April 4, 2021 -- Psalm 16:7-11 -- He is Risen! He is our Soul's Delight

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I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:7-11 English Standard Version

As I am preparing today’s devotional, there are sounding sirens of police cars and ambulances wailing in the distance. As their warning sounds reverberate, a sense of urgency is created for all listeners—something is wrong—and confusion rises for the hearers who ask themselves what is it?

It seems incredibly fitting! I wonder, when Jesus, Who as our text teaches, was not abandoned to Sheol, Whose body did not see corruption, but rose to life by the glory of the Father that blessed Resurrection morning, I wonder—were there mass wailings and confusion and the stomp of soldiers’ feet as officialdom sought to make sense of this miracle? No doubt there was much confusion. No doubt a growing sense of urgency and alarm awoke in the pit of their stomachs.

Yes, He has made known the path of life—the grave is not the victor, death does not win. Christ our King has overcome death and the grave. No wonder there are pleasures forever more at His right hand! He is throwing the world into confusion, but all who know Him feel the swelling of gladness as our heart rejoice in Him and the victory He has won.

Our dear family and friends in Ontario are facing a new round of lockdowns, do not despair. The resurrection of Jesus, our Hope in Life and death, reminds us with Him at our Father’s right hand, we have pleasures and hope in Him forever more! Oh, sing Hallelujah—our hope in Him springs eternal.

O GOD OF THE HIGHEST HEAVEN,

   Occupy the throne of my heart,

   take full possession and reign supreme,

   lay low every rebel lust,

   let no vile passion resist thy holy war;

   manifest thy mighty power,

     and make me thine for ever.

Thou art worthy to be

   praised with my every breath,

   loved with my every faculty of soul,

   served with my every act of life.

Thou hast loved me, espoused me, received me,

   purchased, washed, favoured, clothed, adorned me,

   when I was worthless, vile, soiled, polluted.

I was dead in iniquities,

   having no eyes to see thee,

   no ears to hear thee,

   no taste to relish thy joys,

   no intelligence to know thee;

But thy Spirit has quickened me,

  has brought me into a new world as a new creature,

  has given me spiritual perception,

   has opened to me thy Word as light, guide, solace, joy.

Thy presence is to me a treasure of unending peace;

No provocation can part me from thy sympathy,

   for thou hast drawn me with cords of love,

   and dost forgive me daily, hourly.

O help me then to walk worthy of thy love,

   of my hopes, and my vocation.

Keep me, for I cannot keep myself;

Protect me that no evil befall me;

Let me lay aside every sin admired of many;

Help me to walk by thy side, lean on thy arm,

hold converse with thee,

That henceforth I may be salt of the earth

   and a blessing to all.

Puritan Prayers and Devotions: The Valley of Vision “REGENERATION”

https://youtu.be/OibIi1rz7mw

April 3, 2021 -- Psalm 16:1-4 -- Fellowship Up

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Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

Psalm 16:1-4 English Standard Version

Maybe you have heard this expression “fellowship up”? This expression is applied to those seeking to improve their lives, they are advised to find someone, or a group of people, whose walk with God is admirable, obvious, and spend time with such people. This is what the psalmist is advocating. He noted first of all that the LORD is His refuge and the source of every good in his life. That is exactly what the whole Bible teaches. God Himself is the fountain of life, the Lord governs of the storehouse of heaven which is poured out into the life of believers.

Next, the psalmist realized that other believers, who know the blessings of God and His refuge, these are the ones to spend time with. They are the excellent ones, they are holy, because they press deeper into knowing God and delighting in Him. One comic I listened to, speaking of his old life, humorously commented “Spend time with smart people. Dumb people are fun. To all my dumb friends, thank you. But when you spend time with smart people, you won’t get 2 AM calls asking to be picked up, quickly and don’t tell anyone where I am.” Or demands like “loan me $200 but don’t ask any questions”. Unwittingly, this secular comic is teaching “fellowship up”. He can see benefits accruing to himself in a life lived better. The Christian understands this truth which can be taken to oneself in the LORD our God and living among those who find Him their heart’s true satisfaction.

The psalmist noted those who abandon the One, True God, find their sorrows will multiply. Surely we see this in our world today. There is a profound sense of emptiness in the lives of people around us. Statistics from “Worldometers.com” from January 1 to March 25, 2020 worldwide show deaths break down this way:

249,904 deaths by suicide

581,599 deaths by alcohol

1,162,481 deaths by smoking

9,9913,702 deaths by abortion

Notice how sorrows multiply for hose who have abandoned the Living God. What a grievous list.

This Resurrection Weekend is the time when Christians around the world celebrate Jesus’ punishment in our place, His disarming the powers of Satan at the cross, making a mockery of Satan’s power, putting our old self and sins in the grave and in Him rising to new life. In Jesus Christ we have new, full, life. Jesus is the ultimate, only “fellowship-up”. All who cling to Him and delight in Him are all my delight.

Truth be told, it can be challenge to find Christians who are living and active in their faith. It is not merely a label or a thing they do most Sundays. Those who truly believe “apart from the LORD I have no good thing” are those who speak of God, find their greatest pleasure in Him and in His Name blessing others. Find a Christian whose walk you admire and fellowship up!

