Psalm 114-115

 Psalm 114  This short song speaks of God's deliverance for Israel.. 

God brought Israel out of Egypt.

God made Judah His "sanctuary"... His sacred place.. His holy portion.

God made Israel His "dominion"..  His realm. 

God made the sea turn back. 

God made the mountains skip.

"Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob.. " 

Because God can do anything He desires.. bringing water from a rock.. bringing a people out of slavery to be His holy nation.. the whole earth should fear Him and worship Him alone!

Psalm 115 "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth." 

This psalm declares the greatness of God and the uselessness of idols. "God is in the heavens; He does what He pleases."

An idol does nothing:

Their mouths cannot speak.

Their eyes cannot see.

Their ears cannot hear.

Their noses cannot smell.

Their hands cannot feel.

Their feet cannot walk.

They cannot make a sound.. "Those who make them will become like them.. " 

But the Lord of Israel is "their help and their shield." 

He is "mindful of us". 

He blesses His people.

He gives increase to His people.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth. "The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; but the earth He has given to the sons of men." 

We have a great God!  Praise His Name!

 

Father in heaven, we are so thankful to serve the Living God, the Maker of heaven and earth.. for nothing is impossible for You.  Indeed, nothing is possible without You.  Be our help and shield as You were and are for Israel.  Make us to be Your sanctuary.. make us holy.. that we might please You. Be mindful of us.. remember us..come and be present in our lives, in our churches, and in our families.  We need You and pray for the blessing of Your Spirit to fill our lives with the fulness of Christ Jesus. This is our petition that we bring before You today, in Christ's name. Amen. 

Praise the Lord!

 Psalm 113  "Praise the Lord!"  the psalmist writes, and as if he can't say it strongly enough, he repeats it.. "Praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord.. " 

Bless His name..  "from this time forth and forever.. " 

Bless His name..   "From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised." 

He is "high above all nations."  Our God is exalted above the strongest, the richest and the greatest nations.  He is greater than the most powerful, the most prosperous, and the most populated..  "His glory is above the heavens." 

"Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high.. ?"  Our God has to stoop to "behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth.."  The heavens themselves.. in all their vastness.. across all of the universe.. is beneath the throne of the Lord our God. Yet... 

"He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes.." 

"He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children." 

This is the wonder of the Lord our God.. as high and exalted and powerful as He is.. He has chosen to help the poorest, weakest, and humblest of us.. Hallelujah!  What a mighty God we serve!

Father in heaven, we lift up our voices to praise Your holy name!  You are our great God. You are good!  You are kind, merciful, and full of compassion.  You do wonderful works for Your children. You rescue us from evil and show us forgiveness for our sin.  You love us.  You delight in us when we come to You with our little gifts of praise and thanksgiving.  We are so small in our understanding and knowledge of You.. but You love us anyway.  You are worthy of all our praise and thanks.  Blessed is Your name in all the earth! Amen. 

The blessed..

 Psalm 112 "Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord... "

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, "  Psalm 111 told us.  Now,  the psalmist tells us the many blessings that come to the one who has learned this holy fear.. who has learned to delight in the Word of God and to obey His commandments. 

This man will be blessed with descendants who live with "might" on the earth. His family will be blessed with all that they need to live uprightly. Righteousness will be accounted to them. Light will overcome the darkness for them. They will become Christlike in character and actions. 

The upright will be gracious, compassionate, generous, just, unshakable, and unforgettable.  

He will be steadfast, "trusting the Lord."  

He will not fear evil. He will be kind and loving. He will be respected. 

But.. the wicked will be angry and "gnash" their teeth because of his righteous life. 

This strikes me.. we fear the Lord.. He does all the rest! What a wonderful God we serve!

Father, God of peace.. thank You for the blessings You have given to us through Jesus Christ the Lord. You have taught us the fear of the Lord.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and grace. You have promised to sanctify us "through and through".. so that we can stand before the Lord Jesus "preserved complete.. without blame"  when He comes backs again. You are faithful.. and You will "bring it to pass".  Hallelujah!  Father, I pray that You would bless my family today.. . bless them and keep them, make Your face to shine upon them, be gracious to them, lift up Your  countenance upon them and give them peace.  I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen. 

