PSALM 135

Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise [Him], O you servants of the LORD! 2 You who stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God, 3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD [is] good; Sing praises to His name, for [it is] pleasant. 4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure. 5 For I know that the LORD [is] great, And our Lord [is] above all gods. 6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places. 7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries. 8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. 9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants. 10 He defeated many nations And slew mighty kings– 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan– 12 And gave their land [as] a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people. 13 Your name, O LORD, [endures] forever, Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations. 14 For the LORD will judge His people, And He will have compassion on His servants. 15 The idols of the nations [are] silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there [any] breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them are like them; [So is] everyone who trusts in them. 19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel! Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron! 20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD! 21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!

PSALM 135:1-21

A CELEBRATION OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

The difference between Christian and pagan prayer is simple. In pagan prayer, you are trying to tell your god what to do. In Christian prayer, you are asking the real God for His will. In Christian prayer we don’t bend God to our will, if anything He bends us to His. It is like pulling a boat up to the dock. God is the dock, you are the boat, the rope is prayer. As you pull the rope (pray). The boat moves (you), not the dock (God… He is unchangeable).

The Psalm today celebrates God’s sovereignty. That is an attribute of God’s that is hard to imagine because we are really in control of so little in our lives, it is challenging to grasp that He can be in charge of so much. The Psalmist goes out of his way to note that God is in charge of the things that happen under the surface of the water (that mankind at that point could only imagine for no one could observe what was going on in the depths, there were no dive tanks, no submarines, no cameras to tell us about what goes on down there, no researchers with equipment to record the migration patterns of sharks!). God is also in charge of the weather in all of it’s benefits (mists) and terror (lightning). God is in charge of kings and kingdoms (Pharoah and others). This should cause us all to fear and worship God! He is awesome and other than us in a holy, holy, holy sort of way.

His being is significantly different than ours and yet he chooses to reveal himself to us. He demonstrated who he was to Egypt. He chose to love Jacob… and oh how we should love that name by now. Jacob was a trickster who snuck into a dark tent to steal a blessing from his brother, but God loved him anyway! Then we see Jacob’s name changed to Israel later in the verse (v. 4). God loved Jacob too much to leave him the same, so he wrestled with Jacob (Gen. 32), struck his hip and caused him to never walk the same again.

So what does God’s sovereignty mean for us today? We can rest knowing that God is in control of all things. Things we see and know about and things we cannot see from our perspective. He is in control of it all. We can know that He is more powerful than the storm and stronger than the nations that rage around us. He can do whatever He wants… And He wants you even though you’re a sinner from birth. He wants to show you the riches of His grace that you don’t deserve but He freely lavishes upon those who are His children.

Not only does He want you, but He loves you too much to leave you the same. When we come to Christ we repent of our sins and we trust Him to be the Lord of our life. We turn from what we were doing and we submit ourself to Him. You become a part of God’s people by responding to God’s call. Have you done that today? If you have, all this should cause you to marvel that God is so big and yet so accessible to you and I.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your sovereignty. Too often I am tempted to pray pagan prayers where I try and convince you to do things my way. What I really need is to see things your way. Like an ancient sailor observing life in the ocean from the top, I confess that I have no idea what is really beneath the surface of this world, I only know that you hold it all together. I am grateful that you care for even me and should love even me. You are worthy of all glory, honor, and 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.

PSALM 134

A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, All [you] servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD! 2 Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, And bless the LORD. 3 The LORD who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!

PSALM 134:1-3

NIGHT CHURCH

My mother-in-law needed some help cutting down a tree in her yard. I didn’t know that she needed some manual labor and so we had showed up to her house (over an hour away) and I was wearing nicer clothes. Never-the-less, I offered to help my brother-in-law out with cutting down the tree. The only problem was that 20 seconds into cutting this tree down, the chain on the saw broke. My brother-in-law set about to fix the chain. I wasn’t one to be detoured from getting something done by a lack of a saw so I picked up an ax and worked my way through cutting off every limb and cutting everything to the length it needed to be for pick up. After about an hour and a half I had sweated through all my nice clothes and I was near exhaustion. At that moment my brother-in-law came out of the air conditioned house and said he had fixed the saw. I told him most of the work was done but that he could make a couple of cuts on the trunk of the tree to finish the job. It took him all of thirty seconds. During those thirty seconds, my mother-in-law got home and saw her son cutting up the tree and assumed he did all the work. She bragged on him and told him how thankful she was that HE had cut the tree up and got it out of her way. She went in and brought him out a nice big glass of iced tea…. I was beyond thirsty, but she didn’t bring me anything. Fortunately I was too tired to say anything or I might have gotten myself in trouble.

