

he is able to keep the law of God in his own strength. He did discipline

himself and keep himself from evil doers and things that would tempt him.

In verse 116, however, he called on God to sustain him so he would live. He

pleaded with God not to let his hopes be dashed. What were his hopes? The

context indicates that his hopes were being saved from his enemies and

being able to live completely for his Lord. The fact that he pleaded with

God that these hopes should not be dashed is an indication that he knew he

was dependant on God for this to take place. In verse 117 he asked God to

uphold him so that he could be delivered. Again we see that his confidence

in victory does not come from his ability to discipline himself or muster up

enough human will-power and strength. His trust is in the Lord God by

whose strength and promises alone there can be victory.

As we conclude this section of the psalm, the psalmist declared that God

would reject those who strayed from His decrees (verse 118). Their

deceitfulness was in vain. For a time, these individuals had profited from

their brothers and sisters by deceit and falsehood. They had stolen from

them and cheated them and by so doing had made themselves richer and

more comfortable in this life. These things would not last, however. God

would discard the wicked like impure waste (verse 119). They would be

cast away like useless garbage. They would suffer at the hands of God's

justice. The psalmist trembled because he knew that justice would come to

all who turned from God and His ways (verse 120). He set his heart

therefore to live in obedience, not only because God's ways were true and

wise but also because He would be judged by God for turning away from

true wisdom.

For the psalmist, it was pure folly to turn from God and His ways. The law

of the Lord was perfect. It was the source of all comfort, wisdom and truth.

Everything was measured by this standard. Nothing could change the

promises of God and following those commandments was the only path of

true victory. While following the ways of God would not always be easy, it

was only in doing so that the psalmist could find the meaning and purpose

for which he had been created. He chose therefore to set his heart to live in

obedience.

For Consideration:

Does following God's law mean freedom from all pain and

affliction? What does the psalmist teach us here?

What is the difference between looking to God's word and

looking at our circumstances?

What does the psalmist teach us about the unchangeable

nature of God's promises? What comfort do you find in this?

The psalmist told his readers that God's law had saved his

life? What did he mean by this? Has God's law ever given

you such hope and comfort that you could say that you owed

it your life?

What does the psalmist show us here about our need for

absolute obedience to God?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord for the encouragement His word brings you.

Thank the Lord that His law is the source of all truth and

purpose in life. Ask Him to forgive you for the times you

turned your back on that word and followed your own

understanding.

Ask the Lord to give you strength to set your heart to live in

obedience to His word.

102 - I WAIT FOR YOUR

SALVATION

Read Psalm 119:121-176

n the final section of Psalm 119 the psalmist again re-confirms his

commitment to live in obedience to the Lord God and to wait on Him

for deliverance and salvation.

Psalm 119 seems to have two major themes. The first of these is the

suffering of the believer. The second theme is the trustworthiness of the

Word of God and His promises. The psalmist experienced suffering in his

life even though he walked according to the command of the Lord God.

Notice in verse 121 that he reminded the Lord that he had done what was

righteous and just. He lived according to the teachings of the Word of God.

Notice in the same verse, however, that the psalmist pleads with the Lord

God not to leave him to his oppressors. It appears that he was being

oppressed.

The sinful world in which we live will not always understand the ways of

God. People will respond quite strongly against the things of the Lord

because His ways are different from their own ways. This means that those

who want to live a just and righteous life will often face the persecution and

ridicule of the unbeliever. Living in obedience to the Lord God does not

guarantee a trouble-free life. In fact, the opposite is often the case (see 2

Timothy 3:12). While he is being oppressed for his faith, the psalmist casts

himself on the Lord God. He asked Him in verse 122 to ensure his well-

being. He pleaded with Him not to let the arrogant oppress him.

From verse 123 we understand that the timing of the Lord is not the same as

ours. The confidence of the psalmist was in the Lord God but God seemed

to delay. The psalmist told the Lord that his eyes were failing him as he

watched for His salvation and the fulfilment of His promises. This delay

does not cause the psalmist to give up on God. Notice in verse 124 how he

continues to cast himself on the love of God and asked Him to teach him

His decrees. He re-affirms his commitment to be the servant of God. He

knew that his understanding of the purposes of God was limited. He prayed

for discernment and deeper understanding as he waited for the salvation of

the Lord.

Admittedly, if it were up to us, things would be quite different in this life.

We tend to be impatient. We want things done right away. Clearly, the

psalmist does not understand why the Lord allowed him to be oppressed at

the hands of evil men and women. Nor does he understand why the Lord

delayed in bringing His deliverance and salvation. He did understand,

however, that the ways of God were higher than his ways. As he waited on

the salvation of the Lord, he asked for discernment and understanding so

that he would not wander from the Lord and His ways.

Humanly speaking, as the psalmist looked around him, he felt it was time

for God to act. He says this in verse 126: "It is time for you to act, O

LORD." Notice in verse 126 that the basis for this statement was the fact

that the laws of the Lord were being broken. Men and women were living

their lives disregarding the law of God. They lived as if there were no God

to whom they would one day have to answer. This resulted in the

oppression of the righteous and the suffering of God's servants at the hands

of those who did not love the Lord.

From his own human understanding, the psalmist felt it was time for God to

step in and do something. He felt this way because his heart was broken

when he saw the law of God being disregarded. He loved the commands of

the Lord more than gold (verse 127). He believed that all the precepts of the

Lord were right (verse 128). It grieved the psalmist that this perfect law of

God was being ignored by ignorant and rebellious humanity.

God's statutes were wonderful to the psalmist. He lived in obedience to

them. As God unfolded His words to him the psalmist gained new insight

and understanding into the heart of God and His purpose (verse 130). He

panted for the law of God like a racer gasped for breath after a hard race.

This law was his life. He depended on it. He could not see himself living

without God's law.

In verse 132 the psalmist pleaded with the Lord God to turn to him and

have mercy on him. The Lord seemed to be distant at the time. His

salvation seemed to be far removed. The psalmist was not going to give up

hope. He knew that God always returned to those who loved His name

(verse 132). Though he did not experience the salvation and deliverance he

sought at the moment, he waited on God, knowing that He would come to

his aid. As he waited on this deliverance, the psalmist has several requests

for God in verses 133-135.

First, the psalmist asked that the Lord would direct his footsteps according

to His word so that sin would not rule over him (verse 133). Often it is in

waiting that we lose patience and take matters into our own hands. The

enemy knows that if he perseveres in tempting us, the chances are that we

will eventually give in to his temptations. The longer we bear the weight of

oppression, the more we become weary and tired. The psalmist realized that

the timing of the Lord was not the same as his. If he was going to remain

under the oppression of the enemy, he wanted God to control every step he

took. He did not trust his ability to keep on the right path. He needed God to

be his guide in this time of oppression.

The second request of the psalmist in verse 134 is that God would redeem

him from the oppression of men so that he might obey His precepts. The

psalmist knew the power of oppression to wear down the strongest believer.

It is true that God can strengthen and equip the believer through trials and

struggles but the psalmist knew that he could only bear so much before he

turned from the Lord and gave in to the temptations. For this reason he

asked God to set him free from the oppression so that he would not wander.

The final request in this context is that the Lord would make His face to

shine on him and teach him His decrees. As the psalmist waited on the

salvation and deliverance of the Lord, he wanted to be sure that God's

blessing was on his life. He wanted to be sure that God would face this

oppression with him and guide him all the way. He wanted to know the

blessing of the Lord and have the knowledge of His presence. The presence

of God would be His encouragement and strength in these times.

In verse 136 the psalmist returns to the condition of his society. He tells the

Lord that "streams of tears” flowed from his eyes, because His law was not

obeyed. This grieved him because these laws were righteous. They reflected

the heart of a loving and holy God for humanity. God's word was absolutely

perfect, holy and worthy of confidence (verse 138).

The psalmist told his readers in verse 139 that his zeal for the law of God

was wearing him out. All around him, he saw men and women ignoring the

word of God. This grieved him. He loved the promises of God and knew

them to be trustworthy (verse 140). Even though people despised him for

his stand on the law of God, he would not turn from it (verses 141-143). He

stood firm in his commitment to God and His ways at a time when it was

not popular to do so.

Notice in verse 145 that the psalmist pleaded with God to answer him and

save him in his time of need (verse 146). Notice also that he arose before

dawn to cry to the Lord for help (verse 147). He stayed awake at night and

meditated on God's promises (verse 148). He put his confidence in the word

of God even though he was not presently seeing the deliverance and

salvation he sought. He committed himself to the love of the Lord. He

asked God to hear his cry: "Preserve my life" (verse 149).

Around him people devised wicked schemes. These people were not

governed by the law of God. They did as they pleased. While the enemy

was near so was God (verse 151). Not only was God near but His

commands and statutes were true and would not fail. This brought the

psalmist hope and gave him reason to persevere. Yes, his enemies were near

but an even greater power was strengthening him. God had not left him.

God had given His promise and that promise of salvation and deliverance

would not fail.

He pleaded with God in verse 153 to look on his suffering and deliver him.

He asked God to defend his cause and redeem him as He had promised

(verse 154). The wicked could not expect to see the salvation of the Lord

but those who loved Him had full assurance of that salvation as they cast

themselves on Him (verses 155-156). In light of this truth, the psalmist

makes it very clear that he would remain true to the statutes of the Lord his

God and would separate himself from those who did evil (verses 157-158).

The psalmist was persecuted and oppressed because of his love for the Lord

and His commands (verse 161). His commitment to God and His ways set

him apart from the ungodly. He rejoiced in God and His ways like a soldier

finding great spoil (verse 162). He loved the law of God. He found himself

praising God seven times a day because of His wonderful law (verse 164).

The reference to seven times may be taken literally but could also be

understood in the sense of praising God all day long.

Because of his delight in the law of God, the psalmist had great peace. We

were created to live for God and only in living for Him will we experience

the peace He offers. The psalmist experienced this peace in his life despite

the fact that he was being oppressed by his enemies. He knew that as long

as he walked in obedience to the Lord he would not stumble.

The psalmist waited for the salvation of the Lord. While these were difficult

times for him, he did not lose hope. He persevered in seeking the Lord and

walking according to His ways. In verses 169-170, he cried out to the Lord

asking Him to hear his voice. As he waited for the salvation of the Lord, the

psalmist would continue to praise Him and sing of His righteous commands

(verse 171-172). He longed for the salvation of God (verse 174). He

pleaded with God to let him live so that he could praise Him. He compared

himself to a sheep that had strayed from the shepherd (verse 176). He felt

overwhelmed and alone. He felt the presence of the enemy all around him,

seeking to devour him. He knew as a sheep he could not overcome his

enemy but he had a Shepherd who could protect him. This shepherd was all

his hope and trust.

For Consideration:

Has your choice to follow the Lord God and His ways

brought you persecution? Explain.

What do we learn here about the timing of the Lord? What is

our temptation in times when the Lord seems to delay in

responding to our prayers?

Have you ever had times when God seemed distant from

you? What is the commitment of the psalmist in these times

of his life?

What is your response when the Word of God is ignored or

disregarded in your society? What should be our response?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you faith to trust Him when things do

not seem to be happening as quickly as you would like.

Ask the Lord to give you a greater love for Him and His

Word. Ask Him to forgive you for times when your heart is

not grieved over the condition of your society.

Do you know someone who is facing a trial of their faith?

Ask the Lord to guide their footsteps at this time so they do

not wander from the truth of His Word.

103 - THE LORD WATCHES

OVER YOU

Read Psalm 120:1-121:8

hat a wonderful thing it is to know that despite the struggles

we face on this earth the Lord our God is at our side watching

out for us. In these times of trial and difficulty, we can call out

to Him and He will hear our request. Here in Psalm 120 the psalmist

expressed his distress because of a struggle he faced from those around him.

In Psalm 120:1 the psalmist called out to the Lord in his distress. Notice

that he was distressed particularly by lying lips and deceitful tongues

(120:2). Things were being said that were not true. People around him were

not governed by principles of honesty and morality.

The psalmist had a very strong warning to those who spoke with lying lips

and deceitful tongue. He warned them that God would punish them with

sharp arrows and with burning coals from the broom tree (120:3-4). The

broom tree was a desert shrub which produced lasting and hot flames. The

psalmist was telling those with lying lips and deceitful heart that they would

be severely punished by God for the harm they did with their tongues. We

need to see the strong hatred of God for dishonesty and deceitfulness. It is

of utmost importance that what comes from our lips be pure and honest.

Not only did the psalmist live among a people who were dishonest but he

also lived among people who hated peace. They were always fighting

among themselves.

In Psalm 120:5 the psalmist lamented the fact that he lived in Meshech and

Kedar. Both Meshech and Kedar were foreign nations located in Asia

Minor. These nations did not know the Lord God of Israel nor did they

follow His law. The psalmist did not literally live in these foreign lands.

What he is saying here is that he was living among a pagan people who did

not love the Lord. The Israelites he lived with lived like pagans who had no

concept of God. They were dishonest and deceitful. They loved to fight

among themselves. They hated peace.

As a man of peace who loved the Lord God, the psalmist felt like a

foreigner in his own land. He was uncomfortable among those who did not

love and honour the Lord. It was for this reason that he called out to the

Lord in distress.

We have to admire the way in which the psalmist grieved over the condition

of his land. His heart was broken because his people did not live in a way

that honoured the Lord his God. He felt alone and oppressed. These liars

and deceivers spoke against him and caused him great distress.

Notice in Psalm 121 that in his distress the psalmist lifted up his eyes to the

hills. The city of Jerusalem and the temple where God revealed His

presence were in the hills. In looking to the hills the psalmist is looking to

the place where God revealed His presence. The psalmist knew that his help

came from the Lord who was Maker of heaven and earth. There could be no

greater help. If the Maker of heaven and earth came to his aid, what could

his enemies do to him?

Notice the great confidence of the psalmist in his God. In Psalm 121:3 he

makes it quite clear that with the Lord God as his help, his foot would never

slip. Imagine a person walking on a steep mountain path where every

footstep is dangerous. To slip was to fall to one’s death. The psalmist knew

that with the Lord God as his helper, guiding each of his steps, he would not

stumble or fall. God would keep him safe.

