Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

Sin is Serious (Psalm 32)

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PSALM 32

A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
(Psalm 32:1-11)

SIN IS SERIOUS

Let’s examine some of the words used here at the beginning of the Psalm today. Transgression is to trespass. It is a willful volition and stepping over a line into another territory. The largeness of the trespass is depends on who’s territory you have stepped into. If I cross my neighbors boundary, it isn’t as big of a deal as it is to unlawfully cross into a Military base boundary! Our problem is that we often think of sin as small… when in fact it is big, because of who we have trespassed. This is why David could say it was against the Lord that He sinned. He sinned and hurt Uriah and Bathsheba, but his real trespass was against the LORD.

FORGIVEN means to carry away. This is the same word that is used for a scapegoat. The scapegoat is one of two kid goats. As a pair, one goat was sacrificed (not a scapegoat) and the living “scapegoat” was released into the wilderness never to be seen again, taking with it all sins and impurities. This is what it means to be forgiven. A substitute has paid for your sins and carried them off.  

SIN means to “Miss the Mark.” Imagine you are playing basketball. It’s a big game. You dribble the ball down the court, you are wide open for a three pointer so you pull up and take a shot. The ball arks high into the air but completely misses the goal, the rim, the backboard, everything… the next thing you know you hear the crowd taunting you, “Air ball! Air ball! Air ball.” Now imagine that every trip down the court, every moment of your offense, you take your stance, take aim, and fail with every attempt to make a shot… not only do you not score any points, but your stats are zero across the board.

COVERED means to conceal. This is taken from the Day Of Atonement. Once a year the high priest would take the blood of a sacrifice into the Most Holy Place and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. The Mercy Seat was the lid covering the Ark and the blood was sprinkled there because it came between the presence of God (symbolized as dwelling the the space between  the wings of the cherubim above the ark) and the broken law of God that was in the ark itself. 

Iniquity means that you are warped. It is to take something good and to twist it. It is to pervert something. I was replacing the ball joints on my old Explorer a few years ago. When I was taking the bottom joint out I decided to replace the whole A arm assembly. I undid the bolts but the arm didn’t want to fall out. So I beat the old A-arm out with a hammer… I didn’t think about how I would put the new A-arm back in. When it came time, sure enough it didn’t fit because the frame was bent. Sometime in the history of this vehicle the owner had wrecked the car so bad that it bent this part of the frame… I finally fit the new arm in, but it wouldn’t matter, the frame was warped… the car would almost always be out of alignment.

DOES NOT IMPUTE means that the Lord does not take into account. I used to like watching the old westerns. Sometimes you would see someone come into a shop and buy something but instead of paying they would say… “put it on my tab” and the shop owner would write down how much they owed on that ledger. He would impute it to their account. Imagine that the shop keeper chooses not to impute it to their account, they wouldn’t have to pay. The items would be free to them, but would still cost the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper would pay for the items in both loss of original cost and loss of revenue. By choosing not to impute our sins, Jesus chose to pay for our sins!

Deceit is the final word for sin here. This is where sin does it’s most awful damage. The biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves. We often deceive ourselves and say that our sin isn’t as bad as it really is. Before you can find forgiveness, you have to come clean. There was a time when David did lie to himself, where he did try to hide or cover over his sin on his own. He thought he could go on like nothing ever happened, but that wasn’t the case. 

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you are a forgiving God who has mercy on repentant sinners. I thank you for the work of Jesus Christ on the cross who died for my sins and rose again that I might have repentance and receive new life in you. Thank you that even when I didn’t know the full depth of my sin and depravity that you loved me and that Jesus died for me. Thank you seems like too small a word for all you have done in my life regarding sin. I am so grateful for your salvation. Please watch over me and keep me from falling into temptation. I love you LORD. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

From Problems To Praise (Psalm 31)

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PSALM 31

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
(Psalm 31:3-5)

FROM PROBLEMS TO PRAISE

We find pieces of this Psalm in the mouths of other bible characters as they go through suffering. Jonah quotes from from it, Jeremiah, another Psalmist in Psalm 73, and of course Jesus utters, “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” This Psalm has well worn traction for those who are facing affliction. It’s a place to go to in the time of need. It carries a beautiful balance of honest reflections on the problems of life and our peculiar circumstances, a reminder of God’s incredible character, and response of trust in the LORD.

