Living Out Who You Are!

Text: Psalm 134

Ravinia is a concert venue that takes place in one of the northern suburbs of Chicago every summer. Carol and I have had opportunities to attend some of the concerts over the years. Artists come from all over the world to present music from a variety of genres.

One of our most memorable evenings was a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the nation of Israel. As we sat on our lawn chairs not far from the main stage, the musicians gave expression to the history and emotions of the Jewish nation. People around us danced, sang and wept. The finale was breathtaking. Everyone in attendance stood up, clapping and cheering the celebration of a glorious nation. And then we all went our separate ways.

I sometimes wonder if the ancient pilgrimages to Jerusalem were something like our evening at Ravinia. People sang and prayed, but eventually they returned to their homes. Some biblical scholars wonder if Psalm 134 was the type of “song” that closed each one of the Jewish festivals. We don’t know for sure, but we do know it focuses on who we are and what we are to do as the redeemed people of God.

Before you read Psalm 134 one more time, it would be wise to read two other texts: Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9. Both passages identify who Israel and who Christ-followers are supposed to be.

We are believer-priests! Outside of Christ we were not a people, but now in Him we exist to proclaim His greatness to the ends of the earth. Take note of this!

Christ made us priests, so that we might live out our days as worshipers.

So what exactly do worshipers do?  

Read Psalm 134 again and notice three implications of our priesthood.

1. Believer-priests worship continually. In verse 1 the psalmist moves from the general to the specific. He starts with Jewish people in general (“all you servants”), and then alludes to those “who stand in the Lord’s house at night.” The last phrase in verse 1 most likely refers to the Levites who stood guard in the temple, making sure that no one would bring harm to the holy objects within the Temple. Some of these Levites would do the same thing during the daylight hours. So the focus was upon continual service to God. And that’s what Christians are to do as well. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Whatever we do in word or deed, we are to do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (COL 3:17).”
2. Believer-priests worship reverently. In verse 2 the ancient Jewish pilgrims were called upon to lift up their hands in praise.  But notice that they were to do so “in the holy place.”  Obviously the psalmist was referring to the Temple and its surroundings.  But Christians are to realize that because they are always in Christ’s presence, they are always on holy ground. Therefore, we are to speak, act, and live in a manner that is fitting for a people who are always in God’s presence.  
3. Believer-priests worship the Creator, not created things. It is interesting that Psalm 134 makes reference to the LORD, as the Maker of heaven and earth. As the Creator, God not only fashioned everything that exists, but He also “owns” everything that exists—including you and me.  Therefore, we must be on guard to be sure that we are not drawn away to make too much of created things. Created things exist for our benefit, but we exist to worship the Creator.  

May I encourage you to do something that may be out of character and a little strange at first?

When you awaken tomorrow, put your feet on the floor, raise your hands in the air and say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.  And all that is within me, bless Your holy Name!” Get your mind in gear to live up to who your really are, a believer-priest called to proclaim the greatness of God’s name!

The Key To Ministry Effectiveness

Text: Psalm 133

I recently received a copy of one of my favorite magazines in the mail. When it arrives in our mailbox, I often put life on hold for several minutes to scan the magazine’s content. I noticed in the most recent addition that a lot of conferences for pastors and lay leaders were being advertised. Almost all of those ads were promising the participants greater ministry effectiveness. But then I noticed that something was obviously missing. Psalm 133 talks about the missing element.

This week’s psalm of ascent is “short and sweet,” as we say. But don’t let its brevity fool you. It would be wise to notice the terms and structure that David employs in this psalm.  Read the psalm carefully, because the structure has a cumulative effect.

• Notice that verses 1 and 3 serve as bookends for the psalm. In verse 1 the word “good” was a synonym for “blessing.” In this case it was the blessing of Jewish brothers living in unity in the land given to them by God. In verse 3 the “blessing” was something commanded by the LORD. So the bookends are referring to the blessings of God. But how does one receive these blessings? Keep reading...
• Notice that after introducing brotherly unity in verse 1, the psalmist goes on to describe this unity with two vivid metaphor. The first is found in verse 2 where David makes reference to the “precious oil on the head.” The verse refers to this oil as the oil of consecration that was poured over Israel’s priests at the time of their ordination to service. This oil was so special that the priests used it exclusively. Jewish pilgrims singing this psalm on their way to Jerusalem would be reminding one another that they too were all priests before God (cf. EX 19:6).  Israel was to be a kingdom of priests. That was their calling!
• The second metaphor is found in verse 3a, where David makes reference to the “dew of Hermon.” Mount Hermon had snow caps almost all year round. Its moisture probably didn’t come all the way south to Jerusalem, but it watered the lowlands nearby. It brought prosperity to the fields, thus making some Israelites prosperous for yet another season. But every Jew knew that this prosperity wasn’t a natural phenomenon alone. It was God’s blessing given for the obedience of His people (cf. DEUT 28:1-6). Psalm 133 reminded every Jewish Christian that obedience produced blessing!
• Finally, notice the last two words of verse 3, “life forevermore.” You might be inclined to think of “eternal life” when you read those words. Yes, it is true that Christ-followers have already inherited eternal life through the finished work of Jesus. But this phrase is most likely referring to “long life!" It is a reference to a life lived effectively before God, doing His will in every way. 

OK, but what’s the point? If Israel was to have “life forevermore,” that is life-long ministry effectiveness, they had to be unified. And the same is true for the members of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Long-term ministry effectiveness is a by-product of living in spiritual unity. 

When we talk about “unity” we are not talking about rallying around a political candidate. And it certainly is not uniting around a specific kind of music or worship format. “Spiritual unity” refers to the union we have with Christ and with other believers. “Spiritual unity” is when Christians join together in declaring that Jesus is Lord, and that we are His people.

How do we practice spiritual unity?

Here are four action steps that may be helpful.

1. WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Every Christian needs to “walk in the Spirit” (cf. ROM 8:4). This will be a choice we make, whereby we choose to let the Spirit guide our lives through His Word and His daily promptings. We walk with the Spirit instead of trying to control the circumstances around us.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE GIFTS. Every believer needs to realize that there is diversity in the Church. We all need one another. We all have different gifts and skills. One is not necessarily more important than another. We need one another, and we need to respect one another (cf. 1 COR 12:12-14). 
3. FORGIVE. Our sinful propensities make us susceptible to pride and hurt. A bitter, vengeful attitude will destroy our ministry effectiveness very quickly. Therefore, we need to choose to forgive people, so that our ministries might have a long-term, positive impact.
4. SERVE OTHERS. Every believer will want to be open to serving others in the name of Jesus. As we walk by faith, the Spirit will show us needs that others have, needs that we will most likely be prepared to meet.  

I am at a point in my life where I realize I have fewer years to serve King Jesus than ever before. I want to be effective. I want my ministry to have long-term, positive influence. I trust you want the same. If so, make it a priority to live in unity with your Christian brothers and sisters everywhere!

Unity is an absolute essential for long-term ministry effectiveness.

Where Will YOU Worship?

Text: Psalm 132

This past Sunday was a day that many of us refer to as a “day of worship.” For Carol and me it was a delightful day. We enjoyed the music, and the sermon directed our thoughts to the reality that we are Christ’s servants for the rest of the week.  I needed to hear that, and my soul needed to worship!

What would happen if our “places of worship” no longer existed?  

Perhaps you would feel like the psalmist who wrote Psalm 132. It is another one of those psalms of ascent, sung almost exclusively by Jewish pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem during one of Israel’s feast days. Some commentators suggest that this psalm was written during the time of the Jewish Exile, when access to Jerusalem and the Temple was non-existent. We have no way of knowing if this was the setting, but we do know that the writer longs to worship. How will this longing be fulfilled?

Notice how Psalm 132 is structured. It can be viewed from the perspective of time.

1. PAST - Verses 1-12 deal with the past. The psalmist looks back to the days of David when he desired to bring the ark to Jerusalem. This was such a great passion for him that he could not sleep at night until the ark had a resting place (vv. 1-5). Then there was the time when David, at great risk, recaptured the ark from the Philistines and actually brought it to Jerusalem (vv. 6-10). So the psalmist asks God to bless David’s risks in bringing the ark to Jerusalem.
2. PRESENT - Between verse 12 and 13 there is an unwritten allusion to the present. After reciting the promise of the Davidic Covenant in verse 12, many readers would acknowledge that David’s offspring did NOT keep the covenant. As a result, Jerusalem fell, the Temple was destroyed, and the people went into captivity. As far as the present is concerned, Jews still cannot go to the Temple to worship. And neither does God currently reside in a Jewish Temple.
3. FUTURE - Verses 13-18 express a longing for a blessed future. Yes, the Lord has chosen Zion (v. 13). People long to rejoice in the abundant blessings only God can provide (vv. 15-18).  But it is still a longing—a prayer—not a reality! Psalm 132 seems to point to a future time of glorious worship.

In many ways Psalm 132 also points to a coming relative of David’s who will reign in Jerusalem and over all the earth. This is the allusion spoken of in verse 17, where the author refers to a “horn” and a “lamp.” I believe this is a reference to Jesus, the risen Savior and promised King.

What will we do if our PLACES of worship are taken away? 

We don’t want that to happen, but even if it did, there is still hope.

We can worship any time and in any place. Since King Jesus is always present to be worshiped! 

But how do we know He is present? There are many references in the New Testament to Christ’s victory over sin and death, but I’ll cite just two. In Matthew 28:17-18, we are told that when the disciples first saw the resurrected Savior they worshiped! Jesus also told His followers that all authority in heaven and earth had been granted to Him. In addition, prior to His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus promised His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit to live within every believer. That promised was fulfilled in Acts 2. Therefore, Jesus would always be with followers! That means they could also worship Him at any time or any place!

How will we worship in those “any time/any place” moments of worship? 

There are lots of ways, but here are three you will want to consider.

1. We can worship Him in our work. Yes, your place of employment as well as your daily activities can be carried out to glorify Jesus. So worship Him in your work (COL 3:17). 
2. We can worship Him in our families. Parents have a wonderful opportunity to call their children to worship Jesus at mealtime and throughout the day (EPH 6:4).
3. We can worship Him in our blessings. Every time something good comes into our lives. Whether it is a beautiful, sunny day or some unexpected blessing, we can give thanks to the One who has sent the blessing (1 THESS 5:18; JS 1:17).

I pray that we will have actual places of worship for years to come. But if they should cease for one reason or another, that does not mean an end to your worship.

Jesus is King! Jesus is present! You can worship Him…ANYWHERE!

Spiritual Rest For The Weary Soul

Read: Psalm 131

The difference between anxiety and fear is probably only a matter of degrees.  They are sisters often working together within the confines of our daily thoughts.  Behind every anxious feeling is the delusional idea that we are in charge of our own fate. We live as though we have to take charge and make things happen. And if we don’t, life will be intolerable—at least that is what we have come to think!

Will it surprise you if I tell you that I have been “anxious” about Psalm 131?  It’s true!  It is the twelfth of fifteen psalms designated as a psalm of ascent. It was one of the pilgrim songs sung by Hebrew worshipers as they made their way to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts. We have no background as to what prompted the writing of this song.  All we know is that King David was the original author. And David was writing these words “after-the-fact.” According to verse 2 he had learned an important lesson about contentment.  In fact, he had learned that contentment was the best cure for an anxious life.

The centerpiece of Psalm 131 is the metaphor David uses in verse 2. He likens himself to a “weaned child.” The picture seems to be a contrast between a crying infant (who wants to be fed immediately) and a child who has learned to wait. There may be delays and interruptions, but the “weaned child” knows that the mother will certainly meet the needs at hand. Therein lies a truth that every anxious heart needs to embrace:

Instead of being anxious about life, learn to rest in the supremacy of God.

Two questions come to mind as we ponder what David is saying...

What is the supremacy of God?  

God’s supremacy is related to His providential working in every single detail of life. His supremacy refers to the reality that everything was created by God, exists for God, and relates to His good purposes (cf. REV 4:11). Therefore, the wise Christ-follower will surrender to the supremacy of God with delight, knowing that whatever He allows to come into our lives is ultimately for our good.

