Tag: Alabama

Recycled Praise (Psalm 108 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional5 Comments

PSALM 108

1 A Song. A Psalm of David. O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 2 Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. 3 I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations. 4 For Your mercy [is] great above the heavens, And Your truth [reaches] to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth; 6 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save [with] Your right hand, and hear me. 7 God has spoken in His holiness: “I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem And measure out the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead [is] Mine; Manasseh [is] Mine; Ephraim also [is] the helmet for My head; Judah [is] My lawgiver. 9 Moab [is] My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Over Philistia I will triumph.” 10 Who will bring me [into] the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 [Is it] not [You], O God, [who] cast us off? And [You], O God, [who] did not go out with our armies? 12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. 13 Through God we will do valiantly, For [it is] He [who] shall tread down our enemies.

PSALM 108:1-13

RECYCLED PRAISE

We have seen this Psalm before or at least we have seen pieces of it in two other places (Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12). In a sense this is a recycled Psalm. David has taken pieces of other Psalms and put them together in a new context and a new way of praise. It think it’s very fitting seeing as how we have been going through these early 100 psalms and noting that God’s faithfulness in the past is fuel for our faith in the present and the future. How great it is that we can use parts of old songs and prayers in the face of our present circumstances.

David blends two thoughts together to meet his present circumstances. He blends the concept of steadfastness/ courage with the principle that it is God who fights for us. When David met Goliath on the hillside his courage came not necessarily from his own ability, but that God wouldn’t let the giant go unanswered. David’s courage came from God.

We can have the same courage facing our present circumstances, especially as we pray and seek after God’s will. We know that it is God who fights our battles and we can take courage and remain steadfast knowing that God is in control.

I can’t help but be reminded today of Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” written at a crucial time in Luther’s life when he was facing persecution. I’ve included the second verse because it’s what sticks out most in my mind in light of our present reading. It has served as an encouragement and has become an anthem in my own life when facing moments that call for courage in our Christian walk.

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your faithfulness in our past that gives us confidence to face the future. Thank you for grace to be steadfast and courageous because you are not a God who is moved or unseated by our trivial challenges, but you are in control of all your creation. We look to you for your wisdom, your grace, your discernment in the midst of whatever challenges we face. We seek after you and your will. 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.

He Saved Them Out Of Their Distress (Psalm 107 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 107

Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, [And] He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 8 Oh, that [men] would give thanks to the LORD [for] His goodness, And [for] His wonderful works to the children of men!

13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, [And] He saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. 15 Oh, that [men] would give thanks to the LORD [for] His goodness, And [for] His wonderful works to the children of men!

18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, [And] He saved them out of their distresses. 20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered [them] from their destructions. 21 Oh, that [men] would give thanks to the LORD [for] His goodness, And [for] His wonderful works to the children of men!

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. 31 Oh, that [men] would give thanks to the LORD [for] His goodness, And [for] His wonderful works to the children of men!

PSALM 107:5-8, 13-15, 18-21, 27-31

HE SAVED THEM OUT OF THEIR DISTRESS

We have three wonderful kids. At times as they were growing up they got themselves in a few binds. Sometimes it was hurt feelings over an issue with a sibling. Sometimes it was scraped knees. Sometimes it was something more serious that required a trip to the ER. Sometimes it was a mess of their own making and we had to deal with disciplinary issues at school. The point is that they all had a place to go when they found that they were in a mess. They knew they could come home to mom and dad.

Some days all three kids come in with three or four different types of binds to handle. As their parents we delight in saving our kids through life’s problems. We are here for them.

In the Psalm today we see God’s faithfulness on display over and over again through all the binds that the Nation of Israel finds itself in. God delights in saving his people through their problems. He is present in the famines, the storms, the messes of their own making and more. He is an always present, always able God.

Notice how gratitude is tied into salvation. The Psalms at this point are teaching us to remember and be thankful for God’s goodness. He indeed is a God who saves!