I conducted a funeral for a friend a few weeks ago who reminded me of this psalm. She would call me up and everything would seem like an emergency. She had a small flair for the dramatic. But indeed the issues were real and so we would discuss the challenges she was facing. Somewhere in the midst of our conversation she would remember how God had provided for her in the past. The conversation would flow into a time of testimony. Finally she would land on the fact that we all knew from the beginning, God was in control and she trusted him.

It’s good to bring our problems to God! Where else can we take them? In the midst of our problems though, we should remember the character of God. Sometimes we are tempted to look at God’s character through out circumstance. We think, “Oh, He doesn’t love me? Why did he let this happen? How will I ever get through this?” When we should be looking at our circumstances through God’s character, “I don’t know why this happened, but I know that the Lord has never let me down before. I may not see it, but he has a plan. I certainly don’t understand what is going on, but the Lord does.”

David begins with his problems, takes them to the Lord and ends the Psalm with praise of who God is. In doing so, he demonstrates how we might pray and praise the Lord in the midst of our own afflictions.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your grace and everything that is new in my life each morning. Thank you for your amazing faithfulness. Thank you that you delight to hear the prayers of your servants. Thank you that we can call on you in our distress. Thank you that you hear us. As we pray though our difficulties I ask that we would be reminded of your goodness and character. I ask that as we lift our burdens to you we would trust you. Thank you for this tried and true psalm that helps us pray in our afflictions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Praying and Praising God For Healing (Psalm 30)

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PSALM 30

(1) A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. (2) O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. (3) O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. (4) Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. (5) For His anger [is but for] a moment, His favor [is for] life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy [comes] in the morning. (6) Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” (7) LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, [and] I was troubled. (8) I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: (9) “What profit [is there] in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? (10) Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” (11) You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, (12) To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

PSALM 30:1-12, NKJV

PRAYING AND PRAISING GOD FOR HEALING

God is a God who heals! We should rejoice in that fact. We should also note that it is not always his will to bring healing to a person in a given situation this side of heaven. God used the Apostle Paul to heal many people and in one instance there were so many healings happening that they could just take a handkerchief that Paul had touched and it would bring healing to a person (see Acts 19:11-12). Yet we also need to note that Paul himself suffered from illnesses (See Galatians 4:13-15, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and there were close ministry partners who suffered from illness ( See Philippians 2:25-30, I Timothy 5:23, 2 Timothy 4:20) where a handkerchief for healing wouldn’t do.

David had prayed for healing and he was healed and so he rejoiced. There was an instance in my life where I was sick, prayed for healing, and I was healed and I delight in rejoicing in God’s goodness. I think healing in these circumstances should point us toward Heaven where there won’t be any more death or pain (See Revelation 21:4). We should rejoice and be eager for that day all the more when we see miraculous healings take place in our midst.

We must also realize that sometimes God choses not to heal in the way that we might expect or want. Sometimes He allows us to go through suffering ( See Philippians 1). In those instances we must trust in God’s plan and provision for us.

Of course we know that Jesus Himself was no stranger to suffering. He asked God to let the cup of His wrath pass from Him, but that if there were no other way, He would drink it. He just wanted the Father’s will to be done (see Matthew 26:39). I think this instructs us on how to pray when we are praying for ourselves and others who are sick/suffering. We can pray with what we think or hope God might do (healing?) and be ready to accept that God might move in a different direction.

That brings us back to this Psalm. David had prayed for healing and he was healed! Part of his rational in prayer was that He couldn’t praise God for healing if he wasn’t healed. He knew God was able. He knew God was worthy. So he prayed with boldness for healing and he was healed.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you are a God who is able to do the most incredible of things. Thank you that you are are God of healing. Thank you for the healing that has taken place in my own life! I am grateful for the ways you demonstrate you’re amazing love and grace for us. I pray for those I know who need healing today. I ask for you to do what only you can do in their situation. I rejoice at every glimpse of heaven we see in your healing hand. I also confess my trust and dependence upon you to do your will. We trust you to guide us through suffering and death (Psalm 23) as much as we do in healing and life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

A Song For The Storm (Psalm 29)

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PSALM 29

A Psalm of David.

Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The LORD is over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;
The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,
Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the LORD sits as King forever.

The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.

A SONG FOR THE STORM

In this passage we see David look out at a storm cloud on the horizon. He then uses the storm to show us the voice of the LORD speaking to his people. Some Psalms are best read at sunrise or sunset or even in the midst of the night. This Psalm is best read in the midst of a storm. It is said that in the early churches as they gathered on stormy days that they would read Psalm 29. With that in mind we will open up and begin to look at this psalm, a song for the storm. 