O LORD my God, in You I take refuge from all the sorrows and troubles of this world. You are my King, the One Who has claimed me in Christ, directing my life in all good through Your Spirit’s power. You are the Source of Light, You are the Giver of every good gift! God of all satisfaction and jubilation, let my life shine as a beacon of hope and encouragement to those who are finding this world is souring and increasingly bitter. Mighty God, by Your Word and Spirit, revive believers so that our life in Christ is not mere surface-level showing off, but may the glorious truth of life in Christ radiate from the core of who we are so that our lives are redolent with His sweetness. Spirit of the Living God, this Resurrection weekend, bring many sons and daughters to Christ, in Whom we have a Just and Merciful Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/f26P1ftbCco

April 2, 2021 -- Psalm 15 -- Why it is called "Good" Friday

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O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
    and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
    and does no evil to his neighbor,
    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15 English Standard Version

Reading this list discourages me. There is no way I can keep all these requirements so that I can sojourn (take up residence in) the place where God Himself lives. Note the second phrase though—on Your Holy Hill”. I deserve to be thrown out of the tent. I deserve to be punished for my sinfulness and the slander of my tongue and evil intentions of my heart. But God brought Jesus outside the tent. But God put all my sins on Jesus and then had Jesus mocked, whipped, carry His cross outside the city walls and there be crucified in my place. This is why today is Good Friday.

It is Good because God the Father decided, before the foundations of the world, so seek and save lost sinners and bring them to Himself as beloved sons and daughters. It is Good because Jesus Himself willingly gave up His throne in heaven, humbled Himself and became like us in every way, except sin, so that He could be punished in our place. It is called Good because the Spirit of God takes the righteousness and perfections of Jesus and applies them to us. As often as we confess our sins, as often as we recognize how great is our God for His mercies and kindnesses, which are new every morning, we are invited to live in the place where God Himself lives.

The Spirit of God is preparing us now. The Spirit of God lives in us, moves us to recognize our sins and do what seems counter intuitive, which is to confess them so that our hearts can be purified and clean. The Spirit of God is creating in us, a great anticipation of the glorious day when faith shall become sight and we live in the presence of the Triune God of Majesty and Holiness. Because of Good Friday, God the Father has declared you “forgiven”—now go and sin no more and serve your King!

Mighty God of mercy, I feel like the women at the empty tomb on that first Resurrection Sunday—they heard the message and were frightened. Perhaps thoughts like these filled them with fear: “I don’t deserve this love. I don’t know, what if I sin again? I know I’ll sin again.” Thank You for the powerful message of Good Friday—Father You are, by Your Spirit’s presence in me applying the righteousness of Jesus Christ to every part of my heart and mind so that I am wholly Yours. Oh let these glorious truths drill down deep into me. Blessed are You, O God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/MnTgleMFK14

April 1, 2021 -- Psalm 14:7 -- Rejoice! Be Glad!

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Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 14:7 English Standard Version

Why is the focus on Israel and her salvation? Why is the whole world not in view? To understand this you’d have to go all the way back to Abraham’s story in Genesis 12 and 15. The LORD promised a seed, a righteous descendant from Abraham, those who blessed Him would be blessed and those who cursed Him would be cursed. Jesus is that Righteous One, He is the salvation that comes out of Zion.

What is more, when the LORD restores the fortunes of His people, Jesus, the Righteous One, rises with healing in His wings—salvation that sweeps across this globe. As was promised in Genesis 15, the blessing of the Righteous One would originate in Israel, with Abraham’s descendant, but His great blessings would flow to all nations.

As our world begins the celebrations associated with Resurrection Sunday, recognize this is anchored in Jesus Christ—the One blessed descendant of Abraham, the blessing bringer, Who restores the fortunes of His people. Look at the treasures from the storehouse of heaven which are poured out on believers!

In Jesus Christ the fortune of forgiveness is given to all who believe. Forgiveness between God and men, and forgiveness between people.

In Jesus Christ the fortune of joy is given—full life begins now in Him and continues through eternity.

In Jesus Christ the fortune of gladness is given—the Spirit of the Living God takes us residence in the heart of believers so that it is delight to draw closer and closer to the God, our Father, the Source of every good gift.

Blessed be Your Name, Triune God! What the psalmist prophesied in expectation, believers in Christ experience in wonder and exuberance—the LORD has restored our fortunes. Thousand, thousand thanks are due, dearest Savior unto You! Amen.

https://youtu.be/vTsfTSgvS_A

March 31, 2021 -- Psalm 14:1 -- What are you preaching to your heart?

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The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,

there is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1 English Standard Version

Notice that the second sentence speaks to the direct consequences of the first. If a foolish person is preaching to his heart “there is no God” he is looking for a way to live without consequences. If there is a God, and He is our Creator, He has the right to dictate how we live. But if someone preaches to his soul, over and over again, there is no God, then that person is looking for reasons to live recklessly and ruinously.