How do we come to rest in God’s supremacy?

Psalm 131 “hints” at three things we can do.

1. Rest in God’s supreme knowledge. Notice in verse 1 that David says, “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.” For some reason he came to realize that he had no right to look down on others. He had no basis for assuming that he was the master of his own fate. David was not saying that he had given up any pursuit of the intellectual dimensions of life. When he says, “I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me,” he realizes that his most intricate knowledge pales in comparison to knowing God. He took delight in the knowledge of God, and we must do the same!
2. Rest in God’s supreme love. Once again the metaphor of verse 2 implies an intimate understanding of the caregiver. Just as a child learns over time to trust the mother’s love, so too had David learned to take delight in God’s love. The Heavenly Father had protected him, guided him, rescued him, and eventually guided him to be King of Israel. And God’s love will guide and protect you as well! So rest in His supreme love. 
3. Rest in God’s perfect plan. Notice in verse 3 that David says, “Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forever.” The word “hope” does not refer to wishful thinking. In biblical terminology “hope” has to do with an inward confidence that what God says He will do is true. We may not see it at this point in time, but we can trust God’s perfect plan.

Rest in God’s perfect and good plan for you, whether it makes sense right now or not!

Trouble might be biting at your heals even as you read this post. But don’t focus on the trouble that may or may not hang around for long. Instead, set your mind on the supremacy of God.

He knows all about you. 
He loves you beyond what you will ever fully know.
His plan for you is right on schedule.

So trust Him! Trust Him today and forever!

Faith In An Upside-Down World

Text: Psalm 130

A “disciple” is someone who learns the ways of a master. Disciples follow their masters through life as pilgrims on the way to a richer and fuller life. Those who sung the Old Testament psalms of ascent where “disciples of Yahweh.” They made regular journeys to Jerusalem to worship their LORD for His majesty and grace.

In similar ways, Christians are “pilgrim-disciples.”

One might think that following Jesus would lead to a life with little or no problems. But nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the New Testament is filled with stories of Christians who suffered for their faith in Jesus (cf. Hebrews 11:32-40). Their lives were turned upside down because of what they believed and how they lived.

Some disciples reading this blog know the reality of a faith that is interrupted with pain. Maybe you are going through the sorrow of divorce, job loss, the betrayal of a one-time friend, or the horrible diagnosis of a terminal disease.

If your world is in turmoil, then you desperately need Psalm 130 in your life. 

We know this is a psalm about personal turmoil because of the words recorded in verse 1: "Out of the depths I call to you, Yahweh." The word “depths” refers to a life that has made a sudden turn in the direction of pain and confinement. It is a term that emerges out of doubt and fear—the fear that maybe God has forgotten us and we are all alone.

So what should we do in these painful circumstances?  Psalm 130 is making an unusual appeal:

When life turns upside down, God wants us to practice redemptive waiting.

WHAT IS REDEMPTIVE WAITING?

It is the practice of one who believes intellectually that God is at work, but there is little evidence that He is currently working in our lives. As a result, we have to WAIT for God to act and to rescue us.

HOW DO WE PRACTICE REDEMPTIVE WAITING?

1. WE MUST WAIT & PRAY.  Stop right there! The psalmist is not talking about some polite, well-phrased prayer. No, it is a prayer of “crying out” to God about the pain we are facing. Notice in verses 1 and 2 that the writer “calls from the depths” to a God he expects will listen with attentive ears.  Yes, that is the kind of God we have in Christ Jesus. So while you are waiting, pray with intensity to the God who hears you.
2. WE MUST WAIT & WORSHIP. Notice that in verses 3 and 4 that the psalmist realizes something majestic about Yahweh, the God or redemption. He doesn’t hold on to our sins, considering how terrible they are. He doesn’t keep throwing our past sins in our faces. This psalm tells us that our God is a God of forgiveness who is to be “revered.” So while you are waiting, be sure to worship Jesus, who has forgiven all your sins—past, present, and future.
3. WE MUST WAIT & WATCH. According to verses 5 and 6 we are to make the most of our waiting. We are to be like ancient “watchman” who spent the night on constant alert to make sure no enemies would breech the city’s security. In the same way, we are to watch and anticipate that God cares and that He will act on our behalf.
4. WE MUST WAIT & PROCLAIM. According to verses 7 and 8 the psalmist called the entire nation of Israel to put their hope in God. He was calling for his fellow pilgrims to speak truth to one another as they traveled to and from Jerusalem. He knew that life is best lived in community where we share our faith with others. When some are emotionally discouraged, others will be there to remind them of God’s love and power. So with the psalmist of old we are to wait and tell others that God will eventually come to our rescue.

WHAT DOES REDEMPTIVE WAITING LOOK LIKE?

So if we practice redemptive waiting, does that mean that every broken relationship will be healed and every problem resolved in this life? No, that may not be the outcome. God may very well deliver us from the problems we are currently facing. But ultimate redemption will come when Jesus returns, and we enter into His presence forever! So with His promise of rescue before us, we have good reason to WAIT!

3 Ways To Handle Spiritual Attacks

Text: Psalm 129

As I write this post, most news outlets are giving moment-by-moment updates on a terrorist attack in Brussels, Belgium. So far over 30 people have been killed and over 100 have been seriously injured. Like other terrorist attacks, the free nations of the world are on high alert, wondering what responses should be taken to prevent further enemy assaults. As you can imagine, massive damage and death often make citizens bitter. They not only want protection; they want REVENGE!

Most people who read this blog have not been the victims of terrorism. But that does not mean we are exempt from danger, especially SPIRITUAL DANGER. The Bible is clear that Christians will be subject to various kinds of assaults while living on this side of eternity. For instance…

• Godly people will be subject to persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
• Unbelievers are enemies of the cross, and ultimately our enemies as well. (Philippians 3:18)
• And of course, the devil is constantly hurling spiritual attacks against the people of God. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

The ultimate question is, “What do we do when we are the victims of spiritual assault?” 

