December 24, 2018
ADVENT MEANS COMING
O how the psalmist David cried out to the Lord! He held nothing back in his prayers. Like a child insistently crying for his mother’s attention, David made his complaint known to the Lord. He would not be content until the Lord answered.
Have you seen a child in such a state? Nothing will do but his own mother’s touch. Even though another family member tries to comfort the child, his wailing grows more persistent. This is how David prayed for the Lord to “come quickly.”
On this Christmas Eve we remember that the Lord has come. Yet, we also look for Him to come again. As the apostle John closed the Revelation of Jesus Christ, he heard the Savior say, “Surely I come quickly,” to which he replied, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
December 6, 2018
IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US
One of the 15 psalms of ascent, written to prepare the hearts of worshipers as they climbed up to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Entourages of pilgrims like the one that traveled from Nazareth with young, 12-year-old Jesus, would have sung these songs as they came to celebrate Passover.
In this verse, the psalmist revealed his intimate knowledge of Jerusalem, although built on the hills of Zion, Moriah, Bezethah, and Acra, it was surrounded by hills at even higher elevations, such as Mt. Olivet to its East. This gave visiting pilgrims who arrived from the East an excellent view of the Temple Mount, which sat on hills surrounded by valleys and then higher mountains surrounding them. No wonder Jesus loved praying on the Mount of Olives. It gave Him a wonderful view of Jerusalem.
The psalmist compared the mountains that surrounded Jerusalem to the way the Lord surrounds His people. One can almost see him sitting on the Mount of Olives writing this psalm. Indeed, wasn’t it the Spirit of God that inspired him? And wasn’t it Immanuel, the Lord Jesus, who loved sitting in the same spot when He came?
Have you considered how the Lord is with you today?
November 24, 2018
BIBLE THEMES MAKE THE BEST SONGS
Although Psalm 119 has no autograph, it is almost universally accepted by older commentators as being of David. Verse 54 moves me to agree. Who else would write of his God-inspired songs, but King Saul’s favorite song writer and lute player, David?
I have to agree with David about the best theme for songs. Romantic love might be the most prolific theme for modern songs, but teens soon turn twenty. And agape love, which is God’s kind of love, is a better theme. Regardless of “where we live,” no matter the circumstance, biblical themes make the best songs. They encourage us and bring joy, moving our focus from worldly things to things above. They give us voice to offer the highest praise to our God and to His Son, Jesus Christ.
I love music, especially the songs inspired by Bible themes. Don’t you?
November 18, 2018
HALLELUJAH FOR GOD’S GREAT LOVE!
God’s unfailing love does not quit. It is not based on our condition, but on His own character. In our rebellion and sin we spurned His love, yet God’s love did not waver. It is unfailing. Even unrequited, God’s love for us burns bright. The darker the hateful night, the brighter His powerful love shines. Overcoming sin, death, hell and Satan to reach us, God’s love is powerful. Sending Christ, His only Son, the power of God’s love is demonstrated in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. His chesed-love is faithful, making promises and always keeping them. Willingly entering into covenantal-love with us, so that He never lets us go, even though we are prone to wander.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for God’s great unfailing, powerful and faithful love!
October 29, 2018
THE DISCIPLINE OF THE EYES
David wrote this psalm, beginning nearly every verse with the personal pronoun, “I.” The psalm shows his desire to have a predetermined and settled code of conduct in facing certain situations that might tempt him to sin. In verse 3, he declared a determination to practice a discipline of the eyes. When anything vile and vulgar crossed his path, he would refuse to look at it. The Hebrew word here translated “vile and vulgar” is “belial,” which can also be rendered “wicked, ungodly, evil, or worthless.” David couldn’t help it if something “belial” appeared before him, but he could refuse to set his eyes upon it for any length of time.
The temptation to look too long has plagued us from the beginning. Didn’t Eve gaze at the forbidden fruit too long, seeing that it was “pleasant to the eyes” (Gen. 3:6)? And so, she and Adam seeing it, decided to eat it, plunging all of humanity into darkness.
Holy Spirit help us to be determined as David was to discipline our eyes. We can’t help what the world and its media parades before us, but depending on Your divine power, we can decide in advance to avoid looking too long. We can refuse to set our eyes on belial.
October 14, 2018
THE LORD GOD IS OUR ALL IN ALL
The Lord God is our sun. He gives light that we might see His paths of righteousness. The Lord God is our shield. He protects us from the evil that would harm His beloved. The Lord God gives grace. He strengthens and empowers us freely. The Lord gives glory. Nothing done for the Lord is forgotten. He remembers and rewards every sacrifice done by faith. He does not withhold good from us, but gives bountifully to those who do right. The Lord God is our all in all.
September 26, 2018
PRAYING ACCORDING TO THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
David connected his prayer requests to God’s attributes. He called on God to answer his prayer based on God’s wonderful unfailing love. He appealed to God’s plentiful mercy as the basis for asking God to care for him.
We can do the same. God described David as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). I think we can be pursuers of God’s own heart too. How? Connect your requests to God’s character. Not as some sort of formula, as if it would force God’s hand. But as a means of seeking God’s face and God’s heart when you pray. For we can depend on God’s unfailing love and mercy. They are wonderful and plentiful!
September 22, 2018
DOES UNCONFESSED SIN HINDER PRAYER?
Have you ever felt as if your prayers are bouncing back to you off the ceiling? That your prayers are being hindered? There are many reasons your prayers might feel impeded. For instance, a husband mistreating his wife will find his prayers hindered (1 Pet. 3:7).
In fact, if you do something to offend a family member or friend and you don’t ask for forgiveness, doesn’t it hinder your communication with them? Certainly it does. Similarly, when we offend God, it affects our communication with Him. Because sin is an offense against God. Sin separates. It hinders communication. And isn’t that what prayer is? Communication with God? So, unconfessed sin absolutely hinders our prayer life.
Yet in confessing, we agree with God that we have offended Him and that we need His forgiveness. Confessing our sin, God hears our prayers and answers. As the apostle John wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
So let us join with the psalmist and confess our sins, that our prayers might not be hindered. And that we might experience the forgiveness and cleansing of God’s “unfailing love” through His Son, Jesus Christ.
September 20, 2018
RESPONDING TO BITTER WORDS AND THREATS
David asked the Lord to protect him from the threats and bitter words of his enemies. Instead of responding in kind, he asked the Lord to defend him. He described those who assaulted him with threats as as “evil mob,” and a “gang of wrongdoers.” He accused them of using their words as weapons, portraying their tongues as “swords” and their bitter words as “arrows.”
The one who said, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” must’ve never heard hurtful words. The truth is that words can do great damage. How do we respond? We can respond like David by lifting up our hurts and complaints to the Lord. Let the Lord defend you. Let God be your shelter and protection from the threats and bitter words of others.
August 22, 2018
WHERE DO YOU GET ADVICE?
Most people ask advice of those who will tell them what they want to hear. Rarely does one ask the godly. For the godly counselor will tell them to do what is right. And people rarely want to do what is right. They want to do what they want. This is why the wrong way is broad and well traveled. And why the right way is narrow and few choose to travel it.