Remember Psalm 13, the righteous one, sings to the LORD—even when the storms of life are threatening, and with joy when life is bright—confirming to his head and heart he belongs to God. This is the glory of Jesus’ work. He takes us, ruined and reckless sinners, and gives to us His righteousness. He lifts us from death to life. Therefore, the righteous, in sharp contrast to the fool, seek to honour God with their heart and hands, their mind and mouth. The righteousness know they are accountable to God their Creator, Redeemer and Strength.

Thou, God of all Grace

May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,

so that its smiles never allure,

nor its frowns terrify,

nor its vices defile,

nor its errors delude me.

May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,

declaring plainly that I seek a country,

my title to it becoming daily more clear,

my meetness^ for it more perfect,

my foretastes of it more abundant;

and whatsoever I do may it be done

in the Saviour’s name.

^definition: suitability for

https://youtu.be/a91_3VYRiZo

March 30, 2021 -- Psalm 13 -- Sorrow-filled child sh'ma ~ singingly hear and obey Jesus

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How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
    light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13 English Standard Version

Fascinating how those who profess they do not believe in God, yet, the moment when troubles come, blame Him? They don’t blame the Easter Bunny for eggs not delivered. They do not blame the tooth fairy if their beloved child only get $5.00 per tooth while their daughter’s classmates get $10. It is ridiculous even to consider it. Ask yourself, how often do non-believer friends shake a fist at whatever god they claim they do not believe in when things go against them?

Here today the psalmist deeply believes in the LORD God. He is crying out, using the covenant Name of God three times, at verse 1, 3, and 6. LORD. It is the Name by which God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush. It is the Name which reveals God is above and beyond time—from eternity to eternity—and therefore is powerful to save. It is the Name by which He has promised He will act on behalf of His people and for this reason it is the Covenant Name of God.

In this world believers in Jesus Christ will have sorrows. As the clouds hide the sun, so the face of the LORD God seems to be hidden. Yet just as it is vapors and waters which hide the sun so also it is the merest mists of troubles that make the LORD our God seem distant. As the slightest breath of wind, or the first warming rays of sunshine will evaporate all the mist so too will the slightest evidence of the LORD’s nearness restore hope and light to the tormented psalmist.

The vexations of the psalmist are real. The burdens are heavy. But what removes the mists of sorrow and tears away the veils of anguish are songs sung to the LORD. In them the people of God are reminded Jesus has conquered sin, death, Satan and all his hosts. What we see with our eyes is fleeting, the eyes of faith behold God in His terrible majesty, where the angels of the LORD are about to lift to their lips to sound the trumpet’s last call signaling that Christ will return accompanied by all His holy ones. The Spirit of God takes the songs of faith and Scripture and puts them on our lips so that hope is renewed. As the LORD our God has been faithful in the past, so He ever will be faithful. Sing to Him, O believer. Hymn your songs until hope rises renewed like the dawn.

My LORD God, it is almost too much for me to formulate a prayer. With the psalmist I declare: I have trusted in Your steadfast love; therefore I will choose to rejoice in Your salvation. As I hear the songs of salvation, may my heart join in singing to You, King of kings and LORD of lords and thus remember You have dealt bountifully with me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ORSYRgu6Z7g

March 29, 2021 -- Psalm 12 -- Addressing the double-minded and double-hearted

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Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;
    for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
    with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
    the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
    our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the LORD;
    “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words,
    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.

7 You, O LORD, will keep them;
    you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl,
    as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

Psalm 12

Enough said. It is like “mic drop” and walk away, that is how powerful and direct today’s psalm is. This is so relevant, it is like it was written with the whole Covid crisis in view. You can read how people tear against one another in this Psalm. Those who promote church-going over obedience to the government cry out “the faithful have vanished”. Those striving to obey their conscience and the government cry out against those who do not agree. Together Christians who disagree on various issues are united anyway in their crying out against the faithfulness of these times. Even while speaking out, Christians are prepared to ignore our own sins, and so our own heart’s double-speak is exposed, as we are agreeing with this one, fake agreeing with the other because it is not worth the argument that would follow

Notice that the LORD has His eye on His people (Psalm 11 taught us His eyelids test men—the merest blink of His eyelid is stronger than the greatest powers arrayed against Him!). He is, in this time, the Protector of the poor, the plundered, the needy and the displaced. Note, Christians, in these Covid times, are you offering your home and your finances, your heart and your surplus to those who are caught up in the maelstrom of these times? If not, hmm, ask yourself how can I be numbered among the faithful (James 1:26-27)?

The LORD’s word is pure. You can read it. You can argue against it. You can test it. You can hold it up and every. single. time. it holds up as true and faithful and excellent—it withstands the test of time. The words of the LORD cannot be thrown down—in every generation they rise up again as praise-worthy and noble in ignoble times. This is why the government seeks to silence the church in the Covid times, the believers of God have the words that are pure, are true, are refined and are life.

As in every generation, so in our generation, the righteous and the faithful will face fines and prison. Those who oppose the murder of pre-born children are counted as vile in our generation. Yet Christians I call on you to honour those who defend life. Christians, like the Delta Hospice in B.C., where the government confiscated private property because the hospice refuses to allow Medical Assistance in Dying. A person coming to the hospice knows in advance it is a Christian centre, but the B.C. government hates to allow the LORD to be master over them in this area. Do not be distracted and allow Covid to be the only hill to test one’s faithfulness. Are you, dear Christian, keeping yourself from being stained by the world? Are you actively praying for those who disagree with you? Are you eating up the word desiring to be fed on all its delicacies so that you are growing up into maturity in Jesus Christ?