Often I pray and I thank God for His goodness to me and to us as a people. It’s one of my “go to” things whenever I pray. Part of it is routine, but the reason it is routine is because I don’t want to forget the goodness of God. It is something that in some sense is future tense, but is also past tense and present in my life. His goodness has undergirded my existence and is beyond my temporal experience. It is present when I see it and recognize it and it is present even when I don’t feel it. God is good! And he is worthy of our praise!

I can’t help but be reminded of how Jesus tells us to go to the Father in prayer recognizing that he is the giver of good gifts. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:11)!

PRAYER

Father, You have been my rescue and deliverer in all of my scrapes and binds. You have delivered me from my sin and given me eternal life in Jesus Christ! You have guarded my path and guided my steps when I have trusted in you. You have been a shield and my salvation! I rejoice in your goodness. You are a good father who loves his children and delights to give good gifts. I celebrate your goodness today and am grateful for your kindness that had been shown to me. Let me reflect your love and grace to others this day! 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 Sin of Forgetfulness (Psalm 106 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 106

We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea–the Red Sea. 8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, That He might make His mighty power known. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; So He led them through the depths, As through the wilderness. 10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated [them], And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their enemies; There was not one of them left. 12 Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. 13 They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel,

PSALM 106:6-13

THE SIN OF FORGETFULNESS

I am delighted to post on facebook each Sunday evening about our worship experience at church. I generally look back at the day and share a few of the many things I am grateful for. To be honest, some Sundays are tough. Many are filled with stress and anxiety of trying to communicate with so many people both corporately and individually. If I wanted to complain, Sundays provides no shortage of opportunities to commiserate about the problems I perceive. But I believe Sunday and the worship of the LORD serves a greater purpose than dwelling on our problems, it is a day to reflect on the goodness and grace of God. It’s a day for praise! So I post what I am grateful about in the gathering of the saints each Lord’s day. I do it for my own heart as well as to disciple those who are prone to pessimism.

Some have confused this with boasting, if it is, it’s certainly in the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24, 1 Corinthians 1:31) and not in what I’m doing! The practice has been so good for my heart and my relationship with the Lord. I lament for those who I sincerely believe belong to the Lord, but are critical of me for doing what the Lord has commanded us all to do: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:4-8).

Today as I read through this Psalm I was aware of just how bad an attitude of ingratitude can be. When we forget what the Lord has done, we stop looking for Him to work in our lives and trusting him for the future. Ingratitude is a sin and here it is noted as forgetfulness. Not the kind for forgetfulness that happens with age or as a side effect of taking medications, but the intentional dismissal of how God has moved in the past.

How terrible it is to forget the deeds of the Lord for then we enter into lives challenges filled with anxiety and depression. We face obstacles ahead of us forgetting how the Lord has conquered the challenges behind us. We turn in on ourselves and fail to look forward in faith. Not only do we sin against God by forgetting His deeds and being ungrateful, but we heap anxiety and fear into our lives like never before.

There is a reason that praise is a remedy for our fears. There is a reason that David’s melody soothed a troubled kings heart. It is right and good to praise God and be grateful for what he has already done so that we can rightfully trust Him and rejoice in what He will do. Every problem before us becomes a platform for Praise. Praise God for those people he puts in our lives who have come along with the Word, not to teach us something we have never heard before, but to REMEMBER the Lord!

PRAYER

Father, I am grateful for your word. I am grateful for the psalms that teach us to cry out to you in the good times and bad, the happy and sad times of life. I am grateful for how I have seen you move in my own life. I cherish the opportunity to remember your testimonies and how you have delivered me from my sins. I am grateful to see your hand at work every day in my life. I pray that I would never lose sight of my purpose for all the problems I face. 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.

To All Generations (Psalm 89 Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 89

A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah

PSALM 89:1-4

TO ALL GENERATIONS

In our society we like things quick. We order “fast” food or put something frozen in the microwave and get it piping hot in just a few minutes. We don’t like to wait in lines. We don’t like it when people drive slowly in front of us. we are always in a hurry.