It felt awful to think I was doing so much for my mother-in-law to help her out only to have her throw her gratitude on someone else, who quiet frankly didn’t contribute a whole lot to the process. (Although if the saw was working he would have cut most everything by himself. He is a hard worker. He just happened to be hard at work on fixing the saw).

As we read this psalm there are two places where a petty ingratitude can creep in. The travelers have finally made it to Jerusalem, to the temple, but it is night. The long journey is over and it can be tempting to rush off to bed rather than to thank the Lord for his provision all along the way. How often to we ask for “traveling mercies” when we are going places and when we arrive safely we forget to tell the Lord thank you!

The other place ingratitude can creep in is on the night shift in the temple. The priests and workers are praising God. Most of the people won’t recognize their work because they will be there in the day time, not evening, but these travelers note that someone has stayed up late for them and kept the light on. They have come all this way and someone has stayed up to make sure the temple is open for worship so that no one is left out. These weary pilgrims can stop and praise God along the way, even at night.

Too often we want to give God’s glory to something less deserving. We attribute the success or fortune in our lives to things like our own charisma or ability rather than God’s favor or blessing. We should be quick to recognize his work and thank him for so many answered prayers along the way.

We are often tempted to think that certain parts of ministry aren’t as important as others. But often it is the seldom seen sides of ministry that yield the most fruit. I’m convinced that if we remain faithful to God in the small things, we will see Him do big things!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for the night shift in the temple. Thank you for the ones who came back to turn on the lights for weary travelers coming in who just wanted to give you glory and praise. Thank you for a church building lit up and aglow at night that stands as a witness to you. A beacon of hope as those weary travelers who pass by on their way to and from the city beside us. May we not grow weary in doing good, but live full, and true, and good testimonies for your 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.

PSALM 133

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 [It is] like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 [It is] like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing–Life forevermore.

PSALM 133:1-3

Supernatural Unity

I live in the south, but I grew up in the north. The summers are hot in both places, but the humidity is a real difference maker. The altitude can also make an impact.

Last summer we went to see some of the mountains where I grew up. We drove one of the scenic highways and found snow a few hundred yards off the road. We got out, hiked up, and had a snow ball fight in the middle of summer! It was incredible and refreshing.

This summer we didn’t go to the mountains. We stayed close to home. We saw some of the hottest days at the beach. The fair skinned part of my family came home with sunburns so bad I teased them for looking like lobsters (it was bad). Then a picture popped up of our snowball fight on the mountain. I thought, how refreshing would that be right now!?!

Of course I knew it was an impossibility, the mountain we had seen the year before was a hard four day drive away. But really though, how cool would it have been to experience both the beach and the mountain top in the same day. If it gets to hot at the beach you step out to 12,000 feet on the mountain and if it gets to cold there you step back on to the beach.

That’s kind of the picture here in verse 3. Hermon is the tallest mountain in the region and is in the far north of Israel. The air is cold at the top. Zion is the hill where Jerusalem is and it is quite often arid and dry. They are so far apart that the “dew” of Herman can’t really water Zion. But that is the point of what the Psalmist is saying. When we dwell in unity (v.1) it’s like all the geography between us doesn’t matter. It’s like being refreshed by cool mountain air in the desert.

Unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ is something we should strive for. Even when it seems like it’s a long way off, in God’s timing it may be closer than you think. God blesses the unity of his people. Today I am reminded that unity is worth striving for. It doesn’t take any effort for people to become at odds with one another, but unity takes work.