The goodness of God

 Psalm 111  "Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart." 

This psalm is another great example of just how to worship and praise the Lord.  Verse 1 tells us that the psalmist praises the Lord in the "company of the upright" as well as in the "assembly".   In the intimate group and in the great crowd..  This thanksgiving season let us practice this.. as we gather in small groups of family or in bigger gatherings with others.. let us praise the Lord!

The psalmist praises the Lord for His works:  "Great are the works of the Lord... splendid and majestic is His work.. He has made known the power of His works.. " ( v2,3, 6)  "They are studied by all who delight in them."   We need to think about, study- seek out.. remember the works of the Lord:  

His righteousness.. His grace.. His compassion.. His truth.. His justice..  His redemption.. His covenant.   

"He has made His wonders to be remembered."  All that He has done.. all that He has made.. all the wonders of creation.. the wonders of salvation through Jesus Christ.. the wonders of His deep love for each of us.. the wonder of His personal interest and care for every single one of His creations.. 

God has given us the privilege of entering into His Kingdom through Jesus Christ. He has made an everlasting covenant with us. He will uphold it forever! 

"Holy and awesome is His name." 

This, the psalmist tells us, this worshiping, this remembering and studying the works of the Lord, brings us to fear Him.. to revere Him.. . which is "the beginning of wisdom".  When we have a good understanding of Who our God is and the wonder of His works.. as we study and remember what He has done.. we cannot help but sing out His praise!

Father in heaven,  You have been so good to me.  I praise Your Holy and awesome Name!  You made the heavens and the earth.. and when we take time.. to be still and look at Your creation, we delight in them.  The sky above us.. blue or with great clouds.. the stars and the moon.. the wonder of the the sun with its great power to send light and warmth.. The oceans and the mountains.. the forests and the meadows.. even the smallest flower.. we delight in the splendor and majesty of Your works! But, more than anything, Lord, we delight in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  What amazing grace You have bestowed on us.. that we should be called Your sons and daughters because of the work of Christ on the cross.  We praise the Lord, forever and ever! Amen

The dominion of the King

 Psalm 110  "The Lord ( Jehovah) says to my Lord (Adoni); sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet." 

This is a Psalm written by David.. many years before the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord.  It turns our thoughts and our eyes heavenward.. for we are waiting for that day when all the enemies of Christ are brought into complete  surrender and submission. 

David prophesied that the Lord will extend His "strong scepter".. that He will rule over all people.. forever. 

Furthermore.. this King will be "a priest forever... according to the order of Melchizedek".  A different kind of King and a different kind of priest.  He will rule.  He will judge. He will "shatter the chief men".  He will be satisfied and He will be exalted. 

In Matthew 22:44 Jesus quotes from this psalm.. questioning the Pharisees about the true identity of the Messiah. They refused to answer.. perhaps because they did not know.. or they did not want to admit that the He just might be the "son of David" who came to rule as King forever. 

It is our confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of David.. He is King and Priest forever and ever! Amen!  We stand on this truth and are so thankful for such a firm foundation. 

Father, we are waiting.. alert... with expectation that the Day is coming soon.. when Christ Jesus will come again.. He will extend His scepter.. He will rule over all and His enemies will be made a footstool for His feet.  O Lord, haste the day!  May we stand firmly until that day.. strong in Your strength, resisting evil, and serving You with all our hearts.  You are so good to us, Lord God, that we should know the righteousness of Christ that covers us.. lead us in Your ways we pray in His wonderful Name . Amen. 

Asking the Lord for vengeance

 Psalm 109   I can't begin to imagine singing this song.  David pours out his anger and frustration to the Lord.. because of his enemies. " O God of my praise, do not be silent."

David lists the wickedness of these enemies... 

They lied about him.

They hated him.

They fought against him.

They repaid him evil for any good he did.

They showed no love or mercy to the needy.

They afflicted, cursed, and even murdered .. 

David asks the Lord to intervene.. "But I am in prayer." he says.  He is very specific in his requests:

"Appoint a wicked man over him.. " 

Let them be accused and judged and found guilty.

Let his prayers be unanswered.

"Let his days be few"... his children fatherless.. his wife a widow.. 

Let all he had be taken away by creditors.

Let all his work be plundered.