This song reminds us that God is sovereign over heavenly beings. Angels are commanded to offer Him worship because He is worthy of worship. Imagine that, we are telling angels to sing and offer praise to God. (We do this with some of our hymns too, like the Doxology, “Praise Him above ye heavenly Host“). Angels are eager to worship God. It is good and it is right that He is to be given praise!

The “voice of the Lord” peals like thunder through this Psalm seven times! It is interesting that the gospel writer John records this incident in his gospel.  [John 12:27-32 NKJV] (27) “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. (28) “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, [saying], “I have both glorified [it] and will glorify [it] again.” (29) Therefore the people who stood by and heard [it] said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” (30) Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. (31) “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (32) “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all [peoples] to Myself.”

The storm moves across the Israelite landscape mocking of BAAL the storm God of the Phoenicians. The real God of all creation is at ease in the midst of the storm. He sits, ruling over all.

Storms are powerful and wonderful. They can stormy weather can be terrifying and miserable. God used a storm to bring the great reformer Martin Luther to where he began to seek after the Lord. In a similar way, He used a storm and the calm response of Moravian passengers on a ship, to being John Wesley to saving faith as well. God speaks in the midst of the storms.

Next time bad weather is rolling through, I”ll be pulling out my bible and reading Psalm 29.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for this incredible passage that helps us use the weather to recognize your glory, your holiness, your greatness, and to come to a place where we are in respectful fear and honor of You. We confess that you are worthy of all praise! Thank you for weather that commands our attention, changes our plans, and provokes us to praise the God of the storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

How You Pray Will Determine Your Praise (Psalm 28)

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PSALM 28

1 [A Psalm] of David. To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You [are] silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. 3 Do not take me away with the wicked And with the workers of iniquity, Who speak peace to their neighbors, But evil [is] in their hearts. 4 Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up. 6 Blessed [be] the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. 8 The LORD [is] their strength, And He [is] the saving refuge of His anointed. 9 Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

PSALM 28:1-9, NKJV

How You Pray Will Determine Your Praise

David comes back to thank the Lord because he know that God had heard his prayer.  HOW OFTEN DO WE COME BACK IN THANKSGIVING FOR ANSWERED PRAYER?  We are good about coming to God with our AGITATIONS but what about our ADORATION. HOW YOU PRAY WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU PRAISE.  

In Luke 17:11-19 10 Lepers are cleansed, but only one came back to worship at the feet of Jesus. I’m sure the others were grateful to some varying degree, but the one who came back was fully bought in to Jesus. Too often we don’t mind pestering God with a wish list of our wants when part of our job in prayer is to recognize that God has moved in the past. He has heard and He has answered prayers before and we should be grateful. Those who only come to God tired and numb in the middle of an emergency are missing the fullness of His Grace. In a large way their relationship has become transactional instead of relational. Like a homeowner coming to the contractor with a bunch of job orders and requests, we have lost sight of the grace of God that has brought us this far in the first place.

A good practical place to practice gratitude is to journal (prayers) and to go back and then see how God answered them. I admittedly am not that great at it. But it does wonders to help me remember everything that was going on at a certain point in my life.

Finding yourself low on praise? Start thinking about all the ways the Lord has blessed you over the years. Think about the prayers you have prayed. How has he answered. How have those times been good or bad. How is God’s grace evident in your life today?

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your great grace. I see every day your kindness to me and have experienced an abundance of your blessings. There were many times where I go t myself in a jam and you were faithful to see me through. There were times when I was lured away and enticed by sin and you called me back to faith and repentance. There were parts of my life that have been hard, but you have always been present. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Help me to be intentional about turning back my prayers into praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

The LORD Is My Light (Psalm 27)

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PSALM 27

[Psa 27:1-14 NKJV] 1 [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD [is] the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I [will be] confident. 4 One [thing] I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 [When You said], “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 [I would have lost heart], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

PSALM 27:1-13, NKJV

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT

David knew God personally! He knew God by name! Everywhere you see capital L-O-R-D the divine name of God appears in scripture. David said that the LORD is “My” light and ‘My” salvation. And strength of “my” life! He wasn’t some foreign entity, He was close, He was personal, He was familiar. David had been on many adventures with the LORD before. 