The psalm ends with a plea—to the LORD Who is pure and Protector—keep us from our own sins and keep us from the sins of this generation. Wickedness, when it is a constant drumbeat in our society and in our world, can drag us down—guard us O LORD.

Who is a god like You O LORD God Almighty? Puny as we are, it is easy for Christians to cheer a multi-tasker, who can juggle several things at once. But the greatest among us who can do many things does not even begin to approach Your infinite power and might, Your dominion and gracious activity on behalf of the cosmos, Your creatures and all flesh. You care for the widow and orphan. You plant governments and overthrow leaders. You know the names of the starving in Yemen and the distraught pleas of the board of governors of the Delta Hospice. You, faithful One, oversee the lives of the seven and a half billion (a number which is second by second increasing) people. You know every child in the womb. You know the conflicts in the minds of border security guards and police who may on the one hand personally disagree with the edicts of the government while on the other hand are required to uphold justice. O LORD, our Protector, You know the cries of our own hearts even as we confess we are double-minded and torn in various directions. Lead us by Your Word. For the glory of Jesus Christ, place us in His safety. Send Your Spirit so that in our sphere of influence—at work, at home, in politics, in church, in our circle of friends, in our nursing home or from our hospital beds—we will place our trust in You alone. Amen.

March 28, 2021 -- Psalm 11 -- The King our Refuge

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In the LORD I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
    they have fitted their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
    the LORD's throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The LORD tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face.

Psalm 11 ESV

This psalm is made for these confusing days of tumult. The foundations are being destroyed—the Canadian government, at all levels are killing their people with abortions, Medical Assistance in Dying on the one hand, and then on the other imposing crazy restrictions against its own people with regards to economy, stopping compassionate visiting the ill and dying, quarantining healthy people and so on for a virus that is arguably less lethal than the common flu. Even the ‘now more virulent version’, which the state broadcaster of Canada declares is 60% more contagious (this means around 45-55 out of 1000 are likely to catch it (instead of 30 or so out of 1000).

Beloved children of God, look at the tremendous assurances given to the believer. The LORD is the refuge of His people—the government can never be the solution. No political party of any stripe can be a savior. Man-made solutions are always infected with hubris and folly. No political party can ever be the refuge or safety of people, only God the Father is the refuge of His Own—always has been, always will be.

Where is the LORD in all of this? He is in His holy temple! For us as New Testament Christians, this is even more powerful than it might have been for the Old Testament audience. King David’s great descendant, and His Lord, Jesus Christ has taken on Himself the punishment which our sins deserved. Jesus is now at the Father’s right hand, in the real temple, of which the temple in Jerusalem was a mere copy, He praying for believers, bringing righteousness and justice to their culmination. The believer need nor fear the arrows and calamities of the wicked. Notice the mighty power of God, His eyelids (yes, you read that right, in verse 4 His eyelids) test the children of men.

Think about this—your eyes are so delicate. How vulnerable your eyes are to having anything touch them, even the smallest grain of sand can make you so irritated and out of sorts, pained until it is removed. But the LORD is so powerful His eyelids, the merest blink, is enough to overthrow wicked people, baseless government decrees and armies of darkness. What many people might consider to be the most vulnerable and tender part of the body is, anthropomorphically speaking, for our Triune God, still greater than any power in the universe that could ever be arrayed against Him. Remember the LORD God is all powerful. He is Spirit. The psalm-writer is speaking “anthropomorphically”—he is applying human characteristics to God in order that we, small mortals that we are, can begin to grasp what is so beyond our knowledge and experience, which is the mighty, glorious, infinite power of our God.

Father of Glory, arrayed in splendour which is beyond our feeble comprehension, thank You for the terrible beauty of Scripture which directs the believer to begin to understand Who You Are. Blessed Savior, thank You for Your prayers at the Father’s right hand! Who, except for You, could rescue ruined and despoiled sinners so that we dare lift our eyes and our hands in prayer to You, the Triune Majesty, enthroned in righteousness and justice. Spirit of the Living God, increase our faith and imagination, so that our souls know themselves to be fully secure in the LORD God, our Refuge and in Christ, our Intercessor King seated at the Father’s right hand. Faithful God, heal Your fractured people. Jesus, our Great Bridegroom, help us, Your people, to know ourselves to be Your bride, being restored in beauty at Your command in glory. Enable us, Spirit of God, to live and act as Your people, unite from across the denominational lines and puny theological arguments which threaten to divide us, so that Your people, with one voice may declare: The LORD is King forever and ever. Amen.

https://youtu.be/NYe6EOIH1kY

March 22, 2021 -- Psalm 10:16-18 -- The LORD Who Is King inclines His ear to hear you

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The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:16-18 English Standard Version

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), the Dutch theologian, journalist and politician wrote: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Truly, as the psalmist had declared: the LORD is king forever, and all lands, every island and nation, every crag and every jungle—all the earth belongs to Him. Every courtroom, every journalist’s editing room, every police station and every prison, every church and all government buildings, all homes and hovels, castles and lean-to’s and every shelter for the homeless—all are claimed by the LORD.