Let even his children receive no mercy.

Let him have no posterity... all of his descendants "blotted out". 

Let his be clothed with "cursing as with his garment".. since he loved cursing so much. 

This is a powerful prayer.  

Yet, David is not finished, for he asks the Lord to "deal kindly with" him.. for His name's sake.

He cries out to God to show lovingkindness.. "for I am afflicted and needy and my heart is wounded within me."   He feels weak and failing.. "Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to Thy lovingkindness. And let them know that this is Thy hand... " 

He prays for God's blessing even while the enemy curses him. 

He wants gladness for himself and dishonor for the wicked. 

Then.. " With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul." 

Father in heaven, what shall we pray for those who are wicked.. for those who persecute Your children.. for those who curse and hate and kill?  Shall we pray like David prayed?  You tell us to pray for our enemies and for those who persecute and spitefully use us.. We need Your wisdom to know how to even pray.  Lead us Spirit of God.  We do ask that Your will be done, no matter what.  We will trust You to judge others.. as well as to help us when we face these kinds of people.  Let Your Name be honored and Your grace and truth be our foundation.. always.  Thank You for Your lovingkindness and grace to us. In the name of Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen. 

Praise.. and petitions..

 Psalm 108  

Verses 1-5 David affirms that his faith is in God alone.. "My heart is steadfast, O God."   Steadfast - fixed, firm, prepared, established, ready.  

Ready to sing praises.. ready to give thanks.. ready to exalt God: "For Thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; and Thy truth reaches to the skies.. "   Are we steadfast?  Do we truly believe that His lovingkindness is without limit?  Do we know His truth that goes beyond the galaxies? Are we standing on that solid ground today?

He is greater than all the adversaries that we might face!  It is God who chose Israel, David proclaims, "Gilead is Mine, Manassah is Mine;... "  And, likewise, He says of me... "You are mine"!  And He says of you.. dear readers.. "You are Mine!" 

David wondered if Israel had been rejected.. if deliverance was coming.. if God was still with him.  Sometimes in the battles and storms of life.. we wonder too.  But, like David, we need to stand firm.. steadfast.. " Through God we shall do valiantly; and it is He who will tread down our adversaries."  Hallelujah! 

May we be steadfast in Christ Jesus. Ready to stand in faith, believing that we belong to Him.. that His lovingkindness will not fail.. that His truth will never waver. 

John wrote, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)  "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace." ( v 16)  Andrew Murray wrote, "Have you come to know the Christ in whom such fulness dwells? Or do you live as a pauper, largely dependent on the world for your joy? It is God's will that Christ should fill all things, including your heart and its needs!"

Father in heaven, Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who became flesh and dwelt among us.. may the fulness of Christ's grace and truth fill us! May we sing praises to Your Name, for Your lovingkindness towards us is great! You have done great things for us.. and You will not leave us or forsake us!  Thank You!  Father, we do not know what each day holds.. what storms may come.. what battles we will face, but we pray that no matter what.. You will keep us steadfast. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

The lovingkindness of the Lord.. continued..

 Psalm 107: 33-43

The first part of this psalm gave us the four categories of those in distress... the lost wanderers, the imprisoned, the foolish rebels, and the storm-tossed sailors.   Each, we read, came to a point of desperation, cried out to the Lord, and were saved.  They were exhorted to give thanks.. to declare the wonderful works of the Lord on their behalf. 

This psalm is so powerful!  

How many of us have been like the lost wanderer.. and because of God's lovingkindness.. we have been led to "an inhabited city"... a community of believers.. a place to belong? 

How many of us have "dwelt in darkness".. imprisoned by "misery and chains".. wrong choices, wrong relationships, rebellion against God's truth.. and have cried out to the Lord and found deliverance and freedom in Christ.? 

How many of us have been fools.. sickened by our own sinfulness and dying in our rebellion.. until we cried out to Jesus and He saved us?  

How many of us have "reeled and staggered".. because of the storms of life.. and have cried out to Jesus and found that He caused the "storm to be still".. He quieted the waves.. He brought us to our "desired haven"?

I  have!  And I give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness to me!  I extol Him! 

Our God... is so great! The rest of this psalm gives us more to consider... 