In a society like that, there is something to be said for the things that take time. We have the privilege of living on a hill and knowing of the last several folks who lived in our house. We know generally what happened on that hill for the last 140 years or so. I’ve come to learn some of the stories surrounding the plants around our house. Some of the tree’s were planted by previous generations and from them we draw shade today.

The psalmist wants to declare the glory of God to all generations. Those who have gone before have the legacy of faith to pass down to the coming generations. The newer generation has the privilege of hearing the testimony of how God has moved before. The evidence of God’s faithfulness to the Israelite people was seen in the geneology of the man on the throne. When David’s heir was their, God’s faithfulness was there for those who chose to see it, even though the midst of a few bad kings.

We now see Jesus as the ultimate king in the line of David. He is the one who has come and fulfilled all of God’s promises. He reminds us that God has been faithful in all generations and will be until the end of time.

We may have just come though a rough season or we may be trying to discern what will happen with the youth of today. One thing we can count on for certain is that God is faithful to ALL generations. The same God who watched over our fathers, watches over us, and should he be patient in his return, he will watch over the next generation to come as well.

PRAYER

Father, you are faithful to all generations! You have displayed your love, your justice, your mercy, and your grace in every generation. I am grateful for the way you have moved in my life and I pray for those who are coming behind me today. I pray they see your faithfulness in their generation. Let them be a generation sold out to you. May you do a great work in their time! 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 Conversion Of My Enemies (Psalm 83- Devotional Thought)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 83

As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone [is] the LORD, [Are] the Most High over all the earth.

PSALM 83:14-18

THE CONVERSION OF MY ENEMIES

The Psalmist prays for His enemies. Most of this prayer is dedicated to their destruction and finding out just how wrong they are to defy the hand of God. He is comfortable asking for their total obliteration. It’s what they deserve. There isn’t a whole lot of hope and compassion to spare on enemies… is there?

Most of this Psalm calls for God to act so that the enemies see God is really who He says He is. He wants them to see just how much they have underestimated God. He wants them to bow a knee. He wants them to see God in all of His glory through justice and wrath. Yet in verse sixteen we get a rare glimpse at compassion in the midst of fiery condemnation. He calls for them to, “seek your name.” He calls for the conversion of his enemies.

It might have seemed impossible for the enemies of Israel in the Old Testament to convert to see the LORD as the one true God, yet here we see that prayer request issued. How awesome is God that he not only has the power to decimate his enemies, but that he has the power to convert them into his friends.

And that is what he has done through Jesus Christ. He has reconciled us to him through the cross. Just Read Romans 5:8-10 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

PRAYER

Father, How great you are. While I was a long way off… When I was dead in my trespasses and sin…. When I made myself your enemy… You loved me. Christ died for me. I was redeemed by the blood of the lamb and brought into your family. Thank you that you are the kind of God who transforms enemies into friends even in situations where it seems impossible. Today I lift up those who have made themselves enemies of you by their sin and ask for full and genuine repentance to take place in their lives. I ask for your grace to be poured out and multiplied. Let it go beyond what makes human sense so it is evident that it is a work of You Lord! You are worthy or all praise, honor, and glory. You are worthy of worship! 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.

God Hears The Cry Of The Oppressed (Psalm 82)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

PSALM 82

A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free [them] from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. 6 I said, “You [are] gods, And all of you [are] children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.

PSALM 82:1-8

GOD HEARS THE CRY OF THE OPPRESSED

There are places in the world where those in charge of justice (judges, police officers, politicians, etc.) are not just. They may take bribes. They may extort others. They may turn a blind eye to oppressors. When they do so they leave many people in their wake crying out for justice that they never received. The unjust oppressors may even think of themselves as “gods” because the power they have to decide the fate of others. They may become consumed with power, leverage, and control. They may begin to think, “no one can touch me.” But they are wrong.

God sees everything, even those who pretend to be ‘gods’ and misuse and abuse their power. (Jesus applied this Psalm to the Jewish leaders in John 10:34). Those who have played the part of ‘gods’ but have failed to provide real justice will one day stand before the real judge (Psalm 82:8). God hears the prayers of orphans, widows, and strangers in the land and he will provide justice, even against those who were corrupt in their ruling.