(On a little bit of a side note, Psalm 133 is perhaps my favorite Psalm to preach outside of Psalm 23. I shared some more detailed notes and illustrations here).

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for those incredible days that I enjoyed with my family. One at the beach and one on a mountain top. I am grateful for both experiences and how they have taught me about geography and more importantly about unity in the local church body. I pray that we would be a united people. I pray that we would look out for one another’s interest and seek each other’s well being. Give us insight into our neighbor’s lives and how we might bless and encourage them. 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.

PSALM 132

A Song of Ascents. LORD, remember David [And] all his afflictions; 2 How he swore to the LORD, [And] vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes [Or] slumber to my eyelids, 5 Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods. 7 Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool. 8 Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. 9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. 10 For Your servant David’s sake, Do not turn away the face of Your Anointed. 11 The LORD has sworn [in] truth to David; He will not turn from it: “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. 12 If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.” 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired [it] for His dwelling place: 14 “This [is] My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”

PSALM 132:1-18

I JUST WANT TO BE CLOSER TO YOU

I have a little girl. I love her and she loves me. At dinner time she often clamors to have the seat right next to mine or across from me so she can see my face. She loves to be right next to me. I enjoy putting my arm around her. I love talking with her. I love hearing about her day. I love her fun little questions and jokes. We really like hanging out together.

That’s the way David felt about the Lord. He loved the Lord. He wanted to be near the Lord. He spent great effort to prepare a place for the temple. He wanted to be physically near the Lord’s presence as he possibly could (God is present everywhere, but he was specially present with the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle and later the temple) .

The psalmist uses the name, “Mighty One of Jacob,” which recalls another Old Testament character. Jacob wrestled with God (Gen. 32) and from that day forward he walked with a limp (and probably a smile)! This Psalm is all about the intense desire to be in the presence of God, even when it costs you something (and the subsequent blessings of being near God as well!)

I got to thinking, I love Sundays because I love the LORD. Its a day that we get to draw near in a different way than we do through out the week. I love reading God’s word and studying with many of you. Because in God’s word I hear from Him and meet with Him! I love studying, preaching, giving, and living out my calling because I love God. Like David I want to be near him in every way I can. Like Jacob, I’ve been touched by him in a way that causes me to never walk the same.

I understand burnout in ministry. I imagine I’ve been closer than I’d like to admit. There were moments where the load was too big to carry on my own, but it didn’t stop me from trying. Burn out is what happens when we forget to go to the spring for ourselves and we get tired and thirsty trying to carry living water for everyone else. It’s ministry from bottom of a dry bucket rather than ministry from the overflow of what God is doing in our lives.

This psalm should challenge us to examine our lives and our routines. Are we just going through the motions? Do we invest in our relationship with God merely when it is convenient or do we sacrifice (Discipline ourselves) for the sake of growing in our relationship with God? It takes sacrifice to be consistently with the people of God, it takes discipline to draw near to God on days that it would be easier to skip reading in the scripture. It is all so much easier when your endgame is just to sit a little closer with the Lord because you love him.

PRAYER

Father, I just want to be near you! I just want to draw close to you today. So often when it seems like you are far off and I think you’ve moved on me, I pick up my head and notice that I’m the one who is out of step with you! Thank you for your incredible grace and mercy that is so abundant in my life. There are moments where I just have to confess that all I can see is your blessing and unmerited favor. Keep me from trying to deliver to others that which I haven’t taken time to experience myself, Renew me each day in your spirit. Energize me in your grace. May my passion burn hot for 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.

PSALM 131

A Song of Ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. 2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child [is] my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.

PSALM 131:1-3

A SIMPLE TRUST IN THE LORD

It has been a whirlwind of a week. I’ve had a lot on my plate. I am teaching, preaching, or speaking 7-9 times a week and that takes a lot of preparation. I’ve got kids in elementary, middle, and high school and they all take time and attention in different ways (Not to mention my wife who deserves the best of me and my time). There were also some church members who had big needs come up this week with grief, health, and other spiritual concerns (it’s always my heart to be there for our folks and walk with them through trials). All that to say that I found myself this morning with a whole lot on my plate and no end in sight. In that kind of a state it is easy to be rushed and frazzled. I already feel behind on everything and I really don’t like that feeling… I probably could have skipped my devotion today. Those of you who read it would have given me a pass. I mean I’ve studied and written out of the overflow for 131 days.

but then I wouldn’t have come to this psalm at just the right moment that I needed to read it. I would still be torn by the chaos of the “what ifs” and expectations of myself and others. I would still be frazzled. Yet, my frazzled heart was brought to peace today by a few simple verses that reminded me that true contentment comes from resting in the Lord.