V33-34  Our great God can make a river into a desert.  He can change a bubbling spring into a dry and "thirsty ground".  He can take a thriving land and make it into a "salt waste"... because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it."  There are consequences to man's sinfulness that go beyond personal distress.  This psalm tells us that God changes the landscape because of wickedness!  

V35-38 - Our great God can also change a desert into a "pool of water."  He can make dry ground into a spring! He can bring the hungry to a place of fruitfulness.. and establish a home... a city where they can "sow fields and plant vineyards, and gather fruitful harvests."  He will bless and multiply, protect and prosper those who will trust in Him. 

V41-42  God is a righteous judge.  He "pours contempt" on those who choose "oppression, misery, and sorrow".  But, He blesses the "needy".  He rescues them from affliction, gathers them into His "flock". 

"Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things; and consider the loving kindnesses of the Lord". 

Father in heaven, You are so good.. You are great and do wonderful deeds!  You are merciful and gracious and abundant in lovingkindness!  We give You thanks and praise.  We are thankful that we can know You and trust You.  Nothing is impossible for You.. and You choose to work on behalf of those who cry out to You, fully surrendering themselves into Your Hands!  Help the wanderers, the imprisoned, the foolish rebels, and those facing giant storms today, Lord God.. May they cry out to You and find that You are able to .. and are willing to.. help in their distress.  Nothing is impossible for You!  Hallelujah!! Once again we give thanks to You.. for Your great love and for Your wonderful works to us. Amen! 

Giving thanks for the loving kindnesses of the Lord

 Psalm 107  "Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.. " 

The psalmist gives 4 examples.. of people who were in great turmoil and trouble.. who then finally cried out to the Lord.. 

Verses 4-9

1.  The wanderers... "They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; they did not find a way to an inhabited city.. "  These people were lost.  They were hungry and thirsty.  They were without hope and "their souls fainted within them."  We know these kinds of people.. lost and without hope. Wandering through life without aim or purpose.. 

 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city."

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!"

Verses 10-16

2. The prisoners...  "There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains."   They were there because of their own fault.. their rebellion against God's word.  They wouldn't listen to good counsel. We know people like this.. shackled by their addictions, their fears, their secret or not-so-secret sins... Verse 12 tells us that the Lord will humble them  "with labor" - weary, worrying, exhausting labor... Hard to make it another day.. kind of labor.  

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart."

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze, and cut bars of iron asunder." 

Verses 17-22

3. The fools...  who "because of their rebellious way, and because of their iniquities.. " were afflicted.  They were so sick they refused food.  They "drew near to the gates of death".  We know people like this.. sick of themselves.. sick of life.. suicidal.  

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing." 

Verses 23-32

4. The storm-tossed sailors... "Those who go down to sea in ships, who do business on great waters;" (these days we see many businesses facing these same struggles).  "They have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, and lifted up waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their souls melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man and were at their wits end."  We know people like this.. the rise and fall of prices.. of the stock market.. of the political climate.. keeping us all reeling and perhaps at our "wits' end".. 

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; So He guided them to their desire haven." 

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people. and praise Him at the seat of the elders." 

Whatever troubles we might be facing.. or others we know might be facing.. HERE is the answer.. Cry out to the Lord!   He is the only One who will deliver you.. bring you through.. bring you home!

Oh Father.. we give thanks to You for Your lovingkindness to us!  We thank You for the wonders You have worked in our souls.. in our hearts.. in our homes.. in our world!  We praise You and sing of Your wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Savior. We praise You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who guides us to our desired haven.. to the place of rest and hope and peace in Your Presence.  Father, we pray for the wanderers, for the imprisoned, for the foolish, and for those reeling from the storms of life.. we ask that they would hear Your voice, that they would remember Your Word.. and that they would cry out to You and find that You will deliver them! Let Your Word move across this land.. that Truth would be shouted from the rooftops and Light shine from above.  We need You.. O how we need You..   Thank You for hearing our prayers and moving mountains.. for the sake of Your Holy Name. Amen. 

The Lord delivers us..

 Psalm 106  This psalm is a review of Israel's history.. reminding them of every instance of rebellion that brought judgement... and every example of God's patient deliverance when they would finally turn back to Him.. 