Here is where Psalm 129 can be helpful. Keep in mind that this psalm, like the others we have been meditating on in recent weeks, is a psalm of ascent. That is, it was most likely sung by pilgrims who made their way to one of Israel’s annual feasts in Jerusalem. In any gathering of people, especially those who might be traveling together over a number of days, conversations can become very personal. People might even open up about the pains and sorrows they have faced individually and corporately. If that happened, it was most likely that an astute leader might recite Psalm 129 as a psalm of comfort and instruction.

So back to our question: What do we do when we are victims of spiritual assault of any kind? The answer is embedded in the words of Psalm 129.

When spiritual attacks occur, God wants us to maintain a prayerful perspective.

Look carefully at this pilgrim song and you will see three ways we can maintain a prayerful perspective during time of spiritual attack.

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY OF AFFLICTION

In verses 1 through 3 the psalmist repeats the refrain “greatly have they afflicted me from my youth.” In fact, the psalmist goes into great detail as to the kinds of painful affliction the nation had endured from many different enemies. Notice that Israel’s past was not buried or suppressed. Hebrew citizens were to acknowledge that their enemies had inflicted great harm. Christians would be wise to do the same, remembering that on this side of eternity trouble will never be absent from our lives.

2. AFFIRM GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

The first line of verse 4 declares what is always true about God. He is never the cause of evil in this world, and his responses are always right in every way. The second line of the verse indicates what God has done, “he has cut the cords of the wicked.” It may not feel that way at times, but in Christ Jesus the power of Satan and his agents have no permanent control in our lives.

3. ASK GOD TO INTERVENE

This is a crucial step, especially when our pain often fosters an attitude of bitterness. In verses 5 through 8 the psalmist pens what is often referred to as an imprecatory psalm. Imprecation is the action of people who have been unjustly treated, who turn their perceived right to revenge over to God to act. They express in highly emotive language what they would like to see happen to their enemies. However, they never take the expressed action into their own hands. The psalmist was asking God to act against his enemies. And that is what we must do as well.

But what good is it to simply pray when we have been unjustly treated?

First, it is an acknowledgement that God has all power and all knowledge regarding how people should be treated. We do not! Second, asking God to intervene instead of getting justice on our own keeps us from a lifetime of regret. We can conjure up ways we might get even with someone, but in the end we can become just as evil as the people who harmed us.

I do not want you to read this psalm as if we have no recourse when wicked people do evil things to us. We do! God has called us to live life with a prayerful perspective. You don’t have to keep harboring ways to get even.

Let God alone deal with unjust people who have harmed you. His ways will always be just and right!

Discovering God's Favor

Text: Psalm 128

If you have ever been to a weekend marriage or parenting conference, you know there is a lot of information to digest. At the end of the conference the speaker might say, “We have been talking about a lot of things you can do to grow your marriage. But let me summarize what we have been talking about.” The conference leader will then give a list of important things to remember. They are what I like to call “going home lists.” 

Psalm 128 is possibly one of those “going home lists.” Most likely the psalm was sung both “going up” to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts, and again when the Jewish pilgrims returned home. It was a psalm about the blessing of God in one’s life once a traveler returned to their towns and vocations. Yes, just like modern thinkers, the Jews in the ancient world wanted to know how they could personally gain the favor of God. The answer is embedded in the word “bless” (vv. 1, 2, 4, & 5), and in the phrase “fear the Lord” (vv. 1 & 4).

Lean into Psalm 128 and this is what you will most likely hear:

God's favor will fall on those who fear Him!

There it is: plain, simple, concise, and hopefully easy to recall. That is what the psalms of ascent were intended to do - to foster worship and remembrance. But this psalm poses two important questions that must be answered.

What would we be doing if we were actually living in the fear the LORD?

• Verse 1b says that the one who fears the LORD “walks in his ways.” That is, we feed on the truth of God and then are intentional about obeying whatever He says. 
• Be careful here! The “fear of the Lord” is not cowering out of concern that God might strike us dead at any moment. Instead, to fear God is to know what He says, to believe what He says, and then to do whatever He asks of us. 

Let me state that again:

To fear God is to know what He says, to believe what He says, and then do whatever He asks of us. 

How will God favor me if I actually follow through and live in the fear of the Lord? 

• Before you jump to interpreting this psalm too literally, read the text from the mindset of an ancient Hebrew. Verse 2 states that God will bless the “God-fearer” with the “fruit of one’s labor.” This is most likely a reference to an abundant grape harvest. Verses 3-5 make reference to the blessing of children (using the metaphor of a “fruitful vine” in verse 3).  
• What about couples who cannot have children for a variety of reasons? Does this mean God is not blessing them? Of course not! Parents in ancient Israel not only loved their children, but they viewed them as necessary resources that kept the agricultural economy moving.

 

What then are the blessings God will give those who fear him?

• He will give them success in their vocational lives. 128:2
• He will give them the resources needed to continue making progress in life. 128:3-4
• He will give them a long and healthy life. 128:5-6

Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm. That means it is generally true about life, but there will always be exceptions to the principle presented. You must above all keep in mind that this psalm is for you! Bring it to mind as often as you can.

Do you have access to an audio recording of the Bible? If so, find your way to Psalm 128 and play it on your way to work for the rest of the week. Then play it again on your way home. Every time you listen to the words of this glorious song, remember this:

God's favor will fall on those who fear Him!

Invite God Into Your Day

Text: Psalm 127

I grew up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania. Although I didn’t appreciate farm life as a young boy, I look back with appreciation on the life and blessings I was given. The primary blessing had to do with “hard work.” That is, I learned what it meant to get up early, work the land with my father and go to bed late at night. As a result, I carried those lessons into adulthood. 

I am the first to admit that there is a subtle “dark side” to the principle of hard work.

• It's the idea that we can make things happen.
• We think we can accomplish our goals if we just work hard enough.
• We assume we can go as far in life as we want to go, as long as we are willing to put in long hours. 

However, these assumptions are deceptive. Psalm 127 gives us a very different perspective on life. This “wisdom psalm,” sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Israel’s annual feasts, reminds us that everyday life needs to start with an invitation.

Notice that the author of Psalm 127 employs two words that are critical to interpreting the psalm. The first word is “unless” (v. 1). It's a word that introduces a warning. The psalmist seems to be saying, “Unless God is in the picture, there may be no “true success.”