All who are afflicted, all who cry out to Him will be heard. That in itself is powerful. How often have you thought to yourself—I just want to be heard—for someone to truly listen, not interrupt, not tell me their story or jump in when I pause for breath, but really listen to me from start to finish. The LORD hears. This verse has an anthropomorphism as well—God Who is Spirit “inclines His ear”—it is like He is turning His head in order that He is best positioned to hear you. How awesome is our God, the LORD, the King forever! He stoops from His mighty heavens to hear the faint cries of the lowliest people.

He will strengthen your heart. He gives you fresh courage to face the battle and every struggle.

Today’s prayer is the final paragraph of the prayer titled: “The Mediator” from The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

Lord, grant that my religion may not be

occasional and partial,

but universal, influential, effective,

and may I always continue in thy words

as well as thy works,

so that I may reach my end in peace.

https://youtu.be/VU5e4GEz1t0

March 19, 2021 -- Psalm 9:1-4 -- Your Praise will ever be on my lips

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I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

Psalm 9:1-4 English Standard Version

When you read verses one and two pause and then read verses three and four together something may occur to you. The writer of this Psalm is praising God His LORD in the face of very troubling and trying times. It is a common theme in the Psalms—praising the LORD, rather than rehearsing all that people are doing which we perceive (correctly or incorrectly) as wrong. How many times have you repeated the faults, failings and flaws of others? Especially when you are angry with that person!

When the LORD called His people to battle, a choir would be gathered (II Chronicles 20:21) praising the LORD their Warrior God. This praise choir would lead the people into battle and it would be obvious the victory is the LORD’s and His alone.

Think of Jesus Christ, at the final night of His ministry, hours before His betrayal, a betrayal He had already foretold, He and His disciples sang a hymn (Mark 14:26). How powerful the memory must have been for the disciples to recall the fact they were praising the Living God when Jesus is facing trials, beating, and suffering greater than any man ever has or ever would endure. He led His disciples in praise.

Remember this, Jesus’ suffering did not end. He still had to walk the road marked with suffering and pain, but the hymn of praise and hope showed the disciples, and us today as readers, His confidence rested securely in God His Father. What a testimony that is. For all who are in Christ, our hope and strength is found in God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sometimes the trial will end and we find peace. Sometimes the suffering and pain continues, but we know peace because God our Father is nearer than a sigh. Sometimes the suffering ends in death, to which we can reply: for us to live is Christ and to die is gain.

O LORD, God Most High, I will remember and count Your various, wonderful deeds—what You have done in my life. When my heart is overwhelmed and there are so many things too great to endure I will remember what You have done in Christ. Spirit of God, bring to mind what You are doing in Your people, how Jesus’ salvation is unstoppable. You, Spirit of God, are working out Jesus’ salvation into every part of my heart and mind and life in real time against real heart-break and sorrow. Let Your praise, O LORD, ever be on my lips. Amen.

https://youtu.be/XZDyMJhd4Bo

March 16, 2021 -- Psalm 8:1-2 -- The Majestic Name of the LORD

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O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

you have established strength because of your foes,

to still the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 8:1-2 English Standard Version

After a few Psalms of lament the book of Psalms breaks into this glorious poem of praise. I wonder, do you just sing laments when you’re sad and give full voice to ascriptions of praise like this one when you’re feeling blessed and happy? Let me suggestion something. When you feel the pressures of anxiety and worry, when grief weighs you down and you wonder—now what—it is very appropriate to praise the LORD.

Notice that even babies and infants—those who are helpless and in need of total care—who are praising the LORD are stronger than the foes of the LORD and all enemies. It is not our power that saves us. It is the strength of the LORD. When we praise Him, we are giving over our problems and our fears to Him and letting His grace and power take over.

Fears will crush us. Fears will drive us from the sole source of help available to us. When a lion attacks a young wild animal, it will seek to separate the young one from its mother so that this vulnerable one will be easy prey. When the devil is attacking he will be like a lion, seeking to move you from the protection and love of God—the Warrior King Who is Majestic. Do not give in to fear. Christ the King has taken away our punishment. Christ has given to you His righteousness. The accusations of the enemy count for nothing. God’s glory, which is above the heavens, is the glory and the strength, which shine over His children. As you bless His Name you are looking up to Him Who establishes His strength in you.

Blessed are You, O LORD our Lord! Joyful or sorrowful, confident or anxious—no matter the state of our mind or hearts, may we bless You and know You as the Strength and the Song of Your people. Before You all fears evaporate like mist before the morning sun. Amen.

https://youtu.be/3KESHlBh8a8

March 11, 2021 -- Psalm 7:17 -- Tears of Lament and Unstoppable Hope

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I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,

and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17 English Standard Version

Remember that this Psalm began with lament. In fact, much of the psalm is filled with crying out the Living God. And this verse, the final stanza of the Psalm ends with the decision to praise. There are two possibilities. One is that the LORD has rescued the writer from all who pursued him. He is aware of the great deliverance of the God Who is His shield. Thanks be to the Living God, Who will rescue His people.