Verses 7-12 tell of the rebellion at the Red Sea.. forgetting the miracles that brought them out of Eygpt ..  and how God saved them anyway.. drying up the waters so that they could walk through.. and closing the waters up over the enemy... so that they believed and praised Him.. until.. 

Vs 13-15  They forgot.. wanting meat.. and complaining until God sent them quail.. and then a "wasting disease".

Vs 16-18 tell of how they complained about Moses and Aaron until God had enough and opened up the ground to swallow up the instigators.. 

Vs 19-22  tell of how they made a golden calf.. and they "forgot God their Savior".. and all the wonders He had done for them.. so that He was ready to destroy them completely except that Moses interceded.

Vs 24-27  tell of how they refused to enter the Promised Land.. not believing that the Lord would do what He promised.. 

Vs 28-31 tell of how they began to worship idols.. even to the point of sacrificing to the dead.. until Phinehas interceded.. 

Vs 31-33 tell how they provoked God at the waters of Meribah.. rebelling again at the leadership of Moses.. 

Vs 34-42  tell of how they mingled with other nations.. served other gods.. and "even sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons, and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan.. "  once again provoking the wrath of the Lord, until He sent them into exile. 

Over and over again.. Israel rebelled.  But.. "many times He would deliver them;"  They "were rebellious in their counsel, and so sank down in their iniquity. Nevertheless He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry."  Praise the Lord.!  "And He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness." 

"Save us, O Lord our God.. "  the psalmist prays, ".. to give thanks to Thy holy name, and glory in Thy praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting." 

"And let all the people say Amen"!

Father, we are sometimes like the Israelites.. rebellious, complaining, lacking faith, provoking You..hurting the innocent.  We ask that You forgive us and deliver us from our sins.. remove our transgressions.. as far as the east is from the west!  Fill us with Your grace.. Your love.. Your righteousness in Christ Jesus our Savior. Deliver us from evil.. lead us in paths of righteousness.. doing Your will to the glory of Your holy name.  In Christ we come humbly before You and ask these things. Amen. 

Making known God's wonders and deeds!

 Psalm 105  The psalmist says, "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.. speak of all His wonders..  remember what He has done.. "  

In our daily lives.. no matter what kinds of struggles we might be facing.. we can be encouraged.. strengthened and helped by doing just that.  "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually..." He has not changed.. He is still the God who does wonders, who keeps His promises, and who brings His people "forth.. with joy". 

The Lord chose Israel to be His people. v6

He rules and judges all the earth. v7

He keeps His covenants. v8

He gave the land of Canaan as an inheritance for His people.v11

He sent Joseph into Egypt.v17

He tested him and set him in a place of power. v19

He brought Israel into Egypt.v23

He multiplied their numbers.. growing a nation.v24

He sent Moses and Aaron.. to perform "His wondrous acts". v26

He brought the people out of Egypt  v37

He gave them all they needed.. v40

All of this was for His purposes.. "So that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws." v45

All these things are the same as what  the Lord has done for us.. choosing us to be His own, giving us a great inheritance.. eternal life; providing places of service and fruitfulness.. using us to do His works; providing for our needs!  His purpose remains the same too.. that we might live according to His word, not by works of the Law.. but by faith in Jesus Christ who fulfilled all of the Law, and by the Spirit who sanctifies us through and through that we might be all that He wills for us to be. 

Father in heaven, we praise Your Name.  Thank You for making known Your deeds and wonders to us.  May we remember Your glory and Your greatness with gladness and joy.  May we find strength in Your Presence as we meditate on these truths. You are the Lord our God! We give You thanks and offer our praises to You in song! Amen. 

The wonder of God's creation!

 Psalm 104  The core of this psalm is found in verse 24 "O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; The earth is full of Thy possessions." 

The psalmist continues to praise the Lord.. "Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, stretching out heaven like a tent curtain."  I am reminded here, that.. as vast as the universe that we live in is.. that God dwells beyond its edges.. He is transcendent.. Tozer wrote.. "Forever God stands apart, in light unapproachable. He is as high above an archangel as above a caterpillar, for the gulf that separates the archangel from the caterpillar is finite, while the gulf between God and the archangel is infinite. The caterpillar and the archangel, though far removed from each other in the scale of created things, are nevertheless one in that they are alike created. They both belong in the category of that-which-is-not-God and are separated from God by infinitude itself." 