The other word used by the psalmist is the word “vain” (vv. 1 & 2). It can be translated as “futile” or “worthless.” In the context of Psalm 127, Solomon was saying that if God were left out of the picture, the end result would most likely be “futility.” 

And that is where the “invitation” comes into our reading.

We must invite God into every activity of our lives, since every accomplishment is God's doing.

 

How is God the source behind everything we accomplish?  

• According to verse 1a, God provides us with “wisdom.” I know the word “wisdom” does not appear in the text. But when the writer says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain,” he is not suggesting that construction work be literally turned over to God. Solomon was speaking metaphorically. So what does a house builder need? That person needs “wisdom” to carry out the task. And God is the source of that wisdom.
• According to verse 1b, God also provides us with national security.  The “city” was representative of the nation.  And a nation could have a strong system of defense against foreign and domestic enemies. But unless the LORD did the protecting, the best system of defense would fail.  God is the source of our national security.
• According to verse 2, the LORD provides us with sleep.  We take this resource for granted, but sleep is absolutely essential to restoring the body and mind for each new day of activity.  God is the source of rest and renewal.
• In verses 3 through 5, the psalmist says that the LORD provides us with personal protection. Yes, God guards over our national security (cf. v. 1b), but He also makes personal protection available to every Christ-follower on a daily basis. In ancient Israel the social safety net was not a government fund or even private insurance. People found protection through family care. Parents cared for their children when they were small. And when the parents entered their senior adult years, the children took care of them. Whatever the equivalent resource might be in our modern context, God is always the supplier. God provides us with personal protection.

The essential truth of Psalm 127 is simply that we must invite God into every endeavor, since every accomplishment is God's doing.    

 

How do we actually invite God to “resource us” with the things that will lead to daily success? 

We must simply ask Him! 

• Ask Him to come to your aid as you begin your day. 
• Ask Him to reign supreme over every task you undertake.  
• Ask Him to reveal and work His will over your own agenda.  
• And by all means, when you accomplish each task, be sure to offer up praise to the God who has absolute reign over your life!

Have you made that important invitation yet today? If not, pause and read Psalm 127 one more time. Now invite the LORD of life into all that you say and do. You won't regret it.

A Song For "Second Helpings"

Text: Psalm 126

Carol and I had a delightful meal with some dear friends last week. Every time we get together there are ample portions of laughter and a regular recycling of memories. While we were enjoying good food and good company, the host of the evening stood up from her chair and went to the kitchen. She returned with a second plate of ham and potatoes. She said, “Harry, how about some more food?”

In my mind I had rehearsed all the reasons why I needed to forego another portion of meat and vegetables. I also reminded myself that dessert would be offered shortly and I would have to refuse that as well. And so with firmness in my voice I said, “Sure, this is a great meal. I’ll be glad to try a second-helping!” I’ll be quick to note that the dessert was also extraordinary!

Good meals are often accompanied with “second helpings.” We don’t always ask for more. Gracious hosts simply ask us if we want more and we respond accordingly.

God provides us with "second helpings." Second helpings of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope. And it is worth singing about when it happens! That is why God has given us Psalm 126.

Psalm 126 is another one of the fifteen psalms of ascent. This particular piece of poetry has no specific historical setting. However, it does point to a time in the past when the LORD “restored the fortunes of Zion (v. 1).” It could have been a reference to Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Some bible students think it is a reference to the end of the nation’s seventy-year captivity. In fact, the psalm could have been written against the backdrop of any military oppression. What is significant is that the psalmist affirms that the Lord restored his people in unspecified ways in the past (vv. 2-3).

However, it is important to notice that past deliverance (vv. 1-2) led to a present reality (v. 3b), followed by a request for future deliverance (vv. 4-6). The centerpiece of the psalm is found in v. 4, “Restore our fortunes, O LORD.” What the psalmist wants us to know is simply this:

Since God is a deliverance God, you can keep asking Him for a second-helping of deliverance. 

You might protest and say that your failures are too great or your problem is too overwhelming. But the writer of this song invites ancient and modern spiritual pilgrims to come back to the table. He wants us to have a “second helping of deliverance.” 

• WHY IS THIS POSSIBLE? The LORD who is mentioned in verses 1 & 4 is a God who pours out abundant grace on His people. He did it numerous times in the nation’s wilderness wonderings (cf. Numbers 21:4-9), and He does it in the lives of Christians as well (cf. JN 1:16).   
• WHEN SHOULD YOU ASK FOR HIS DELIVERANCE? All the time! Unfortunately our self-imposed agendas often lead us into deceptive self-sufficiency. And then trouble strikes. It might be a scary diagnosis, a concern about our jobs or our children. But those are the contexts in which God holds out His grace for us to partake. So whatever the circumstance, ask Him for a “second helping of deliverance.”
• WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN HE ACTUALLY DELIVERS? The Apostle Paul phrases it so very well. “Rejoice. I will say it again, Rejoice!” (PHIL 4:4)  Or in the words of our text for the week, “We are glad.”  Tell the One who has delivered you how grateful you are for His presence in your life.

What are the challenges you are facing this week? Take a moment to look back and recall how the Lord was there for you in the past. Then ask him for His “second helping of deliverance.”

Stay Put!

Text: Psalm 125

This past Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at a church not far from our home. After the second service the auditorium emptied—all but for a handful of people. There was a group of four individuals sitting in the second row—two men, a woman, and a young teenager. I started to move toward them, when I noticed that the woman was crying. My first thought was, “Surely the sermon wasn’t that bad!” [No editorial comments, please!] Then the woman was the first to speak. She said, “Thank you for that message.  I wasn’t sure I was going to come this morning. In fact, I was ready to give up on God, until I listened to what He was saying through you.” 

I don’t get encouraging words like that after every sermon, but the woman’s words made my day! She went on to tell me her story. Her job was being phased out. Her oldest daughter won’t speak to her, and she doesn’t know why. Life hasn’t been very good for her in the last couple of months. I listened and then encouraged her from the Scripture that I had expounded earlier in the service. As we were leaving, I said, “You are going through a difficult time. But don’t walk away from your faith. Stay put!” She smiled and assured me she would do just that!