Unlike human help, the God of Israel would never sleep (121:4). He did not

need to rest for He never grew tired. This meant that he could devote all His

time to watching over His child.

In Psalm 121:5-6 the psalmist described the Lord as a shade. As a shade,

the Lord protected His child from the burning sun of the day and the moon

at night. The sun and moon represent those things that might harm the

believer. With God's protecting presence surrounding him, the psalmist had

no cause for fear. Even though he was surrounded by people of lying lips

and deceitful tongues, he could be safe and secure under the shade of the

Almighty.

The promise of the psalmist in Psalm 121:7-8 is that God would keep all

who would seek Him. He would protect them from harm and watch over

their lives. Wherever they went the Lord would preserve them forever.

The psalmist felt like a stranger in his own land. He found that he could no

longer identify with his people who were wandering farther and farther

from the Lord and His ways. These individuals were people of lying lips

and deceitful tongues. They had rejected God and His ways. They had

rejected peace and fought among themselves and against those who stood

for the truth. This meant that the psalmist became the object of oppression

and scorn. As a righteous man in an ungodly nation, he was not popular.

For this reason it was a wonderful blessing for the psalmist to know that the

Maker of heaven and earth was at his side watching every step and keeping

him from stumbling. By His strength and because of His protection, the

psalmist could continue to walk in the path of truth with assurance of safety

and guidance.

For Consideration:

What do we learn about the importance of honesty? What

does the psalmist tell us God will do with lying lips and

deceitful tongues?

Have you ever felt like a stranger among your own people?

The psalmist was willing to be different. He chose to be

faithful to his God. Do you have this strength? Explain.

What comfort does Psalm 121 offer those who want to take a

stand for the Lord? What are the promises of this Psalm for

all who will stand firm for Him?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you grace to stand firm in the midst of

opposition.

Thank the Lord that He promises to keep us in our time of

trouble.

Ask God to break dishonesty and immorality in your society.

Ask God to help you to be a shining light of righteousness to

those around you.

104 - A CRY FOR PEACE

Read Psalm 122:1-125:5

here is something very wonderful about knowing that we are

protected and surrounded by the Lord God. Our enemies

sometimes seem to overwhelm us. In those times, it is great to

know that God, who is bigger than all our enemies, will keep us. In Psalms

122-125 we catch a glimpse of this presence of the Lord that surrounds His

people.

As the psalmist began Psalm 122 he told his readers that he rejoiced with

those who invited him to go to the house of the Lord. The reference to the

house of the Lord here is a reference to the temple where God revealed His

presence in Old Testament times. We should not see the rejoicing to be in

the building, although it was a wonderful building. The glory of the temple

and the city of Jerusalem was in the presence of the Lord God who dwelt

there. The delight of the psalmist and his friends is not in wood and brick

but in the revealed presence of the Lord.

In Psalm 122:2 the psalmist said: "Our feet are standing in your gates, O

Jerusalem." There is a sense of awe in this verse. The psalmist seems to be

overwhelmed by the fact that he and his friends are standing in the very

place where the presence of the Lord God is revealed. They know they are

unworthy of this honour but they stand nonetheless in this place.

The psalmist took a moment to reflect on the city of Jerusalem. He told his

readers that Jerusalem was built like a city that was closely compacted

together (122:3). In other words, the city was well constructed. Imagine a

great wall surrounding a city. As you examine this wall you see that there

are holes in the wall. It is obviously not well constructed because the bricks

don't fit together well to form a solid wall. This is not the picture of the city

of Jerusalem. It was constructed well. Each part of the unit fit together with

the other part. It was closely compacted together forming one solid unit that

could not be penetrated by the enemy. This being the case, its inhabitants

could live in security.

Not only was Jerusalem a place of security but it was also a place of praise.

The tribes of the Lord went up to Jerusalem to praise the name of the Lord

(122:4). This was a city where God dwelt. It was a place where God was

honoured and worshiped. It was a wonderful place to go because those who

visited this city could enjoy praising their Lord.

Notice in Psalm 122:5 that Jerusalem was also a place where the thrones of

judgment stood. From this place the just purposes of God would be carried

out. Here God had established His presence and authority. From here He

would carry out His purpose and plan for the entire world.

For the psalmist, Jerusalem was an important place. Here the presence of

the Lord was revealed. It was a place of security, praise and justice. From

this place God would carry out His worldwide purposes. For this reason, the

psalmist called his people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (122:6-7).

Notice in Psalm 122:8 that it was for the sake of his brothers and friends

that he prayed for the peace of this city. It is important that we mention

something here in this regard.

There is one thing for sure in life. When the Lord chooses to use a person or

a location for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom, the enemy will

never be far behind to hinder that purpose. As the psalmist considered the

wonderful purpose of God that was to unfold from the city of Jerusalem, he

knew Jerusalem was strategic to the purpose and plan of God. He also knew

that the enemy would make it his target. While those who lived in the

presence of God in this city were secure, this did not mean that they would

not suffer at the hands of the enemy. The psalmist knew that Jerusalem

would be attacked because of its place in the plan of God. The Lord Jesus

would visit this city and suffer death on the cross. The enemies of God's

people would destroy it and burn it to the ground. Looking ahead

prophetically the psalmist prayed for God's peace to rest on this important

city. He considers his brothers and sisters who lived in this city as the

enemy sought to attack it. In Psalm 122:9 the psalmist committed himself to

seek the prosperity of the city God had chosen to unveil His purposes. His

desire is that God would accomplish all He proposed in that city.

What we need to understand here is just how important it is for us to pray

for and surround each other in the work of the kingdom. Satan knows that

each of us is important to the work of the kingdom of God. He will not

hesitate to do all he can to hinder us. For this reason, we need to be in

prayer for one another. We need to join hands and learn to work as one.

Even as Jerusalem was built closely compacted together, we too need to

become one closely knit body so that the enemy cannot penetrate our ranks.

The reality of the battle before us ought to cause us not only to join together

in prayer and support of each other but also to lift up our eyes to the throne

of God in heaven (see Psalm 123:1). In Psalm 123 the psalmist lifted up his

eyes to heaven. Notice how he lifted up his eyes.

In Psalm 123:2 he told his readers that he lifted up his eyes like a slave

looks to the hand of his master or the eyes of a maid to her mistress. How

does the slave look to his master's hand? The slave looks to the master's

hand with humility. The slave does not have anything of his own. He is

completely dependent on his master's resources to accomplish the work he

is called to do. This is how the psalmist looked to God. He realized that

God alone had all that was necessary. He realized that if God did not

provide, he could not accomplish what he was called to do. He comes to the

master with absolute dependence.

Not only does the slave come to the master in humility and dependence but

also with confidence. The slave knows that the master is aware of his

poverty. The slave comes to the master in confidence that he who has called

him to do a certain work will also provide him with the tools and resources

necessary to accomplish that work. This is how the psalmist came to the

Lord. He came with a deep understanding of his need but also of the

resources of the Master. He came confidently knowing that the Master

would give him all that was necessary to do the work He had called him to

do. We who are central to the purpose and plan of God in this world can be

confident that while the enemy will make us his target, the Lord will

provide us all that is necessary to accomplish what He has for us to

accomplish.

The slave also comes before his master in absolute obedience. What the

master tells him to do he will do. He does not do things his own way. He is

committed to his master and will only do what the master tells him to do.

This is how the psalmist came to God.

We should not assume that because God is with us we will not have to face

opposition. Notice in Psalm 123:3 that the psalmist cried out for the mercy

of the Lord. He reminded his readers that, as a people, they had suffered

contempt and ridicule from the proud and arrogant. The proud and arrogant

are those who refused to submit to the Law of God and His purposes. These

enemies of God caused distress for the people of God. We should expect

this to be the case for us as well.

In Psalm 124 the psalmist takes a moment to consider the wonderful aid of

the Lord in these moments of ridicule and distress at the hands of the

enemy. Here in this psalm he reminded his people that if the Lord had not

been on their side they would have perished.

Notice that there was struggle for the people of God. In Psalm 124:2 they

were attacked. The anger of their enemies flared against them (124:3). Had

it not been for the presence of the Lord God they would have been

swallowed alive in that fierce anger. The floods, torrents and raging waters

of opposition swept over them. Were it not for the Lord, they would have

been engulfed and swept away (124:4-5).

Through all the opposition of the enemy the Lord delivered them. God did

not let the enemy tear them apart with their teeth (124:6). He set them free

from the snares set by their enemies so that they escaped their wrath

(124:7). God was their help in time of trouble. The Maker of heaven and

earth surrounded them and came to their aid (124:8).

Reflecting on these wonderful truths the psalmist declared in Psalm 125:1:

"Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion." There are several

reasons for this.

Notice, first, that those who trust the Lord are like Mount Zion because it

cannot be shaken. Jerusalem stood firmly on the mountain. Imagine the

enemy standing at the foot of the mountain trying to shake it like a fruit

tree. This mountain was firmly rooted and could not be shaken by the

enemy. The psalmist is telling us here that those who trust in the Lord have

a sure foundation on which to stand. As long as they remain in Him there is

nothing the enemy can do. In order to get to us, the enemy first has to deal

with God who is our foundation.

Second, we see from Psalm 125:2 that those who trust in the Lord are like

Mount Zion or Jerusalem because Mount Zion was surrounded by

mountains. In the same way the Lord God surrounded His people. Notice in

particular that the Lord surrounded His people "both now and forevermore."

There will never be a time that the presence of the Lord will not surround

His people. As a loving heavenly Father, the Lord cares for His children.

Our enemy will do his utmost to defeat and oppress, but God will surround

us like the mountains surrounded Jerusalem. In His arms we are secure.

Third, those who trusted in the Lord were like Mount Zion because God

was jealous for them and would not allow their enemies to triumph over

them. In Psalm 125:3 the promise of the Word of God is that the sceptre of

the wicked will not remain in the land allotted to the righteous. God had

given Jerusalem to His people. The enemy had entered that land. They had

come in like a flood and a raging torrent (Psalm 124:2-3). God's people

were oppressed and ridiculed. God would not allow these enemies to

continue in the land He had given His people. Their sceptre (symbol of

authority and power) would be broken. God would do good to those who

were upright in heart. He would banish those whose ways were evil from

the land (125:5). Ultimately victory would belong to the Lord and His

people.

The psalmist ended Psalm 125 with a prayer for peace to be on Israel. It is

the prayer of the psalmist that God's people would live in the peace God

provided. While his prayer could certainly be that the Lord would cause

evildoers to cease their opposition, it should not be limited to this. Peace

can be found in the presence of battle and turmoil. The Lord Jesus promised

His peace to us in John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to

you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and

do not be afraid.

The Lord promised this peace to His disciples just before he was crucified.

As the disciples carried the message of salvation to the ends of the earth

they would suffer much at the hands of their enemies. The peace the Lord

Jesus promised His disciples was not an absence of pain and struggle but a

calm assurance in the midst of turmoil and confusion. The psalmist prayed

that this peace would rest on the nation of Israel. He prayed that the comfort

and assurance of the Lord's presence would be their strength and confidence

as they carried out the purpose of God.

Psalms 122-125 call us to an awareness of our strategic place as the people

of God in the purpose of God for this world. As elite warriors for the

kingdom, we will be the focus of the enemy's attack. In this battle,

however, we can have the assurance of God's presence surrounding us. Like

the mountains surrounded the city of Jerusalem, so God will surround those

who love Him. In time, He will banish evil and give victory to His children.

As we await that victory, we can live in the peace God delights to give to all

who will rest in Him and trust His purposes.

For Consideration:

Why is the presence of God a cause for great rejoicing for the

believer?

How was Jerusalem central to the purposes of God for

humanity?

What does this passage teach us about how the enemy attacks

those who are strategic warriors in the battle for

righteousness?

The psalmist told his readers that he looked to God as a slave

looked to his master's hand. What does he mean by this?

What does this teach us about how we need to rely on God?

How are those who trust God like Mount Zion? What

encouragement does this bring you?

Peace is not the absence of trouble, but grace to face trouble

with confidence. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

For Prayer:

Take a moment to consider how the Lord has surrounded you

and kept you in your time of trouble. Thank the Lord for His

protection and guidance in those moments.

Take a moment to pray for those around you who are key

warriors in the battle for truth and righteousness. Ask God to

keep them and give them His peace in the battle.

Thank the Lord that, while the battle may be fierce, victory is

secured for all who trust in Him.

105 - SOWING IN TEARS,

REAPING IN JOY

Read Psalm 126:1-130:8

e have seen though the book of Psalms that the life of the

believer is often filled with trials and suffering. The strange

thing about this life, however, is that despite the suffering and

oppression, there is still tremendous blessing and joy. In this meditation we

will examine some of the blessings the believer can experience in the midst

of suffering and pain.

We begin in Psalm 126:1 with a declaration of the psalmist regarding the

return from captivity. The psalmist tells us that when the Lord brought the

nation of Israel back from their captivity, they were "like men who

dreamed." In other words, things were so wonderful and perfect that it was

hard for their mind to believe that it was real. The experience of being set

free from captivity was a wonderful one. Psalm 126:2 tells us that their

mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with songs of joy. These

were marvellous days. God's people were free from the bondage of the

enemy. This was cause for great rejoicing and praise. Listen to their cry of

praise in Psalm 126:3:

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with

joy.

One of the greatest blessings we know as believers today is that of being

freed from our enemy. Out great enemy is sin. It holds us in bondage and

separation from God. Under its dominion we are destined for an eternal

separation from God under His wrath and justice. The Lord Jesus set us free

by His death on the cross. We who have believed in the Lord Jesus and

trusted His work can now declare with the psalmist: "The LORD has done

great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Notice in Psalm 126:4 that the psalmist asked the Lord to restore their

fortunes like streams in the Negev. It is true that the children of Israel had

been set free from their bondage but this was not the end of God's blessings.

God wanted to do far more than deliver them from their enemies. He

wanted to restore their fortunes. As a people they had lost much because of

sin. This enemy had stripped them of the wonderful intimacy with God and

His infinite treasures. The same is true for us as believers today. It is the

desire of God not only to set us free from the dominion of sin but also to

restore to us everything sin has taken from us.