All of creation.. the vast creation that mankind can not even comprehend.. comes from the Hand of God.. actually the Word of God, when He said, "Let there be... " 

He created the heavens.. laying, as it were, beams above the atmosphere surrounding us. v3

He made the clouds and the winds and fire... for His use. v3-4

He "established the earth" - a firm foundation..and covered it with oceans, mountains, and valleys.. according to His directions.. v5-9

He provided springs of water.. for the "beast of the field" and for the "wild donkeys". v10-11

He made the birds and appointed them to "lift up their voices among the branches" v12

"The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works." v13  Yet, this is just the beginning of God's many works... for He:

Made the grass to feed the cattle and vegetation to feed mankind. v14

He created the wine and the oil and the food "which sustains man's heart." v15

He created trees... mountains... the moon and the sun.. daylight and dark nights.. 

He created the seas.. the animals "both great and small".. 

And "all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season. Thou dost give it to them, they gather it up.  Thou dost open Thy hand, they are satisfied with good." (vv27-28)

And yet there is more! 

God sometimes hides His face..He takes away the breath of life.. He returns living bodies to the dust. 

But, He also renews life.. always at work in His creation!

" Let the glory of the Lord endure forever; Let the Lord be glad in His works;"  The psalmist sings, " I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."

Father in heaven, Creator of heaven and earth.. there is no other God but You.  All things belong to You. All of creation is made for Your purposes and for Your glory. Let the earth and all that is in it praise Your Name.  As we meditate on Your Word.. thinking of the greatness of Your works.. the wisdom of Your creation.. the faithfulness of Your provisions.. I pray that You will open our eyes, that we might grasp the length and height, the vast breadth and depth of Your love for the works of Your hand.. for every individual.. every creature.. every part of Your kingdom... for us... for me.   Bless the Lord, O my soul.. and all that is within me.. Bless His holy Name!  Amen. 

What a wonderful God we have!

 Psalm 103 There is no-one like our God! This psalm gives us every reason to believe in and live for Him.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

David invites us to remember all the benefits.. all the grace gifts.. that God has provided for those who will confidently trust in Him:

He pardons our iniquities and heals our diseases!  v3

He redeems us from hell's prison.. and places a crown of love and compassion on our heads! v4

He satisfies us with "good things" all of our lives! v5

He only does what is right and just! v6

He clearly guides His servants.. like He did Moses and Israel.. v7

He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness"! v8

He doesn't give up on us.. even if He is angry at our sinfulness.. and He does not deal with us "according to our sins" v9-10

There is no limit to the love that God has for us who fear Him. v11

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." v12 

He is more compassionate than any earthly father.. He knows our weakness.. our smallness.. our dusty frames.. v14

He knows the brevity of our lives here on earth and assures us of His eternal love for us. v15-17

When we live in obedience to the Word of God.. we find that all of His benefits are meant for us! Hallelujah!

Our God "has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all."  This will never change.. no matter what happens here on earth.. no matter what difficulties we face.. no matter how sinful mankind seems to be getting.. no matter what.. we have a God Who is always in control!

"Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord , O my soul!"  vs 20-22

Father in heaven, holy, holy, holy is Your Name! Thank You for this Word.. for this joyful song that we sing to You.. for You are worthy of all our praise.  Help us to not forget these benefits.. these gifts of grace.. for they fill our minds and hearts with the depth of Your love for us.. and bring us to truly love You more and more! Thank You for revealing Yourself.. Your Heart.. to us.. Amen. 

Psalm 102

 Psalm 102  "A prayer of the afflicted..."  At times we have experienced.. or will experience.. or are even now experiencing affliction.. and perhaps the words of this prayer ring really true to us; 

"Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry of help come to Thee. Do not hide Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear to me; in the day when I call answer me quickly." 

The psalmist expresses the deep anguish of his suffering:

His days are "consumed".. finished.. 

His "bones have been scorched.. "

His "heart has been smitten.. " 

Mentally, physically, emotionally.. he has come to an end of himself.  He cannot eat. He cannot stop groaning. He is a shell of himself: "I resemble a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl of the waste places. I lie awake, I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop."   What a word picture he presents to us.. that we might feel the depth of his loneliness and pain. 