As a pastor it is easy to read the word and ask for a “word from the Lord” to give to others, because you are responsible for that sort of thing. It can be easy to see scripture as a means to an end. You can start looking to God for what you get, rather than finding your own peace in him. I know men who have lost their way with God while trying to serve him and pastor a church. It seems contrary to nature. Indeed one of the reasons I wanted to blog part of my personal quiet time reading and reflections each day was for the accountability to be in the word daily for myself first and others second.

In verse two, David talks about how his soul is calmed in the Lord like a child who is resting content in his mothers arms. He isn’t begging for milk. He isn’t reaching for something he wants. He is just contented in her. He isn’t reaching or striving. He is just safe in her arms.

I needed to read that and be reminded of that today. I need to rest in the Lord and what he has done. The rest of the day will flow smother when I’m not striving to do it all in my own strength and power but rather trusting in the loving care and strength of the Lord.

I think it was Martin Luther who once said something to the effect of, “The day is so busy, I must spend an extra hour in prayer.” A good sentiment and thought for today. I’m also remember Psalm 127 (often attributed to Solomon I’m told) where we are told that unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labor in vain.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for a good and timely word from the Psalms today. I needed every word and I need to apply it to my life. Too often I am guilty of striving after things that are bigger than me rather than resting content in the biggest blessing I have ever been given (Knowing you and experiencing your love). Thank you for letting me draw from your word today so much personal application to my own heart and life. I continue to be in awe of your sovereignty and your timing. Intellectually I know that you are in control of all things, but I do not experientially know what your sovereignty is like so I struggle and marvel when I see it displayed in ways big and small in my life. Thank you for your grace and calling me your son. I am choosing to rest content in you 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.

PSALM 130

A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But [there is] forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6 My soul [waits] for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning–[Yes, more than] those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD [there is] mercy, And with Him [is] abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

PSALM 130:1-8

THERE IS FORGIVENESS WITH YOU

I’m a little tired and scattered this morning so I’m shooting more from the hip today. This is a little bit about how my brain works as I read through this passage. The questions I asked and general questions that arise as I look for how this applies to me:

The undertow pulls you out further than you ever wanted to go. The water covers your head. You are stuck and can’t get yourself out of it. Where do you go? (v1) Like Jonah caught in the terribleness of his sin. Running from God. Thrown overboard. Swallowed by a whale, sometimes we are in the depths, over our head with problems!

Where do we turn when we are in the depths? Drugs? Alcohol? Pornography? Self-destructive behavior? Food? Relationships? Gossip?… or do we turn to the LORD? 

How do we deal with Sin? Denial? Lie about it? Cover it up?  Blame others? Blame God? Claiming that it’s not a big deal?… or do we come to God for forgiveness?

How do we respond to the offer of forgiveness? Entitlement? Denial? Pride? Resentment? Or Do we respect GOD all the more (v. 5-6)?!

What is the Psalmist waiting for? He is already forgiven! I guess being forgiven and feeling forgiven are two different things? At least sometimes that’s the way it is in my experience. I know God forgives, but I don’t always feel forgiven. I need that security that comes from a renewed relationship with the LORD. You know Saul didn’t wait on the LORD and it turned into a disaster. He had a false security.

Do We Take God at His Word? Do we bank on His promises? Do we cling to Him with a stick-to-it-iveness? Like Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. “If God delivers us fine, if not fine, but we trust the one true God and we won’t bow down to your stupid statue.”

Now the Psalmist has to get others to trust in God’s forgiving nature! His voice alone isn’t enough! He goes and get’s the whole nation (v. 7-8).