As Christians we should seek to honor God and be just to all. We are called to help those who have real needs. In the west we live in a society that offers many helps to the poor, disadvantaged, and needy, but we still need to be careful that our heart doesn’t become calloused to those in need. If we aren’t careful we will rationalize our way out of helping anyone but ourselves. We should live to see Jesus’ kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven and this includes taking care of the needs of those around us.

The blog article listed below is a good starting place for more resources on this issue.

Tough Conversations About Helping Those In Need (2 Thessalonians)

PRAYER

Father, I live in an industrialized nation. We have many opportunities for which I am grateful. I confess that sometimes it makes it hard to really see the needs around us. We often try to cover, hide, or accuse those who are struggling with real issues of poverty that we don’t understand. Please give me your eyes when it comes to seeing those who have real needs my proximity. Give me wisdom to know how to really help people in vulnerable situations. I know that I was dead in my trespasses and sin before you brought me to life through Jesus Christ. I ask for grace on how to demonstrate your radical generosity in my own 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.

Revive Us Again! (Psalm 80)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

PSALM 80











1 To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell [between] the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come [and] save us! 3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure. 6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! 8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. 9 You prepared [room] for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land. 10 The hills were covered with its shadow, And the mighty cedars with its boughs. 11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, And her branches to the River. 12 Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her [fruit]? 13 The boar out of the woods uproots it, And the wild beast of the field devours it. 14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine 15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch [that] You made strong for Yourself. 16 [It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man [whom] You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
PSALM 80:1-19





REVIVE US AGAIN 





We have a few trees and plants in our yard that have just run wild. When we moved in we didn’t know anything about them nor about how to care for them so they’re had 5 years to run in their own direction. They were a mess with branches running every which way, bugs, blight, and produced very few flowers or fruit. Our trees and plants were in need of some sort of revival. Leaving them to themselves didn’t provide an abundant carefree existence. It caused them to become eye sores, sickly, and overgrown. The sort of revival these trees/plants needed wouldn’t happen unless someone stepped in to care for them. 





This year I did a little research on our trees/ plants, bought a few sharp instruments for cutting, and watched a few pruning masters at work. I stepped in and applied my new found skills on our trees and soon enough they all came roaring back to life in all the right places. (It was interesting to note that at first it looked like I had killed the trees because they were in such a drastic need of pruning, but later in the spring/ summer they all came to full blossom/fruit!)





In the same way the nation of Israel needed revival. It has run too long in it’s own direction! They need the Lord to step in if it will ever flourish again. Asaph calls out to God to send a man who will be that instrument of flourishing. One who God will use to revive a dying people and bring them back to a place of brilliance and worship. 





We know that the Son of Man (v. 17) is Jesus! He is the only one who can bring flourishing back to floundering souls. He is the only one who can restore the hope of a broken down nation. He is the only one who can cause hope to shine in the darkest of nights.





Have you run too long in your own direction? Find yourself in need of revival? Come to Jesus today and ask him for revival in your life. Invite him to prune the things that distract you from following Him (Hebrews 12:1), immerse yourself in His word (Psalm 1:2-3), and draw near to God (James 4:8). Go back and do the things you did when you first fell in love with Jesus (Revelation 2:5). 





PRAYER





Father, How often like sheep are we prone to run astray and in our own direction. We should know by now that when we run long in our own direction it never leads to true and lasting happiness or flourishing. Sin is always fun for a season, but the longer we live in it the more foul our lives become. We find ourselves in need of you and in constant need of revival. We pray that your hand of grace and mercy would be upon us and that you would call us to repentance. I am thankful that you have promised to never leave nor forsake those who belong to you for we need your constant hand of care.  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 Good Government (Psalm 72)

						

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PSALM 72





 [A Psalm] of Solomon. Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear You As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers [that] water the earth. 7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.
PSALM 72:1-7





A GOOD GOVENMENT 





I’ve been a few places outside of the United States and seen how a few different countries are governed. Sometimes the people have a voice in who will be the president or leader, other times they have no real voice. I’ve witnessed poverty in lots of places. Sometimes that poverty was caused by injustice that was unaddressed by the “rulers” and in some instances it was even caused by the “rulers.” Such instances should cause us to pause and consider what is a “good government?” Even in America there is turmoil and strife over how our country is run and for those who cry out for justice. It only makes it more evident that we live in a fallen world. 