My son used to be scared of the dark. It wasn’t really the dark that scared him, but it was the unknown. It was the mystery of what might be out there. His mind filled the darkness with monsters. So we gave him a light… and do you know what? Those monsters became shirts hanging in the closet, a ball cap on his shelf, a stack of books on his night stand. The light revealed the way things really were. 

When David says, “The LORD is my light.” He is saying, God is the one who makes sense of the word. 

The famous author, C.S. Lewis, once said, “I believe in Christ as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” 

The Lord himself is my LIGHT! This is not that God provides the light, but that God is the light. It is interesting to note that when you read about the days of creation that on the first day God made light, but He didn’t make the sun until the fourth day. Some theologians say then that God Himself was the light of the first three days. We are also told in Revelation that the sun and moon will be no more! Where then will we get our light.. God Himself is the light in heaven. 

[Rev 21:23 KJV] 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

[Rev 22:3-5 KJV] 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

In fact that is part of what makes heaven heaven. There is no darkness. Nothing is hidden. Everything is revealed. It is filled with grace upon grace. Goodness upon goodness! 

We didn’t get very far in meditation on this Psalm today, but there is lots to it. How about you? What jumped out to you today in your reading of God’s word?

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for being the Light of The World! I am grateful that through you and by you we see the world as it is. Thank you for your grace for the things we do understand. We pray for grace and patience for the things that we struggle to see. We are grateful for your kindness to us and we look forward for the day when our faith will be by sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

A Life Of Integrity (Psalm 26)

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PSALM 26

[Psa 26:1-12 NKJV] 1 [A Psalm] of David. Vindicate me, O LORD, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. 3 For Your lovingkindness [is] before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 In whose hands [is] a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

PSALM 26:1-11, NKJV

A LIFE OF INTEGRITY

When I was in college, there was a soda machine that had a broken part. If you put your money in and put your hand in to hold open a flap, you could get two soda’s for the price of one. I don’t know who first discovered the secret to the soda machine but it presented an ethical dilemma for all of us religion students down the hill. Do you take the extra soda as a blessing from God? Do you give it to someone else? Do you leave it for the vendor? Do you call a number on the machine and let someone know and risk upsetting your neighbors who were enjoying the deal? As we were debating the issue, one of the guys spoke up and said, “I’ll never sell my integrity for 50 cents” (the going rate for a can of soda back then!). That stuck with me.

I’m sure that there are lots of folks who were stealing 50 cent drinks that if they were given an opportunity to steal $50,000 would turn it down. But then again the person who steals $50,000 probably didn’t start out at $50,000. This is where integrity matters most, the small stuff. You can’t be a person of integrity in the big things only.

At this point in his life, David confesses his integrity. He leans on God and counts the blessings that integrity has brought to his life. He is careful with his friendships and those who influence him.

Of course we know the rest of the story. David takes a 50 cent peak at Bathsheba from his rooftop that leads him to bigger compromises and almost costs him his entire kingship before it’s all over! Integrity is one of those things that can be ruined in an instant and over an inconsequential matter.

PRAYER

Father, I so desperately want and need to be a man of integrity. For the sake of my family I need to walk in holiness. Examine my life for compromises. Establish holy friendships. Keep me from the desire to please others to the point that it would compromise my integrity. Let me speak the truth with love to those you have called me to serve. Let me not hold it back, but lovingly and persuasively share your grace. I want to walk with complete integrity before you. I pray that you keep me from temptation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

A Plea For Deliverance and Forgiveness (Psalm 25)

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PSALM 25

1 [A Psalm] of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. … 6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they [are] from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. 8 Good and upright [is] the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. 11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it [is] great. … 18 Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins.

PSALM 25:1-2, 6-11, 18

A PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE AND FORGIVENESS

Psalm 25 is written as an acrostic through the Hebrew Alphabet. It give it poetical flair as well as more opportunity to be memorized, you would know if you forgot a verse. 

It was meant to be used by individuals. Pay attention to all of the personal pronouns, I, Me, and My occur 33 times throughout the Psalm. When we battle different song styles, one of the key criticisms of modern worship lyrics is the “me” centeredness of it all. While we should be careful to not make a song about “Me.” Songs do come from a very personal place. There is both an individual and corporate component to this psalm.

This morning as I read I couldn’t help but think of the mercy and grace of God. It’s good to ponder that He “teaches sinners in the way,” and, “the humble he guides in justice.” How incredible is the LORD that He allows us to call out to Him as individuals. How great it is that when we humble ourselves, He hears our prayers. How marvelous that even more than hearing our cries for forgiveness He leads us in His way!