The blessing that God wanted to restore would come not to a proud people

but to ones who had been humbled under His discipline. Notice the imagery

of a gardener (126:5-6). This gardener sows in tears. He goes out weeping

as he sows his seed. These are hard times. He weeps because things have

been difficult. As a people, Israel had just come back from captivity. They

had been disciplined. They knew that heavy hand of God's punishment.

They had been sowing sinful deeds in the past but now they had repented

and with tears in their eyes began to sow righteousness.

Notice, however, in Psalm 126:5-6 that those who sowed in repentant tears

would reap with songs of joy carrying their sheaves with them. God would

respond to their repentant hearts. He had broken them through their

captivity in order to restore their blessing. Even their captivity was a

blessing from God. God's discipline led His people to repentance and

ultimately to a deeper walk with Him.

God is in the process of working in the lives of His people. We see in Psalm

126 that God worked through the captivity of His people to restore them to

fellowship. God's delight was to restore all the blessings sin had stripped

from His people.

As God’s people sought to rebuild their lives after their captivity they

needed to understand how much they needed the Lord. In Psalm 127 the

psalmist told his readers that unless the Lord built the house the builders

laboured in vain. If God was not in what they were doing they were wasting

their time and effort. The psalmist challenges his people to watch what God

was doing and submit to it. He encourages us all to let God go before us.

How often do we feel like the work of the Kingdom of God depends on us?

We feel that it is by our human effort and wisdom that it will advance. This

is simply not the case. In Matthew 16:18 the Lord Jesus said to Peter:

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build

my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Notice that the Lord made it very clear that it was He who would build His

church. The church would not be built on human wisdom and effort but in

the power of God's Spirit through human vessels. This is also what the Lord

said to Zechariah in Zechariah 4:6:

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD

Almighty."

The Lord is in the process of doing a wonderful work. He is restoring the

blessing of His people and pushing back the strongholds of sin. It is our

privilege to be part of this wonderful work of God. We are blessed to be the

focus of God's efforts. We are blessed to be instruments of His great work

in this world.

Our tendency as believers is to try and take on God's role. We see the

problems around us and take them on ourselves. In my own ministry I have

often worn myself out with good efforts. I have lost sleep worrying over

problems. I have worried about situations that were beyond my control. I

have often tried to change my situation or the circumstances in the lives of

others to no avail. Notice what the psalmist told his readers in Psalm 127:2.

He told them that they were waking up early and staying up late in vain. He

told them that God gave His loved ones sleep but they were pushing

themselves in vain to achieve things that only God could achieve. Do you

realize how easy it would be for God to change your current situation? In an

instant everything could change. We wear ourselves out to achieve what

God can achieve in an instant.

As believers we need to catch a glimpse of what the psalmist is telling us

here. If God is not doing anything about your problem, do you think you

can fix it on your own? What can we do that God cannot do? We burn

ourselves out with worry and human effort when God simply asks us to

wait on Him and obey His leading. He is able to do more than we could

ever imagine in our situation. His desire is to bless us and restore our

fortunes. Can we trust Him to do what He wants to do in us? If so, we will

rest and wait on Him and His timing. It is a wonderful blessing to know that

God is working on our behalf.

In Psalm 127: 3-5 the psalmist spoke of yet another wonderful blessing

from the Lord. Here he reminds his readers that sons were a heritage from

the Lord and children were a reward from Him. He compared these children

to arrows in the quiver of an archer. The idea here is that the Lord would

provide for the His people through their children. Children would be their

defence and support in old age. When the parents grew old and were

humbled by age and weakness their children would contend for them at the

gate (127:5). The gate of the city was where business matters were

addressed and important decisions made. It was also where the enemy

would attack. The psalmist is telling his readers that when they were old

and unable to conduct their business or defend themselves, their children

would be there for them.

The psalmist is telling his readers that God would provide for them in their

time of need through other human beings. In this case, God would provide

children to stand with them. This passage speaks also to those who do not

have children to stand with them. The principle remains the same. God

provides people to stand with us in our need. If you do not have children

God will provide others to stand with you. God's desire is for believers to

live in community. In the context of community they are to bless and

encourage one another. Together we stand as one family against the attack

at our gate.

Those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways would eat the fruit of their

labours (Psalm 128:1). God's blessing and prosperity would be on their

lives (128:2). Children would sit around their table like olive shoots. The

olive tree was a symbol of prosperity. It produced the oil that was so useful

for cooking and medical purposes. Each olive shoot could produce great

quantities of oil in its lifespan. That oil would be a tremendous blessing for

many. This is what the psalmist is telling his readers here. He is telling them

that their children would be productive and fruitful. They would be a source

of tremendous blessing for them as parents. The prayer of the psalmist in

Psalm 128:5-6 is that those who feared the Lord would be blessed and

would live long enough to see their grandchildren.

From Psalm 129 we understand that there are also many trials in the life of

the believer. In Psalm 129:1 the psalmist told his readers that he had been

greatly oppressed from his youth. Notice that, though he was oppressed, his

enemies did not have victory over him (129:2).

In Psalm 129:3 the psalmist compares his struggle to ploughmen ploughing

furrows in his back. We can only imagine how much pain would be

inflicted if a plough were digging deep trenches in his back. His enemies

hurt him but God cut him free from the cords of his enemies (129:4).

He was not the only one who was suffering because of His enemies. The

psalmist cried out to God in Psalm 129:5-8 about those who oppressed his

people. He prayed that those who hated Zion would be turned back in

shame. He asked God to make their enemies like grass growing on a roof in

the heat of the sun (129:6). It withers before it can grow. There is not

enough for the reaper to fill his hands because it perished in the sun (129:7).

The psalmist also asked that the blessing of the Lord would depart from

those who hated Zion so that they could not continue in their evil practices

(129:7-8).

In Psalm 130 the psalmist cried out to God and asked Him to have mercy on

him in his anguish. It is true that those who love the Lord are blessed. We

have seen evidence of this in Psalms 126-129. This blessing, however, does

not remove pain and trouble. As believers, we live in a sinful world. Our

experience of the blessings of God is very real but so is our experience of

trouble at the hand of the enemy. We experience blessing and trouble at the

same time. The psalmist cries out to the Lord for blessing in the midst of

terrible oppression.

The psalmist knew that he did not deserve that God should come to his aid.

He knew that he was a sinful man. If God were to keep a record of all his

sins he would not be able to stand before Him (130:3). He approached God,

however, on the basis of His forgiveness and mercy (130:4). He knew that

in the Lord God was wonderful forgiveness. He could ask God for

assistance because God was a God of grace whose desire was to bless His

children, despite their shortcomings.

He waited on the Lord and put his hope and confidence in Him and His

word. He watched for the Lord more than the watchman waited for the

morning (130:6), when he would finally be able to rest. All his hope and

confidence was in the Lord. He encouraged Israel to do the same in their

trouble. God was a God of unfailing love. He would redeem His people

from the hands of their enemy (130:7-8).

These psalms remind us that as believers we must walk in a world filled

with trouble. There are times when the enemy will overwhelm us. There are

times when we will suffer at the hands of those who "hate Zion." As

believers, however, we also have another hope. God can use trials to draw

us closer to Himself. He will shower us with His blessings in the midst of

our pain and oppression. Blessings do not remove trials in life. They are

evidences, however, that God is still with us. Those blessings give us

courage to face the pain of life. As God builds His church, there will be

times of struggle. We should not expect to live a trouble free life in a sinful

world. We should expect, however, that God, who is a God of unfailing

love, will reach out to us in this time and guide us step by step. He will take

us through the pain. He will bless us in the pain and He will bless the pain

in us.

For Consideration:

It is the desire of the Lord God to restore the fortunes that sin

has stripped from us. What has sin stripped from you?

How do trials produce repentance and restore intimacy and

blessing? Have you ever experienced trials that restored your

spiritual blessing?

What do these psalms teach us about resting in what God is

doing? Have you ever found yourself being worn out by

human effort and worry? What should our attitude be in these

times?

One of the blessings of the Lord is a family to stand with us

in times of weakness. Do you have such a family today?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He came to set us free from sin. Thank

Him that we can live victoriously over that sin now because

of Christ.

Ask the Lord to forgive you for not trusting Him and His

loving-kindness enough. Ask Him to give you grace to trust

Him more in your particular problem or struggle.

Thank the Lord for the way He can use trials to bring blessing

into your life.

Ask the Lord to give you grace to accept the struggles that

come your way. Thank Him for the blessing He gives you in

the midst of trials.

106 - THE LORD

DWELLING IN ZION

Psalm 131:1-134:3

f there is one thing we need to understand about the Lord God it is that

His ways are greater than our ways. I have often spoken with people

who were attempting to make sense of God's plan. After completing

Bible School I enrolled at a secular university and did a major in Religious

Studies. This was a mind opening experience for me. In this secular

university setting I saw a whole new way of thinking. Here the human mind

reigned supreme. Anything that was not logical or could be explained by

rational or scientific means was immediately cast off as being untrue. Faith

was seen as a weakness. Only what could be proven scientifically or

rationally could be believed. This is the mind-set of proud humanity. With

it, comes the idea that the human mind is the judge of all that is true.

Several years later I ran up against this mind set when I was speaking with

an individual at a print shop. He was examining some booklets I was having

printed. The conversation turned to spiritual matters and soon we found

ourselves speaking about the doctrine of the Trinity. He told me that he did

not believe this doctrine because it did not make any sense to him. I

remember telling him that I was very glad there were things about God I

could not understand because if God could be understood by our human

minds He would not be big enough.

There will always be things about God and His ways that we will never

understand. He is too big to be understood. He is too wonderful for our

minds to comprehend. There are some things we will just have to accept by

faith. We will just have to learn to trust Him even when we don't understand

His ways and purposes.

In Psalm 131:1 the Psalmist David told his readers that his mind was not

proud nor were his eyes haughty. He did not concern himself with great

matters or things too wonderful for him. In saying this, the Psalmist realized

that some things about God were not to be understood by the human mind.

Notice that David chose to quiet his soul like a child with his mother. How

often do we get concerned about matters that are too big for us? We lose

sleep over issues that we have no control over. We wrestle with doctrines

that are too hard for our minds to comprehend. David tells us that instead of

trying to deal with matters too wonderful for us to understand, we need to

rest like a little child in the arms of our Lord trusting Him completely.

The little child in this picture does not concern himself or herself with the

worries and concerns of the universe. They rest undisturbed, confident in

their parent. They leave all matters in the capable hands of their mother and

father. This is what David did when he didn’t understand what was

happening.

God is calling us to be a people who humble ourselves to realize that there

are matters too big for us to be concerned about in life. He calls us to learn

how to trust Him and His ways. God is bigger than we are and is fully

capable of dealing with the affairs of the universe. We need to cast off all

worry and concern and find our place in the arms of our heavenly Father.

Here we will find rest from our concerns and worries. Here we will find

perfect security and contentment. In Psalm 131:3 David called all of Israel

to put their hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. That same call

goes out to us as well.

Knowing the glorious and loving nature of the Lord God, David set his

heart to find a place for Him to dwell and be worshiped. David knew that

God could not be confined to any one place for He was everywhere present.

At the same time, however, David knew that God did delight in revealing

Himself to His people. David delighted in the presence of the Lord. We saw

in Psalm 131 that David compared his relationship with God to that of a

child resting in the arms of his father.

Because David wanted to see the presence of the Lord manifested in greater

measure, he made an oath to God. He explains to his readers the nature of

that oath in Psalm 132:3-5:

I will not enter my house

or go to my bed—

I will allow no sleep to my eyes,

no slumber to my eyelids,

till I find a place for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.

It was the heart of David to build a house for the Lord in Jerusalem. In this

house the Lord God would be worshiped and honoured. Here praises would

rise to His name. Here sacrifices would be made to cover the offenses of his

people. People would come from distant places to worship the Lord God in

this house (132:6-7).

This temple of God in Jerusalem would be the resting place of the Lord.

Here the Lord God would make His presence known to His people. In

Psalm 132:8 David called on the Lord to arise and come to His resting

place. This was David's greatest desire. He wanted to see God in His midst.

He wanted to rest in that wonderful presence. He asked God to clothe His

priests with righteousness and His people with songs of joy as they entered

that presence (Psalm 132:9).

Notice from Psalm 132:10 that David pleaded with God not to reject him as

king. It is quite likely that with this request David is asking the Lord to

honour his desire to see His presence revealed in Jerusalem and the temple

he had made for God.

God swore an oath to David (132:11-12). He promised him that one of his

descendants would sit on the throne in Jerusalem. As long as his sons lived

in obedience to God and honoured His name then they would sit forever on

the throne in Jerusalem. More important than this, however, God had

promised that he would make Zion His resting place and He would sit

enthroned there as true King. From this place God would establish His

kingdom and from there it would expand to cover the entire earth.

Notice in Psalm 132:14 that the Lord delighted in revealing His presence

from Zion. "Here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it." It was the heart

of God to reveal His presence to His people. When David called on the

Lord to manifest His presence in the midst of Jerusalem he was asking Him

for something God already wanted to do.

Notice in Psalm 132:15-18 the blessings that come with the revelation of

God's presence. God promised to bless His people with abundant provisions

and satisfy them with food (132:15). As a loving heavenly Father, He would

provide them with all they need to live. He would take care of their very

basic needs.

The Lord would also clothe His priests with salvation and His saints with

songs of joy (132:16). In the presence of God there would be forgiveness of

sin and wonderful joy.

God's presence would also bring with it a "horn" and a "lamp" (132:17).

The horn was a symbol of authority and power. For an animal the horn was

a weapon. God's presence in their midst would give His people authority

and power. A lamp provided light for the path. It guided the traveller along

the way so that he or she did not stumble and fall. God's presence in their

midst would give them the light they needed for the path of life. His

presence would guide them and keep them so that they did not stumble.

It is important to note that this horn of authority and the lamp of guidance

could very well point prophetically to the Lord Jesus and His ministry.

Jesus came with the horn of God's authority. His word was also a light for

His people.