The second possibility is that the LORD has not yet rescued this one who is lamenting. The tears have gone out. The cries are still reverberating through the cosmos. The LORD on His throne has heard and the anguished one has vowed to praise the LORD. Whether his circumstances have changed right at that moment or not, the LORD has heard and He Who hears will act. Tears have given way to hope. That is the greatness of our God.

In fact bringing both this restoration of hope and enacting righteousness are what Jesus has done at the cross. All our wrongs have been placed on Jesus and He was punished for them in our place. At the cross where we formerly lamented when it seemed wrong-doers, enemies and betrayers have not been punished, we now plead for the salvation of our betrayers. Because He Who was crucified will return—as the Just Judge and the One Who makes all things right by His righteous judgments. Those who have not joined us in submitting to Jesus Christ and seeking in Him forgiveness will themselves bear the full weight of God’s wrath on their sins. This leads us to urgently pray, LORD, have mercy on them.

Man of Sorrow, Jesus our Savior-King—thank You for rescuing us at the cross! Thank You for bearing the full weight of God’s just anger against our sin. Thank You Father in heaven, that in Jesus, You call us beloved sons and daughters. Spirit of God, bring our enemies and betrayers to the full knowledge of Jesus’ redeeming work! Spirit of Truth rescue them from the hell of torments that awaits them, so that we, betrayed and betrayers, may kneel before Christ our King and in unison declare: “Hallelujah! What a Savior! May the thanks due Your Righteousness, Triune God, be declared in song and deed, praise and acts of holy service. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Q3F1Gq1IoLI

March 9, 2021 -- Psalm 7:1-5 -- The LORD our Refuge

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O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
    save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
    rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this,
    if there is wrong in my hands,
4 if I have repaid my friend with evil
    or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,
    and let him trample my life to the ground
    and lay my glory in the dust. Selah

Psalm 7:1-5 English Standard Version

Okay, it was very tempting just to skip over this Psalm—I mean, not another lament?! Then I realized a couple of things. One. It is the order of the Psalms and I want to respect this. Two. In these Covid times there are many people who are suffering greatly and the words of this prayer can give voice to something that might otherwise go unnamed. Three. This deals with the betrayal of a friend, or literally as it says at verse 4 in the Hebrew “one with whom I am at peace”. It is as if someone I trusted, who I could have expected kindness from or at minimum no harm, has turned and unexpectedly snarled and snapped at me causing pain.

Note that the LORD is the refuge of the Psalmist. He is first off expecting, as the Promise-Keeping God, the Covenant-Keeping LORD, a safe place to be protected, to bare his soul and to find mercy when no one else has a word of kindness for him. That is the important point, when you are wounded, do you turn to the LORD, your refuge, the One Place of Healing?

Notice that the psalmist, after claiming protection from God his Refuge, then examines his own conscience and actions. He is prepared to confess his own sins and the things he might have done which caused such betrayal. This is too important to just skip over. It is easy to know all the wrongs others have committed and rehearse these endlessly without ever considering one’s own complicity, or sinfulness. In this self-examination the psalmist is prepared to be humiliated and exposed.

Friends, people with whom there is peace because of Christ, what a glorious lesson is given here. Jesus is our peace. He alone was sinless. He alone had the right to cry out against all people who betrayed Him. Yet, He prayed for for all who wounded Him, who cheated Him and sinned against Him. It is the lesson of the cross. We are all debtors to the cross of Christ therefore, as such, we are freed to offer and receive from one another forgiveness and peace. Evil must still be redressed. Wrongs among the people of God must be righted. But it begins with forgiveness and then restoration of the relationship where possible, and will finally end with the now-reconciled giving praise to the LORD, the Most High God

Correct me, Spirit of God, so that I can see my own faults and failures. In view of the cross of Christ, give me a generous heart, ready to forgive. God of Salvation, restore among us fellowship with those whom I’d pegged as betrayers (whether they were so or not) so that together we can praise You, the LORD of Righteousness. All this is prayed on the basis of the powerful, accomplished work of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ijsjA5Yf8XA

March 8, 2021 -- Psalm 6:6-10 -- Tears and Triumph

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I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea;
    the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
    they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Psalm 6:6-10 English Standard Version

King David seemed to me, in my youth, a valiant character beyond reproach. A mighty warrior who could face down any opponent and defeat any wild animal. He was a man’s man with no emotion except victorious exuberance and high joys. The Psalms bring us a far more intimate portrait of the man. He has weaknesses. He has profoundly deep emotions which I had not associated with battle hardened warriors. He experienced tears. He experienced grief. I guess that last one should be obvious, any warrior will lose fellow soldiers in battles. There would be grief. Near unbearable grief hard to understand by the ordinary people who have not fought side by side in the thick of battle with a man dearer than a brother only to lose him to an enemy. Yes, anguished grief must have been familiar to him.

Where does his resilience come from so that he can cope? His strength, even in weeping, is from the LORD. Twice in verse 9 the powerful Name is used, all in capitals, which indicates it is the covenant Name of God. The LORD will not abandon His people—that is His sure-fire promise. Everything we experience in this life, even the most painful hardships, are purposeful. For this reason, we have hope beyond the tears. The LORD has conquered sin. The LORD has set our punishment on His Christ and given us life that no battle can ultimately take. We are His. David also wrote: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b). What glorious hope is ours in Name of God.

