June 10, 2017
One of the many promised blessings for the one who would fear the Lord and walk in His ways is living to see one’s grandchildren. Those who have experienced this blessing know its abiding joy. Yet in Christ, this blessing is available to all who would believe in Him and be obedient to make disciples as He commanded. For in disciple-making, both the married and the single can become spiritual fathers and mothers. And raising up spiritual children to be disciple-makers too, spiritual grandchildren and great-grandchildren are soon to follow.
June 4, 2017
One of David’s fifteen “Psalms of Ascent,” to be sung while climbing the steps up to the Temple Mount. It begins by expressing David’s “gladness” at the invitation to go up to the house of the Lord. Such joy for corporate worship should be on every believer’s heart in anticipation of its perfection in heaven. Yet, David’s gladness was not only in anticipation of his worship destination, but also for the worshiping congregation that would join together with him in praising God along the way.
The invitation is still offered today, “Let us go into the house of the Lord!” Will you join the happy throng?
May 15, 2017
Whole-hearted worship.
The psalmist opens in the Hebrew with “Hallelujah” (“Praise the Lord”)! With this exclamation of praise, he both announces his intention and invites our participation. The psalmist is headed to the Temple to offer “whole-hearted” praise to Jehovah along with other worshipers. That’s what he is going to do. What are you going to do? Will you join him?
In order to bring whole-hearted worship, we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us examine our hearts. Does He reveal fire and zeal for the Lord there? If not, fan your faith into flame! There is no room for half-hearted passion in worship. Does He see anxiety and worry? Turn it into prayer and petition. Empty your heart in prayer that you may be filled with peace and praise. Does He uncover doubt or discouragement in you? Speak truth from the promises of God’s Word to your doubts and instruct your soul to lift up its countenance to the Lord. Ask the Spirit to root out any place in your heart where you are not worship-ready.
And then, bring your worship with you when you go to church. Arrive with intent to express whole-hearted worship, in song, in prayers, in Scripture reading, in hearing the Word preached, in tithes and offerings, and in response.
Whole-hearted worship doesn’t happen on its own. We must be intentional about expressing worship with our whole heart!
May 14, 2017
This psalm of David points to the coming Messiah who would be both priest and king. Jesus quoted from this psalm saying that David spoke “in the Spirit” (Matt. 22:43), for truly David’s words were Spirit inspired.
Since the offices of priest and king were separated in Israel, David had to look back to Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” to find such a one. Melchizedek appears suddenly on the pages of the book of Genesis as the King of “Salem” (“shalom,” meaning “peace”) and “Priest of the God Most High” (Gen. 14:17). He blessed Abraham, who paid him a tithe, and then he is not heard from again until the Spirit brought him to David’s mind.
Who is this that would come in the “order of Melchizedek” that the Lord would swear and “not relent” to establish His eternal priesthood? It is Jesus the Christ. For Christ “arises in the likeness of Melchizedek” (Heb. 7:15) becoming both our King and our eternal and Great High Priest!
May 12, 2017
David declared his intent to praise the Lord not only among his own people in Israel, but to sing praises among all the peoples and nations of the world. This is evidence of God’s Spirit at work in David. For it was always God’s intent to bless the whole world through the seed of Abraham. As the Lord said to Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
That “Seed” is Christ Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of God. And the Spirit that worked in David to declare God’s praise among the nations, now works in us, moving us to fulfill Christ’s commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).
May 1, 2017
The inscription above this psalm describes it as a “prayer of the afflicted.” Certainly, there is a need for concrete language to truly capture the condition of the afflicted. The hurting are in need of words of expression that they might lift up to the Lord a prayer that can only be called a “cry.” For they often feel as an infant, able only to cry out, but not to explain why.
When we describe our physical state, a whole vocabulary is available, but to describe our internal condition–– the state of our souls–– we grasp at metaphors to illustrate our feeling. In this, the psalmist gives aid. He says that his “days are consumed like smoke,” his “heart is stricken and withered,” and his appetite is forgotten.
Why pray such words? Why not just deny our inner turmoil and focus on God?
Why? Because our depression and discouragement are as real as physical pain. Denial does not bring healing. Admit your feeling to the Lord. Pray the psalms. Make them your own. There are 150 of them. There is one that will help you describe your heart condition today. Let the words of the psalms give meaning to your soul’s cry. And know that the One who cried out in Gethsemane, and drank from the bitter cup at Golgotha, will certainly hear and understand.
April 27, 2017
“Rejoice in the Lord,” not in your circumstances, for they are varied, not in yourself, for you are fickle, but find and express joy in the Lord. For He is unchanging and faithful. And “give thanks” when you remember His “holy name.” For bringing His name to your mind should always result in thanksgiving, for you know His character and His works, and they are always holy and good. So, rejoice and give thanks today in the Lord!
April 20, 2017
The physical fulfillment of this promise was unbroken until the Babylonian overthrow of Judah in 597 BC. Yet, the spiritual fulfillment always pointed to Christ, who is the “Seed of the woman” who would crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15), the “Seed of Abraham” through whom all nations of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 26:4), and the “Seed of David” whom God will raise up to reign forever.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). Jesus Christ is the promised Seed.
April 16, 2017
Personifying the divine attributes, the psalmist wrote of a day when mercy and truth would finally meet and righteousness and peace would greet one another with a holy kiss. The result of this union would cause truth to burst like a seed from the earth and righteousness to shine down from the flung open windows of heaven.
Surely this meeting is fulfilled in Christ. For God’s mercy and truth intersected in Christ on the cross. God’s truth and holiness put Him there to die in our place and God’s love and mercy were the nails that held Him fast. God’s desire for our righteousness and for peace and reconciliation between God and humanity were met in the Messiah like a kiss, as He tasted death for us. Yet, the Truth sprang from the earth on the third day. He has flung open the windows of heaven, so that righteousness shines down on those who follow Him.
All the divine attributes are met in Christ. The Son of God was crucified, buried and raised on the third day. He is risen! Let all the earth rejoice!
April 15, 2017
The Lord is like the sun enlightening our way. He is like a shield protecting us from harm. He freely gives grace, offering His favor and friendship. He will not share His own glory, yet He gives glory to those who are His, appropriate to their state, which is the honor, beauty and blessing He bestows on the righteous, both in this life and even more so in the next. God does not withhold good from us, as some would accuse, but pours out goodness like rain on those who live according to His Word. Even that which is perceived as harm He causes to work together for the good for those that love the Lord (Rom. 8:28).
The ultimate revelation of God’s grace, glory and goodness has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Those who have believed and received the Son, have received the greatest grace, glory and goodness of God. If He does not withhold Christ from us, will He withhold any good thing?
“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” (Rom. 8:32 AMP).