The presence of God would also bring victory over the enemies of God's

people (132:18). God would clothe His enemies with shame. He would

reign with a "resplendent" crown. His rule would not be contested. His

enemies would be put to shame and turn their backs in defeat.

Another wonderful blessing of the presence of God can be seen in Psalm

133. Here the Psalmist speaks of how wonderful it was for brothers to dwell

together in unity.

The psalmist compared this unity of brothers and sisters to precious oil

poured on the head of Aaron running down on his beard and onto the collar

of his robe. Oil is often seen as a sign of blessing. In this case, the oil is

pouring down from Aaron's head and dripping on his beard and robe. There

is an abundant supply of oil here. It covers Aaron, saturating his head, his

beard and his clothing. Unity of brothers and sisters is like this oil. It brings

abundant blessing. Oil in the Scriptures is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit

and His ministry. It should be noticed that unity of brothers and sisters is a

ministry of the Holy Spirit. Like fragrant oil pouring down over the beard

of Aaron, the Holy Spirit comes to bring this wonderful unity among

brothers and sisters in the faith.

In Psalm 133:3 the psalmist went on to compare this unity to the dew. The

dew brings refreshing to the ground and restores the earth. This too is like

the unity among brothers and sisters in the Lord. There is nothing worse

than disharmony among brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have all known

what it is like to clash with a fellow believer. Churches of our day have

been destroyed by disunity. The enemy knows how to create disunity to

hinder the work of the kingdom of God. Unity, on the other, hand creates an

atmosphere for refreshing and renewal. In unity the blessings of God are

experienced in abundance. Unity is not only a blessing from God but the

atmosphere in which further blessing is poured out on us like oil on Aaron's

head.

As we conclude this reflection on the blessings of God in Zion, we see the

psalmist calling all God's servants to praise the Lord in Psalm 134. He

called all who ministered in the house of the Lord, where God's presence

was manifested, to lift up their hands to Him in praise (134:2). He calls on

God, the Maker of heaven and earth to release His blessing from Zion

where His presence was being made known on the earth.

We discover in these psalms that it is the desire of the Lord God to reveal

Himself to His people. There are times when this world can become a very

complicated and difficult place. In those times, the psalmist tells us we need

to rest like a young child in his or her mother's arms. He calls us to seek

after and delight in the blessing of God's wonderful presence. He reminds

us that in the presence of God there is rest, guidance, refreshing and victory.

May this be our experience in the midst of life’s struggle.

For Consideration:

Have you ever found yourself concerned and worried over

things too difficult for you to understand? What is the

challenge of the psalmist in Psalm 131?

The delight of the psalmist was to know the presence of the

Lord. Are you aware of the presence of the Lord in your

midst? What keeps Him from revealing Himself to you in an

even greater measure?

What are some of the blessings God's presence brings in these

psalms?

What do we learn about the unity of brothers and sisters in

the Lord? How does the unity of brothers and sisters in the

Lord create an atmosphere for greater blessing from God?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to teach you what it means to rest in Him when

things are too difficult for you to understand. Thank Him that

He is bigger than anything you will ever be able to

understand.

Thank the Lord that He delights to reveal His presence.

David's desire was to build a place where God could reveal

His presence. Ask the Lord to enable you to create an

atmosphere in your church or in your life where His presence

is welcomed and desired.

Do you have a brother or sister you have trouble loving? Ask

the Lord to break down any barriers to greater unity.

107 - PRAISING AND

GIVING THANKS

Read Psalm 135:1-136:26

salm 135 and 136 are psalms of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord

God of Israel. Here in these two psalms the psalmist challenged his

people to lift up the name of the Lord in praise and thanksgiving.

He gives his people ample cause to give thanks to the Lord in these two

psalms.

As we begin in Psalm 135 the psalmist speaks to the servants of the Lord

who ministered in the house of the Lord and in His courts (135:2). These

servants were the ones to lead God's people in praise and thanksgiving. The

psalmist challenged them to take their role seriously and lead the people of

God in worship.

In Psalm 135:3 the psalmist told his readers that they were to praise the

Lord because he was good. That is to say, everything the Lord did was right

and true. There was no evil in Him nor did sin have any effect on His

decrees and actions. He was perfect in all His ways. The psalmist did not

see the worship of such a God to be difficult. In fact, he describes the

worship of the Lord’s wonderful name to be “pleasant.” In other words,

there was a richness and great blessing in worshiping the Lord.

This good God had chosen Jacob to be His and Israel to be His treasured

possession. This Almighty God of goodness and beauty reached down to

the nation of Israel and made them the object of His special attention. They

were His treasured possession. We need to understand that Israel did not

deserve this attention. They were not treasured because of anything in

themselves. They were treasured because God chose to honour them and

treat them in a special way. The psalmist challenged his people to praise the

Lord for this wonderful honour.

The God of Israel was greater than all other gods (135:5). There was no god

who could compare to the God of Israel. From Psalm 135:6 we discover

that the God of Israel did whatever He pleased in heaven, on the earth or in

the sea. There was no place in heaven or earth where His power did not

extend. In the verses that follow, the psalmist gives us examples of the

power of the Lord over heaven, earth and the sea.

In Psalm 135:7 the psalmist reminds us that the Lord God made the clouds

rise from the ends of the earth and sent lightning to the earth. Behind the

rain, wind and storms was the hand of an all-powerful God who controlled

these elements of nature. Lightning stuck at His command. The wind blew

where He told it to blow. By His order, the earth was watered by the rain of

heaven. There was no God like Him.

Psalm 135:8-12 speak of God's work in the life of the nation of Israel. In

verses 8-9 the psalmist reminded his people of how the Lord God struck

down the firstborn of Egypt (see Exodus 12:29-30). This same God also

performed great signs and wonders in Egypt. By means of these wonders

God broke the power of Egypt and set His people free from bondage.

God promised His people a land of their own. As they left Egypt, the land

of bondage, they went their way toward the land of Canaan. As they

travelled, the Lord gave them victory over the Amorites and the land of

Bashan. When they arrived in the land, He also gave them victory over the

Canaanites. He gave them the land He had promised as their inheritance.

Though during this time, the people of God complained and rebelled

against God, He was faithful to His promise.

In Psalm 135:13 the psalmist reminded his people that the name of the Lord

endured forever and His renown through all generation. God's name

represented goodness, holiness and faithfulness. This would never change.

God would vindicate His people and have compassion on them (135:14).

Even as the Lord had compassion on their fathers and mothers when they

left Egypt and conquered the land of Canaan, so He would be faithful to

Israel and her children forever. He would protect them from their enemies

and have compassion on them in their time of need.

No other god was like the God of Israel. In Psalm 135:15 the psalmist

reminded his people that the gods of the nations were idols of silver and

gold made by human hands. These idols had mouths but could not speak.

They had eyes but they could not see. They were dead and lifeless.

Those who made idols were just like them. These idols were lifeless and

foolish. They could not think or reason. This is what those who worshiped

them were like. These idol worshipers were foolish and unreasoning people

who could not see the obvious. These idols could not help them.

Israel's God was different. He was a God of compassion and power. He

ruled over heaven, earth and the sea. By His command the earth was

watered and produced fruit. He delivered His people from their enemies.

The psalmist challenged his readers to praise this wonderful God (135:19).

He called the house of Aaron and Levi (the priestly line) to lead in the

worship of His name.

This wonderful God made His presence known in Jerusalem. He was not a

God who was far off. He was very near to His people and delighted in them

(135:21).

Psalm 136 continues in the same theme of praise and thanksgiving. It is

important that we notice in Psalm 136 the repetition of the phrase "for His

love endures forever." The psalmist is deeply touched by the love of the

Lord God for him and his people. As the Psalm unfolds, the psalmist gives

his readers example after example of the love of God for them and calls

them to give thanks for that love.

In Psalm 136:1 the psalmist began by reminding his people that God was

good. We have already seen this expression in Psalm 135:3. He is telling his

readers that God is perfect in all His ways. He was not influenced by evil or

sin. God's love was an expression of His goodness toward His people.

The psalmist called God the God of gods and the Lord of lords (136:2-3).

That is to say, there was no one with more authority, dignity and might.

There was no god like the God of Israel. Despite His awesome power and

might, this God was a loving God whose love for His people was unending.

He was powerful and mighty but also very personal.

The God of Israel was a God of great wonders (136:4). He made the

heavens by His own understanding (136:5). No one told Him what to do.

He was the source of understanding and knowledge. He made the heavens

and spread out the earth on the waters (136:6). The sun, the moon and the

stars were all created by God and put in their place to give their light to the

earth (136:8-9). All these wonderful acts of creation were expressions of

God's unfailing love for His people.

God's love can also be seen in the way He delivered His people from their

bondage in Egypt (136:10-15). Here the psalmist reminded Israel how the

Lord God heard their cry and struck down the firstborn of Egypt. He

brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt with a mighty hand and great

demonstrations of power. When the whole Egyptian army came after them,

the Lord divided the Red Sea so that His people could cross on dry land.

Pharaoh and his whole army were drowned in that sea.

God cared for His people as they wandered through the wilderness. This

was yet another demonstration of His unfailing love (136:16-20). As His

people wandered through the wilderness God give them victory over their

enemies. He struck down mighty kings in defence of His people. Mention is

made of Sihon, king of the Amorites (136:19) and Og, king of Bashan

(136:20). God gave His people victory over both of these kings.

As He promised their ancestors, God gave His people possession of Canaan

as their inheritance (136:21-22). He did this, not because they deserved

such favour and attention but because He loved them. He remembered

Israel in her "low estate" and provided for them in abundance. He took them

from slavery and set them up as kings and queens in their own land because

He loved them. He freed them from their enemies and had compassion on

them (136:24).

This great God provided food for every creature (136:25). All creation is

dependent on Him. Without Him there would be no life. He deserves our

highest thanksgiving and praise.

For Consideration:

The psalmist tells us that the God of Israel is good. What

does he mean by this? What comfort do you find in this fact?

What gods do people serve today? How do they compare to

the God of Israel?

How was the love and faithfulness of God demonstrated in

the life and history of Israel. How has God demonstrated His

love to you in your life?

One expression of God's love for His people was seen in how

the Lord set His people free from bondage. From what

bondage has the Lord set you free?

For Prayer:

God chose Israel as His "treasured possession." As believers

in the Lord Jesus today we are His treasured possessions.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for this unmerited favour.

Thank the Lord for His faithful demonstration of love for you

personally. Thank Him for some particular examples of this

love in your life.

Take a moment to consider some of God's characteristics.

Thank Him for who He is. Praise Him that there is no other

god like Him.

108 - BY THE RIVERS OF

BABYLON

Read Psalm 137:1-138:8

f we are honest with ourselves there are times when it is difficult to

praise the Lord. This is not always because of rebellion and sin. There

have been times in my life when the burdens and struggle seemed so

great that praise was almost impossible. In this psalm, the people of God

found themselves in this situation.

The scene is set in the nation of Babylon. God's people had been sent there

because of their sin and rebellion against the Lord their God. This exile to

Babylon was not pleasant. Babylon had ravaged the land of Israel.

Jerusalem lay in ruins. All their principle buildings were burned to the

ground. The temple of the Lord had been defiled. The wall surrounding the

city was broken down. Those who were now in Babylon had lost brothers,

sisters, husbands, wives, parents and children in the struggle for their city

and nation.

What made things even worse for these exiles in Babylon was what

happened at the hand of the Edomites. The Edomites were the descendants

of Esau. There was a history between Jacob and his descendants (the

Israelites) and Esau and his descendants. In the book of Genesis we read

how Jacob stole both the birth right and the blessing from his brother Esau.

Esau made a vow in Genesis 27:41 that when his father died he would kill

his brother Jacob. While this was bad enough, what made matters worse

was the fact that this hatred was passed down from generation to

generation. Speaking to the Edomites in Ezekiel 35:5, the prophet Ezekiel

prophesied that the time of their punishment had reached a climax because

they had harboured an ancient hostility against the Israelites:

Because you harboured an ancient hostility and delivered the

Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the

time their punishment reached its climax.

Likely this hostility went way back to the days of Esau and Jacob. The

bitterness between these two brothers was passed on from generation to

generation.

Here in Psalm 137 we see evidence of this "ancient hostility." Notice in

verse 7 how the Israelites, in their exile, cry out to God because of what the

Edomites had done to them on the day that Jerusalem fell to the

Babylonians. Psalm 137:7 tells us that the Edomites cried out to the

Babylonians: "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to its foundations!"

The Edomites encouraged Babylon in their destruction of Jerusalem. This

offended Israel greatly.

Now, in their bondage in Babylon, the children of Israel wept as they

remembered Jerusalem (Zion) and the blessings they once enjoyed. In

Psalm 137:2 the psalmist told his readers that the Israelites had hung their

harps on the poplar trees. The picture is one of defeat. The praise of the God

of Israel is silenced. The enemy has overcome.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary says that "altars were usually erected on top

of a hill and in the shade of a poplar grove" ("Poplar," Tyndale Bible

Dictionary, Electronic Edition, 2001, Tyndale House Publishers). Here in

the poplar groves of Babylon, Israel's captors asked them to sing them a

song from their homeland. Notice in Psalm 137:3 that the Israelites describe

their captors as "tormentors." Notice also the use of the word "demanded"

(137:3). This gives us the idea that the Babylonians were mocking the

people of God. They tormented them and demanded that they entertain

them.

The pain of their loss was so great that the Israelites could not sing the

songs of the Lord. Praise and worship had fled from their hearts. Now in its

place sorrow and sadness ruled. They could no longer praise God. Their

grief was too great.

This is not to say that God's people had forgotten God. They made a

commitment never to forget Jerusalem (137:5). Notice what they say in

Psalm 137:7:

May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not

remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy."

Israel would not forget the blessings of God in her moment of grief and

pain. Israel knew that God would punish their enemy (137:8). The

"Daughter of Babylon" was doomed to destruction. Israel still believed that

God saw what had happened and would judge Babylon. Babylon was

cursed by God. Her future was bleak. Her children would perish and no

more would her evil be propagated on the earth. Her descendants would be

destroyed, her children dashed against the rocks (137:9).