Enemies reproach, deride, and curse him.  We know the pain of being scorned or humiliated.. perhaps even cursed..  Peter writes, "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  Our great enemy is behind every such attack.. 

Yet, the psalmist has agony deeper than the betrayal of an enemy.. he feels the "indignation.. the wrath" of God Himself.  "For Thou hast lifted me up and cast me away. My days are like a lengthened shadow; and I wither away like grass." 

It is all poured out.. all the groaning.. all the complaints.. all the grief... until he finally lifts his head and looks up... "But Thou, O Lord, dost abide forever; And Thy name to all generations."

The psalmist does not stay defeated.. but remembers his God who is victorious!

God will "arise and have compassion.. " 

He will be gracious.

He will command the nations.

"He will appear in His glory"

He will regard the prayers of the needy.

He will be praised by future generations.

He looks down from heaven... and He gazes upon His creation.

He hears our groaning.

He sets us free from death.. from doom..  "That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion." 

The One who founded the earth and the heavens.. will endure beyond their destruction.   We are given a glimpse of a future beyond the life of the writer .. beyond us.. "Even when they perish.. and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing Thou wilt change them, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end." 

There is a Kingdom to come.. where we will all gather to serve the Lord forever.. where we will praise His name.. and tell of how He delivered us.. how He strengthened us.. how He established us.  Won't that be amazing!

Father in heaven, we know that even when we are suffering that You are at work.. When we are rejoicing.. You are at work.  No matter what we face today.. may we turn our eyes to You.. giving thanks and praising Your name. May we look for the clouds to part.. for the trumpet to sound.. for the day when everything is changed and we will be with You forever.  Prepare our hearts.  Save those who are lost.. in despair and without the Truth that brings hope and deliverance. Open our eyes to those who need to hear.. and give us words to speak that will bring others to You. Thank You for hearing us when we pray. May Your name be glorified in all the earth!  Amen. 

Psalm 101

 Psalm 101  This psalm of David is a declaration of his intentions.. as a man of God... as the king of Israel.  He has set a course for his life's work.. he has made a vow with every intention of heart to live this way.

The first thing.. the first priority for David, is to worship the Lord: "I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to Thee, O Lord, I will sing praises."   May this be our first priority and promise.. that all else in our lives will fall into there rightful place. 

"I will give heed to the blameless way."  David declares... I will prudently, wisely, skillfully, intelligently, behave myself in a way of integrity and truth.. without spot, undefiled... "When wilt Thou come to me?" he asks,  perhaps admitting that he cannot do what he just said without the Lord's help.  

"I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart."  In the privacy of his own home.. where no other can see.. save God Himself.. David desires to walk uprightly.. simply.. completely as God calls him to do. 

"I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; "  Worthless.. without profit.. destructive.. wicked..evil.. ungodly.  ( And David had no idea about the invention of the television or the computer!)  It is a challenge to find anything decent these days on either of these devices.  Can we determine to follow David's example here?

"I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me."  David determines right up front that he will not allow apostasy into his own life.. no rebellion, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from God's ways.  He saw what that did in Saul's life.. he wanted no part of that in his own.  

"A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil."  David desires truth.. in himself and in others. He determines to keep away from what is false and distorted and crooked. 

As a king.. a leader of the people of God.. David sets forth his agenda for those he governs.. 

He will punish a slanderer.. one who despises his neighbor. 

He will not endure those who are "haughty.. and arrogant". 

He will look to the faithful and the blameless. 

He will dismiss the deceitful.. the liars. 

He will destroy the wicked and "cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity." 

It is a far cry from the leadership of our days.. this decree of David the king.   We find few who determine to live with integrity, truth, and uprightness. We see the faithlessness.. the apostasy.. the rebellious attitudes.. the arrogance and wickedness all around us.  Like David, it is vital that we the people of God determine in ourselves to live "in the integrity" of our own hearts... through the power of His Spirit in us. 