Do we invite others to worship God for His attributes? Do we tell them of his attributes? Don’t they need forgiveness too? Don’t they need mercy too? 

He Redeems Israel! (Who once was called Jacob)! What beauty for this name to appear here. Jacob was the trickster who’s name was changed by God to Israel. Jacob was the one who was unworthy of the promise, but was the choice of God. Jacob was redeemed, had his sins forgiven, waited on the LORD. We too shall be redeemed if we come through Christ! We too should sing his praises!

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible grace that extends to even the depths of my problems. I have often been caught in the undertow taken deeper into my sin than I ever wanted to God and you have rescued me. You have heard my prayer. You have given me more grace and help than I have ever deserved. Let me take you at your word today. Trust in your promises. Wait on your deliverance and even entice others to sing of your goodness! You are worthy of all worship and 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.

PSALM 129

1 A Song of Ascents. “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” Let Israel now say– 2 “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.” 4 The LORD [is] righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. 5 Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back. 6 Let them be as the grass [on] the housetops, Which withers before it grows up, 7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. 8 Neither let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the LORD [be] upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

PSALM 129:1-8

LOOK TO THE LORD FOR JUSTICE

I can’t imagine the world of pain that some people have endured. At some points in Israel’s history they were slaves to other people. They were struck, hit, whipped, and abused by cruel masters. They were forced into compliance to do things like bake bricks and plow fields (v 3). They didn’t experience freedom to do many things, including to worship the Lord.

The Psalmist cries out about the injustice served upon him and his people by oppressors. His prayer for them is that the injustice should cease and that those who have been persecuted by their hand will receive justice! This reminds me of the martyrs we see in the book of Revelation calling out to God for Justice

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Revelation 6:9-10

This reminds me that we serve a God of justice. We should seek justice where it can be found. We should seek to right the wrongs done to other, but not the same way the world often does. We should seek for God to bring true and right judgment to each unjust situation (v.4).

We also look to Jesus for ultimate justice. When we suffer injustice we must know that he had his own back plowed by the whip and shred into red rows for the sake of God’s justice on our behalf.

[Isaiah 53:5] But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
[1Pe 2:24] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you that you are a God of justice! I am grateful for your mercy poured out in my life. I am grateful that Jesus went to the cross for my sins. I am grateful for opportunities to seek justice and show mercy to others. I have been given so much grace, let me live in it and show others of your mercy and kindness today. Bring the world to justice and right every wrong. (Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven). 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.

PSALM 128

A Song of Ascents. Blessed [is] every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You [shall be] happy, and [it shall be] well with you. 3 Your wife [shall be] like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace [be] upon Israel!

PSALM 128:1-6

BLESSED WHEN WE FOCUS ON THE LORD

We live in a culture that is enamored with health, beauty, and wealth. We are intrigued by articles that tell us about antioxidants, vitamins, probiotics, etc. that all seem to be the key to good health. We are told to do the crossword puzzles or play music to keep us from getting dementia (or at least keep it at bay). Magazines demonstrate what a better home and garden really look like or how we should organize our plate for health. They all seem to be aiming for a long and healthy life. But what if God has something better for us… What if we are intended to live a well ordered life. 

What if the secret to fulfillment isn’t wealth, fitness, or beauty. What if the secret is really having everything in our lives in a right relationship to Go?

Happiness doesn’t come from wealth, health, or power, but comes from a spiritual perspective. I am most happy not by my work, but by Who I worship! We are blessed when we fear God. The word fear here is to indicate respect. We have to ask ourselves the question. Do I respect God?

When I was a kid and I used to go hunting with my dad there were folks who would let us hunt on their land, but they had a few rules. If for example, they had a log for us to sign in and out when we came on and off the property, we had to go sign the log even if it was inconvenient, because we respected them and were honored with the privilege of hunting there. It was there property. 

If we respect God, we will walk in his ways. We will honor him by our thoughts and our deeds. If His way is to honor the wife of my youth. Then I should honor the wife of my youth. From that flows blessing to my children, described as olive shoots (who incidentally don’t grow on a vine, is this a nod to adoption? or I think perhaps something spiritual like being born again!)