Even in her time of deep grief when praise and worship seemed far

removed, Israel was still able to cling to the truth that God was a God of

justice and faithfulness. He would not forget her. He would punish her

enemies for their evil deeds. In times when worship does not seem present

in your heart, cling to the truth you know about God. When your heart does

not leap for joy find comfort in the truth you know about God.

While their harps hung silent in the poplar trees, the day was coming when

Israel's voice of praise would again be heard. In Psalm 138:1 the psalmist

told his readers that he would praise the Lord with all his heart in the

presence of the gods. He would bow down toward God's holy temple and

praise God for His love and faithfulness (138:2). He called out to the Lord

and the Lord heard his call and answered him.

Notice in Psalm 138:3 that God answered him and made him bold and

stout-hearted. In his pain and suffering the psalmist was humbled. In his

agony he had lost his courage. His heart was weak and feeble within him.

God reached out to him in his pain and gave him boldness. He took the

weak and feeble heart and made it stout and strong.

The prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 138:4 is that all the kings of the earth

would praise the Lord and sing of His ways. The psalmist knew that his

God was a great God. He was worthy to be praised not only in Israel but in

Babylon and in all the nations of the earth.

The psalmist was confident that the Lord would look down to the lowly

(138:6). In their pain and discouragement they could be assured that God

would hear their cry. God also saw the proud who oppressed His people. He

was not blind to what they had done nor was He deaf to their arrogant

boasts against Him and His people.

In Psalm 138:7 the psalmist had the assurance that even though he walked

in the midst of trouble, God would preserve his life. God would stretch out

His hand against his foes to save him.

The confidence of the psalmist was that God would fulfil His purpose for

him and that His love endured forever (138:8). What wonderful comfort

there is in this verse. The context of these two psalms is pain and suffering

at the hands of the enemy. God's people in exile in Babylon felt so

overwhelmed that they could not even praise the Lord. While their crushed

spirit could not worship at this time, the truth of who God was remained.

He was a God of justice who was fully aware of what His enemies were

doing. He was a God of love, whose love endured forever. He was a God

who would always fulfil His purposes for His children. That purpose would

be fulfilled either in ease or in suffering but it would always be fulfilled and

God's people would be better for it.

There have been times in my relationship with the Lord that my heart could

not rejoice. As much as I wanted to praise the Lord, my heart simply could

not sing. In those times I have found comfort in the fact that the truth never

changes nor does the love of God for me. His love remains whether my

heart can praise Him or not. He is working out His purposes and as I remain

faithful, He will accomplish His plan in me. For this we can all be thankful.

For Consideration:

In this life, will we always have hearts that overflow with

praise to God? Have you ever had "dry" times in your

spiritual life? Give an example.

What is the place of truth in these "dry" times? How does the

truth carry us through even when we cannot find it in our

hearts to sing the songs of Zion?

The psalmist tells us in Psalm 138 that God will accomplish

His purpose for us and that His love endures forever. What

encouragement should this bring us in our trials?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that no matter how we feel, His truth will

never change.

Take a moment to thank the Lord that no matter what happens

to us we can have confidence that He will accomplish His

purposes for us.

Do you know someone who is facing a difficult time in their

relationship with the Lord? Ask the Lord what you can do to

encourage them at this time.

109 - JUSTICE SECURED

Read Psalm 139:1-140:13

s the psalmist begins Psalm 139, he tells his readers that the Lord

had searched him. The idea here is that the Lord God knew

everything about him. There was nothing hidden from God. God

knew every attitude of his heart. He knew every tear he shed. Not a thought

or a desire was hidden from God. God knew the psalmist better than the

psalmist knew himself.

Notice in the verses that follow the depth of God's knowledge about the

psalmist. The Lord God knew when the psalmist sat down and when he rose

up (139:2). He also knew the psalmist’s thoughts from afar. That is to say,

He saw those thoughts coming from a distance. Even before the psalmist

could formulate his thoughts in his own mind, God already knew what he

was thinking.

God knew wherever the psalmist went and where he lay down to rest. God

was familiar with all his ways. The word "all" is important. There was

nothing the psalmist did or thought that God was not aware of. He knew

what he would speak even before the words were formed on his tongue

(139:4).

Not only did God know all about the psalmist, but He surrounded him on all

sides (139:5). Notice in verse 5 that God laid His hand on the psalmist. In

laying His hand on him, the Lord God is protecting, keeping and blessing

him. He is setting him apart as His special instrument, an object of His

special favour.

The mere thought of these things was wonderful for the psalmist (139:6).

How could God know so much about him? Why would God care to know

so much about him? Why would God lay His hand on him and set him aside

for protection and special favour? These questions would have to remain

unanswered. The psalmist did not try to understand them, instead he chose

to live in their truth and rejoice in his position.

There was nowhere the psalmist could go from the Spirit of God. He could

not flee from His presence even if he tried. He tells us that if he went up to

the heavens the Lord would be there to greet him. If he went down to the

depths of the earth the Lord would be there as well (139:8). He could settle

on the far side of the sea but even there the hand of God would guide him

and His right hand (the hand of favour) would hold fast to Him (139:10).

There is something extremely wonderful about this thought. There is no

where we can go where God will not be with us. His hand will guide us no

matter how far we wander. He will never leave us.

Even in the deepest darkness, the light of God will shine on His children.

Notice in Psalm 139:11 that the psalmist tells us that even if he chose to

have the darkness hide him; God’s light would shine through. There are

times when God's children choose to wander from the path of light into

darkness. There are times when, in our rebellion, we surround ourselves in

evil. God will not leave us even then. His light is greater than our rebellion.

His grace is bigger than our sin. He will chase after us like He chased after

the prophet Jonah in the Old Testament until He wins our heart. He will risk

everything to find the lost sheep in its dark rebellion.

No matter how dark things get for the believer, the darkness will not be dark

to God. He sees through the darkness and reaches in to where we are. We

cannot hide even in sin and rebellion for His hand will be on us wherever

we wander.

In Psalm 139:13 the psalmist marvels at the wonder of God's creative work.

God knit him together even when he was in his mother's womb. God

formed every individual part and shaped his character and personality. He

did this with delicate care and precision. The psalmist praised the Lord

because he was "fearfully and wonderfully made."

The word "fearfully" has the sense of reverence, dignity and respect. In

other words, the Lord's work was such that it inspired awe and a sense of

reverence. This is what the psalmist felt when he looked at how the Lord

formed him. I had the privilege of being present at the birth of each of my

children. Those who have seen the birth of a child have this sense of awe

and wonder. The birth of a child is one of life’s most wonderful miracles

and leaves us in awe of our Creator. This is what the psalmist felt as he

looked at how God had knit him together in his mother's womb.

God saw the unformed body in his mother's womb. In saying that God saw

his unformed body, the psalmist is not just saying that God was aware of his

presence in his mother's womb. He is saying that God's heart was drawn to

his unformed body. God took an interest and delight in him even before he

was born. He designed a purpose and plan for his life. That purpose and

plan would be special to him alone. God had a special path for him and a

special purpose for him to accomplish.

Again the psalmist breaks from his reflection to take time to wonder at the

marvellous plan of the Lord God (139:17). These thoughts and this

knowledge and intimacy were beyond his comprehension. He could not

measure the weight of these thoughts. They were vaster than the grains of

sand in the ocean.

The reflection of the psalmist in Psalm 139 is in the context of suffering and

trial. All around him were evil men and women who made his life difficult.

These individuals had no concern for God or His ways. Even though God

knew them and formed them in the womb as He had formed the psalmist,

these individuals chose a very different path. They were blood thirsty and

evil people. They spoke of God with evil intent. They misused and

disrespected the name of God (139:20).

There is hatred in the heart of the psalmist for the evil rebellion of those

around him. In fact he tells us that he hated those who hated God (139:21).

He counted them as his enemies (139:22). What seems to grieve the heart of

the psalmist is how these evil individuals despised such a wonderful God.

His heart was broken with what he heard around him. His love and respect

for God was such that those who disrespected Him were an abomination to

him. He speaks out of jealousy for the name of the Lord.

As if he wonders at the intensity of his feelings toward these evildoers, the

psalmist asked God to search his heart and examine his thoughts to see if

there was any offensive way in him. If there was, he asked Him to lead Him

into truth. We need to see that this attitude of hatred toward those who

despised God is not being condoned. The psalmist is not telling us that we

need to have this attitude, in fact, he questions his feeling himself. He is

simply being honest here. He expresses a heart of intense jealousy and envy

for the glory of God and His ways.

While there is no excuse for hatred of people, the Psalm does challenge us

in the area of our relationship with God. Do we have the jealousy of the

psalmist for the glory of God? Have we been so moved by God's provision

and care for us that we despise anything that would distract from His glory

on the earth?

There are many people on this earth who have no respect for the Lord God

and His ways. These evil people set themselves up as enemies of the Lord

and His kingdom. In Psalm 140 the psalmist cried out to God to deliver him

from the violence of these wicked people. They had been devising evil

plans in their heart against him (140:2). Their tongues were as sharp as a

serpent's tongue and as poisonous as a viper. With their lips they sought to

defeat the purposes of God in this world. With their tongues they sought to

harm His children.

From Psalm 140:4 we see that these evil people sought to trip the psalmist.

They watched him to see if they could find a way of causing him to fall.

They wanted to do this, not only so they could harm him, but also the

purposes of His God on this earth. We can be sure that the enemy is trying

to do all he can to find a way to cause us to fall. He seeks by this means to

hinder God's work in our lives and His influence through us in the world.

The psalmist cried out to God for mercy in this difficult time in his life

(140:6). He recognized Him as a Sovereign Lord and strong deliverer who

shielded him in the day of battle (140:7). He prayed that God would not

grant the wicked their desire or let their plans succeed (140:8). Instead, he

prayed that their heads would be covered with the trouble they caused the

righteous (140:9). He prayed that God's justice would come like burning

coals consuming the evil so that they would never rise again (140:10). He

prayed that the slanderer would not be established in the land and that men

of violence would see the sword turned against them (140:11).

The psalmist concludes with assurance that the Lord who surrounded him

and formed him in the womb would secure justice for those who loved Him

so that they would have cause to praise Him in the end (140:12-13).

For Consideration:

The psalmist tells us that the Lord God knows everything

about us. What encouragement and challenge does this bring

you today?

What do we learn about the Lord God being bigger than all

our rebellion? Will God leave us when we wander from Him?

The psalmist reminds us that we are fearfully and

wonderfully made. What does this tell us about the delight

God takes in us? What does this teach us about God’s

feelings toward the practice of abortion?

What do we see in these psalms about the deep concern of the

psalmist for the glory of the Lord? Do you have a jealousy for

the glory of God?

Is the anger and hatred of the psalmist toward his enemies

legitimate? What does Jesus teach us about this in Matthew

5:44? In light of the fact that God already knows our

thoughts, is it acceptable to express how we feel to God?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is interested in you as His child.

Thank Him that He watches over you in every way.

Thank the Lord for how He created you so wonderfully and

has a very special purpose and plan for your life.

Ask God to give you a deeper hunger and jealousy for His

glory.

Thank the Lord that you can tell Him what you feel. Thank

Him that He is very patient with us.

110 - COME QUICKLY

Read Psalm 141:1-143:12

e have already seen in the book of Psalms that the life of the

believer is not one of ease and comfort. The psalmist

experiences tremendous opposition and trouble but he also

knows the presence and comfort of the Lord his God.

As we begin Psalm 141 notice that the psalmist cries out to the Lord to

come quickly to him (141:1). This is the cry of a heart overwhelmed with

the sorrow that surrounds it. It is the cry of a heart that does not know how

long it can remain under the weight of grief it feels. The psalmist has been

brought to a place in his life where he feels that if the Lord God does not

come quickly he will be overwhelmed by pain and agony. In desperation he

calls out to the Lord.

Notice in Psalm 141:2 that the psalmist wants God to receive his prayer like

incense and the lifting up of his hands like the evening sacrifice. Incense

was used in the temple worship. It was offered with a sacrifice and is

described by the writer of Leviticus as a "pleasing aroma to the Lord" (see

Leviticus 2:2; 6:15). The cry of the psalmist is that his cry for help would

have the same effect on the Lord God as the sacrifice offered with incense.

He wanted the Lord to receive it as a pleasing aroma. His desire is that the

Lord would respond favourably to his cry.

It would be easy to assume that the first request of one struggling with the

attack of an enemy would be for deliverance. While this is the cry of the

psalmist in this psalm, it is not his only cry. Notice in Psalm 141:3-4 that he

asked the Lord to guard his mouth and heart. We need to examine this

briefly.

In Psalm 141:3 the psalmist prayed that God would set a guard over his

mouth and keep watch over the door of his lips. In times of trouble and

stress in my life, I have often found myself saying things I should not have

said. I have had to apologize to my wife or others for things spoken under

stress. The children of Israel, wandering through the wilderness, grumbled

and complained because God allowed them to pass through great difficulty.

The psalmist was aware of this tendency in his human nature. He prayed

that God would keep him from grumbling and complaining. He asked that

God would keep his words from being offensive and hurtful to others at this

time.

Notice also that the psalmist asked that God would not let his heart be

drawn to what was evil. In Psalm 141:4 he speaks particularly of the

"delicacies" of the evildoers. If we are honest with ourselves, we will

realize that sin and evil is attractive to our sinful nature. The enemy knows

that if he can wear us down, it will be difficult for us to resist these

"delicacies." The psalmist knew how easily he could be tempted by sin. He

knew the sinfulness of his heart and how easy it would be for him to

surrender to the temptation in times of trouble. He asked the Lord for

strength to resist in his weakened condition. He wanted his heart to be

devoted to the Lord God alone.

In Psalm 141:5-10 the psalmist speaks to the Lord about the evildoers

around him. Notice that the psalmist begins by telling his readers that if a

righteous man struck him it would be a kindness. If a righteous person

rebuked him it would be oil on his head and he would not refuse it (141:5).