I was provoked to examen my life again for area’s of sin. To see if there where places in my life where I may have grown callous. I was provoked to pick up an attitude of gentle submission to the Lord to ask him for direct my steps. I confessed my sins.

PRAYER

Father, search my heart. Examine my life. Look into my inner thoughts. Whatever isn’t of you; Whatever hinders me from understanding and receiving your grace; I pray that you remove it. I don’t want to have anything between you and me. Teach me to walk in your way. Forgive me of my sins. Prove me holy by the blood of Christ (not my own merit, for I have not merited anything). Let me walk in humility and righteousness. May my life be pleasing to you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

The King Is Coming (Psalm 24)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 24

1 A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This [is] Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who [is] this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He [is] the King of glory. Selah

Psalm 24:1-10, NKJV

THE KING IS COMING

Jesus is coming! Are you ready? He will be here any moment now! Are you preparing the way? Let’s fill in the pot holes! Let’s knock down the mounds, let’s level the ground! Are we ready? Is my life like it should be? 

This is a Psalm that was probably written as part of a ceremony of bringing in the Ark of the Covenant to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem during David’s reign. It celebrates that the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth has chosen to dwell among His people! It was probably sung by priests in the temple around the time of Passover; perhaps even while Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday nearly 2000 years ago. Jesus will come again, and so I ask, “Are we ready?”

This Psalm ponders the greatness of God. It shakes us out of a slumbering mindset that imagines God more like us and less like He really is. It corrects our blurred vision. The world does not belong to you, it belongs to the LORD! We are His creation; we belong to Him!

Who could go to see such a God? Who could welcome Him back to His creation? Who could even dare to stand in His presence? Only those who are set apart, who are pure, who are Holy. It’s a this moment that we are grateful for the work of Christ on the cross to obtain the forgiveness of sin and impute righteousness to us. We are told in Hebrews that we can, “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

There is one who is worthy, who has made a way for us all, His name is JESUS! He is the only one found worthy to open the scroll and bring all of history to it’s conclusion in Revelation chapter 5. He is the one who offers to bring us along for the ride. He extends forgiveness of sins and eternal life! He is worthy! He is Worthy! He is Worthy!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! Thank you that Jesus is worthy! We look forward to the day when you return to dwell with your people. We long for the moment when you usher in the New Heaven and the New Earth! We look forward with anticipation of your grace, greatness, and glory. Even now come quickly! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.

Like A Shepherd Lead Us (Psalm 23)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 23

A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

PSALM 23:1-6, NKJV

LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US

My family and I have a trail that we like to go hike from time to time. It’s a familiar trail to us now and we’ve named some of the landmarks along the way. There is the mosquito forest, hidden ox bow lake, the hunter’s glen, and “poo-poo beach” (which got it’s name when my then 4 year old son really had to use the restroom and did only to discover that there was a port-a-potty 50 yards through the woods). These familiar landmarks make the hike memorable. Each land mark, like “poo-poo beach” has a meaningful memory tied to it.

Psalm 23 is very familiar to me. It’s probably the most familiar Psalm I know. My youngest child and I quote it to each other almost every night. Because this Psalm is a well worn path in my reading/ reciting it has several key features that jump out to me as I meditate on it today. There are several places in this passage that I have grown intimately familiar with due to life circumstances. As we follow the shepherd through the eyes of a sheep going through familiar territory, I can’t help but see how the Lord has been there for me in the landmarks of my life as well.

The Lord has lead me through green pastures. He has lead me to quiet waters of refreshment. He has been there for me in the valley of the shadow of death, both as I mourned others and faced my own mortality with threatening health issues. I’ve sensed his goodness and mercy running after me.

My favorite part of this Psalm these days is where he prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I am comforted knowing that the enemies that scare me, don’t scare God. He has given me peace in what would otherwise be volatile situations. I am grateful for reading and meditating on this Psalm today.

PRAYER

Father, Like a Shepherd lead us. You know our needs, wants, and desires. You know what is good for us. You know what situations we are in. You know the path we should go. You are gentle in the way you lead, you protect and comfort us. You bless us even in adversity. You chase us down with blessing. You give us more than we could ever want or need. You are good to us. Like a Shepherd lead us. Let us like sheep follow you. Let me trust you in the good times and in the scary. Let me look to you to provide what I need, to know what I need, to protect me when I am in danger, to comfort me when I am scared and to lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.