If I were to see her again, I would tell her to read Psalm 125. This is a psalm for people who are disillusioned with life and about to walk away from God and everything He represents. However, the psalmist has a better way for spiritual pilgrims to think and live. Please notice that this psalm is extremely God-focused from start to finish.

• In verse 2 the writer says that the Lord surrounds those who trust in Him. He is like the mountains around Jerusalem that provide a natural protective wall that can protect Yahweh’s worshipers. 
• In verse 3 we are told that Yahweh specifically protects His people from being oppressed long-term by wicked rulers. He does this so that the people of God will not give up and take on the ways of their captors. 
• In verse 5 the psalmist expands on the theme of verse 3 and tells us that God cleanses His followers from evil influences. He bestows good things on the upright (cf. v. 4), but righteous judgment on the wicked. 

Psalm 125 is a song that calls us to “stay put” rather than quitting on God.  After all, the Lord’s protective love surrounds those who keep trusting Him. 

Someone might ask, “What does it mean to trust God?” For the ancient people of Israel “trust” was not simply an intellectual activity. It was an intentional act of choosing to come under the rule and reign of God. The person of faith says, “I don’t understand all that is going on right now, but I will trust you, Lord!  I will love you and obey whatever you ask me to do.” 

Ok, but can we REALLY trust God to protect us? Verse 2 states that “the Lord surrounds His people both NOW and FOREVER.” Think of it this way:

People who trust the Lord are people who have a faith that is “test-worthy.” God sometimes allows challenges to come into our lives not to destroy us but to “test” us. Through a variety of experiences God gives us the opportunity to see the current status of our faith. 

So what will happen if we “stay put” instead of walking away from God? Look at verse 5. It ends with the words, “Peace be with Israel!” Eugene Peterson says that this phrase simply means, “RELAX!”  Or to put it another way, “Just relax and keep trusting in the God whose love is so extensive that He never stops protecting you.”  
 
Life might be hard for you right now, but it will not always be this way. So just relax in Jesus…and STAY PUT!

Near Misses

Text: Psalm 124

Have you had any “near misses” lately?  I am thinking about those times when you might have caught the handrail just prior to falling down the stairs. Or what about the time when you slammed on the brakes to keep you from hitting another vehicle speeding through an intersection? How do we explain those near catastrophic events? Many times people will wipe their brow and say, “Boy that was close.  I sure was lucky!” 

But was it luck or was it something else? The author of Psalm 124 has a very different perspective on the matter of “near misses.” In this fifth psalm of ascent, we are presented with a very clear picture of how our lives are protected from danger, and what God wants us to do in response. In fact, it has nothing to do with “luck” at all. Your escape isn’t even the result of “agility” or “quick thinking.”

Please notice four things about the way the psalmist arranges his material. It is a highly emotive piece of poetry that builds into a solemn shout of praise right up to the last verse.

• In verses 1-5 the psalmist recounts an unidentified event in Israel’s past.  Vicious enemies had apparently attacked the nation, enemies who were likened to hungry animals about to devour their prey.  Death was near at hand.
• In verses 6-7 the psalmist gives praise to God for an unexpected escape.  He likens Israel to a bird that has escaped a hunter’s trap.  Somehow the net had been torn and the bird was able to fly away.  It was close, but a surprising escape occurred.
• In verse 8 the psalmist affirms that the reason for escaping this “near miss” was the fact that God had intervened.  If God had not been in the picture, the outcome would have been altogether different (cf. v.1).
• The most significant thing in the psalm is the fact that the writer moves from the past tense in verses 1-7 to the present tense in verse 8.  He is essentially saying, “God has delivered” AND “God is a Deliverer!”  That is, what is true of past events is just as true for present and future events in our lives.

So why is this progression of thought so important? Because there is no such thing as “luck” in the Christian life. When a catastrophe is deflected, God is the source of our deliverance.  

Yesterday’s "near misses" are the result of God’s providential care in your life. 

The more I meditate on this psalm I realize that what is expressed is not so much an account of human experience. Rather Psalm 124 is ultimately about God.

• GOD is powerful. He is the “Maker of heaven and earth.” He created everything and he owns everything, including you (cf. 1 COR 7:23).  
• GOD is present. When the psalmist says in verse 8, “Our help is in the name of Yahweh,” he is most likely thinking of Deuteronomy 12:11. Moses reminded the people of Israel that there was coming a day when the Lord would cause “HIS NAME” to dwell among them. And when Yahweh’s glory finally came to dwell in the Temple it was a reminder that He was present with His people (cf. 1 Kings 8:10-19). Today the Lord dwells within every Christian every day, and in every circumstance we face (cf. John 14:16)!
• GOD is worthy of our praise. In verse 6 the psalmist exhorts his fellow pilgrims to “praise the Lord.” And the very fact that the pilgrims singing this psalm of ascent were on their way to Jerusalem meant that they were pursuing God. They not only went to praise Him but to discover more deeply the character of the God of Israel. This should be our intention as well. 

I know that someone could say, “But what about loved ones and believers who don’t escape the dangers of this life?” Yes, this is a common question we ask in our grief and confusion. But if those same individuals are Christ-followers, THEY DO ESCAPE! They pass from this life into the one that the Savior has planned for all His children.

Please take some time to think about what God has done in delivering you from those “near misses” in your life. He protected you in the past, and He will do it again. After all, “Our help is in the name of Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

Keep Singing, Even When The Crowd Is Against You!

Text: Psalm 123

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Pennsylvania, where we spent three days with my ninety-five-year-old mother.  Every time we make the trip we rehearse fond memories and often experience new relationships.  However, some of those “new relationships” are not as affirming as we might expect.  I’m thinking of the hostess who met us at a local restaurant.  She didn’t smile; she didn’t even say “hello.”  Her only words were, “Follow me,” as we were promptly directed to a corner booth.  There was the gas station attendant who seemed indifferent to my question about the location of an air pump.  (I needed to know so that I could inflate a slowly deflating tire on our automobile.)  Don’t misunderstand!  There were lots of friendly people who made us feel welcome.  However, there were some individuals who didn’t really want to engage in conversation (at least that was my “first impression”). Our Pennsylvania journey reminds me a lot about our spiritual journey. 