There have been times in my life where I have needed to be corrected. I

remember a time when I would consistently speak negatively of a church

that I did not feel was doing the work of God. A brother in Christ

challenged me on this. It was a correction I needed. I took it as being from

God. Not all opposition is bad. Some is designed to challenge us and train

us in righteousness. The psalmist rejoiced in this sort of correction in his

life. It was not always pleasant to be "struck" with the rod of righteous

correction but it is always for our good. We need to have the attitude of the

psalmist in regards to this sort of correction.

While the psalmist wanted to receive righteous correction, he prayed

against the work of evildoers. I have not always made a distinction between

the righteous correction of the Lord and the work of evildoers. We need to

accept one and cry out against the other.

The deeds of evildoers have, as their objective, to draw us away from the

Lord God. These deeds come from the enemy whose desire it is to hinder

the work of the kingdom of God. Righteous correction, although sometimes

very difficult, always has as its objective to draw us closer to the Lord God

and His purposes for our lives.

The psalmist prays in Psalm 141:6-10 against the deeds of the evildoer. He

tells us that the rulers of these evildoers would be thrown down from a cliff.

In other words, their day of judgment was coming. God would not allow

them to continually oppose the work of His kingdom. In that day those

evildoers would realize that the Word of God that the psalmist loved and

proclaimed was truth (141:6).

These evildoers had caused much pain for the righteous. In fact in Psalm

141:7 the psalmist tells us:

As one ploughs and breaks up the earth,

so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.

The picture here is one of deep struggle and pain for the righteous. They are

compared to the earth that has been broken up with a plough. The enemy

has been breaking them like a plough breaks the earth. Their bones were

scattered and they were ready to die.

Even in the face of such opposition, the psalmist keeps his eyes fixed on the

Lord God. Notice in Psalm 141:8 that he calls Him the Sovereign Lord. In

other words, He was in control of even the wrath of the enemy. While it

appeared that the enemy was in control, there was a higher authority that

would overrule and call them to give an account of their actions. It was to

this authority, the Sovereign Lord of all, that the psalmist turned his

attention. He cried out to Him to overrule and spare his life. When the

enemy ravaged his land, the psalmist took refuge in the Lord his God. He

knew that in Him alone he could be safe.

Evil people had set traps for the psalmist (141:9). The picture is one of a

hunter seeking his prey. In fact this is exactly what was happening. Satan is

seeking to destroy the work of God. He sets his traps for the believer. He

wants more than anything to see the believer fall into his temptations. He

wants to destroy them before they can be used for the glory of the Kingdom

of God. We can be sure that the enemy has set many traps for us in our day

as well. This may come in the form of open persecution. At other times it

will be through immorality, false doctrines or pride. We can be assured that

the enemy will do his best to cause the believer to fall. Notice how the

psalmist prayed in Psalm 141:9 that God would keep him from the snares

the enemy had set for him. He asked that the Lord would cause the evildoer

to fall into his own trap while he passed by safely (141:10).

In Psalm 142 the psalmist reminds us that he will not give up crying out to

the Lord. When we are opposed and the Lord does not answer immediately,

it is easy to stop praying and lose hope. The psalmist refused to do this. He

tells us in Psalm 142:1 that he would cry aloud to the Lord, asking Him for

mercy. He believed the promise of the Lord that he would be delivered, and

so he would call on God to be faithful to what He had promised. He would

not give up seeking this deliverance.

The pain was obvious in the psalmist’s life. He did not hesitate to tell God

about that pain. Notice that he poured out his complaint to God (142:2). He

was not afraid to speak what was on his mind and tell God about the

struggles he was facing. What a wonderful thing it is to be able to speak so

freely with God. He does not close His ears to our complaint. He listens

with tender compassion.

The psalmist knew that God was aware of the struggles he was facing. God

knew that his spirit was growing faint. He knew the problems that faced

him on the path He had called him to walk (142:3). Evildoers had littered

that path with snares. God also understood that the path the psalmist walked

was a lonely one. He tells God that no one was concerned about the

problems he was facing. There was no one to come to his aid. No one cared

for his life (142:4).

God alone was the psalmist’s refuge in these times of trouble. In fact, He

was all he had left. When friends abandoned him, and the enemy raged

against him, the psalmist knew that God was his portion. God would never

leave him (142:5).

In his desperate need, the psalmist called out to God. He pleaded with Him

to listen to his cry for help. He begged Him to come to his aid and rescue

him from those who were pursuing him. He knew they were too strong for

him (142:6). He also knew that the Lord could set him free.

Notice the desire of the psalmist in Psalm 142:7. He wanted to be set free so

that he could praise the Lord. This was the cry of his heart. The pain and

suffering he was experiencing in life was too much for him. It wore him

down and kept his spirit from rising up in praise and thanksgiving to God.

The psalmist did not want to remain in this place. He wanted to be able to

freely and joyfully worship the Lord again. He wanted to know the close

fellowship of the Lord and to experience His presence. He wanted others to

see the goodness of God in his life. His prayer is not just to be set free from

pain and suffering. His great desire is that the Lord draw near to him and

that his heart be set on fire again with passion for the Lord he loved so

much.

As we examine Psalm 143 the psalmist continues with this same theme. He

pleads with the Lord to hear his prayer and cry for mercy. He asks God to

come to his relief (143:1). Notice that he makes this plea based on the

faithfulness and righteousness of the Lord. He knew that God was a

righteous God. Evil and sin would not be left unpunished. He also knew

that God was faithful not only to His promises but also to His children. He

does not ask God to do anything that was contrary to His purpose or

character. He has confidence that, because God was righteous and faithful,

He would hear his prayer and come to his aid.

Notice from Psalm 143:2 that the psalmist knew that he was a sinner. He

knew that God could judge him for his sins as well. He did come to God

asking for help because he felt he deserved it. He understood that God

could easily find fault with him. Despite his failures and sin, however, the

psalmist still has confidence to cry out for deliverance. He asks God not to

judge him for his own shortcomings. He knows that no one on this earth

could live a perfect life before God. Every one of us falls short of the

standard God has set for our lives. Were it not for the mercy, forgiveness

and grace of God, none of us could approach Him for help.

Though, the psalmist knew he had often failed the Lord, he still comes to

Him for help. He freely tells the Lord God his problems. The enemy was

pursuing him and crushing him to the ground (143:3). He felt like he was

living in darkness. The light of God’s presence seemed to be hidden. His

spirit was crushed and he was feeling depressed and dismayed (143:4). It is

important to note here that the psalmist was feeling depressed and dismayed

but his confidence was also in the Lord. There will be times in this life

when happiness and joy seem to disappear. This ought not to keep us from

trusting the Lord and looking to Him for a restoration of that joy. I have had

had many times in my life when depression has set in and all I had to trust

was the Lord. It was faith in Him that took me through those times when

my mind and emotions failed me. This seems to be what the psalmist is

feeling here in this psalm.

Notice in Psalm 143:5-6 what the psalmist does when he feels dismayed.

He has wonderful advice for those who are discouraged or depressed

because of the weight they carry. He offers us two pieces of advice here in

these verses.

First, when the psalmist felt dismayed, he remembered the days of long ago

(143:5). What was it about the days of long ago that would be helpful to

him at this time? As the psalmist looked back on his life and the examined

the history of God’s people, he could see that God had always been faithful.

He could look back and see times in his own life when God broke through

in victory over the enemy. He could remember the stories of God’s victory

and blessing on the lives of others in his nation. These stories reminded him

that the God he served was a great and powerful God. Other people had

faced what he faced and had overcome. When you are feeling discouraged

or depressed, take the time to remember how God has worked in the past.

Let what He has done inspire you to greater confidence and trust.

Second, when the psalmist faced discouragement he chose to spread out his

hands to the Lord God (143:6). In times of depression it is easy for us to

lose sight of the Lord. Our problems begin to hide His presence from our

eyes and we begin to give up hope. The psalmist tells us here that in these

times of struggle and despair, he chose to seek the Lord. He lifted up his

hands to Him, pleading with Him to come to his aid. He stretched out his

arms to Him asking for Him to reveal His presence.

In his despair, the psalmist cried out to God to hear and answer him. He

reminded God that his spirit was failing in him (143:7). He knew that if the

Lord did not come to him, he would perish. His only hope was in the Lord

God. He knew that there was only one thing that could satisfy the deep

thirst of his soul. Only God could fill the emptiness.

The psalmist does not give up hope. He asks God for evidence of His

unfailing love. He commits himself to trusting the Lord and asks Him to

show him the way he should go (143:8). This was especially important in a

time when the enemy was oppressing him and his spirit was failing within

him. He dares not trust his own reasoning in these times. He knows that he

needs the Lord to guide him.

As the psalmist concludes, he has four requests for the Lord. His first

request is that God would rescue him from his enemies (143:9). He does not

want his enemies to have victory over him. He does not want to surrender

and admit defeat. He knows that God is bigger than anything the enemy can

do to him. He also knows that God loves him and will come to his aid. He

asks, therefore, that the work of the enemy would be defeated in his life.

The second request of the psalmist in this final section of Psalm 143 is that

God would teach him His will (143:10). These were difficult times for the

psalmist. His mind was clouded with the trouble he was facing. He doesn’t

understand what God is doing or what God expects of him in his pain. He

asks, therefore, that the Lord would teach Him all he needed through this

time. I remember a time, after an accident, where there was a lot of medical

uncertainty in my life that I said to the Lord: “Lord, I am willing to face this

uncertainty but I ask one thing from you. Teach me all you need to teach

me. Don’t let me come out the other side the same.” I was willing to face

the struggles as long as they drew me closer to the Lord. This is the cry of

the psalmist. If he was going to face these difficulties, he wanted God to use

them for His glory and the psalmist’s good.

The third request of the psalmist is that God would preserve his life and

bring him out of his trouble. Notice in that it was not for himself that he

asks this of God. He asks for his life to be preserved for God’s name’s sake

(143:11). What is the psalmist saying here? He wanted to be preserved so

that he could praise the Lord for His goodness. He wanted to be preserved

so that he could declare the goodness of God to others. His desire, even in

his deliverance, is for the glory of God.

Finally, the psalmist prays that God would silence his enemies and destroy

all his foes. He asked this because he was a servant of God (143:12). He

believed that God would take care of His own. He also asked this because

of God’s unfailing love. He never doubted the fact that God loved him.

Even though he was facing tremendous obstacles at this point in his life, he

is very much confident in the love of God for him.

The problems the psalmist faced were very real. He was brought to the

point of dismay. His soul was crushed. God delayed in answering his

prayer. He would not give up hope in the Lord God. He knew that in Him

alone there was satisfaction. He knew that his sovereign Lord would use

what he was going through to teach him and draw him closer.

For Consideration:

What are the temptations the Psalmist prays against in Psalm

141? Have you ever fallen prey to these temptations in your

struggle?

What is the difference between the correction of the Lord and

the opposition of the enemy?

What traps does the enemy set before you today?

Do we deserve that God should come to our aid? What do we

learn about God in these psalms? Why does He hear our

prayers?

Can believers be brought to the point of dismay in their lives

because of the opposition of the enemy? What does the

psalmist tell us to do when we feel dismayed or depressed?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to guard your mouth in times of struggle and

difficulty in life. Ask Him to keep you strong so that you do

not fall prey to the temptation of the enemy.

Ask the Lord to help you to receive the correction He brings

you through the trials of life. Ask Him to teach you all He

needs to teach you through the suffering you are facing.

Ask God to give you grace to praise Him even when things

are difficult in your life.

Thank the Lord that He is a God of righteousness and

faithfulness.

Thank the Lord that while we do not deserve His aid, He is a

God of forgiveness and grace.

111 - THE LORD WHO

WATCHES OVER

Read Psalm 144:1-145:21

epeatedly in the book of Psalms, the psalmists express their

amazement at the fact that the Lord God of Israel would reach out

in compassion to a sinful people. Here in these next two psalms

we see the contrast between the holy and awesome God of Israel and His

sinful people.

The psalmist began in Psalm 144:1 by expressing praise to the Lord his

Rock. A rock is something that cannot be penetrated. It is a safe and secure

shelter for those who hide behind it. This is what the Lord was for His

people. There is nothing our enemy can do to us as long as we are hidden in

this Rock.

Notice also in Psalm 144:1 that the Lord trained the psalmist's hands and

fingers for battle. In other words, the psalmist owed all his battle skill to the

Lord. It is of significance to note here that the psalmist was, himself,

involved in the battle. In the battle for righteousness we are active

participants. God is our protection and shelter, but He also trains and equips

us to step out into the battle. There is an effort we must make ourselves.

The psalmist went on to remind his readers that the Lord God was also his

loving God and fortress (144:2). A fortress is a shelter. Notice the reason

why the Lord was a fortress for the psalmist. He chose to be his fortress,

stronghold, deliverer and shield because He was a loving God. It was love

that motivated the Lord to care for the psalmist.

In reflecting on this love and protection, the psalmist feels somewhat

overwhelmed. "O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man

that you think of him?" he asks (144:3). We do not deserve or merit such

loving protection. Notice in Psalm 144:4 that the psalmist is reminded that

human life is like a breath and his day like a shadow. We are here today and

gone tomorrow. In an instant, life is snuffed out and is no more. Human life

is fragile. Compared to the eternal and imperishable God of Israel, humans

are fading shadows. Our frail and sinful nature makes God's delight in us all

the more wonderful.

While the psalmist felt his smallness compared to the eternal God of Israel,

he refused to let that smallness keep him from coming to God. The

invitation to God is open for all who will listen. There are many people who

feel so unworthy that they never accept that invitation. They feel unworthy

so they don't come to God. This is not the case for the psalmist here. Notice

in Psalm 144:5 how he calls out to God to part the heavens and come down.

He prayed that God would touch the mountains so that they smoked. The

reference here to the mountains may be a reference to what happened in the

days of Moses when God would come down on Mount Sinai (see Exodus

19:18).