Father in heaven,  we sing of Your love, Your mercy and grace, and Your faithfulness.  We come before You with thanksgiving, for You have given to us salvation through Jesus Christ.. our King who came to reveal grace and truth! We desire to live wholly for You, to walk in the power of Your Spirit, that we might please You in all our ways.. at home or outside the home. Fill us again, sweet Spirit of God, that we might proclaim the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus to a world of lost sinners for whom He was slain.  Open blind eyes.. break through hardened hearts.. and bring the good news of Jesus to this desperate world, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Psalm 100

 Psalm 100  "Shout joyfully... !"  This psalm of thanksgiving begins with an exhortation to shout.  It is interesting that the same Hebrew word that is translated here as "shout joyfully" can also mean to sound an alarm to "split the ears with sound".   This is no quiet murmur of thanks.. this is meant to be heard far and wide! 

The psalmist gives us another command.. "Serve the Lord with gladness."  Work at it.. like a bondservant.. labour in all you do "with gladness".. with glee.. with pleasure.. with full joy!  

"Come before Him with joyful singing." 

When we come before Him.. either in our "prayer closet".. or in a church pew.. may we come with glee.. with shouts of thanksgiving.. with "gladness"!

Why?  Because " ...the Lord Himself is God; It is He who made us and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."   We belong to Him. The pasture belongs to Him.. everything and everyone belongs to Him.. and He is good! " His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." 

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name."  Here are clear instructions as to how we come "before Him... "   

We know that Moses was given instructions to build a tabernacle.. a place where God would meet with His people. Surrounding the tent itself was a courtyard, and around the courtyard there were curtains that set it apart from common ground. The gates were the only entrance into this holy place. In the courtyard there was a great altar and a laver.  A place for offerings and a place for washing.    David wrote in Psalm 24 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who can stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart." ( v3-4)  There seems to be a correlation there.. 

Entering into the Presence of God is not to be taken lightly.. God requires something of us.. clean hands and pure hearts.. a sacrifice is necessary.. and was provided "once for all".. "but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down and the right hand of God.. " ( Hebrews 10:12)  

This is why we come to Him with thanksgiving and praise!  Jesus Christ provided a "new and living way.. inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.. "  Therefore "we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus." (Hebrews 10:19-20)   The Hebrew writer reminds us that this is not an earthly tent or temple that we enter.. but  a "greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation and not through the blood of goats and calves but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.. " (Heb. 9:11-12).  We have received an unshakable kingdom.. hallelujah!  

One more word from Hebrews that echos Psalm 100  - " Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." (13:15)

Father in heaven,  You are a holy God who has made a way for us to come into Your Presence with joy and gladness... through Jesus Christ our Savior..  Thank You for this great and wonderful gift!  We come with reverence and awe before You, our Creator who has redeemed us from all sin.  We praise Your Name.  Equip us for "every good thing to do Your will.. working in us that which is pleasing" in Your sight, "through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  ( Hebrews 13:21)

Psalm 99

 Psalm 99 "The Lord reigns, let the people tremble.. "   This is the appropriate response to the reign of God.. trembling! 

His throne is higher than anything and everything!

His Presence is "great" and He is exalted!

His Name is "awesome".

He is Holy!

He loves justice.

He gives strength to His servants.

He "established equity.. and executes justice and righteousness." 

This is the God we worship!

It is the testimony of Moses and Aaron, that they called on the Lord and He answered.. that He forgave their sins.. that He avenged evil deeds.  And, most of all, that He is holy!

The psalmist invites us to come worship God.  May we do so with great joy!

Father in heaven, we exalt Your Holy Name. We give thanks to You and praise Your Name to all the earth!  The Lord is God alone! There is no other.  He alone created the heavens and the earth.  He is our Maker and we are His people.  He has revealed to us His salvation through Jesus Christ.. Emmanuel.. God with us.. who came to earth, setting aside His rightful place.. to become a sacrifice.. a Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.  O how we praise You, Lord!  You are good. You are gracious and merciful.  You are abundant in lovingkindness.  You give help to us in our needs.  You comfort us in our grief.  You strengthen us in our weakness.  You hold us in Your mighty Hands.  You never leave us or forsake us. Thank You! May Your Name be exalted in all the earth, Lord Most High.  Our world is in desperate need of You.  Come and fill Your people with power from on high, that we might go out as witnesses to the Truth. Let Jesus Christ be glorified in the lives of His church today we pray. Amen.