Prayer hearing, tear-seeing, anguished grief-relieving God of Power, blessed are You. When weariness overwhelms us and grief wrings out the last drop of moisture from our eyes, thank You for the fact that You hear and accept the prayers of Your people—this is not based on whether or not we feel it—this is anchored in the accomplished work of Jesus. Spirit of God sustain us until joy returns. And when our strength is renewed and it is almost impossible to relate to the deep anguish of the Psalm-writer, move us to pray for those in our lives, in our congregation, in our circle of friends or coworkers to pray passionately, that such resilience as this psalm pictures will be granted them, in Jesus’ Name we pray it. Amen

https://youtu.be/0LNQMZykJBQ

March 5, 2021 -- Psalm 6:4-5 -- Save me, O LORD

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Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

For in death there is no remembrance of you;

in Sheol who will give you praise?

Psalm 6:4-5 English Standard Version

When I am feeling good, those who depressed and struggling against dire circumstances—like illness or financial ruin or betrayal by family—whatever it is, well, they’re able to pull you down into the whirlpool of their sufferings. It is tempting to stand far off and just enjoy my own good feelings far separated from the straggling strugglers.

This is perhaps why it is difficult for us to comprehend the great kindness of God our LORD. In the past, whenever the people of the LORD have struggled and grieved and lamented, the LORD answered. He did turn and He was gracious to His people, bringing them great deliverance. The LORD is not like a fair weather friend who leaves at the first sign of trouble. He invites His people to persistent prayer and repeating asking for deliverance. He does this so that believers know their salvation is wholly the work of God. He does this so that believers have cause to rejoice. He does this so that believers remember the horrors of past sins, if that is what is currently afflicting them. He does this so that believers will meet others who are struggling in the deepest pits of grief, or sorrow or pain, and believers can identity with fellow sufferers and point them towards their heart’s home—The LORD our God, our Deliverer.

Faithful Father, it is almost too hard to lift my eyes upwards to try and find You. As You have been merciful to Your people in the past, on that basis I am begging You, show kindness to me now. Forgive the times I have been unable to bear the tears and suffering of others. Forgive me for avoiding those who might seem capable of pulling me into the mud flats of their sorrows and for not wading in immediately help them by prayer and Scripture, in the power of Your Spirit, so that together we find the sure shore of Your steadfast love. This I pray in Jesus’ Name—the One Who is the lighthouse of Your eternal love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/L2QvFKKCzzs

March 4, 2021 -- Psalm 6:1-3 -- Tears again

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O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?

Psalm 6:1-3 English Standard Version

Seriously, we’re here again? Didn’t we just go through a bunch of repenting and crying out? I hear you. I just want something happy-clappy to get me through the day. The reality is that our lives are not mountain peak to mountain top experiences of wondrous rapture all the time. Instead, there are many days where we wonder “what is going on?!?”

It may well be that the psalmist is struggling with illness. As someone who battles depression, I can so relate. There are many days my bones ache and my heart is heavy. There is no unconfessed sin (that I am aware of, else I’d confess it). And the days can be long stretches where my languid body and slow mind just cannot fight the inertia.

Where else can we go in our struggle? When sin threatens us, it takes the mercy of LORD to break it. When grief floods us so only our nostrils and lips are barely above water and we are inhaling water sprays wondering can I go on? The LORD can pluck us out of the raging waters. He can put me on the Rock of Safety. He hears those who cry out to Him. When we feel betrayed by our dearest and closest ones, it is the LORD knows the lament of our crushed soul and He hears us. This is the glory of the Word of God—to show over and over again the patient, listening, love of God.

Jesus was forsaken at the cross so that we, when we cry out to the LORD from the depths of our troubles, would have profound assurance. Jesus has carried away from us the punishment of the LORD so that we can receive the peace and healing of God. What the psalmist longed for and ached for is clearly displayed in Jesus Christ. Cry your tears, whisper your anguished prayers with the confidence, God hears.

Be kind to me, God. I don’t know the right words. Am I supposed to kneel when I speak to You? Do I have to speak the right words, because I am empty—too flattened by everything going on to know how to say much more than this—help me. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yETRxtYIL-E

March 3, 2021 -- Psalm 5:11-12 -- Semi colon because the story is not done

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But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O LORD;

you cover them with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:11-12 English Standard Version

In case my parents are reading this, be assured I’m not getting a tattoo. Okay, that is out of the way. If, hypothetically, if I did get a tattoo, it’d be a semi-colon on my wrist. Others with the same struggle I have will immediately recognize it and those who are informed or taught will understand. A semi colon ( ; ) indicates a pause in a sentence. It is a symbol to declare the one so marked has paused and reconsidered the act of suicide. It means the person has decided his story is not done.

The psalmist began this Psalm lamenting, belly-aching grief poured out in prayer before the LORD. He has prepared his sacrifice and watched. Perhaps his attentiveness on the LORD has lasted a long time with no sense of the LORD’s nearness or love. The story is not done.