In your walk with Christ you will have a number of people who encourage you and nurture you in the faith.  But there are other individuals who don’t want to hear about the Lord Jesus. They may even level charges at how foolish you are to believe in the supernatural.  

So how does God want us to respond to the spiritual antagonists who disrupt our faith?

Psalm 123 is a lament psalm.  It is also identified in the superscription as a Song of Ascents.  That means it was one of fifteen songs that Jewish pilgrims sang on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate Israel’s annual feasts.  Some of these “pilgrim songs” were songs of joy and invitation (cf. Psalm 122).  Others were songs asking for God’s protection in the journey to Jerusalem (cf. Psalm 121).  Psalm 123 is a lament regarding people who seem to be spiritual bullies and indifferent to religion of any kind. (cf. PS 123:3-4)  It is also a psalm with two parts: a picture of subservience (vv. 1-2), and a prayer for God to show mercy (vv. 3-4).  But within this song of lament there is a principle that every disciple needs to remember:

When your faith is maligned, ask God for the mercy you need.

Three questions come to mind as I ponder this important truth.

1. Who are the antagonists in your life?  It could be anyone.  It could be a family member who is hostile to your enthusiasm about spiritual things.  It could be a colleague or even an individual you once considered a friend.  But I am thinking of someone more sinister, namely, the enemy of your soul, the devil.  In Revelation 12:10 he is described as an "accuser."  He interrupts our thoughts with lies, telling us that we are incompetent, insignificant, and of no use to God.  His attacks can be so fierce that we have no other alternative except to CRY OUT TO GOD FOR THE MERCY WE DESPERATELY NEED.
2. Why must we ask for mercy from God when spiritual bullies attack?  Notice that Psalm 123 actually unveils three important spiritual realities. A) there is the reality of who God is. Verse 1 describes him as the “one who is enthroned in the heavens.”  He is the King, the Emperor of the entire universe.  He rules over everyone and everything! B) there is the reality of who we are.  Notice that in verse 2 there is a picture of a servant and a maidservant. These were individuals in the ancient world who had absolutely no rights, but were at the mercy of their “owners.”  In a similar way, a Christ-follower is a slave of Christ, not an equal! C) there is the reality of our helplessness.  Two times in verse 3 the psalmist cries out for mercy.  Why?  On their way to Jerusalem these pilgrims could not easily defend themselves against the taunts of their spiritual antagonists.  Most of them were unarmed.  So what could they do?  They could ask the King of the Universe to be merciful and do for them what they could not do for themselves.   
3. What will happen when we cry out for mercy?  The psalmist does not say specifically, but we know that there is confidence in his intercession.  Look at the last phrase in verse 2: “Our eyes look to the Lord our God, TILL he has mercy on us.”  He must have realized what New Testament saints know as well, namely that, “God rewards those who diligently seek him (HEB 11:6).” We don’t know when it will happen, but God WILL extend mercy to his people.

On your life journey through joys and sorrows, you will eventually meet up with a spiritual bully. 

Don’t try to take things into your own hands.  Don’t try to get even! When your faith is maligned, ask God for the merciful help you need! When your faith is maligned, ask God for the merciful help you need. Keep singing this song of lament, even when people seem to be against you.

No More Excuses!

Text: Psalm 122

Prior to my “blogging sabbatical,” which I wrote about in my last post, I introduced you to the Psalms of Ascent.  I mentioned that they were most likely songs that were sung as the Hebrew people made their way to Jerusalem three times a year (cf. Ex 23:14-17 & Ex 34:22-24).  These fifteen psalms (120-134) are musical arrangements designed to reflect a wide spectrum of emotional reactions from fear to joy.  They are the songs of God’s people in all generations, who travel through life’s unending challenges on their way to eternity.

Psalm 122 expresses an enthusiasm for corporate worship. Does that seem odd to you?  It does to me!  When I listen to other people, as well as to my own heart, I hear a lot of excuses when it comes to corporate worship.  “Why should I go to church?” we ask.  We often think things like: “It’s too cold, and the people are not that friendly. The sermon probably won’t be to my liking. Maybe it would be best to just stay home.” 

But Psalm 122 turns those excuses (any many others) upside down. You see, the Jews understood that life was designed to revolve around God, not our human feelings.  And that is why David was glad when he heard the chants of the people who were headed to Jerusalem yet again!  What David understood can revolutionize our worship experiences as well - 

We will worship with enthusiasm when God is the sole focus of our worship experience.

How did I come to this conclusion? Let me share with you three reasons for enthusiastic, corporate worship embedded within Psalm 122. 

1. GOD REQUESTS.  Verses 1 & 2 move from an invitation to a reality.  That is, people were saying, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”  They realized that God had invited them to leave their homes and occupations for a short period of time and enter into his presence.  Verse 2 expresses the reality of actually following through in obedience.  That is, God’s request turned into a reality.  The same is true for you. God invites you to worship (Ps 95:6 & Heb 10:24-25).  He is the sole reason for doing so—not how we feel or even how others will respond to us.  
2. GOD REVEALS.  That is, the ancient people gathered in Jerusalem, and when they did, they would often marvel at the way the city had been carefully put together.  These observations in turn led to expressions of thanksgiving and praise (vv. 3-4). But even more important, these worshipers would often come with burdens and stresses from the lives they experienced “back home.”  Therefore, God structured these worship gatherings as times to inquire from Israel’s teachers as to how God wanted them to live in righteousness and peace (v. 5; cf. Deut 17:8; 2 Chron 19:8).  Corporate worship brought instruction for life.  And the same is true for us.  When we gather as God’s people, God’s Word is proclaimed in a variety of ways, so that we can know and obey the wisdom God has for his people (Col 3:16).  
3. GOD REFRESHES.  It appears in vv. 6-9 that David is praying specifically for the city of Jerusalem. You will want to notice two words that are repeated in this last paragraph, the words “peace” and “security.”  David wanted peace and security during this time of corporate gathering because he knew that once the festival was over, the people would be returning to…LIFE!  Therefore, they needed to be refreshed while they were gathered as the people of God.  They needed “peace” and “security” in their souls.  And so do you!  In fact, that is one of the by-products of corporate worship according to Hebrews 10:19-25.  Jesus gives us access to God the Father.  In turn, having been cleansed from all sin, we can live in spiritual peace and security after our corporate worship is complete. 