Solomon writes this Psalm calling out to God to bless him to be a good leader and ruler of his people. He doesn’t have a small job, it’s a big one.  He is the first in the Davidic line of kings behind his father David. He wants to judge justly. He wants to honor God as king. And as we read through the scriptures we notice that he does several things right… but then we also note that he does several things wrong or not as rightly/ fully as he should. (It’s easy to see his mistakes from the outside, but I wonder how he felt when he was making them?)





The truth of the matter is that Solomon was a good king, but the end of his Reign not only had he built the temple to God, but he had build several places for idol worship in the land of Israel. We see he was wise and just, but he also had oppressed and perhaps overworked the people of the northern ten tribes to the point that they are willing to rebel when his son takes over. 





We marvel at the Davidic line. How can someone who is said to be a man after God’s heart go an commit adultery and kill another man? How can a man be called the wisest man who ever lived and yet be at the center of rampant idolatry worship in Israel? We could probably say similar things about the people who have held office in our cities, states, and nations. We need a better leaders. We don’t just need sometimes godly leaders, we need God as our leader…. Enter Jesus Christ. 





I’m convinced that our complaints of injustice can only be met when Jesus is king. Indeed we are taught to pray, “Thy Kingdom Come.” We are recognizing that as good as our politicians and leaders might be in their own generation, there is only truly ever good king and his name is Jesus. Only He can deliver us from sin, and death. He is the one who can undue the curse. 





PRAYER





Father, Your kingdom come. Your will be done. I am asking for good and godly leaders for our nation. I am grateful for so much that has transpired recently in my nation with the supreme court. While I ask for your blessing on our leaders and for your will to be done and executed through good and godly politicians who would seek after you, I also know that no one will be as good for the world as Jesus. So I look to you and pray that in your timing, your kingdom would come, and those in Christ would be ready.  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.


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
Worshipping God In My Old Age (Psalm 71)

						

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PSALM 71










 I have become as a wonder to many, But You [are] my strong refuge. 8 Let my mouth be filled [with] Your praise [And with] Your glory all the day. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. 
… 18 Now also when [I am] old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to [this] generation, Your power to everyone [who] is to come. 19 Also Your righteousness, O God, [is] very high, You who have done great things; O God, who [is] like You?
PSALM 71:7-9, 18-19





WORSHIPPING GOD IN MY OLD AGE





In high school I ran track. Well actually I threw the shotput and discus, so I did the “field” portion of track and field. We were a small school and there was a meet where we didn’t have anyone running the 880 event. The coach asked me if I’d like to compete. I was relatively in shape and I thought to myself, “How hard can it be?” So I signed up to run. We lined up, the starting shot was fired and I took off in a full on dead sprint. I glanced behind me to see that I had taken a huge lead. I thought to myself, “I’ve got this in the bag.” Then as I was running out of steam near what I thought was the end, my team yelled to keep going!?! Come to find out the 880 was a two lap race… I had thought it was just one!





I wasn’t in such great shape that I could run two laps at a dead sprint, one was pushing it. So over the next moment as I pushed myself as hard as I possibly could to just finish I saw every other runner pass me. I came in dead last at a pace that was more suited for pulling a pan out of the oven than running a race. I learned a lot of valuable lessons that day. I learned to never count your chickens before they hatch and that it’s really not how you start the race that matters… it’s how you finish. You may faulter at the begging and still win, you may start out well and still lose. 