Honoring God provides blessing not only in our homes but grows to other generations. What a blessing indeed it is when the blessing and favor of God rest on a family for generations.

PRAYER

I’m not sure the original context of this prayer, but I had it down as an illustration for how God takes the challenges of life and makes something good out of them. I think in the original illustration a deacon is praying. But I saw it today as I glanced back a file of notes I had for this Psalm and I thought it was a fresh way of praying and looking at things so I included it today in the prayer section. (It is not original with me and I don’t know where I got it from).

“Lord, I absolutely hate the taste of buttermilk. You know that about me. And I hate lard. You know that, too. And you also know that I don’t like the taste of raw, white flour. But Lord, when all of these bad-tasting things get mixed together and baked, they make for delicious biscuits, and You know that I do love my wife’s biscuits. So, help us all to understand, Lord, that when things happen that we don’t like and we don’t know why You aren’t rescuing us from them, we just need to let You finish Your mixing and baking. If we will do that, the biscuits You’ll have for us in the end will be absolutely delicious. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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.

PSALM 127

1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 [It is] vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; [For] so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children [are] a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So [are] the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy [is] the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 127:1-5

RAISE YOUR KIDS TO LET THEM GO!

I first really came to this Psalm years ago before I was married. I was intentionally hanging out with another young man who was growing in the Lord. We were taking a shot at discipleship and accountability to grow in our relationship with God. We didn’t really know a lot about what we were doing, but we were fumbling our way through it. One of the things we decided to do was to memorize scripture. Somehow we came to this passage and we started to see who cold memorize it first. I was so saturated in these verses that by the time it came time for him to marry his sweetheart that these were the words of blessing I found for his family. Then when I got married they become words of blessing on mine. I said them when I first held each of my children and I held them up to the Lord and offered them to Him. (They are never really ours, we are just stewards you know).

There is lots to say about this Psalm, but I’ll keep it brief. I’ve shared about this Psalm several years ago on this blog before.

Children are like arrows. I joke with my older kid in moments of tension between us that its supposed to be this way for now, because God is preparing her to go out from among us and into the world. But not to worry, I am doing my best to shape her and I won’t let her go until it’s time. Our kids were never meant to be kept but to be let go or released into the world, but not without purpose. They are to be aimed, sharpened, honed, and prepared for the task at hand.

What a big job it is to raise a child and what a blessing each child is. We are all shaping our kids for something. Whether we are intentional or not. Where they end up usually has something to do with how and when we let them go. Are they ready to face the world ahead? Do they know how to discern what is going on?

Another part about this passage that always seems to bless me is the part about how the Lord blesses us with sleep. It’s a blessing to close my eyes at night even when the world is full of anxiety and know that the Lord watches over his sheep. If I belong to Him, no matter what comes my way, I am confident that God watches over us. I wrote a little bit about anxiety and sleep before on this blog when I was going through Philippians. Can you imagine the peace Paul had even while chained next to a Roman guard awaiting your possible execution?

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for this short Psalm today. Children are a blessing! Whatever we put our hands to, if you are not in it, it is in vain. So let us seek after you. Let us follow you and we pray even now for your kingdom to come and your will to be done. Oh, what peace is ours when we pray that way, When we trust you with our anxieties and see your will. We aknowledge that children are a blessing and a responsibility. Let us be dilligent to shape the lives of our kids in ways that bring you honor and glory. Help us to balance the tension as children grow older and become ready to leave the home. Give us grace in knowing when to let go, when to hold on just a while longer. We thank you Lord for your incredible mercy and grace! 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.

PSALM 126

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us, [And] we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves [with him].

PSALM 126:1-6

OUR TEARS WATER THE LAND BETWEEN DREAMS

Imagine with me that Farmer Joe is out in the field. He inherited this place from his grandparents who had to abandon it 70 years ago. He’s heard the stories of the ‘good ole days on this farm’ all his life. The men who tell those stories were just boys back then. Uncles, cousins, and family friends who remember it well as a land that brought forth crops in abundance. They are all too old to push a plow, chop the wood, or be of much use in the way of hard labor. However, where their muscles are weak, their minds are sharp, and they remember just how easy it used to be to till the soil and how large the harvests were. 