The desire of the psalmist is that the glory of God be revealed. He prayed

that God would reveal Himself in holiness. He pled with God to send

lightning to scatter His enemies. He prayed that God would send his

enemies into retreat (144:6). The psalmist does not hesitate to ask God to

reach down from heaven to deliver him from the hands of those who sought

his life. All around him he saw trouble and terror. He described it as

"mighty waters." The picture he paints here is of a man or woman caught in

the turbulence of a great river. They are being taken by the force of that

river and now cry out to God for deliverance. The psalmist recognized that

his only hope was in the Lord God reaching down from on high to help

him. The psalmist tells us that this trouble was at the hands of foreigners.

The unbeliever was oppressing him.

From Psalm 144:8 we discover that these unbelievers who troubled the

psalmist spoke lies about him. The psalmist is not discouraged by this. He

chose instead to put his trust in the Lord his God. He expressed his

commitment to sing a new song to the Lord on the ten-stringed lyre (144:9).

The emphasis should be put on the word "new." The psalmist believed that

he would see the deliverance of the Lord and have reason to write a new

song about that deliverance. This new song would be a personal reflection

on the goodness and deliverance of the Lord. It would be a song to the God

who gave victory to kings and delivered His servant from the deadly sword

(144:10).

Notice from verse 12 that the psalmist seeks God for the prosperity of His

land and His children. He took no delight in being oppressed and troubled

by the enemy. He wanted to live in victory. He wanted his sons to grow up

like well-nurtured plants (144:12). He wanted his daughters to be like

pillars carved to adorn a palace, stable and beautiful. He wanted to see his

barns filled with provision. He wanted to see his sheep increase by

thousands and tens of thousands (144:13) and his oxen drawing heavy loads

(144:14). He wanted all breaches in the wall of the city to be restored and

all captivity and distress to stop (144:14). While not all prosperity is a

blessing, the psalmist does teach us to seek the Lord for greater things. He

wants to see the blessing of God poured out on his society and his children.

He believed that it was the heart of God to bless His children.

We need to remember that the psalmist was fully aware of his humanness.

He does not take God's protection lightly. He knows that he is a sinful man

before an eternal and all-powerful God. Despite this infinite contrast, the

psalmist still came to God for help. He appeals to His love and compassion

knowing that God will reach out to save and prosper him and his people.

This balance between recognizing our unworthiness and still coming to God

for blessing is not always easy to maintain.

In return for His compassion and love, the psalmist made it his commitment

to exalt the Lord and praise His name forever (145:1). Every day he would

praise and extol the Lord his God (145:2). The God he served was a great

God, worthy of praise. No one could ever fathom the extent of His

greatness (145:3)

Confident that the Lord God would care for his children and grandchildren,

the psalmist told his readers in Psalm 145:4 that one generation after

another would lift up the works of the Lord and tell of His mighty acts.

Each generation would speak of His glorious splendour and majesty. As for

the psalmist, he would meditate on the works of the Lord. That is to say, he

would think long and hard about the wonderful things that God had done.

He would allow the memory of those deeds to well up inside him so that his

heart expressed its gratitude. The psalmist would not keep his reflections of

God's wonderful deeds to himself. In Psalm 145:6 he told his readers that he

would speak of the Lord’s awesome works and proclaim His great deeds.

Generations to come would celebrate God's abundant goodness and sing

joyfully about His righteousness (145:7).

God is gracious and compassionate. He is slow to become angry and very

rich in love (145:8). He is good and has compassion on all He has made

(145:9). Everything He made owes Him praise (145:10). Those who love

God will offer Him praise and thanksgiving for His work and compassion.

All His saints will tell of the glory of His kingdom and might (145:11-12).

It is the duty of the believer to let the goodness and love of the Lord God be

known wherever they go.

In Psalm 145:13 the psalmist reminded his readers that the kingdom of God

was an everlasting kingdom and God’s rule endured for all generations.

God’s kingdom will never come to an end. There was no power equal to

God in majesty and glory. He will reign forever as God over all.

While God is all-powerful and eternal, He is also a God who delights in His

people. He will always be faithful to them and His promises. He

demonstrates love to all His creation (145:13). Here again we are struck

with the contrast between the glory and majesty of God and His concern for

us as His creation.

This all-powerful and yet loving God upholds all who fall and lifts those

who are bowed down (145:14). All of God's creation is dependent on Him.

In Psalm 145:15 the psalmist reminds his people that all eyes look to God

for food at the proper time. God opens His hands to His creatures and

satisfies their desires (145:16). He provides for and satisfies the deepest

longing of their heart. Again we are struck by the concern of the Lord God

for His creation. He is the source of life. Without Him all would cease to

exist. In love, He commits Himself to provide our every need. In love He

satisfies all our desires. "The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving

toward all He has made," the psalmist told his readers in Psalm 145:17.

Never could He be accused of wrong. His love and tender mercies were

obvious everywhere.

Notice in Psalm 145:18 that the psalmist reminded his readers that God was

near to all who called on Him in truth. He walked close to His people. His

hand was ready to reach out to them if they stumbled. His ears were always

attentive to their cry for help (145:19).

Not only does the Lord hear the cry of the person whose heart is right with

Him, but He also fulfils their desire and saves them (145:19). This is not to

say that God will give us everything we want. Notice here that it is the

desire of the person who fears the Lord that will be satisfied. The satisfying

comes in the context of fearing God. If my heart is set to fear God, I will

desire His glory and honour more than anything in the world. Nothing but

His glory will matter. The cry of the one who fears the Lord is a cry for

God's glory. When we fear the Lord and seek His glory first, God will hear

our prayer and satisfy the desire of our heart because our desire and His are

the same.

The Lord watches over those who love Him but He will destroy the wicked

(145:20). This is not to say that God will not care for the unbeliever. God

does provide for the unbeliever as well as the believer. No one could live if

God were to turn His face from us. While God provides for both the

believer and the unbeliever, it is only the believer who will be safe in the

day of His wrath. On the Day of Judgment, God will destroy the wicked

and their ways. God is a God of justice. In the end, the ways of the wicked

will be destroyed.

For such a God as this, the psalmist would not be silent. In Psalm 145:21 he

told his readers that his mouth would speak in praise to his wonderful God.

He called on every creature to do the same.

What we see here in these two psalms is that God is a God of wonderful

grace and mercy. He has compassion on His own. He longs to minister to

them and care for them. He is our Rock and Fortress. He cares deeply for

us. We are totally dependent on Him. We could not exist without His loving

care. He is a big God but He still cares for us. He is eternal and all-powerful

but He reaches down to our need. We have the privilege of being His

children. What can our enemy do to us? How we need to praise and thank

Him that He cares so deeply for us.

For Consideration:

The psalmist told his readers that the Lord was a Rock and a

Fortress for him. How has the Lord been a Rock and Fortress

for you?

The psalmist tells us that God trained his hands to do battle.

What has God been teaching you? How has He been better

equipping you to do battle?

Have you ever felt unworthy of the Lord's affection? Thank

Him that He still wants to love and care for you.

What new song do you have to sing to the Lord today? What

is the subject of that new song?

What does it mean to call on the Lord in truth? Have you

been doing so?

God promises to satisfy the desire of the one who fears Him.

What does it mean to fear God?

For Praise:

Thank the Lord that He is our Rock and Fortress. Thank Him

for a particular way in which He protected and kept you.

Thank the Lord that He delights in you. Ask Him to give you

courage to stand firm for Him and seek Him with all your

heart.

Ask God to give you greater courage to share His loving

kindness with those you meet.

Thank God for how He has satisfied the deepest longing of

your heart. If are not sure you can pray this, ask Him to give

you the right desires.

112 - BLESSINGS OF GOD

Read Psalm 146:1-147:20

ave you ever taken the time to compile a list of the blessings of

the Lord God in your life? How many blessings could you list? It

would do us all good to take the time to reflect on these

blessings. This is what is happening in Psalms 146 and 147.

As we begin Psalm 146 we hear the psalmist call his soul to praise the Lord.

Notice that this is a decision the psalmist had to make. He chose to lift up

the name of the Lord. He committed himself to worship the Lord his God

all his life and to sing His praise as long as he lived (146:2). This would

require discipline on his part. There would be times when worship and

praise would not come easily. There would be times of trouble and

difficulty where he would have many questions regarding the purpose and

plan of the Lord for his life. In those times, praise would not come easily

but it was not impossible. In saying that he would praise the Lord all of his

life, the psalmist is saying that he would lift up the name of the Lord no

matter what happened. He would do so in the good times as well as in the

bad times.

The temptation in times of trial and oppression was to turn to earthly help. I

have often found myself turning to my own understanding or to other

people for help. The psalmist challenges us not to do this. He tells us in

Psalm 146: 3 that we are not to put our trust in princes or in mortal men

who cannot save us. This is not to say that God will not use people to

minister to us. Very often God will use us to answer the prayers of His

people. I have often seen this in my life. One of the things that the Lord has

been teaching me, however, is that my trust is to be in Him and not in

people.

In Psalm 146:4 the psalmist reminds us that human beings, however

powerful they are, are mortal. They will one day pass from this earth. Our

deliverance and salvation is not in the hands of men and women but in the

Lord. The purposes and plans of human beings will one day come to an

end. Their strength will fade away. Their wisdom will diminish and they

themselves will perish. Only God is eternal and all-powerful. He alone is

able to save us completely. In His hands alone can we be secure and

confident. His strength will never diminish. His plans can never be thwarted

by circumstance or people. In Him alone can we know perfect salvation and

deliverance.

The psalmist reminds his readers that the one who finds help in the Lord

God of Jacob is truly blessed (146:5). He is the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea and everything in them. He knows what He is doing. There is no

help like that which the Lord supplies. Notice in Psalm 146:6 that the Lord

God our Maker is a faithful God. His faithfulness is forever. This means

that He will never let us down. He will always be there for us. Unlike

human beings whose ability and time is limited, God is eternal, all-powerful

and sovereign. His promise to be faithful is forever. Those whose find help

in the Lord are surrounded and protected by an almighty God who cannot

fail. No enemy can penetrate His defences. This is true blessing and

confidence.

In Psalm 146:7-9 the psalmist reminds his readers that the God of Jacob

upholds the cause of the oppressed. In particular, he mentions the hungry

and the prisoner (146:7). The reference to prisoner refers to anyone who has

been bound by a force or power greater than themselves. There are many

kinds of prisons in this world. God is our liberator. God is also our healer.

He gives sight to the blind (146:8).

We see also from Psalm 146:8 that the Lord lifts up those who are bowed

down. Those who are bowed down are those who have been oppressed with

the cares and concerns of this life. God is able to encourage those who are

weighted down with worry and stress. He lifts up the head of those who feel

the sting of sin and evil. He gives them reason to rejoice again.

The Lord loves the righteous (146:8). He takes special delight in those who

love Him. This is something that ought to cause us to marvel and burst forth

in praise. If you know the Lord Jesus today you are the object of His special

affection and care.

The Lord also watches over the foreigner (146:9). The psalmist reminds us

here that while the Lord does love His own children, His concern is not

limited to them alone. He also cares for the foreigner. The foreigner was not

under the covenant God made with Abraham. He or she was not considered

to be a child of God but God was still concerned for them. There was a

special place in His heart for those who did not know Him. God is a

missionary God whose concern is for the entire world.

Finally, in Psalm 146: 9 we see that God has a heart for the fatherless and

the widow. He sees their condition and reaches out to them in care and

concern. If this is the heart of God then it ought to be our concern as well.

Those who love God and delight in His purpose will also be moved by the

plight of the widow or the orphan.

We see from Psalm 146 that there are many difficulties in this world. This

earth is filled with those who suffer abuse and physical problems or

afflictions. Prisoners, orphans, those bowed down by the weight of sin and

stress as well as the widow and the foreigner are all challenged to turn to

the Lord for support and help in time of need. God is Lord over all sickness,

pain and oppression of the enemy. He reigns forever and is deserving of our

praise and adoration (146:10).

Psalm 147:1 reminds us that it is fitting and pleasant for God's people to

praise the Lord. We have already seen from Psalm 146 some of the reasons

why God is worthy of our praise. Notice that this worship of God is not

only fitting or appropriate, but pleasant as well. To praise the Lord ought to

be a delight. While it is our duty to praise the Lord, to praise Him out of

obligation does not honour Him. If we worship because we have to, or

because we are expected to do so, we do not bring God the praise He

deserves. The praise that honours God is the praise that comes from those

whose heart delights and rejoices in Him. Praise ought to be our delight and

great joy. This is why the psalmist tells us that praising God is not only the

right thing to do, but it is also pleasant and delightful.

As in Psalm 146 the psalmist lists the reasons why it was a fitting and

delightful thing to praise and thank the Lord. He begins by reminding his

people that the Lord built up Jerusalem and gathered the exiles of Israel

(146:2). This is in reference to the exile of God's people from their land.

They were forced to leave their land because of sin and rebellion against

God. Despite their rebellion, the Lord God gathered them from their exile

and returned them to their land. He restored the broken walls of the city of

Jerusalem and rebuilt their temple. He did this because He was a forgiving

God who delighted to see relationships restored.

God also was concerned for the brokenhearted (147:3). He saw them in

their need and delighted to restore them by binding up their wounds. I like

to picture a young child who has fallen and cut himself. Like a loving

mother, God gently picks up His child, brushes off the dirt and covers the

wound. The child is comforted and restored to health. This is what God

wants to do for each of us.

We need to remember that the God who delights to comfort and restore the

brokenhearted is the God who determined the number of stars in the sky

and called each of them by name (147:4). He is a big God. He is the God

who created the stars, but He takes the time to comfort and heal the

brokenhearted. It is wonderful that such a God cares so deeply for each of

His children. He is a mighty God of power whose understanding has no

limit (147:5) but He willingly sustains the humble (147:6). Those who are

humble are those who recognize their need of God. They are not too proud

to recognize that life, with all its problems, is too big for them. It is the

humble who come to the Lord for help. It is God's delight to reach out to

them and minister to their need. Notice, however, in Psalm 147: 6 that while

God delights to help the humble, He will not hesitate to cast the wicked to

the ground.

The God of our help and support is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.

He covers the sky with clouds and pours rain on the earth so that it produces

grass (147:8). That grass in turn provides food for the cattle and the birds of

the air. His concern reaches down to the smallest of His creation.