The Psalmist discusses his youth and his age in Psalm we are looking at today. As I’ve crossed over the 40 year age mark I’ve begun looking more and more at the later laps of my life. I want to live well and run the race that God has set before me. That means that later laps matter! 





Some people hit a certain age and slow down. They’ve raised their kids to a point of self sufficiency or they retire from work and so they seek to retire from worship and ministry as well. Or maybe they just coast. Who would blame them, they are tired and weary. There are plenty of young folks behind them who bring so much more energy… They all but quit right before the race is over. 





The Psalmist prays today. Lord, Do not forsake me in my old age… in a sense don’t put me out to pasture yet. If I’ve got life, I want to give it in worshipping the Lord. I don’t want to slow down on the last laps of life, I want to kick it up. I don’t want to wane in my devotion to the Lord, I want to maximize what little time I have left so that others see the supreme value of worshipping the Lord. I want to run the race well and I want to finish well!





I know that we each run the race set before us. When we get to the later years of life the struggles are real. The issues with our health, mobility, and sensibility may be broad and challenging. But we should each ask ourselves, “What does it look like to run this lap of my life well?” How do we handle our trials? Do we see them as there to BREAK us or MAKE us (James 1:1-4)?  What sort of attitude do we pass on to others? Do we celebrate the work of the Lord wherever we see it or do we curse the next generation under our breath? The Psalmist asks God that he wouldn’t be forgotten and in a sense that he wouldn’t forget his opportunity to still celebrate and worship the Lord. We should run the race with endurance!





PRAYER





Father, Thank you for all the blessings that come with youth and old age. There are so many things we are able to do when we are young and so many things we know by experience when we are older and some where in the middle of it all we hit an apex of both ability and knowledge. But don’t let my inexperience of youth nor my decreased ability in my old age become an excuse not to pursue you with my whole heart! Lord I pray that you would have all of me for all of my life. Please Lord let the last laps of my life be the best laps, let what I may lack in strength be supplemented with desire and a humble attitude of worship! You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! 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.


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
God Bless Us… Let The Nations Be Glad (Psalm 67)

						

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PSALM 67





To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. God be merciful to us and bless us, [And] cause His face to shine upon us, Selah 2 That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 [Then] the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
PSALM 67:1-7





GOD BLESS US… LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD





I took my daughter to a splash pad the other day. She had the time of her life getting soaked in cool, fresh water on a hot day. She kept begging me to come and play. There was more than enough water and she wanted me to join in the fun. Her joy would be multiplied by my participation in the artificial  precipitation!





While we were there I couldn’t help but notice one particular feature of the splash pad. There were two cone shaped buckets suspended in the air being filled with water. The axis by which they were attached was just off center so when the bucket filled it spilled out on to everyone bellow. I couldn’t help but think of how God blesses us and our blessings flow to bless others as well. 





God blesses us to be a blessing! The Old Testament nation of Israel had a peculiar promise and mission from God. It was through them (via the covenant God made with Abraham) that all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 12). They were blessed, but the blessing wouldn’t be just for them, it was for all the nations.  There would be excess blessing (this is how God blesses!) And in watching the overflow of blessing in others, they would be even more blessed! 





When God blesses us, it isn’t just for our enjoyment, it’s also for the joy and blessing of others. The overflow of our cup not only blesses others but it increases our joy and celebration as we see God’s blessing continue to cascade to others! This should provoke us to prayer and praise as the Psalmist does here… “God bless us… let the nations be glad!”





There are some who have taken a pause at saying things like, “God Bless America.” I don’t know where the pause comes? Truly you should pray that God would bless your country (regardless of your nationality) and others would be blessed by it. Indeed its from the overflow of God’s blessing on Israel, that we are blessed! In that, we all have something to sing about!  





PRAYER





Father, Thank you for grace upon grace poured out in blessing upon your people! Thank you for the blessings that have been poured out in my life. I rejoice to see how you have blessed my by the overflow of blessing on others and that you have used me as a vessel of your blessing to others! I rejoice in your goodness and celebrate your sovereignty today! 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.