Reflect on these thoughts as we move toward another Sunday - 
It would be easy to listen to your feelings and stay away from meeting with other believers.  But that is not the way of a Christ-follower.  So stop the excuses!!!  Look to the God who invites you to come into his presence. 

God alone is worth the time and effort it takes to come together as the people of God and worship.

Songs for the Journey of Faith (Psalm 121)

Read: Psalm 121

How’s the journey going? In my last post I introduced you to the Psalms of Ascent, found in Psalms 120-134. These fifteen “songs” were probably sung as small groups of Jewish worshipers traveled together with the ultimate aim of worshiping Yahweh in Jerusalem (cf. EX 23:14-19). 

In many ways you are like these pilgrims as you live out your faith every day in a world filled with spiritual antagonism and confusion.

I trust you have already read Psalm 121. If so, you were probably struck by the psalmist’s opening question in v. 1, “From where does my help come?” As a pilgrim he asked this question, knowing that there was potential danger around every curve on the road to Jerusalem. He knew that the terrain and the weather were not always conducive to traveling. So Jewish pilgrims often wondered, “Who is going to help me when danger threatens my world?”

Please notice that there is a clear and resounding answer given in verse 2: "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” The psalmist goes on to use the future tense six times in the rest of the psalm to affirm that the LORD will be our protector. He seems to be conveying that:

CONFIDENT LIVING IN A DANGEROUS WORLD GROWS OUT OF A GOD-FOCUSED LIFE.

So what is this God-focused life? It is a life that is honest about the dangers that threaten, but it redirects those dangers to intentionally focus on God’s protective attributes.

• In verse 2 He is identified as the “maker of heaven and earth.” He is not only the Creator, but He is the One who has control over everything that happens in our world. 
• He is the One who guides our steps to keep us from falling (vv. 3-4). In fact, He never takes a “time-out” to rest from a busy schedule.
• He protects us from intense heat and severe cold (vv. 5-6).  
• And no matter what evil lurks behind every turn, God protects us in all of our travels (vv. 7-8).

But wait! Someone will protest and say, “Where was God, the Protector, when I fell and broke my ankle? Where was this caring God, when we lost our home? Where was God when I lost my spouse to cancer?” 

These are all honest, legitimate questions that cannot be easily dismissed. However, we must remember that any suffering we face, God has suffered as well! He allowed His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to suffer rejection and physical abuse. And He suffered physically and emotionally so that the judgment we deserve fell on Jesus—not us.

Notice in verses 6 and 7 that we are reminded that the “Lord will keep your life" (v. 6). It doesn’t mean he will keep us from any disease or any tragedy. It means that He will keep our lives from start to finish, from here to eternity. That is why the psalmist says in verse 8, “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” God has an eternal perspective on things and wants us to have the same. In the larger scheme of things God will keep us forevermore!

Yes, life is dangerous. There is no doubt that every day offers its own threats to our well-being. But think like a pilgrim in pursuit of God -

Remember today and every day that “Your help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” 

Songs for the Journey of Faith (Psalm 120)

Read: Psalm 120

There are fifteen psalms in the Old Testament Book of Psalms that are identified as “psalms of ascent.” There are a couple of different interpretations as to how these psalms were used in ancient Israel. However, many reputable scholars believe that they were “traveling songs”—songs sung as the Jews made their way back to Jerusalem for one of the three annual feasts prescribed by God (cf. EX 23:14-19). 

Over the next several posts, I would like to invite you to join me in looking at these psalms as we engage in our own “faith journey.” God intends for these psalms to refocus our attention on God, His ways, and His purposes for our lives.

Psalm 120, the first of the psalms of ascent, is short and filled with numerous metaphors.

There are three major stanzas in the Psalm (v. 1-2; 3-4; 5-7) and each one has a different image that forces the reader to ask, “OK, what is the psalmist really trying to say here?”

The key to interpreting the psalm is found in the word “distress” in verse 2 and in the geographical names of “Meshech” and “Kedar” in verse 5.  
 
These foreign names are symbolic for places far from Jerusalem and God’s worshiping people. So apparently the psalmist is describing a life that has been lived apart from God, where he has been trying to find happiness, peace, and meaning. However, his attempts to find life apart from God left him in great “distress.” 

So what was the TRUTH this psalmist needed to learn as he made his way back to Jerusalem?
The very first verse gives us insight into what any Christian pilgrim needs to learn as we journey through life. The psalmist says that he “called to the LORD” in his distress, and “He answered me.” And what was the answer? He doesn’t say directly, but the rest of the psalm leads us to believe that WHEN LIFE LETS US DOWN, THE LORD IS OUR ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE SIGNIFICANCE.

Embedded within the metaphors of Psalm 120 are three “faith-steps” that we need to take.
First, we need to remember and affirm who the Lord is.  That is what happened to the psalmist in verses 1 and 2. He remembered what the Lord had done in the past. The Lord had been faithful, so he called on Him to “deliver” him in the present. When life lets us down, we must remember that the Lord is our Deliverer.

We will find the LORD to be our source of hope and peace when we relinquish our desires to get even. 

Notice that the psalmist changes his tone in verses 3 and 4.  It may very well be that some of the people he was hanging out with were people who had also betrayed him along the way. That happens quite often when we try to “find life” outside of a relationship with the living God.  But instead of getting even, he turned his enemies over to God for justice.

Who do you need to relinquish to God, instead of trying to get even on your own?

A final “faith-step” is found in verses 5-7. That is, we need to return to the ways of God.  In verse 6 the psalmist writes, “I have lived too long with those who hate peace.” The implication is that he was returning to the ways of God.

What do you need to do right now to return to God’s will and ways in your life?

Life is a journey, and there are challenges and dangers around every turn.  But we need not fear.  God gives us His music and His truths to live as the people of God.  In so doing, we will find the hope and peace that the world simply cannot provide.