From Psalm 147:10 we understand that God's greatest pleasure is not in

demonstrations of great strength and power on our part but in humble

submission and trust. How easy it is for us to want to show God how much

we have done for Him. We have our statistics and agendas. We busy

ourselves with activity and programs but God is not impressed by these

things. God delights, instead, in those who realize their need and put all

their hope in Him. He delights in those who trust and rest in His unfailing

love no matter what happens.

As believers we will often be attacked. We are the focus of Satan's attack.

Despite the growing threat of the enemy around us, the psalmist calls us to

lift up the name of the Lord in praise (147:12). We can do this because God

will strengthen the bars of our gates. The picture is of a gate that is closed

and locked by strong bars. As the enemy attacks and pushes against the

gates, everything depends on those bars holding. If the bars break the gate

will come crashing in, allowing the enemy access to the city. God

strengthens those bars so that they will not break. The enemy can pound the

gates all he wants but the bars will hold because God will strengthen them

so that the enemy cannot enter.

Not only will the bars of our gates be strengthened but God will also bless

those who trust Him behind those gates (147:13). What a wonderful picture.

While the enemy is seeking to destroy, he cannot enter. While he pounds on

the gate, God's people are basking in His blessings. The enemy is frustrated

in his attempt. God's people rejoice and delight in their God. Notice also

from Psalm 147:14 that while the enemy surrounds them, God grants His

people peace and satisfies them with the finest wheat.

What can the enemy do to us when God is at our side? God sends His word

and the earth obeys His command (147:15). What God decrees, stands.

What He determines comes to pass. The enemy’s efforts are in vain. He is

no match for the God of the universe whose orders stand firm. This

wonderful and awesome God calls for the snow, and in obedience to His

word, it covers the earth like wool. He scatters frost like ashes on the earth

(147:16). He hurls down hail like pebbles on the earth (147:17). Who could

ever stand against Him? God sends His command and the snow and hail

melt. He stirs up the breeze and the ice melts in the streams and the water

flows (147:18). Such power is awesome to see. The forces of nature are in

the Lord's hands. In my life I have seen and heard of the tremendous power

of nature. Great cities are ground to a halt at the voice of the Lord

commanding these storms. Human technology fails as the elements of

nature shut it down. In an instant all that we have taken years to achieve is

in ruins at our feet. All this power is too awesome for us to understand. It is

only a small sampling of the ultimate power that flows from the command

of God's voice.

As the psalmist concludes Psalm 147 he reminds his people that the Lord

God has revealed His word to Jacob and His laws to Israel (147:19). The

revelation of God's law and decrees was evidence of a very personal

relationship. God revealed His laws for a purpose. That purpose was so that

His people could come to know Him and enter a relationship with Him.

Israel was privileged to be the people God had chosen for Himself. He gave

them His word to show them who He was. He opened His heart to them and

taught them His ways through the laws He gave. Israel had the privilege of

becoming His children and knowing Him as their God. No other nation had

ever experienced this (147:20). The God of awesome power chose to reveal

Himself personally to Israel.

Since the coming of the Lord Jesus, the doors have been opened for all

nations to experience this God of power and faithful love. What a

wonderful privilege it is for us to know this God intimately and to know

that He delights in us. Of even greater value is the knowledge that His

delight in us is unmerited. He loves us, not because of what we have done

or will do. He loves us unconditionally and nothing will ever diminish that

love. We can be confident in His care. Even when we wander from Him,

His delight is still in us. This is reason to lift up His name forever.

For Consideration:

Can you praise the Lord even in times of trouble? What does

this passage teach us about worshiping God no matter what

happens?

Compare the help that humans give with the help God

provides. What is the difference?

We learn, in these psalms, that God is a God of tremendous

mercy and compassion to all who are in need. Do you have

the same heart? What are the needs around you?

The psalmist tells us that it is pleasant for us to worship the

Lord. Has this been your experience? Explain.

What do we learn in these psalms about God?

For Prayer:

Consider a time when the Lord was your help and comfort.

Take a moment now and thank Him for this.

Thank the Lord that He offers peace and security in the most

trying times of life. Thank Him that you are safe in His

presence.

Praise the Lord for His awesome power as described in these

psalms. Thank Him that despite His awesome power, He is

full of tenderness and compassion for you.

Ask the Lord to give you a heart of praise and thanksgiving.

113 - PRAISE THE LORD

Read Psalm 148:1-150:6

salms 148-150 have one common theme. Together they call the

whole earth to lift up the name of the Lord in praise and

thanksgiving. It is a fitting end to the book of Psalms. Here in this

book we have seen the hand of the Lord working in His people in the midst

of pain and suffering. We have caught a glimpse of how He cares for and

provides for all His creation. We have come to understand His deep desire

for His children. He is an awesome and powerful God who reaches down to

His people in compassion and love. The psalmists have continually called

us to lift up His name in praise and thanksgiving. Here before us is the final

call to worship.

Psalm 148 challenges both heaven and earth to lift up the name of the Lord.

The psalmist begins by calling to the angels of heaven (148:2). He

challenges them to praise the Lord from their position in heaven. The

psalmist next speaks to the sun, moon and shining stars. These heavenly

lights were also to praise the Lord (148:3). They were to be shining

examples of His power and faithfulness. The heavens and the water in the

sky that rained on the earth were also to praise the Lord (148:4). They

demonstrated His greatness and care for the earth. God sends the water

from heaven down on the earth to provide food and prosperity for His

creatures. The heavens and the waters in them show us the wonderful

compassion of a big God.

These heavenly bodies were set in place by God. They have faithfully

remained in their place from the beginning of creation, shining down on the

earth and providing for its needs. They testify to an all-powerful God who

is over all and who cares for all He has created. The heavens speak loudly

of God.

The same challenge goes out to the earth in Psalm 148:7-14. Here the

psalmist calls the earth to lift up the name of the Lord in praise. If the

heavens declare the praise of God so does the earth. The psalmist calls the

sea creatures of the ocean depths to praise the Lord (148:7). The presence

of these great sea creatures is a testimony of God’s great creative power.

Who among us has not seen the great fish of the sea and not thought of their

Creator? The ocean in all its vastness and complexity is a powerful

testimony of the greatness of God.

In Psalm 148:8 that psalmist reminds us that lightning, hail, snow, clouds

and winds move at the command of the Lord God. They reflect His power

and gentleness. The same wind that devastates and destroys can also kiss us

with tenderness. All this is in the hands of God who controls their every

move. They testify to His sovereignty and control.

All around us we see the wonderful beauty of the creation of God.

Mountains and hills lift themselves up above the earth in testimony to the

artistry of their Creator. The cedar trees and the fruit trees colour the

landscape and show us His attention to even the smallest detail (148:9).

Wild animals, cattle, small creatures and flying birds give life and

movement to the whole scene (148:10). Creation teems with life. It testifies

of a great and awesome Creator who delights in beauty. All this is lifts up

the name of God and demonstrates His delicate care and sovereign control.

A call goes out next to human beings in Psalm 148:11-14. They are to give

praise to the Lord. Kings and princes as well as young men, maidens, old

men and children are all called to lift up the name of the Lord. They were to

do this for two reasons.

First, they were to praise the Lord because His name was exalted and His

splendour was above the earth (148:13). In other words, we are to praise the

Lord for who He is. He is a God of splendour and power. The heavens and

the earth testify of God's awesome power and majesty. They proclaim a

great God who was bigger than anything the human mind can understand.

Men and women on the earth were called to join in this great chorus of

praise.

Second, human beings were to lift up the name of the Lord because of what

He had done for them. Psalm 148:14 tells us that God had raised up a horn

for His people. A horn in Scripture symbolizes power and authority. It can

refer to a person who is His instrument to defend and protect or may simply

refer to the protection of God over His people. God was to be praised by

His people because He was their defence. He protected His people by the

horn of His strength. They were secure in Him.

Notice, also, in Psalm 148:14 that not only was God their horn of defence

but He also held His people close to His heart. This was reason to praise the

Lord. Who are we, as mere human beings, that God should hold us so

closely to His heart? Why would He set His affection on us? While we may

never understand this, we cannot deny its truth. God delights in us as His

children and will keep and protect us. He desires fellowship with us. How

we need to praise Him for this.

Psalm 149 continues in the same theme. Here the psalmist renews his call to

his people to sing to the Lord a new song. A new song is a fresh expression

of praise to God. It is the expression of a heart that has been touched by

God and responds in gratitude and thanksgiving.

Notice two things about this new song. First, it was offered up with

rejoicing and gladness (149:2). Israel was to rejoice and be glad in her

Maker and King. Those who truly want to worship must do so with

rejoicing and gladness. We can give grudgingly, or we can give with joy.

Only that which is given with joy truly honours the receiver. God calls us to

be a people who rejoice in the worship of His name.

Notice, secondly, that God's people were to praise Him with dancing and

the music of tambourine and harp (149:3). Music is an important part of

worship. In the Old Testament, animals and grains were offered to the Lord

as tokens of thankfulness. What we need to understand here is that the

music of the harp, tambourine or any other instrument can also be an

offering of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. The psalmist tells us that

dancing and song is an offering pleasing to the Lord. It pleases the Lord to

accept our music and dance as expressions of praise. The Lord delights in

His people and their praise (149:4). Just like the songs of our children

delight our hearts, so God too receives our musical offerings with great

delight. He is worthy of these offerings because He has crowned us with

salvation (149:4).

The psalmist calls all saints to rejoice in the privilege of offering the Lord

these musical offerings. He tells us that it is an honour to offer praise and

thanksgiving to the God of our salvation (149:5). He calls us to sing for joy

on our beds (149:5). We are to learn to rejoice in the Lord God on all

occasions.

The Psalmist tells his readers that God would put the praise of His name in

their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands (149:6-9). With this

double-edged sword, they would inflict vengeance on the nations binding

their kings and nobles. In so doing, they would carry out the sentence

written against them. This was the glory of the saints. The psalmist is

saying that the glory of the saints is two-fold. First, it is to bring praise to

the Lord from their lips, and second, to move out in victory over their foes.

Victory and praise walk hand in hand in the life of the believer. It is a two

edged sword that defeats the purpose of the enemy and brings great glory to

the Lord our God.

As we conclude our reflection on the book of Psalms in Psalm 150 the

psalmist calls us once again to worship. He challenges his people to

worship God in His sanctuary and the heavenly hosts to worship Him in

heaven (150:1). He gives us many different reasons to praise the Lord in

this final psalm.

We are to worship the Lord for His acts of power (150:2). Those acts of

power can be seen in many different ways. They are seen in creation but

they are also seen in practical ways in our own lives. The children of Israel

saw God parting the sea and setting them free from the power of their

enemies. We too see clear demonstrations of His power and strength in our

lives.

We are also to worship God because of His surpassing greatness (150:2).

This greatness has to do with His character. Whether God did anything for

us or not, He is still a God who deserves our praise because of who He is.

He is great in sovereignty and holiness. He is great in majesty and glory. We

are to worship Him for who He is as a great God. No other god can be

compared to Him. He is deserving of praise simply because He is a great

and awesome God.

Notice, again, that the emphasis of the psalmist here is not in sacrifices of

animals or even acts of service. While these things are important, the call of

the psalmist is for God's people to worship His power and greatness through

offerings of music. They were to come before Him with instruments in hand

to declare His value and worth. They were to praise Him with trumpets,

harps, lyres, tambourines, dancing, strings and flutes. Notice in Psalm 150:5

that the praise of God does not always have to be quiet. Here the psalmist

calls for offerings of loud music. He called for clashing and resounding

cymbals.

While there is a place for quiet and reflective worship, the call here is to a

worship that draws the attention of the outsider to God. This type of

worship publicly and unashamedly lifts up the name of the Lord before all

who will listen. It is a public declaration of His worth to those who do not

yet understand.

The psalmist ends his psalm with a cry that everything that had breath

would praise the Lord (150:6). This is his heart. He recognized the value of

His God. He recognized that His God deserved praise from all His creation

and not just from those who loved Him.

What we understand from these psalms is that God delights in our worship.

He is pleased to accept our musical offerings. The psalmist calls his people

to delight in worship and praise. He calls them to active and exciting

worship of a God who is worthy, not only because of who He is, but also

for what He has done.

For Consideration:

How do the heavens and the earth testify of the greatness of

God? What do they show us about God?

We see from these psalms that God is to be worshiped for two

reasons. First, because of who He is, and second, for what He

has done. Take a moment to consider who God is. Thank Him

for His character.

What has God done for you personally? Take a moment to

thank God for His demonstrations of power in your life.

What do we learn about the importance of rejoicing in

worship from these psalms?

How important are our offerings of music to the Lord? What

does God feel about our musical offerings?

The psalmist tells us that the two-fold glory of the believer is

in their worship and victorious living. Does this describe your

church or you personally?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to praise the Lord for what He reveals to you

through His creation.

Ask the Lord to help you to be a greater worshipper. Ask Him

to fill you with joy in worship.

Are there areas of your life where you are not walking in

victory? Ask the Lord to give you victory in those areas so

that you bring greater glory to His name.

Ask God to help your church to catch a vision for worship

and praise of God's name that is based on a greater

understanding of who He is and what He is doing in each

member personally.

Notes

[1] “Moon": Comfort, Philip W., Elwell, Walter A, (editors), Tyndale Bible Dictionary, Electronic

Edition, 2001: Tyndale House Publishers

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Light To My Path Book Distribution

Light To My Path Book Distribution (LTMP) is a

book writing and distribution ministry reaching

out to needy Christian workers in Asia, Latin

America, and Africa. Many Christian workers in

developing countries do not have the resources

necessary to obtain Bible training or purchase

Bible study materials for their ministries and

personal encouragement.

F. Wayne Mac Leod is a member of Action

International Ministries and has been writing

these books with a goal to distribute them freely or at cost price to needy

pastors and Christian workers around the world. To date tens of thousands

of books are being used in preaching, teaching, evangelism and

encouragement of local believers in over sixty countries. Books in these

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make them available to as many believers as possible.

The ministry of LTMP is a faith based ministry and we trust the Lord for

the resources necessary to distribute the books for the encouragement and

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would open doors for the translation and further distribution of these books?

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