Whether or not the LORD responded, the psalmist has preached to his own soul. Let all who take refuge in You rejoice. This is a decision. There is a prayer and plea—spread your protection over them. It is a vow of trust. It might well be that before the LORD has acted in faithfulness, in advance of God’s responding to the prayer of His servant, the servant, recalling past evidences of the LORD’s goodness, remembers this: “For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as a shield”—and the psalmist will not let his groaning overwhelm him, he will watch in attendance on the LORD. There is no better refuge. The story is not done. He will live to write again.

https://youtu.be/979JrZs1log

Psalm 5 is the song and prayer today. It is very much a lament, yet the tune offers some hopeful notes as well. Hope it is a blessing and inspiration.

Listen to my words, O LORD; Know the whispered things I say.

Heed my crying out for help—God, my King, to You I pray.

Hear me in the morning, LORD, When I lift my voice on high,

Setting forth my plea to You, looking out with watchful eye.

 

For I know that You, O God, Find in evil no delight;

Evil cannot dwell with You, Nor the proud stand in Your sight.

You hate all who practice sin. You destroy the one who lies;

For the LORD abominates Those who schemes of blood devise.

 

Yet in Your abounding love, To Your house will I drawn near,

Bowing to Your holy place, Worshiping in rev’rent fear.

Since, O LORD, my enemies All around me lie in wait,

Lead me in Your righteousness; Make Your way before me straight.

 

In their mouth there is no truth; All their heart destruction seeks,

Like an open grave their throat, Whole their tongue with honey speaks.

Make them bear their guilt, O God; Snare them in the things they planned!

Cast them out for all their sins, Rebel who against You stand.

 

Yet let all who trust in You Sing for joy through all their days.

Guard all those who love Your name; Let them give You joyful praise.

Blessing to the righteous one, You, O LORD, will surely bring;

With your favor, like a shield, You will give him covering.

 

Joseph Parry, 1879 tune Abertystwyth 77.77.D

The ARP Psalter

March 2, 2021 -- Psalm 5:9-10 -- Discerning what's around you

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For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

Psalm 5:9-10 English Standard Version

After the soaring words of verses 7 & 8 our text today seems like quite a come down. It is very damning against false flatterers and the forked tongue peoples all around. When you engage the text one thing you’ll notice is a sense of the dialogue—first between the Psalmist and God and then a sense of dialogue cataloguing something in the Psalmist’s own heart.

As the Psalmist recognizes there is no truth in their mouth and hears the false flattery of such people around him, he is making the distinction Psalm 1 spoke of—blessed are those who do not walk with the wicked or stand with sinners or sit with scoffers. A Psalm 1 man or woman, who desires to be blessed, carefully discerns the words and actions of the people all around. Sometimes you meet someone who seems well-intentioned, but the more time you spend, the more you realize how deep is their perfidy. When you hear and realize the wicked intentions of the heart and understand the speech for what it is, then leave that person and situation and delight in the Law of God.

Secondly, the Psalmist, in noting all these things is calling down the consequences of God on the heads and life of the transgressors. Why? Is it because he thinks he’s better? Not at all. Instead, the Psalmist realizes, unless one sees the full weight of his sin and knows how odious it is before God and the people of God, such a person will wade deeper and deeper into the foul sewage of his life. By allowing someone to see the consequences of their sin, to understand that sin is in fact sin, one is faced with a choice, either to go deeper or to cry out for help from God, Who displays the magnificence of His rescue story in Jesus Christ.

Great LORD, my King and my God, give me a discerning heart today so that I will recognize sin at its first appearance and when the first tendrils of temptation seek to entangle me at that exact moment by Your Word and Spirit help me to run from evil. Triune God of great compassion make the sinners all around bear their guilt so that they will be driven into Your arms for rescue. Thank You, Faithful God, that You delight to save in the powerful Name of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/9Yr48Berkqc

March 1, 2021 -- Psalm 5:4-8 -- Wicked rags or righteousness wrapped

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For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Psalm 5:4-6 English Standard Version

There are enough people who proclaim the God of the Old Testament is angry while Jesus proclaims love. However, even a cursory reading of the New Testament will reveal statements like: “Woe to you [Pharisees]! For you are like unmarked graves, and the people walk over them without knowing it” (Luke 11:44). When Jesus pronounced “woe” He was speaking of the curse of God against the actions and attitudes of the wicked.

Who can stand up under the scrutiny with which Jesus examined the lives of the Pharisees? Who can declare his heart clear of all such sins are are described in the text today? Not one of us. This is why the Bible describes God as “God our Righteousness”. When we are confronted with the vicious words we’ve poured out against others immediately we realize this passage is cutting open our own heart and attitude. A passage like this either makes us turn away and sigh—”at least I am not like that person” or it will reveal again, with great precision, the urgent need we have for the cleansing work of Jesus.

Aware of his own great sin and the greater mercy and forgiving love of God the psalmist then declared his sure hope. Hope which for him looked forward to Christ and for us is anchored in God our Righteousness, Jesus—Whom the Spirit has revealed. This is our prayer today:

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.”

Psalm 5:7-8 ESV

https://youtu.be/UiJiDphZvbs