But 70 years of neglect have left this place a wilderness. The ground is hard and rocky. The soil hasn’t been busted loose in seventy years.  The fields that once held grain are fallow and overrun by small trees and weeds. The orchards and vineyards that used to be the pride of this land have rotted with blight and vines have overgrown the artifacts that reveal that this place was ever once inhabited. The old barn has been eaten by termites and wild animals have made it their home.  It is more than apparent that this place has seen better days. When old farmer Joe came back to this land, it was the worst condition it has ever been. It didn’t fall into disrepair by neglect, but from absence. His family has been gone for more than a generation! 

But Joe isn’t there to wail and bemoan the better days, He has a vision. He’s heard the stories of the good ole days and he longs for even better, fuller days ahead, but it’s going to take a long time to get there. There are too many chores to do. And chores that used to be easy are difficult, painful, and time consuming these days. It’s not a matter of days before this place reaches its former glory, it’s a matter of years, maybe even decades. 

So he goes out, hitches up the mule and gets to work. The ground is hard, it doesn’t move easy. He works each day in a matter of inches and yards not acres as his ancestors had.  His progress on the rows comes with so much hurt and pain. He is frustrated, his muscles ache with an agony of toil and despair, his emotions boil into tears that pour hot and heavy down his face. 

As his tear ducts release the tears as he prays. He prays for God to move. He prays for God to restore what was lost. He holds on to a hope of what the future holds. He dreams of a different time. A time that all of this sowing and crying will produce a harvest.  These seeds that will bring forth joy are sown in the rain of his pain, agony, frustration, worry, and hope. 

This Psalm resonated with me in many ways today. I often hear about the good ole days. All the dreams about the abundance of years past is often prone to a selective memory (which I understand, who wants to hold on to the bad memories?). Sometimes we unintentionally lump twenty successful years into one year and multiply it back by twenty to remember what life was like. We share stories that were 20 years in the making like it all just sort of happened.

For those brave enough to plow the fields of today, there is often a burden of labor that is doubly intense because the ground has changed and you have the dream given to you by people who have unintentionally been making apples to oranges comparisons. The fields have been fallow, not for neglect, but that the culture has changed. (While we are using agricultural analogies, the top soil of gospel in culture has eroded.) The average person in the community has less gospel knowledge and fluency than any generation before. In some sense it is harder to work the fields today than it used to be. (I’ve seen that in 20 years of ministry).

But the truth or myth of how things used to be doesn’t accomplish any of the actual work today. Hard ground or soft, the fields need plowing, the seed needs planting. If there will ever be a harvest again on this ground, the backbreaking work of sowing must take place. The new vision and dream arises about what will the Lord produce through the seeds that are going out today! Seeds sown in hard times watered by the tears of desperate, humble prayers. Those seed will yield fruit in due season and this is the dream we cling to! The dream we hope to be there to see. The dream of what might God do with just a few faithful believers living on vision for Him? A dream that pictures a brighter tomorrow for all the adversity we face today! A dream founded on the past but with real vision into the future. What keeps a tired farmer/pastor in the field broadcasting seed? The HOPE of and KNOWLEDGE that our best days are still ahead of us!

As I reflect on where we are in our cultural moment, I think it is easy for some of us to wonder why the Lord don’t move in our lives like he did back in the good ole days? We can often look back and see that He hasn’t changed, but somewhere along the way, we have. We stopped showing up to pray. We stopped being faithful in our attendance. We stopped reading our bibles. If indeed we stopped doing the things we did when He was working miracles among us, is it any wonder we see less of Him today?

The Apostle John tells us of a church who had lost their love for Jesus to repent and go back and do the things they did when they were first in love with Jesus: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5).

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for opportunity to minister your word to others. Thank you for the easy opportunities and thank you for the opportunities that are not easy. I am reminded that you are the LORD of the Harvest. I am just a laborer that you have called to the task. I ask of you that I would be found faithful to the end in all that you have called me to do. 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.